Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili is one of our favorite cozy winter dinners. I start this chili recipe by toasting, boiling and pureeing dried Anaheim chili peppers. Then, I add them to browned ground beef and onions and simmer them along with tomato sauce. Finally, …
Blue Cheese Fondue Burgers are one of our favorite winter dinners. I start these burgers by making a rich and creamy blue cheese sauce. Then, I pan fry burger patties. Finally, I place the burgers on brioche buns and top them with the fondue, tomato, …
Bourbon Barbecue Short Ribs are one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this dinner by braising tender, saucy beef short ribs with a Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. Then, I serve the ribs over creamy grits. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these ribs ahead of time. I like to make them a day, or even two days, ahead of time. Secondly, I like that I can easily reheat the ribs on the stove, or in the microwave, or in the oven. Thirdly, I like that I can freeze any leftover ribs and use them to make tacos, nachos, quesadillas, or sandwiches. And, lastly, we all love the tender beef, creamy grits, and rich Bourbon Barbecue Sauce.
The Equipment I Used
A Dutch Oven- I like to make my ribs in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven. But you can bake your ribs in any oven proof pot, pan, or casserole dish. It just needs to have a tight-fitting lid or be covered with foil.
The Ingredients Needed for Bourbon Barbecue Short Ribs
Beef Short Ribs- You’ll need about three pounds of them.
Apple Cider- Using fresh apple cider adds great fall flavor to these ribs.
Chicken Stock- I always use homemade chicken stock. My recipe is below.
Bourbon- Bourbon adds great flavor to these ribs. But you can just omit this, if you like, the dish will taste great.
Ketchup- I use Heinz organic ketchup for the barbecue sauce, but you can just use your favorite ketchup.
How I Made my Beef Ribs
First, I browned the ribs. Browning the ribs well helps the whole dish develop great flavor.
Then, I added the rest of the braising ingredients and baked the ribs until they were falling apart.
Finally, I served the ribs over the creamy grits.
If you like tender beef short ribs, you need to try these amazing Bourbon Barbecue Short Ribs.
Bourbon Barbecue Short Ribs
Bourbon Barbecue Short Ribs
Short Ribs braised in a Bourbon Barbecue Sauce. Served with creamy grits.
2tbsp. eachhoney and Worcestershire sauce and rice wine vinegar
1tsp.soy sauce
¾cupketchup
6large carrots, peeled and halved
1large shallot, chopped
2cupsonion, chopped
6cloves garlic, chopped
1cupcelery, sliced
¾cupsapple cider
1¾cupschicken stock
4sprigs fresh thyme
1dried bay leaf
For the Creamy Grits:
2cups eachwhole milk and water
1½tsp.kosher salt
1cupwhite corn dips
2tbsp. butter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Dry the ribs off well with paper towels, and then sprinkle them well the salt and pepper. Next, roll them around in the flour until they're dusted all over with flour.
Heat a Dutch oven with olive oil, over medium heat. Brown a few ribs at a time, until they're brown all over. Remove browned ribs to a plate.
Also, make the Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: Melt the butter in a three-quart saucepan, and cook the minced onions and garlic until softened. Then add the bourbon, honey, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a half teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes and then set it aside.
Then, continue with the short ribs: Add the onions, carrots, shallots, garlic, and celery to the pot you browned the short ribs in and cook them for five minutes. Then, add the cider and chicken stock and let them simmer for five minutes. Add the ribs back to the pot along with the thyme, bay leaf, the bourbon barbecue sauce and a half teaspoon more of both the salt and pepper. Bring the pot to a simmer, and then cover and bake it for two and a half hours.
If you like, refrigerate the pot for an hour. Then, remove the fat that congeals on the top and reheat on medium heat before serving.
While the ribs bake, make the Creamy Grits: In a Dutch oven, bring the water, salt, and milk to an almost boil. Stir in the grits and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the butter.
Serve the ribs and carrots along the gravy and creamy grits.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
Instructions
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Braised Brisket with Prunes and Apricots is one of our favorite fall dinners. We like this apricot brisket for several reasons. First of all, I like to serve this for all the Jewish holidays in the fall. Since, it’s very traditional to serve braised brisket …
Cider Braised Short Ribs are one of our favorite fall dinners. Here in New York’s Hudson Valley, it’s apple picking season. So that means, it’s time to cook and bake with apples. I start this dish by braising hearty short ribs with apple cider, carrots, …
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Burgers are one of our favorite quick and easy dinners. I start these burgers by making a cheese filling that I stuff into the burger patties. Then, I make a Creamy Burger Sauce. Finally, I grill the burgers and serve them on brioche buns, topped with lettuce, tomato, and onions. We like these burgers for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make these burgers in just about twenty minutes. That makes them perfect for busy days. Secondly, I like that I can make many of the components ahead of time. Then, I just grill the burgers right before serving. And, finally, we all love the cheesy middles of these burgers. And the Creamy Burger Sauce is delicious, too.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to use this to pan grill my burgers, but you can use any skillet.
The Ingredients Needed for Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Ground Beef- Lately I’ve been buying grass-fed ground beef sirloin. But I also like ground chuck for my burgers.
Cheddar- I like to use extra sharp cheddar, and Cabot is my favorite brand.
