The previous weekend I had invited some friends over for dinner; so I decided to make something easy and loved by most of my guests. It is a dish that requires minimum preparation on my side, as the slow cooking in the oven, literally does the job! Enjoy the making of ossobuco!
I was thinking a lot, before uploading this post as it is not vegetarian-friendly or vegan-friendly, nevertheless I come from a family that always consumed meat or meat products, while my life experiences include consuming meat products. Although, throughout the latest years I have tried to cut back on it, as there are too many toxins in the meat and I feel sorry for all these animals, it is still there, along with the traditions I carry on by back. Thus, unfortunately, I like every dish that involves meat, provided it is not smelly! Seriously now, can you think of a dish that can compete with a nicely cooked ossobuco?
Regarding my ingredients: veal (depends on the portions you need - I bought portions for c. 10 people. Please note that ossobuco is actually a type of meat cut, i.e. it is a bone with a whole. Also you may decide to buy lamp or pork instead depending on your tastes), potatoes, carrots, onions, rosemary, star anise, sage, celery, salt, pepper, olive oil, red wine.
You place the meat pieces in a deep pan, which you cover once you put in the oven with aluminium foil, or, instead, you place them in a roaster; you cut your vegetables in big pieces and place them in the deep pan too. You also put your herbs and mix altogether. You add salt and pepper, olive oil and red wine. Make sure that the wine is adequate to cover your vegetables.
You let it simmer for 2 hours in 180C and you uncover. You turn the pieces of meat upside down to cook for another 10’and roast both sides.
In order for this dish to be really delicious, you must pay attention to the good quality of the meat and that the pieces are not really big. Also, I prefer slow cooking, as I think it is better.
You can accompany it with a nice red bottle of wine!
Bon appétit!