2 Great Recipes, & Repurpose Column when the Boys were Young

This Column was written maybe  10 or more years ago! Finnegan’s is still open, & see the not at the end

A couple of weeks ago a female friend invited me for dinner and drinks at Finnegan’s  877 Grant Avenue, the bar has been open a few months right, this was my first time in, I am sorry to tell you. We had so much fun! The food the service, the atmosphere all was fantastic. Finnegan’s brings memories of my days living in New York City and the cozy neighborhood hangouts, goods and good times. My friend had the Grilled Flat Iron Stack; I went with 2 appetizers for dinner, the Steamed Clams (one of that night’s special, but I didn’t hear that part) and Crispy Fried Calamari.

The Clams were outstanding so much so, that I brought my sons Curtis Jr and Cole to Finnegan’s the very next night. Cole being a seafood lover, and after hear my raves about the clams was looking forward to a taste. We order them to start and our server Cathy I believe, we don’t have them. O-NO, I said! Cathy I just had them last night they were great, I said. With a big smile she “let me see what I can do.” She returned to the table Chef said no problem. Cole and I enjoyed steamed clams while Curtis Jr, the new vegetarian of the family had Finnegan’s Caesar.

Entrees that night Jr had from the appetizer list Rustic Cheese Pizza, Cole ordered The “BURGER” 1 / 2 lb of Prime Grade “A” Beef with Shoestring Potatoes. Me I ordered the Braised Beef & Pork Ragu.

After ordering 2 questions came for my youngest Cole, first what are shoestring Potatoes, answer potatoes cut small like shoestring. Second what is braised, and how do you do it. I love that Kid! Braising is fun I feel, you first sauté, sear, or brown the item, meat, fish or vegetable, in oil or fat , but you do not cook it until done. Next you add a small amount of liquid and simmer the item until tender. Most time a couple of hours.

Which lets up to this weeks recipes 2 methods of braising beef.

Braised Beef

On top of Stove

Ingredients

3 lbs boneless beef roast cut in to cubes

1 / 4 teaspoon salt

1 / 2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 onions, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 cup beef stock

1 cup chopped drained canned tomatoes

3 fresh tomatoes chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

Method Stove Top Main Dish

Place beef Place beef salt pepper; and flour in plastic bad shack well to coat.

In sauté pan or large pot, heat the oil over high heat; add beef cook until brown about 5 to 7 minutes stir to cook all over

Add the onions, garlic carrots, celery, thyme, bay leaf and stock.

Cover, bring to boil then lower heat to simmer for 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours, turning the beef occasionally.

Add tomatoes, parsley, oregano and basil; simmer about 30 minutes longer or until the beef is tender.

Remove the bay leaf before serving,

Braised Beef

In the oven

3 pounds boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 Tbsp. olive oil

15 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp. salt, divided

1 tsp. ground black pepper, divided

1cup red wine

3 carrots cut into juliennes (strips)

2 onions sliced

1cup broth (for this recipe I use vegetable)

3tablespoon tomato paste

1teaspoon dried rosemary

1teaspoon dried thyme

1pound cherry tomatoes

1bay leaf

Heat oil in medium sauté pan oven medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 to 2 minutes. Remove garlic, set aside. Preheat oven to 300ºF.

Add beef to pan; season with half the salt and pepper. Cook until beef browned. Remove beef from pan. Using the wine, deglaze pan,(get all the stick good stuff off the bottom of pan) scraping bottom and sides to loosen browned bits. Add garlic, beef, rest of salt, pepper and remaining ingredients, bringing mixture to a boil. Transfer to baking dish cover, and

bake at 300ºF for 3 to 3 1 / 2 hours, or until beef is tender. Remove bay leaf before. Great with pasta

Hope you enjoy, also check out Finnegan’s Braised Beef & Pork Ragu

I hope to visit again soon Ill update my thoughts!

Peace