Seasonings common to the Vietnamese kitchen infuse these short ribs with layers of aromatic flavor, while coconut milk guarantees the creamiest of grits to serve alongside.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 3 hr 30 min |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bone-in short ribs (8 or 9)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3 shallots, chopped
- 1 3-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed, cut into 3-inch pieces and smashed with the flat side of a knife
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- 3 star anise pods
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce
- 1 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned grits (not instant or quick-cooking)
- Pickled vegetables, for topping (Recipe Follows)
- Torn fresh cilantro and/or mint, for topping
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1/4 small daikon, 8 ounces, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Make the short ribs: Preheat the oven to 325˚. Toss the short ribs with the five-spice powder and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the short ribs and cook, turning, until browned, 10 minutes. Remove to a plate and spoon off all but a thin layer of the drippings. Add the garlic, shallots, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon and star anise to the pot and cook, stirring, until the garlic and shallots are softened, about 3 minutes.
- Stir 2 1/2 cups water, the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons each brown sugar and rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce and the chili-garlic sauce into the pot. Return the short ribs to the pot in a single layer. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake until the meat is very tender, adding up to 1/2 cup more water if the pot is too dry, about 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the short ribs to a plate; discard the bones. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl or fat separator. Skim or pour off any excess fat, then pour the liquid into a large skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and rice vinegar and the remaining 1 teaspoon fish sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Return the short ribs to the skillet and continue to cook, turning often, until glazed, 4 to 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the grits: Combine the coconut milk, 2 1/2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Gradually add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. If the grits seem too thick, thin with water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
- Divide the grits among 4 shallow bowls. Top with the short ribs and pickled vegetables. Sprinkle with cilantro and mint.
- Put the carrot and daikon in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring the vinegar, water, sugar and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the vegetables and press down they are covered in brine. Cool slightly, stirring a few times, cover and refrigerate until chilled and pickled, at least 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 1872 |
| Total Fat | 153 g |
| Saturated Fat | 73 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Protein | 58 g |
| Cholesterol | 259 mg |
| Sodium | 1863 mg |
Reviews
I was looking for something different from the classic braised short ribs and this fit the bill. So yummy…I made it with coconut rice because grits are not readily available in my city and it was still swell. Will definitely make this again.
A family favorite.
Good flavor, easy to make but a bit on the spicy side