Slow cooker short rib ragu with polenta
An easy dish to make, this short rib ragu is delicious comfort food.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Total Time6 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 approx
Calories: 1271kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking
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For the ragu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lb short ribs 900g, approx - either all boneless or as I did, half on the bone
- 1 onion small
- 2 carrot small, or 1 large
- 1 cloves garlic or 2 if smaller
- 1 cup red wine 240ml
- 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes 411g, 1 can
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper
For the polenta
- 1 cup polenta 240ml
- 2 ½ cups water 600ml
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ oz feta 45g, crumbled
- ½ cup parmesan 15g, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon butter 15g
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet/frying pan or wide heavy-based pan.
Cut the meat into approx 2in/5cm chunks (or between the bones if using part on the bone) and season lightly with salt and pepper. Brown the meat in th e pan in batches, browning all sides, then transfer to a slow cooker.
Dice the onion and carrot and crush/finely chop the garlic. Cook the onion and carrot in the pan for a couple minutes, then add garlic. Add a little more oil if needed. Cook all around 5min until the onions soften.
Add wine to the pan to deglaze - scrape any brown off the bottom to get all the good flavor. Add the tomatoes and herbs then pour everything over the meat in the slow cooker. The meat should be covered by the sauce.
Cook it on low for 6-8hrs.
When almost ready to eat, bring the water to the boil and add the polenta and salt. Simmer polenta for around 5 minutes, stirring regularly so it doesn't burn or unevenly thicken. Add the cheeses and butter, stir to melt then remove from the heat and leave it to stand a couple mins.
Meanwhile shred the beef with two forks and remove any bones or thicker pieces of fat/grizzle.
Serve the beef, along with some of the juices over the polenta.
Calories: 1271kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 94g | Saturated Fat: 41g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 769mg | Potassium: 1107mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5635IU | Vitamin C: 13.5mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 6.3mg