Beef or Veal alla Pizzaiola

This is a flavorful recipe for less tender cuts of beef or veal. I usually prepare this dish using beef chuck steak, beef round steak or veal chops. This can be cooked either on top of the stove or in the oven.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  lbs  beef  chuck steaks or 2  lbs beef round steak or 2  lbs  veal chops, cut 1 1/2 inches thick
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 2  cloves garlic, chopped
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh Italian parsley, leaves only (the flat kind)
• 1 -2  teaspoon oregano
• 1  small onion, sliced (optional)
• 1⁄2-1  cup  fresh small white button mushrooms (optional)
• 1⁄2-1  green pepper, seeded and cut into chunks (optional)
• 1 (20 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, unseasoned

Directions

1. Coat the bottom of a large pan with olive oil.
2. Using your hands, crush the canned tomatoes and add about half of them to the bottom of the pan.
3. Add half of the salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano and onions to the pan (only add the mushrooms to the top layer).
4. Place the meat on top of this mixture.
5. Cover the meat with remaining crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano, mushrooms and onions.
6. Cover pan tightly and cook over a low flame for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (until meat is tender).
7. Add the green peppers to the pan for the last 15 minutes of cooking time.
8. To prepare this in the oven instead of stove top, use a shallow roasting pan, (follow above directions), cover pan tightly and bake at 325°-350°F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (until meat is tender).
9. Serve with potatoes or rice and a green salad.