My Funny Valentine

You Make Me Smile With My Heart

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

Time to get to the "Heart of the matter"... Show your love and celebrate romance.

Today is the day to share your love. We've cooked an awesome entree with red wine, a wonderful sparkling libation and some romantic tunes for your enjoyment. Remember this is only one day, but a great way to kickoff your love for each other. 

Happy Valentine's Day... The Pots Are On!

The Plate... 

Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs

Ok, this is an easy, slow cooker, make it and forget it recipe. It's fall-off-the-bone goodness and the perfect way to celebrate.

What you need...

3-4 lbs bone-in beef ribs

kosher salt

canola oil

1 sweet onion / large dice

2 medium carrots / large dice

2 celery stalks / large dice

1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally

4 Roma tomatoes

1 bottle red wine

2 cups chicken stock

2 tbsp black peppercorns

fresh thyme and rosemary

a few bay leaves

Grits for serving

chopped chives for garnish

What you do...

One day before cooking, season the ribs with salt and place uncovered in the fridge.

The next day, pat the ribs dry. Heat a cast-iron dutch oven over med-high heat. Add a thin layer of canola oil and sear the meat on all sides... about 5 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a plate.

Preheat you oven to 250 degrees. 

Drain the oil out of the Dutch oven. Add fresh canola oil onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and sweat the veggies... about 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Now add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften... another 5 minutes.

Now add the whole bottle of red wine, chicken stock and peppercorns. Put the ribs back in the pot.

Tie the thyme and rosemary together and place in the pot along with the bay leaves.

Bring the liquid to a simmer. Partially cover the pot to let some of the liquid evaporate and transfer to the oven. braise the ribs until they are nearly falling apart, about 3 hours. 

Serve on top of grits, pour the veggies over the top and garnish with chives. 

The Playlist... 

My Funny Valentine

Put a little romance in your Valentine's Day... light the candles, pour the sparkling rose and enjoy!

  The "Playlist" runs on Spotify-Click on the link to listen to My Funny Valentine

The Mix... 

Sparkling Raspberry Rose

What you need...

2 pints raspberries

1/3 cup sugar

1 lemon / sliced

1 vanilla bean

Sparkling Rose

What you do...

Combine raspberries, vanilla bean and sugar in a double boiler (or just put a bowl over a pan of simmering water). 

Cook, stirring until the raspberries have released most of their juice (about 12 minutes).

Now, Strain through cheese cloth pressing gently with the back of a spoon. Let cool then pour 1/4 cup of the syrup into each glass and top off with sparkling Rose. Garnish with fresh raspberries. 

The Heart Of The Matter...

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!