Stracotto
Place in a stewpan 5 or 6 lbs. of the round of beef. Cover with water and allow to simmer until the scum rises. Skim and add a quart of tomatoes (some people like also a clove of garlic), 5 or 6 onions, some stalks of celery, 1 or 2 carrots cut in small pieces, salt, and pepper.
Let it cook slowly closely covered about 5 hours. An hour before serving remove the beef (which is to be placed in a covered dish at the side of the stove) and strain the gravy.
Cook one cup of rice in this gravy. When the rice is cooked replace the beef in the stewpan and warm it.
Add ½ cup grated cheese and 2 tablespoons of butter to the rice and pour around the beef on a platter.