Grill/Barbecue

Veal Chops Lombatina with Roasted Garlic

June  7, 2010
4
4 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

This is based on the simple preparation of the Italian trattoria dish of the same name. I like to use the stack and wrap method, as I call it, just to give the veal a little more time to absorb the flavors I want to pair with it. In this case the thyme and lemon. Maybe the hardest part about this is waiting for the grill to heat but I have never found that to be too trying as long as a nice chilled bottle of rose from Provence is on hand. This is a direct heat method of grilling where the hotter the grill the better. I really like to serve this dish with a whole head of roasted garlic for each diner so they can smear it onto the chop if desired. - thirschfeld —thirschfeld

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe treats veal chops with the respect they deserve, highlighting rather than overpowering their tender flesh and gentle, less-beefy-than-beef meatiness. Thirschfeld employs a nifty technique of stacking the chops to flavor them with layers of lemon zest, garlic and whole thyme sprigs sandwiched between them; while the chops are absorbing all these great flavors, you roast whole heads of garlic to serve on the side and whip up a simple vinaigrette. Then it's just a few short minutes on a hot grill (we recommend you stop at medium rare), and dinner is served. - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 4 veal chops, about an 1 1/2 inches thick
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme
  • 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
  • zest of two lemons
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Banyuls vinegar or good balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons thyme, minced
  • kosher salt and fresh ground white pepper
  • 4 heads of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Directions
  1. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface.
  2. Spread 4 to 5 sprigs of thyme out to match the size of the veal chop. Sprinkle on some chopped garlic and lemon zest.
  3. Season each side of the 4 chops evenly with kosher salt. Place one chop on top of the herb mixture and top it with thyme, garlic and lemon on top . Place a chop on top. Repeat until the chops are stacked and you topped it with the thyme, garlic and lemon mixture. You want all sides covered.
  4. Pull the plastic wrap up and over and wrap the chops tightly. Place them on a tray to catch any possible drips and put them in the fridge for no less than 6 and no longer than 12 hours.
  5. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Chop the top 1/4 off each head of garlic and smear with unsalted butter and season it with salt and pepper. Place the heads in a small casserole and cover with foil. Bake them for 1 3/4 hours for an 8 clove head maybe less for smaller heads. Remove from the oven and let them sit. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Banyuls and minced thyme in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set the dressing aside.
  6. When you are ready heat your grill to the highest temperature you can. While it is heating remove the chops from the fridge, unwrap them and scrape off all the thyme, garlic and zest. Season the chops with pepper and leave them out to warm while the grill is heating.
  7. When the grill is hot cook the chops until medium rare or medium. Near the end of the grilling time place the garlic on a tray and place it on the grill to warm it up. Place the chops on a platter or plates and top them with the dressing and garnish with thyme. Place a head of roasted garlic next to each chop and serve.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Oui, Chef
    Oui, Chef
  • lapadia
    lapadia
  • monkeymom
    monkeymom
  • MyCommunalTable
    MyCommunalTable
  • dymnyno
    dymnyno

63 Reviews

Musebe September 26, 2013
Would lamb chops work instead of veal?
 
Oui, C. June 25, 2010
Way to go, T! I'm making this one as soon as I get back from my travels. Congrats on a well deserved win! - S
 
lapadia June 23, 2010
Lovely recipe and picture...Congrats!
 
Veronica June 23, 2010
Hoooooray! Congratulations!
 
monkeymom June 23, 2010
Woo hoo!! Congrats!
 
MyCommunalTable June 23, 2010
Congrats! Veal chops are a favorite and your recipe is great anytime!
 
dymnyno June 23, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS!!! A great recipe and perfect for the first week of summer.
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
thanks dymnyno
 
fiveandspice June 23, 2010
Congrats! Great recipe and thank you for your kind comment!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 23, 2010
Major congrats thirschfeld! It's a great recipe!
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
thanks ChezSuzanne
 
EmilyNunn June 23, 2010
Congrats! You're a rock star.
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
Thanks but how about I was feeling more like Susan Lucci than any sort of rock star. Hey I have a friend whose daughter loves to bake and sent her the spice cake recipe can't wait for her to make it. I will be making it soon, too.
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
Thanks you everyone and thanks for the votes. This really makes my day. Thanks again.
 
drbabs June 23, 2010
BIG congratulations--great recipe!!
 
nannydeb June 23, 2010
Congrats on a well desreved win!
 
mdm June 23, 2010
yay! Congrats, Tom!
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
thanks mdm
 
AntoniaJames June 23, 2010
Yaaaaay! Congrats, thirschfeld. I'm thrilled for you. What a great recipe. ;o)
 
Lizthechef June 23, 2010
Congratulations on yet another terrific recipe and well-deserved win!
 
mrslarkin June 23, 2010
Yay, thirschfeld! Congrats!
 
