The Cooking Thread

[sonnyboy11]

Assuming my advice is a bit late here, but bay leaves, thyme and red wine are good flavor enhancers for beef stew. Garlic powder can also pop it up a bit.

[Courtney]

I agree with the above, although I tend to prefer minced fresh garlic cloves over garlic powder. I also wouldn't underestimate the value of a good mirepoix base. And LOTS OF TIME to let the flavor profile develop.

[sonnyboy11]

I agree with the above, although I tend to prefer minced fresh garlic cloves over garlic powder. I also wouldn't underestimate the value of a good mirepoix base. And LOTS OF TIME to let the flavor profile develop.

I kind of second guessed myself on whole cloves of garlic. I think if it's part of the original recipe, it's good to use it. I went with powder simply as an enhancer to overall flavor in a pinch. But mostly agree that when using garlic, fresh is best.

[HowToDisappear]

I haven't made cream puffs in years (decades?), and suddenly felt compelled to. Pastry cream, too. Both turned out delectable. Mmmmm... dessert to watch the season opener of Downton Abbey by.

[TomAz]

I agree with the above, although I tend to prefer minced fresh garlic cloves over garlic powder. I also wouldn't underestimate the value of a good mirepoix base. And LOTS OF TIME to let the flavor profile develop.

mirepoix. heart heart heart.

[HowToDisappear]

I'm roasting Kalua pig for the first time today. Spent the morning at three different Asian markets, looking for ti leaves and banana leaves (all the people I know who had banana trees in their yards have since removed them). No luck. I know florists carry ti leaves, but gave up and didn't want to drive to yet another store. Trying a trick one recipe suggested: place whole bananas on the pork and then wrap tightly in foil. I'm eager to see how it turns out.

Will make cabbage, sticky rice and macaroni salad, too, of course. HAWAIIAN PLATE LUNCH TONIGHT OOH YEAH

[algunz]

Just an FYI, I didn't do anything and I just let the stew stew. It turned out delicious. I'm going to try some of your other suggestions for recipes soon though, cuz it was so easy.

[canexplain]

Just an FYI, I didn't do anything and I just let the stew stew. It turned out delicious. I'm going to try some of your other suggestions for recipes soon though, cuz it was so easy.

Cool did you take pics? What I like to do sometimes for "beef stew" is put cut up ribs in water and cook over night. Then put the entire ribs in the stew and later the servings (the bones are so big you won't swallow them and it makes for a good presentation). The meat is super tender and ribs tend to be cheaper than some cuts. I usually use rib eye in my stews so a friggin pot of stew costs over $40. Complain complain, oh well. Glad yours came out. cr****

[Shaxspear]

2 tbsp. unbleached APF
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp salt
1 tsp + 3 tsp chili powder (divided use)
2 lbs lean beef, cut into 1" cubes
2 med onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 28oz can whole tomatoes, broken into pieces and undrained
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 small potatoes, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped

In large bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt and 1 tsp chili powder; add in beef and mix until well coated
Place beef in crock pot and add garlic and veg.; pour in tomatoes and their juices; add remaining chili powder and red pepper flakes.

******Cover and cook on high for 8-10 hours.******

Makes 8 servings

8-10 hours seems a little long for the high setting.

I just made stew the other day. Heat up some oil in the french oven. Brown some beef cubes lightly dusted in flour. Take them out once browned and then soften some veg in the remaining oil (carrots, potato, yam, turnip, celery, onion). Deglaze the pot with some red wine, scrape off the brown flavor bits on the bottom and add a couple tablespoons of tomato paste. Top up the pot with some nice beef stock, throw in a bouquet (thyme, rosemary, parsley, bay leaves), and season with salt, pepper and chili flakes. Throw it in the oven at 300 for a couple of hours until the beef is nice and tender. Thicken it to your liking with a roux. Tastes even better warmed up the next day

[canexplain]

8-10 hours seems a little long for the high setting.

I just made stew the other day. Heat up some oil in the french oven. Brown some beef cubes lightly dusted in flour. Take them out once browned and then soften some veg in the remaining oil (carrots, potato, yam, turnip, celery, onion). Deglaze the pot with some red wine, scrape off the brown flavor bits on the bottom and add a couple tablespoons of tomato paste. Top up the pot with some nice beef stock, throw in a bouquet (thyme, rosemary, parsley, bay leaves), and season with salt, pepper and chili flakes. Throw it in the oven at 300 for a couple of hours until the beef is nice and tender. Thicken it to your liking with a roux. Tastes even better warmed up the next day

Yumm sounds good and easy. One thing you said "Tastes even better warmed up the next day." Where is the line for local, fresh that day, not pre-made, all of those things people and restaurants are promoting these days. There are a number of foods that taste better after not only a few hours but days me thinks. Just confusing sometimes. cr****

[Shaxspear]

I personally find that foods that were once considered "peasant" food that use less expensive ingredients and sit in a sauce tend to be the kind of dishes that taste better the next day. Stew, chili, cassoulet etc.

