A snow storm is supposedly coming our way this weekend, which means it’s the perfect time to break out your slow cooker and make something hearty and comforting! I never thought I’d say this, but I actually miss Nor’Easters.  Mother Nature needs to decide if it’s going to be beautiful and hot, or cold and snowy – instead of just RAINY AND COLD. One of the best parts, for me, of being snowed in is the opportunity to make a big pot of something comforting that can be enjoyed in a bowl, under a big warm blanket while watching a movie (with a glass of wine of course). These lamb shanks are a hearty dish that most people would shy away from, but once you’ve tried them, you’ll be sold.

So what are lamb shanks? They’re a portion of the leg of a lamb (baby sheep – GASP), which is divided into two parts: the sirloin half and the shank half. The shank is the lower shin, and is leaner and less tender than the sirloin portion. The shank can be just as tasty as the sirloin if you take the time to cook the meat long and slow, which is where a slow cooker comes in hand.

I know that slow cookers have a huge following but I admittedly have only used mine ONCE, to make these lamb shanks. I’m too paranoid to leave the house with something plugged in, cooking all day – and when I am hope I feel like there’s no point in using a slow cooker when I can just use my dutch oven to speed up the process. (Patience is not one of my virtues.) Still, I enjoyed the final result and look forward to using it again.

Typically, I’ve enjoyed lamb shanks at Greek restaurants and the Greek festival, but I tried to put my own Italian spin on this recipe, which was inspired by the book The Italian Slow Cooker.  (My grandpa looked at this cookbook and pre-approved it before I used it – and it’s AMAZING!)  I hope you enjoy it! I added in my own garlic and peppers and onions because I love these ingredients.

Fairytale Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with White Beans
(Serves 2-4)

Ingredients:
2 large lamb shanks
1/4 cup of pan searing flour
3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 cups of beef broth
2 cups of dry red wine
4 tablespoons of tomato paste
1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
2 cans of white beans
1 tablespoon of butter
1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
3/4 cup of chopped black olives
1 bunch of chopped curly Italian parsley

These shanks came straight from NY.

Directions:
Place the garlic and onions in the bottom of your slow cooker pot. Sprinkle the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. Lightly dust the shanks with pan searing flour.  Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the lamb shanks to the oil, browning in the skillet on all sides. Remove from the skillet and place on top of the onions.

In a small saucepan or bowl, mix together the broth, wine and tomato paste. Pour the mixture over the shanks in the slow cooker pot. Add the sprigs of fresh rosemary. Cook the shanks and sauce on HIGH for 5-6 hours or until the meat falls off the bone.

Remove the shanks and place on a platter. Cover with foil to keep warm. Add the white beans to sauce and onions in the slow cooker and heat on high for 45 minutes until they’re heated throw and tender. Meanwhile, melt the butter and remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the sliced peppers and saute for two minutes. Add a few tablespoons of the liquid from the slow cooker and cook the peppers on medium heat for about ten more minutes, until tender. Add the olives in and cook for two more minutes.

To serve: Stir half of your chopped parsley into the white bean and onion sauce in the slow cooker pot. Pour the mixture from the slow cooker pot onto a large platter. Add the lamb shanks. Top with the olive and sweet pepper mixture. Add the remaining parsley.

Enjoy!

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz

The most romantic day of the year is upon us and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nothing says “I love you” quite like chocolate. I am a die hard lover of chocolate, specifically, dark chocolate.  Nothing hits the spot or quenches a chocolate craving quite like these cookies made with Hershey’s dark chocolate kisses! I am a huge fan of Hershey’s, which is based in Hershey, PA. I have wonderful memories of visits to the Hershey Hotel and the amusement park, Chocolate World. I still remember how excited I was to drive through the town, head hanging out the window because my parents told me I would know when we got there when I could smell the chocolate. The best part was the chocolate ride through the factory and for the complimentary chocolate at the end. And of course, Hershey’s make the best cookies EVER at  Chocolate World. This cookie recipe is taken directly from the back of the bag of Hershey’s dark chocolate kisses, which can be found in any candy aisle. These cookies are the perfect “kisses” for this Valentine’s Day. 
Hershey’s Special Dark Tiger Cookies
(Makes about 4 dozen)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa (or Hershey’s Cocao)
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
powdered sugar
1 bag Hershey’s Kisses Special Dark Chocolates (about 40)

Directions:
Combine granulated sugar and oil in large bowl; add cocoa, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to cocoa mixture, beating well.

Cover, refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, at least 6 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet with Crisco. Shape dough into 1 inch balls (dough will be sticky, you can put some powdered sugar on your hands to ease with handling it.) Roll the balls in powdered sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake cookies for 11 to 13 minutes or until no indentation remains when toughed lightly and tops are cracked. As soon as you take cookies out of oven, immediately press dark chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Cool slightly and remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

These last in an airtight container for about 5 days to a week.

Enjoy!