Chocolate Beef Ribs

I, like millions of people around the world, love chocolate. It's such a good food (in moderation of course) - full of anti-oxidants and endorphines. One of the best comfort foods around. However, most of us associate chocolate cooking and eating with sweets and desserts... Here's a news flash for you Chocolate lovers - you should try chocolate for your mains too. This is one of a few savoury chocolate recipes you might come across here at Food for Thought. Sometimes referred to as Mole (literally meaning 'sauce') this Mexican inspired dish combines dark chocolate with spices and vegetables to create a perfectly rich comforting stew.




Serves: 8
Preparation and Cooking time: About 3Hrs

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
100g Diced Pancetta
3Kg Beef Spare Ribs
2 Medium Finely Chopped Onions
6 Finely Chopped Shallots
1 Finely Sliced Leek (white only)
2 Finely Chopped Celery
2 Medium Peeled and Sliced Carrots
3 Cloves Garlic Crushed
2 1/2 Cups Red Wine
1L Chicken Stock
400g Tin Diced Tomato
2 Tbsp Chopped Parsley
1 Sprig Fresh Thyme
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Rosemary
1/2 Cup Grated 85% (or above) Dark Chocolate

Method:
Heat Oil in a large pot over medium heat and saute pancetta till crisp. Remove and set aside.

Season ribs with salt and pepper. Brown in dripping (working in batches) and set aside.

Stir in onion, shallots, leek, celery, carrot, garlic. Cover and allow to cook till vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally.

Add wine, bring to boil, and allow sauce to reduce by half while deglasing the bottom of saucepan.

Add stock, tomatoes, parleyt, thyme, pancetta, ribs. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 2hrs or till rib meat is tender.

Remove ribs, skim oil from surface of sauce. Bring to boil and allow to thicken a little. Reduce heat to medium.

Add chocolate and rosemary stirring till chocolate has melted through. Season to taste.

Return ribs to pot and simmer allowing to rewarm.

Serve with Herb and Garlic Mash Potatoes.

This meal was served with a 1998 Penfolds Coonawarra Shiraz (Bin 128)... mmmm sensational. The smooth earthiness of the wine blended perfectly with the subtle chocolate flavours of the ribs... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!