Now that the weather has finally cooled, it’s time to warm up your home with the delicious fragrances of long cooked stews and braises. But maybe like us, you’re sometimes too busy to take the time to create these delicious meals in the usual 4 to 6 hours. One of our fabulous winery staff has a favorite recipe that they graciously shared which includes the popular kitchen tool – the instant pot. This technique can shave 3 to 5 hours off of your usual cooking time for an amazing Italian favorite, Osso Buco. We think that an hour for cooking during the week is doable, especially if we prep the vegetables and keep them in the fridge until cooking time. This dish can be paired with red or white, try Albariño, Blossom Rosé, Malbec,  or Cabernet.

Instant Pot Osso Buco

2 lbs. Osso Buco beef shanks
2 TBS olive oil
2 clove garlic, minced
½ medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, diced (1/2 inch)
2 celery ribs, diced
½ cup white wine
14 oz can diced tomatoes and the juice from can
1 cup beef broth
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
Fresh grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, chopped flat leaf parsley for garnish if desired

1. Preheat your Instant Pot to sauté high and add 1-2 tablespoons oil. Pat dry the shanks and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Once your instant pot is hot enough (should be about 2 mins past when it beeps) Brown your shanks 1-2 minutes on each side.
3. Remove the shanks and set aside. Add carrots, onion, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté until softened slightly soft – 2-4 minutes.
4. Add the wine, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the lovely browned bits. Reduce until about half the wine is left – 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper to taste. Return the browned meat and nestle into the vegetables and liquid.
6. Set pressure to custom (high) and braise for 45 minutes. Quick release when done and serve, garnished with grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, red pepper flakes, and flat leaf parsley as desired. Serve with noodles, rice, or bread to soak up all the yummy juices.

Enjoy!