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Osso Buco Beef Stew with Polenta

Beef shanks in rich stew with creamy polenta.

This rich and hearty Osso Buco Beef Stew is slow-cooked to perfection and served over creamy polenta. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it combines tender beef shanks with a savory sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Osso Buco Beef Stew:

4 beef shanks (about 34 pounds)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup dry white wine

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 bay leaf

For the Polenta:

4 cups water

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Osso Buco Beef Stew:

1. Season and Sear:

  • Season the beef shanks with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off the excess.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef shanks on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté Vegetables:

  • In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

3. Deglaze and Simmer:

  • Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste. Add the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.
  • Return the beef shanks to the pot, making sure they are submerged in the liquid.

4. Slow Cook:

  • Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and falling off the bone. Alternatively, you can cook it in a preheated oven at 325°F for the same amount of time.

Prepare the Polenta:

1. Cook Polenta:

  • In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the salt.
  • Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, reducing the heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is thick and creamy, about 20-25 minutes.

2. Finish Polenta:

  • Stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.

Serve:

1. Assemble:

  • Spoon a generous portion of polenta onto each plate.
  • Top with a beef shank and ladle the stew over the top.

Notes

For extra flavor, garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Pair with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.