It’s been pouring rain outside all day long. While I would have rather been inside working (although I did manage to do some of that too), I also ran about doing things like renewing my driver’s license (I don’t drive, but it’s nice identification), “rolling off” a bowling game (I’ll be away in Portland, Oregon* and need to bank a game for my league), and pick up groceries and wine. My driver’s license photo will most likely be horrific, my bowling game was dismal (sorry team!) but I stayed dry and managed to get all the ingredients for some delicious braised short ribs which will be our dinner tonight. Now, this is something I can take comfort in.
Normally, we don’t cook with a lot of meat other than chicken or fish, but I’m designing some birth announcements for a friend and we made a deal that included 10 pounds of free-range, grass fed beef along with a cash deal. So I’ve got short ribs along with a bunch of other stuff in the freezer. I’ve never had short ribs before but after looking at a lot of recipes, I decided that braising would be ideal. So I browned the short ribs until they were golden and crispy and looked (and smelled) incredible and then worked off the rest of the ingredients. They’ve been cooking in the oven under a low heat for the past few hours and the smell has been killing me softly. I’m so ready to dig in!
As you can see, I illustrated my meal instead since a big ol’ mess of brown wouldn’t make the most appetizing photo. But don’t let that steer you wrong…this meal is rich and special. Just let that meat fall off the bones and into your gullet. It’s good. Reaaallly good. Oh hey, if you are in Vancouver, pick up the Georgia Straight this week cuz there’s a big ol’ photo of me (along with an interview about Vancouver bloggers). You can find the online version here.
* Oh that’s right, I’ll be in Portland again! My favorite city ever. So send me your things to do, eat, and all the good stuff.
wine-braised short ribs
2 short ribs
1 T olive oil
4 shallots
4 garlic gloves
2 large carrots, chopped
4 small potatoes, cut in half
1 large can of tomatoes
4 sprigs of thyme
3 sprigs of rosemary
1 bottle of nice drinking red winePreheat oven to 325F. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper and brown in the olive oil in a heavy cast iron pan. Do not skimp on this step, as you really bring out the flavour by browning (I let mine brown for close to 15 minutes). Remove ribs and add in the shallots and garlic and saute for a few minutes, adding in carrots and potatoes. Throw in the can of tomatoes, the bottle of wine and the herbs and bring to a boil, letting the liquids reduce slightly. Put the lid on your dutch oven and place the whole shebang into the oven for the next 3-4 hours or so. Check in once in a while and if you like, you can skim off the fat (and oh, there will be fat!) into a bowl and place it in the freezer so that the fat firms up. Throw out the hard fat, leaving behind the lovely jus and dump that back into the pot. When you can’t stand it anymore, dig in!
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Very cool illustration.
And look at you and Barack hanging out! 🙂
I'm so envious on many levels! First, that you are going to Portland, OR. Second, that there was an article about you and your blogging splendor in a local Vancouver paper. Lucky you! And thirdly, your awesome & cute illustration with a Le Creuset. Something which my kitchen is seriously lacking!
Enjoy your beef ribs!!
My husband and I went to Portland for my birthday this past summer (we live in Seattle) and had an AMAZING meal at Park Kitchen. Totally a neighborhood spot and terrific food. I highly recommend it!
love the illustration. I have that same orange dutch oven, it makes everything inside look so much more warming and hearty.
I don´t know if you´ve seen this ,I think it´s really cool
http://studiosss.com/pdx.html
WOW! You made the Georgia Straight! That’s fantastic!
Hahaha it was sitting right beside me!!and yours was the page that (honest to goodness) fell open almost automatically!! Bizarre! But very cool!! Congrats!
pardon me as I go and read this lovely little article!
Check out: Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen in Portland- it rocks! Great atmosphere, great microbrews and awesome eats.
http://www.kennyandzukes.com
I echo Amanda: Kenny & Zuke's is pretty grand! I also love Pix Patisserie, Saint Cupcake, and MOS' DEF' Pine State Biscuits. Delicious biscuit sandwiches, baby!
Sounds scrumptious. Just one word of caution to your readers — make sure you use an enameled cast-iron pot. The acidity of the wine and tomatoes could react with unenameled cast iron and degrade the seasoning.
It is supposed to be rainy here this weekend, but that is expected. We have some great museums, but you couldn’t do wrong just going from restaurant to restaurant. Someone turned me on to this the other day- http://culturemob.com/portland It seems like a pretty good site. If you are into bicycle-y things, you can rent bikes downtown and go for a ride. There is also a cross race on Sunday as well (will probably be taking my 6yr old). If you need any pointers while here, I will be posting info about race tonight. Comment there and I will be happy to get in touch. Whatever you do, have fun!
thanks stefanie! i know, me and barack are tight 😉
bijoux, i don’t have much time or $$ for vacations, so a short get-away to portland with friends will be perfect! thanks 🙂
rawbean, thanks! i was pretty excited to be asked to be interviewed!
dana, i’ll look into it. thanks for the tip!
