Zinfandel Braised Beef Short Rib with Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta

8 ounces Zinfandel
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 boneless beef short ribs,
8 ounces each
1 onion
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
6 garlic cloves
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 quart beef stock
12 steamed asparagus spears
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Heat olive oil in a medium heavy-bottom sauté or roasting pan. Season beef well with salt and pepper. Brown beef well on all sides, remove and set aside. Remove all but one tablespoon of oil. Cut vegetables into a large dice and add with the garlic and thyme. Cook until lightly browned. Add the wine and reduce by half. Return short ribs to pan and cover with beef stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook in the oven for 2½ to 3 hours until ribs are fork tender. Remove ribs and cool. Remove all fat and reduce liquid to light sauce. Adjust seasoning. Add ribs to sauce and gently heat. To serve, arrange ribs and vegetables over the polenta in a shallow bowl. Top with steamed asparagus.

Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta
2½ cups chicken broth
½ tsp chopped rosemary
½ tsp minced garlic
1¼ cup polenta  cup crumbled Gorgonzola
¼ cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

Combine the chicken broth, rosemary and garlic and bring to a boil in a heavy-bottom small saucepan. Reduce to medium-low heat and gradually add polenta while whisking constantly. Cook polenta until it is tender, stirring frequently. Add Gorgonzola and cream. Stir until cheese is melted. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Chef Paul Mattison, Executive Chef and Proprietor of Mattison’s
®Chef Paul Mattison, 2014
More recipes in the cookbook Chef! The Stories and Recipes of Chef Paul Mattison.
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