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Two seared veal loin chops topped with glossy mushroom sauce and thyme on a white plate, shot from above

Pan-Seared Nodino di Vitello with Mushrooms and Wine

Pan-seared veal loin chops finished with a white wine and mushroom pan sauce, ready in 44 minutes from one skillet.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 29 minutes
Total Time 44 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Secondo
Cuisine: Italian (Northern Italy)
Calories: 386

Ingredients
  

For the veal
  • 2 pieces bone-in veal loin chops (nodini) about 220 g each; 2.5 cm thick
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt for the chops
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the mushroom sauce
  • 250 g cremini mushrooms sliced 5 mm thick
  • 30 g unsalted butter cold, divided into two 15 g portions
  • 1 clove garlic lightly crushed
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt for the mushrooms, added after browning
  • 80 ml dry white wine
  • 100 ml low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley finely chopped

Method
 

  1. Pat the chops dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Leave them on the counter for 15 minutes while you slice the mushrooms 5 mm thick and crush the garlic.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil and 15 g butter in a 30 cm / 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high until the butter foam settles, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms in a mostly single layer and leave them alone for 3 minutes. Stir, then cook 5 to 6 minutes more until the liquid has evaporated and the edges are browned. Add the garlic, thyme, and 1/4 tsp salt, cook for 1 minute, and move everything to a bowl.
  3. Wipe the skillet with paper towel and return it to medium-high heat with the remaining 1 tbsp oil until it shimmers. Sear the chops 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and a thermometer in the thickest part, away from the bone, reads 145 F / 63 C. If it reads lower, keep cooking in 30-second increments. Move the chops to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  4. Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the wine and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by about two-thirds, then add the stock. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes until slightly syrupy and the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Return the mushrooms to the pan and stir. Take the skillet off the heat, discard the thyme stems, and swirl in the remaining 15 g cold butter, the lemon juice, and the parsley. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
  6. Set a chop on each plate, pour the juices from the resting plate into the sauce, and spoon the mushrooms over the veal. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Take the chops out of the fridge before you slice the mushrooms so they sear evenly.
  • Wipe the skillet between the mushrooms and the chops so no burnt bits reach the sauce.
  • Pull the chops at 145 F / 63 C and rest them under foil while the sauce reduces.
  • A 30 cm skillet holds only two chops, so serving four means using two pans.