6 pounds beef short ribs -- approximately

OR one-rib per serving 2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons cracked black peppercorns

1/4 cup vegetable oil

OR light olive oil 3 medium onions -- chopped

12 ounces porter or stout

6 garlic cloves -- finely chopped

4 cups beef broth

OR flavor of choice -- or water 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

3 cups diced fresh butternut

OR acorn squash 19 ounces cooked chickpeas -- drained

3 tablespoons dijon mustard

2 tablespoons white wine

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 cups fresh bread crumbs

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 pound fresh kale

OR swiss chard -- chopped freshly grated horseradish root -- optional

Allow Time: Prep 45 minutes; Cook 3 hours 20 minutes.

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large ovenproof casserole over high heat. Add ribs; sear until well browned and crusty on all sides.

2. Remove ribs from pan; reduce heat to medium. Add onions; cook until just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add porter, garlic, broth and brown sugar. Return ribs to pan; cover pan. Bake until meat is very tender, about 3 hours. Remove pan from oven. Transfer ribs to platter; keep warm.

3. Add squash to casserole. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid has reduced and thickened and squash is just tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add chickpeas.

4. Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees, or heat broiler with rack 3 inches from heat source. Combine Dijon mustard, white wine and dry mustard in small bowl. Brush mixture on all sides of ribs. Combine bread crumbs and parsley in medium bowl. Pat onto ribs with hands. Place ribs on baking sheet; place in oven or under broiler. Cook until hot and crispy, being careful not to burn, about 5 minutes.

5. Add kale to squash-chickpea mixture; cook until heated through. To serve, spoon squash ragout into large flat soup plates; place serving of short ribs on top. Sprinkle with freshly grated horseradish, if desired.

Per serving: 705 Calories; 33g fat (43% cff). (11g Saturated fat; 110mg Cholesterol; 3330mg Sodium; 56g Carbs; 46g Protein' 11 Fiber.

Chef Anne Rosenzweig * Lobster Club * New York City

Featured by the New York Times News Service 1/27/99 message from kitpath@earthlink.net 1/99 x-listed recipecafe, mc-recipe