Short Ribs with Field Garlic and Red Wine

 

Short ribs are a versatile cut of beef, falling off the bone when cooked long and gently, or juicy when sliced rare off a summer grill. If you don’t have field garlic popping out of your lawn or in a nearby wood or field, substitute scallions or ramps. Failing those, small, peeled shallots would be delicious, too.

 

6 short ribs, sawn in half so each piece is about 4 inches (10 cm) long, on or off the bone

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cups (200 g) field garlic bulbs and greens (discard the tough stem part)

2 cups (480 ml) red wine

8 juniper berries

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Allow’ to sit for 5 minutes so that some of the juice is drawn out. This will help caramelize the outside of the meat Warm a heavy pan over high heat. When it is very hot sear the short ribs, about a minute to a side, until just brown. Do this in batches; do not overcrowd the pan or it will lose too much heat. Remove the short ribs and set aside on a plate. While you are browning the meat, blanch the field garlic bulbs for a minute in boiling water. Drain and set aside. Place half the field garlic in the bottom of a roasting pan. Add the short ribs, the rest of the field garlic, the red wine, and juniper berries. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for 2 hours, tented with foil Uncover and cook for another 45 minutes, making sure that there is still liquid in die pan Add water if the pan looks dry. Serve straight from the pan or from a warmed bowl, scraping up as much juice as possible and spooning it over the ribs.