As there is enormous flavor in the beer and the beef, this simple recipe extracts those notes and enhances them. This braised short ribs recipe serves four.
Ingredients for ribs:
8 beef short ribs, cut to approx. 4 inches
1 medium sized onion
1 medium sized apple
2 bottles Indeed Brewing “Rum King”
1-2 cans beef broth
peanut oil for browning
salt and pepper
Ingredients for gravy:
braising liquid, saved from ribs
beef broth
2 Tbs. corn starch
1/4 C cold water
pinch of dried thyme
salt and pepper
Directions for braised short ribs:
Season all sides of ribs with salt and pepper. Heat cast iron skillet to medium high and brown ribs on all sides. Roughly chop onion; core and roughly chop apple. Remove ribs, lower skillet heat to medium and briefly sauté onions and apple. Add a little more oil if necessary. Remove from heat and return ribs to skillet. Add an equal amount of Rum King and beef broth to bring braising liquid level a little more than halfway up the ribs. Move skillet to oven set at 225-degrees. Braise in oven for six to eight hours, turning ribs into liquid every one to two hours. Add more broth/Rum King as needed to maintain liquid level. Remove skillet from oven, and move ribs to an oven safe dish, tent with foil and keep warm in oven. Strain braising liquid, onion and apple through a fine mesh strainer, pushing gently down to extract all juices. Save braising liquid.
Directions for gravy:
Pour all saved braising liquid into a measuring cup and, if necessary, add beef broth to make two cups. In a bowl, blend water and corn starch until smooth. Cook braising liquid in skillet with heat on medium until hot. Add a pinch of dried thyme. Gradually whisk thickener into liquid, stirring constantly. Bring entire mixture to a boil for one minute. Salt and pepper to taste. (This gravy is amazing, so you can increase the amount to three cups by adding equal amounts of broth and Rum King to the braising liquid, if you wish. If so, make your thickener with 1/3 cup cold water and 3 Tbs. corn starch.)
Serve with roasted potatoes or carrots; baked apples or whatever pleases you. Generously pour gravy over ribs and vegetables. As you’ve undoubtedly finished the remains of your ‘cooking bottle’ of Rum King by now, open the second and enjoy with your meal!