Blog

Ingredients

2 red onions, sliced 1/2 inch thick
8 plum (Roma) tomatoes, cored
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 cups cubed Italian bread
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup shredded fresh basil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.

Brush the onion slices and tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and set aside. Drizzle another 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the cubed bread in a large bowl. Sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper; toss well. Skewer the bread cubes with metal skewers.

Grill bread on preheated grill until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes. Grill onions and tomatoes until soft, about 5 minutes.

Chop the roasted onions and tomatoes into large pieces, and place into a large bowl along with the toasted bread, cucumber, and basil. Whisk the vinegar together with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to make a dressing. Pour over the salad, and toss to coat.

Ingredients

1 (5 pound) beef brisket
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Merlot wine
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup beef stock
1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 large onion, sliced into rings
2 stalks celery, with leaves
3 large carrots
4 large cloves garlic, diced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried rosemary

Directions

Season the beef brisket with salt and pepper and place into a shallow baking dish or large resealable bag. Combine the Merlot and balsamic vinegar; pour in with the steak. Seal or cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Arrange onion rings in the bottom of a roasting pan. Season with garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Pour the marinade into the bottom of the pan along with the beef stock and stewed tomatoes, and lay the roast on top of the onions so they form a roasting rack. Cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake for 3 hours in the preheated oven, then peel back the aluminum foil and add carrots and celery to the pan. Cover again and continue roasting for an addition 1 to 2 hours, or until the brisket can be pulled apart with a fork.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Directions

Crumble the ground beef into a stock pot or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook stirring frequently until beef is evenly browned. Drain off excess grease.

Season with chili powder, oregano, cumin and hot sauce. Stir in the tomatoes and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 1 hour – or longer if you have time. Stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom.

Ingredients

3 medium fresh peaches, peeled and cubed
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
MINT VINAIGRETTE:
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup minced fresh mint
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 lettuce leaves

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the peaches, chicken, cucumber and onion; set aside. In a blender, combine the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, mint, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. Drizzle over chicken mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Use a slotted spoon to serve on lettuce-lined plates.