Meat....meat on the bone....meat on the bone, cooked for hours....meat one the bone, cooked for hours, with wine and stock. It's all good, but, sometimes life is tough, shit happens, people let you down, you let people down, you have expectations and the unexpected happens. In darker times, I find food even more comforting, it's the constant, I'm in control and I'll go back for thirds if I feel like it. Being able to cook, even simple meals, is empowering. Being able to nourish yourself, when you need it most, even if the person you used to share with isn't there anymore and you're swallowing sobs between fork fulls... it is still empowering.

Cooking this dish (for 4 hours) reminded me that time is the thing, low and slow and your meat will fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. Don't force things, with time the light will start to creep in and overtake the darkness, feed yourself plenty of loving kindness and your heart will mend itself...and you will melt in someones mouth again ...and the tears... will be tears of laughter.

Here's a little video of this recipe

Take;

150g pancetta
8 x beef short ribs
3 x onions sliced
celery 2-3 sticks chopped
carrots 2-3 chopped
1 x red pepper diced
1 x yellow pepper diced
1 x fresh red chilli
200ml red wine
150 ml beef stock
1 x tin tomatoes
sprig rosemary
a few sprigs thyme
3 x bay leaves
1 x cinamon stick
3 x large pieces of orange zest
salt and pepper

Do;

turn oven on to 150'C, 140' for fan, gas 2, 300'F
try and cook this in a heavy cast iron pan
trim the ribs of any excess fat
brown the pancetta, then brown the ribs giving a generous sprinkling of salt, set aside
saute the onions and chilli for 5 mins
add the other veggies saute for 5 mins
add the wine, simmer for 3/4 mins
add the stock and tomatoes, herbs, orange and cinamon
add pancetta and the ribs, taste for seasoning and adjust
cook for 3-4 hours in oven with lid on
serve with mashed potato or plenty of crusty bread...and a large glass of wine!