Veal comes from young calves, and so the meat is tender and lean and the flavor is delicate.  The best way to cook veal is with moist heat, either by braising it or cooking it in a liquid.  Since the meat is lean,  it tends to dry out when cooked with dry heat.  When selecting veal, check to make sure that the meat is moist and light pink-gray in color, that the fat is white, and that the bones are engorged with blood. Also, be aware that some people feel that it's morally objectionable to eat veal, because they believe that veal calves are treated inhumanely.  

Substitutes:   chicken OR pork OR turkey 

	veal shoulder   The cuts here are more economical, since the meat is tougher and often interlaced with bone and connective tissue.  Butchers usually bone, roll, and tie the shoulder to make a rolled roast, but they sometimes also cut the shoulder into smaller roasts and steaks.
	veal ribs  The ribs are usually cut into chops, but you can also roast the entire rack of veal, or tie two or three racks together to form a crown roast of veal.
	veal loin  The most buttery cuts of all come from the loin, but you'll pay dearly for them.
	veal leg  The choice meat in the leg is often sliced into thin cutlets to be used for veal scaloppini, schnitzels, and escalopes.   You can also buy larger cuts for roasting or braising.
	veal breast  The breast includes the lower end of the ribs, along with some fairly lean meat.
	veal miscellaneous cuts  This category includes cuts taken from different parts of the carcass, including ground veal, stew meat, and the shank.

Copyright © 1996-2005  Lori Alden