Rustic Italian Braised Beef Short Ribs
Serves 4
Cooking Time 8 to 9 hours on Low or 5 to 6 hours on High
Slow Cooker Size 5½ to 7 Quarts
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: For braised beef short ribs with an Italian spin, we made a flavorful braise with
classic Italian ingredients. Starting with the aromatics, we softened onions and bloomed
tomato paste, garlic, oil, oregano, and red pepper flakes in the microwave. We added
this flavor-packed mixture to the slow cooker with a can of whole peeled tomatoes.
As the short ribs simmered, the tomatoes broke down and melded with the aromatic ingredients
and meaty short ribs to create a hearty tomato sauce reminiscent of a traditional
Sunday gravy. Once the short ribs were meltingly tender, we defatted the sauce, then
stirred it back into the tomatoes, breaking the tomatoes into large chunks. A generous
sprinkling of fresh basil finished the dish on a bright note. Look for boneless short
ribs that are well marbled and measure about 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. See the
sidebar that follows the recipe.
|
2 |
cups chopped onions |
|
10 |
garlic cloves, sliced thin |
|
3 |
tablespoons tomato paste |
|
1 |
tablespoon olive oil |
|
1 |
teaspoon dried oregano |
|
½ |
teaspoon red pepper flakes |
|
1 |
(28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained |
|
4 |
(10-ounce) boneless beef short ribs |
|
|
Salt and pepper |
|
¼ |
cup chopped fresh basil |
1. Microwave onions, garlic, tomato paste, oil, oregano, and pepper flakes in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes. Trim fat from top and bottom of short ribs, season with salt and pepper, and nestle into slow cooker. Cover and cook until beef is tender, 8 to 9 hours on low or 5 to 6 hours on high.
2. Transfer short ribs to serving dish and tent with aluminum foil. Strain sauce into fat separator, reserving tomatoes, and let sit for 5 minutes. Add reserved tomatoes to now-empty slow cooker and break into large chunks with back of wooden spoon. Stir in defatted sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce over short ribs and sprinkle with basil. Serve.