Soaking the hardwood is crucial for successful barbecue. As you may have learned while camping, wet wood produces lots of smoke--bad for camp-outs but just what you want for barbecue. For brisket and other relatively lean cuts, basting is necessary to keep the meat moist; any kind of high-quality beer will work well in this recipe. Hardwood chunks are ideal, since they burn slowly and produce gentle, consistent smoke.
You’ll want a tender “fryer” or “young” rabbit for this recipe; fryers typically weigh less than 3 pounds. Ask the butcher to cut the rabbit into six serving pieces, which makes this a simple dish you can prepare on a weeknight.
This dish is a fresh twist on the classic veal piccata. Although it has an air of elegance, this whole dish comes together in less than 15 minutes.
Skirt steak is a great choice for a weeknight meat craving: it cooks up super-fast and takes great to rubs. A few slices served with a plateful of veggies and whole grains brings something traditionally thought of as a nutritional no-no (steak) into a more nourishing category.
Talk about fast food. This quickie meal uses high quality store-bought ingredients, pantry spices, and fresh veggies to deliver an improved version of a fast-food staple. Nothing fancy here, but when your schedule is frenzied and you’re considering the drive-thru, consider this 20-minute DIY meal instead. Decrease the chipotle slightly if you’re serving less adventurous palates.
The inspiration for these burgers is somewhat obvious, but the tie to sustainability and healthy ecosystems might not be as clear. I was turned into a buffalo (bison) lover by Dan O'Brien, of Wild Idea Buffalo, who talked about bringing back bison in order to save his beloved South Dakota plains. The two, it seems, are healthiest when living together ... a perfect illustration of a thriving ecosystem.
This dish is supremely delish with roasted root veggies. Choosing heritage pork will mean even more flavor. I love leftovers in a sandwich slathered with mustard and dotted with bread and butter pickles.
Years back, my mother took a Chinese cooking course and learned this recipe. Our family, including my husband now, has loved it for years. Napa cabbage is terrific this time of year. A vegetarian version is simple to make by subbing the pork with black mushrooms and slivered carrots. And remember, practice makes perfect and imperfect still tastes wonderful, so have fun.
Nothing is more impressive on a holiday table than a roast prime rib of beef. Ask your butcher to prepare a 12-pound prime rib roast, with the fat cap left on and bones left in.
These carnitas are based on a recipe by Michele Anna Jordan that I've been using for years. Because the pork is braised in its own juice, these carnitas are much lighter than the traditional version which is cooked in ample fat. Serve with guacamole, lime wedges, salsa and a basket of hot tortillas.
The spirit of the harvest season, the richness of my mother's kitchen and an acknowledgment of my Heartland roots, all brought together in one enameled, cast iron casserole. ~Kurt Friese
When I lived on Corfu, souvlaki meant skewered cubes of grilled, marinated pork. But on a trip through Athens seeking out the best street food and mezedhes, we found this version to be utterly addictive; moist and tender with just the right amount of spice.
There's a chill in the air here in the Heartland, the kind of windy, rainy days that drill into your bones and create a hankerin' for a rib-sticking bowl of chili. It's also a great way to use up the last of your tomatoes and peppers, or to begin to use your new "puttin' ups" (as Kurt's grandma used to call them).
Braising renders tough cuts like these beef short ribs meltingly tender with relatively little hands-on cooking time (and the glaze makes the flavors even more intense). The ribs freeze beautifully, so cook up this extra large batch and stash half away for a later date.
One way of feeling like you're eating more when eating less is by serving it in a different form. Three of these "sliders" equates to about half the meat in a normal burger, yet they're so flavorful, satisfying and filling, you'll never miss the other half.
Spicy Hatch chiles have begun to arrive in markets across the country! These babies are key to Southwestern cooking, and they have a very short season. Stock up now, roast 'em and stash 'em in your freezer to enjoy throughout the year.
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