RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Zesty Braised Beef with New Potatoes

St. Patrick's Day presents the perfect opportunity to try authentic Irish cuisine as well as foods and beverages that have become associated strictly with the holiday (like green beer). Someone you know will likely be cooking corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick's Day. But what if you're among those who don't fancy this familiar favorite's salted and pickled flavoring?

Zesty Braised Beef with New Potatoes isn't exactly corned beef, but it can be a worthy alternative. It's warm, filling and flavorful, and can be just the thing to eat on a chilly March day. Moreover, this rich beef can pair well with a dark stout like Guinness. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of The Healthy Slow Cooker (Robert Rose) by Judith Finlayson. This recipe serves eight.

INGREDIENTS

2 T olive oil, divided

2 oz. chunk pancetta, preferably hot pancetta, diced

2 lbs. trimmed stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes and patted dry

2 onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups chicken stock

2 lbs. small new potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced (about 30 tiny ones)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper dissolved in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add pancetta and cook, stirring, until nicely browned about 3 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker stoneware (3 1/2 to 5 quart).

2. Add beef to skillet in batches, and cook, stirring until browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to stoneware as completed.

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to pan. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and peppercorns and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add wine, bring to a boil and boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan for 2 minutes. Add stock and potatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes.

4. Transfer to stoneware. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until potatoes are tender. Stir in cayenne solution. Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes. Transfer to a server dish and garnish with parsley. Serve with a big platter of roasted carrots.