How to cook beef olives from the butcher

Harrison Clayton October 15, 2022 8

Beef olives are a popular and delicious dish that can be made using ground beef and a variety of fillings, such as herbs, cheeses, and vegetables. This savory dish is perfect for a Sunday family dinner or a special occasion, and it’s surprisingly easy to make.

But what exactly are beef olives? Beef olives are thinly sliced cuts of beef that are stuffed with a filling, rolled up, and secured with toothpicks or cooking twine. The name “beef olives” is believed to come from an old English term that referred to any dish that was wrapped or rolled around a filling. While the typical filling for beef olives is a mixture of herbs, cheese, and vegetables, you can get creative and use any fillings that you prefer. The beef olives are then cooked in a flavorful sauce until they are tender and juicy.

So, how do you make beef olives? Start with visiting your local butcher to get the best-quality beef for these delicious rolls. Ask for thinly sliced cuts of beef that are tender and suitable for stuffing and rolling. Then, prepare your filling by chopping herbs, grating cheese, and cutting vegetables into small pieces. Mix the filling ingredients together until they are well-combined.

Next, it’s time to assemble your beef olives! Lay a slice of beef flat and place a spoonful of the filling at one end. Carefully roll up the beef, making sure that the filling is enclosed securely inside. Secure the roll with toothpicks or cooking twine. Repeat this process with the remaining slices of beef and filling.

Finally, it’s time to cook your beef olives. Heat a bit of oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef olives on all sides. This step adds flavor to the dish and helps to seal in the filling. Once the beef olives are nicely browned, add a flavorful sauce to the pan, such as tomato sauce, beef broth, or wine. Cover the pan and simmer the beef olives for about an hour, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.

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And that’s it! Now you know how to cook beef olives from the butcher. Serve them with mashed potatoes, green beans, or crusty bread for a truly delicious and satisfying meal. Try experimenting with different fillings to create your own unique variations of this classic dish.

Beef Olives: Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

Beef olives are a classic dish that combine the succulent flavors of beef with the richness of a stuffing. This recipe guide will take you through the steps to create mouthwatering beef olives right in your own kitchen.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need thinly sliced beef, such as top round or sirloin, a breadcrumb stuffing mixed with herbs and spices, bacon slices to wrap the beef, and toothpicks to secure the bacon in place. Additionally, make sure to have some beef broth or stock handy for cooking.

Step 2: Flatten and Season the Beef

Lay the sliced beef out on a cutting board and gently pound it with a meat tenderizer to flatten it out. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of each slice to add flavor.

Choosing the Best Cut of Meat

When it comes to cooking beef olives, choosing the right cut of meat is essential. The quality and tenderness of the beef will greatly influence the final result of your dish. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best cut:

Cut	Description	Best Cooking Methods
Sirloin	A lean and flavorful cut taken from the rear back portion of the animal.	Grilling, roasting, or pan-frying.
Bottom Round	Taken from the rear leg, this cut is relatively lean with good flavor.	Braising, roasting, or slow cooking.
Flank	An elongated and lean cut located near the abdominal muscles.	Marinating, grilling, or stir-frying.
Chuck	A tougher cut with deep beefy flavor, typically obtained from the shoulder area.	Braising, slow cooking, or stewing.
Ribeye	A well-marbled and tender cut sourced from the rib section.	Grilling, searing, or broiling.

Ultimately, the choice of cut depends on your personal preference and the cooking method you plan to use. Consider factors such as fat content, marbling, and tenderness when making your selection. Experiment with different cuts to discover your favorite flavors and textures for beef olive dishes.

Gathering the Ingredients

Before you can start cooking your delicious beef olives, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Make sure to have the following items ready:

1. Beef Roulades

6 thinly sliced beef steaks, approximately 4-5 inches in size
Salt and pepper for seasoning

2. Filling Ingredients

6 slices of bacon
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Make sure all your ingredients are fresh and of high quality. It’s also a good idea to prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking to make the process smoother and more efficient.

Preparing the Meat and Stuffing

Before you can start cooking the beef olives, you need to prepare the meat and stuffing.

1. Tenderize the Beef

To make the beef more tender, you need to pound it. Place each beef slice between two sheets of plastic wrap, then use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to pound it until it’s slightly thinner and more pliable. Continue this step for all the beef slices.