that is crazy-bizarre, emma! thanks 🙂
lobstersquad, i tried taking a photo of my pot, but there’s no natural light and it just looked too frightening. my mom has the same pot and i found mine at a thrift store for $4! thanks for the link…great bike illustrations 🙂
oooh, sounds good! i’ll check it out, amanda!
thanks cakespy, i love pix too and i LOVE LOVE LOVE pine state biscuits. we’ll be eating the reggie at least once 🙂
haha, jennie. thanks for thinking of me, but i’ve beaten you to the punch. i’ve been to both those places!! so good.
peggasus, i’ll bet this would be great with mashed potatoes! the wildwood sounds good, but i’m sure it’s out of our price range. we’re cheaping it, as usual!
neysa, thanks for the tip!
crowmolly, i’m prepared for rain…as i’m just up the coast in rainy vancouver! we’ve brought up our bikes in the past and i love riding bikes in portland…it’s super bike friendly. but this time, we’ll just wander around. thanks for the link!
thanks hag! the drawing is based on my own pot which i thrifted ages ago for cheap. the library catalogue? well i love it and i’ll fill you in next time we meet up!
Ok. This is f*cked up:
I’m sitting here, watching Anthony Bourdain, and he’s in Portland. He’s eatin’ some pretty rad stuff. Like a maple bacon donut at Voodoo Donuts. And pizza with clams at Apizza Scholls.
I think, “hmmm, kickpleat likes Portland, maybe I should tell her about his”.
I log on to your latest post, and the rest is Portland culinary history.
So, go go go! And tell us all about it!
I make my short ribs the same way, only with mashed potatoes because of the gravy, you know?
I was in Portland in May and and my friend and I went to The Wildwood. Oh yeah, it was gooood. It’s in the NW part of the city. There was also a really good Thai place near her house that I can’t remember the name of. Then we spent some time in the Willamette Valley at some wineries, and there was an amazing restaurant there I can’t remember the name in some town that I can’t remember the name of (The Bistro, maybe?) that had La Quercia prosciutto. That place was great.
I don’t remember much, do I?
~ Peggasus
Yay – I am about to get a share of a grass-fed steer, myself, and eager to gain more beef-cooking experiences.
congrats on your rise to fame! I was flipping through the Straight…and there you were! Where did you get the card catalogue in the background of the photo? I love your drawing of the Orange Le Creuset… my mum had one from the 1970s.
The Thai place that Peggasus was talking about is probably Pok Pok, which serves authentic Thai street food. Also, check out the Little Red Bike Cafe for breakfast, it’s adorable and delicious (and they have a blog). I’m also adding that Coffeehouse Northwest is my favorite place in town that serves Stumptown coffee.
Congrats on the article!!!
I agree with you on photos of slow cooked foods – never a pretty picture. I recently made a delicious slow cooked chicken, but warned my readers that the post pictures were a little disturbing.
Hey! Congratz on the Georgia Straight article.
Love your illustrations as well.
I have a dear friend that lives in nyc, aged 40, who does not drive either, like you. I am amazed, still, to this day, how she can get other people to drive her around when she’s not hailing cabs.
Anywho, I’ve never made short ribs either. Have a friggin blast in portland…Ive heard about some really good donuts shops; you must report that back to us. ha ha.
Love the illustration! And great article. =) I’m glad it was available online otherwise I would’ve missed it.
I just tried to find a recipe for short ribs and found yours. It sounds yummy; I can almost smell the delicious aroma of the wine braising those ribs.! While in Portland try Fire on the Mountain for the best chicken wings ever. They also serve micro brews and if you still have room- try a fried Twinkie for dessert- totally decadent!
great blog and cute illustration! i love short ribs – just wish i was able to see the picture of this delicious recipe!
Sweet illustration and what a cool mention! Say, you pretty much represent Van’s bloggers!
I had an amazing lunch yesterday. It was a patty of spinach and ricotta with fried mushrooms, some sort of salsa and hommus on a doughy roll and it was amazing
I tried to recreate it but failed miserably. I was wondering if you had any ideas? I couldn’t get the patties to hold. Even with breadcrumbs! Help me 😀
sara z, enjoy the grass fed beef 🙂
anon, i’ve been to the red bike cafe and loved it there. the thai place looks great (and i walked by it twice this visit…i’ll save it for a next go around!).
thanks eat! yes, i think the illustration worked wonders in this case 🙂
thanks carol!
dawn, i actually do know how to drive, but i LOVE being car-free. i ride my bike and never beg rides since i can find my own way to go 🙂
thanks eatme, i’m glad it’s online as well so that i have something to show my parents!
anon, too late! i did see fire on the mountain…good to know it’s a place to check out next time. thanks for the tip!
we are never full, be glad you can see the illustration! if i had more lights in my kitchen, i’m sure i could photograph more…but as it is, i make do – which means drawing on occasion!
thanks aimée 🙂
uhhh, va5el1ne, try an egg, throw in some flour?
working in beef for cash, works well, amanda! trust me 🙂
I am sooo making these for Sunday dinner. Also, I am sooo introducing “ten pounds of grass-fed free-range beef plus cash” into my pay scale for freelance editing jobs.
My mouth was watering at the mere description of your meal! This is perfect for the cold and dreary weather we’re having here!
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