Chef John's Beef and Barley Stew Hearty Beef and Barley Stew with Root Vegetables and Herbs Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 carrots, sliced 2 stalks celery, sliced 1 parsnip or turnip, peeled and diced (optional) 1 cup pearl barley 8 cups beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 bay leaf Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Directions: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, then set aside. In the same pot, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more to deepen the flavor. Return the beef to the pot along with carrots, celery, parsnip (if using), barley, thyme, bay leaf, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with crusty bread. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings #beefandbarleystew #heartymeals #comfortfood #soulfood #chefjohnrecipe #winterwarmers #onepotmeal #stewseason #wholesomecooking #classicrecipes #barleydishes #slowcookedbeef #dutchovenrecipes #homemadestew #rootvegetables #herbandbeef #heartyrecipes #simmeredgoodness #beefstewlove #familydinners Nothing warms the soul like a steaming bowl of Beef and Barley Stew! This Chef John classic is rich, rustic, and full of deep flavor.

Mexican Pizza Crispy Mexican-Style Pizza with Seasoned Beef and Refried Beans Ingredients: 1/2 pound ground beef 1 tablespoon taco seasoning 1/3 cup water 4 flour tortillas (8-inch) 1/2 cup refried beans 1/2 cup salsa or enchilada sauce 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1/4 cup diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons sliced black olives 2 tablespoons chopped green onions Olive oil spray or brush-on Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray or brush tortillas with olive oil and bake on a baking sheet for 5–7 minutes per side until crisp. Set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Warm refried beans slightly to make them easier to spread. Spread a thin layer over two crisped tortillas. Top each with half of the seasoned beef, then place the other tortillas on top to form pizza "sandwiches." Spread salsa or enchilada sauce over the top of each. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add diced tomatoes, olives, and green onions over the cheese. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Slice and serve with sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce if desired. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings #mexicanpizza #homemadepizza #tacotuesdayrecipes #easytexmex #beefrecipes #refriedbeans #enchiladasauce #cheesypizza #quickdinners #weeknightmeal #flourtortillapizza #southwestflavors #comfortfoodrecipes #familyfriendlydinner #ovenbakedpizza #salsalovers #tacopizza #texmexfusion #easybake #mexicaninspireddish Taco night just got an upgrade This Mexican Pizza layers crisp tortillas, seasoned beef, and melty cheese for a bold, satisfying bite!

Mushroom and Spinach Alfredo Pasta Creamy Alfredo Pasta with Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach Ingredients: 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 10 oz mushrooms (cremini or white button), sliced 4 cups baby spinach 1 ½ cups heavy cream 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and black pepper to taste 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional) Extra Parmesan and parsley, for garnish Directions: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook until golden and their moisture evaporates, 6–8 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Pour in the cream, then stir in Parmesan and nutmeg. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes Kcal: 590 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #alfredopasta #mushroomalfredo #spinachpasta #creamygarlicpasta #comfortfood #pastarecipe #easyweeknightmeal #vegetarianpasta #homemadealfredo #mushroomrecipes #spinachlover #cheesypasta #italianinspired #quickdinnerideas #fettuccinealfredo #pastaandcheese #garliccream #meatlessmeal #pastawithveggies #easycomfortfood Creamy. Garlicky. Packed with mushrooms & greens This Mushroom & Spinach Alfredo Pasta is total comfort in a bowl!

Beef and Miso Soup Savory Miso Soup with Thinly Sliced Beef, Tofu, and Greens Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil ½ lb thinly sliced beef (sirloin, flank, or hot pot style) 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon mirin (or rice vinegar) 1 teaspoon sesame oil 4 cups dashi broth (or low-sodium beef broth) 3 tablespoons white or red miso paste ½ cup firm tofu, cubed 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 cup baby spinach or napa cabbage 2 green onions, sliced 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger Salt, to taste Optional: chili oil or shichimi togarashi for heat Directions: In a pot over medium heat, add vegetable oil. Sauté sliced beef with soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and grated ginger for 2–3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside. In the same pot, pour in dashi broth and bring to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, whisk miso paste with a few tablespoons of hot broth until smooth, then stir it back into the pot. Do not boil once miso is added. Add mushrooms and tofu; simmer gently for 5 minutes. Return beef to the pot along with spinach or napa cabbage. Cook for 2 more minutes until greens wilt. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and top with green onions and optional chili oil or togarashi. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 3–4 servings #misosoup #beefmiso #japaneserecipes #comfortsoup #umamisoup #quickjapanesemeals #beefsoup #heartybroth #misobroth #tofusoup #japanesecooking #homemadesoup #asianflavors #easycomfortfood #misodinner #healthybroth #soupseason #mushroomsoup #beefnoodlebowl #gingersoup A steaming bowl of miso soup + tender beef = weeknight magic in under 30 minutes Cozy, savory, and soul-warming.

California Grilled Veggie and Pesto Pasta Charred Summer Veggie Pasta with Fresh Basil Pesto Ingredients: 12 oz pasta (farfalle, penne, or rotini) 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds 1 yellow squash, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red onion, sliced into rings 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Optional: pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish Directions: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and red onion in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill 3–4 minutes per side until charred and tender. Cut grilled vegetables into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with pesto until evenly coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with pine nuts and fresh basil, if using. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a pasta salad. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #grilledveggies #vegetarianpasta #pestopasta #summerdinners #californiacooking #freshflavors #veggiepasta #basilpesto #easyvegetariandinner #chargrilledveggies #pastaideas #meatlessmeal #colorfulplate #mediterraneanpasta #healthycomfortfood #pastaandveggies #plantbaseddinner #homemadepesto #pastaart #seasonaleating So fresh, so grilled, so California This Grilled Veggie & Pesto Pasta is bursting with color, flavor, and feel-good vibes.