Chestnut & porcini-crusted veal rack
Looking for an alternative meat this New Year ? A delicious chestnut and porcini-crusted veal rack recipe from Jamie Oliver offers just that.

Author: Jamieoliver/Photo credit to jamieoliver.com
Ingredients
- 2.5 kg 4-bone higher-welfare veal rack , trimmed of most of its fat and bones cleaned (ask your butcher to do this)
- olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 5 g dried porcini
- 50 g wholemeal bread
- 70 g vac-packed chestnuts
- 3 sprigs of fresh sage
- CUMBERLAND SAUCE
- 1 orange
- 4 tablespoons port
- 4 tablespoons redcurrant jelly
- 1 teaspoon English mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas 4. Remove the veal rack from the fridge and allow to come up to room temperature.
- Place a large frying pan over a high heat. Rub the veal all over with oil and a pinch each of sea salt and black pepper. Place it in the pan and sear all over for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown.
- Transfer the veal to the baking tray and brush the top with the mustard.
- Place the porcini in a small bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for a couple of minutes for the mushrooms to rehydrate and soften. Pick the sage leaves.
- In a food processor, add the porcini, bread, chestnuts, sage, a pinch of salt and pepper and a decent splash of oil. Pulse until it all comes together to form a coarse paste.
- Spoon the chestnut crust onto the veal and pat it down firmly. Place the rack in the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for at least 30 minutes.
- While the veal is resting, make the sauce. Squeeze the orange juice into a saucepan and combine with the remaining ingredients, plus any cooking juices from the veal pan. Place over a low heat, stirring, until smooth and combined.
- Season the sauce to taste and serve with the veal rack and some steamed winter greens.