“Ossobuco”: the ace is in the hole!

Cinzia Cuneo 9 dicembre, 2009 carne, ricette

Ossobuco (also known as osso buco) or veal shanks, is a classic Italian dish that originated in Milan and it literally means “bone with a hole”. It is made from slices of veal shanks (preferably from milk-fed veal) with bone and marrow, braised languorously in a sauce of white wine and tomatoes, and is often served with a saffron flavoured risotto.

This recipe can be prepared in advance and can be reheated in the oven at the last minute. Just before serving it, prepare the “gremolata” (a garnish of minced parsley, garlic and lemon zest) and sprinkle it on the shanks to give it a nice fresh flavour.

According to food experts, the best part of the Ossobuco lies… in the hole, because the marrow there is exquisite to taste. It partially dissolves during cooking, thereby contributing to the flavour and consistency of the sauce. The Milanese even designed a special implement to extract the marrow by scraping the bone dry, that they jokingly called the “tax collector”!

Veal Shank “Ossobuco” Milanese

Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on December 2, 2006.

Autori

Cinzia Cuneo

Italiana di nascita e canadese d'adozione, Cinzia ha deciso di coniugare le sue competenze professionali e la sua passione per la buona tavola sviluppando un servizio per aiutare i numerosi «aventi bisogno» a riprendere il controllo della loro alimentazione. Così è nata SOSCuisine. Ingegnere di formazione al Politecnico di Torino, Cinzia ha conseguito un Master's Degree in scienze applicate all'École Polytechnique de Montréal.