Brandied Cranberry Short-Rib Stew

• 6 pounds bone-in beef short ribs, cut into 2-in. pieces*
• About 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• About 1 tsp. black pepper
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 3 pounds kabocha squash (1 small), seeded, cut into 2-in. wedges, and peeled*
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup flour
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons Dutch-processed bittersweet cocoa powder or 1 square (1 oz.) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 5 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons minced candied ginger
• 1 tablespoon finely shredded orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

1. 1. Preheat oven to 500u0b0. Dry short ribs on paper towels and sprinkle with 1 tsp. each salt and pepper. In a large, heavy ovenproof pot, heat 1 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. In 4 batches, brown ribs all over. Transfer to a bowl.
2. 2. Cut squash wedges crosswise, put on a baking sheet, and toss with remaining oil. Roast until caramelized, 10 minutes. Remove from oven and lower heat to 300u0b0.
3. 3. Add onions and remaining 1 tsp. salt to pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cocoa; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth and brandy. Add dried cranberries, ginger, and orange zest and bring mixture to a boil. Return short ribs to pot, cover, and bake 2 1/2 hours.
4. 4. Remove pot from oven and spoon off fat. (Or chill overnight before skimming; return to a simmer before continuing.) Stir in fresh cranberries and kabocha. Cover and bake until kabocha is tender and meat pulls away from the bone, about 30 minutes.
5. *Ask your butcher to cut the short ribs. To make squash easier to cut and peel, poke it all over with a fork, then microwave 2 to 3 minutes.

short ribs, kosher salt, black pepper, vegetable oil, kabocha squash, onions, flour, garlic, dutch, beef broth, brandy, cranberries, candied ginger, orange zest, fresh cranberries

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/brandied-cranberry-short-rib-stew-50153088 (may not work)