It's been a long time.

Hi Everyone;
I was reminded today of the lack of posts on my part lately and for that I apologize.  Just lots of things going on but no excuses.
I have couple of very good recipes to share today - Another Short Rib recipe.... From a restrauant near Hartford CT  (CW's Chop and Catch) and another one that Sandy got from the Web. Another one for cooked carrots that is a real keeper.

First the Short Ribs - (and this ain't fast food -but think Crock Pot...hmmmmm)

Short ribs

Ingredients:
4 10 oz Boneless Short Ribs
Salt and Pepper to taste
5 Stalks of Celery, sliced
1/2 White Onion diced
2 carrots peeled and sliced
1 Quart Dr. Pepper (the Secret Ingredient)
1 Quart Chicken Stock
1 Sprig Thyme
1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
1 Tbsp Cumin
1Tbsp Paprika
2 Cups Red Wine

Season ribs with salt and pepper - heat oil in large skillet and sear ribs on all sides (perhaps a splatter shield would be a good investment -  I know I used mine!).  Remove to roasting pan and lower heat.

Brown Celery, onion and carrots on low heat.  Deglaze pan with Red wine.

Combine remaining ingredients in the skillet bring to a boil and then pour over the short ribs in the roasting pan.  Cover tightly with foil and cook at 350* for 2 -3 hours - or until ribs are fork tender.  Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer and reduce to a syrup type consistency.  This step takes a while - There is a lot of liquid but it is realy worth it trust me...

These can be served over cheesy polenta, mashed potatoes, risotto, or even the potatoes below....

Now the easy one - Crash Hot Potatoes
Ingrediemts:
12 whole new red potaotes
3 tablespoons Olive oil
Kosher Salt to Taste
Black Pepper to taste
Rosemary or other favorite herb
(we also grated some Parmesean cheese over them as well)

Bring a pot of heavily salted water to a boil and add as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork tender.

Crash Hot Potatoes

On a sheet pan (we used a Pampered Chef Bar Stone) generously drizzle olive oil  and place potatoes on the sheet pan with plenty of room between. With a potato masher, gently press down on the potato until is slightly mashes then turn the masher 90* and mash again.  Brush the tops of the potatoes with more olive oil and sprinkle with salt pepper and your favorite herb.
Bake at 450* for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown (when the come out that is when we grated parmesean cheese on them too... 

Recipe #3 Apple and Honey Glazed Carrots
Another real simple recipe with very few ingredients.
Small bag of baby carrots
2 Tbsp of butter
3/4 cup of Apple juice (or cider if season is right)
1/4 cup Orange juice
2 Tbsp Honey

Apple Honey Glazed Carrots

Melt butter in sauce pan.  Place carrots in pan add salt and pepper and saute until brown and softened. (it will take a while- but resisit the temtation to crank the heat - keep it at medium/medium high heat and stir it often).  This will take about 15 minutes min - one suggestion was to cook the carrots the day before and then add finish them the day of the party. Not a bad idea
Once carrots are brown, add remaining ingredients and cook until sauces starts to thicken and take on more carmel hue.  Remove from pan and that's it... Really simple....... really good.

The whole meal

So I tried to make up for lost time on this post.. I promise I will be more attentive in the future  -  oh by the way, only a few more day until hunting season...  Ike can smell it - he looks great and while he has a little ear infection - we have that under control and chomping at the bit to get out there and, "Find that bird!"