MEDIUM STOCKPOT RECIPES

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper. Add chicken, 1 piece at a time, and toss to coat; shake off excess. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches on all sides; remove from pan., Add onion, carrots and celery to same pan; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until blended. Gradually add stock, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, sugar, bay leaves and peppercorns. Return chicken to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear., For dumplings, in a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk and melted butter until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; set aside., Remove chicken from stockpot; cool slightly. Discard bay leaves and skim fat from soup. Remove skin and bones from chicken and discard. Using 2 forks, coarsely shred meat into 1- to 1-1/2-in. pieces; return to soup. Cook, covered, on high until mixture reaches a simmer., Drop dumplings on top of simmering soup, a few at a time. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of dumplings comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Gently stir in cream, parsley and thyme. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Lightly coat beef Shank Cross Cuts with flour. Heat 1-1/2 teaspoons oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown half of beef shanks on all sides; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons oil and shanks. Pour off drippings. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
• Add onion, carrot and celery to stockpot; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add wine; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until browned bits attached to stockpot are dissolved. Cook an additional 5 to 8 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes.
• Return beef to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2 to 3 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
• Meanwhile, prepare Gremolata. Place parsley, orange peel and garlic in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until finely chopped, stopping and scraping side of container as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Remove cross cuts. Cut beef from bones; set aside. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Bring cooking liquid to a boil and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups. Season with salt, as desired. Return beef to cooking liquid. Serve with creamy polenta; garnish with Gremolata.