Beef Stew warms the heart and fills the stomach. It’s a comfort food that that can even be romantic when shared with the one you love. This takes a bit of time, but it is worth every minute and step.
An Italian-ized version of classic Beef Stew. Make it your own with wine, vegetable, and aromatics choices.
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An Italian-ized version of classic Beef Stew. Make it your own with wine, vegetable, and aromatics choices.
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Instructions
Before you begin cooking, put your cooking vessel in the oven. Adjust the rack so that the covered pot will fit and slide in and out easily. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Heat a 5 -6 quart dutch oven. Add the bacon pieces and cook until the bacon is brown, but not crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Leave the drippings in the pan and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
Cut the meat in 1-1/2 inch to 2 inch pieces. Dry on paper towels for at least 10 minutes (this helps the meat brown). Season the meat with salt and pepper just before browning.
Brown the meat in batches turning to brown all sides. Put the browned meat into a bowl. If the pot is becoming dry, add additional olive oil. Set the bowl of browned meat aside.
Add the chopped onions, garlic, and carrots to the pot and begin to cook over medium low heat. Add the bay leaf, rosemary, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, lemon zest and tomato paste. Cook, stirring often for 3 or 4 minutes. Return the bacon to the pot.
Add the cup of red wine and stir to loosen the browned bits and de-glaze the pan. Continue to cook for a few minutes until things are smelling beautiful. Add the beef stock and water, (and a little more wine if you want). Bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot. Cook until the mixture returns to a simmer. Once it is gently simmering, cover it and place in the oven. Cook covered for one hour.
Remove the pot from the oven and add the onion wedges and sliced garlic. Mix gently, cover and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and add the mushrooms. Stir to gently combine. Cover and return to the oven.
Check the meat after 45 minutes or so. The meat should be fork tender, but not falling apart. When the meat is perfect, remove the pot from the oven.
Add the lemon juice and olives. Stir to incorporate. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl or ladle into individual dishes. Sprinkle with the parsley.
This can be served as is with crusty bread or on top of your starch of choice; pasta, polenta, farro, etc.
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This is a delicious way to use the Pulled Chicken recipe that I shared in my last post. The homemade fries are actually not fried. They are baked in the oven on a rack to help them turn out as crisp as their fried brothers. Season the potatoes as you like them. Cajun or Blackening seasonings would be good, but use what you love.
I chose toppings that are a little reminiscent of a loaded baked potato, but other possibilities are limitless. You could even use the cheese curds that the original recipe from Quebec uses. Topping French Fries with anything makes them even better. This makes a great supper for two. Add a salad or a nice vinegar based coleslaw.
Instructions
Wash the potatoes well and dry them off. Do not peel unless that's what you really like. Slice into french fry shapes. Aim for fries that are about 3/4 inch diameter and if your potatoes are longer than wider they will look prettier.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Soak the potatoes in very cold water for 30 minutes or so. This gets rid of a little of the starch. Drain and DRY VERY WELL.
Put the potatoes in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Add the potato seasonings you have chosen and toss again.
Line a large baking sheet with foil. Place a size compatible wire rack on the baking sheet. Spray lightly with olive oil non-stick spray. Place the potatoes on the rack making sure they are not touching.
Bake in oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Turn the potatoes halfway through the baking.The potatoes should be golden brown and lightly crisp. Remove from oven and divide between two plates.
While the potatoes are baking, heat the Pulled Chicken on the stove or in the microwave. Have all of your toppings ready.
Top the potatoes with the Pulled Chicken and the toppings of your choice and serve.
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Meat loaf is so versatile that it lends itself to an almost limitless number of variations. Any meat, poultry or combination there of can go into it . There are even meatless meat loaves. Seasoning possibilities are virtually endless, too. From simple onions and ketchup to exotic spice blends and intriguing vegetables, the flavor profile is literally all over the (world) map.
I’ve made many different meat loaves, but this seems to be everyone’s favorite. It combines Italian sausage and ground turkey with an Italian flavored cast of characters. It makes 2 generous loaves. One for dinner and one to freeze (each loaf will make four servings).
You could also use the extra loaf for some awesome meatloaf sandwiches. I’ve even made eight mini meat loaves
So from meat base to seasoning to cooking vessel, meat loaf is the king of variety. As with all of my recipes, this is just a suggestion based on what i like. Your  meatloaf will be fabulous and I’d love to hear about it.
Sausage and ground turkey combine with Italian bread crumbs, garlic, onion and Italian seasonings to make a spicy meatloaf that is great served with pasta or polenta and also makes a great sandwich.
Sausage and ground turkey combine with Italian bread crumbs, garlic, onion and Italian seasonings to make a spicy meatloaf that is great served with pasta or polenta and also makes a great sandwich.
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Instructions
Lightly combine the sausage and ground turkey in a large bowl. Your hands are the perfect tool for this. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a medium fry pan and add the onion, garlic, parsley, and pepper flakes if you are using them. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes. The onion should soften and the garlic should be fragrant but nothing should be brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Add the bread crumbs, cheese, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, cooled onion and garlic mixture, and the beaten eggs.
Mix with your hands until well combined.
Line two 8 X 4 inch loaf pans with plastic wrap. Use a large enough piece to overlap over the top of the loaf. Evenly divide the meat mixture between the two pans. Pack the meat in firmly so that the loaf will be a uniform thickness and hold together as it bakes. Refrigerate for an hour or so to firm things up a bit. You can also make mini loaves if thta's tickles your fancy.
Remove loaves from refrigerator. Carefully remove the meat from the pans using the plastic wrap. Invert into a shallow baking pan that has been sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees oven for one hour or until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees. remove from the oven.Let rest in the pan for ten minutes. Cover lightly with foil while they rest.
Cut into thick slices. Serve naked or top with sauteed peppers or chunky tomato sauce.
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