Osso buco is a specialty of Lombard cuisine of cross-cut veal shanks. It is very tender and melts in the mouth.
Here is a tasty recipe using veal osso buco:
For the Osso Buco
4ouncespancetta, diced into 1/4 inch cubes (see recipe note)
2 1/2 to 3pounds veal shanks (4 to 6 pieces 2 to 3 inches thick)
1/2cup diced carrot (1/4-inch dice)
1/2cup diced celery (1/4 inch dice)
1mediumonion (1/4 inch dice)
2tablespoons chopped garlic (about 4 cloves)
3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1teaspoon dried)
1cup dry white wine
1 to 2cups chicken or veal stock
Flour for dusting the meat before browning
Salt and pepper
For the Gremolata
2tablespoons Italian parsley
1tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
2cloves garlic, crushed and minced
Method
Preheat the oven:
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Brown the pancetta:
Heat a Dutch oven on the stove top over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add pancetta to pan, cook, stirring occasionally.
When the pancetta is crispy and most of the fat has rendered (about 5 minutes of cooking), remove the pancetta to a plate covered with some paper towel and set aside.
If necessary, drain off all but two tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
Dredge the shanks in flour, brown in pan:
Place the flour in a shallow bowl or deep plate.
Season the veal shank well with salt and pepper. Dredge the veal shanks with some flour, shake off any excess, and add the meat to the hot fat in the pan.
Increase the heat to medium high and cook the shanks on each side until well browned (about 5 minutes per side). Remove the shanks to a plate, set aside.
Sauté the onions, carrots, celery:
Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the Dutch oven. Cook the onion mixture, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent (about 5 minutes) and toss in the garlic and thyme.
Continue cooking until the vegetables just begin to brown (about 10 minutes).
Return the shanks to pan, add wine and stock:
Add the shanks and the pancetta back to the pan. Pour in the wine and then add enough stock to come a little more than halfway up the sides of the shanks.
Bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and put it in the oven to cook until the meat is tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Make the gremolata:
Combine the gremolata ingredients, place in a separate small serving dish.
Serve on top of risotto or polenta. Sprinkle with gremolata.
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