Many years ago..italian friends made us Marcella Hazan's Polpettone..`From The Classic Italian Cookbook~ We loved it..the book was not available..but I found it online at a second hand bookstore in NYC I think..I wish I had kept the name..
So I continued to make Marcella's Polpettone and truly enjoyed it..
A little while ago.. I was browsing through my Maria Loggia book..and found a recipe for Rolled veal and spinach..which reminded me so much of Marcella's but more beautiful..more colorful~
I love making these.. like a rolled cake..but the main dish~
I didn't have veal and I know it will be even better with veal..but I did have lean beef..and made it with that..
You mix your meat with home made breadcrumbs..garlic, eggs.. parsley,seasonings..
Then you roll flat to a rectangle ap 1/2 inch thick.. and top~
~I used her suggested wilted,and squeezed dried spinach mixed with eggs and cheese
~ Our home made roasted red peppers sliced thinly
~ I reconstituted lovely dried mushrooms..so flavorful
~ Jacque's prosciutto
~Thinly sliced marinated artichoke hearts..drained.
~ And should have added black olives but I was in a rush to get outside..
Top with fresh mozzarella..and roll..and pinch all seams..for the goodness to stay in..
I baked mine for ap 20 mins wrapped in foil to keep it nicely formed.. then unwrapped and continued baking for the total suggested time of ap 70 mins..
Broiled for a few minutes.. then lest rest for 10..I couldn't wait the 15.. and it's not 80 degrees here..what's the purpose of lovely warm plates if you put cold food on top?
I did not need a sauce..to me this was packed with deliciousness.. Serve whatever side dishes you think would go well~If you need a tomato sauce.. it would be nice also.Or a roasted red pepper coulis would be lush~
It makes a nice large roll with her suggested 2 lbs of meat.. I used ap 1 lb 5 ounces.. Jacques and I had it for dinner..I kept 2 slices..and there was enough to share for another dinner..Marcella's is still a classic..delicious unforgettable meal..but it's nice to have a different type~ Adventure!
Keeper~