2. Prepare the Stuffing

For the stuffing, you can use a variety of ingredients to add flavor to your beef olives. Here is a simple stuffing recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, minced garlic, and grated parmesan cheese.
Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then mix well until everything is evenly combined.

3. Fill the Beef Slices

Take a beef slice and place a spoonful of the stuffing mixture in the center. Roll the beef slice around the stuffing, tucking in the sides as you go. Secure the beef roll with toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent it from falling apart during cooking. Repeat this step for all the beef slices and stuffing.

Note: If the beef slice is too small to hold the stuffing, you can overlap two slices and secure them together with toothpicks or kitchen twine.

Now that you have prepared the meat and stuffing, you are ready to start cooking the beef olives.

Cooking the Beef Olives

After preparing the beef olives according to the recipe and stuffing them with the desired filling, it is time to cook them. Follow these steps to ensure a delicious and perfectly cooked dish:

Step 1: Preparing the Pan

Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up before proceeding.

Step 2: Searing the Beef Olives

Gently place the beef olives into the preheated pan. You might need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure that each piece cooks evenly.

Allow the beef olives to sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust. Using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip the beef olives to sear the other side.

Note: The purpose of this step is to brown the beef olives and seal in the juices, enhancing the flavors during the cooking process.

Step 3: Simmering the Beef Olives

Once all the beef olives are seared, reduce the heat to low and add any desired sauce or liquid to the pan. This can be a beef stock, red wine, or a combination of both. The liquid should partially cover the beef olives.

Pro tip: You can also add diced onions, garlic, or herbs to the pan for additional flavor.

Cover the pan with a lid and let the beef olives simmer gently for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they become tender and flavorful. Check the olives occasionally and adjust the heat if necessary, ensuring that the liquid maintains a gentle simmer throughout the cooking process.

Step 4: Resting and Serving

Once the beef olives are cooked to perfection, remove them from the pan and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to distribute evenly within the meat, resulting in juicy and succulent beef olives.

Serve the beef olives with the sauce from the pan, along with your favorite side dishes. Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a leafy green salad make excellent accompaniments to the beef olives.

Now that you have learned how to cook beef olives, it’s time to enjoy this delicious and gourmet dish right at home! Bon appétit!

Serving and Enjoying

Once your beef olives are cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious dish. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of your meal:

Transfer the beef olives onto a serving plate or individual serving dishes.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a sprig of rosemary for an added touch of freshness and aroma.
Serve your beef olives with steamed vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli, for a well-rounded meal.
Pair the dish with roasted potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes to complement the flavors.
Drizzle the beef olives with the delicious cooking juices from the pan for an extra burst of flavor.
Offer some crusty bread on the side to soak up all the tasty juices.

Whether you’re serving this dish for a special occasion or a simple weeknight dinner, these tips will enhance your dining experience. The tender beef and flavourful stuffing will surely impress your guests and leave you craving more.

So go ahead, take a bite, and let the rich and savory flavors of the beef olives transport you to a culinary delight!

Variations and Tips

There are several variations and tips that you can follow to make your beef olives even more delicious:

Variations:

Instead of beef, you can use pork or chicken for the filling.
You can add some chopped onions or garlic to the filling for extra flavor.
Try adding a layer of cheese or bacon on top of the beef before rolling it up.

Tips:

If the beef is too thick and difficult to roll, you can pound it with a meat mallet to thin it out.
Make sure to secure the olives with toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
For a deeper flavor, marinate the beef olives in a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs before cooking.
Do not overcrowd the pan when browning the beef olives to ensure they cook evenly.
Once cooked, remove the toothpicks or kitchen twine before serving to avoid any accidents.

Harrison Clayton

Meet Harrison Clayton, a distinguished author and home remodeling enthusiast whose expertise in the realm of renovation is second to none. With a passion for transforming houses into inviting homes, Harrison's writing at https://thehuts-eastbourne.co.uk/ brings a breath of fresh inspiration to the world of home improvement. Whether you're looking to revamp a small corner of your abode or embark on a complete home transformation, Harrison's articles provide the essential expertise and creative flair to turn your visions into reality. So, dive into the captivating world of home remodeling with Harrison Clayton and unlock the full potential of your living space with every word he writes.