Whats better than braised short ribs?
Short rib stew with ale!
The debate didn’t last long.
Elise Bauer
“You could have used boneless beef short-ribs.
“It’s better with the bones,” my father and I replied, practically in unison.
“Better flavor,” dad added.
Elise Bauer
“And then there’s all that goodness from the marrow,” said I.
At this point, dad and I put our forks down and focused our gaze upon her.
“But they couldn’t have cooked long enough for anything to come out.”
Elise Bauer
“They cooked for two and a half hours.”
And so it goes.
This recipe is adapted from one in an old Sunset Magazine.
Elise Bauer
Hops add bitterness to beer, which you don’t want for this stew.
However, you could use a substitute in a pinch.
Defrost in the refrigerator.
Elise Bauer
Set the heat to medium and cook the bacon until much of the fat has been rendered.
Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined plate.
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from pot.
Elise Bauer
Dredge the short ribs in the flour mixture.
Brown on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
If you want to get good browning, do not move the short ribs except to turn them.
Elise Bauer
While the short ribs are browning, chop the bacon and set aside.
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the short ribs from the pot to a bowl.
Add the chopped onions to the pot.
Elise Bauer
Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Elise Bauer
Add tomatoes and their juices and reserved bacon.
Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil.
Peel the potatoes, turnips (if using), and carrots, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Elise Bauer
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Short Ribs Not Tender?
Some short ribs take longer to break down than others.
Elise Bauer
If your short ribs are still tough, keep stewing them until they are fall-apart tender.
Spoon off the excess fat (it helps if you have a fat separator).
If you want, remove the bones before serving and cut any big pieces of meat into smaller chunks.
Elise Bauer
As a bonus, the flavors of the stew will have melded better by then.
