Chianti Braised Shortribs

Since I have started blogging, I have shared many of my personal favorite recipes with you. This is one of them. My husband and I love Italian food and we like to go eat at the Olive Garden. A few years ago we went to the Olive Garden and Zhenya, my love, ordered Chianti Braised Shortribs. They were soooooooo good. I kept on wondering how they were made. Myself, not being a huge fan of red meats, I have to admit that this is my FAVORITE beef recipe. The cooking time is 3 hours, but if you are going to be home or have an errand to run just turn this on and let it cook on its own... the magic happens right in the pan...

Chianti Braised Short Ribs

Adapted from Olive Garden

Here is what you will need:

3 lbs boneless beef short ribs
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onions, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 cups Chianti wine
1 32-oz can crushed tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
2 tsp fresh rosemary or cilantro, chopped

1. Rinse the meat and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub with salt and pepper on one side......

...... and then on the other...
2.Coat a large, nonstick pan with olive oil. Sear the short rib pieces over medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until brown.

4. Transfer short ribs to a plate and let sit while you prepare the sauce.

5. Chop your onion....

... and add the onions to pan and cook over medium heat for approximately 3 minutes. Once onions are translucent, add garlic and cook for 1 minute; do not brown.

6. Add Chianti,and allow the liquid to partially evaporate before each addition (about 2 minutes).
7. Add the beef broth and let simmer for another 2 minutes....
8.Now add the tomatoes to the pan and let simmer 2 more minutes.9. Add your rosemary (I used cilantro because I didn't have any rosemary).
10. Remember these babies??? Now transfer them AND the juices that have accumulated back into the pan. The juice is like gold... DO NOT throw it out.

11.Lastly, cover and let simmer for 3 hours on low heat to complete the braising process.
.... almost 3 hours later.... mhmmmm......
... and I wish I had a photo with these next to some mashed potatoes or rice... or pasta... but they were soo yummy, we couldn't spend any more time on the photoshoot....