Ingredients
for the polenta:
- 2 quarts water
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 2 1/2 cups stone-ground cornmeal
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
for the stew:
- 3 tablespoons pure olive oil
- 3 pounds boneless veal shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, finely chopped
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Preparation
For the polenta:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a medium ovenproof saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and reduce to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal until smooth and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, over low heat; cover and transfer to the oven. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring vigorously every 15 minutes, until thick and no longer gritty. Stir in the butter and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper.
For the stew:
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In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add half of the veal, season with salt and pepper, and cook over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer the veal to a plate. Repeat with another 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the remaining veal. Pour off the oil.
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In the casserole, melt the butter in the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the celery, onion, and carrot and cook over low heat until softened and golden, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and boil over moderately high heat until almost evaporated, about 12 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, rosemary, and veal, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring once or twice, until the veal is very tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley and lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.
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Spoon the polenta into bowls, top with the veal stew and serve with more Parmesan.