VEAL SHANKS WITH PORCINI

Veal Shanks with Porcini image

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
2 whole veal shanks, trimmed as for a roast (about 2 1/2 pounds), and tied
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 carrots, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 sprig fresh rosemary (2-inch)
4 fresh sage leaves
1 bay leaf

Steps:

1 Place the mushrooms in a bowl with 1 cup warm water. Let stand 30 minutes. Lift the mushrooms out of the liquid and rinse them well under running water, paying special attention to the base of the stems where soil collects. Drain and chop fine. Strain the mushroom liquid through a paper coffee filter into a bowl. Reserve the liquid. 2 In a Dutch oven large enough to hold the veal shanks side by side, or another deep, heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil with the butter over medium heat. Add the veal and cook, turning the shanks occasionally, until browned, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 3 Scatter the mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic around the shanks and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the white wine and let simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, mushroom liquid, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat, turning the meat occasionally, until it is very tender and comes away from the bone when tested with a fork, about 2 hours. (Add a little water if the liquid evaporates too quickly.) 4 Transfer the meat to a platter and cover to keep warm. Tip the pot and skim the fat from the juices. Discard the herbs. Boil the juices until slightly thickened. 5 Remove the strings from the veal shanks. Holding each shank by the bone, carve the meat lengthwise. Arrange the slices on a platter and spoon the juices over all. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves