I hadn’t intended on doing the FFwD this week. But, part of my weekly cookup includes a stew-y or slow cooker dish. (I am thinking of starting a weekly cookup post series, but basically I do the bulk of my cooking on Sundays so that I spend no more than 15 minutes or so making dinner during the week. I started this about a year ago and it’s really upped the amount of veggies we eat and lowers the inclination toward takeout.)
Anyway…Osso buco. I added the ingredients to my shopping list in case I could find shank of any kind and, lo and behold, I found veal shanks! Yay! Thus, FFwD for the week.
First, I boiled the orange zest and made the sauce:
Then, I browned the veal shanks and dropped them into the sauce.
As Dorie instructs, I deglazed the pan with the orange zest water–a neat touch! Then, into the oven it went with the carrots on top (and the wax paper). You’ve already seen that image at the top of the post.
The Verdict?
I served it with Orange CauliRice, based upon Dorie’s rice pilaf recommendation. We all thought it was great, and my 2-year-old actually ate it, noting that it was like “zuppa!” (I like the Italian word for soup and had said it a few times during some extremely formative moments, apparently, so soup is now zuppa no matter what we say to the contrary.)
I was quite happy we all liked it, based on my previous experience making osso buco: About a year ago, I got some grown-up (grass-fed beef not veal) shanks from our local cattle ranch. I made a different osso buco with them and I have to say it was so rich that it was overwhelming–in a bad, sort of sickening way. I understood why veal, or maybe lamb, is a better choice. I was bracing myself for this one and it wasn’t overly rich: indeed, it was perfect! Good stuff! I saw from the P&Q that others were using grown-up shanks so I’m curious to see how that turned out.
Oh, and we served it with the Olive-Orange salad!
All in all, a good week, I’d say! Food-wise, that is. I dropped my “new to me” iphone 5s in the toilet. That was fun, but you know, not. I could lie and say it was the kiddo’s fault, but it was mine. All mine. I heard the ker-plunk and it was like a slow-motion movie scene with me all, “Ohhhhhhhh, nooooooooooo!” Then, everything moved really fast and I remember the daughter-type saying, “Turn off, mommy, turn off!” as I was frantically trying to turn the phone off. I have it wrapped in a paper towel in a bag of rice right now. I’m waiting 3 days to turn it on, though not expecting much. I know it’s just a thing, so it’s silly to be bummed, but it was my new toy.
Eh, it’s Halloween, so I’ll eat some candy! Candy, it is!
So glad that this osso buco was a better experience! And I’m sorry about your iphone 🙁
Glad this was a hit for you. I applaud your organization to prepare for the week in advance…
Ouch on the phone. That is exactly why I gave in and invested in a waterproof/ shock proof case for mine – I am way too disaster prone 🙂
Double ouch on the IPhone! Your osso buco looks wonderful, and I love the salad! Glad this was a winner in your house…we loved it too! Happy Friday and Happy Halloween!
Looks perfect and delicious. I have to agree with you that my usual recipe is very rich compared to
Dorie’s. We all loved it, and I am happy to see you little one enjoyed the zuppa. Happy Halloween.
I did the phone thing before iPhones so I never lost a valuable phone.. so sorry. Good to know about beef shank being too rich.. I found this a bit rich. I ate more veggies than meat. I loved the sauce (with less orange).
I’m not sure about grownup shanks because I couldn’t find shanks anywhere. I made this with lamb shoulder chops and it was one delicious stew-y dish. Glad it worked out for you to cook with us this week.
I hope the rice saves your new iPhone. How frustrating.
Oh no on your phone! I have come so close to that disaster more than once. I’m glad you enjoyed the osso buco. Its a great technique and very adaptable. Welcome back to blogging and French Fridays!
The rice trick works. I know of a few people who have saved phones that have gone through the same. Only a day or so more, I hope! I should rush to do the orange salad and keep that one on the side. It’s still in our FFwD pending recipes list!
So glad that you liked this version of osso bucco. I am a fan of all versions that I have tried, but it is expensive, I rarely make it. I am like you – I usually cook on Sundays so I can heat it up in the microwave when I come home from work. Sorry about the iPhone – here’s hoping it revives.
I love that your daughter says, “zuppa”! So cute! I was prepared to use beef shanks if I couldn’t find veal, but I was happily surprised to find it too. Good luck with your phone!
I am laughing with you not at you about your iPhone. One of many good stories to come in the book of life. Your cooking scheme sounds really good. I always make my most difficult recipe of the week on Sundays and make sure I leftovers for the week. Cook once eat twice I always say.
This is a perfect dish for the slow cooker. And I’d do a weekly cook up, too, if my partner weren’t so leftover-averse.
My mother did exactly the same thing with a new iPhone once. Luckily, my Dad replaced it for her before she had much time to be upset about it.
Nice job with the osso bucco. Your photos are lovely. I liked that orange salad also – glad you made it. I feel your pain with your iPhone. Two years ago I spilled coffee over the keyboard of my 17″ MacBookPro. I didn’t know about the rice trick then but don’t think that would have saved it. The hot, hot coffee totally fried some of the inner workings. At the Apple store they took a picture of the insides of my computer and showed me how it was done! Yes, I had to buy a new computer. Hopefully turning your phone off and submerging it in rice will work for you.
I thought I’d leave an update here: the phone worked when I turned it on, for about 10 minutes, and then it died for good. I think if I had been more patient and waited more like 7-10 days it would’ve dried out more. I spilled water with a hint of lemon juice on my Macbook 3 or 4 years ago and from that experience I know it’s on borrowed time even if it does work. I went to the nearest Apple Store and got an Out Of Warranty replacement for about $250. Thanks for your commiserations!