1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Add short ribs and cook, turning, until browned on all sides. Remove from Dutch oven and transfer to a plate.

3. Add onion, carrot, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorns to Dutch oven; reduce heat and cook, stirring, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add wine and port; return short ribs to pot and cook for 10 minutes. Add beef stock to cover meat; cover Dutch oven and transfer to oven until short ribs are fork tender, about 3 hours.

4. Transfer short ribs to an 8-by-8-by-3-inch-deep casserole dish; strain braising liquid over short ribs; discard solids and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.

5. Remove short ribs from liquid (which should be set like jelly) and trim off any fat. Cut each into equal-sized pieces.

6. Transfer braising liquid to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until reduced by one-third. Return cut meat to liquid and cook, until heated through, about 15 minutes.

7. Divide sunchokes evenly between 4 large shallow serving bowls. Place a few pieced of meat on top of sunchokes; top with kale. Spoon over liquid and serve immediately.