WinnieAb June 23, 2010
Congrats thirschfeld!!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 20, 2010
Made these for dinner tonight. Fabulous!! And you've definitely got my vote.
 
Aliwaks June 18, 2010
I love the stacking technique...will have to try with my next meat dish.
 
drbabs June 18, 2010
I'm so happy this made it to the finals--it's such a great recipe I may have to end my moratorium on veal! Congratulations--I learn so much from you.
 
monkeymom June 17, 2010
I can confirm that this is wonderful with pork chops as well. Subbed some sage for a couple of chops and that was very tasty too. Well done thirschfeld and congrats on another stunner!
 
fiveandspice June 17, 2010
Looks lovely, congrats!
 
EmilyNunn June 17, 2010
Congrats, thirschfeld! I never got to make these for my visitors--rain, botched planning, etc. But I'm making them now. Love your work, dahling.
 
TasteFood June 17, 2010
Love the simplicity of this recipe. What a great way to marinate the veal. Congratulations.
 
ChefJune June 17, 2010
Yum! I've got the veal chops ready to go. Now all I need is the grill.
 
Lizthechef June 17, 2010
Not a veal eater, how about lamb chops? Fire up the grill!
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
Lamb chops would be great too.
 
AntoniaJames June 17, 2010
What a great recipe. Love this! Really, really nice. Congrats, thirschfeld!!
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
Thank you AJ.
 
mrslarkin June 17, 2010
WooHoo thirschfeld! Congrats. Another great recipe. Always learning from you - thanks.
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
thanks mrslarkin. and back at you on the learning.
 
cheese1227 June 17, 2010
I have the chops marinating in the fridge now. Can't wait for dnner!
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
I so hope you like them and let me know what you think
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 17, 2010
I just knew this would make it into the finals! What a great recipe - many congrats thirshfield!
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
Thanks so much ChezSuzanne
 
pierino June 12, 2010
Take that you vegans!!
 
MyCommunalTable June 11, 2010
I love veal. What better vehicle for this cut of meat then your recipe. Bravo!
 
thirschfeld June 12, 2010
Thak you MCT,
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
Thanks MrsL
 
Oui, C. June 10, 2010
What a beautiful and tasty looking dish....love the flowering thyme.
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
Thanks Oui, Chef
 
Kelsey B. June 9, 2010
This looks amazing - it's at the top of my recipe box now! I love the photo, too
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
Thanks and I want to hear about it.
 
drbabs June 9, 2010
yum and gorgeous!
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
thanks drbabs
 
clintonhillbilly June 9, 2010
sounds delicious!
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
thanks clintonhillbilly
 
cheese1227 June 8, 2010
Oh my, that looks like something out of Northern Italy.
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
Thank you cheese1227 but how about we just go to Northern Italy
 
mrslarkin June 8, 2010
This sounds fantastic. Beautiful photos too - those might just be my favorites of yours so far.
 
EmilyNunn June 8, 2010
You hero! I'm going to make these on Friday night, for some old friends in from the South. Pray tell, what should I serve on the side? Looks so good.
 
thirschfeld June 8, 2010
Oh I think I would go with glazed baby carrots.
 
Boo1975 June 8, 2010
What time is dinner, it looks fabulous. Can I use a pork chop instead...what do ya think?
 
thirschfeld June 8, 2010
I don't know why you couldn't use pork chops.
 
aargersi June 8, 2010
Another fabulous recipe from you!
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
thanks aargersi
 
This looks wonderful! My mouth is watering. Perfect summer recipe!
 
thirschfeld June 11, 2010
thanks ChezSusanne