Applewood Smoked Lamb Ribs

Since my local Whole Foods no longer has a smokehouse (grrr), I've been utilizing the hell out of my bullet smoker these days, and was inspired to start blogging my recipes again.  I made these amazing Lamb Ribs today (yes, they are amazing) and they'll definitely be a mainstay in my recipe arsenal from this day forth. If you don't have a smoker, use liquid smoke, and roast at a high temperature on a sheet pan.  Fresh herbs make a huge difference. Pairs well collard greens, or roasted potatoes.

Applewood Smoked Lamb Ribs

Four slabs of lamb ribs
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon course black pepper
Thyme, chopped
Rosemary, chopped
Six garlic cloves, smashed

Season ribs with salt and pepper.  Create a marinade by mixing olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and garlic in a small bowl.  Let it sit so that the oil can absorb the flavors of the herbs and garlic.  Place ribs in a resealable plastic bag, pour on marinade, and refrigerate overnight.

I used applewood and cherrywood for smoking, but the applewood alone worked wonders here.  Once smoker has been properly prepped, add ribs to rack, with enough space so that the heat disperses evenly.  Smoke for one hour and relish in your masterpiece(s).

The Year Ahead: Part Deux

Photo courtesy of http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/soul-food.

Totally didn't keep my promise to write more, but, hopefully (fingers, eyes, and toes crossed) that will change in the new year.  Found this quote from vegan soul chef and author Bryant Terry and wanted to share with those who may care:

On the African-American tradition of eating black-eyes peas on New Year's:

"The lore is that the black-eyed peas actually represent copper or pennies. And so along with that, one typically will have a green dish such as collards, mustards, turnips, chard, kale or cabbage, and the leafy green dish actually represents money. And then with that, one might have some cornbread, which represents gold. You eat it on New Year's, and it's supposed to usher in a very prosperous and abundant year."

Korean Kalbi Tacos

I'd had some beef ribs in the freezer that I needed to make use of, and decided to go with Korean Kalbi Tacos.  Beef spareribs are so darn cheap.  It's like, I buy them just because.  I've made these tacos before, using short ribs, but beef spareribs are a fraction of the price and pretty much came out the same as short ribs.  If you're feeling fancy and rich, go ahead and use the short ribs.  


I'd had an amazing kalbi sauce at Byerly's in Minneapolis two years ago, and I've gotten pretty good at replicating it at home.  I've used it for stir-fry and grilling, but using it for a taco is a nod to the infamous Roy Choi and his Kogi food truck.  I add chopped cilantro, scallions, and red cabbage (not shown, because I forgot to buy some) and it amounts to something really amazeballs.


Korean Kalbi Tacos:


12 white corn tortillas, warmed
5 lbs. beef spareribs (or 3 lbs. of boneless beef short ribs)
Two cans beef broth

One can Korean beer (or any dark beer)
Two tablespoons kalbi sauce


Kalbi Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon red chili paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Two sprigs of green onion, minced
Chopped cilantro, green onion, red cabbage to garnish


Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Place ribs, broth, and beer into a dutch oven (or deep, oven-proof pot with handles).  Mix ingredients for kalbi sauce, add two tablespoons to the pot, and refrigerate the rest.  Let ribs braise for three hours, until tender and falling off the bone.  Let cool, and remove meat from bones, and discard fat.  Pour out marinade from pot, and add meat back to the pot, and stir in kalbi sauce.  Simmer on low heat atop stove for 10 minutes, or until meat starts to caramelize, and serve.  

News That Makes Me Sad: Ina Garten Denies Make-A-Wish Request

Photo courtesy of Food Network

Like most foodies, I love Ina Garten.  Mrs. Barefoot Contessa.  Her show is my (second) favorite show on Food Network.  I have always had a certain image of Ina:  classic, pristine, friendly, and superb epicurean.  Despite her monotonous tone and appearance, I love this woman.  I do.

I came across this article on Shine, and it really just soured my image.  What kind of person would turn down a sick child?  Damn you, Ina. 



From today forward, Ina Garten is on strict punishment.  I will not watch her show for a week.  I will not make any of her recipes.  I will not support anything Ina Garten. Hmph. 

Update:  She has decided to grant the child's wish. 

Magazine Death, TV Life

Sad to say, Gourmet, one of my favorite magazines, is going bye bye. This is the second magazine loss that I've dealt with as of late (Domino was the first). Hate to see it go, but at least Bon Appetit is still going strong..

With any loss, there is always gain. Glad to know that although I am losing a magazine, G. Garvin is back on

TVOne with Turn Up the Heat. This show has been on hiatus or something for like, two years, so I'm glad to have it back. This time around, it seems fresher. Yay G.

