Monday, August 2, 2010

Let the Healing Begin...with Meat

gourmet heartbreak

So I'm still in my grieving stage for the late lamented Gourmet. DAMN YOU Chuck Townsend. Because my grief was so deep I didn't realize Ruth Reichl had a TV show, Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth on PBS. Ruth travels around the world with her pals to discover cooking schools and learning new skills. It's good to have friends.

Ribs1

The episode I saw had Ruth exploring Venice with Dianne Wiest making all sorts of decadent dishes like Grilled Calamari and Roast Duck stuffed with Pork and Ginger. But it was the Costesine in Tescia or Pork Spare Ribs that sent me to the butcher. So simple but so delicious. Brown the ribs in olive oil then put all the ingredients into the pot and simmer for a little over an hour. While the ribs were simmering, I decided to make Pommes Anna. Equally simple but with even less ingredients than the ribs.

pommes anne

I love this little 6 1/2 inch cast iron skillet I found at second hand store. Great for single servings.

Pommes Anna 2

For all you on Heart Healthy Diets, move along, nothing to see here.

decadent dinner

Now you would think that living in serious bbq country would put me off spare ribs but these savory little nuggets are a wonderful change of pace from your sweet or spicy smoked ribs. I forget what a wonderful herb rosemary is to pair with meats like pork and lamb.

So while Gourmet, the magazine may be gone, you still get a little bit of that mojo from Ruth and her globe trotting friends. Let's just hope they don't pull the plug on that too.

19 comments:

Dani said...

PBS has such great shows on!

Big Shamu said...

I have to agree Dani, it's always been the best source of cooking programs. Too bad the Food Network didn't take better notes when setting up their programming.

Melissa said...

Lovely and delightful! My house IS BBQ country. If I try to "lightly season" ANY meat in our home, my spouse and kids IMMEDIATELY run screaming to the refrigerator for the BBQ Sauce. It's so fussing irritating. glop.glop.

Big Shamu said...

Melissa, you have my deepest condolences. Still I think you should make a batch for yourself and let not the glop touch their meaty hides. They are the best.

Making Space said...

Those ribs have inspired me to go buy pork ribs for the first time in my life.

Love all the photos but the Gourmet cover leaves me speechless. And we al know how impossible that is...

Big Shamu said...

Never. Bought. Pork. Ribs?

What? Next you'll be telling me you've never bought bacon?

Buzz Kill said...

The potatoes look awesome. My rosemary plant is on it's last legs (I kept forgetting to water it in the scorching heat - go figure). I looked this show up on PBS's site and of course they're all crumby times (and I don't record). I also notice another show in the listing - Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie. that could be interesting but it has lousy times too.

Syd said...

Clutching my pearls after looking at that food porn.

Never bought pork ribs? Is that even legal?

Sharon Rudd said...

Those potatoes look so good they almost distracted me from the pork ribs (who'd have thought that was possible?). Note to self: keep eye out for 6 1/2" cast iron pan. Lovely post, Shamy!

Sharon Rudd said...

For Shamy: Just found this via Ruth Bourdain and of course thought of you, as well as the footwear fetishists around here :)

http://www.neatorama.com/2009/09/29/bacon-shoes/

Making Space said...

Shamy and Syd, I used to be the sort of princess who wouldn't touch anything but chicken or tofu. Now I keep bacon in the fridge at all times and apparently I'm about to become Street Legal by buying pork ribs.

GrumpyGranny said...

I. Love. Meat.

There, I said it.

GG

Big Shamu said...

Not one of the usual things lesbians say GG but so glad to hear it.

Jenny said...

la la la la ... I moved to comments pretty ding dang fast.

Pretty picture of rosemary, however.

Big Shamu said...

POTATOES!!!!! Potatoes with just butter, salt and pepper!!! You can at least try the veggies.

Jenny said...

I actually make those. Shocked, aren't you?

moi said...

I have my Sunday supper now. Thanks!

And with seventy gazillion cable channels, I always overlook PBS. Thanks for reminding me there are good things on there . . .

Susan said...

Stop the high fat, high cholesterol madness !! Stop I say !!

kidding - fill your freakin'boots girlfriend and I will live and love vicariously through your gorgeous photos. yummmmm that crispy, only fat will do, potato crust.

xo your F&*?#$ng heart healthy pal
we're bbqin' some tofu tonight

Big Shamu said...

I don't think I've heard anything sadder than "We're bbqin' some tofu tonight"
I raise a rib to you, my heart healthy friend.