Rocky Mountain Timballo

Ingredients

In the Rocky Mountain Timballo, we substitute the traditional Italian ingredients with those commonly found in Rocky Mountain cuisine. Instead of using traditional Italian meats like sausage or ground beef, we incorporate game meats such as venison or elk. The vegetables are also adapted to the region, including root vegetables like parsnips and turnips. Additionally, we infuse the dish with local herbs and spices to enhance the flavors and give it a distinct Rocky Mountain taste. We alse have the original recipe for Timballo di anelletti, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) game meat (venison or elk), diced 500g (1.1 lb) game meat (venison or elk), diced
• 250g (8.8 oz) anelletti pasta 250g (8.8 oz) anelletti pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 parsnips, diced 2 parsnips, diced
• 2 turnips, diced 2 turnips, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 cup beef or game broth 1 cup beef or game broth
• 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cook the anelletti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced game meat and cook until browned. Remove the meat from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the diced carrots, parsnips, turnips, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Return the cooked game meat to the skillet and mix well with the vegetables.
7. 7.
   Add the chopped thyme and rosemary to the skillet, along with the beef or game broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
8. 8.
   Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
9. 9.
   Grease a round baking dish and layer half of the cooked anelletti pasta on the bottom.
10. 10.
    Pour half of the meat and vegetable mixture over the pasta, spreading it evenly.
11. 11.
    Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and meat mixture.
12. 12.
    Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top layer.
13. 13.
    Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
14. 14.
    Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
15. 15.
    Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Game meat — Ensure the meat is diced into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
• Anelletti pasta — Cook the pasta until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy in the final dish.
• Fresh herbs — Use fresh thyme and rosemary for the best flavor. If unavailable, dried herbs can be substituted, but use half the amount.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked paprika to the meat and vegetable mixture.
• Feel free to experiment with different game meats, such as bison or wild boar, to add variety to the dish.
• Serve the Rocky Mountain Timballo with a side of fresh salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the dish.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day for an equally delicious meal.
• If you prefer a crispier top layer, broil the dish for a few minutes after baking.

Serving advice

Serve the Rocky Mountain Timballo hot, straight from the oven. Cut into wedges and plate with a garnish of fresh parsley. Accompany with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, use a round baking dish that showcases the layers of the Timballo. Sprinkle some additional fresh herbs on top before serving for a pop of color.