We cooked this dinner a little while ago, but we’ve been saving it for this week because it feels so perfect for Christmas. It makes a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas night meal. It’s wonderful for two people, but it also serves four or five easily if you’re hosting or spending time with family.
We’re pairing it with our Parisian Flip, which we call the lemon chiffon cocktail, and James Quinn tunes, which to us is the pefect winter solstice music.
We think the short ribs turn out best in the Crock Pot, and if you want a head start, we added make ahead tips to help you get everything going the night before. And for those of you who are off work this week, it might be the perfect time for a slow morning, cozy Crock Pot day.
We hope you enjoy this dinner as much as we do. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas week ahead.
Kevin & Kate
Parisian Flip
Braised Beef Short Ribs & Creamy Polenta
notes from the kitchen
Just a few kitchen tips to make the most of this week's ingredients and flavors.
Short Ribs or Chuck Roast
We love using beef short ribs for this recipe, but we know they can be a little more of a splurge. Chuck roast works perfectly too. Just cut it into large, short-rib–sized chunks and braise it the same way.
Crock Pot is Our Number One Method
If you have a Crock Pot and the time, this is the method we recommend. The long, slow cook gives the ribs the most tender, fall apart texture and the deepest flavor.
Instant Pot Also Works Beautifully
We used the Instant Pot for this week’s video since winter daylight hours are short and it allowed us to film the entire recipe start to finish. It’s fast, convenient, and all done in one pot. If you don’t have an Instant Pot and want to see how easy it is, check out this week’s videos. → Link to Instant Pot
Broth Options. Strain or Not
You can strain and reduce the broth for a silky, restaurant-style sauce, finishing with a tablespoon of butter. Or you can simply spoon a little of the braising liquid from the Crock Pot around the vegetables and meat when serving. Both are delicious.
Ricotta Polenta for Maximum Creaminess
We’re always chasing the creamiest polenta, and ricotta has quickly become our favorite secret. It gives the polenta a rich, smooth finish. We forgot the butter in our video, but you can absolutely add it if you want extra richness.
Extra Fine Polenta Makes All the Difference
We prefer an extra fine polenta over coarse Southern-style grits. It cooks in minutes and creates that silky, velvety texture we love for Date Nite bowls. → Link to our favorite extra fine polenta
Why Roasted Broccoli Works So Well
The charred broccoli, lemon zest, and Parmesan bring brightness and balance to the richness of the short ribs and polenta.
A Great Make Ahead Option
If you want the morning to run smoothly, you can sear the ribs and build the braising broth the night before. Store them separately in the fridge, then combine and cook the next day.
Perfect for the Week Before Christmas
We’re sharing this menu the week before Christmas because it is truly one of those meals that works for everything. It’s perfect for a cozy holiday Date Nite, but it also makes an incredible dinner to serve visiting family or to bring to someone’s home. It’s impressive, comforting, and always a crowd favorite.
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
we hope you enjoy this week. and as always,
Keep the Plates Full and the Spark Alive
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