Osso Buco

4 pounds shanks of veal, cut in 2" pieces
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup water
1/2 cup white wine
1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon basil, crushed
Pinch of thyme
1 tablespoon minced parsley
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 onions, chopped
1 teaspoon minced lemon zest
4 carrots, scraped and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tablespoon minced celery leaves

Dust the veal shanks with the flour blended with the salt.
Brown over high heat in the oil and butter.
Lower heat, add the water and wine slowly, stirring to blend and let simmer gently.
Crush the garlic and mash to a paste with the herbs.
Blend in the tomato paste and add this mixture to the broth with the chopped onions and the lemon zest (only the yellow part of the rind, none of the white).
Cook covered at least 2 hours, until meat is nearly falling from bones.
During last half hour, add carrots and celery stalk and leaves.
Cook until carrots are tender.
Transfer meat to a platter.
Strain the sauce and thicken if desired with 2 tablespoons butter worked into a ball with 2 tablespoons flour and an additional teaspoon minced parsley.
Add to sauce, simmer until smooth
Serve with noodles.

Serves 6