Ingredients

  • 10 ounces pearl onions
  • 4 1/2 pounds veal shoulder, boned, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 9 cups (or more) chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
  • 3 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 pounds celery root (celeriac), peeled, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 4 large carrots, peeled, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths
  • 3 medium turnips, peeled, each cut into 6 pieces
  • 8 ounces button mushrooms
  • 6 ounces haricots verts or other green beans, ends trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1/2 tablespoon (about) fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 bunch fresh chives, cut into 2-inch pieces (optional)

Method

  • Bring large pot of salted water to boil.
  • Add pearl onions and cook 1 minute.
  • Using slotted spoon, remove onions from pot.
  • Trim ends and peel.
  • Add veal to pot and cook 4 minutes.
  • Drain veal; rinse with cold water.
  • Rinse pot and return veal to pot.
  • Add 8 cups chicken stock and bring to boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
  • Add thyme and bay leaves and simmer until veal is tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes longer.
  • Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in another heavy large pot over medium heat.
  • Add pearl onions, celery root, carrots, turnips, mushrooms and 1 cup chicken stock.
  • Cover and cook until vegetables are tender and almost all liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes.
  • Add haricots verts and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes.
  • Drain veal, reserving 2 cups liquid (if less than 2 cups cooking liquid remains, add enough stock to measure 2 cups).
  • Mix veal into vegetables.
  • Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Mix in 3 tablespoons flour.
  • Cook until butter mixture turns golden brown, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes.
  • Whisk in 2 cups reserved cooking liquid.
  • Cook until thickened, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in whipping cream.
  • Season sauce to taste with fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  • Pour cream sauce over cooked veal and vegetables.
  • Garnish with fresh chives, if desired, and serve immediately.