Veal

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For a low-fat entrèe, be sure to remove all visible fat and membrane from the veal shanks. Tie them to retain a nice shape.

"Pané" comes from the French verb "paner," meaning to coat with bread crumbs.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 4 1/2 hr

Serve with: Mesclun salad with an herb vinaigrette and sliced semolina bread. Dessert: Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with crushed amaretti cookies (Italian macaroons) and drizzled with Kahlúa.

At Babbo in New York, chef Mario Batali serves this dish with freshly made pappardelle pasta. We've simplified the entrée for the home cook by substituting purchased fettuccine.

Redolent of garlic and saffron, these tiny meatballs are a sure hit at any tapas party.

"My best cooking is done on Sundays during the fall and winter," writes Lisa Caiazzo of Franklin Square, New York, "when I become a football widow. The game doesn't appeal to me at all, so I happily escape to the kitchen while my husband, Angelo, roots for the Giants. Often I prepare a feast that includes meatballs and sauce, chicken cutlets, roasted peppers, hot bread, and crème brûlée. An afternoon of cooking can be very therapeutic after a busy week. And since Angelo is actually a bigger fan of my food than of football, I'm always shown plenty of appreciation."

Veal and pork combine in the rustic sauce.

Serve with: Grilled asparagus and pasta tossed with Parmesan and chopped mint.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Pappardelle Bolognese .

Also serve puréed winter squash and fettuccine tossed with sage and butter. For dessert, put out chilled grapes and a platter of anise biscotti with sweetened mascarpone cheese.

Serve these hearty meatballs over noodles or mashed potatoes.

Cabernet Sauvignon can be substituted for the Merlot, but either way, have mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli florets with the veal, and wedges of chocolate mousse cake afterward.

Try braised lettuce flavored with thyme, carrots and garlic to accompany this satisfying dish.