Italian Meat Stew

Originating from Piedmont in the north, this is a wonderful dish for entertaining in the winter, especially as the last hour of cooking it's doing its own thing, which leaves you time to greet your guests. Traditionally the cooking liquid was served as separate soup course, but we just have it "all in"

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Serves 8
Prep time 30 mins
Cooking time 3 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

  • 4lb/1.8kg Chicken
  • 1 Veal knuckle
  • 1lb 9ozs Beef(topside)
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 7 Black peppercorns
  • 1tbs Basil leaves, chopped
  • 2tsp Thyme leaves, chopped
  • Small white cabbage, quartered and stem removed
  • 2 Leeks, chopped
  • 2 Celery sticks, chopped
  • 1lb/450g Carrots, chopped
  • 12 Baby onions
  • 2lb 4oz/1kg Potatoes, sliced
  • 10" piece Luganega sausage(see cooks tip)

Method

  • Place the knuckle of veal in the saucepan, half fill with cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil
  • Skim off any residue that rises to the surface and boil for about 45 minutes.
  • Add the beef, chicken, peppercorns, basil, bay leaves and thyme to the saucepan, cover and lower the heat to simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Add the celery, cabbage, carrots, leeks, onions, potatoes and sausage,adding more water if necessary to cover the vegetables.
  • Bring back to the boil over a medium heat, then lower and simmer for a further hour until the meat is tender, add salt and pepper if required.
  • Remove the veal knuckle and bay leaves.
  • Transfer the chicken, beef and sausage to a chopping board, carve the beef, cut the chicken into pieces and slice the sausage(bite size pieces).
  • Arrange the meats into the middle of a warmed serving bowl or platter and using a slotted spoon arrange the vegetables around the meat, spoon over 5-6 tablespoons of the liquid and serve immediately.

Equipment

  • 1 Very Large heavy based saucepan

To Serve

  • Green salad
  • Gherkins
  • Button onions(pickled)

Cooks tip

  • You can use Cotechino sausage if preferred, or any similar continental sausage as long as it's got a high pork content.

Shopping List

  • 4lb/1.8kg Chicken
  • 1 Veal knuckle
  • 1lb 9ozs/700g Beef(topside)
  • Bay leaves
  • Black peppercorns
  • Basil leaves
  • Thyme leaves
  • Small white cabbage
  • 2 Leeks
  • 2 Celery sticks
  • 1lb/450g Carrots, chopped
  • 12 Baby onions
  • 2lb 4oz/1kg Potatoes, sliced
  • 10" piece Luganega sausage
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