Slow Cooker Short Ribs and Mashed Potatoes

Short Rib Ingredients:

8 short ribs

1 tsp chili powder

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp thyme

2 TBSP molasses

1 onion, chopped

1 shallot, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 long hot pepper, splt

1 lb baby carrots

fresh thyme sprig

fresh rosemary sprig

1 tsp beef boullion

1 tsp mushroom bullion (or 2 tsp of beef instead of mushroom)

3 cups of beef broth

14 oz can diced tomatoes

1 tsp siracha

salt and pepper

2 TBSP flour\

2 TBSP canola oil

chives for garnish

Directions:

1. Sprinkle short ribs with salt and pepper. With 2 TBSP oil in your pot, sear in a dutch oven on at least 2 sides for 3 minutes each. 

2. Put all other ingredients in the slow cooker. Turn on high

3. When short ribs are seared, place in the slow cooker nestled with the bone sticking up. 

4. cook on high for 2 hours, and then on low for 4 hours. 

5. Carefully remove short ribs to a plate and keep warm. Use a slotted spatula or mesh net and pull the carrots out on the same plate. 

6. Remove the thyme, rosemary and pepper from the liquid.  Transfer the liquid to the same pot you seared the short ribs in. Use an immersion blender to blend and smooth the liquid. If you don't have this, use a blender. 

7. Simmer for 20 minutes. 

8. Put the carrot and short ribs back in the slow cooker and keep the setting on warm. 

9. When liquid is smooth and reduced, taste for seasoning. Then pour back in the slow cooker over the short ribs. Keep warm until serving. 

Garnish with chives. 

Mashed potatoes

Ingredients:

4-5 yukon godl potatoes

salt

white pepper

6-8 TBSP butter

1 cup of milk

Directions:

Boil potatoes with salt until when you puncture them with a fork they just fall apart - but not mush.  

Drain the potatoes and put right back in the pot. Mash up about 10 times and then add salt, white pepper, 4 TBSP butter and 1.2 cup milk.  Mash up about 10 more times. Taste for seasoning.  You will likely want to add 2-3 more TBSP of butter 1/2 cup milk and a little more white pepper and salt.  Taste again for seasoning.  These should be flavorful but plan mashed potatoes. They should just compliment the beef, not take over the show!  Enjoy! 

Wine pairing: 

Barbera d' Asti

2015

Italy

Franco Francesco