Beef Guisantes

One of the yummiest yet simple to prepare beef dish.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo beef Sirloin ( sliced thinly)
1 (280can  green peas ( guisantes)
1 onion ( diced)
3 cloves garlic ( minced)
2 tomatoes (diced)
3/4 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
salt and pepper to taste


Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic, tomato and onion then add the beef and simmer until the pinkish color is gone. Then add the water and simmer until the meat is tender.
2. Add the tomato sauce, soy sauce, salt and pepper then give a good stir and simmer until the meat is tender then add the green peas and simmer for a minute and turn off the heat.
3. Serve with a smile :-).

Kare-Kare

"Kare-kare is a Philippine stew. It is made from a base of stewed oxtail (sometimes this is the only meat used), pork hocks, calves feet, pig feet, beef stew meat; and occasionally offal, or tripe. Vegetables, which include (but are not limited to): eggplant, Chinese cabbage, or other greens, daikon, green beans, and asparagus beans are added - usually equaling or exceeding the amount of meats. The stew is flavored with ground roasted peanuts or peanut butter, onions, and garlic. The stew is colored with annatto(extracted from annatto seeds in oil or water), and can be thickened with toasted or plain ground rice.[1] Other flavorings may be added, but the dish is usually quite plain, compared to other Filipino dishes as other seasonings are added at the table. Other variants may include goat meat or (rarely) chicken. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, bagoong guisado (spiced and sautéed shrimp paste), and sprinkled with calamansi juice. Traditionally, any Filipino fiesta (particularly in Pampanga region) is not complete without kare-kare."
Learn more about kare-kare by visiting the link below.
Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kare-kare

Ingredients:
1 kilo ox tail ( buntot ng baka) cut into serving pieces
1 tablespoon annato powder ( atsuete)
1 1/2 onion ( minced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 pieces eggplant
4 cups stock
1 bunch string beans
1 banana heart ( cut into wedges)
3/4 1/2 cup peanut butter
salt and pepper tot aste

Procedure:
1. Put the ox tail in a deep pot and put enough water to cover, bring to a boil and simmer until tender. When tender, remove from the stock and reserve the stock to use later.
2. Saute the garlic and onion then add the atsuete powder and stir, add the stock and bring to a boil, once boiling add the banana heart and simmer for 4 minutes then add the meat, and simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Add the eggplant and string beans and simmer until half cooked, add the peanut butter, salt and pepper to taste then simmer until done.
4. Serve with sauteed shrimp paste and enjoy.

Note: You can add pechay for this recipe and 1/4 cup toasted flour for thicker gravy or sauce

Kusahos

Kusahos is an Ilonggo  way of preserving meat by sun drying it. After drying it, it's fried and ready to be served. It is very tasty. I learned this from my Ilonggo relatives when  I was younger, during the time when there's no electricity yet in my town. :-).

Ingredients for 4 servings:
1/2 kilo beef tenderloin ( slice thinly)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
3 cloves garlic ( minced)

Procedure:
1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well then dry under the sun.

3. When it's dried it's ready to be fried.

4. Fry until done then serve it hot. You can top it with toasted garlic.

Lemon Grass Meat Lollipop

A fragrant ground meat dish that is so delicious, aromatic in every bite.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo ground beef
1 big onion ( chopped)
1 big potato ( diced)
1 big carrot ( diced)
1 small bell pepper ( diced)
1 cup flour
2 eggs beaten ( seperate each)
1 cup bread crumps
salt and pepper to taste
7 lemon grass stalks ( tanglad) ( washed properly) cut in the middle and pounded a bit.

Lemon grass stalks, pounded and cut in the middle for a nice aroma

Procedure:
1. Combine the meat, carrot, potato, bell pepper, onion, 1 egg, flour, salt and pepper, mix well, then divide into 6 or 7 portions then put in lemon grass stalk, pressed well to make a strong hold.

 2. Dip in a beaten egg, then coat with bread crumbs.

3. Deep fry until golden brown then serve it hot.

Note: Fry over medium heat to ensure that the inner part is evenly cooked.

lemon grass

Beef Pares

Pares means pair, that's why this popular beef dish is always serve with either steamed or garlic rice and extra broth, that is the pares (pair) for this.

