Why it works: Veal and meat are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 18% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 1,890 recipes. Both carry 2,4-decadienal, which smells seaweed. The science ↓
Veal Loaf
Ingredients
Directions
The book says “a moderate oven”. The 350°F (175°C) in the steps is the modern equivalent, not the book's own figure.
Prepare the mixture
Mix the veal, sausage meat, and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
Season liberally with salt and pepper, then add the egg.
Mix thoroughly and gradually add gravy or stock until moistened.
Shape and bake
Form the mixture into a short, thick roll and cover lightly with flour or coat with egg and breadcrumbs.
Bake in a moderate oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour, basting occasionally with hot fat.
Serve
Serve hot or cold, accompanied by gravy or a suitable sauce.
Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
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Veal + meattop 18% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together1,890 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
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Meat + peppertop 19% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together8,777 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
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Veal + peppertop 19% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together10,049 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
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Meat + eggtop 22% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together6,432 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
-
Veal + eggtop 28% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together6,845 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Veal
- Forms the main body of the loaf and gives it its meaty flavour and texture.
- Sausage meat
- Adds fat and seasoning, keeping the loaf moist and richly flavoured.
- Egg
- Binds the chopped meats together so the loaf holds its shape when sliced.
- Breadcrumbs
- Absorb juices and fat, helping the mixture stay tender and hold together.
The step that matters
Moistening the mixture with gravy or stock. Add the liquid gradually and mix thoroughly. Too much liquid at once makes the mixture soggy and loose, so the loaf may not hold its shape when baked.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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