Asian-Style Braised Short Ribs

Chris has been asking me to make short ribs for ages, so I figured his 28th birthday was just the occasion to do it. Since Chris usually has to work on Federal holidays and I always have the day off, I decided to make this the day after his birthday since it fell on President's Day and I would have the whole day to prepare his meal.

The meat cooks for over 3 hours, so by the time I removed it from the pot it was practically falling apart. To say it was tender would be a complete understatement. It just melted in my mouth with every bite. The Asian-inspired flavors were some of Chris' favorites, so the aroma of soy sauce, lemongrass and hoison sauce as he walked through the door was a pleasant surprise. Although time consuming, this meal is much easier than you would think and it would definitely impress special guests. Enjoy!

 

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 lbs. boneless beef short ribs, cut into 4-oz. portions
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 (5-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved and smashed
• 1 tbsp. peeled and minced ginger
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 quart (4 cups) water
• 1/2 cup sliced green onion bottoms, white part only
• 3/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• Jasmine Rice, for serving
• Sliced green onion tops, optional for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a wide stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, brown sugar, water, green onion bottoms, crushed red pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the orange juice. Make sure that the stockpot is deep enough so that the short ribs are submerged in the liquid.

Bake the short ribs, covered, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones. Remove the short ribs from the braising liquid and cover to keep warm. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.

Drain the fat off of the cooking liquid and discard. Place the remaining braising juices in a medium saucepan with 1/4 cup of the hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the liquid until only about 1 1/4 cups remain. Strain through a fine-meshed strainer, discarding the solids. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of orange juice and the lemon juice.

Return the short ribs and the reduced sauce to the stockpot or Dutch oven, coating the short ribs well with the sauce. Bake for 10 minutes, until the short ribs are heated through and slightly glazed. Serve hot over jasmine rice. Season each portion with the orange zest and garnish with the green onions if desired.

Source: Adapted from Food Network