We are in that in between time weatherwise right now. We’ve just had historic snow here in Memphis, but the first signs of spring are popping up. All the sweaters and coats I wore just a week ago are ready to go back in the closet. I have been socially distancing on my patio all winter, but now it’s time for a spring clean and I am looking forward to lazy cocktails and light … [Read more...] about Beef and Stout Stew with Blue Cheese Dumplings
stew
Chicken with Cider and Tarragon
It’s possible I am jumping the gun a little bit here - but I am ready for fall, even if the temperature outside still says summer. Soups, stews and braises, rich flavors and hearty, comforting dishes. And in that spirit, I offer this perfectly autumnal chicken stew, redolent with crisp apple cider and herbaceous tarragon. This recipe takes a heavy cue from the cooking of … [Read more...] about Chicken with Cider and Tarragon
Balsamic Beef Stew with Pearl Onions
Good beef stew can be one of the most homey and comforting dishes to enjoy on a chilly winter night. But making good beef stew can be a challenge. Somehow, it seems no matter what you do, the stew tastes pretty much the same. Like beef, carrots and brown gravy. This recipe solves that issue. A bottle of inexpensive rich, tangy balsamic vinegar adds such snap to the finished … [Read more...] about Balsamic Beef Stew with Pearl Onions
Irish Stew
Like many traditional dishes of the British Isles, my first taste of Irish Stew was in the dining hall of my college at Oxford. And it wasn’t a particularly good experience. Tough meat, watery broth, soggy vegetables. But I never gave up on the notion; I just think I liked this dish in theory more than in concept. But a warming, hearty lamb and vegetable stew is just a plain … [Read more...] about Irish Stew
Blanquette de Veau (Creamy Veal Stew)
Blanquette de veau is a delicious, classic French dish with a real difference. I’ll admit though, I’d never really considered tackling it, because, at first look, it seems a bit complicated. But I recently hosted a book club at my house to discuss the book Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris, a rich, evocative story laced with memories of classic French food. So of … [Read more...] about Blanquette de Veau (Creamy Veal Stew)
