Method
Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/gas 2. Place the beef shin in an ovenproof dish – you want quite a snug fit here.
Put the garlic, herbs and spices in a small saucepan and pour in the wine. Bring the wine to the boil, then pour it over the meat and season with salt. Add just enough water to cover the beef, then cover the dish with foil and put it in the oven for 2½ hours.
Remove the dish from the oven, turn the beef over, then cover again and put it back in the oven for another 2½ hours. Remove the dish from the oven and take out the meat, brushing off any spices or garlic.
Strain the liquid into a jug. Shred the meat with a couple of forks, then put it into a food processor and season with salt, black pepper and a good pinch of cayenne. Skim a couple of tbsps of fat from the top of the braising liquid, and add it to the beef along with the melted butter.
Blitz everything in the food processor, gradually adding some of the braising liquid if it doesn’t bind together well. You should end up with a fairly smooth paste. Spoon the potted beef into a large jar or an earthenware dish and chill. It will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge.
