Authentic Pho Soup

A hearty, healthy soup

Ingredients

• 12 ounces lean beef sirloin, fat trimmed
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large onion, halved
• 1 4-inch piece ginger, unpeeled, halved
• 3 cups beef broth
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 scallions
• 2 jalapeno peppers, preferably red and green
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 to 4 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Directions

1. Place a large pot over high heat
2. Tenderize the beef and season with salt and pepper
3. Sear the meat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate
4. Add ginger and onion to the same pot; cooking about 4 minutes
5. Add the broth, 3 cups water, star anise and cinnamon, reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.
6. Thinly slice the scallions and jalapenos 
7. Chop cilantro
8. Thinly slice the meat against the grain
9. Add the fish sauce to the broth and boil 5 minutes
10. Discard the star anise and cinnamon stick

To serve:  Pour broth, beef, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, jalapenos and onion in a bowl; add noodles if you like.

  

Curry Beef Pie

INGREDIENTS

Crust

• 2 cups shifted all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup water

Meat Filling

• 1lb lean ground beef
• 1 onion finely diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1⁄2 cup beef broth
• 1⁄2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat oven to 375F
2. Crust:  Combine dry ingredients.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gently stir in water until mixture forms a ball . Shape dough into a log, and cut into 10 equal portions. Roll each section into a circle (about 6 inches). Set aside.
3. Meat Filling:  Using a little olive oil, saute onion until tender then add the seasoned ground beef (using listed seasonings). Cook, stirring constantly until beef is evenly browned.  Add broth and bread crumbs. Simmer until all liquid is absorbed. .
4. Combine:  Take a crust circle and spoon in meat filling.  Fold over and press the edges together to create a semi-circle, then press the edges with a fork.  Brush the top of each pie with beaten egg.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and top with goat cheese just before serving.

Boston Style Baked Beans with Braised Beef Short Rib

Ingredients

• 2 pounds cooked navy beans
• 2 tablespoon mustard
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large onions, diced
• 1 tablespoon cumin seed (optional)
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary (or 1 sprig if available)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon anchovie paste (optional)
• 2 pieces beef short rib
• 2 cups beef broth (or cooking liquid from beans)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Preparation

Preheat oven oven to 325F.

In a pan, add short rib, salt, pepper and cumin seed.  Braise the short rib until fork tender.

In a large bowl, combine the mustard, tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, garlic, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, rosemary and cumin seed.

Put 1/3 of the cooked beans in a large dutch oven, and cover with 1/2 the onions and both pieces of the braised beef.  Add another layer of beans and onion; then a final layer of beans. Pour the sauce, and beef broth to cover generously.

Bake uncovered for 4 hours, checking occasionally to ensure beans stay moist,  Beans will develop a slight crust on top.  Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes, then serve.

Jamaican Style Patties

Ingredients

• Homemade puff pastry colored with annatto seed oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion - finely chopped
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper - minced
• 3 large cloves garlic - minced
• 1 1/4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 1/2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 tbs Jamaican curry
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Egg wash (1 large beaten egg mixed with 1/4 cup water)

Process

Brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small bits. When almost cooked reduce heat and add onion, pepper, and garlic. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.

Add broth, Worcestershire, onion powder, cayenne, curry, allspice, salt, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir and reduce heat to low.  Simmer the mixture stirring and mashing.  When most of the liquid has evaporated remove from heat. Discard bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Add breadcrumbs and stir/mash thoroughly.

Preheat oven to 375F and move oven rack to the lower-middle position.  Flour your counter and rolling pin.  Roll pastry dough until thin (about 1/8 inch). Cut the dough into 6 inch circles and place 2 tablespoons of the meat filling onto half of the dough. Brush the edges of the dough with egg wash. Fold dough over the filling into a half-moon shape then press edge with a fork to seal.

Set patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet; place in oven then bake for 25 - 35 minutes (until golden brown). Let rest for at least 5 minutes and serve.