 Ingredients for 4 servings:
1/2 kilo beef brisket
7 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce ( add if needed)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 minced onion
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 cups broth ( add if needed)
2 pieces star anise
2 teaspoon corn starch dissolved in 1/4 cup water

Procedure:
1. Put the water and the beef in a pot then boil it for 2 hours or until really tender, if pressure cooker is available you can boil it for 30 minutes. When it is tender remove the beef, set aside and reserve the broth.
2.Saute ginger, garlic and onion then add the beef , soy sauce, black pepper and sugar then stir well and simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Add 4 cups of beef broth, anise and salt to taste, then bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the cornstarch mixture while stirring to avoid it from forming lumps, then simmer until it thickens and turn off the heat.
5. Serve it with rice and extra beef broth, enjoy!

Mely's Kitchen Beef Caldereta

Creamy and delicious caldereta prepared with love from my kitchen :-).

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo beef tenderloin ( but you can use any part that you like)
2 potatoes
1 carrot
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
2 big tomatoes
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup sliced chorizo
bell pepper
1/2 cup Nestle cream
2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic onion and tomatoes then add the beef, allow to simmer until the pinkish color of the meat is gone.

2. Add the tomato sauce then simmer for a minute, add the water and simmer until the meat is tender.( Add water if necessary)
3. Add the carrots and potatoes then stir and simmer until half cooked.
4. Add the salt, pepper, pineapple and chorizo then simmer for few minutes to enhance the flavor.
5. Add the bell pepper and Nestle cream then simmer until done, add salt and pepper to taste, simmer and turn off the heat.
6. Top with hard boiled egg before serving. Enjoy!

How to Roast Tenderloin in the Oven

One of the best cuts in beef is the tenderloin. I just wanna try how to roast this whole tenderloin in an oven and I liked the result, it is juicy and tender. This is best to prepare if you have big family event.

Ingredients:
1 kilo beef tenderloin
2 limes
1/4 cup soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoons oregano powder

Procedure:
1. Prick the tenderloin with fork, then squeeze the lime allover the meat and sprinkle the oregano powder.
2. Add the soy sauce,  salt and pepper then marinate the meat overnight.

3. Preheat the oven  then set it to 180C , and roast the beef for 60 minutes
4. When it is done, slice it and serve hot with your favorite sauce. Enjoy your food :-)

Note: cooking time depends upon the thickness of the meat.I cooked this well done, it's up to you if you want it rare, medium rare, etc.

Beef Sinigang

Beef sinigang is one of my family's favorite beef dish, with the exact sourness from tamarind ( either from fresh or instant) mmmmmmm really an appetite booster.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo beef ( any part that you like)
6 okra
1/4 kilo yam ( gabi)
1 tomato
2 eggplant
1 onion
1 small sachet sinigang mix
cayene pepper or siling haba
6 cups water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. In a pot put the beef, onion, tomato, gabi and chili then cook over medium heat until it simmers, let simmer until the pinkish color of the meat is gone, then add the water and bring to a boil, simmer until the meat is tender.
2. When the meat is tender increase the heat then add the eggplant and okra, simmer until tender then put the sinigang mix and simmer, add salt and pepper if needed.
3. Serve hot with rice.

Note: You can add kangkong, string beans for this recipe.

Nature's Best Beef Stew

A beef stew cooked with 100 % natural spices, I used fresh tomatoes for this recipe, an excellent flavored stew that you will surely like. Healthy and yummy.

Ingredients for 5 servings:
1/2 kilo beef (tnderloin)
4 cloves garlic
1 onion
3 big tomatoes
2 potatoes
2 carrots
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon atsuete powder ( annatto)
3 cups water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the tomatoes and saute until soften.

2. Add the atsuete powder and stir well, then add the beef and simmer until the pinkish color is gone.
3. Add the water and bring to a boil, then simmer the beef until tender.
4. Add the carrots and potatoes then simmer until tender. Add salt and pepper to taste then the bread crumbs to thicken the sauce and simmer until done.
5. Serve it hot.

Beef Broccoli

An easy to prepare dish that is great to serve with rice. The oyster sauce made the taste tangy and delicious.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
1/2 kilo broccoli
1/4 kilo beef
1/4 cup oyster sauce
3 cloves garlic
1 onion
1/2 cup water ( add if needed)
salt and pepper  if needed

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the beef and stir until the pinkish color is gone.
2. Add the water and simmer the beef until tender.
3. Increase the heat, then add the broccoli, give it a good stir and simmer until almost done.
4 Add the oyster sauce and stir it, add salt and pepper if needed then turn off the heat.

5. Serve it hot.

Ox Feet Adobo

If you love adobo you have to try this recipe, it is really delicious, the melting sensation of the skin when you bite it, is so satisfying and will make you crave for more, so eat in moderation :-).

