BRAISED SHORT RIB FRENCH DIP

Steps:

• For the caramelized onions: Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring every few minutes with a metal spoon or spatula, until a rich chocolate brown color, 30 to 45 minutes. (Do not stir too often or onions will not properly caramelize; stir often enough to prevent onions from burning.) Deglaze pan with red wine and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• For the short ribs: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat bacon fat in a medium stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions and cook until onions are browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir constantly until well combined and deep red, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in wine and bring to a boil. Add all herbs and garlic and stir in beef stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let braising liquid simmer while preparing short ribs.
• Trim excess fat from short ribs and cut into four 5- to 6-ounce portions. Sprinkle all sides of the short ribs with salt and pepper. Brush bottom of a large Dutch oven with a little vegetable oil and heat until smoking hot. Add short ribs. Brown all sides and turn off the heat; turn off the heat to the braising liquid as well.
• Carefully ladle all the braising liquid along with the herbs and vegetables over the short ribs. Cover cook in the oven, 4 hours.
• Using metal tongs, carefully remove each short rib from the braising liquid and set aside to cool. Strain braising liquid. Discard vegetables and herbs, reserving liquid. Set aside.
• Raise oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Slice short ribs and remove any excess fat. Heat braising liquid in a medium pot. Add sliced short ribs and caramelized onions and heat approximately 5 minutes. Remove short ribs and caramelized onions and place inside French rolls; arrange on a baking sheet. Top with Gruyere and toast in oven until cheese is well melted, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with coleslaw and a cup of warm braising liquid for dipping.