Braised Beer Beef Stew with a Japanese twist

I've been making this Japanese Beef Stew all winter. My family loves this version.

1/2 lb. stew beef
1 T. oil
1 lb of carrots and or potatoes, 1 inch chunks
2 small onions, sliced
1 bottle of beer (or sake and mirin combo)
2 cups of dashi stock/water
3 T sugar
3 T. soy sauce

Preheat oven to 300.
Heat oil. Brown beef. Add onions and sauté. Add carrots/potatoes. Pour in beer, dashi stock, sugar and soy sauce. Bring to boil. Turn off heat. Cover. Put in oven and braise for 1 hour. )Added tofu at end for additional protein.)
Serve with steamed rice.

Bran Muffins with Dates and Oranges

Had to share this Bran Muffin recipe. Light and citrusy. One of my favorite bran recipes so far. The pureed dates create a moist and mild sweetness to the bran. A must try!

Bill Granger's Bran Muffins
1 cup pitted dates, chopped
zest of 1 orange
1/4 c. + 2 T. OJ
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. yogurt or sour cream
2 eggs
2 c. unprocessed bran
3/4 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon

Preheat to 320 F and line muffin tin with paper liners.

Put chopped dates and 3/4 c boiling water in a bowl and soak for 5 min. I pureed the dates and water. Added it to orange zest, juice, sugar,oil, yogurt and eggs. Mixed bran, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in another bowl. Mix wet and dry ingredients until combined. Scoop into muffin tin. Bake for about 30 min.

Whole Grain Mornings

I've been cooking out of "Whole Grain Mornings" cookbook. And wanted to share some recipes with you.

the Very Best Oatmeal
2 T. butter
2 C. rolled oats
1/2 c. milk
pinch salt
pinch cinnamon
1 1/2 c water
Melt butter and add oats. Toast over med. heat for 5-7 minutes.
Bring milk, salt, cinnamon and water to boil. Add toasted oats. cover pot and turn off heat. Leave on burner for 7 minutes.Don't peek or store.Uncover and serve. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
My kids loved it with frozen blueberries and applesauce.


Whole Grain Pancake Mix
4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 c. buckwheat flour
1 c. spelt flour
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
6 T sugar
4 T baking powder
4 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
(I also added ground flax)
Stir together all ingredients. Lasts 6-8 weeks in a glass jar or Refrig for 3-4 months.

1 large egg
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 T butter
1 c. Whole-Grain Pancake Mix
Whisk egg, milk, buttermilk, and butter. Add pancake mix. Let batter rest for 10 min.
Butter your skillet or griddle on med. heat. Cook each pancakes until top begins to bubble. Flip for an additional 1-2 min.  Warm in a 200F oven for up to 30 min without drying them out. Batter can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Add 1-2 T milk to loosen it up after it sits overnight.

I was also inspired by her savory whole grain breakfasts.
So I made farro in the rice cooker. 1 c. farro, 1 3/4 c. water on brown rice setting.
Fried an egg and a tomato, sliced up avocado and sprinkled fried shallots on top.

My favorite Kale Salad

I've had this kale salad served to me at a handful of dinner parties. And it's a hit every time. I'm sure you guys have had this epicurious salad but had to add it to our archives.

2 tablespoons dried currants

7 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar, divided

1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 bunches Tuscan kale (about 1 pound), center ribs and stems removed, leaves thinly sliced crosswise

2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted

Parmesan cheese shavings

Girl's Night Cocktail

My friend made this for everyone for a girl's weekend getaway. So tasty!

5-Citrus Gimlet

2 oz gin or citrus vodka (Belvedere Citrus and SKYY Citrus are great choices)

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz lemon juice

1 oz simple syrup

A splash of grapefruit juice

A splash of orange juice

A sprig of dill, basil leaf and a lime wheel, for garnish

Combine all the ingredients (except the herbs) in a cocktail shaker.  Top with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a floating lime wheel and top with dill and basil.