From Kyle Phillips,
Your Guide to Italian Food.
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Boiled beef is quite obvious -- a fairly large piece from an older animal, to judge from its rich flavor. If you boil beef for a bollito misto, bring the water to a boil before adding the meat. As when making broth, you'll want to season the water with a little salt, some parsley, a carrot, an onion, a celery stick, and some pepper corns.

When the beef is done the water will work fine as stock, but won't be as flavorful as it is when you make broth by putting the meat into cold water and then heating the water.