Venison Osso Buco with Tomatoes & olives

makes 8 serving

Ingredients:

- 16 center-cut, meaty venison hind shanks cut "Osso Buco" style, 2 inches thick
- All purpose flour for dredging
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cup yellow onions--sliced
- 4 tbsp garlic--chopped
- 2 cup celery --diced
- 2 cup carrot--diced
- 3 cup plum tomatoes--diced
- 5 cup rich venison or chicken stock
- 2 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2/3 cup nicoise or kalamata olives whole
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano minced or 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme minced or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp serrano chile seeded and minced or 1/2 tsp red chile flakes

Garnish
- fresh herb sprigs
- lemon zest mixed--(gremolata):
- 2 tsp lemon zest --grated
-2 tsp garlic--minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley--minced


Steps:

- Preheat the oven to 176 degrees. Dredge the venison shanks in flour and shake off excess.
- Season with salt and pepper. In a deep flameproof casserole or dutch oven, heat
2 tbsp of the oil and brown the shanks on all sides.
- Remove the shanks, wipe the casserole clean and add the remaining 1 tbsp oil along with
the onions, garlic, celery,and carrots.
- Saute until lightly browned.Add the tomatoes, stock, wine, olives and seasonings.
- Return the shanks to the casserole, scooping some of the vegetable mixture on top of them.
- Cover the casserole and bake for 2 hours.
- Uncover and cook 30 minutes more or until the venison is very tender.
- Remove the shanks and set aside.
- Strain the braising liquid and reserve the vegetables.
- Degrease the braising liquid and return it to the casserole. Over high heat, cook the liquid
until reduced to a light sauce consistency .
- Return the meat and vegetables to the casserole and heat through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the gremolata
- Serve the venison shanks in wide-rimmed soup bowls ladle the hot braising liquid around.
- sprinkle with the gremolata and garnish with herb sprigs.


(: crEaTiVe kiTcHen