FOOD NEWS
The Make-Ahead Meat Dish Alex Guarnaschelli Loves For Entertaining
By Carly Weaver
If you're no stranger to having dinner guests, you're probably looking for that ideal recipe for which every host is hunting. Good news for hosts and home cooks: Next time you're entertaining and need that sought-after perfect dinner recipe, Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli has just the thing.
Guarnaschelli's go-to is make-ahead Pork Osso Buco, a traditional Italian dish that uses a specific cross-cut of meat: a shank that exposes the bone in the center. The first step is to brown the meat in hot oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot for up to five to eight minutes on each side, and once you remove the meat, add vegetables, wine, and tomatoes, and cook down a bit before returning the meat to the pot.
Add beef stock, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook the meat in its braising liquid at 375 degrees for around 2 to 2.5 hours, cooking the meat until it reaches the ultimate tenderness. Remove from the oven, let the meat rest uncovered for 15 minutes, and cook down half of the remaining liquid for another 15 to 30 minutes until it reduces by half, then stir in the final touches for flavor and serve with the sauce poured on top.