Osso Buco is a delicious Italian meal perfect for a family get-together or a romantic dinner.
Some dishes are so fancy that you think there is no way you could make them at home. Osso buco was always that type of dish to me. It’s not that I mind cooking something for hours — after all, that’s how long a brisket takes, and I love making brisket! I just figured that osso buco was a labor-intensive dish. Was I wrong!
Osso buco, meaning “bone with a hole” in Italian is a delicious Mediterranean meal worthy of your efforts. If you love Italian cuisine, try this slow-braised meat dish at home. It turns any night into a fancy occasion without the need to get dressed up. Of course, if you want to turn it into a romantic evening, light some candles and pour a glass of red wine. This meal is equally perfect for a candlelight dinner as it is for a family gathering.
Is Osso Buco Healthy?
With red meat as the main ingredient, this dish is one to save for special occasions. It’s fairly high in cholesterol and fat, though it also offers plenty of protein, too. Remove any excess fat from the veal shanks before cooking for a slighter leaner end result. Once fully cooked, serve your osso buco alongside some healthy vegetable side dishes to make a more balanced meal.
What Is Gremolata?
Gremolata is an Italian condiment made by mixing chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. Salt is optional, but it helps enhance the overall taste. Don’t skip this part of the recipe, as it adds exceptional flavor to the dish.
Gremolata is easy to make. Take about 3/4 cup of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, one large grated garlic clove, zest from 1 large lemon (approx 1 tablespoon), and a dash of salt and mix it all together. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of lemon zest and garlic to suit your taste.
FAQs & Tips
HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?
Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature before refrigerating in airtight containers for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooled leftovers in zipper bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months and defrost them overnight in the fridge.
WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR VEAL?
Osso buco can also be made with beef, pork, and lamb shanks. All are delicious.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SLOW-BRAISING?
Slow-braising meat leads to a fall-off-the-bone tenderness that melts in your mouth. The meat cooks slowly in a combination of wine, stock, vegetables, and herbs that infuse it with incredible flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Osso buco is best served with a starchy side that can benefit from the incredible flavors in the gravy. You can serve it with this Polenta, Parmesan Risotto, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Italian Rice. A meal this good deserves a wonderful dessert, and these delicate Tea Cookies rise to the occasion.
Ingredients
- 6 veal shanks 1-1.5 inches thick
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more if needed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 large carrot diced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken or veal stock
- 2 cans 14 ounce each diced tomatoes
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Gremolata for serving
Instructions
- Season veal shanks with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add veal shanks and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same Dutch oven, add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Return the veal shanks to the Dutch oven. Add white wine, stock, diced tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover with a parchment lid, and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F.
- Cook until the meat is fork tender, about 2-3 hours (cover during the first 2 hours of cooking only). If needed, add more liquid during cooking to prevent it from drying out.
- Remove bay leaf and serve the veal shanks with the braising liquid. Top with freshly made gremolata.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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