At New York's Union Square Cafe, chef Michael Romano accents his version of this classic Italian dish with blood oranges and their juice instead of the traditional lemon-zest-based gremolada.
Find this recipe in our cookbook, SAVEUR: Italian Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 4 (1-lb.) pieces veal shank, about 2'' thick
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1⁄2 cup flour
- 1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1⁄2 cup sherry vinegar
- 3 cups veal stock
- 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups fresh blood orange juice
- 1 blood orange, peeled, seeded, and divided into sections (pith removed)
- 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°. Season shanks with salt and pepper. Place flour on a plate. Dredge shanks in flour, coating well. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Add shanks and brown on all sides, 10-15 minutes. Remove shanks and set aside.
Step 2
Deglaze skillet with vinegar, scraping brown bits that adhere to bottom with a wooden spoon. Reduce vinegar by half, until slightly syrupy, 3-5 minutes, then add stock. Return shanks to skillet, cover, and braise in oven for 45 minutes. Turn shanks and continue cooking for 45 minutes.
Step 3
Split fennel from top to bottom, then cut lengthwise into 1⁄2''-thick slices. Add fennel, carrots, and orange juice to shanks and cook, still covered, in oven until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.
Step 4
Using a slotted spoon, transfer shanks and vegetables to a serving platter. Simmer sauce, skimming occasionally, over medium-high heat, 4-5 minutes. Stir in orange sections. Ladle sauce over shanks and vegetables and serve garnished with parsley.
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