BY SYLVIA FOUNTAINE

These Mexican short rib tacos are about as satisfying as it gets and to me, they are the epitome of comfort food.  I love making these on lazy days off, while puttering around the house in pajamas. They require less work than you would imagine, allowing time to lounge and read, fold laundry or clean out your closet.  I prefer them served up very simply- along with caramelized onions, melt-y queso fresco cheese and a little cilantro. Tender, falling off the bone braised beef is the star of this recipe!

Ingredients

6–8 meaty beef short ribs – 3 inches tall (3–4 lbs) 

kosher salt

pepper

2 tablespoons  oil

4 C beef stock

1  16 oz dark beer

5 –6 dried New Mexico chilies-destemed, seeds removed, crumbled

8 garlic cloves- whole

1 large onion- rough chopped

1 tablespoon cumin seed

1 tablespoon coriander seed

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp allspice

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon Mexican oregano

2 tablespoons brown sugar

one large onion sliced into 1/3 inch rings

1 T olive oil

Corn or flour Tortillas

handful Cilantro

hot sauce

½ Cup queso fresco cheese

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 300 F

2. Generously salt and pepper all sides of the short ribs. Heat oil in a heavy bottom Dutch oven over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the ribs and brown all sides – be patient, it takes time and this step is crucial! If splattering, cover partially with a lid. You want a nice deep color on all sides. Once they are nice and brown, remove and set aside.

3. In the same pot, turn heat to medium and add onions and whole garlic, stirring constantly until golden brown and just tender about 3-4 min. Add cumin, cinnamon stick, allspice, oregano and bay leaves, and stir for 1-2 min. Add chilies, beer, stock, and brown sugar, give a stir, and place the short ribs in the liquid with the bone sticking strait up. Liquid will just come to the top of the ribs.

4. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil. Cover with a tight fitting lid …or with two-three layers of foil, creating a tight seal. Place in the middle of the hot oven and bake for 3 hours, without opening the lid.

5. In the mean time, slice one large onion into 1/3 inch thick rings and sauté in a little oil on medium high for 5 min, turn heat to low and sauté until caramelized and golden, about 10 more minutes.

6. After 3 hours, the meat will be fork tender and flavorful. Leave the meat in the braising liquid until ready to serve. When ready, remove ribs from the liquid. Skim the fat, from the pot. Using a fork, or tongs, separate meat from bone and fatty parts and set meat aside. Taste the meat for salt, adding more if necessary. Fish out some of the flavorful chili peppers from the liquid and toss with the meat along with a few tablespoons of the juices left in the pot. The little bits of cumin seed are good too. Remember the meat will dry out quickly once removed from the cooking liquid, so if not serving right away, keep the ribs in the liquid.

7. Place cheese on tortillas, then place directly on the racks inside a 350 F oven, until melted. Remove from the oven, and place some of the meat, caramelized onion, cilantro and hot sauce inside the tortilla. Serve. Enjoy. Share. For more of my recipes, follow me at www.feastingathome.com!