This ain't no turkey dinner

It's hard to plan for Christmas dinner when you could be called away at a moment's notice. This is to say where, with whom and what you eat is all subject to a quick change of plans. I hate being on call; I think I hate it more than anyone I know... really!

Today is Christmas and I needed to prepare something that could evolve with the demands of the day. I started by plunking some smoked pork hocks into a pot, creating a broth and rendering the meat fork tender. Ultimately, the pork was used to garnish the beef shortribs which were braised for the better part of the day with bacon, prunes, parsnips, fresh herbs, mustard, lamb fat, leeks, garlic and parsnips, resulting in a beef that cut like butter smothered in an 'au jus' to which the pork hock broth was used to flavor. I like to 'cut' the richness using something vinegar based so I stole the brined shallots that I had intended to use in a baby lettuce salad. Let me just say, the shallots were never happier! Allow me to translate:

beef shortribs

6 strips of bacon

1 c leeks chopped

10-12 cloves of garlic whole

1 shallot chopped

1/4c parsley stems chopped

1 sprig of fresh rosemary

3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme

1 TBSP whole grain mustard

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup of red wine

10 dried plums / pitted prunes

3 pieces of fat trimmed from a leg of lamb (optional)

salt and pepper

1 lb of parnips whole

for the broth: two smoked pork hocks simmered to create a broth

for the pickle: one shallot thinly sliced, covered with vinegar, 1TBSP each kosher salt and sugar

Preheat the oven to 425F

1. Start by browning the shortribs on all sides in vegetable oil (preferable over olive oil which burns at high temperatures). Set aside

2. In the same pan saute the shallots, garlic and leeks with chopped bacon, until fat is rendered and vegetables are translucent over medium heat. Season as you go. Add the parsley, rosemary and thyme. Raise the heat to high and add the red wine, cinnamon and mustard, allowing the alcohol to simmer off.

3. Into a casserole dish or roasting pan place the spareribs and pour the sauteed ingredients over top. Add the pieces of lamb fat, prunes and parsnips. Again season with salt and pepper. Cover and roast at 425 for 20 minutes, then drop the temp to 325 and slow cook for 4-5 hours. An hour into the roasting remove the parsnips and set aside.

4. While the ribs are cooking, fine slice a shallot. I use a mandolin and cover with vinegar adding a tablespoon each of kosher salt and sugar. Allow this to 'pickle' until plating.

5. When the ribs are fork tender remove them from the roasting pan, then add 2 cups of the pork broth, bring to a simmer seasoning again to taste. Strain the solid bits, reserving the sauce to dress the plate. Immerse the parsnips in the sauce to reheat.

6. Plate the parsnips with the shortribs, garnishing with a few morsels of the smoked pork and a dollop of the shallot pickles, parsley and the broth.

Enjoy!