Roasted Veal Chops with Madeira and Parsnips

A favourite recipe of mine from LCBO Food and Drink, Autumn 2000. The Madeira brings out the sweetness of the parsnips and complements the mildly flavoured veal. This recipe is easily reduced to make a meal for 2 or 4 people. Serve with a green vegetable or salad. Veal chops are usually large enough to consider one portion per person. With other accompaniments, this course is sensible and does not allow for discomfort from overeating. I served this recipe as a main course, Christmas dinner, and it was a welcome change from the traditional turkey, ham, etc. The first two courses were lime sorbet and a sherried beef broth with sauteed scallion stems. Dessert was a mixture of berries and flavoured whipped cream followed by a tray of mixed cheeses. Selected wines could be a fine old Madeira; Valpolicella; or your favourite Chardonnay.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 12  small parsnips (or 6 large)
• 3⁄4 cup madeira wine, divided
• 3  tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2  tablespoons granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
• 6  veal chops
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat over to 425 degrees F (220 C).
2. Peel, top and tail the parsnips.
3. If they are large, cut into quarters; medium-sized parsnips can be cut in half.
4. Place in a saucepan of cold salted water.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes.
6. Drain and refresh with cold water.
7. Toss drained, dried parsnips with 1/4 cup (50 mL) of Madeira, 2 Tbsp (25 mL) olive oil and sugar (or sugar substitute).
8. Put in bottom of a roasting pan.
9. Place in oven and roast for 10 minutes.
10. Pat veal chops dry and season with salt and pepper.
11. Set aside.
12. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, melt half the butter with remaining olive oil.
13. Brown 3 chops well, about 2 minutes per side.
14. Repeat with remaining butter and chops.
15. Discard any fat from the pan and add remaining Madeira.
16. Be careful, it may catch alight.
17. Reduce by half, stirring to loosen any brown bits; (deglazing the pan).
18. Add chops and coat with glaze.
19. Remove the roasting pan from the oven.
20. Turn parsnips.
21. Place glazed veal chops on top.
22. Pour remaining glaze over veal chops and return to the oven.
23. Roast 12 to 15 minutes more until veal chops are cooked and the parsnips soft.