Name: Short Ribs Braised in Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and ribs discarded; 2 cups boiling-hot water; 1 medium onion, quartered; 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle chilesin adobo plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 3 teaspoons salt; 6 lb beef short ribs orflanken; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 cup brewed coffee

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Short Ribs Braised in Coffee Ancho Chile SauceKay Rentschler

Chef Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie, in Houston, serves a fillet of beef with a coffee chile sauce — we think the flavor combination also works well with the succulence of short ribs. We recommend serving these ribs over soft polenta.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 4 1/2 hr

Cooks' note:

• Ribs improve in flavor if braised 2 days ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, surface covered with parchment paper or wax paper and roasting pan covered with foil. Remove any solidified fat before reheating.

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