I spotted this recipe for braised veal shoulder on Food & Wine and knew I had to try it. I could have just thrown the roast into the slow cooker but I wasn’t getting the results I wanted from that approach. I know it is because you get a lot of flavor when you brown a roast before braising. To do this would defeat the purpose of using a slow cooker because I would have to clean another cooking vessel. This recipe requires me to use my Dutch oven so only one pot to clean! This recipe serves 6 people.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh goat cheese, softened (3 ounces) (omit if kosher or dairy-free)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped marjoram (I don’t have fresh so I used 1 tsp dried)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• One 3-pound butterflied veal shoulder roast
• 2 tablespoons beef fat*
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 small celery rib, thinly sliced
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 4 cups beef stock (homemade!)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon (I don’t have tarragon so I didn’t use)
• 2 tablespoons chopped dill

*The original recipe called for extra virgin olive oil. We don’t heat olive oil so I am using the beef fat I skimmed from making veal stock. You can also sub coconut oil.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300°. In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with the celery leaves, marjoram, rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. Lay the veal shoulder on a work surface, boned side up, and season with salt and pepper. Spread the goat cheese mixture over the meat, then roll it up and tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string. Season with salt and pepper. Don’t worry if this comes out messy – mine did!

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In a large, enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the beef fat. Add the veal roast and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer the veal to a plate. Add the shallots, carrot and celery to the pan and cook over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until syrupy, about 10 minutes. Return the veal roast to the casserole. Add the beef stock, bay leaf and garlic and bring to a boil.

Cover the casserole and braise the veal in the oven until tender for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning once or twice.

Transfer the veal to a carving board and cover loosely with foil. Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and spoon off the fat. Boil the liquid until reduced to 2 cups, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley, tarragon and dill and season with salt and pepper.

Remove the strings from the roast and slice it 3/4 inch thick. Serve with the jus and vegetables or potatoes.