Ragus are labors of love. Start early in the day because a long simmer is necessary to meld the flavors. This is a modification of a Bobby Flay recipe — My family LOVES THIS DISH! Ingredients 4 pounds meaty beef short ribs 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 3 large carrots, peeled and diced 1 large yellow onion, finely diced 1 stalk celery, finely…
Author: cafebarber
Thai Noodle Salad
This is one of my favorite recipes with all of my favorite flavors, sweet, salty, peanutty, spicyI could eat this every single day for lunch. Ingredients Sesame Peanut Sauce: ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup sweet chili sauce 3 T.sesame oil 2 T. peanut butter 2 T. rice vinegar 1 T.chili crunch (or hot sauce of your choice) 4 cloves garlic minced 1 lime juiced Thai Noodle Salad 1 lb linguini or your…
Puree of Fresh Asparagus Soup with Lemon Cream
Years ago, we had an exchange student from France who was extremely homesick. For lunch one afternoon, I made this soup which we she loved. I gave her the recipe and for several years every spring, I received a photo of her eating a bowl the soup. I’ve lost track of her after so many…
My Fave Bread Dipping Oil
We’ve all enjoyed the Italian version for ages. This Middle Eastern version is my new favorite. 1/2 t. sumac 1 t. za’atar 1 t. dried oregano 1/4 t. (or to taste) Aleppo pepper 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 t. grated lemon zest 1 T. capers, chopped 1 T, Parmesan, microplaned pinch of salt and pepper…
Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread
My brother-in-law Tony’s cousins, Sheree and Chris Shone, have a beautiful winery called Brigadoon in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. We spent a really lovely afternoon there a couple of years ago, enjoying the wine, the scenery, and these delicious shortbread cookies for which Sheree generously shared the recipe. I make them for almost every…
Brown Butter and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Why did I never put brown butter in mashed potatoes before? Ingredients 3 lbs yukon gold potatoes (my fave) 4 cloves of garlic, crushed 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 cup milk Directions 1. Peel the potatoes, and cut into large chunks — the smaller the chunks, the more watery the potatoes. 2, Boil in a…
Coq au Vin Meatballs with Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes
I’ve been following a young woman, Tieghan Gerard, who has a blog called Half-Baked Harvest. Check out her website–so many delicious recipes. I’ve made a lot of her food, which are all easy and super rich in flavor . . . did I mention EASY? This is one of my favorites with a few of…
Skillet Roasted Ribeye Steak with an Herby Whiskey Cream Sauce
If you’ve been to our home for dinner more than once, you’ve probably had this steak. I already know this will be what I ask for as my final meal on Earth. Chef Billy Parisi (I’m a fan for life) used to have this recipe on his YouTube channel, but for some reason it…
Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad
I first saw this salad in The NY Times, and I made it that night years ago. What I love about it, is the flavor of the farro–which is cooked in apple cider with bay leaves, so I want to make the farro the star as opposed to the arugula. Don’t worry about the “fresh”…
Ina’s Lemon Skillet-Roasted Chicken
There’s something very zen about watching Ina cook anything. I know other people do a lot of the prep work, but it’s calming, there aren’t a billion ingredients, the food she and Jeffrey love, I love! We ought to be best friends, but then she doesn’t live in Cave Creek, Arizona. Still, I can’t think…
Soy-Glazed Flank Steak with Blistered Green Beans
1 lb. beef flank steak 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 T. finely chopped fresh ginger 2 T. soy sauce 1 t. brown sugar 3 T. peanut oil 1 lb. green beans, trimmed and halved 4 scallions, white parts only, thinly sliced 2 T. mirin 1 t. sambal Oelek toasted sesame seeds (optional) Cut the flank…
Shrimp and Cucumber Asian Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp, cucumber, and jasmine rice combine to make my favorite snack, lunch, dinner wrap. Super easy to make — just need a little planning to cook and cool the jasmine rice and steam the shrimp. Try it. You’ll LOVE it! 2 limes 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. freshly ground pepper 1 lb. medium shrimp, shelled,…