Ingredients for 5 servings:
1 kilo ox feet ( paa ng baka) - boiled and already tender ( 20-30 minutes in a pressure cooker)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
4 cloves garlic
1 cup broth from the ox feet

Procedure:
1.Saute the garlic then add the cooked ox feet
2. Add the soy sauce and ground pepper then then simmer until the ox feet absorbed the soy sauce color, add the vinegar, cover and let simmer. Do not mix until the vinegar boils so that the texture of the meat will be nice and smooth.
3. Once boiling mix well, then add the broth and continue to simmer for 3 minutes then increase the heat to high, allowing the soup to simmer intensely until the consistency of the soup is thick like a sauce then turn off the heat.
4.Serve it hot.

Beef Salpicao

A succulent beef dish with a perfect blending of all the spices being used, making the flavor so tangy so make sure that the rice is enough. :-).


Ingredients for 2 servings:
1/4 kilo beef tenderloin (Sliced into cubes)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cloves garlic ( Sliced and toasted)
1 tablespoons lemon juice or calamansi
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
oil

Toasted garlic

Procedure:
1. Marinate the beef with soy sauce, lemon juice, ground pepper and sugar for at least 30 minutes, remove from the marinade but set aside the marinade, then fry the beef until golden brown.
2.In a pan heat an oil then put the fried beef and the toasted garlic ( leave some garlic for toppings) then add the ,marinade and allow to simmer for few 3 minutes stirring occasionally.  If marinade is not enough to give a sauce just add some soy sauce and lemon jauce according to your taste.
3. Top with toasted garlic before serving.

Bistek without Soy Sauce

I have lots of friends who do not use soy sauce for health reasons, and cooking a dish that calls for soy sauce to intensify the color of the meat so that it will not pale looking is a problem. I hope this problem will be ended today by following the technique that I used here by browning the onion which I learned from my friend Miss Sheru.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo beef tenderloin ( sliced thinly)
3 tablespoons of calamansi or lemon juice
2 medium size onion ( 1 sliced into rings, 1 minced)
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Marinate the beef with the juice, salt and pepper for few hours, then remove, and reserve the marinade.
2. Fry the beef and set aside.

 

3. Saute the  minced onion until brownish then add the marinade to intensify its color and will make the sauce darker. Then add the water and simmer for 2 minutes.

4. Add the ring onion and fried beef then simmer until done. Serve hot with rice.

Red Wine Braised Beef and Sunchoke Creamed Spinach

why, helloooo sexy

When Steven and I went to the local outlet mall, I never expected to come home with a 13 pound addition to the kitchen. I didn’t even want to go inside the Le Creuset store because it’s just filled with gorgeous things I can't afford. *siiigh* Why bother? But Steven convinced me to take a peek and I’m sure glad he did because there happened to be a sale, a damn good one! The 5 1/2 quart Dutch oven was on sale for $150! Holy crap, what a freakin' steal! You bet I'm gonna get one. There was some inner turmoil about whether to get the original Flame or the sexy Cherry Red. It couldn't have been more perfect timing because the enamel on my Chefmate Dutch oven started chipping off. $40 for a pot that only lasted me 2 years or $150 for a lifetime warranty?



The original plan was to get some lamb shanks or beef short ribs (inspired by Jen’s beautiful recipe) to christen the shiny new pot but neither of them were on sale. Instead, I got a chuck 7 bone roast, which is still pretty tasty. Our last CSA box had a bunch of good stuff, asparagus, sunchokes, and spinach. I roasted the asparagus in the toaster oven and made sunchoke creamed spinach after being inspired by Harold Dieterele’s recipe on Top Chef.

I'll have to try this recipe again with the lamb shanks like I originally planned.

Red Wine Braised Beef

1 oz. dried porcinis
4 large sprigs of parsley including stems
2 - 3 large thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
2 pounds chuck roast or short ribs
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, diced
1 rib celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 C dry red wine
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Water as needed

Pour a cup of hot water over the dried porcinis to rehydrate them. When they are soft, use a fork to fish them out of the liquid, saving the liquid, wash them to get rid of excess dirt and grit, and mince. Wet a coffee filter or paper towel and line a fine mesh sieve. Strain the porcini water to get rid of excess dirt. The wet filter will prevent it from absorbing the flavorful porcini liquid.

Tie the herbs in a bundle with some twine so they’re easy to pick out later.

