Osso Buco is an Italian Dish from the Lombardy region. Osso Buco means “Bone with a Hole” and it’s traditionally made with veal shanks. Originally it’s made with white sauce but now it’s more commonly prepared with a tomato-based sauce.
What has inspired me to make this famous dish from North Italy? I regularly travel to Milan for work and my stays there are quite brief, mainly to attend a couple of meetings, but I always manage to enjoy good Italian food.
On my most recent trip to Milan, I only had half day free to walk around… This time, I’m paying tribute to Milan as one of the world’s leading fashion capitals, Here’s my walking itinerary… Via Monte Napoleone, is always a great street to visit for its upscale shopping and glamorous high end boutiques. I enjoy what the French call “Lèche-vitrine” or window shopping…
I then take Via Tomaso Marino passing by the Theatrical Museum of La Scala, the Leonardo3 Museum – The World of Leonardo de Vinci. The walk leads to Via Agnello, another street famous for its designers boutiques. Nearby you can find the Cioccolati Italiani (on Via San Raffaele) that serves divine gelato.
Milan is the best place for shopping therapy. A must-stop is Corso Vittorio Emanuele II where you can find major brands boutiques at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an architural marvel with soaring arches. Nearby, there’s a huge multi-storey shopping outlet with discounted designer goods which could do a lot of damage to your wallet…
Of course, the main attraction in Milan is the Duomo, around the corner… It’s a magnificent structure which took 6 centuries to build, and is the second largest cathedral in Europe and the largest in Italy (the larger St Peter’s Basilica is located in Vatican-city which is a sovereign nation). On a previous trip to Milan, I have taken a Duomo guided tour and would highly recommend it.
For dinner, I join my old friend Gianluigi who’s a long time Milan resident and a gourmet, at Nuova Arena, a small traditional Italian restaurant popular with the locals. The atmosphere is friendly and casual.
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It’s a nice authentic Italian meal, thanks to Gianluigi’s introduction!
Back home, I’m inspired to make Osso Buco for my family. Instead of veal shanks, I’m using beef shanks which are more widely available in the USA. With Instant Pot, it’s so simple to prepare and yet it’s most deliciously rich. You could serve it with risotto, pasta or vegetable. During the Pandemic, I have used whatever I have in the pantry as sides: potato and high protein penne from Italy.
I hope you’ll try my recipe as my family loves this dish. The Gremolata adds a really nice touch…
Also check out my Italian Squash Blossoms stuffed with cheese recipe…
Osso Buco
Equipment
- Instant pot
Ingredients
- 4 Beef Shanks (pick thick slices, around 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1 Celery, chopped
- 1 Carrot, chopped
- 1 cup Canned Diced Tomatoes with juice
- 3 cloves Garlic, smashed and chopped
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 3 sprigs thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dry thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tspn Kosher salt
- 1 tspn Freshly ground black pepper
Gremolata
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 zest of 1 lemon –
- 1 cup parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the beef shanks with the salt and pepper.
- Set the instant pot to Saute. Add the oil. Sear the beef shanks in single layer, on both sides (around 3 minutes on each side). Carefully remove them to a plate.
- Saute the aromatics (onion, celery, carrot, garlic) for 3 minutes, stir to make sure they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Add back the beef shanks. Add the tomato paste, canned diced tomato, thyme, chicken stock, white wine.
- Cancel the Saute Function. Close and lock the lid. Set pressure cooker on high for 32 minutes, with natural release.
- In the meantime, prepare the Gremolata. Zest the lemon. Chop the parsley. Mince the garlic. Mix everything together and set aside.
- When the pressure cooking is done and steam is released, open the lid. Remove the beef shanks and keep warm. Taste the sauce, skim off the fat on the surface, set on Saute to slightly reduce the sauce.
- Sprinkle the gremolata on top of the Osso Buco. Serve with risotto, rice or pasta.
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