Tag: Italian

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Of the current 1363 recipes on my site, I’d say that this is in the top 5 of tastiest. This preparation is a fusion of French and Italian techniques. The french aspect is using shallots and a french red wine; Italian would substitute onions for shallots and using an Italian wine. Either way you go, these ribs fall off the bone. When serving, place a short rib in the center of a mound of polenta; spooning over the red wine sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French, Fusion, Italian
Keyword: Beef, European, French, Fusion, Italian, main course, signature dishes
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs English cut beef short ribs 2 1/2” thick
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 ribs celery finely chopped
  • 2 carrots finely chopped
  • 1 large shallot finely chopped; or 1 medium yellow onion
  • 2 cups red wine French or Italian
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 2 sprigs thyme

Goat Cheese Polenta

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup polenta
  • 4 oz goat cheese

Instructions

  • Pat the short ribs dry with paper towel. Season with salt and pepper. Dredge the short ribs in flour.
  • Heat up olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add in the short ribs.
  • Brown on all sides for 3 minutes a side. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in the carrots, celery, and shallots. Sauté for 8 minutes.
  • Pour in the red wine; scraping up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the beef stock. Add in the short ribs, rosemary, and thyme. Place on the cover and put in a preheated 300° oven for 3 hours.
  • The last 20 minutes of cooking the short ribs, bring the milk, water, and seasonings to a simmer in a large pot.
  • Add in the polenta and continuously whisk over low heat for 3 minutes. Place on a cover and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Whisk in the goat cheese and turn off the heat.
Italian Breaded Pork Chops (Cotoletta alla Milanese)

Italian Breaded Pork Chops (Cotoletta alla Milanese)

Italian Breaded Pork Chops (Cotoletta alla Milanese)

Italian breaded pork chops originated from Milan, Italy; dating back as far as 1148. The pork chops are simply dredged in flour, dipped in a beaten egg, then coated with seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese. They are then fried in olive oil until golden brown and crispy. You can use either bone-in or boneless chops; no more than an inch thick.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: European, Italian, main course, Pork
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless pork loin chops 1” thick
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Make the assembly line: season the pork chops on both sides with salt; beat the egg and milk together; mix the Italian breadcrumbs with the parmesan cheese. Dredge the pork chops in the flour. Dip into the egg mixture. Coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Heat up a 1/4” of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the pork chops.
  • Cook for 5 minutes a side until golden brown and crispy.
Hot Dagos

Hot Dagos

Hot Dagos

Believe it or not, the hot dago is said to have originated from my hometown of Saint Paul, MN in my neighborhood of W. 7th street by Italian/Americans. This was something I ate all the time growing up and really miss. They are easy and cheap to make; plus they are just damn tasty. Some people make the hot dagos all beef; some all Italian sausage; and others with various percentages of the two meats. Once the patties are browned, they’re simmered in a marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese, and served over toasted Italian bread or ciabatta rolls.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian, Minnesota
Keyword: American, Beef, European, Italian, main course, Minnesota, Pork, sandwich, signature dishes
Servings: 4
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb 90% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb pork Italian sausage mild or spicy
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 4 ciabatta roll toasted

Marinara Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 1 Fresno chili finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup basil finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine

Instructions

  • Mix the hot dago ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Form into 4 thin patties.
  • Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the patties.
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes a side. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions, mushrooms, garlic, and Fresno chili for 2 minutes.
  • Toss in the parsley, basil, and oregano and cook for another minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
  • Pour in the canned tomatoes and red wine. Simmer covered for 5 minutes on low heat.
  • Place the hot dagos in the sauce. Cover and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
  • Place a 1/4 cup of mozzarella on each of the hot dagos.
  • Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  • Place a patty and sauce on a toasted ciabatta roll.