Mushroom Braised Short Ribs

* These big 1-pound short ribs are available by order from meat counters. They are much thicker and wider than spare ribs, very solid, with a generous marbling of fat. When these long ribs are cut into 2 or 3 shorter ribs, they become the more familiar cut known as the English-style short rib.

The day before cooking, season the ribs with the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Heat the olive oil in a roasting pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the ribs and brown on all sides, about 1 minute per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Add the onion, celery, carrot. Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the wine, vinegar, broth, thyme and bay leaf. Stir in the mushrooms. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Return the ribs to the pan, cover with foil and braise in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil and cook 3 more hours, or until the meat is very tender and falling off the bone.

To serve, remove the ribs from the braising liquid and divide among 6 warm, shallow bowls. (Leave the bones for a dramatic presentation.) Remove the mushrooms and reserve. Strain the braising liquid, discarding the solids. Skim off and discard the fat from the liquid. Add the reserved mushrooms back in and pass as a sauce at the table.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Each serving: 641 calories ; 50 grams protein; 19 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 34 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 109 mg. cholesterol; 210 mg. sodium.