Veal Involtini Food

SICILIAN VEAL INVOLTINI

Steps:

• Soak 4 wood skewers in water to prevent them from burning. Alternately, cover the ends of each skewer with foil.

VEAL INVOLTINI

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread bread crumbs in a shallow baking pan and toast, stirring once or twice, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Gently pound veal cutlets to slightly less than 1/8 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with flat side of a meat pounder or with a rolling pin, then cut into roughly 4- by 3-inch pieces.
• Stir together parsley, garlic, 3/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until a paste forms.
• Stir together bread crumbs, remaining 1/2 cup cheese, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Season cutlets lightly with salt and pepper and spread 1 side of each piece with 1 teaspoon parsley-garlic paste.
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Roll up veal pieces (paste sides up), starting from a short side. Put remaining cup oil in a bowl and dip each roll in it, letting excess drip off, then dredge in bread-crumb mixture, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere. Transfer to baking sheet.
• Thread 1 veal roll onto a skewer, then 1 piece of onion, leaving about 1/4 inch between. Repeat on same skewer 2 more times, then transfer skewer to baking sheet. Assemble 6 more skewers in same manner (last skewer will have only 2 rolls).
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 1 to 2 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderately high.
• Grill veal on a lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, turning over once, until rolls are golden, about 6 minutes total.
• Remove veal and onion from skewers and serve immediately.

BAKED VEAL INVOLTINI WITH GRILLED RADICCHIO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, thyme and basil; mix well.
• Once the mixture starts to bubble at the edges, season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice (as needed).
• Use a food mill to process the sauce (or, alternatively, push it through a fine-mesh strainer), discarding the solids.
• The yield should be about 3 cups; over and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the veal and vegetables: Cut the meat into four 6-ounce portions; place each one between pieces of plastic wrap.
• Use a mallet to pound each portion to an even thickness of 1/8 inch; discard the plastic wrap.
• Heat a grill pan on the stovetop over high heat.
• Meanwhile, cut four 1/4 -inch slices lengthwise from the center section of the eggplant and peel them (reserving the remaining eggplant for another use, if desired).
• Combine the sliced eggplant, radicchio, 4 tablespoons of the oil and the vinegar in a mixing bowl; toss to coat evenly.
• Season with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Grill the vegetables for a total of 8 miniutes, turning them over halfway through.
• Transfer to a cutting board to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, cut the radicchio and eggplant into thin strips, then place on a plate and cover loosely until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly season the pounded veal slices with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Use one-quarter of the grilled radicchio and eggplant strips to create a layer on top of each piece of pounded veal, then place 1 slice of the smoked mozzarella on top of the vegetable layer.
• Roll up tightly and use toothpicks to secure both ends, or the middle, of each "involtino.".
• Heat a large, ovenproof saute pan over medium heat, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Add the 4 involtini to the pan and cook for 4 minutes, turning them as needed, until lightly browned.
• Pour the reserved tomato sauce evenly over the involtini to cover them, then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
• If desired, cut each involtino in half, then stand the halves on end on the plate. Garnish with tender stems of baby arugula, if desired. Serve hot.