[canexplain]

I personally find that foods that were once considered "peasant" food that use less expensive ingredients and sit in a sauce tend to be the kind of dishes that taste better the next day. Stew, chili, cassoulet etc.

True but not always peasant.... nothing like a prime cut of beef, dry aged for weeks , yummy..... I used to be a vegan, yikes .... cr****

[miscorrections]

Last I checked really nice cuts of beef are not inexpensive and do not sit in sauce and do not taste better the day after cooking.

[canexplain]

Last I checked really nice cuts of beef are not inexpensive and do not sit in sauce and do not taste better the day after cooking.

Agree but even the old cheap cuts of steak, skirt and flank seem to be not inexpensive (double negative ?) I consider any ribs to be a cheap cut.
AMERICAN WAGYU DRY AGED RIB CHOP
$141.75
That's online price, yikes. It says "But it can feed TWO" .... cr****

[canexplain]

At those prices, this sounds like a deal..... cr****


MARROW BONES (SPLIT) - (12 Per Pack)
$35.00

4 inch center cut marrow bones split. Perfect for Roasted Marrow Bone" to accompany a great steak or roast. And don't forget to serve it with Fleur de Sel sea salt

[Shaxspear]

Yeah you kind of went outside of what I was saying. Dry aging any cut of meat (outside of doing it yourself) will definitely put the price up by quite a bit.

[Courtney]

Who buys meat online?

[canexplain]

Who buys meat online?

My sis who lives in Paso Robles buys steaks from the Omaha Steak Co online .....I shop Costco ... cr****

[miscorrections]

Why would she do that? The central coast is cow country, there are tons of excellent butchers.

[Tubesock Shakur]

Seriously Ron. Costco? There are so many excellent butchers here in Colorado at a way cheaper price than Costco. You live in a fucking cow town.

[Tubesock Shakur]

The western stock show is here...... The Super Bowl of meat.

[canexplain]

Why would she do that? The central coast is cow country, there are tons of excellent butchers.

Ask her, cost is never an issue with her so who knows? I don't advise. And I don't go to local butchers because: a) I am cheap b) I think food is overrated and sometimes just a waste of time and money. Sleep runs a close 2nd. cr****

[Courtney]

I like to buy from local vendors when at all possible... but shit gets pricey quickly.

In other news, making polenta for the first time tonight.

[miscorrections]

Polenta is really easy! And so nummy.

[fatbastard]

Sorry for the blurry pic, but this was my first attempt ever at making rack of lamb. I made it for Christmas dinner, only to find out that most of my family doesn't eat lamb. Out of 17 slices, only 5 were eaten.

Having only 5 of the 17 would not have been a problem. I would of had the remaining slices cold with red wine for breakfast.

[canexplain]

Here it is about 100 in the morning and I think I want to do something with this bunch of Langostinos I have. Maybe a simple cocktail or maybe panko fried and dipped in butter ..... hummm .... cr****

[Courtney]

Hey, here's another bad, blurry cell phone picture. But anyway.

I made Chicken Scarpariello (using rosemary from the front yard and substituting in fresh peppers) and Creamy Polenta with Kale and Ricotta. YUM.

[Shaxspear]

Hell yes

[algunz]

That looks delicious.

[canexplain]

This is what I eventually did with my dumb lobster:


4 tbsps butter (1 tablespoon for greasing dish)
kosher salt
1 lb penne pasta
2 shallots (finely chopped)
2 cloves chopped garlic
black pepper (freshly ground)
2 tbsps tomato paste
5 tbsps all-purpose flour
14 cup white wine
4 cups heavy cream
12 tsp sweet paprika
14 tsp cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
2 cups cheddar (shredded sharp white)
2 cups gruyere (shredded)
16 ozs lobster (raw, tails defrosted if frozen meat removed from shell chopped) I used Langostino because it was much cheaper.
14 cup panko bread crumbs
14 cup parsley leaves (freshly chopped.

It was pretty darn good but to tell you the truth, for breakfast we had hash browns,sunny side up eggs, chicken fried steak, and gravy and I enjoyed that down home meal more. cr****