When I cooked Italian ‘Osso Bucco’ on the other day, I realised that the Osso Bucco cuts from beef are the meat I used to use for ‘Oden’, a popular Nabe (Hot Pot) dish in Japan. The cuts are very flavourful and meltingly tender when braised. I am loving to cook Osso Bucco cuts in Japanese way.

Makes

4 Servings

Ingredients

1kg Beef ‘Osso Bucco’ Cuts *cuts of beef shank including bone
1/2 Daikon *about 300g
2 Carrots *about 300g
1 thumb-size Ginger *sliced
2 cloves Garlic *crushed
3 cups Water
1 cup Sake (Rice Wine)
2-3 tablespoons Sugar
4-5 tablespoons Soy Sauce
Dry Red Chilli *optional
Fresh Chilli *optional

Method
  1. Place Beef Shank Cuts in a pot, add Water, Sake (Rice wine), Ginger and Garlic, and bring to the boil. Skim off the scum and simmer over low heat for 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours. You may wish to cook in a pressure cooker following the pressure cooker’s instruction.
  2. Daikon and Carrot need to be cut into thick and chunky pieces.
  3. When Beef Shank are well cooked, the meat will come off the bone. Remove the bone and remove the fat on the surface. Cut the meat into chunky pieces and return to the pot.
  4. Add vegetables, Sugar, Soy Sauce and Dry Red Chilli (*optional), and bring back to the boil. Lower the heat, cover with baking paper or a drop-lid, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  5. Cook over high heat until the liquid thickens or required flavour is achieved. Sprinkle with some sliced fresh Chilli, only if you like more heat, and serve.