If you’ve ever strolled down Lafayette Street in Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon and wondered what the crowd of stylish, iPhone-jabbing people just south of Spring Street were waiting for, the answer is Jack’s Wife Freda. Opened by New York City food scene veterans Maya and Dean Jankelowitz in 2012, Jack’s Wife Freda has been dubbed the “cool kid’s Jewish restaurant,” and serves food affectionately—and accurately—described as “South African Israeli Jewish Grandmother Cuisine.” It makes sense: the restaurant’s namesake Freda is Dean’s grandmother (her husband, Jack, is Dean’s grandfather).
Freda’s Honey and Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs
April 02, 2021
Ingredients
- 10whole black peppercorns
- 2dried chilies
- 2bay leaves
- 1teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 4 ½-5lbs. short ribs, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces
- 2tablespoons canola oil
- 1large onion, chopped (about 3 cups)
- 5cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2large carrots, peeled, trimmed, and chopped (about 3 cups)
- 1celery stalk, trimmed and chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3tablespoons tomato paste
- 1750 ml bottle dry red wine
- 3cups beef or veal stock
- ¾cup honey
Preparation
- Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Step 2
Wrap peppercorns, chilies, and bay leaves with cheesecloth, tie with kitchen twine and reserve.
- Step 3
Sprinkle short ribs on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 4
In a large, heavy skillet, heat oil over high heat until very hot but not smoking. Sear ribs until browned on both sides, about 6-7 minutes total. Remove ribs to a plate to cool, then arrange in one layer in a large, heavy roasting pan.
- Step 5
To the same skillet add onions, garlic, carrots and celery and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 10 minutes. Add tomato paste, stir to incorporate and cook an additional 5 minutes. Add wine, and bundled spices and bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Add beef stock and honey, return to a boil and cook an additional 10-15 minutes, until liquid is reduced by about 3 inches.
- Step 6
Pour liquid over ribs, seal tightly with aluminum foil and bake until ribs are fork-tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- Step 7
Remove roasting pan from oven, uncover, and remove meat to a platter to cool. While meat is cooling, strain braising liquid from solids over a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing down on solids to release all liquid. Discard solids.
- Step 8
Return liquid to a small saucepan, skin fat from top and bring to a boil; boil until liquid is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 9
Separate meat from bones and fat and arrange on a platter. Serve with warm gravy over mashed potatoes or parsnip puree.