Cranberry Beef Stew

I like to make this recipe this time of year when fresh cranberries are available. The cranberry is a native plant that is also grown commercially.

Beef Stew with Cranberries

2 Tbspn Oil
3 Lbs. Stew Beef
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Medium Onions, Chopped
¾ Cup Red Wine
¾ Cup Beef Stock or Broth
2 Tbspn. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Can Tomato Paste
1 ½ Cups Fresh Cranberries
1/3 Cup Sugar (or Splenda)
Salt and Pepper

Cut Stew Beef into 1 inch cubes. Heat oil. Brown beef on all sides. Discard any remaining fat. Season meat with salt and pepper. Add the onion and minced garlic.
Add wine, stock, red wine vinegar, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until meat is tender, about 2 hours.

Chop cranberries coarsely and combine with sugar. Add to pot, stir well, and cook for 10 minutes longer.

Rugalah - Rugalach - Rugelach

However you spell it - Rugelach means "little twists" in Yiddish, and has Jewish Ashkenazic (Polish) origins. They are rolled cookies typically made for Hanukah. Everyone loves these!



Pastry:

2 Sticks Unsalted Butter
1 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
2 Cups Flour
½ tspn. Salt

Filling:

1 Stick Unsalted Butter
1 ½ Tbspn. Cinnamon
1 ½ Cups Sugar
6 Tbspn. Finely Chopped Walnuts

Make the Pastry:

Soften the butter and cream cheese to room temperature.
Beat the butter, cream cheese, and salt with an electric mixer. Mix in the flour.
Divide the dough into 4 portions. Shape each portion into a disk. Wrap and chill until firm.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Mix cinnamon with sugar.
Roll 1 portion of dough into a circle.
Brush with Melted Butter.
Sprinkle with Cinnamon/Sugar Mix and Chopped Walnuts.
Cut the circle into 12 wedges.
Roll up from the wide edge to the point.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet, bending the dough into a crescent shape.
Bake 20 minutes until golden brown.
While still warm, brush with more melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mix.

Repeat with the remaining 3 circles.

Filling alternatives: Add a few chocolate chips or, use jam and walnuts for the filling.