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Braised veal shank osso buco over risotto, gremolata scattered on top, marrow bone visible

Osso Buco alla Milanese

Anne Kjellgren @ Food Wine and Flavor
Braised veal shanks are a Northern Italian classic and the canonical match for big, tannic Piedmontese reds. The collagen-rich shank melts into a silky, gelatinous braise whose fat and savory depth are exactly what Barolo's tannin needs to soften and unfurl. Finish with a bright gremolata to echo the wine's high acidity and lift the richness.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 veal shanks 1½–2 in thick, tied
  • Salt pepper, and flour for dredging
  • 3 tbsp oil + 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion 1 carrot, 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups stock
  • Bay leaf and thyme
  • Gremolata: zest of 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, ¼ cup parsley

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 325°F. Pat the shanks dry, season, and dredge lightly in flour.
    Two veal shanks, rosemary and a bottle of olive oil next to a dark brown Dutch oven on a Boos cutting board
  • Sear in oil and butter until deeply browned; remove.
    Two veal shanks sitting upright with the widest part of cut searing on the Dutch oven surface in butter in olive oil
  • Soften the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in the pot.
  • Deglaze with white wine and reduce by half.
  • Add tomatoes, stock, bay, and thyme; return the shanks (liquid about two-thirds up).
  • Cover and braise 1½–2 hours until fork-tender.
    Veal shanks right before turning - midway through cooking process for Osso Bucco
  • Combine the gremolata ingredients and scatter over just before serving. Serve with risotto Milanese or polenta.
    Gremolata ingredients: Garlic, parsley and fresh lemon

Notes

Wine Note

The silky, collagen-rich braise is the fat-and-protein cushion Barolo's fierce tannin demands; the lemony gremolata answers the wine's own high acidity and keeps the pairing lifted.
Keyword braised veal shanks, gremolata recipe, osso buco alla Milanese, osso buco recipe, veal shank recipe
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