WINE & FOOD AFFAIR RECIPES

Main Dish

Short Ribs & Creamy Polenta

Soda Rock Winery

8015 Highway 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
sodarockwinery.com

These flavorful short ribs perfectly illustrate how braised meat cooked on the bone can turn out succulent and tender enough to cut with a fork. The bones also enrich the braising liquid, which marries delectably with the cheese-laced creamy polenta. Toss in fresh rosemary and mixed greens to the pot, which gives an earthy, vegetal flavor profile.

Ingredients:
  • 3 Tbs. TBS Olive Oil
  • 6 LBS Bone-in Meaty Short-Ribs Individual-Cut
  • 4 TSP Kosher Salt
  • 1 TSP Pepper Freshly Groun
  • 1 EA Yellow Onion Chopped
  • 2 EA Carrots Diced
  • 6 CLOVES Garlic Chopped
  • 1/3 CUP All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 CUPS Hearty Red Wine
  • 3 CUPS Beef Stock/Broth
  • 2 TBSP Tomato Paste
  • 2 TBSP Fresh Rosemary Minced
  • 1 EA Bay Leaf
  • 1 CUP Whole Milk
  • 1 1/3 CUP Quick-Cooking Polenta
  • 1/2 CUP Parmigiano-Reggiano Freshly Grated

Recipe Directions:

Preheat an oven to 325°F (165°C). In a Dutch oven, heat 2 Tbs. of the oil over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs with 2 tsp. salt and the pepper. In batches to avoid crowding, add the short ribs to the pot and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. oil to the pot and heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well. Slowly stir in the wine, then the stock. Stir in the tomato paste, rosemary and bay leaf. Return the short ribs to the pot. The short ribs should be barely covered with liquid. If not, add hot water as needed. Bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pot, place in the oven, and cook, moving the position of the ribs every 45 minutes or so to be sure that they are covered with liquid and are cooking evenly, until very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Transfer the ribs to a deep serving platter (don’t worry if the meat separates from the bones), and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Let the cooking liquid stand for 5 minutes. Skim off the fat from the surface and discard. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, stirring, until reduced by about one-fourth, about 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Return the short ribs to the pot.

Just before serving, make the polenta: In a heavy saucepan, bring 3 cups (24 fl. oz./750 ml) water, the milk, and the remaining 2 tsp. salt to a boil over high heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, whisking often, until the polenta is thick, about 2 minutes. Stir in the 1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g) Parmigiano-Reggiano. Divide the polenta among warmed deep serving bowls. Top with the ribs and sauce, garnish with rosemary and serve.

Soda Rock Winery

8015 Highway 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
sodarockwinery.com