Whether you prefer to slow cook or just use your regular oven, our recipe can be adapted to suit your facilities to ensure that no matter how it is cooked, your roasted beef shank will be unlike any other meal you’ve had before.
I see your interest is piqued. Let me guide you through how to make this beautiful meal!
Unlike any other beef cut, beef shanks originate from the legs of a cow. However, there is also a range of other meat shanks, including veal, which can be turned into a beautiful Osso Bucco.
Shank meat is relatively volatile, and if not cooked correctly, the meat can become tough and lose the beautifully rich flavor that the cut is credited for. However, with slow and careful preparation, using techniques such as braising, you can lock in the delicious juices and create a gorgeous meal oozing with flavorful juices.
When it comes to beef shanks, they are ideal for those of us with busy days. Due to them being the ideal cut to roast for several hours on low heat, you can go about your day and save yourself some waiting time by being productive!
Additionally, beef shanks are cost-efficient cuts and often come with soup bones, with bones smothered in meat, and are ideal for making beautiful stock to use across your other dishes. With them being so full of flavor, they are a steal at your local meat counter.
Ready to get started?
First of all, let’s discuss braising. Not sure what exactly braising is? Well, to put it simply, it is the process by which meat is simmered while immersed in liquid. This helps the tough connective tissues within your meat break down and help produce a deliciously juicy final product – and with the addition of liquid, you can easily incorporate beautiful flavors into your dish!
So, are you thinking about preparing your beef shank through braising? If so, here is a simple yet comprehensive guide to help you in the kitchen.
1. Brown the meat – To start this dish, ensure you heavily season your meat before thoroughly covering it in seasoned flour; this will mean you can then start by gently browning the meat to lock in the initial flavors whilst using the addition of the flour covering to help prepare a base for a beautiful sauce later.
2. Saute Aromatics – Once your meat has browned lightly, it’s time to remove it from the pan and set it aside to rest. Now it’s time to incorporate your onions, celery, and carrots and saute them until they are gently browned.
3. Scrape up the Fond – At this point, your pan will have some brown bits floating at the bottom; don’t throw them away! These not-so-visually appealing bits hold so much beautiful flavor, so in order to absorb these flavors, add small volumes of sry Sherry and gently scrape at these brown bits to mix them into the Sherry.
4. Add additional liquid – As you later simmer your beef shanks in chicken broth, an additional layer of light and fragrant flavors will permeate the beef. Layering your flavors is the ideal way to bring different dimensions to your dish.
5. Slow cooking – Cooking your beef in a covered dish in the oven or in a crockpot is the ideal way to slow-cook your meat. As the connective tissue of the joint breaks down, more flavors will enter your beef.