What says “Comfort Food” more than, tender short ribs served over creamy polenta? Slow Cooker Short Ribs are very little work, and if using the Nesco or Fagor 3-in 1 cooker (my favorite timesaving appliance), everything, even the browning of the meat, can be done in the slow cooker. Of course these short ribs are fabulous no matter which kind of slow cooker you use, but there is one less pan to scour when it can be done in the same pot. This shortcut recipe uses canned condensed soups, so there is no gravy to thicken; dehydrated onion flakes, and baby carrots are also used, so there are no vegetables to chop.

The Polenta can be cooked right along with the short ribs in a separate slow cooker, so everything can be finished at the same time. Crusty Italian bread and a quick prepackaged salad with a favorite bottled dressing can be added for a well-balanced meal.

8 Servings

1 teaspoon olive oil
3 pounds beef short ribs, preferably bone-in if available
Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 cups baby carrots
1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 cup dry red wine
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 10 3/4 ounce cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of celery soup

Polenta

1. If using a 3-in 1 slow cooker, brown the short ribs in the pot; otherwise, brown them in another pan and place them in a 4-6 quart slow cooker.


2. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper on both sides.


3. Add the carrots, dry onion flakes, rosemary, and red wine.


4. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over, then spread the soups over all.


5. Cover and cook 4-6 hours on low, until the meat is tender.


6. Just before serving, stir well.


7. Serve over warm polenta.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 515 Calories from Fat 271
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 53% Protein 32% Carb. 15%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 30 g
Saturated Fat 11 g
Cholesterol 113 mg
Sodium 1406 mg
Total Carbohydrate 20 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 41 g

Vitamin A 160% Vitamin C 9% Calcium 0% Iron 29%


For more information or to purchase a 3 in 1 slow cooker, steamer, pressure cooker from Amazon:

Fagor 670040230 Stainless-Steel 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker
Nesco American Harvest PC-6-25-30TPR 6-Quart Multifunction Digital Pressure Cooker