BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS
It’s been a while since I last posted a recipe and, while I am but an infant in such matters compared to others in the UK blogging community, I do get a decent response when I bother to write about the things I cook at home.
Today, I was at a bit of a loose end. Sybil was out for the day and I had just about finished all the work I had planned. So, I pottered up to the local market where I noticed they had a special offer on these rather meaty beef short ribs. It is not a cut you see terribly regularly in the U.K. However, it is a great favourite of mine and perfect when braised with red wine or a dark beer.
Pushing aside the ultra hoppy IPA’s that seem to be all the rage here right now, I grabbed some bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale and stuck them in my basket alongside a handful of vegetables and headed home eager to start preparing my supper.
The smells in the flat as I began cooking were a good indication that I was doing something right and the end result was everything I had been hoping for. The meat fell off the bones as I pulled at it with a fork and the sauce was deeply savoury, dark and rich, glistening as it coated the ribs.
I am sure most people reading this know how to braise a bit of meat, but just in case anyone is interested, here’s my recipe
Let me know if you try it
BRAISED SHORT RIBS (Serves Four People)
INGREDIENTS
8 Beef Short Ribs
1 Large White Onion (diced)
3 Large Carrots (diced)
2 Sticks Celery (diced)
2 Cloves Garlic (peeled & sliced)
3 Stalks Fresh Rosemary
1 12oz Bottle Newcastle Brown Ale
1 Pint Water/Beef Stock
Salt & Pepper to taste.
METHOD
Sear the short ribs in a hot pan until all sides are completely browned.
Remove and drain of excess fat.
Add the diced onion, carrot, celery and garlic to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook for around five minutes until they begin to soften.
Add the Newcastle Brown Ale and use to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
Add the rosemary stalks and return the short ribs to the pan.
Add the beef stock or water.
Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat until the liquid is at a gentle simmer.
Cover the pan and cook gently for 1 ½ hours until the meat is beginning to fall from the bones.
Remove the short ribs and keep warm.
Strain the remaining contents of the pan discarding the vegetables and retaining the cooking liquid.
Remove as much of the excess fat from the liquid as possible (with a spoon, a strainer or by dragging a piece of kitchen towel over the surface of the liquid)
Return the cooking liquid to the pan, bring to the boil and cook until reduced to a thick, rich sauce.
Season to taste.
Plate the short ribs (two per person) and spoon a little sauce over each to give a glaze, retaining the rest to serve at the table.
Serve with mashed potatoes and green vegetables like broccoli.
Labels: Beef, Home cooking, Newcastle Brown Ale, Recipe, Short Ribs


9 Comments:
They look fantastic. A neighbour was telling me about some short ribs he'd cooked the other week, urging me to try them as I never have (never come across them, to be honest, but I reckon I should be able to get some at Borough).
As you say, not a cut you often see in the UK - and never "up north". Response from a butcher friend, when I tried to track them down, is that it gets used for mince.
I think I will make this today. It is a rainy read a book day here in Tulsa and this sounds like the perfect meal.
What if the guest wants more than 2 short ribs? do I dare indulge them and give them a third?
I am a big fan of pork pare ribs but this looked very tempting. I have a gang of beef loving friends. Got another reason to organise a meet. Love the way you have plated it Simon. Very cool
Yes! I actually really look forward to your recipe posts. If a man who reviews restaurant doesn't cook a lot, it makes me slightly worried. I want to hear about it too.
Where did you get the Short Ribs from? I've tried to get them before to attempt to do Heston's ridiculous chilli-con-carne recipe - which uses brined beef short ribs for the meat.
@grobelar I am in the US right now, so these are a fairly common cut. In London, you can get them from O'Shea's in Knightsbridge, Lidgates etc.
Cheers
S
The ribs look great, almost impossible to get anything comparilbe in Berlin alas.
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