Dilled Blanquette de Veau
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
3 pounds boneless veal shoulder or shank, in 1-inch cubes
½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 scant teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus additional to taste
1 ½ teaspoons salt, plus additional to taste
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus additional to taste
3 cups peeled carrots, sliced diagonally (1/8 thick)
3 cups coarsely chopped yellow onions
5 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
3 to 4 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup heavy cream or yogurt
1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter in a heavy oven-proof casserole over medium-low heat. Add the veal and cook, turning frequently, without browning.
3. Stir 3 tablespoons flour, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl, and sprinkle over the veal. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring, for 5 minutes. The flour and veal should not brown.
4. Add the carrots, onions, 3 tablespoons of the dill, and enough stock just to cover the meat and vegetables. Raise the heat to medium, bring to a boil, cover, and bake in the oven for 1 ½ hours.
5. Remove the stew from the oven and pour it through a strainer placed over a bowl. Reserve the solids and liquid separately.
6. Return the casserole to medium heat and melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in it. Sprinkle in the remaining 5 tablespoons flour and cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes.
7. Whisk the reserved cooking liquid slowly into the butter and flour mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook slowly, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
8. Whisk in the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons dill, and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Return the veal and vegetables to the casserole and simmer together to heat through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a deep serving dish and serve at once.