Braised slow cooked extra tender beef chunks that will make your meal oh so special.
If you are in a tight budget but you would want to have something restaurant-like, then this recipe will be a definite winner for you. The beef cuts used for this recipe is very affordable and it gives out great texture and flavor to your dish.
The help of the slow cooker can make the beef shanks incredibly tender. So you will not have to worry about the beef ending up chewy or under-cooked. It is amazingly scrumptious that you will want to have this for special occasions as well.
It can make you look like a full-pledged chef once your guests take a bite. It has now become one of our family favorites and one of those that my hubby is more than willing to eat (considering that he is not fond of beef). And I assure you, it will be the same for your family and friends.
Check out the recipe below.
Slow Cooker Peppered Beef Shank in Red Wine
Ingredients:
2 to 2 1/2 pounds beef crosscut shank, fat trimmed away
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable or peanut oil
10 to 12 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 medium yellow onions, peeled and roughly chopped
1 large stalk celery, roughly chopped
1 bay leaf
1 rosemary sprig
750 ml bottle inexpensive red wine, such as Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
Heat a wide, deep skillet over medium high heat. Pat the beef shanks dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan, and when it hot, add the beef shank. Sear the meat for at least 7 minutes on each side, creating a dark brown crust. When the meat has been thoroughly browned, remove from the pan and place in a slow cooker insert.
Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic, onion, and celery. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, letting the onion acquire some browning and color. Add the bay leaf and the rosemary sprig, and pour in the red wine and broth. Add 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. The liquid should reduce by about 1/3.
Pour the sauce and vegetables over the meat in the slow cooker. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours on LOW. You will know the meat is done when it is extremely tender and has fallen away from the bone and into small pieces.
If you do not wish to serve it right away, refrigerate. This also makes it easier to remove the excess fat. Spoon out any chilled shards of fat after the shanks have been refrigerated for several hours. To serve, heat gently in its sauce in a Dutch oven or saucepan on the stovetop. Taste and if necessary add additional salt.
Serve over polenta or pasta.
A very big thank you to thekitchn.com for this amazing recipe.