Balsamic Brown Sugar Short Ribs With Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipes

BALSAMIC-GLAZED OVEN-BAKED RIBS

Steps:

• To prepare the ribs, heat the oven to 350 degrees. If the butcher has not removed the membrane on the back of each rack, gently pry it up by sliding a sharp implement (like the tip of an instant-read thermometer) under it, then lifting gently. Grab the membrane with a paper towel and peel it off.
• Spread a 24-inch sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side up, on a work surface. Place one rack on top, rub it all over with oil, and generously season both sides with salt. Place 2 parsley sprigs and 2 garlic cloves under the concave side of the rack and 2 thyme sprigs on top. Wrap the ribs in the foil, pleating the edges to seal well. Repeat with the second rack. Place the rib packets in a large roasting pan.
• Roast the ribs for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 250 degrees. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours more, until the meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones by 1/4 to 1/2 inch and the ribs are tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.
• Meanwhile, prepare the barbecue sauce. Place the balsamic vinegar in a large nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until reduced by a third. Add the remaining barbecue sauce ingredients with 1/4 cup water, bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thick, 30 to 40 minutes. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, add a little water. The sauce should be highly seasoned; adjust to taste by adding vinegar, brown sugar or salt.
• Remove the ribs from the oven and let cool briefly, then open the foil, being careful of the escaping steam. Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet. Turn on the broiler or raise the oven to 450 degrees.
• Slather the ribs on both sides with the barbecue sauce. Broil the ribs until the sauce sizzles and browns, 2 to 4 minutes on each side. Alternatively, bake in the oven 8 to 12 minutes. Baste with the barbecue sauce and serve at once with any remaining sauce on the side.

BRAISED SHORT RIBS ON GARLIC MASHED POTATOES WITH GREEN BEANS AND POACHED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the onion, celery, carrots, beets and garlic. Add the rosemary, thyme, star anise, and cinnamon stick, and set aside.
• Cut the ribs between the bones, and trim all the excess outer fat. Season the ribs well with coarse salt. Dredge in flour until well coated.
• In a large Dutch oven or wide soup pot on high heat, pour in enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the ribs to the hot oil, and sear the ribs so they are browned well on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the ribs, and set aside.
• In the same pan, transfer all the vegetables from the bowl, and stir to caramelize, and pick up all the brown bits. Add the meat back into the pot. Pour the wine over top. Ensure all is covered with the liquid and if not, top up with water.
• Add the cocoa powder, brown sugar and peppercorns, and bring to a boil, cover with a lid or foil, and place in the oven until the meat is fork tender, about 3 hours. Remove the ribs to a platter, and strain out the solids to use for something else.
• Boil the cooking liquid in a wide shallow pan until it is reduced by half. It will be richer, more flavorful and thicker. Add a nub of butter at the end for sheen and flavor.
• Serve the short ribs on a mound of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, topped with Green Beans and Poached Vine tomatoes, recipes follow.
• Slice the top off a garlic head and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and the fresh herbs. Wrap in a tin foil packet, and roast in the oven for about 1 hour.
• Fill a large saucepan with water; add a few good pinches of coarse salt and the potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until just fork tender. Do not overcook or the potatoes will be soggy. Drain off the water, leaving the potatoes in the pot.
• Add the butter and cream to the potatoes, and mash well.
• Remove the garlic from the oven. Squeeze the garlic cloves into the potatoes, and stir in. The consistency you want is rough, with some lumps. Season the potatoes with salt, and pepper, if desired.
• In a large saute pan, add about 2 inches of olive oil. Bring to about 325 degrees F - just below frying temperature. Season with salt, herbs and toss in the garlic. Carefully place the tomatoes in the oil, and poach until they swell up and almost burst, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the tomatoes and use to garnish the beef short ribs.
• Trim only the stem ends off the beans. Blanche the beans in a pot of salted boiling water for about 20 seconds. Drain, and immerse in an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain the beans on a towel. The beans should be original green in color and crunchy to the bite.
• Slice the shallot into fine julienne. In a large saute pan, on high heat, add the butter and shallot. Stir until softened. Add the beans, and toss to warm through. Season with salt, and black pepper, if desired.
• Serve the beans in a little mound on top of the beef short rib. Top with a poached stem of tomatoes.

BALSAMIC SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Heat a large, deep, heavy casserole dish over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the ribs with salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until well browned. Remove from the dish and set aside.
• Wipe the dish with absorbent paper, add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until golden. Return the ribs to the dish with the oregano, vinegar, tomatoes, stock, salt and pepper, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 1/2-3 hours or until the beef is very tender. Remove the ribs from the dish and keep warm.
• Strain the pan juices and skim the fat from the surface. Pour into a saucepan and simmer over high heat for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
• To make the basil gremolata, place the basil, lemon zest, garlic, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine.
• Divide the ribs among plates and spoon the sauce over. Top with the gremolata to serve.