Brodo Di Manzo Recipe Video
The soul of this dish is an incredibly rich, and deeply flavored, beef broth or “brodo.” This is accomplished by slowly simmering a beef shank for a long time, a really long time - like 4 hours, so if you’re in a hurry, this dish is not for you. But, if you want to enjoy a bowl of something that will warm you to the bone (or shank) then give this extremely simple soup a try.
As you’ll see in the clip the first part of the dish is making the dark and delicious beef broth, after that we add some tortellini and kale to finish. That’s the point where you can swerve in your own direction by adding different types of pasta or greens. This would be just as savory with Swiss chard, mustard greens, etc. As far as pasta substitutions, if you’re not into the cheese tortellini I added, then virtually any other short pasta or macaroni will work.
When I look at the ingredient list I find it hard to believe how such a short and simple list can produce something this satisfying and wonderful. Those “winter blues” will never know what hit them!
Ingredients
Beef shank - 1, about 2 inches thick
Onion - 1
Garlic - 3 cloves
Olive oil
Tomato paste - 3 tablespoons
Beef broth - 1 quart plus 1 quart of water
Kale - 1 bunch
Dried cheese tortellini - 8 ounces
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste
Red pepper flakes - to taste
Parmesan cheese - to garnish
Directions
MAKING
1) In a large pan, brown the beef shank in olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 miutes on each side. Remove the beef.
2) Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the pan. Add some more olive oil. Saute the onion for about 7 minutes.
3) Add the salt, mix and then add the tomato paste after about 5 minutes. Mix well and let the onions carmalize. Ensure that the onions do not burn.
4) Add the chopped garlic and stir well.
5) Add the beef broth and water and put the shank back in. Swirl the meat around a few times.
6) Add the dry herbs and red pepper flakes and stir.
7) As soon as the mixture starts to simmer, cover then pan and let the ingredients simmer on low for 4 hours.
8) Uncover the pan and stir once.
9) Skim the fat off the top.
10) Add the chopped kale and mix lightly. Cook till the greens are tender (about 15 minutes).
11) Add the tortellini and stir lightly.
12) Cover the pan once again and cook the ingredients for 10 minutes.
13) Uncover the pan, stir lightly and check for seasoning. If needed, add the salt.
SERVING
14) Put the hot preparation in a large soup bowl, add some toppings as per preference and serve while still hot. A slice of Italian bread can be served on the side.
1) In a large pan, brown the beef shank in olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 miutes on each side. Remove the beef.
2) Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the pan. Add some more olive oil. Saute the onion for about 7 minutes.
3) Add the salt, mix and then add the tomato paste after about 5 minutes. Mix well and let the onions carmalize. Ensure that the onions do not burn.
4) Add the chopped garlic and stir well.
5) Add the beef broth and water and put the shank back in. Swirl the meat around a few times.
6) Add the dry herbs and red pepper flakes and stir.
7) As soon as the mixture starts to simmer, cover then pan and let the ingredients simmer on low for 4 hours.
8) Uncover the pan and stir once.
9) Skim the fat off the top.
10) Add the chopped kale and mix lightly. Cook till the greens are tender (about 15 minutes).
11) Add the tortellini and stir lightly.
12) Cover the pan once again and cook the ingredients for 10 minutes.
13) Uncover the pan, stir lightly and check for seasoning. If needed, add the salt.
SERVING
14) Put the hot preparation in a large soup bowl, add some toppings as per preference and serve while still hot. A slice of Italian bread can be served on the side.
Editors Review
This is a perfect winter soup and makes a delicious, healthy and warming winter meal. I make the soup in a crock pot and let it slow cook for four to five hours and serve it for dinner. Its a dish that takes a long time to make so if you are in a hurry then this is not the dish you can make. My family loves tortellini and so I use packaged ones instead of making them from scratch.Chef