Also, my absolute favoritest designer is [semi] back with [semi] new episodes. I love, love, love Kim Myles and

I don't really understand why she isn't forefronted more on HGTV. She is better than many other designers on the network, yet she can't seem to get her shine. Myles of Style is innovative on so many levels, and the creative aspect of it is far more entertaining/beneficial to the average viewer. I don't want to have to pull the race card but...I'm just saying.

Making Kombucha Health Tea

Here is a description of Kombucha tea, reported health benefits, and a step-by-step method for making Kombucha at home. Read the entire article at:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2096351/making_kombucha_health_tea.html

Put A Ring On It: Engagement Chicken

The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach...especially if you force-feed him roasted chicken. So, I came across this article on Yahoo! Shine (originally published by Marie Claire), about a girl who used the recipe for "Engagement Chicken", and her beau proposed within a week. Now, if you put your foot in every dang meal, then you don't really need this recipe...but then again, I've made several meals for a guy and I am not engaged, so, go figure. At any rate, this chicken is supposed to make a man want to get down on one knee and become betrothed.

Is this a one shot deal? One good piece of chicken and he's ready to pop the question? Or is this binding, like, you have to keep stuffing birds in the oven long after the honeymoon is over? Can one add a side dish to this spellbinding chicken? What about about some herbs and spices? Hot sauce?? I'm just curious. If one tantalizing, prepared piece of poultry makes a man wanna get married, then, I should've been married long, long ago...to many, many people. And, I already make a bomb roast chicken. Anywho, for all you go-getters, recipe here. I think this is how Ina Garten got Jeffery...hmmm...

Birthday Sex: Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

It's my birthday and unfortunately, I will not be having sex, but, I will be having the equivalent of: Lobster Mac and Cheese. I don't make this often, mainly because I am borderline poor, but 'tis very, very good. Real maine lobster, cheddar cheeses, mascarpone cheese, fresh herbs, and a bread crumb-Parmesano Reggiano crust. Jealous much? Bang bang.

Farm.Girl.Fresh: Farmer's Markets (Chicago)

I have really developed a fondness for local Farmer's Markets...never truly understood the importance of them growing up, but within the past year or so, I totally get it. The more I cook and experience new dishes, the more I appreciate what I can find at a Farmer's Market. I'm talking garlic scapes, beefsteak tomatoes, real honey...you name it, your local Farmer's Market (or some other Farmer's Market nearest you) will have it. Check the link for Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Gold Coast and many, many others. Get your farm game up.

Let's Do Lunch: Tyler Florence

Tyler Florence is the Ultimate chef. I ♥ him. Aside from being absolutely adorable, this man gets down in the kitchen. I love Tyler's recipes because he can get innovative, and at the same time maintain that Dirty South grit and grandeur. Everything he makes looks phenomenal. I TiVo his show Tyler's Ultimate on the regular. If you ever doubt Tyler's dopeness, please check his cornbread or mac and cheese recipe. Come on over, Tyler.

For more recipes and juicy Tyler Florence info, see Tyler's website.

Louis Vuitton Dona

I've seen alot of LV cakes, but this one is probably the best...cakes by Sugar. With some practice, I could probably do this one. Retail: $3,000

Let's Do Lunch: Pat and Gina Neely

The Neelys are some of my favorite Black folk on TV. I was SO excited when I saw them on Paula Deen for the first time, but I had no clue that they'd be coming out with their own show. Down Home With the Neely's brought a sense of freshness to Food Network. I had not seen much Blackness (or color, for that matter) on FN since Melting Pot, and seeing the Neelys do their thing on FN made me fall in love with the network all over again. Although I cringe when Gina calls Pat "daddy" on TV, I absolutely LOVE this husband and wife duo in the kitchen. BBQ is their main hustle, but The Neelys take Southern comfort cooking to another level with recipes like Creamed Collard Greens and Fried Deviled Eggs. Hey Pat, Hey G...can I come over?

If you love Pat and G like I do, visit them here.

Let's Do Lunch: B. Smith

I have been a B. Smith lover since childhood. Something about this lady was just amazing to me. B. Smith is the Black Martha Stewart...not to throw shade on Martha (cause that's my girl, too) but B. is that deal. If ever I am in Sag Harbor, I will definitely stalk out her house, and invite myself over, lol. I have her books, and I loved her show, B. Smith with Style on TVOne. Although her show no longer airs, B. is still featured in Essence and other publications. B. reigns supreme as a spokesperson for Lawry's and Kraft Foods. B. also has her own Home & Living line at several retailers. She does everything from weddings, to crafts, to decor, to cooking, to (insert action verb here)..now THAT's a bad B.

See some of B.'s goodies @ Shopstyle.

Photos of B.'s NY Restaurant.