Braided meat with a side of vegetables and roasted garlic

Braided meat recipe with vegetable and roasted garlic garnish

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4

Discover a delicious and elegant braided meat recipe, perfect for a special meal or family dinner. This dish combines tender veal meat with a garnish of aromatic vegetables and roasted garlic, offering you a feast of flavors and textures. The preparation is simple, and the result will surely impress anyone.

Ingredients:
- 500 g tender veal (preferably flank or tenderloin)
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 carrots
- 2 onions
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 4 heads of garlic
- A few cloves of garlic (for flavoring)
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Butter (for serving)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Olive oil (for cooking)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the meat: Start by slicing the veal into thin but larger pieces. Each piece should be about 1.5-2 cm thick. Use a sharp knife to make even cuts, then cut each piece into three, without completely detaching them. This will allow the meat to braid nicely during cooking.

2. Seasoning: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the entire surface of the meat, then apply mustard on each piece. The mustard will add a slightly spicy note and help enhance the flavors.

3. Preparing the vegetables: Peel and cut the onion, carrots, and zucchini into small cubes. The tomatoes can be quartered. If desired, you can remove the seeds from the tomatoes to avoid excess water in the dish.

4. Roasted garlic: Meanwhile, take the heads of garlic, cut off their tops to expose the cloves, and season with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wrap them in aluminum foil and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes. The roasted garlic will become sweet and aromatic, perfect for adding to the garnish.

5. Cooking the meat: In a large skillet, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the carrots and zucchini and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened. Then, add the braided meat, cooking each side for about 4-5 minutes, until browned.

6. Finalizing the dish: Add the tomatoes to the skillet and let everything simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Ensure the meat is well-cooked and the juices from the vegetables have combined perfectly.

Serving: Remove the heads of garlic from the oven and, when they cool slightly, squeeze the cloves into a small bowl. Mix them with the melted butter. Serve the braided meat alongside the vegetable garnish and roasted garlic. You can add a drizzle of olive oil and a few fresh parsley leaves for extra flavor.

Variation suggestion: Instead of veal, you can use chicken or turkey breast, and for vegetables, experiment with bell peppers or mushrooms if you want a different note.

This braided meat recipe with vegetable and roasted garlic garnish is not only tasty but also healthy, making it an excellent choice for a balanced meal. Prepare it with love and enjoy every bite!