Best Alcatra Recipes

ALCATRA ( PORTUGUESE POT ROAST WITH WINE, BACON & GARLIC)

Steps:

• In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
• Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and cloves to the Dutch oven.
• Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
• Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
• Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

INSTANT POT® ALCATRA FEIJAO (PORTUGUESE BEAN STEW)

Steps:

• Pour beans into a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and add 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped clove garlic. Add enough water to cover beans by about 1 inch. Close and lock the lid. Choose Manual pressure and set the timer for 25 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Drain beans and transfer to a bowl.
• Rinse the inside of the pressure cooker insert and wipe dry. Turn the pot back on and select Saute function. Add enough oil to spread across the bottom of the pot. Add remaining chopped onion, remaining 3 chopped cloves garlic, and peppercorns to the hot oil. Saute until onion is softened and clear, 3 to 5 minutes. Add bacon and sausage; cook and stir about 3 minutes. Add wine, tomato paste, salt, and chili powder. Allow everything to cook for about 1 minute.
• Pour cooked beans into the pot. Stir together and add enough water to cover the mixture. Place a bay leaf and 2 tablespoons butter on top. Close and lock the lid. Choose the Slow Cook function and set the timer for at least 1 hour; you may cook it longer if you wish.
• Shortly before serving, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and immediately stir into the stew to thicken.

PORTUGUESE CAçOILA (ALCATRA)

Steps:

• In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
• Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add butter, onions, paprika, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, wine vinegar, and allspice to the Dutch oven.
• Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
• Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
• Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer. Ensure the meat is cover with the wine.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

EASY PORTUGUESE SLOW COOKER POT ROAST (ALCATRA)

Steps:

• 1. In a large stock pot, add the bacon and fry over medium-high heat just until crisp.
• 2. Add the onion, bay leaves, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, garlic and tomato paste. Cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to slow cooker.
• 3. Season the roast with salt and pepper, then cut the roast into medium-sized cubes. Place the roast chunks on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker.
• 4. Add the wine and water to the stock pot, stirring to scrape up all of the browned bits on the bottom, and allow it to boil for 5 minutes. Pour the wine mixture over the roast, and top with the bacon. Add more water, if necessary.
• 5. Cover and set the slow cooker for about 8 hours. At the 4 hour mark, flip the roast over, cover and continue to cook another 4 hours or until thoroughly done.

POT ROAST TERCEIRA ISLAND-STYLE (ALCATRA)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to hot (400F). Saute the bacon in the vegetable oil in a large heavy kettle over moderately low heat 5 to 6 minutes until all drippings cook out and only crisp brown bits remain; lift to paper toweling to drain with a slotted spoon. In the drippings, brown the beef well on all sides over moderately high heat. Lift the beef from the kettle for the time being. Dump the onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and cloves into the kettle and saute, stirring often over moderate heat, 8 to 10 minutes until touched with brown.
• 2. Blend in the tomato paste, turn the heat down low, cover, and steam 20 minutes. Scoop half the tomato mixture into a small heat-proof bowl, return the beef and bacon to the kettle, then spoon the tomato mixture on top. Add the wine and salt and bring to a simmer.
• 3. Cover and bake 2 hours; uncover, and turn the beef over in the kettle liquid. Lower the oven temperature to moderately slow (325F), and bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until tender and browned on top. Note: If at any point the kettle should threaten to boil dry, add a little water or additional dry white wine.
• 4. Slice the meat thin and serve with boiled or roasted potatoes and a green vegetable, As for wine, the islanders would drink a rough tinto (red wine), so any substantial table red would be appropriate, particularly Portuguese Dao Grao Vasco or Colares.

ALCATRA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425° F.
• In a clay baking pot or heavy Dutch oven, rub the insides well with the lard covering thoroughly. Add the 2 of the onion, garlic, carrots, figs and pimenta peppers to the pot.
• Season the beef shank and neck with a liberal amount of salt and pepper and add to the pot. Add the bay leaf, star anise and remaining onions. Mix all ingredients together in the pot.
• Fill the pot with wine to cover all ingredients cover with lid or foil.
• Place pot in the oven and cook for 4 hours. After 1 1/2 to 2 hours check the pot and add more wine if needed.
• Remove from oven and serve with sweet bread.