True Heritage Recipe: Steak Madrid

As with many that now call America their home, my family heritage began in another country and made me who I am today.  My mother's side of the family was originally from Turino, Italy and immigrated to America to make a better life for themselves.  They ended up in a community in Southwest Wyoming called Blairtown which became home to several families from various cultural backgrounds.   Within this community, there was a true bond amongst neighbors and they openly accepted each other's differences and embraced one another's heritage.   The recipe for Steak Madrid is an homage to the bond that existed in Blairtown and was taught to my Grandmother Bonatto by her dear friend and neighbor Rita Martinez.   As tempted as I am to "gourmetify" the dish, I have not simply because it is wonderful just the way it is...ok I added fresh chives as a finish, but that is it!

Ingredients

1 Small Yellow Onion diced finely

2 Cans 15 oz. Tomato Sauce

1 Can Chopped Green Chiles (mild)

1 Cup Flour

11/2 - 2 lbs. Top Round Cutlets (pounded thinly)

1/4 Cube Butter

1/3 Cup Red Wine

1 Pkg. Brown Gravy Mix

1 Cup Beef Broth

Shredded Cheddar Cheese (to your taste)

Kosher Salt and Pepper

Fresh Chives

Olive Oil

Preparation

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
2. Dice onion finely
3. In bowl or prep dish, add flour and season generously with salt and pepper and combine thoroughly.
4. Dredge cutlets on both side in flour mixture
5. In saute pan, coat bottom with Olive Oil, heat to medium.  Test to see if pan is hot, simply take a bit of flour and if it sizzles, it is hot enough.   Once hot, brown each side of the cutlet (approximately 2-3 minutes).  Remove from pan and set aside.
6. Turn burner to low and melt butter.  Once melted add the red wine and deglaze pan.  Once liquid is approximately reduced by half, then add onions and cook until translucent.  Then add tomato sauce.
7. Meanwhile in glass measuring cup, whisk gravy mix into beef stock.   Once blended, combine with sauce on cooktop and lastly add Green Chiles.
8. Allow sauce to boil and remove from heat.
9. In oven proof pan, pour sauce into the bottom and place cutlets into the sauce. 
10. Cover and bake for 45 minutes
11. Once 45 minutes has elapsed, remove from oven and add cheddar cheese to the melt. 
12. Return to oven for 15 minutes
13. Serve over rice and garnish with fresh chives

 

Enjoy a taste of Blairtown, courtesy of Rita Martinez!!!!