Have Your Butcher Cross-Cut the rib bones into 1-inch long sections. Trim off and discard fat; cut meat into approximately 1-inch cubes leaving the bones attached. Place beef into a saucepan with vinegar, water, soy sauce, garlic, shallots, black pepper, salt and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes. Remove beef. Degrease vinegar liquid; bring to a boil. Lower heat and reduce to 2/3 cup. Heat oil in a skillet; brown beef until evenly seared. Pour sauce over beef.