Veal chops served on a Milanese risotto is a great combination of Lombardian flavours, north Italy. Though I tend not to eat too much of it, there are days when all I do is crave red meat. Not that easy to get hold of in the UK , but veal is a popular meat in Italy, especially up north where cows are able to graze on the fertile lands South of the Alps, giving the meat a great flavour. Combining that with ‘Risotto all a Milanese’ a popular dish that you can find in Milan (the capital of the Lombardian region) .A simple risotto dish, but it has been pimped up with saffron strands giving it a distinctive flavour and blingy glow.
Ingredients (serves 2 people)
For the Veal chops
20g Butter, unsalted
Pancetta, diced
Plain Flour
2 veal chops
Dry Herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, 1 tsp of each)
White wine, 1 glass
300ml chicken stock
Salt & Pepper
For the risotto Milanese
20g Butter, unsalted
1 onion, finely chopped
200g arborio rice
750ml Chicken/beef stock
White wine, 1/2 glass
1/4 tsp saffron
30g Parmensan, grated
Salt & Pepper
- First, start cooking the veal chops. Add 10g butter in a deep wide pan, melt on a medium heat and add the pancetta.
- Cook the pancetta for 5 mins & remove from the pan.
- Lightly coat the veal chops in flour and add to the butter in pan. Cook on a medium heat for 5 mins on each side, turning once.
- Season the chops with salt & pepper, and add the herbs; cook for another minute.
- Pour in the wine, cook and allow to evaporate. Then add the stock and return the pancetta to the pan.
- Cover the pan and cook the chops for at least 20 mins, turning the chops at least once. (If sauce starts to dry out, add a little broth).
- While the chops are cooking, start on the risotto.
- Add 10g of butter, melt and add the onion. Stir and cook until it has softened.
- Add the rice to the onions and stir the rice until it’s coated with the butter.
- Then pour in the wine, turn the heat slightly and stir until it has evaporated.
- Add the saffron to the heated stock and gradually add with a ladle, ensuring you keep the rice stirring with a wooden spoon. When absorbed, add a little more. Continue until rice has cooked. It should have a creamy texture but still a little bite.
- Stir in another 10g of butter, Parmesan & season with salt & pepper. Risotto is ready.
- Returning back to the veal chops, remove them from the pan, reduce the sauce until it’s a thick glaze. Add 10g butter to the sauce, whisk and cook for 1 minute.
- Serve the veal chops on the risotto and drizzle the pancetta glaze on top of the chops.
