Hearty Short Rib and Vegetable Stew

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cook Pancetta

In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook it for about 4-5 minutes until it is browned and crispy. Once done, remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

3. Brown Short Ribs

Season the short ribs generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Working in batches, brown the short ribs in the Dutch oven. This step usually takes about 5-7 minutes per batch. Browning the meat properly on all sides is crucial as it creates a deep, rich flavor base for the stew.

4. Deglaze Pot

Pour the Cognac and ⅓ cup of the red wine into the pot to deglaze, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. This will infuse the stew with wonderful aromas and flavors. Let the liquid simmer for about a minute.

5. Cook Onions and Fennel

Next, add the chopped onions and fennel to the pot. Sauté them for 7-8 minutes until they become tender and slightly caramelized. This will add another layer of sweetness and complexity to the stew. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

6. Combine Ingredients

Now, it's time to combine the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, the remaining ⅔ cup of red wine, and beef broth into the pot. Add the seared short ribs along with any accumulated juices, and season with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Stir everything together, bring to a simmer, then cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Let it bake for about 1¼ hours to ensure the meat starts to become tender.

7. Add Carrots and Potatoes

After 1¼ hours, carefully remove the pot from the oven and stir in the carrots and potatoes. Cover the pot again and return it to the oven for another hour, until the vegetables and meat are tender and the stew has thickened.

8. Finish with Peas and Pancetta

Finally, stir in the frozen peas and the reserved pancetta. Let the peas heat through for a few minutes and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Your Hearty Short Rib and Vegetable Stew is now ready to serve, warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal. Enjoy!