Today is my birthday. Yes. A rather big one that I’d prefer not to talk about but here we are! Better than the alternative as my Dad used to say. My oldest son and his wife are coming later today to cook a big dinner with my husband and I am very excited. We have a half of a leg of lamb marinating since last night with Julia Child’s soy, garlic, and mustard glaze, (only we use rosemary instead of thyme). So last night, I decided to treat us, just my husband and me, to veal chops! I absolutely adore this recipe of Braised Veal Chops with Honey and Red Grapes.

I first made this years ago for Harriet, my piano teacher who was really my second mother, at her home with some other friends, way back in 2004. It is based on a recipe from Food and Wine magazine from that year. And this was THE recipe that got me cooking with grapes!

Here’s my Dijon Pork Chops with Herbs and Grapes recipe as well as this New Year’s Crostini Appetizer with Roasted Grapes that is super delicious and of course, perfect for this time of year.

This veal chop recipe is also perfect for this time of year. Veal is expensive and fancy for holiday dinners. However, unlike some other holiday recipes, this one is easy, comes together very quickly, and the cooking time is perfect. You don’t want veal to be rare or even medium rare, you want it just done but not dry, barely pink, and this method of cooking does it just right.

I hope you’ll get a chance to try this. I served it with some roasted Delicata squash with a little butter and maple syrup and some sautéed escarole in olive oil and garlic. A very yummy meal!

BRAISED VEAL CHOPS WITH HONEY AND RED GRAPES – serves 2

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 anchovy fillets
Two ½ lb. veal loin chops, cut about 3/4 inch thick
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 sage leaves
3 whole cloves
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
3/4 cup seedless red grapes
11/2 Tbs. honey

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the anchovies and cook over moderately low heat, mashing the anchovies until pureed, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high.

Season the veal chops with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chops to a platter.

Add the wine, sage, cloves and bay leaves to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until the wine is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the veal chops and their juices, cover and simmer over low heat until the chops are barely pink in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Return the chops to the platter.

Add the grapes and honey to the skillet, cover and cook over moderate heat until the grapes are tender, about 4 minutes. Scatter the grapes over the chops. Boil the pan juices over high heat until reduced to ½ cup, about 5 minutes. Discard the cloves and bay leaves. Pour the sauce over the chops and serve with LOVE. Preferably in front of a roaring fire. 🙂
Regarding the wine, I think maybe a Syrah would have been better.