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Vitello Tonnato

Italy

A Piedmontese classic dating back centuries, vitello tonnato remains a favourite summer dish precisely because it's served cold.

Thinly sliced cold veal draped in a creamy tuna and caper sauce — an elegant Piedmontese classic traditionally served as a summer antipasto.

Authentic Italy Vitello Tonnato recipe
Prep
20 mins
Cook
1 hr 30 mins
Difficulty
Medium
Calories
330 kcal
Serves
6
Calories are an estimate based on ingredients used

Ingredients

1kgveal round, tied
200gtinned tuna in oil
4anchovy fillets
3 tbspcapers
200mlmayonnaise
1lemon, juiced

Method

1

Poach veal gently with aromatics for about 90 minutes until tender. Cool completely and chill.

2

Blend tuna, anchovies, half the capers, mayonnaise and lemon into a smooth sauce.

3

Slice the chilled veal very thinly.

4

Arrange on a platter, coat generously with sauce, and scatter remaining capers on top.

Chef's Tip

Chilling the veal thoroughly before slicing is essential for the paper-thin cuts this dish is known for.

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Some recipe photos courtesy of Openverse and Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under Creative Commons licenses.
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