Buns- I like the St. Pierre brioche buns. But you can use whatever buns you like.
Cream Cheese- You’ll need this for the burger filling. I always use the Philadelphia brand cream cheese.
Mayonnaise- You’ll need this for the Creamy Burger Sauce. I always use the Hellmann’s mayonnaise.
Pickles- Use the sweet bread and butter pickles. I like the Bubbie’s brand.
How I Made my Burgers
First, I made the Creamy Burger Sauce.
Then, I stuffed the burgers with the cheese.
Finally, I grilled the burgers and added all the toppings. I think with these burgers it’s good to cook them on just medium heat. This prevents the cheese from oozing out and burning.
If you like cheese, you need to try these delicious Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Burgers.
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Burgers stuffed with cheddar cheese and cream cheese, and topped with a Creamy Burger Sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onions. Served on brioche buns.
Begin by making the Creamy Burger Sauce: Simply mix all the ingredients together and chill until serving.
Next, mix together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Divide the mixture into four sections and form each section into a ball. Set aside.
Next, make the burgers: Sprinkle the beef with the salt and pepper and form it into four balls. Insert a cheese ball into the section of each ball and then flatten it into a patty that's about ¾ of an inch thick.
Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat. Drizzle the cast iron skillet with the oil and cook the burgers to your desired done.
Serve the burgers on the buns with the lettuce, tomato, onions, and the creamy burger sauce.
Bulgogi Steak and Corn Tacos are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start these tacos by marinating tender skirt steak in a sweet soy and sesame marinade. Then, I make some Korean-inspired Spicy Cheesey Corn. Finally, I add both of these to soft flour …
Summer Corn and Steak Salad is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making a fresh summer salad filled with steamed corn, farm stand tomatoes, baby arugula, and queso fresco. Then, I cook some tender and tasty rib eye steaks. Finally, …
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by braising tender short ribs in a spicy pepper broth. Then, I top crispy tortillas with the beef, pickled onions, cilantro and queso fresco. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that most of the components of these tostadas can be made a day or two in advance. Then, right before serving, all I have to do is toast the tortillas and assemble the tostadas. Secondly, I like that this beef birria freezes so well. And, lastly, we all love the rich beef birria, crispy tortillas, and creamy cheese.
The Equipment I Used
A Blender- You’ll need this to puree the chilies.
A Pot- I like to use my enameled cast iron Dutch oven to make the beef, but you can use an oven safe casserole. Just cover it with a lid or aluminum foil.
The Ingredients I Used
Short Ribs- I used short ribs for the birria, but you could also use chuck roast.
Chilies- You’ll need ancho and guajillo chilies to make the birria beef. I like the India Tree brand.
Chicken Stock- I always use my own homemade chicken stock. The recipe is below.
Tortillas- I use flour tortillas, but you can also use corn tortillas.
Queso Fresco- Store the leftover cheese in the freezer for next time.
Spices- Cinnamon, cumin, bay leaves, oregano and Cloves add lots of great flavor. But don’t worry neither one has a strong flavor. You will not notice their specific flavors. But they add great flavor to the beef. I don’t usually enjoy cinnamon in savory dishes, but in this case, it’s just perfect.
How I Made my Tostadas
First, I made the adobo sauce.
Then, I braised the beef.
Finally, I assembled the tostadas.
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions
Short ribs braised in adobo sauce and served on crisp tortillas with pickled onions and queso fresco.
½tsp. eachgarlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper
2bay leaves
2sprigs of fresh thyme
1cupchicken stock
To Assemble the Tostadas:
8six- inch flour tortillas
1tbsp.olive oil
1cupcrumbled queso fresco cheese
1lime, cut in wedges
1cupchopped cilantro
For the Pickled Onions:
1red onion, halved and thinly sliced
¼cuprice wine vinegar
2tsp.sugar
Instructions
Begin by making the adobo sauce: Remove the seeds and stems from the peppers and then toast them in a cast iron skillet on high heat for a few minutes, until you can smell their aroma.
In a three quart sauce pan boil the peppers along with two cups of water, for five minutes. Drain the peppers, and then put them in the blender along with two cups of fresh water, the vinegar, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
For the Birra beef topping: Dry off the short ribs and sprinkle them with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven on medium heat. Sear the ribs, a few at a time, on all sides. When they're all browned add them all back to the pot along with half the adobo sauce (you can freeze the rest for another use), the chicken stock, the bay leaves and the thyme. Cover the pot and bake them for three hours, or until they're very tender.
While the beef braises, make the Pickled Onions: Simply stir all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Also, right before serving, bake the tostada shells: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush the tortillas on both sides with the oil and bake on a sheet pan for ten minutes.
Remove the meat from pot and shred it. Pour the liquid in the pot into a measuring cup. The fat will rise to top. Remove and discard the fat. Put the beef in a bowl and stir in some of the liquid so that the beef is moist but not real drippy.
To assemble the tostadas: top each tortilla with some of the beef, cilantro, queso fresco, and pickled onions. Serve with lime wedges.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
Instructions
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps are one of our favorite appetizers. Sometimes I serve it as a party appetizer, but I also like to make it for a family dinner. I start this dish by marinating tender skirt steak in a Korean- inspired sesame marinade. Next, …