Season the beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides. In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Brown the chuck roast (or short ribs, or shanks) until it is browned on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium and add the vegetables, some salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened and translucent and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the porcinis, garlic, and tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste has started to caramelize slightly. Add the porcini water, red wine, and return the beef and any accumulated juices back into the pot. Lower the heat to a bare simmer, cover and let it braise for 2 – 3 hours or until the meat is fall off the bone tender. Add some water if there's not enough liquid in the pot.

When the beef is done braising, remove from the pan and turn the heat up to medium and reduce the sauce by half.

Sunchoke Creamed Spinach
8 oz. sunchokes, washed and peeled, and cut into ½ inch chunks
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 C heavy cream + 1/2 C water
1/2 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp lemon juice
2 large bunches of spinach, rinsed of all grit and dirt
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the sunchokes until they are light brown on the edges. Add half cup of heavy cream and half cup of water and simmer on very low heat until the sunchokes are tender, about 15 – 20 minutes. Puree the sunchokes in a blender or food processor, add some of the cream they were cooked in to thin the mixture.

In skillet heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the spinach until it is wilted. Pour out until accumulated juices in the pan and use a spatula and press out as much liquid from the spinach as you can. Fold in the sunchoke puree, lemon zest, juice and season with salt and pepper.

Beef and Sausage Meatloaf with Roasted Bell Peppers

So many recipes end up in the blog post graveyard because I couldn’t remember how I made it. I never write anything down because I always think I’ll remember everything but two weeks later, I'm racking my brains trying to figure out if it was 1 or 2 teaspoons of x, y, and z. I’ve had this meatloaf sandwich photo in my photostream for over two months because I neglected to write down the recipe the last time I made it. I finally got around to making it again and this time I was extra meticulous in measuring and weighing ingredients. Steven volunteered to be the kitchen scribe so this recipe finally made it down on paper. The roasted bell pepper makes it extra special but I understand if you don’t want to go through the trouble. The best part is the crisp bacon wrapping, that’s something you absolutely can’t skip. I will use any excuse to add bacon to something, preferably copious amounts of bacon. This recipe has one loooong ingredients list but it’s so worth it!

The leftovers are just as good, especially in sandwiches. I prefer hot meatloaf sandwiches, I could never get behind cold meatloaf. I cut the meatloaf into thick slices and sear them in a skillet and sauté some mushrooms and onions. Then all of that gets piled on two slices of thick sourdough with shredded pepper jack or white cheddar, ketchup and mustard, and slowly toasted in a skillet with lots of butter until the cheese is melty and bread is golden. Good times.

I also recently started using Twitter because it seems like the cool thing to do. Actually, I registered my username a few weeks ago but never got around to setting it up. Mysteriously, I started getting followers of my empty Twitter, which pressured/prompted me to try to make things more interesting for all 4 followers. :) Anyway, so if you want to hear me tweet about classes, exams, and food aka my life in three words (more like bitch about the first two and go on incessantly about the third) you can follow me at @nookandpantry. I'm still a total noob at this twitter business so bear with me.

Beef and Sausage Meatloaf with Roasted Bell
Pepper
1 large red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and diced
8 oz. extra lean ground beef
8 oz. Italian sausage
1/2 large diced onion chopped, roughly 3/4 C cup chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C chopped Italian/flat leaf parsley
1/3 C old-fashioned or quick oatmeal
1 large egg
1/4 C sour cream
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp oregano
Tabasco a few shakes to taste
6 - 8 slices of bacon, preferably thick cut

Roast the bell pepper on the stovetop or under the broiler, cut the bell pepper so it lays flat on a baking tray and broil on the top rack until the skin blisters and blackens. Let it sit until it is cool enough to handle before peeling off the skin then dice the roasted pepper. Set aside to cool.

Heat 1 tsp of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and a big pinch of salt and cook until the onions are translucent and soft. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.

Mix all of the ingredients – beef, sausage, cooked vegetables, fillers, and flavorings in a large bowl. Turn the meat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a loaf form. Wrap the loaf with bacon, tucking the ends under the loaf. Bake at 375 degrees until the internal temperature is 165 degrees and the bacon is crisp, about an hour. Let it rest for 15 minutes before cutting.

Serve with ketchup because you can't have meatloaf without ketchup.

Corned Beef Hash

The best part about corned beef is the leftovers but the hardest part is deciding whether to make corned beef hash or Reubens. Steven and I didn't want to choose this year so after making corned beef hash, Steven and I visited some of Seattle's finest Reuben establishments. Project Reuben is currently incomplete so that will be a story for another day.

