Braised Beef Short Rib
Savor the rich and succulent flavors of braised beef short rib, one of our favorite dishes. Hearty and robust, this indulgent recipe is a true culinary showstopper. It’s also the perfect complement to our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied and intense, the wine boasts Bing cherry and blackberry notes and layers of leather, espresso, and nutmeg. Satisfy your hungriest dinner guests with this decadent pairing tonight.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 4 hours
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Braised Beef Short Rib:
- 2 lbs. beef short rib, boneless, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 yellow onion, large dice
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 carrot, large dice
- 1 rib celery, large dice
- 1 cup red wine (e.g., Cabernet)
- 6 cups veal or beef stock or broth
- 4 sprigs thyme, tied together
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Creamy Polenta
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock (or more milk)
- 1/3 cup polenta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Kosher salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 large potatoes (about 2 lbs.), peeled and large dice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- Kosher salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
Method
Braised Beef Short Rib
- Season short rib with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large pot or cocotte over high heat and add clarified butter or canola oil.
- Add short rib and sear until dark golden brown on all sides.
- Reduce heat to low and add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery; sauté until tender.
- Add red wine and cook until the alcohol is burned off.
- Add stock and thyme; bring to a simmer on low and cover.
- Let cook for 3 to 4 hours until meat is tender and falling apart when touched.
- Remove the meat from the sauce.
- Strain the liquid and reduce until slightly thickened to nappe.
- Spoon the sauce on the meat; serve with creamy polenta or mashed potatoes (recipes below) and vegetables reserved from the braising.
Creamy Polenta
- In a medium pot, bring liquids to a simmer.
- Whisk in polenta; continue to whisk over low heat until it thickens, and the granules of polenta soften and become smooth.
- Add more milk if desired for a creamier thickness.
- Add butter and Parmesan cheese; season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add more cheese if desired or other sharp, dry-aged cheeses for flavor variations.
- Note that blue or gorgonzola cheese will pair well with the short rib and the JUSTIN Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Mashed Potatoes
- In a medium pot, submerge peeled and diced potatoes in water; season with approximately 2 tablespoons of salt.
- Simmer the potatoes until tender and falling apart when pushed with a fork or knife.
- Strain potatoes and remove all water from the pot.
- Using a potato ricer or hand masher, mash potatoes until smooth.
- Gently heat the cream, milk, and butter; whisk in.
- Carefully incorporate but not overmix, as overmixing potatoes can create a gummy texture.
- Season potatoes with salt and pepper as desired.
- If you prefer creamier, richer potatoes, add more butter.