Braised Beef Short Ribs

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Fall’s here and I’m now starting to crave slow braises and roasts. I enjoy the whole process – searing the meat, sautéing the vegetables, splashing wine and broth. Smelling the awesome aromas in the house as the short ribs or the roasts braise in the oven is truly intoxicating!

While I was visiting my favorite craft butcher, Denville Meat Shop (https://www.denvillemeatshop.com), last week, I saw amazing-looking short ribs and I knew they’d be perfect for dinner for the out-of-town company I was entertaining.

I serve these beauties and creamy mashed potatoes in casual bowls for a rustic look. I also love serving short ribs over creamy soft polenta also. Depends on the mood.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper
  • 6 large bone-in beef short ribs
  • Large Spanish onion, diced
  • 3 large carrots, chopped
  • 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 3 cups dry red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Over high heat, warm the oil in a large Dutch oven (I actually used two medium-sized ones).
  3. Sprinkle the salt and pepper all over the short ribs.
  4. Sear the ribs in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Place the ribs on a plate.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-high, add the onion and carrots and cook for 5 minutes until slightly-browned, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, until mushrooms have softened. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Add the wine and broth and scrape all the brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pot (the fond). Add the bay leaves, the thyme and the seared short ribs to the pot then cover and place in the oven to braise for 4-6 hours. Check that the cooking liquid doesn’t seem dry every 30 minutes. If liquid seems low, add ½ cup more beef broth.

Makes 6 servings.

Cheers,

Veronique

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Short Ribs

Short Ribs After 4-Hour Braise

It’s winter and on cold days like these, I crave slow braises and roasts. Today, I saw nice looking short ribs at the store so opted for this flavorful, slow and low braised dish for supper.

Serve these beauties with mashed potatoes and a couple vegetables and please your guests like there’s no tomorrow.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper
  • 6 large short ribs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 6 Tbsp. flour, for dredging
  • 10 large cipollini onions, peeled and trimmed
  • 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme
  • 4 cups Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 48 ounces beef broth
  • Zest of one lime (optional)
Onions and Mushrooms

Onions and Mushrooms

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Warm the oil in an extra-large Dutch oven over high heat.
  3. Rub the salt and pepper all over the short ribs then dust with flour.
  4. Sear the ribs in the hot oil until browned, about 3 minutes on each side. You’ll likely need to sear the beef in two batches unless you have a giant Dutch oven. Transfer the ribs to a plate.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-high and add the onions, cook for 5 minutes until slightly-charred, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Add the wine and broth and scrape all the brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pot. Add the beef, bay leaves and thyme. Cover tightly and place in the oven to braise for 4-6 hours.
  6. At this point, you can serve the short ribs or the pot can be cooled completely and refrigerate overnight. To reheat, an hour prior to serving, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scrape off the fat that’s formed on the surface of the short ribs and discard. Warm the ribs in the oven for about an hour, basting the meat with the sauce every 15 minutes.
  7. Finely grate some lime zest, on the final dish before serving, if using.

Makes 10 servings.

Cheers,

Veronique

Make Ahead Beef Short Ribs

Make Ahead Beef Short Ribs

I have written about and have used several beef short ribs recipes over the years and when perusing new ideas for a dinner party, I ran across a new twist shared in the Daniel Boulud’s Beef Short Ribs recipe that has the cook boil down the red wine before adding it to the short ribs for simmering. I liked the idea so much that I’m officially adopting it.

WineThe great thing about this recipe is that it can be made up to two days in advance and even kept warm in your slow cooker the day of your dinner party. Make the short ribs a day in advance for best results.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bottles Cabernet Sauvignon
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 12 short ribs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tsp. each salt and pepper
  • Flour, for dredging
  • 8 large shallots, peeled, trimmed, split, rinsed and dried
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium leek (white and light-green parts), chopped
  • 10 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 6 sprigs Italian parsley
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp. thyme leaves
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 48 ounces beef broth
  • zest of one lemon and one lime (optional).
Chopped Vegetables

Chopped Vegetables

Directions:

  1. Pour the wine in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat.  Allow the wine boil then cook until it’s been reduced by half, about 20 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  3. Warm the oil in an extra-large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  4. Rub the salt and pepper all over the short ribs then dust with flour.
  5. Sear the ribs in the hot oil until browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Depending on the size of your Dutch oven, you’ll need to sear the beef in 2- batches. Transfer the ribs to a plate.
  6. Lower the heat to medium and sweat the vegetables and herbs for about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute. Add the wine, short ribs and broth to the Dutch oven, cover tightly and place in the oven to braise for 4 hours.

    Short Ribs Simmering

    Beef Braising

  7. Transfer the meat to a plate and boil down the cooking liquids on the stove over medium-high heat for about 30 minutes. Strain the solids and return the meat to the sauce in the Dutch oven. Cool the pot then refrigerate overnight.
  8. An hour prior to serving, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scrape off the fat from the surface of the short ribs and discard. Warm the ribs in the oven for about an hour, basting the meat with the sauce every 15 minutes. You could also reheat and keep warm the short ribs in a slow cooker over low heat for 4-5 hours.
  9. Serve over mashed potatoes with a fine grating of lemon and lime zest, if using.

Makes 10 servings.