Side shot of Sacchetti with Braised Beef and Taleggio with a Smoked Kefir Sauce and Charred Leek Oil in a round grey bowl next to a fork, glass of wine, and a plate of cheese.

Sacchetti with Braised Beef & Taleggio with a Smoked Kefir Sauce & Charred Leek Oil

Apr 20 2021
Inspired
Serving Time Icon 2 hr
Serves Number Icon Serves 2-4

This mouth-watering fresh pasta, braised beef and smoked kefir dish from Chef Samantha Lamanna won “Fan Favourite” and second-place in this year’s Garland Culinary Competition at the Restaurants Canada show. Her dish uses the very special and unique Taleggio Locale cheese from Quality Cheese in Vaughan, ON. The delectable sauce is made with local Ontario kefir and whole milk that helps bring out the many amazing flavours of each ingredient of this beautiful recipe.

Tip: This Ontario Taleggio is sold across Ontario in grocery stores as 'Le Bon Secret'. 

Prep 1 hr

Cook 1 hr

Pasta Dough

Method

 

Note: You can purchase sheets of fresh pasta that you can cut into 5 inch by 5 inch squares or make your own!

 

Step 1

Mix all ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times.
 

Step 2

Mix until the dough just comes together and knead by hand until it forms a ball.
 

Step 3

Flatten slightly and put into a small ziplock bag and rest in the fridge.
 

Step 4

When ready to roll out, flatten and lightly flour both sides.
 

Step 5

Pass through the pasta machine a few times on the largest setting and folding each end into the middle, making a square and continuously passing through the largest setting until you achieve a perfect smooth square.
 

Step 6

Continue passing through the machine adjusting the setting until you reach #1 flouring as needed to ensure the dough doesn’t stick.
 

Step 7

Cut out 5 inch by 5 inch squares and set aside covered until ready to fill.

Braised Beef

Method

Step 1

Cut the beef into cubes, heat pressure cooker and add olive oil.
 

Step 2

Brown meat and season with salt and pepper.
 

Step 3

Cut washed leek tops into smaller pieces and cut washed carrot into rounds or half-moons leaving the skin on.
 

Step 4

Once beef has browned add thyme, bay leaves, garlic, berries, carrots and leek tops. Stir frequently.
 

Step 5

Add flour and coat all the beef and vegetables.
 

Step 6

Deglaze with red wine and add stock.
 

Step 7

Cover with pressure cooker top, set the flame to medium high and set timer for 20 minutes.
 

Step 8

Release pressure and remove carefully and take off heat.

Braised Leeks

Method

Step 1

Thinly slice the white part of the leek, heat a sauté pan and add butter.
 

Step 2

Cook the leeks, season with a pinch of salt and add a touch of water to help soften the leeks.
 

Step 3

Cook until soft with no colour.
 

Step 4

Set aside in a bowl for later use.

Charred Leek Oil

Method

Step 1

On open flame char the leeks.
 

Step 2

Once charred allow to cool and then place into your blender with oil and salt.
 

Step 3

Blend until smooth and pass through a strainer. Reserve for plating.

Smoked Kefir Sauce

Method

Step 1

In a small sauce pot add butter, melt over a medium heat.
 

Step 2

Add in flour whisking constantly making a roux. This will create a white roux as this will be a white sauce, we want to only cook out the flour without colour.
 

Step 3

Add half of the milk and whisk until smooth, add the remainder of the milk and the Taleggio cheese.
 

Step 4

Whisk until smooth, season with salt and off the heat whisk in the kefir.
 

Step 5

Once smooth transfer to a small bowl and smoke for 1 minute.

Pasta filling

Method

Filling, Shaping, Cooking

Step 1

Set oven to broil.
 

Step 2

Add the braised leeks, beef and carrots along with the braising liquid to the food processor. Pulse a few times just to break down the meat and ensure the vegetables are well incorporated.
 

Step 3

Transfer to the bowl and set aside for pasta stuffing.
 

Step 4

Have your pasta squares laid out on your work surface and place 1 piece of Ontario Taleggio on each square, followed by 1 heaping tsp of beef mix to fully cover the cheese.
 

Step 5

Take each corner and bring it to the centre, pinch the centre and lift your fingers up to make the “handle” of the sacchetto.
 

Step 6

Ensure when pinching it is as thin as possible, so it cooks evenly with the bottom part of the pasta.
 

Step 7

Once all the pasta is filled and shaped, drop into blanching water for 2 minutes.
 

Step 8

Once pasta is blanched, remove onto a tray lined with parchment paper.
 

Step 9

Set your broiler to high and pass under the broiler for about 1 minute or until the tops are well charred. Brush with fresh olive oil to have the pasta shine.
 

Step 10

Plating: In the large bowl place the smoked kefir sauce. Make sure it’s even on the bottom and covers most of it. Gently place 3 pieces of pasta in a triangle shape on the sauce, drizzle the charred leek oil around and over the pasta.


Serve and enjoy!

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