What is unique about veal and how can I take advantage of this in my preparation?
First off, I'm talking about what they call Rose Veal here, not the crate Veal which has given the meat such a bad name.
So, I've tried a few recipes: a roast, a stew and some breadcrumbed escalopes. The escalopes were fantastic, but I can't honestly say any of it was better than the equivalent dish made with beef, or pork where a milder flavour was desired.
But, the veal wasn't exactly cheap, so am I missing something? I'd sort of expected something a bit more special if I'm paying a premium for it.
Are there some specific preparation methods and/or pairings which show the meat off better? What is it people enjoy so much about veal and how can I accentuate that quality?
Best Answer
Veal is naturally tender, with a mild flavor.
I'm currently living in an area where I don't know where to even get veal easily, but we'd have it for special occassions at my great-grandmother's house growing up.
Think if it like the cow equivalent of lamb. Anything that comes out well in lamb (shank, rib chops, shish-kabab, etc) works well. My mom would also get a 'meatloaf mix' of beef, veal and pork growing up to use in meatballs and meatloaf, which I've since learned that the fats melt at different temperatures, which makes for a more juicy meatloaf.
I don't know that I've had enough veal to comment on what people enjoy so much about it. (Although, I love osso bucco, and I don't know how a grown-cow equivalent would come out).
I also don't know that veal was always considered the "delicacy" that it is today -- male cows (bulls) can get agressive when get older, so they were culled at a younger age. As I don't see veal for sale, and I don't see fields full of bulls, I can only assume it's either exported to other countries, or that it's used in products like dog food or processed products where people won't get obsessed with ethical issues so much. (and if that's the case, it's not being sold for high value).
Pictures about "What is unique about veal and how can I take advantage of this in my preparation?"
Is veal healthy to eat?
Veal is a nutritional powerhouse. Recent USDA data reveals that a 3 oz. serving of cooked, trimmed veal provides less than 10% of the calories recommended for a 2,000 calorie diet. At the same time, veal delivers more than 10% of the daily values for protein, zinc, niacin, as well as vitamin B12 and B6.Why is veal beef different?
The difference between beef and veal is that beef is from older cattle whereas veal is the meat of younger cattle. 'English Rose' veal or high welfare veal has a distinct light pink colour, beef being a darker red.How should you cook veal?
The USDA recommends cooking whole muscle veal cuts like veal steaks, roasts and chops to 145 degrees F (medium rare), 160 degrees F (medium), or 170 degrees F (well done). We always prefer meat on the rare side, so 145 degrees F is what we aim for when cooking veal.Why is veal a thing?
Veal comes from male calves, or baby cattle, who are killed at just a few months old. The outlook for male calves in the dairy industry is grim: they are often slaughtered within hours of their birth or sent to veal crates\u2014small plastic huts with a fenced area that allows just enough space for a calf to stand.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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