Ramblings of a retiree in France
When my friend’s sons come to stay with me I do literally kill the fatted calf and ply them with their favourite foods but then the way to most men’s hearts, whatever their ages, is via their stomachs. Of course, the boys have high expectations because their mother is an excellent cook.
They both love beef so home-made hamburgers, côte du boeuf (roast ribs of beef), tafelspitz (Austrian boiled sirloin of beef) and lasagne Bolognese are all popular but their favourite is my sticky, spicy beef ribs adapted from a recipe for BBQ beef ribs by Michelin two-starred chef Tom Kerridge.
I live in an apartment where BBQs are forbidden, largely because of the fire risk but, while I accept that the deep smokey flavour in the original recipe is missing from these ribs, they are still finger-lickin’ delicious. The dish takes three days to prepare but each stage involves very little actual work on the part of the cook.
Spice rub:
Glaze:
1. Stir together all of the dry spices and herbs and rub them all over the ribs of beef. Place the beef into a large plastic bag and cover with any remaining mix. Store in the fridge overnight.
2. To make the glaze, place the chopped dates and onion relish into a bowl. Bring the beer up to the boil in a saucepan and pour it onto the dates and onions. Cover with cling film (plastic wrap) and leave to cool to room temperature.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together the remaining glaze ingredients.
4. When the date and onion mixture has cooled, blend the mixture until smooth and pour it into the rest of the glaze.
5. Take the ribs out of the fridge, wash off the spice rub and pat dry with kitchen paper. Place them into a large casserole dish (Dutch oven), pour over the glaze, cover with a scrunched up damp piece of greaseproof paper (cartouche) and cover with a lid or aluminium foil.
6. Put the casserole into a preheated oven at 150°C /130°C fan/gas mark 2 (300°F/275°F fan) and cook very slowly for four to five hours, or until the beef is very tender and has almost fallen off the bones. The house will smell wonderful!
7. When the beef is cooked, remove the casserole from the oven and leave to cool at room temperature. When cool, place in the fridge to chill overnight. When it’s cold the fat will have set on the top and can easily be removed. It can sit happily in the fridge for several days until you’re ready to finish the dish.
8. When you’re ready to reheat, place the lidded casserole dish back into a pre-heated oven at 120°C/100°C fan/gas mark 1 (300°F/275°F fan) and allow the ribs to warm through for two to three hours, preferably while you’re out riding.
9. Remove from the oven, if necessary, place over a low heat on the hob and slowly reduce the glaze with the beef still in the pan, basting the ribs every 10 minutes. When the glaze is reduced and coats the beef, remove them from the pan and serve with oven-baked potatoes and home-made coleslaw or whatever else takes your fancy!
1. My version of this recipe differs from the original because when I first made it I didn’t have all the specified ingredients. I generally don’t tamper – well not much anyway – with recipes from Michelin-starred chefs. However the end result was truly scrummy and so I’ve continued to make them this way by popular demand of the men in my life.
2. However, I would urge you to experiment and find the combination of ingredients which best suits your tastes.
3. If you can use a BBQ, then steps eight and nine should be done on it, rather than in the oven and on the hob.
We say love starts in the kitchen lol!!!
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Indeed it does!
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💓💓
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Hey Sheree, we have one teenage boy with a hollow leg, but like left overs, so will look into making for dinner tonight, I was just meal prepping right now. I do not have any onion jam, but can substitute! Yummy girl
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Exactly!
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That looks delicious! It reminds me of my husband’s barbecue recipe from his dad.
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I like this. I would enjoy the meal
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It’s a real crowd pleaser
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This is a wonderful post and first of all – cheers to beef and the nourishment it can offer humans!
I am not judging anyone for the lie beliefs but I am sad when folks SLAM red meat (and salt!) as the bad guys when they are life giving!! Or can be! (And they should be slamming sugar and chemicals)
Anyhow – also likes the step by step and commentary –
Paying it forward a bit with your experience and skills.
Might be able to try making these someday
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It’s an easy recipe and a real crowd-pleaser.
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and fortifying for teens – right on
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Nice
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Thanks
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It looks yummy !
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I can’t stop to sense the aroma from where I am,poor me,am really missing out… Sheree when next you cook you most be prepared to feed more people.
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Thanks! There’s nothing I love more than catering for a large number of people.
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Can i get some please?
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I’ll send it round with Uber Eats!
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hehe, can’t wait:D
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Okay, you win… I would love those ribs now. Thanks for sharing the recipe. ❤
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Pleasure! I’d send some round but Uber Eats
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doesn’t yet offer a transatlantic service.
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I could happily live on ribs but never seem to do beef (always pork which are much easier to get here). I’d love to give tis recipe a go.
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It’s really easy.
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