Espresso-Cocoa Short Ribs: You Had Me At Hello

Annually, over 141 million people trade Valentine's Day cards with each other. This weekend, millions of couples worldwide will be celebrating Valentine's Day. Many others will be waiting to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a Valentine's themed dinner on Tuesday, February 14th. I have always found it so outrageous that on this one day, a person feels that their love for their significant other can only be expressed through an overpriced dinner.

This year, I am challenging you to create this decadent, over the top espresso-cocoa short rib for your loved one. The thought, care and effort that goes into this dinner will be so much more special and memorable than paying $100 a head for dinner at a public restaurant. And honestly, how can a dish that has the trifecta (espresso, cocoa, and beef) be anything but amazing.

It may not be the prettiest dish. But the bitter sweetness from the espresso and cocoa paired with the outrageously succulent short rib makes for a standout dish that will make you say, "Wow." Braised in a smooth, berry pinot noir broth for several hours over low heat, this is a great dish to cook the day before and then reheat it an hour before you want to serve it to your special guest. It only gets better as it sits in the fridge overnight!


I made a creamy, purée potato to lay the short rib on and spooned the remaining sauce the short rib braised in over the entire dish. When you take a bite of the beef with the potato drenched in the sauce, you can't help but close your eyes in orgasmic delight. It is just that good. It is a time intensive, but relatively painless, labor free dish. However, I promise the effort will be well worth it when you see the blissful look on your partner's face.

Toast the night away with the remainder of the red wine that you used for the short rib....and then finish it off with a glass of bubbly. It's a night for indulgence!

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day weekend with your special someone! Make sure to come back on Monday for dessert. See you then!

ESPRESSO-COCOA SHORT RIBS

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 lb beef short rib
2 tbsp instant espresso granules
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp canola oil
2 cloves whole garlic, skin removed
6 pearl onions, blanched and skin removed
1 bay leaf
1 cup red wine preferably Pinot noir
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/4 tsp unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS
1. Remove short rib from fridge and bring to room temperature for an hour.

2. In a small mixing bowl, mix together espresso and cocoa. Coat all sides of short rib with the mixture.

3. In a large braising pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add short rib and sear each side for approximately 5 minutes per side. Then, add garlic, onions, and bay leaf to beef for a few minutes. Do not let garlic brown.

4. Slowly pour in wine and broth to the pan, bring to a boil. Then bring heat to low, cover and simmer for approximately 2-2 1/2 hours. Just leave it alone, nothing needs to be done. In the meantime, you can purée the potatoes or whatever side you choose to serve it with and decorate the table.

5. The short rib will be done when you see the meat start pulling away from the bone. It should literally be falling off the bone.

6. Remove short rib from pan. Add butter to remaining sauce over medium high heat, season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then tyrn off heat.

7. To plate, spoon purée potatoes on center of the dish, top with the short rib and pour reduced sauce over the entire dish. Serve immediately.