Osso Buco is an authentic Italian dish made with Veal. The veal shanks are slowly braised in tomato sauce, wine, and broth with vegetables. Traditionally veal shanks are served over creamy polenta or saffron risotto. This dish is topped with another Italian classic called Gremolata. Gremolata is an Italian condiment usually made of only 3 ingredients.
Some Osso Buco dishes call for white wine, while this one calls for red, the choice is up to you. Try it both ways and see which you like better. Osso Buco goes well with creamy side dishes, due to the richness and big flavors it has. This Italian recipe has endless side dishes. Other than polenta or Risotto Alla Milanese some examples include a mushroom risotto, butternut squash puree and mashed potatoes.
Recipe from the 2019 PA Preferred® Culinary Connection at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours
Serves: 2-4
INGREDIENTS
3 lbs. veal osso buco, center cuts, 6 pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Olive oil, as needed
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup PA red wine
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 bay leaf
3 cups vegetable stock
POLENTA
1 lb. polenta
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup grated Fontina cheese
2 Tbsp. butter
Pinch of sugar
GREMOLATA
1 bunch spring onions
1 bunch fresh basil
2 lemons, zested
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pat the veal dry, making sure it is at room temperature. Season well with salt and pepper. Coat the veal in flour and shake off the excess.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook the veal in batches, until browned all over, 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pot and set aside to rest.
- Add the extra-virgin olive oil without cleaning out the pot. Cook the onion at medium heat for 5 minutes or until translucent, scraping up the remaining pieces of meat.
- Add the celery and carrot and stir until the vegetables soften. Increase the heat and add the tomato paste. Place the veal back in the pot. Add the wine and let it cook for 2 minutes.
- Place the rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf into a piece of cheesecloth and secure with twine. Add the herbs in the cheesecloth and the vegetable stock, ensuring the veal is immersed in the liquid.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 4 hours, until the veal is soft and you can break it with a fork. Flip the veal and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Serve osso buco over polenta, and top with the gremolata if desired.
POLENTA
- In a medium saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the polenta, salt and pepper and cook until the polenta is dense, about 40 minutes.
- Before serving the polenta, add the Fontina, butter and sugar.
GREMOLATA
- Chop the spring onions, basil, and lemon zest
- Combine.
