- 4 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and ribs discarded
- 2 cups boiling-hot water
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle chilesin adobo plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 6 lb beef short ribs orflanken
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Soak ancho chiles in boiling-hot water until softened, about 20 minutes, then drain in a colander set over a bowl. Taste soaking liquid: It will be a little bitter, but if unpleasantly so, discard it; otherwise, reserve for braising. Transfer ancho chiles to a blender and purée with onion, garlic, chipotles with sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Pat ribs dry and sprinkle with pepper and remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown ribs in 3 batches, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer as browned to a roasting pan just large enough to hold ribs in 1 layer.
- Carefully add chile purée to fat remaining in skillet (use caution, since it will splatter and steam) and cook over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Add reserved chile soaking liquid (or 1 1/2 cups water) and coffee and bring to a boil, then pour over ribs (liquid should come about halfway up sides of meat).
- Cover roasting pan tightly with foil and braise ribs in middle of oven until very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Skim fat from pan juices and serve with ribs.