what is bresaola

Bresaola is an Italian cured meat made from air-dried, salted beef. It is typically made from the eye of the round cut of the cow, which is a very lean and tender cut. Bresaola is aged for two to three months until it becomes hard and turns a dark red, almost purple color. It is usually sliced paper-thin and served at room temperature or slightly chilled as an antipasto. Bresaola is commonly served with drizzled olive oil and lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, and served with rocket (rucola, arugula) salad, cracked black pepper, and fresh Parmesan cheese. It can also be used to top pizza, pasta, or risotto, or thinly sliced bresaola can be the star of a salad made with arugula and slivers of a funky hard cheese like Grana Padano. Bresaola is sometimes confused with carpaccio, which is made from thin-sliced raw beef (the other ingredients are the same) . Bresaola made in Valtellina has protected geographical indication status (IGP), so only bresaola made by certified butchers in a specific area can be sold as Bresaola della Valtellina IGP.