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Culture
Autumn Beef Stew
As the autumn leaves start to fall and the air gets crisper, a hearty beef stew can warm both body and soul. This upscale version of the classic comfort dish incorporates seasonal ingredients and gourmet touches to elevate your dining experience. Let’s embark on a culinary journey that captures the essence of autumn.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup red wine (preferably a rich Bordeaux)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, cut into thick rounds
- 2 parsnips, cut into thick rounds
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 cups beef broth (or bone broth for added richness)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup wild mushrooms (like chanterelles or porcini)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped for garnish
- 1 tbsp truffle oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Browning the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. Add beef to the pot in batches, ensuring each piece is browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Base: In the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute.
- Deglazing: Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release the flavorful bits. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce by half.
- Building the Stew: Return the browned beef to the pot. Add carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, bay leaves, and thyme. Pour in the beef broth, ensuring the meat and veggies are submerged.
- Slow Cooking: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the stew simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
- Adding Mushrooms: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the wild mushrooms.
- Final Touches: Once cooked, adjust seasoning if needed. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Serve hot in bowls, drizzled with a touch of truffle oil (if using) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
This autumn beef stew, infused with rich flavors and luxurious touches, is more than a meal; it’s a celebration of the season’s bounties. Enjoy with crusty bread and a glass of the same red wine used in the stew for a perfect dining experience.
“Killers of the Flower Moon”: Scorsese, DiCaprio, and Plemons’ Cinematic Triumph
As October approaches, film aficionados await with bated breath for Martin Scorsese’s next magnum opus, “Killers of the Flower Moon”. This riveting tale, based on David Grann’s bestseller, sheds light on the dark, real-life saga of the Osage Indian murders in the 1920s.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a frequent and favored collaborator of Scorsese’s, takes center stage, delivering what’s anticipated to be another Oscar-worthy performance. His nuanced portrayal promises to delve deep into the complexities of the era and its racial tensions.
But what’s stirring equal excitement is Jesse Plemons’ role. Plemons, having carved a niche for himself with powerful performances in past projects, is expected to provide a counterweight to DiCaprio’s character, bringing depth and a contrasting perspective. The dynamic between the two actors under Scorsese’s deft direction is set to be one of the film’s many highlights.
With its blend of historical narrative, stellar cast, and Scorsese’s unparalleled storytelling, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is shaping up to be the cinematic event of the year. This October, expect theaters to be abuzz with discussions on this powerhouse trio’s latest creation.
Dua Lipa Wore a Head To Toe Versace Look for New ‘Barbie’ Music Video
Dua Lipa in the “Dance the Night” video, seated in the Barbie car
Friday Dua Lipa released her new music video for her single “Dance The Night” for the Barbie movie soundtrack. It’s sure to be a summer hit with its pop-disco sound and her look for the video is sure to inspire. It’s well known that Dua loves to collaborate with Donatella Versace and they cued up the 90’s vibes with a look inspired by Donatella’s 1999 collection of dresses featuring pastel chainmail and butterflies. Dua wore a reinterpretation of the dress Naomi Campbell wore to the De Beers/ Versace ‘Diamonds are Forever’ celebration at Son House in London in 1999, to her Grammys after party at home in 2021. The music video features scenes from the movie and the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, makes a cameo. Barbie will be in theaters on July 21st.
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD
melin.com
In this New York Times best seller Peter Attia MD uses science to give us insight on how to take control of your health and longevity, through personalized approaches and tools for optimization of nutrition, sleep, and exercise. Outlive is a working manual for extending a life of quality.
“For all its successes, mainstream medicine has failed to make much progress against the diseases of aging that kill most people: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes. Too often, it intervenes with treatments too late to help, prolonging lifespan at the expense of healthspan, or quality of life. Dr. Attia believes we must replace this outdated framework with a personalized, proactive strategy for longevity, one where we take action now, rather than waiting.
This is not “biohacking,” it’s science: a well-founded strategic and tactical approach to extending lifespan while also improving our physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Dr. Attia’s aim is less to tell you what to do and more to help you learn how to think about long-term health, in order to create the best plan for you as an individual.” – Peter Attia MD