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Braised Short Ribs with Celery Root Purée

Cocoa powder enriches these braised beef short ribs from Manhattan-based chef Melissa Muller Daka. From: Saveur SERVES 4

FOR THE RIBS:
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 lb. bone-in short ribs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5 cloves garlic, smashed
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
¼ cup tomato paste
3 cups full-bodied red wine, such as nero d'avola
2 cups beef stock
3 sticks cinnamon
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs sage
2 whole cloves
1 bunch thyme
1 star anise
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
3 tbsp. pomegranate seeds
½ cup microgreens, such as arugula
FOR THE PURÉE:
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 medium leek, white part only, thinly sliced
2½ lb. celery root, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
3½ cups chicken stock
½ tsp. ground celery seed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Make the ribs: Heat oven to 400°. Heat oil in an 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season ribs with salt and pepper; rub with 3 tbsp. cocoa powder. Working in batches, cook ribs, turning as needed, until browned, 8–10 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add garlic, celery, onion, and carrot to pan; cook until soft, 6–8 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 3 minutes. Add wine; reduce by half, 4–6 minutes. Return ribs to pan and add stock, cinnamon, bay leaves, sage, cloves, thyme, and star anise; boil. Cover and bake until beef is very tender, 1½ hours. Transfer ribs to a plate; discard bones. Slice ribs in half crosswise. Place pan over medium-high heat and add remaining cocoa powder; simmer until liquid is reduced to about 2 cups, 18–20 minutes, then strain into a bowl. Stir in butter, salt, and pepper.

2. Make the purée: Heat oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat; cook garlic and leek until soft, 3–4 minutes. Add celery root, stock, celery seed, salt, and pepper; boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook until celery root is tender, 25–30 minutes. Let cool slightly; using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables and 1 cup cooking liquid to a blender and purée until smooth. Divide purée between plates and top with short ribs; drizzle with sauce and garnish with pomegranate seeds and, if you like, microgreens.