East Meets West Smoked Beef Short Rib Noodle Bowl Recipes

SMOKED BEEF SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Heat a smoker to 250 degrees F preferably using Texas post oak wood.
• Mix the brown sugar, chile powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin and curry in a large bowl by hand into a uniform color and consistency. Set aside.
• Remove the beef ribs from their packaging and rinse under cold water. Trim any large fatty areas off the top of the ribs. Turn the ribs over and remove all of the silver skin. Pack the rub only on the top and sides of the ribs; you want it about 1/8 inch thick.
• Smoke the ribs until they register a consistent interior temperature of 200 degrees F, roughly 11 hours. Let the ribs rest for 30 minutes, then cut into 2-bone portions. Serve with barbecue sauce on the side.

SMOKED BEEF RIBS

Steps:

• Prep the ribs: Put the ribs meaty-side down on a cutting board. Starting at one end, slide a chef's knife under the membrane that covers the back of the rack and make a cut in the membrane. Loosen the membrane with the knife, then grab it and pull it off. (The ribs will still be covered by a thin membrane-leave this; it holds the ribs together.) Make the rub: Slit each chile open lengthwise. Shake out the seeds and remove the stems and inner membranes. Tear the chiles into small pieces and grind in a spice or coffee grinder until powdery. Combine the rosemary, garlic and 1/4 cup each ground chiles and salt in a bowl. Mix in the peanut oil. Marinate the ribs: Rub the back of the rib rack with about one-quarter of the spice mixture. Rub the rest on the meaty side. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. Prepare the grill: Stuff newspaper in the bottom of a chimney starter. Put it on the grill grate and fill with equal parts mesquite charcoal briquettes and mesquite wood chunks. Light the newspaper through the holes in the chimney. The charcoal and wood chunks will ignite. Allow the flames to die down and the coals to ash over. Remove the grill grate and dump the coals out of the chimney into the bottom of the grill, banking them to one side to create an indirect heat zone on the other side. Replace the grate. Smoke the ribs: Lay the ribs, meaty side up, on a sheet of heavy-duty foil over the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). If there's space between your grill grates, use an extra-long piece of foil and let it hang down to the bottom of the grill, alongside the coals (as shown); this will help direct the smoke up toward the meat. Cover the grill and smoke until tender, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours, 30 minutes, turning every 20 minutes. You'll need to feed the fire about every 45 minutes: Lift the grate and add about a half chimney's worth of unlit briquettes and wood chunks to the hot coals. Carve the ribs: Transfer the rib rack to a cutting board. Slice into individual ribs and serve immediately.
• Photograph by Jody Horton

EAST MEETS WEST: SMOKED BEEF SHORT RIB NOODLE BOWL

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Smoked beef ribs take about 8 - 10 hours to get yummy. If you are not a smoker, no worries. You can cook them faster in the oven, or you could buy some smoked short ribs. We have BBQ smoke-pit restaurants all over town, and some of them are lip-smackin' good.
• 3. You will need a good size heavy-bottom skillet that is large enough to handle all of the ingredients.
• 4. I am using beef as the protein for this recipe; however, the possibilities are almost endless: • No protein at all • Shrimp • Fish • Pork • Chicken • Whatever
• 5. You could, of course, shred your own cabbage and carrots. If you choose that route, the ratio should be something like 3 cups cabbage and 1 cup carrots.
• 6. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 7. Shred the beef short ribs, or leave it in bite-size chunks
• 8. Add the butter and sesame oil to a good-sized skillet over medium heat.
• 9. When the foaming subsides, toss in the cabbage and carrots, and stir until the veggies are tender, about 4 - 5 minutes.
• 10. Chef's Note: If you are adding other veggies (broccoli, peas, etc.) add them now.
• 11. Throw in the garlic, tamari (or liquid aminos), ginger, turmeric, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper, then stir for about a minute.
• 12. Chef's Note: While all of this is happening, you should be cooking your noodles. My package directions gave me two options: Soaking in hot (boiling) water for 25 - 30 minutes or putting them on the stovetop in a pot of boiling water, for 4 - 6 minutes. I choose the soaking method; although it is longer, I did not have to mess with tending to the noodles in a pot of boiling water, while working on the other bits of the recipe. The goal is to have the noodles ready about the same time as the skillet veggies and beef are finishing up.
• 13. Turn the heat down to low, low, then add the beef, and noodles. Stir to combine, and heat up with the veggies, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• 14. PLATE/PRESENT
• 15. Place into bowls and serve. Enjoy.
• 16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

OLD WEST BBQ SHORT RIBS AND NOODLES

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, brown ribs in cooking oil, drain.
• Combine onions, tomato sauce, 1 cup water, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce and add to ribs.
• Simmer, covered about 3 hours or until ribs are tender.
• Add additional water and noodles, cover and cook until noodles are tender.

SMOKED BEEF SHORT RIB STEW

Steps:

• Preheat smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (we used cherry wood).
• Trim excess fat and membrane off of the ribs, coat in olive oil and salt and pepper. Be sure to get all sides of the beef.
• Place beef on the smoker for about 3 hours, until the color is mahogany and a nice crust has set. After the first hour during the smoke period, start spraying the meat every 15 minutes with your spritz. When the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees pull it from the smoker (it will continue cooking in the stew to 203 degrees, our desired final temperature).
• Preheat a large ovenproof pot (like a cast iron Dutch oven) to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil then the bacon. Cook until bacon is crispy (8-10 min) then remove bacon and discard most of the bacon drippings.
• Add onions, carrots, and celery to that same pot and cook for 8-10 min, to soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. You want the veggies softened, not caramelized.
• Next add the tomato paste, wine, and enough broth to cover the short ribs. Add your reserved smoked beef short ribs, bay leaf, thyme and reserved bacon. Bring to a simmer and cover.
• In a separate medium saucepan, set to medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter and the mushrooms and cook for approx 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. You may need to do this in two batches. When cooked add the mushrooms to the pot of stew and cover again.
• After about 90 minutes, in a small bowl mash together 2 tablespoons butter and the flour. Mix into the stew. Continue simmering the dish on the stovetop for an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
• You know the meat is done when it reads 203 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature. If the meat isn't to your desired tenderness feel free to continue simmering in 20 minute increments until you get to the tenderness and texture you're looking for. If it reduces too much, add more beef stock.
• Just before serving, pull out the thyme and bay leaf and season with a little salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with your favorite puree to soak up the juices (we like parsnip puree, but celery root puree or even mashed potatoes work great).