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Stout-Braised Short Ribs

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Photo by Romulo Yanes

Stout and brown sugar give these tender ribs a hint of sweetness.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    4 1/2 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1

/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1

tablespoon paprika (not hot)

1

tablespoon curry powder (preferably Madras)

2

teaspoons ground cumin

2

teaspoons black pepper

2

teaspoons salt

1

teaspoon dry mustard

4 to 4

1/4 lb beef short ribs, cut into 4-inch pieces

4

medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped (2 cups)

3

tablespoons olive oil

4

medium carrots, chopped (2 cups)

3

celery ribs, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

2

Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

1

/4 cup chopped garlic (5 to 6 large cloves)

1

3/4 cups beef broth (14 oz)

2

(12-oz) bottles stout such as Mackeson or Guinness

2

(14- to 15-oz) cans diced tomatoes

Accompaniment: buttered egg noodles tossed with chopped fresh parsley

Special Equipment

a wide 6-qt heavy nonreactive pot with a lid

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.

    Step 2

    Stir together brown sugar, paprika, curry powder, cumin, pepper, salt, and mustard in a small bowl until combined.

    Step 3

    Pat ribs dry and arrange in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan or a shallow dish, then generously coat all sides of ribs with spice mixture. Marinate, uncovered and chilled, 1 hour.

    Step 4

    Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander.

    Step 5

    Heat oil in pot over high heat until hot but not smoking and quickly brown ribs on all 3 meaty sides (but not bone side) without crowding, in batches if necessary, about 1 minute per side. Transfer meat to a large plate, then add leeks, carrots, celery, and bay leaves to pot and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

    Step 6

    Add broth, beer, and tomatoes with their juice, then add ribs with any juices and remaining spices accumulated on plate and bring liquid to a boil, uncovered. Cover pot and transfer to oven, then braise until meat is very tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

    Step 7

    Skim off excess fat from surface of sauce. Discard bay leaves.