Oktoberfest Comfort: Just 5 ingredients. I make it when I want a hearty dinner handled hours ahead, letting the house smell wonderful all afternoon.

1. Scatter the sliced onion and sauerkraut across the bottom of a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker to create a flavorful bed for the pork shanks.

2. Nestle the raw pork shanks on top, then pour in the dark beer and spoon the whole-grain mustard over the shanks. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or until the meat is very tender and nearly falling from the bone.