THE VILLAGE VOICE

"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination."  ~ Terri Guillemets MEDITERRANEAN BEEF STEW with ROSEMARY This wonderful tasty recipe created by Kalyn Denny at KalynsKitchen.com  tried several times, perfect for tonight ... the last night of WINTER 8  oz. sliced mushrooms 1-2  Tbsp. olive oil  1  diced onion in 1/2 inch pieces 2  lbs. diced chick steak, cut into 1/2 inch pieces  1  cup beef stock 1   14.5 oz can diced tomatoes 1/2  cup tomato sauce 1/4  cup balsamic vinegar 1 can sliced black olives 1/2  cup thinly sliced garlic cloves 2  Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 Tbsp. dried) 2  Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (or 1 Tbsp. dried) 1  Tbsp. capers (or more to taste) freshly ground black pepper Heat small  amount of olive oil in heavy frying pan, add mushrooms and saute se...

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show." ~ Andrew Wyeth Bare Bones of Winter (Hubbard Lake, MI) BEEF CARBONNADE ~ Hearty rich Belgian beef stew with sweet caramelized onions and dark beer, perfect for a cold winter's eve ... ( The Silver Palate Cookbook ) 1/4 pound bacon 2 very large yellow onions, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, peeled and thinly sliced 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 cup unbleached flour 1 Tbsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 3 pounds beef stew meat (chuck is best), cubed vegetable oil ( optional ) 2 cups imported dark beer chopped parsley (garnish) Coarsely dice the bacon and saute in large skillet until crisp and brown. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Add onions to skillet and cook in rendered bacon fat until tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover skillet, raise heat, and sprinkl...

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." ~ Gertrude S. Wister PERFECT BEEF STROGANOFF "Beef is the soul of cooking." ~ Marie Antoine Careme _________________ 3 pounds beef tenderloin 6 Tbsp. butter 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 pound (1/4 inch sliced) fresh mushrooms 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. meat-extract paste 1 Tbsp. ketchup 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) organic beef stock 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill (1 heaping tsp. dried dill weed) 1 1/2 cup sour cream 2 12-ounce fresh or dried spinach noodles (or 2 cups cooked wild rice tossed with 4 cups cooked white) additional fresh snipped dill or parsley Trim fat from beef. Cut filet crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Cut each slice, across grain into 1/2-inch thick strips. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly heat large heavy skillet. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter a...

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories." ~ From the movie An Affair to Remember MOONSET/SUNSET (January 21, 2011) __________________________ RYE BRISKET with VEGETABLES (30 year old recipe adapted from Bon Appetit) Whole brisket (8 pounds) 2 large chopped onions 2 cloves crushed garlic 2 packages onion soup mix 1 bottle chili sauce 1 can beer 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 3 slices rye bread 8-12 large carrots cracked pepper chopped parsley Rub brisket with garlic and place on bed of chopped onion in tight covered roasting pan. In order over brisket sprinkle fresh pepper, Worcestershire sauce, soup mix, chili sauce, and beer. Lay carrots around brisket. Tear bread in small pieces and tuck under brisket so liquid is covering bread. Cover and place in oven at 350 º for 45 minutes. Reduce oven to 275º and cook for 2 hours and 15 minutes or until done. (Check to see if bread is covered by liquid). Remove and cool. Slice and arrange meat and carro...

" SMALL CHEER AND GREAT WELCOME MAKES A MERRY FEAST." ~ SHAKESPEARE ___________ ________________ GRILLED HERB TENDERLOIN ~ Succulent beef smothered in fresh herbs adapted from Food & Wine (July 2006) * (4 1/2 lb.) trimmed beef tenderloin 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 6 cloves minces garlic 2 Tbsp. coarsely cracked black pepper 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh marjoram 2 tsp. coarse salt Fold thin end of tenderloin under roast to make meat an even thickness. Tie at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Combine olive oil, garlic, pepper, thyme , rosemary, marjoram and salt. Rub the herb oil over roast and refrigerate 2-4 hours. Bring to room temperature before grilling. Grill roast over moderate high heat coals, turning occasionally until nicely charred, about 30 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice roast 1/2-inch thick and place on large platter surrounde...