St. Paddy's day is long over but hopefully some stores are still selling corned beef. All you really need for corned beef hash is corned beef, onions, and potatoes. I added the red bell pepper to make it a little more interesting and it adds a nice color. I would have preferred Yukon Golds but I had some neglected Russets that needed to be used. Since Steven and I are unabashed carnivores, not only do we have to have a high corned beef-to-everything-else ratio, I threw in some bacon for good measure (cuz bacon makes everything better). Oh and don't forget the fried egg!

Corned Beef Hash

2 slices of bacon regular thickness or 1 slice thick cut, chopped
2 C chopped corned beef 1/2 inch cubes
2 potatoes, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 clove of garlic
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper
A few shakes of Tabasco (optional)

Cook the bacon in a nonstick or well seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat until crisp and the fat has rendered.

Add the diced onions and potatoes. Add more oil if not enough rendered from the bacon. Shake the skillet and flip the potatoes occasionally so the potatoes can brown on all sides. Cook until the potatoes are nearly cooked through.

Add the corned beef, bell peppers, mustard, oregano, and any additional seasoning. Cook until the potatoes are fully cooked through.

Serve with a fried egg, ketchup, and Tabasco.

not-so-secret Chili

Spring break is sadly over, but it was a fantastic two weeks filled with lots of cooking and baking. The freezer had to be cleaned to make room for food I froze for the upcoming quarter. One thing I made was a big batch of chili since it keeps so well, perfect for when we need emergency sustenance.

I haven’t upgraded to making homemade chili powder from whole peppers because I have this giant container of chili powder I got from Costco years ago. I know, I know you’re supposed to throw away spices after 1 year but I can’t bear to do it! It’s still good, I swear! *Note to self*: no more buying spices at Costco even if it’s dirt cheap unless I plan on having it for decades. I probably won’t be making my own chili powder even after I use this stuff up because I’m just too lazy. To make my ancient chili powder more flavorful, I spike the chili with chipotle chilies, extra cumin and oregano. This time I thought I’d make my regular chili a little more interesting. Instead of using ground beef, I used a chuck roast that I cut into small pieces. I was trying to make it more authentic but all attempts at authenticity were moot after I added beans. Oh well, I can’t help it; I kinda like chili with beans, not too much, just a little. I also added some secret-but-not-so-secret-because-everyone-knows-about-them ingredients: coffee and chocolate. I opted not to add peanut butter and/or banana (I'm not that adventurous). Finally, after simmering for 2 hours, Steven and I added some of our favorite chili accompaniments, sour cream, cheese, and Fritos!

Chili v2.0

2 pounds chopped chuck cut into half inch cubes or lean ground beef
1 large onion
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp whole cumin
2 – 3 chipotle chilies in adobo, minced (use less chilies and remove the seeds for a milder chili)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp adobo sauce from chipotle chilies
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1 large red bell pepper
1 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes
1/2 tsp espresso powder
1/2 tsp cocoa powder
1 28 oz can of dark red kidney beans
To taste:
Freshly ground pepper
Salt to taste
Cayenne

Serve with optional condiments: lime, shredded cheese, sour cream, corn chips

Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium high heat in a Dutch oven or large pot. Brown the beef in batches, first add 1/3 of the beef and cook until browned. Take out the beef and set aside in a large bowl. If a lot of browned bits have accumulated on the bottom of the pan, add some water to scrape those up and pour this flavorful liquid over the browned beef that you set aside. Add some more oil and repeat the browning process with the rest of the beef.

After all of the beef has been browned, add some water and scrape off any browned bits that have accumulated on the bottom of the pot and pour the liquid into the bowl with the beef.

Add 2 teaspoons of oil and add the onions and a large pinch of salt and cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent.

Add the cumin and chili powder and toast the spices until they are fragrant. Add the minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tomato paste, garlic, and lots of freshly ground pepper until the garlic is fragrant. Add the bell peppers, can of tomatoes, oregano, browned beef and juices, cocoa powder, espresso powder. Simmer this mixture for 1 hour with the lid slightly ajar. While it’s simmering, add cayenne to taste and salt, keeping in mind the chili will continue to reduce. If the chili gets too dry, add some water. Then add the beans and simmer for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.

Valentine's Day

We went for a walk in the Arboretum. I have no idea what this is, but it sure smelled nice.

