Citrus and Fennel Braised

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fennel seed
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 orange, sliced
• 8 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 6 sprigs savory
• 1 stick cinnamon
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 5-pound beef eye-of-round
• 7 large Spanish onions, sliced
• 1 28-ounce can tomatoes, tomatoes crushed by hand and juice reserved
• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 1 bottle dry white wine
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    1713 calories; 78 grams fat; 23 grams saturated fat; 41 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 50 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams dietary fiber; 23 grams sugars; 128 grams protein; 396 milligrams cholesterol; 571 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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Serves 4 to 6

Preparation

1. Two days before serving, in a large, nonreactive container, combine the fennel seed, bay leaves, orange, garlic, savory, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the meat and rub to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Wipe the marinade ingredients from the meat and reserve along with any liquid. In a braising pan fitted with a lid, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Sear the meat well on all sides. Transfer to a plate. Add the onions and sauté until they begin to caramelize, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the reserved marinade ingredients and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juice and cook over high heat until reduced by half, about 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add the wines to the pan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, cover snugly with foil, then cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Braise, undisturbed, for 3 hours, or until a fork slides through the meat with little or no resistance. If necessary, continue to cook until tender, checking every 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the meat to a platter. Pass the braising liquids and solids through a food mill and return them to the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the meat to the pan and let cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Reheat the pan, 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through. To serve, thinly slice using a very sharp knife. Spoon some of the braising liquid over the top. If desired, serve with creamy polenta or mashed potatoes.