Warm up to winter with a very easy to make Crock Pot Beef Shank & Cabbage  Stew, made even easier by a “crock pot” or any slow cooker. Beef shanks are inexpensive, hearty and have a beefy taste. Another wonderful part of this meal, is it may be made ahead of time.

Don’t forget to round out this recipe with a side of sauteed mushrooms.  The mushrooms add “unami” to this dish and round out the flavors to perfection. Also add, a crusty loaf of bread to soak up all the wonderful flavors.

Finish this warm and hearty meal with a heated apple pie; it will warm your heart and soul.

Recipes

Serves 2-4

Crock Pot Beef Shanks

       & Cabbage Stew

Sauteed Mushrooms

Crusty bread*

Apple Pie*

*Recipe not given

Crock Pot Beef Shanks and Cabbage Stew

1 onion, sliced in half

      and then sliced thinly

1/2 lb. carrots, peeled

      and slicked into chunks

1 piece celery, cut into

       large pieces

2 cloves garlic, processed

      in a garlic press

1/2 cabbage, cored

      and sliced into 5 wedges

2 beef shanks

Pepper to taste

15  oz. can peeled

      tomatoes in puree

1 cup beef or chicken stock

1.  Place onion, carrots, celery and garlic in crock pot on high.  Cook for 15 minutes (on high).

2.  Add cabbage and cook for a hour on high.

3.  Season beef shanks with pepper.  Place in crock pot over the cabbage.  Add tomatoes and cook, on medium, for 6 hours.

4.  Serve with Assorted Sauteed Mushrooms on the side.

Sauteed Mushrooms

1 tblsp. olive oil

3 oz. Dried Mushroom Mix,

      soaked in 3/4 cup water

      over night

1 lb. Mushrooms of your

      choice,cleaned and sliced

1.  In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and heat.

2.  When the olive oil is hot, add the mushrooms and saute until they begin to release their liquid, about 5 to 8 minutes.  Add the mushroom liquid and bring to a simmer.

3.  Cook until the mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes.  Season with Salt and Pepper, to taste.

4.  Serve with beef shanks and cabbage.

Alexandra Troy is owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 32-year old Greenvale-based company, specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties.  She lives in Manhasset with her husband and son.