Beans, White adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with veal, breast's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
veal, breast
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A large, flat, fatty, inexpensive cut from the breast area of veal — with a layered structure of meat, fat, and cartilage that responds beautifully to very lon…
11 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Veal breast is the equivalent of pork belly in the veal carcass — a layered cut with alternating lean and fat sections, rich in collagen, that requires long cooking to break down the connective tissue to silky gelatin. The breast can be butterflied and stuffed (classic stuffed breast of veal preparations: Italian petto di vitello ripieno with mortadella, pistachios, and herbs; Jewish brisket-style preparation with vegetables and a rich braising liquid) then braised low and slow for 3–4 hours until completely tender. The stuffing is held in by the breast pocket (the natural cavity between the muscle layers). When sliced, the layered cross-section of stuffing and meat creates an appealing presentation. Spit-roasted whole veal breast (Milanese style) is a spectacular preparation for a large gathering — the exterior fat bastes the meat continuously. Like all fatty braising cuts, the flavor is substantially richer than lean veal scallopini, with the braising liquid becoming a deeply flavored sauce.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
beans, white
Beans, White adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with veal, breast's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
cheese, fontina
Cheese, Fontina adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give veal, breast more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
garlic
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens veal, breast's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry veal, breast's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens veal, breast's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
pancetta
Pancetta adds cured pork fat and salt that enrich veal breast's mild, braise-friendly meat.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
rosemary
Rosemary adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
stock, chicken
Stock, Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives veal, breast more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
thyme
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
wine, white
Wine, White adds aromatic depth, acidity, or sweetness that helps veal, breast work in sauces, braises, drinks, or cooked preparations.
Cheese, Fontina adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give veal, breast more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens veal, breast's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry veal, breast's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens veal, breast's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Pancetta adds cured pork fat and salt that enrich veal breast's mild, braise-friendly meat.
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Rosemary adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Stock, Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives veal, breast more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping veal, breast from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Wine, White adds aromatic depth, acidity, or sweetness that helps veal, breast work in sauces, braises, drinks, or cooked preparations.