Slow Cooker Sweet And Spicy Beef Short Ribs

I made beef short ribs for the first time yesterday and they came out FANFREAKINGTASTIC. They were nothing short of amazing – and since I made them in my slow cooker, they were super easy to make! I found boneless beef short ribs at A&P – It was a family pack (about 1.5 Lbs) for $7. That was just enough for my husband and I, so if you are planning to feed the whole family I suggest doubling the recipe. It was absolutely amazing. I served them over piles of mashed potatoes and a side salad. Total comfort food!

Ingredients (Serves 2-3)

• 1.5 Lbs Boneless Beef Short Ribs
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 cups red wine
• 3 tbs brown sugar
• 1 large onion, sliced thinly
• 1 tbs thai chili garlic sauce
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce

Dredge the short ribs in flour and brown them in a skillet. Set aside. Then, Mix all of the other ingredients in the slow cooker. Add the short ribs to the mixture and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Meat will fall apart easily and the sauce will be slightly sticky. Spoon over mashed potatoes and pig out! YUM!!

TGI Fridays honey mustard dressing / dip

I am pretty much just blogging this so that I don’t forget how I made it. It was somewhat accidental and I am not sure if this is how they actually make it, but it tastes EXACTLY the same and i LOVE their honey mustard! Especially on fries, which is why i made it tonight.

Just whisk together equal parts of yellow mustard, helman’s mayo, and honey! That’s it! The perfect sweet honey mustard. I am so stoked. haha.

Home Made Marinara Sauce

I usually double this recipe and freezer half of it for another night when I’m not really in the mood (or the baby just won’t let me) spend time cooking. Doubling the recipe will not effect the times. The money you can save by making your own sauce is INCREDIBLE… and it tastes SO much better than the bottled stuff.

 

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs Olive Oil
• 6 Garlic Cloves (sliced thinly)
• 1 Onion, Chopped
• 1/2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper (dried)
• 1 (28 oz) Can Plum Tomatoes (chopped up, juices reserved) 
• 1 (15 oz) Can Tomato Sauce
• 1 Tsp Sugar
• 1 Tsp Basil (dried)
• 1/2 Tsp Oregano (dried)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. 
2. Add the onion and stir until tender.
3. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
4. Add crushed red pepper and tomatoes with juices.
5. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Add tomato sauce, sugar, basil, and oregano.
7. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
8. Uncover and cook until slightly thicker.
9. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Balsamic Reduction

A balsamic reduction is only as good as the balsamic vinegar that you use to make it with, so try to pick up a good one for this purpose.

1. Add the balsamic vinegar to a skillet and deglaze by boiling over high heat, scraping up brown bits.
2. Simmer until reduced by half.
3. Remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of butter until melted.
4. Season sauce with salt and drizzle away!

Home Made Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is really easy to make yourself and is noticeable better tasting than the stuff you can buy at the grocery store. I don’t make it often, but when I do it’s a major crowd pleaser (especially over pasta, chicken, and steamed broccoli)!

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Half&Half
• 1/4 Cup Salted Butter
• 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan
• Salt & White Pepper

Directions

1. In a saucepan, bring the half&half to a boil
2. Reduce heat to medium and stir until the cream is reduced by half
3. Remove from heat and add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dissolved.
4. Add the parmesan a little at a time, while stirring
5. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Cole Slaw Dressing

This is the best one that I’ve made so far, and i LOVE cole slaw!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbs vinegar
• 1 tbs milk

Just mix it all together and stick it in the fridge for an hour before adding it to the cabbage. Taste it first to see if you want to adjust the seasonings. (I always add more sugar, i like it sweet)

Home Made Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. dried, minced onion
• 1/4 c. chili powder
• 3 T. salt
• 4 T. corn starch
• 1 T. dried, minced garlic
• 1 T. ground cumin powder
• 1 T. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 t. beef bouillon granules

Ditections

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Brown 1 lb. ground beef in a skillet and drain.
3. Add 2 tbs taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water, and bring to a boil.
4. Cook and stir 2 minutes.

You can store the taco mix in a ziplock bag or tupperware container for up to a year.