Vitello Tonnato: A Delightful Blend of Land and Sea - Friday, Week 28

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves: 6 people

Vitello Tonnato, or veal with tuna sauce, is a classic Italian dish that marries the flavors of land and sea in an unexpectedly delightful way. A beloved dish from Piedmont, Vitello Tonnato features thin slices of tender, slow-cooked veal served cold and topped with a creamy, tangy tuna-caper sauce. So let's embark on this culinary adventure!

Ingredients

For the veal:

• 1kg of veal roast
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• A sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1L of white wine
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the tuna sauce:

• 200g of canned tuna in oil, drained
• 3 anchovy fillets
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon of capers
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 200ml of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Season the veal roast with salt and pepper. Place the veal in a large pot along with the carrot, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, and white wine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 hours until the veal is tender.
2. Once cooked, remove the veal from the pot and let it cool completely. Strain the cooking liquid and set it aside.
3. In a blender, combine the tuna, anchovies, egg yolks, capers, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
4. Gradually add the olive oil to the blender, blending continuously until the sauce is creamy.
5. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the strained cooking liquid until you reach the desired consistency. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Slice the cooled veal thinly and arrange the slices on a platter. Pour the tuna sauce over the veal, ensuring each slice is generously coated.

Serve your Vitello Tonnato chilled with a crisp white wine such as a Gavi di Gavi. This sophisticated dish is sure to delight your guests with its unique combination of flavors. Enjoy this special treat from the heart of Piedmont!

Remember, the key to a great Vitello Tonnato is patience and quality ingredients. From the tender veal to the rich, creamy tuna sauce, every element comes together to create a harmonious dish that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Buon appetito!