Angela's Italian Recipe for Osso Buco with Tomatoes, Olives, and Gremolata

Osso Buco with Tomatoes, Olives, and Gremolata
(Osso Buco con Pomodoro, Olive e Gremolata)


Ingredients:

For the Stew:
8 to 10 (10-oz) meaty cross-cut veal shanks (osso buco; 5 to 6 and 1/2 lbs total), each tied with kitchen string
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 (28 to 32-oz) can whole plum tomatoes with juice (not in puree), coarsely chopped
1 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and halved
1 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
2 (2 by 1/2-inch) strips fresh lemon zest , cut crosswise into fine julienne
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

For the Gremolata:
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest

Special equipment: 7 to 9-quart heavy ovenproof pot (wide enough to hold shanks in 1 layer)

Directions:

Prepare the Stew:
Preheat oven to 325°F.

Pat shanks dry and season with salt and pepper.

Divide shanks and flour between 2 large sealable plastic bags and shake to coat, then remove shanks from bags, shaking off excess flour.

Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in ovenproof pot over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then brown shanks well in 2 batches, 10 to 12 minutes per batch, transferring to a plate.

Reduce heat to moderate and add remaining tablespoon butter to pot along with onions, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, until onions are pale golden, about 5 minutes.

Add remaining stew ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring.

Arrange shanks in pot in 1 layer and return to a simmer.

Cover pot and braise shanks in middle of oven until very tender, about 2 and 1/2 hours.

Remove strings from osso buco and discard along with parsley sprigs and bay leaf.

Prepare the Gremolata and Serve Osso Buco:
Stir together gremolata ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle over osso buco.

Serve immediately. Makes 8 to 10 servings

Note: Osso buco (without gremolata) can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat, covered, in a 325°F oven 30 to 40 minutes.

Osso buco can also be cooked in a large roasting pan. Straddle pan across 2 burners for browning and boiling, then cover pan tightly with foil for braising.