Spiced Up Short Ribs: in Coffee + Chiles Braise

This is a recipe I adapted from Chef Robert Del Grande. It was served at the old Cafe Annie or now the new RDG Bar Annie in Houston. If you looked at his menu, you’d notice that he likes three things: chiles, coffee, and raisins. I’m all for the first two, which is why I made these pureed chile sauce/hot coffee braised short ribs. The heavy sauce was lightened with lime juice and the bitterness was offset by the touch of maple syrup. Always a great idea for a special weekend dinner.

Braised Short Ribs

Coffee Ancho Chile Braised Short Ribs

Ingredients

• 4 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and ribs  discarded
• 2 cups boiling-hot water
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle chiles in  adobo plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 4lb bone-in beef short ribs
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee

Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 275°F.
2. Soak ancho chiles in  boiling water for 20 minutes until softened, then drain in a colander. Transfer ancho  chiles to a blender and purée with onion, garlic, chipotles with sauce, maple  syrup, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon salt.
3. Pat ribs dry and sprinkle  with pepper and remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet  over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown ribs, turning occasionally, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer as browned to  a roasting pan just large enough to hold ribs in 1 layer.
4. Add chile purée  to fat remaining in oven-proof skillet (be careful of splatter) and  cook over low heat, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and coffee and bring to a boil, then  add ribs (liquid should come about halfway up sides of meat).
5. Cover roasting pan tightly with lid and braise ribs in middle of oven until very tender, 4 hours. I recommend serving the short ribs over this polenta recipe. The combination can’t be any better.

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