Stuffed Veal Breast Recipe

Stuffed Veal Breast Recipe

  • 2 cups diced (1/4 inch) marbled rye bread or a combination of rye and pumpernickel bread
  • 1/2 cup diced (1/4 inch) celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 large clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 pound chicken livers, trimmed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 (3.5 pound) boneless first- or brisket-cut veal breast (1 1/2 inches thick)
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Make stuffing: Toast bread cubes on baking sheet until dry and beginning to brown on edges, about 15 minutes. (Leave oven on.)
  3. Cook celery, onion, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
  4. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in cleaned skillet over high heat until foam subsides, then saute livers with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper until edges are browned but livers are still pink inside, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cool completely, then cut livers into 1/4-inch dice.
  5. Whisk together eggs and milk in a large bowl, then stir in bread, vegetable mixture, livers, dill, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Let stand at room temperature until bread has absorbed liquid, about 10 minutes.
  6. Prepare veal: Trim as much excess fat as possible from veal, then lay meat on a work surface. Beginning at center of thickest edge of veal breast, insert a large knife horizontally into center of veal and cut a pocket as evenly as possible, leaving a 1-inch border on 3 sides. Open pocket and sprinkle inside with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Fill pocket with stuffing and cover opening with bacon slices. Rub outside of veal with oil and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  7. Transfer veal to a small roasting pan. Add stock to pan, then cover pan tightly with foil and roast veal 1 1/2 hours.
  8. Remove foil and baste veal with stock, then roast, uncovered, until well browned and thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into stuffing registers 190 degrees F, about 1 hour more.
  9. Transfer veal to a platter and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.