Beef braciole (Italian beef rolls)

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 6 x 1cm-thick slices beef scotch fillet or topside steak, trimmed
• 2 tbs finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbs finely grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbs toasted pine nuts
• 6 slices prosciutto, halved widthways
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 cup (125ml) dry red wine
• 2 cups tomato passata (see note) (sieved tomatoes)
• 1/4 cup sliced basil leaves, shredded

Method

1. Using a meat mallet or a rolling pin, pound the steaks between sheets of baking paper to about 5mm thick. Cut steaks in 2 widthways. (You can ask your butcher to do this for you.)
2. Combine the parsley, garlic, parmesan and pine nuts in a small bowl and season with sea salt and black pepper.
3. Lay the prosciutto slices over each steak and scatter with parsley mixture. Roll up to enclose and secure with toothpicks.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat and cook the rolls for 3-4 minutes, turning, until browned all over. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
5. Add wine to hot pan and boil until reduced by half. Add the passata and bring to the boil, then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes or until thickened. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Return rolls and any juices to pan, then scatter with basil and cook for 3 minutes or until heated through. Slice rolls in half and serve with soft polenta, if desired.