Loin of veal with shiitake stuffing pt 1

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
ounceDried shiitake mushrooms; soaked in 1 1/2
; cups hotwater for
; 20 minutes and
; drained, reserving
; the liquid
½cupMinced shallots
2tablespoonsOlive oil
¼cupMinced celery
¾cupMinced carrot
2Garlic cloves; minced
½teaspoonFinely chopped fresh rosemary or 1/8
; teaspoon crumbleddried
½teaspoonFinely chopped fresh sage or 1/8 teaspoon; crumbled
; dried
½teaspoonFinely chopped fresh marjoram or 1/8; crumbled
; teaspoon dried
½teaspoonFinely chopped fresh thyme or 1/8; crumbled
; teaspoon dried
tablespoonFinely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1tablespoonCognac
2teaspoonsFresh lemon juice
¼cupChicken broth
¼poundsSmall white mushrooms; chopped fine (about
; 1 1/4 cups)
cupHeavy cream
½cupFresh bread crumbs
A 2 1/2- to 3-pound boned veal loin; (preferably
; naturally
; raised)trimmed, a 1
; 1/2-inch-wide slit
; cut lengthwise
; through the center
; ofthe loin, and the
; loin tied loosely
; at 1-inch intervals
; with kitchenstring
cupWhite veal stock or chicken broth
1Thin slices fatback for covering the
; veal
White pepper to taste
16Dried shiitake mushrooms; (about 1 ounce),
; soaked in 1 cup ho
; water for 20
; minutes, drained,
; and patted dry, for
; garnish if desired
1tablespoonOlive oil if desired
Thyme sprigs for garnish

Directions

FOR THE STUFFING

Make the stuffing:

Cut the stems from the shiitake, discarding them, and chop the shiitake fine. (There should be about 1 cup packed finely chopped shiitake). Strain the reserved liquid through a fine sieve to remove any grit and reserve it for the sauce. In a large skillet cook the shallots in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until they are softened, stir in the celery, the carrot, and the garlic, and cook the mixture, stirring, until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the rosemary, the sage, the marjoram, the thyme, the parsley, and the Cognac and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice, the broth, the white mushrooms, and the chopped shiitake and cook the mixture, its surface covered with a round of buttered wax paper, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender.

Boil the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the cream and the bread crumbs, season the mixture with salt and pepper, and cook it over moderate heat, stirring, until it is hickened. Let the stuffing cool. The stuffing may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and brought to room temperature before the veal is stuffed.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, pack the stuffing into the veal a little at a time (there will be room, if the loin is tied loosely enough).

Transfer the veal to a roasting pan just large enough to hold it and add 1 cup of the stock. Cover the veal with the fatback and roast it in the middle of a preheated 325F. oven, basting it every 20 minutes with the pan juices, for 1 hour. Remove the fatback and roast the veal for 45 minutes to 1 hour more, or until it registers 150F. on a meat thermometer. Transfer the veal to a cutting board and let it stand for 15 minutes.

While the veal is standing, skim the fat from the pan juices, add the remaining ½ cup stock, and deglaze the pan over high heat, scraping up continued in part 2