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Flavorful Osso Buco Recipe Easy Classic Italian Comfort Meal

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A classic Italian comfort meal featuring slowly braised veal shanks with a bright gremolata topping, delivering tender, rich flavors perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 veal shanks, about 1.5-2 inches thick (can substitute beef shanks)
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio)
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef or veal stock, homemade or low-sodium store-bought
  • 1 cup (240ml) crushed tomatoes
  • A few sprigs fresh thyme and rosemary, tied together (bouquet garni)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic for gremolata, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the veal shanks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece evenly in flour, shaking off any excess. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the veal shanks on each side for 4-5 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside. (15 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for about 8 minutes until softened and fragrant. (8 minutes)
  4. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to caramelize the tomato paste. (2 minutes)
  5. Pour in white wine, scraping the pan to lift browned bits. Simmer until reduced by half, about 5-7 minutes. (7 minutes)
  6. Return veal shanks to the pot. Add stock, crushed tomatoes, and herb bundle. Liquid should come halfway up the shanks. Bring to a gentle simmer. (5 minutes)
  7. Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Braise for 2 to 2.5 hours, turning shanks halfway through until meat is fork-tender. (2+ hours)
  8. While braising, combine lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped parsley to make gremolata. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  9. Remove herb bundle from braise. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over shanks and garnish with gremolata before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or chickpea flour. For dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil. Do not add gremolata until just before serving to preserve its fresh flavor. If sauce is too thin after braising, simmer uncovered on stovetop to thicken. Keep heat steady during braising to avoid tough meat.

Nutrition

Keywords: osso buco, veal shanks, Italian comfort food, gremolata, braised meat, classic Italian recipe, slow braise, family dinner

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/flavorful-osso-buco-recipe-easy-classic-italian-comfort-meal/