Instant Pot Flanken Food

INSTANT POT KOREAN STYLE SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, gochujang, ginger, brown sugar, pear, garlic, 2 tablespoons sesame oil and 1/4 cup water in a 6-quart Instant Pot®. Place the short ribs on top and follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 25 minutes (see Cook's Note). After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick release cycle is complete. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a large bowl, then cover and set aside.
• Set the pot to saute on high for 30 minutes and let reduce until the liquid is thick and glazy, about 15 minutes (about 1/2 cup of sauce will remain). Set the pot to off and transfer the reduced sauce to the meat, then toss to coat.
• Meanwhile, toss the scallions, cucumber, rice vinegar, gochugaru, sesame seeds, granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining tablespoon sesame oil in a medium bowl and cover and chill until ready to serve.
• For charred short ribs (optional): Position an oven rack as high as it can go in the oven and preheat the broiler to high. Transfer the glazed ribs to a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and broil until lightly charred on both sides, about 1 minute per side.
• Serve the ribs over steamed rice topped with the pickled cucumbers, additional scallions and sesame seeds.

INSTANT POT COLA-BRAISED SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Combine the paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large bowl. Add the short ribs to the bowl, rub the spice mixture all over and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute (see Cook's Note) and add 2 tablespoons of the oil once it is hot. Working in batches, sear all 4 sides of each short rib, about 2 minutes per side. Set the short ribs aside on a plate.
• With the pot still on high saute, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to scrape up bits on the bottom, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and garlic and cook until the tomato paste is deeply toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cola, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves and 1/2 cup of the beef broth and stir to combine. Put the ribs back into the pot along with any juices on the plate and turn to coat with the liquid. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 45 minutes.
• After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid and transfer the short ribs to a large plate.
• Use a ladle to skim any excess fat off the top of the liquid and then turn the pot back to high saute. While the liquid begins to simmer, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of beef broth with the cornstarch in a small bowl to make a slurry. Whisk in the slurry and cook, whisking intermittently, until the sauce is reduced and thickened to a syrup-like consistency, 15 to 20 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and transfer the short ribs back to the pot to coat with the sauce. Serve the short ribs hot with the sauce over mashed potatoes, polenta or rice, if using.