~ Simply wonderful ( Lilium speciosum ' Uchida ') _____________________ PEPPERED GRILLED TENDERLOIN with Jack Daniel's Sauce * 4 (8-oz) beef tenderloin steaks 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary 1 Tbsp. fresh marjoram 1 Tbsp. freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 Tbsp. Jack Daniel's whiskey fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish Sauce: 4 Tbsp. minced shallots 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 1/2 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup organic beef stock 1/2 cup red wine 1/2 cup Jack Daniel's whiskey Rub steaks with herbs and pepper. Combine olive oil and whiskey. Pour over steaks. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Meanwhile, prepare sauce. Boil shallots, vinegar, pepper, beef stock, red wine and whiskey. Bring to boil and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup. (Can make ahead) Remove steak from marinade. Grill to desired doneness and let rest. Serve with Jack Daniel's sauce, garnished with fresh rosemary sprig...

FIESTA SHRIMP COCKTAIL ~ Jalapeno peppers give it a kick * 30 chilled cooked & deveined shrimp with tails 4 chopped and seeded plum tomatoes 1/2 coarsely chopped red onion 1 seeded jalapeno pepper 2 cloves garlic 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. freshly cracked pepper pinch coarse salt 1 large diced ripe avocado lime slices for garnish Process tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, cayenne, salt & cracked pepper in food processor; coarsely chop. Blend in avocado . Either spoon into 6 individual cocktail glasses or one large glass bowl. Arrange chilled shrimp around edge of glass. (six servings) __________________ MUSTARD BOURBON BEEF TENDERLOIN ~ perfect for Derby Day * 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup Bourbon 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 bunch minced green onions 3 cloves minced garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary freshly cracked pepper 1 (4 1/2 - ...

"Laughter is brightest where food is best." ~ Irish Proverb ____________________________ ~ Make a wish _______________________ MUM'S IRISH STEW ~ Mum wasn't Irish but cooked with plenty of laughter and love *** 4-5 pounds (1-inch chunks) stew beef 1/2 cup flour seasoned with coarse salt, cracked pepper, garlic power & thyme 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 stick unsalted butter 2 chunky chopped fat onions 2 cups chopped celery 6 cups organic beef broth 1 bottle of Guinness beer 1 cup red wine 1 small can tomato paste 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbsp. Kitchen Bouquet 1 Tbsp. Lawry's Seasoned Pepper 2 Tbsp. dried thyme 2 Tbsp. dried parsley 1-2 pounds chunky chopped peeled potatoes 1 pound diagonally sliced peeled carrots 1 1/2 cup frozen peas Fresh chopped parsley Shake meat in seasoned flour. In heavy stock pot, brown meat in batches using olive oil & butter as needed. Remove and set aside. In same pan, brown onion and celery. Ret...

WEATHER REPORT: WIND ~ SLEET ~ SNOW "Carefully done, and perfectly flavored, it is certainly one of the most delicious beef dishes concocted by man, and can well be the main course for a buffet dinner." ~ Julia Child __________________ BEEF BOURGUIGNON 3 pounds chuck or sirloin tip cut into large cubes 1/2 pound diced bacon 1/3 cup flour 5 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil salt & cracked black pepper 1 coarsely chopped onion 3 cloves coarsely chopped garlic 1/4 cup cognac 2 diagonally sliced carrots 1 pound sliced mushrooms or small mushroom caps 1 heaping tsp. thyme 1 heaping tsp. marjoram 24 small pearl onions 3-4 cups good Burgundy wine juice of 1 lemon 1 bay leaf freshly chopped parsley Brown diced bacon. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside. Toss and coat beef with flour, salt & pepper. Brown in batches in butter and olive oil and bacon drippings. Remove and set aside. Sauté onion and garlic. Deglaze pan with cognac, scraping down browned bits. Ad...

~ All in a Row (Sunday afternoon ice-fishing on Hubbard Lake) ______________ PERFECT BEEF STROGANOFF "Beef is the soul of cooking." ~ Marie Antoine Careme ===== 3 pounds beef tenderloin 6 Tbsp. butter 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 pound (1/4 inch sliced) fresh mushrooms 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. meat-extract paste 1 Tbsp. ketchup 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) organic beef stock 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill ( 1 heaping tsp. dried dill weed) 1 1/2 cup sour cream 2 12-ounce fresh or dried spinach noodles (or 2 cups cooked wild rice tossed with 4 cups cooked white ) additional fresh snipped dill or parsley Trim fat from beef. Cut filet crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Cut each slice, across grain into 1/2-inch thick strips. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly heat large heavy skillet. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter and just enough beef strips to cover skillet bottom. Over high heat, sear quickly on all si...