Korean BBQ Short Ribs

I am eternally grateful to two former college roommates who introduced me to the best of Korean food. There’s nothing like the sweet-salty marinade of kalbi (or galbi), Korean BBQ short ribs. These are great on the grill, but this time I tried baking & broiling them and they were just as delicious. You can serve them up with white sticky rice and a sprinkling of green onions, or tucked inside lettuce wraps. Enjoy!

Wine-Braised Beef, Carrot, Daikon & Mushrooms

Spring’s dance has begun. She steps forward, beaming and bright; she retreats behind a sudden gust of cold air and mist. After a stretch of warm, sunny days, we have a chill in the air, another forecast of cold rain & snow. There’s still time before we put away the heavy blue dutch oven, still time to enjoy another comforting and hearty braise.

Boeuf Bourguignon, Tuscan Villa Style

I love the classic French Boeuf Bourguignon that Julia Child made famous in America, but with the six hours of prep/cooking time and the expensive bottle of wine it requires, it’s not exactly practical or budget-friendly for this home cook. My version here takes some shortcuts to get this flavorful, hearty, and elegant stew on the table in well under three hours, and I’ve also taken the liberty of substituting a smooth, dry Italian Tuscan wine (sacré bleu!) for the traditional (heavier) French Burgundy. It’s what I love to drink with a fancy dinner anyway, and there are plenty of great bottles for $15 or less. My favorite budget Tuscan is Nobile di Montepulciano, and it works beautifully here to create a stew fit for Tuscan nobles in their wintry villas. Buon Appetito!

Allspice Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

All home cooks need a hearty stew in their arsenal, for those days when the simple steps of chopping, simmering, and stirring bring back a sense of calm and sanity, when the savory aromas wafting from your kitchen impart comfort, and warm oodles of nourishment can be ladled out and enjoyed by the bowlful.