Braised Beef and Tortelloni

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Salt and pepper all sides of the short ribs.

In a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed oven proof pot with an oven proof lid, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.

Add the beef ribs and sear on all six sides for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the seared meat to a platter and pour off all but two tablespoons of the fat remaining in the pan but do not discard the remaining fat. More will be used later in this recipe.

Add the onions and sauté for three minutes. Add the basil and cook for one more minute then add the marsala wine.

Reduce by half then add the beef stock, water and the bay leaf and add the seared ribs back into the pan. The liquid will not cover the tops of the beef. Cover and place in the oven for two hours, untouched.

While the beef is braising, in a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of the reserved beef fat and once hot, add the mushrooms. Sauté for 5-6 minutes or until tender.

Add the tomatoes, cook for one minute then add the balsamic vinegar. Cook for one more minute and remove from heat. Set aside.

After two hours, remove the pot from the oven and pick the beef pieces out to your cutting board with tongs. The bones should slip right off and be discarded. Once they are cool enough to handle, use a sharp knife and remove fat and gristle from the beef.  Cut the remaining beef pieces against the grain into slices.

Place a large pot of water on to cook the tortelloni while you finish the dish. The tortelloni takes about 6-7 minutes to cook, assuming you are using fresh.

In a small sauté pan, melt butter and once melted, add flour. Cook for three minutes over medium heat and then remove from heat.

Heat the liquid left in the pot of beef over medium high and once it starts to boil, add the butter and flour mixture and whisk to combine. Once thickened, add heavy cream and whisk again. Add cooked sliced beef and cooked mushrooms and tomatoes from earlier. Stir to combine.

Drain the cooked tortelloni and add back into the pot it was cooked in and add a little of the finished sauce to coat.

Pour the tortelloni into a serving platter and pour the finished braised beef over the top.

Garnish with some chopped fresh basil.