My local beef farm came through! What to do with whole beef shank?

[blazinfire]

Man talk about nice people! Recently I ordered a 1/2 cow.. I got everything I ordered but the organs that i requested.. Even received the ox tail! I wasn't all that concerned about the organs anyways.. But I did mention it to the farm that It wasn't packaged with my stuff..

Couple days ago I got a text saying "we have your organs and a couple surprises for you too"... Went and picked the boxes up today.

opened the first box to see what goodies were inside. There was a whole beef shank, 1 pack of short ribs, 5 packs of good sized ox tail, and a tongue.

Opened the 2nd box and got 5 more packs of short ribs cut into square cuts (I like the idea of throwing those on the smoker for a snack). 5 packs of sliced liver and the heart!

Overall they did right by me! Got extra ox tails, short ribs, and a beef shank. Also they are hooking me up with a sweet meat package of cubed steaks and other things.

But Here's the reason why for a new thread instead of posting this in my Beef thread.... as I would like this to get read... What do you do with a whole beef shank? Have no clue and this thing is massive!

 

[Smoking Piney]

Nice!

All stocked up and ready to cook! :-D

 

[AussieMatt]

What do you do with a whole beef shank? Have no clue and this thing is massive!

Braising sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[blazinfire]

Braising sounds like a good idea to me.

yeah I was thinking smoking , then braising it into a stew.. but that's why I'm asked.. I'm open for any suggestion that can be done with this thing!

 

[mcyork28]

Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[Titch]

I'm chasing a couple at the moment.
I will be treating them the same as Lamb Shank
Smoke for the whole cook, no braise.
same as here

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256886

I have cooked whole Shank in the past wrapped in Clay, that was awesome and a show piece.
photobucket has hidden the pictures

 

[Garyclaw]

osso buco!

 

[ShadowDriver]

Wow. I've ordered half a pig before... but not half a cow!

I love Gary's idea. I'd love to see a beef version... that'd be amazing.

 

[BillN]

Definitely a long slow braise on the smoker. If you are able, cutting into 2 1/2" to 3" pieces will make for a more even cook. You will need a hacksaw or better yet access to a meat cutting band saw, otherwise it will braise whole, don't rush it there is a lot of connective tissue that needs time to get tender. You are in for a really delicious treat.

Try Tonybel's Tacos de lengua ( beef tongue tacos).
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230815

 

[el luchador]

Imo beef shank makes the best stew meat.

 

[blazinfire]

Thanks guys for the responses.. I think braising it will be the best thing.. I would probably smoke it in the smoker for 4-5 hrs.. and then finish it in a roasting oven or something.

I already have smaller cut shanks to do this with.. I might use those first as a trest run..l since the vacuum seal has broke on those. But I don't have a saw so It looks like I'm cooking this bad boy whole some time

 

[Bacchus2b]

Imo beef shank makes the best stew meat.

What he said! Cut into 2" chunks, season with salt & pepper, dust in flour and get a good sear on them over high heat in a heavy pan. Braise in some beef stock until tender and you truly have the best stew meat ever!

 

[mchar69]

Don't you have a friend with a sawzall? I vote osso bucco.

 

[thirdeye]

This is a pork shank, smoked and braised to pullable, served over white beans... but you get the ideer. I've done the same with veal and lamb (yearling) shanks. No reason not to try it out with beef, although your steer was a little heavier than all of these animals.

 

[blazinfire]

This is a pork shank, smoked and braised to pullable, served over white beans... but you get the ideer. I've done the same with veal and lamb (yearling) shanks. No reason not to try it out with beef, although your steer was a little heavier than all of these animals.

yeah man I don't think my shank will fit in a bowl