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By Root 762 0

engaged in slowly simmering stews. The recipes in this chapter utilize tough cuts of meat that melt into tenderness with slow braises, as well as leaner cuts that are perfect for stir-fries. There are also a few recipes for sausage, since it pairs so well with kale and sauerkraut.

Even if you don’t eat much red meat, don’t ignore this chapter, because some of the recipes can be made with chicken. Also, many of the sausage recipes can be made with chicken and turkey sausage.

The chapter begins with beef recipes, then moves on to lamb recipes, and ends with pork and sausage. There are many classic, old-fashioned favorites represented here, and some very good eating.

RECIPE LIST FOR

MAIN DISHES WITH MEAT

Winter-Vegetable Beef Stew

Pot Roast with Root Vegetables

Mustard-Braised Short Ribs with Root Vegetables

Reuben Pie

New England Boiled Dinner

Braised Beef Rigatoni

Lamb Stew with Root Vegetables

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Shepherd’s Pie

Lamb and Leek Flatbread

Spicy Meat Lo Mein

Five-Spice Pork and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Stir-Fried Pork with Hearty Greens

Roast Pork with Sauerkraut and Vegetables

Choucroute Garnie

Oven-Braised Sausage and Vegetables

Sausage with Kale and White Beans

Pasta with Kale and Sausage

Ravioli with Smoky Greens

Pasta with Kale, Sausage, and Tomatoes

Braised Kale on Toast

Vegetarian dishes are marked with this symbol:

Winter-Vegetable Beef Stew

Serves 6

I’ve never met a man who didn’t love beef stew — it’s one of those dishes to employ when you want to go straight to a man’s proverbial heart.

2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried oregano Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds stew beef (chuck or round), cut into bite-size pieces

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1½ cups beef broth (page 125)

2 cups diced tomatoes with juice, or 1 (15-ounce) can

1 cup red wine

2 garlic cloves, minced

1½ pounds thin-skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into

1-inch cubes

1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 pound rutabagas or turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon of the thyme, and the oregano in a shallow bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add the beef and toss to coat.

2 Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Lift the beef pieces out of the flour, shaking off the excess, and add a single layer of meat to the pan. Do not crowd the pan. Cook, turning as needed, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the meat as it browns and set aside. Continue browning the remaining meat.

3 Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the onion to the pan and sauté until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, tomatoes, wine, and garlic, and the remaining 2 teaspoons thyme. Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a slow simmer. Return the meat to the pan. Partially cover the pan and simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 hours.

4 Add the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and rutabagas to the pan and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 1 hour.

5 Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Pot Roast with Root Vegetables

Serves 4–6

Low and slow is the secret to pot roast, an easy dish to prepare if you allow enough time. It is excellent on the second day, so feel free to make it in advance. Vary the root vegetables cooked in the gravy according to what you have on hand. I’m not a huge fan of parsnips, but I think they are particularly good prepared this way. Mashed potatoes makes the perfect accompaniment.

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chopped dried rosemary leaves

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

1 brisket, beef chuck, or beef rump roast (3–5 pounds)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive, sunflower, or canola oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1½ cups diced tomatoes with juice, or 1 (15-ounce)