Shelly's Recipe

BRAISED BEEF SHORT-RIBS

Category: Ribs

6 lbs beef short-ribs
8 slices bacon, chopped
2 large onions, quartered
3 stalks celery, quartered
3 carrots, sliced
8 cloves garlic, smashed
6 cups beef stock, bouillon or water
1 cup dry red wine
3 sprigs fresh thyme
6 leaves fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. Season short-ribs well using salt and pepper. In a 10-quart Dutch oven, brown bacon to render fat over medium-high heat. Do not burn. Remove crisp bacon and set aside. In the bacon fat brown short-ribs, 4 at a time, taking care not to burn bacon fat. Once all the ribs are brown add onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Saute 2-3 minutes to tenderize vegetables. Add beef stock and red wine. Bring to a rolling boil and reduce to simmer.

Add cooked bacon, browned short-ribs, thyme and basil. Season stock with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Return the mixture to a rolling boil, cover and place in pre-heated oven. Cook 1 1/2 hours, checking for tenderness. When ribs are fork-tender, remove from stock and set aside. Reduce stock by half. When ready to serve, strain stock, return ribs to the pot along with the sauce and re-heat in pre-heated oven. Ribs may be prepared up to 3 days in advance and remain in the stock until ready to serve. SERVES: 8