Diary of a Foodie

Stout-Braised Short Ribs

Diary of a Foodie: Season One: Raising the Bar

Serves6
  • Active Time:35 min
  • Start to Finish:4 1/2 hr
January 2007
Stout and brown sugar give these tender ribs a hint of sweetness.

Watch this Diary of a Foodie episode and view its accompanying recipes. Plus, explore all episodes and more recipes from the show.
  • 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 1/2 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

  • Special equipment:

    a wide 6-qt heavy nonreactive pot with a lid

  • Accompaniment:

    buttered egg noodles tossed with chopped fresh parsley
  • Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Stir together brown sugar, paprika, curry powder, cumin, pepper, salt, and mustard in a small bowl until combined.
  • 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.
  • Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Skim off excess fat from surface of sauce. Discard bay leaves.
Cooks’ note: Short ribs improve in flavor if braised 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat, covered, in a 350°F oven until hot, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Recipe by Paul Grimes

Photograph by Romulo Yanes

Keywords
diary of a foodie,
pork,
spirirts,
carrot,
leek

More Diary of a Foodie

Follow Us

Subscribe to Gourmet