For Valentine's Day, Steven and I did what we've done for the last three years, instead of going out for an overpriced and cliched meal, we stayed at home enjoyed a quiet and sweet dinner. I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day food because oh my god, everything is heart shaped! Just because the crabcakes are heart shaped does not make it romantic! And being surrounded by other couples cooing and swooning doesn't make it a special occasion, only awkward. Anyway enough ranting. I really love our Valentine's Day tradition. We started it not long after I began cooking so it's nice to see the meals getting better and better. This year, we really splurged and bought some really great ingredients - black tiger prawns, giant sea scallops, and organic ribeye steak. I really went all out this year because it just happened to be a long weekend after a grueling exam. It's a rare occasion to have so much free time to unwind and enjoy some great food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.


Who needs lobster tails when you have prawns. Rawr! Roasted butterflied shrimp with garlic, lemon, parsley, and lots of butter.


For Steven, it always has to be steak, specifically ribeye, cooked medium with mushroom sauce. We added a little blue cheese because according to Heston Blumenthal (our new chef idol), the nutty aroma is supposed to mimic the aromas from a long aging process. Hey, if it's good enough for Heston, it's certainly good enough for us. I also made some unbelievably delicious double cooked potatoes roasted in duck fat (also courtesy of Heston). Oh. My. God. They deserve their own post and trust me, it'll be worth it.


Typically I go with a seafood dish and this year I chose to make scallops. The last time Steven and I went out for dinner to a supposedly great local restaurant, Enotria, I was really let down with my scallop entree (and the restaurant overall, but I digress). The scallops arrived beautifully but deceptively seared because once I flipped the scallop over, the second side was completely colorless. I felt a little cheated! One side of the scallop was overly salted and the other side was completely bland. I dunno about you, but I prefer my food evenly salted and cooked. And the fact that I only got 3 scallops, pretty wimpy... Overall it was very disappointing for an entree that was nearly $20. So for Valentine's Day, I spoiled myself by cooking a generous 6 scallops (even though the picture only shows 3).

Now just for kicks... let's revisit an old photo. Valentine's Day 2007.

Kalbi - Korean Barbeque Short Ribs

N&P is now 2 years old! The local store had a special on flanken style short ribs and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to revisit the very first recipe I posted back in 2007, Kalbi, or Korean BBQ. It was also the perfect occasion to use the shiny new indoor grill that I got Steven for Xmas, part of my not-so-secret-anymore ploy to get him to cook for me. I'm hoping I can tap into that innate man and grill bond. I started making Kalbi not long after my first Korean barbeque restaurant experience. I thought the fact that each table had their own built-in grill was just the coolest thing (what can I say, I'm easily amused). Of course the ventilation system can never keep up with 20 tables simultaneously grilling, so Steven's parents wisely advised me to leave my coat in the car. The whole process of cooking your meal at the table is so much fun and very family/group oriented. If you've never been to a Korean BBQ place, I highly recommend you round up some people and go.

Yikes! Can you believe this ancient picture?!

At home I would either sear the short ribs on the stove top or broil them in the oven. Back in the college days, when we still had a George Foreman, that worked out pretty well too, albeit a little bacheloresque. Now that we have this new indoor grill, we can get those pretty grill marks.



Note: Flanken-style short ribs are ribs that have been cut across the bone.

Galbi/Kalbi – Korean Short Ribs
2 pounds flanken-style short ribs/spare ribs
1/2 C soy sauce (look for brewed soy sauce rather than artificially flavored and colored sauces)
1 pureed pear or 1/4 C orange juice
1/4 C rice wine
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar or honey
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil (my favorite is Kadoya)
4 garlic cloves, smashed and roughly chopped
4 - 6 green onions, smashed, cut in half lengthwise then cut into 2 inch segments
6 slices of ginger 1/8 in thick

Optional Garnish
Toasted sesame seeds

Serve with
Romaine lettuce or perilla leaves
Steamed rice
Ssam jang mixed with a little sesame oil (add a few drops of water if it's too thick)

Mix the marinade and pour over ribs in a dish or in a zipperlock bag. Marinate in fridge for 6 hours to preferably overnight. Turn ribs or flip bag once during marinating time.

Lightly oil your skillet or grill grate.

Sear on medium high heat, broil at 500 deg F on the top rack, or grill the ribs on medium high heat to your desired doneness. I usually like to cook them until no red juices come out of the bones and they have a nice sear, about medium - medium well.

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve with ssamjang and rice. If you want you can also include Romaine lettuce leaves or perilla leaves to wrap a bite-size portion of beef and rice with a dollop of sauce.