Scott's short ribs

Ingredients

6 beef short ribs, trimmed of fat

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup good olive oil

1 1/2 cups chopped onion (2 onions)

4 cups large-diced celery (6 large stalks)

2 carrots, peeled and large-diced

1 small fennel, fronds, stems, and core removed, large-diced

1 leek, cleaned and large-diced, white part only

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 (750ml) bottle of burgundy or other dry red wine

fresh rosemary sprigs

fresh thyme sprigs

1 tbsp. brown sugar

6 cups beef broth

Instructions
 1. Preheat over to 400 degrees F.
2. Place short ribs on a sheet pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven and add the onion, celery, carrots, fennel, and leek and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the wine over the vegetables, bring to a boil, and cook over high heat until the liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 tbsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Tie the rosemary and thyme together with kitchen twine and add to the pot.

4. Place the roasted ribs on top of the vegetables in the Dutch oven and add the beef stock and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender.

5. Carefully remove the short ribs from the pot and set aside. Discard the herb branches tied in twine (the actual herb leaves should not be attached to the stems anymore) and skim the excess fat. Cook the vegetables and sauce over medium heat for 20 minutes, until reduced.
6. Put the ribs back into the pot and heat through. Serve with the vegetables and sauce over mashe potatoes.

*from Ina Garten