Braised leg of veal in tomato and olives

Name: Braised leg of veal in tomato and olives
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4-6
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1.2kg boneless veal leg, trussed; 1 1/2 tsp sea salt; 3 cups dry white wine; 1/2 cup raisins; 1/3cup sun-dried tomatoes; 1/2 cup unpitted green olives; 1/2 cup unpitted black olives; 3 sprigs rosemary; 6 tbsp olive oil; 1 1/2 cups tomato purée

Neil Perry

May 18, 2016

Braised leg of veal in tomato and olives.William Meppem

Time:1-2 hoursServes:4-6

Here's a lovely wintery meal idea - the veal ideally served with a crusty loaf of bread for mopping up juices. This recipe also works with a rolled pork loin - just extend the braising time.

Ingredients

1.2kg boneless veal leg, trussed
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
3 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup raisins
1/3cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup unpitted green olives
1/2 cup unpitted black olives
3 sprigs rosemary
6 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups tomato purée

Method

Step 1
Take the veal leg (also known as the nut) out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking and season with salt.
Step 2
Warm 1/2 cup wine with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan on a medium heat and add raisins. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and cook for a few minutes until they become plump but still hold their shape. Turn off heat and allow to sit.
Step 3
Slice sun-dried tomatoes into strips. Crush olives and remove their stones. Roughly chop leaves from 1 sprig of rosemary.
Step 4
In a large cast-iron casserole pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat 4 tbsp oil over a medium heat. Seal veal well on all sides until a nice brown crust forms, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and reserve.
Step 5
Drain raisins and add to the pot along with the sun-dried tomatoes, olives and chopped rosemary. Stir for about a minute then add remaining wine and scrape any bits off the base of the pot. After about a minute, add the tomato purée and bring the sauce to a simmer, then add the veal, along with any juices, and cover the pot with its lid.
Step 6
Simmer very gently for about 1 hour. Remove the lid and baste the veal with the sauce, adding more water if needed. Replace the lid and continue to braise for another 1/2 hour or so, until the meat is fork-tender. Remove from heat and allow to sit in the pot with the lid on to rest for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 7
Fry remaining rosemary sprigs in 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat, until crisp. Drain on a paper towel.
Step 8
Remove veal from the pot and carve into thick slices. Serve on a large, deep platter surrounded by some of the sauce. Any extra sauce can be served in a small bowl on the side. Garnish with fried rosemary and serve with crusty bread.