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Oriental-Spiced Osso Bucco with Spicy Cilantro Gremolata

Though relatively cheap, shank is a very flavorful cut of beef if not the most. Braising, a cooking method of partly submerging meat in a flavored cooking liquid would be the best choice for tough cuts of meat such as our main component. Good news is, that braising can certainly be done with a slow cooker!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time16 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Italian
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Oriental-Spiced Osso Bucco

  • 1.5 Kilos Beef Shank cut across the bone, 1.5" slices
  • 2 Pieces Ginger thumb-sized, peeled, thinly sliced
  • 2 Bulbs Red Onion peeled, quartered
  • 1 Piece Carrot peeled, cut to 1/2" wedges
  • 4 Stalks Leeks cut into 3" lenghts
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cups Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 Cups Chinese Cooking Wine
  • 2 Teaspoons Chinese Five-Spice Powder
  • 5 Pieces Star Anise
  • 1 Tablespoons Black Peppercorns whole
  • Salt to taste
  • Cornstarch for dredging

Spicy Cilantro Gremolata

  • 2 Tablespoons Chili-Garlic Paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
  • 1 Piece Lemon juice and zest
  • 1 Handful Cilantro Leaves coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tablespoons Honey
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

Oriental-Spiced Osso Bucco

  • Season beef shanks with salt, pepper, and five spice on both sides.
  • Dredge seasoned shanks lightly with cornstarch, patting off excess.
  • Heat peanut oil in a pan and sear beef shanks to a dark brown crust on both sides. Transfer the seared beef shanks into the cooking vessel of your slow cooker.
  • After searing all the shanks, in the same pan, saute ginger, onions, carrots, star anise, and black peppercorns for a minute. Add in the tomato paste and continue roasting for another minute.
  • Deglaze the pan with chinese cooking wine, scraping all the pan drippings.
  • Tip the contents of the pan into the slow cooker, on top of the beef shanks. Add in soy sauce, brown sugar, and leeks. Add water until the shanks are barely covered.
  • Leave to cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the meat is fork tender.

Spicy Cilantro Gremolata

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Season to taste with salt.
  • Refrigerate covered until needed.