Osso Buco Recipe with Orange Gremolata

This Osso Buco Recipe, Italian for bone with a hole, is made with veal shanks braised with vegetables and wine until they fall off the bone.

This Italian Braised Veal originated in Milan and is slow-cooked until infused with flavor and perfectly tender and delicious!

Veal Osso Buco 

Years and years ago, I helped organize a neighborhood progressive dinner party. We went with an Italian theme and selected Osso Buco as our entree. Until the night of our party, though, I’d never tasted this dish made with veal shanks. Dorie instructed us to slow cook this bone-in cut of veal in an orange tomato sauce till the meat was fall off the bone tender.

Bill has always been a fan of veal, but this was a new preparation for him, too. And he fell hard. So I didn’t bat an eye when I purchased this pricey cut of meat from the butcher shop this week, knowing it would get rave reviews. Plus, it was a Dorie Greenspan recipe. I was certain of a delicious outcome when making this osso buco a L’arman.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’d add a slosh of red wine to her recipe to up the flavor complexity. If you ever see veal shanks at your market, consider making this scrumptious, comforting braised veal recipe. It got the picky husband’s endorsement!

Slow-Cooked Veal Shanks

Even I was drawn in by the intoxicating aroma of this veal simmering away in the oven bathed in a delicious braising sauce. It’s usually just cookies that get to me! And, as I predicted, the hubby raved about his dinner. Though he did think the orange zest was overkill. Sheesh. Score one for Dorie!!!

Recipe Notes:

I’d add a slosh of red wine (a half-cup would be a reasonable amount) to her recipe to up the flavor complexity. Like salt, wine is a flavor enhancer and will add a delicious undertone to the dish.

If you ever see veal shanks at your market, consider making this scrumptious, comforting braised veal recipe. It got the picky husband’s endorsement!

More Favorite Slow Cooked Dinners:

• Beef Stew with Red Wine 
• Slow Cooker Brisket
• Pork Carnitas Recipe
• Beef Barbacoa Recipe
• More of my Best Main Course Recipes

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The Recipe:

Osso Buco à L'arman

A French twist on the classic Italian braised veal shanks

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons, divided
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (Arman used 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (Arman used 2 teaspoons dried)
• 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
• 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in tomato puree
• 5 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in ¼ cup boiling water
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 veal shanks, cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths
• 4 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and pour in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, and herbs and cook, stirring to soften.
2. Using scissors, reach into the can of tomatoes and snip the tomatoes into pieces. Add the fresh and canned tomatoes, liquid included, the bouillon.
3. Bring the sauce to a boil, season with salt and pepper, then lower the temperature and let it simmer gently while you brown the veal.
4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
6. Pat the veal dry and season lightly with pepper. Brown the veal lightly on both sides. Remove from the pan and place it into the simmering sauce. Add some of the pan drippings to the sauce, too, if desired.
7. Place the carrots over the veal. Cut a circle of parchment paper just large enough to fit inside the Dutch oven and lay the paper on top of the osso buco.
8. Simmer for 5 minutes more, then place the lid on the pot set in the oven.
9. Cook the osso buco undisturbed for 2 hours, at which point the meat should be fork-tender.
10. Carefully remove the lid and the parchment paper and, with a large spoon, skim any excess fat from the top before serving.
11. Sprinkle with gremolata to serve

Notes

Adapted from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan.

Add 1/2 cup red wine to the sauce to enhance the flavor even more!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 veal shank
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 501Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 241mgSodium: 558mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 8gSugar: 16gProtein: 67g

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The Recipe:

Orange-Basil Gremolata for Osso Buco

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Yield 4 servings

Topping for the Italian classic Osso Bucco from Dorie Greenspan

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup orange zest, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in small bowl about an hour before serving. Cover with plastic to keep mixture moist.
2. Sprinkle over plated osso buco before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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Skinny Tip

I’m offering a series of Skinny Tips. How I keep slim is one of my most frequent inquiries. I’ll feature more tips on some of my upcoming blog posts. Click on the #SkinnyTip tag at the end of this post to see all my previous tips.

Tip #49: Portion out healthy snacks for the week and have them close at hand to grab when you get a hunger pang. Make sure to include some protein like nuts or cheese to help keep you full longer.