August 23, 2013

Recipe: Braised Short Ribs

One of my favorite dishes is Braised Short Ribs and this recipe is one that I've made repeatedly. When cooked low and slow, the meat should fall off the bone. Braised Short Ribs are rich, deep, tender, and so flavorful. My only gripe with it though is how labor intensive the entire cooking process is. The prep is not that bad but the cooking time is extensive and requires some babysitting while it's in the oven. After getting home from work, I can't cook it in one go unless I want to stay up all night. I keep in mind when I plan on eating it and spread out the steps over three days. I also never really make short ribs just for myself but always for a guest. However it's difficult to cook for a crowd because the French oven is only so large and while the meat shrinks down significantly, the bones take up a lot of oven space.

Braised Short Ribs
Inspired by Food & Wine and Simply Recipes
Serves 6

Ingredients
2 tbsp canola oil
12 beef short ribs, bone-in
salt and pepper
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, thickly sliced
1 750-ml bottle dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
4 thyme sprigs
3 cup chicken stock

Instructions
In a large French oven, heat the oil. Season the ribs with salt and pepper. Add them to the French oven and cook over medium heat, turning once, until browned and crusty. Transfer ribs to a plate.
Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the French oven and cook over low heat until soft and lightly browned. Add the wine and thyme and bring to a boil over high heat. Pour the marinade over the ribs or add the ribs back into the French oven. Let cool and refrigerate overnight, turning the ribs once.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Add the chicken stock to French oven and bring to boil. Cover and cook in the lower third of the oven for 1½ hours, until the meat is tender but not falling apart. Uncover and braise for 45 minutes longer, turning the ribs once or twice, until the sauce is reduced by about half and the meat is very tender.
Allow the ribs to cool in the liquid, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, remove the excess fat that has solidified at the top from overnight chilling. Cook the ribs over medium heat, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced by ¾ths. Continue to cook, spooning the sauce over the ribs, until the sauce is thick and ribs glazed. Serve over rice.

August 22, 2013

Roam Artisan Burgers Part 2

Roam Artisan Burgers is still a favorite. Always the French and Fries Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, and Allagash White.

French and Fries Burger; Tejano Burger; Sweet Potato Fries; Allagash White

August 18, 2013

Outside Lands 2013

Highlights: Pretty Lights, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Unicorn next to me, Nine Inch Nails, and Red Hot Chili Peppers



August 17, 2013

Artichoke

I heart succulents.
My succulent, named Artichoke, is thriving.

August 16, 2013

Zazie Part 2

The best part about having summers off is that I can go to popular restaurants on weekdays when there's minimal wait for tables.

This was my second time having brunch at Zazie. I had major ordering dilemma when I couldn't make up my mind on what to get because everything looked so good! I try to get something unique when I go out to restaurants because I want to eat something that I can't make myself at home. Usually I steer away from ordering eggs but this time, I had a major craving for scrambled eggs. I ordered the New York Scrambled Eggs: wild smoked salmon, green onions, and cream cheese. It came with salad and whole wheat toast as well. My friend ordered a poached egg dish that looked good too.

The last time I came to Zazie, I got the Challah French Toast, so this time I wanted to try the other must-try. I think I ate most of it, but my friend and I shared a half order of the French Toast Tahiti: challah stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts. I left so stuffed.

French Toast Tahiti: challah stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts; New York Scrambled Eggs: wild smoked salmon, green onions, and cream cheese

August 13, 2013

Rosamunde Sausage Grill

sausage + beer = happiness

Grilled Wild Boar (Apple & Spice) Sausage on a French Roll with Beef Chili and Hot Peppers

August 9, 2013

Tacolicious

Tacos at the Tacolicious stand at Outside Lands. Have yet to go to the restaurant.

2 Traditional Carnitas Tacos and 1 Shot-and-a-Beer Braised Chicken Taco