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Ossobuco in Bianco

By Kelly Song

Published on December 21, 2022

Time

3 hours, plus 20 minutes resting

Yield

Serves 6

Ossobuco in Bianco

Ingredients

6 (10- to 14-ounce) veal shanks, 1½ inches thick, 4 to 5 inches in diameter4 teaspoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons pepper ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped fine 6 garlic cloves, minced, divided3 anchovy fillets 1 cup dry white wine 5 cups water 6 fresh thyme sprigs 2 bay leaves 1 ounce Parmesan rind (optional)¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Before You Begin

The pot will grow increasingly hot during the searing process in step 2; browning will happen faster with the second batch. Briefly turn down the heat between batches if the oil is smoking too much. More economical beef shanks can be substituted for the veal shanks, with the same specifications. The dish will have a stronger meaty flavor and the meat will have a slightly firmer texture. Serve with our Risotto Milanese, if desired.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Tie each shank tightly around equator with butcher's twine and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Spread ¾ cup flour in shallow dish and dredge each shank in flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of shanks in single layer and cook without moving them until well browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer shanks to large plate. Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining shanks.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to fat left in pot and cook until melted. Stir in onion, half of garlic, and anchovies and cook until onion is softened and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until reduced by about half, about 1 minute.
  4. Stir in water; thyme sprigs; bay leaves; and Parmesan rind, if using, and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Nestle shanks into pot, overlapping slightly as needed, and return to simmer. Cover; transfer pot to oven; and cook until shanks are fork-tender, 2 to 2½ hours.
  5. Remove pot from oven and let shanks rest in liquid, covered, for 20 minutes. Using tongs and spatula, carefully transfer shanks to serving platter, remove twine, and tent with aluminum foil. Discard thyme sprigs; bay leaves; and Parmesan rind, if using, from braising liquid. Bring braising liquid to simmer over medium-high heat and cook until thickened slightly and sauce measures about 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Combine parsley, lemon zest, and remaining garlic in small bowl. Off heat, stir half of parsley mixture into sauce. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle sauce over shanks and sprinkle with remaining parsley mixture. Serve.
Ossobuco in Bianco
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Sasha Coleman.

Ossobuco in Bianco

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Time

3 hours, plus 20 minutes resting

Yield

Serves 6

Ingredients

6 (10- to 14-ounce) veal shanks, 1½ inches thick, 4 to 5 inches in diameter
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons pepper
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
6 garlic cloves, minced, divided
3 anchovy fillets
1 cup dry white wine
5 cups water
6 fresh thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1 ounce Parmesan rind (optional)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 (10- to 14-ounce) veal shanks, 1½ inches thick, 4 to 5 inches in diameter
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons pepper
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
6 garlic cloves, minced, divided
3 anchovy fillets
1 cup dry white wine
5 cups water
6 fresh thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1 ounce Parmesan rind (optional)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 (10- to 14-ounce) veal shanks, 1½ inches thick, 4 to 5 inches in diameter
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons pepper
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
6 garlic cloves, minced, divided
3 anchovy fillets
1 cup dry white wine
5 cups water
6 fresh thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1 ounce Parmesan rind (optional)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

While osso buco is typically served in the United States as a dark-colored veal braise (with beef stock, tomatoes, and red wine), this “bianco” version pays homage to its original Milanese form. Here, we let the flavors of the veal shine through—we made a braising liquid based on white wine and water, bolstered by savory onions, garlic, anchovies, and Parmesan rind. We tied the shanks with butcher's twine to keep their distinct shape intact and floured them for better browning and texture. We opted for a hands-free, low-and-slow braise in a Dutch oven (as opposed to a traditional stovetop method). Finally, we topped off the braise with a classic, bright gremolata; we stirred half the mixture into the sauce to add depth and sprinkled the rest on top for fresh pops of flavor.

Before You Begin

The pot will grow increasingly hot during the searing process in step 2; browning will happen faster with the second batch. Briefly turn down the heat between batches if the oil is smoking too much. More economical beef shanks can be substituted for the veal shanks, with the same specifications. The dish will have a stronger meaty flavor and the meat will have a slightly firmer texture. Serve with our Risotto Milanese, if desired.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Tie each shank tightly around equator with butcher's twine and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Spread ¾ cup flour in shallow dish and dredge each shank in flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of shanks in single layer and cook without moving them until well browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer shanks to large plate. Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining shanks.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to fat left in pot and cook until melted. Stir in onion, half of garlic, and anchovies and cook until onion is softened and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until reduced by about half, about 1 minute.
  4. Stir in water; thyme sprigs; bay leaves; and Parmesan rind, if using, and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Nestle shanks into pot, overlapping slightly as needed, and return to simmer. Cover; transfer pot to oven; and cook until shanks are fork-tender, 2 to 2½ hours.
  5. Remove pot from oven and let shanks rest in liquid, covered, for 20 minutes. Using tongs and spatula, carefully transfer shanks to serving platter, remove twine, and tent with aluminum foil. Discard thyme sprigs; bay leaves; and Parmesan rind, if using, from braising liquid. Bring braising liquid to simmer over medium-high heat and cook until thickened slightly and sauce measures about 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Combine parsley, lemon zest, and remaining garlic in small bowl. Off heat, stir half of parsley mixture into sauce. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle sauce over shanks and sprinkle with remaining parsley mixture. Serve.

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