Braised Kobe Beef Zabuton
Recipe courtesy of Snake River Farms
6 servings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a thick-bottomed braising pan heat the oil till almost smoking. Cut the zabuton into eight ounce cubes removing any excess pockets of fat. Season the Meat liberally with salt and pepper and brown the "cubes" on all sides in the oil. Remove the zabuton from the pan and pour off the oil and return the pan to the heat. Add ½ of the carrot, celery and all of the onion to the pot and allow to cook for two minutes. Return the zabuton back to the pot and deglaze the pan with the wine then add the stock, and herbs. Place the pan in the oven to cook for two to three hours. Every ½ hour rotate the meat 180 degrees. This will allow the caramelized top that is poking up out of its broth to share its color and flavor with the broth.

When the meat is fork tender (able to fall apart when poked with a fork…but not yet falling apart) transfer the meat to a plate and set aside. Strain the broth through a chinoix (fine sauce strainer). Carefully skim all the fat off the broth and return the broth to the pan. Add the remaining carrot and celery to the broth with the tomato paste and potatoes and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and allow the broth to reduce by ½ or till the constancy of warm maple syrup. Reheat the zabuton in the pan and serve the meat in warm bowls with the broth, vegetables and potatoes.