Beef Olives or Beef Rouladen (Roulade singular) is typically bacon, onion, etc. wrapped in thinly sliced beef, pan seared and then cooked in a tomato & wine based gravy till tender. Mildly spiced (only pepper has been used), yet delicious and flavourful due to the use of fresh ingredients.

Beef Olives / Beef Roulade / Beef Rolls

Ingredients

• ½ Kg. Beef Steaks, cut into thin slices
• 1 pkt. Bacon (250 gms) (Pork or Beef Bacon)
• 1 large Onion cut into thin slices
• 1 large Potato (optional) cut into thin slices
• 1 large tomato (optional) cut into thin slices
• 4 to 5 garlic cloves sliced fine
• Fresh mint or thyme leave, as required about 2 tbsp.
• Corainder leaves, as required about 2 tbsp.
• 1 tbsp. pepper powder

For gravy:

• 2 medium chopped onions
• 5 to 6 small whole onions
• 2 carrots cubed
• 1 Potato cubed (optional)
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 cup Tomato pasata or fresh tomato puree (I have used tomato paste)
• 1 cup red wine (or 1 cup grape or cherry juice)

To assemble the Beef Olives:

1. Cut the steak slices into strips of 3” x 6” or 3” x 8” depending on your requirements. The butcher would cut and flatten the steaks if requested. If not flatten and beat at home with a steak hammer or a pestle
2. Wash and drain well squeezing out all water.
3. Take a strip of beef and sprinkle some pepper powder, then place a bacon slice followed by onion slice and potato and tomato slice if using. Sprinkle some garlic, mint/thyme and coriander leaves.
4. Roll the beef strip tightly and secure with string or toothpick.
5. Fry the rolls in a tbsp. of oil on high heat till they change colour. 
6. Reduce heat, turn and brown on all sides.
7. Remove and set aside.

To make the Gravy:

1. Take deep pan and add 2 tbsp. oil and fry the chopped onion. 
2. If any bacon or onion and pepper powder remains from the olives, add to the pan and sauté till onions are light brown.
3. Add the pasata, stock and wine, adjust seasoning.
4. When it begins boiling, add the browned olives, and the whole onions, carrot and potatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce flame and cook covered for 30 minutes.
6. Open the pan and stir and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or till meat is done and the sauce thickens.
7. Transfer the rolls to a serving dish, remove string or toothpicks, and pour the vegetable and sauce over the meat. 
8. Enjoy with warm buttered bread or rolls, crusty bread or even with steamed rice.