Milanese Braised Beef-Cooking Light

From the Jan/Feb 2009 magazine. They write the flavor only gets better with time, so cook ahead, if you prefer, and store up to three days in the refrigerator before serving. Looks like a great recipe to test out my new dutch oven!

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 (3 lb)  boneless chuck roast, trimmed
• 4  ounces pancetta, cubed (approx 1/4 inch)
• 3  garlic cloves, sliced
• 1  tablespoon canola oil
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups onions, chopped
• 2  cups  chianti wine
• 1 1⁄4 cups  fat free low-sodium beef broth
• 3  sprigs fresh basil
• 3  sprigs fresh marjoram
• 1  bay leaf
• 4  carrots, peeled and diagonally cut into (3/8-inch-thick)
• 6  parsnips, peeled and diagonally cut into (3/8-inch-thick)
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°.
2. Combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, stirring well. Make several small slits on outside of roast with a paring knife; stuff with pancetta and garlic slices. Roll roast; secure at 1-inch intervals with twine. Sprinkle roast with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Coat surface of roast with flour mixture, patting with your hands so it adheres.
3. Heat oil and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add roast to pan; cook 15 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Add onion to pan around roast; cook 5 minutes or until browned. Stir in wine and broth. Place basil, marjoram, and bay leaf on a double layer of cheesecloth. Gather edges of cloth together; tie securely. Add cheesecloth bag to pan; bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 300° for 2 1/2 hours, turning roast every 45 minutes. Nestle carrots and parsnips in pan; cook 1 hour or until roast is tender enough to cut with a spoon.
4. Transfer roast and vegetables to a platter. Discard twine; keep beef warm. Strain wine mixture through a sieve into a large bowl; discard cheesecloth bag. Return wine mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes. Combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch in small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add cornstarch mixture to pan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired.