Beef Short Ribs & Coffee, Ancho and Cinnamon Sauce

Ingredients:

Ok, so I'm not going to get any presentation points for this one. It looks like slop. I know. But it tastes really good! The coffee gives it a strong, slightly smoky and robust backbone, while the cinnamon, chilies, and maple syrup all compliment it really nicely with a little sweet, a little heat. I served mine with oven roasted sweet potatoes and shallots (cubed and roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, in a single layer in a 425 degree F oven for about 45 minutes or until potatoes and shallots are lightly browned and tender). But I think something softer would have been better: mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, polenta, etc. to sop up all that lovely juice.

- 2 lbs beef short ribs (these are chuck)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup strongly brewed coffee
- 1 1/2 TB tomato paste
- 2-3 dried ancho chiles
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2-4 TB maple syrup
- salt and pepper

Step 1:

Microwave 2 ancho chiles in just enough water to cover for about 45 seconds, or until hot. Set aside and let soak.

Step 2:

Using a regular blender, mini food processor, or hand blender, blend with some of the soaking water until mixture is thin paste. Set aside.

Step 3:

Chop onions and garlic. Set aside.

Step 4:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Season short ribs with salt and pepper.

Step 5:

In a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the beef short ribs in small batches until brown on both sides. Do not crowd in the pan.

Step 6:

Remove from pan and set aside on a plate.

Step 7:

Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onion, cover, and stir occasionally until tender, translucent and it has picked up some brown color, about 10 minutes.

Step 8:

Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Push aside the onions and garlic, add the tomato paste and let cook for a few minutes. Add the spices and let cook a few more minutes, until spices are aromatic. Add coffee, chile paste, and 2 TB of the maple syrup. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary with salt, pepper, and maple syrup.

Step 9:

Add the beef back to the pot with any accumulated juices. Place in the oven for about 2.5 hours, checking and turning about every 40 minutes.

Step 10:

Beef is done when tender, and sauce has mellowed.

Step 11:

Remove beef from pot, let cool slightly.

Step 12:

Blend sauce. Return meat to pan, and serve.

Step 13:

Serve your Beef Short Ribs with Coffee, Ancho and Cinnamon Sauce.