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Cooking the veal
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Place the veal in the casserole and cover with cold water by 2 inches.
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Bring to the simmer and simmer 2 minutes.
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Drain the veal and wash it rapidly under cold water to remove all traces of scum.
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Wash out the casserole.
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Return the meat to the casserole.
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Pour on stock or broth to cover the veal by 1/2 inch.
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Bring slowly to the simmer, and skim as necessary for several minutes.
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Add the vegetables and herb bouquet.
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Taste for seasoning and salt lightly if necessary.
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Cover partially and simmer very slowly for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the veal is tender when pierced with a fork.
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It should not be overcooked.
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The onions:
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While the blanquette is simmering, prepare the onions: Following directions for white-braised onions, pierce a cross in the root ends and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes in a small, covered saucepan with the veal stock, salt, and butter.
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Set them aside.
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When the veal is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a colander set over a bowl.
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Rinse out the casserole and return the meat to the casserole, removing any loose bones.
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Arrange the cooked onions over the meat.
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Sauce veloute and mushrooms:
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In the saucepan, melt the butter, add the flour, and stir over low heat until they foam together for 2 minutes.
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Off heat, pour in the veal stock, beating vigorously with a wire whip.
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Bring the sauce to the boil, stirring.
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Simmer for 10 minutes, frequently skimming off the film which rises to the surface.
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Fold in the mushroom caps and simmer 10 minutes more, skimming.
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Taste the sauce very carefully for seasoning, adding salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
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Pour the sauce and mushrooms over the veal.
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Film the top of the sauce with 2 spoonfuls of cream or stock to prevent a skin from forming.
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Set aside, partially covered.
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May be done ahead to this point.
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Cream and egg yolk enrichment:
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About 10 to 15 minutes before serving, reheat slowly to the simmer, basting the veal with the sauce.
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Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Remove from heat.
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Blend the egg yolks and cream in the bowl with wire whip.
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Beat in by spoonfuls 1 cup of the hot sauce.
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Then pour the mixture into the casserole, tilting it and basting the veal and vegetables to blend the rest of the sauce with the egg yolk mixture.
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Set over moderate heat, gently shaking the casserole until sauce has thickened lightly, but do not let it come to the simmer.
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(If not served at once, film the top of the sauce with a spoonful or two of stock, partially cover the casserole, and keep warm over hot but not simmering water for 10 to 15 minutes.)
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Serve from the casserole or on a platter surrounded with rice, noodles, or potatoes.
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Decorate with parsley.
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RECOMMENDED VEAL STEWING CUTS
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Breast; Short Ribs; Shoulder and Shoulder Chops; Neck; Heel of Round or Shank; (Rump, Round, and Sirloin are less recommended but may be used in you wish)
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TECHNICAL NOTE ON SCUM REMOVAL
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As veal comes to the simmer it releases a tremendous amount of graybrown scum which must be removed by one means or another.
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American veal, probably because it is younger than most French veal, seems particularly scumproductive.
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You can skim continually while the veal simmers for the first 30 to 40 minutes.
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You can let it simmer for 10 minutes, then remove the veal and wash it rapidly in cold water, wash out the casserole, strain the stock through several thicknesses of damp cheesecloth, and continue with the recipe.
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Or you can adopt the following blanching process, which is the simplest.
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As long as all the scum is removed, it makes no difference which method you use; pick the one which best suits your predilections and prejudices.
