Veal Osso Buco & Parmesan Polenta

By: The Food Hunter

This classic Italian meat course from the Piedmont area of Italy is served over parmesan polenta for an extra boost of deliciousness. It makes a wonderful presentation and is perfect for those hard to please guests.

Wine Recommendation:

Try it with the world-class 2016 Pio Cesare Barolo DOCG. The 2016 vintage of Barolo is stellar, supple, rich and approachable, with extraordinary elegance, complexity and character. The wine has a silky, intense bouquet, with floral aromas coming through. Notes of red and dark fruit and spice show on the palate, with sweet, very elegant tannins and bright acidity. It is full-bodied, with great structure and incredible aging potential, made in a precise and classic Nebbiolo style.

Veal Osso Buco With Parmesan Polenta

For The Osso Buco
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 veal shanks, 1 1/2 inches thick
2.5 cups white wine
2 onions, diced
4 carrots, diced
9 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth or stock
2 small bay leaves
114.5-ounce can tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 cup finely chopped flat leaf Italian parsley


Set oven rack to lower-middle and heat oven to 325 F.

Pat dry each veal shank and tie around its center with kitchen twine, then season with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat, until the oil is shimmering. Place 3 shanks in the pan and cook until they are golden brown on one side, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip the shanks and cook on the second side until golden brown, about another 5 minutes. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

Take the Dutch oven off the heat and add ½ cup of white wine, scraping the pan bottom to loosen any browned bits. Pour this liquid into the bowl with the browned shanks.

Return the Dutch oven to heat, and 2 more tablespoons oil, and repeat this entire process with the next 3 shanks.

With all shanks resting in a bowl off the heat, return the Dutch oven to heat, add 2 more tablespoons olive oil and bring up to medium-high heat again. Then add the carrots, onions and celery and cook until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the 6 of the minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute longer.

Increase the heat to high and stir in the chicken broth, the rest of the white wine, any juice from the veal bowl, and the bay leaves. Then add the tomatoes and return the veal to the pot. Bring the this to a full simmer, then cover, crack the lid slightly, and move to the preheated oven.
Cook the shanks until the meat is easily pierced with a fork, about 90 to 100 minutes.
For the Gremolata: combine the remaining minced garlic, lemon zest, and parsley in a small bowl. Stir half of the gremolata into the pot, reserving the rest for a garnish. Add salt and pepper to taste.
To serve, remove shanks from the Dutch oven and carefully cut off the twine. Place each shank on a bed of polenta. Add some of the braising liquid, tomatoes, and vegetables and finish by sprinkling with the gremolata.


For The Parmesan Polenta
1 cup Polenta (be sure to use Polenta labeled as "pre-cooked cornmeal" in the ingredients)
6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Start by bringing 3 cups of the broth or stock to a boil. Gradually pour in the polenta, whisking continuously.

The liquid will absorb very quickly. Add another cup of stock, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
Cook for about three minutes, continuing to add another 1 to 2 cups of liquid as it is absorbed.

Add Parmesan cheese and whisk thoroughly.

When desired firmness has been reached remove and serve immediately.