Francesina or Lesso rifatto: the traditional Tuscan recipe for using leftover boiled meat

Francesina or lesso rifatto is a rustic dish of the Tuscan tradition that transforms leftover boiled meat into an unforgettable culinary experience. At Bambi Trippa e Lampredotto we are proud to present our version of this classic of Tuscan cuisine. Below you will find the simple and quick steps to prepare this typical second course, but first some historical information on the name “Francesina“.

The History Francesina

The origin of the name Francesina, also called lesso rifatto, is very ancient and, like all ancient stories, has more than one version.

The first is linked to Certaldo, a small village in the Chianti area. Some say that the origin of the name Francesina derives precisely from this town through which the Via Francigena passes and that the innkeepers of the time prepared this dish based on leftover boiled meat adding onions. 

Certaldo is in fact very famous for Certaldo onions, a Slow Food presidium food, with a red color and a distinctly sweet flavor.

 

The second version instead says that the name Francesina was born to make fun of the French. In fact, Caterina de’ Medici, going to the French court, brought with her some traditional Florentine recipes including the carabaccia, the typical Florentine onion soup. The chefs of the Paris court adapted the recipes brought by Caterina in their own way, for example replacing butter with extra virgin olive oil. The Florentines obviously didn’t wait long to return the favor with their irony, calling Francesina a dish based on leftover boiled meat flavored with lots of onions.

 

Francesina recipe

Ingredients:

• Leftover boiled meat
• Red onions
• Tomato
• Salt and pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil

 

Preparation:

• Slice the onions into thin slices.
• Brown the onions in hot oil until they become transparent.
• Add the meat and let it brown.
• Add the tomato, salt and pepper.
• Simmer until the meat is tender and the sauce is thick.

 

Bambi ‘s Francesina

Bambi is a historic family of tripe makers. For over 130 years we have been dealing with lampredotto, tripe, offal and typical Florentine cuisine in general. Francesina is a traditional Tuscan dish that we love and that we prepare following Nonna Bambi’s ancient recipe.

 

If you are in Florence, we recommend you to come and visit us at our historic shop in the Central Market of Florence to taste Francesina but also other typical Tuscan recipes. In addition to the shop, you can also find us inside the Central Market of Milan and at I Gigli Shopping Center in Campi Bisenzio.