Grilled Veal Chops With Chestnut Stuffing And Pickled Golden Raisins Recipes

GRILLED AND STUFFED VEAL CHOP

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high.
• Cut a pocket in the veal chops and stuff with 1 thick slice of Fontina cheese and one thin slice of Prosciutto. Seal with a toothpick. Season the chops with the garlic pepper and salt. Place on the hot grill and sear, about 3 to 4 minutes. Rotate once in between to achieve grill marks. Then flip the chops and do the same on the other side.
• Remove from direct heat and put chops on the shelf of the barbecue. Baste with steak sauce and close lid. After about 5 minutes flip and baste the other side. Close lid for 4 or 5 minutes, or until the chops are fully cooked, when the internal temperature is 140 degrees F. Let rest for 3 to 5 minutes in a warm spot. Then serve immediately.

GRILLED VEAL PORTERHOUSE CHOP

Steps:

• To make the glaze, bring 1 cup of the wine to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat, add the figs, and let steep while you prepare the glaze.
• Put the veal stock in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until reduced by half to 2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the shallots and remaining 1 cup wine to the stock and continue cooking over high heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a sauce consistency (see page 250), about 25 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and honey and season with salt and pepper. Drain the figs and stir into the sauce. Keep warm. The glaze can be made 1 day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.
• Remove the chops from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling. Preheat the grill to high or heat a grill pan over high heat.
• Brush both sides of the chops with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the chops on the grill or in the grill pan and cook until golden brown and slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Turn the chops over, reduce the heat to medium, and continue cooking until the bottoms are golden brown and slightly charred and the chops are cooked to 140°F internal temperature on a meat thermometer, about 8 minutes longer. Remove the chops from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Place the chops on 4 large dinner plates. Ladle some of the glaze over each chop and garnish with parsley sprigs.

GRILLED VEAL CHOPS WITH CHESTNUT STUFFING AND PICKLED GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• Season the veal chops with the rosemary, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• Light the grill 30 to 40 minutes before cooking, and remove the veal chops from the refrigerator to come to room temperature.
• When the coals are broken down, red, and glowing, season both sides of the veal chops generously with fleur de sel and cracked black pepper. Place the chops on the grill, and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, rotating once or twice, to sear nicely. Cook until medium-rare to medium-you can peek inside at the bone to check that the meat is still a little pink.
• Scatter the arugula leaves over a large platter. Place the chops on top, and spoon the golden raisins over. Pass the stuffing at the table.
• Brian's Pickled Golden Raisins
• Place the mustard seeds in a small pan over medium heat, and toast a few minutes, shaking the pan often, until the seeds just start to pop.
• Combine the mustard seeds with 1 cup water and the rest of the ingredients in a small nonaluminum pot. Bring to a boil, and turn the heat down to a low simmer. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by half. Let the raisins cool, and store them in the liquid in the refrigerator.
• Chestnut Stuffing
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Cut the crust off the bread and tear the remaining loaf into 1-inch pieces. Using your hands, toss with 6 tablespoons olive oil, squeezing the bread with your hands to help it absorb the olive oil. Toast on a baking sheet 12 to 15 minutes, tossing often, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy on the outside but still a little soft and tender inside. When the croutons have cooled, place them in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, toast the fennel seeds in a small pan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan often, until the seeds release their aroma and turn a light golden brown. Coarsely grind the seeds with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the pancetta. Sauté 1 to 2 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Turn the heat down to medium, add the rosemary sprig and the chile, and let them sizzle in the pan a minute. Add the onion, fennel, fennel seeds, and thyme. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grindings of pepper. Sauté about 8 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly caramelized. Stir in the lemon zest, and add the entire mixture to the croutons.
• Return the pan to high heat and pour in the white wine. Bring the wine to a boil, and reduce by three-quarters. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Pour the hot liquid over the croutons and vegetables, and toss well to combine.
• Wipe the pan out with paper towels, and return it to the stove over medium heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, add the chestnuts. Sauté 4 to 5 minutes, until the chestnuts are golden and sizzling in the butter. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and add to the stuffing. Stir to combine, and taste for seasoning. Add the egg and parsley. Toss well, and put the stuffing in a ceramic baking dish or casserole. Cover with foil, and bake 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and top the stuffing with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes. Return the stuffing to the oven, and cook about 20 minutes, until crispy on top.
• Note
• You can bake the stuffing the day before. Reheat covered with aluminum foil, and then uncover and top with little pats of butter. Return to the oven, and bake until nice and crispy on top. The pickled raisins can be made long in advance.
• The notion of roasting chestnuts over an open fire is picturesque and romantic, but in reality it's a tedious and very time-consuming chore to peel them once they're roasted. Instead, I use steamed chestnuts sold in a jar, available at quality supermarkets and gourmet shops.