Best 3 Classic Italian Veal Spezzatino Recipes

CLASSIC ITALIAN VEAL SPEZZATINO

Steps:

• Mix cornstarch, paprika, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Pat veal chunks dry and toss them with cornstarch mixture to coat.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add veal pieces to the pot, one by one, and brown on all sides. Set aside leftover cornstarch.
• Reduce heat slightly and add onion, carrot, celery, and red chile pepper; cook until fragrant, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in broth and wine. Deglaze pot using a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom. Add potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and bay leaf. Stir and cover.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until veal is fork-tender, potatoes are cooked, and liquid has thickened, about 1 hour. Add some water from time to time to keep the stew from burning, but don't let it get soupy. Add leftover cornstarch if the stew needs thickening at the end.

ITALIAN VEAL STEW (SPEZZATINO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Pat the veal dry using paper towels and season on all sides with salt and pepper. If preferred you can use a meat mallet to tenderize each piece before seasoning.
• Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to an oven proof pot with a lid (such as a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot) and set on medium-high heat. Add the veal to the pot in a single layer and allow it to brown on all sides.
• Once browned, remove from the pot and set aside. Add in remaining 2 tbsp oil along with onions, carrots, celery, and sauté until fragrant. Add in the sliced garlic along with the oregano and let cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the veal back to the pot and sprinkle the flour over it. Mix the flour into the meat and veggies and allow it to cook for one minute.
• Add 1/4 cup stock to deglaze the pot. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom. Add the mushrooms if using, and top with remaining chicken broth. Pour in enough so that the veal is barely covered.
• Add the bay leaves along with any other herbs you like (such as thyme, rosemary, or sage), and crushed tomatoes. Mix to combine all ingredients and then cover the pot and place it into the preheated oven for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the sauce is thickened and the meat is fall apart tender.
• Remove the pot from the oven and stir your stew. Ensure you remove the bay leaves and any other spices that aren't edible (such as thyme sticks). Your sauce should be thick like a gravy. If not, you can add 1-2 tsp of potato starch into the pot and stir to thicken your sauce. Taste your stew and adjust salt and pepper seasoning to suit your personal taste or finish with additional flavor boosts (see notes).
• Serve your stew by itself or with some crusty bread, polenta, couscous or mashed potatoes. Bring any leftovers to room temp before storing in the fridge for up to 2 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

SPEZZATINO DI VITELLO ALLA SALVIA (ITALIAN BRAISED VEAL WITH SAGE)

Steps:

• Over medium heat, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the shallots, and cook slowly, stirring constantly, until they are translucent. Remove shallots and set aside.
• Lightly dredge veal pieces in flour. Add to the pan, and cook over medium heat until well browned.
• Add sage leaves and wine and mix well. Return the shallots to the pan, and lower the heat. Cover and simmer for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the wine cooks down too much, add a little water to the pan.
• Just before serving, taste and add salt if necessary and desired.