Cantina Style Braised Short Ribs & Queso Grits

My second entry for the Desert Pepper Trading Co Blogger Recipe Contest is a fall dinner dream! Short Ribs are a favorite in this house, and these were caramelized first and then braised in Desert Pepper Trading Company Cantina Medium Red Salsa until fall apart tender. Served atop Queso Polenta that only takes 5 minutes to make and you've got cozy comfort food perfection!

Cantina Style Braised Short Ribs & Queso Grits 

1 Tablespoon cajun style seasoning blend

4 Tablespoons flour

4 ½ pounds Chuck Beef Short Ribs

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 yellow onion, minced

3 cloves minced garlic

1 jar (16 oz) Desert Pepper Trading Company Cantina Medium Red Salsa

1 cup beef broth

1 bay leaf 

1 (9.2 ounce) package instant polenta

1 cup Desert Pepper Trading Company Chile Con Queso

½ cup chopped Cilantro

1 lime, cut into wedges

 

Combine the cajun style seasoning blend and flour together. Blot short ribs dry with a paper towel and sprinkle all sides evenly with the seasoned flour mixture. Heat the oil over high heat in an Instant Pot or crock pot. Working in batches, sear each side until they are nicely caramelized.

Once the ribs are all seared, place them all in the pot along with the onion, garlic, salsa, beef broth and bay leaf. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours if using a slow cooker OR cook on Manual/High Pressure for 45 minutes with a 15 minute natural release if using an Instant Pot.

When the ribs have 30 minutes left of cooking time, prepare the Instant Polenta according to the box directions. (I use a box mix that only requires water and salt) Once the polenta has cooked, whisk in the queso until smooth and set aside.

When the meat can easily be pulled off the bone, it is ready. Skim any grease that may have risen to the top of the braising liquid and remove any bones that may have already fallen off. To serve, ladle the polenta into shallow bowls, top with the short ribs and gravy and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

 You can purchase Desert Pepper Salsa products at your local Sprouts, Publix, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Shop Rite, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Market Basket, Jewel, Meijer

You can follow Desert Pepper on their Website, on Facebook and Instagram 

#desertpepperrecipechallenge #desertpeppertradingco #desertpeppersalsa

Brisket & Queso Rangoon with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Desert Pepper Trading Co is hosting a Blogger Recipe Contest and I am so excited to share my first entry with you! What could be more perfect for your next game day (or any day, really) snack? Brisket and Queso in a crispy crunchy wonton wrapper with a cool and creamy jalapeno ranch dip on the side. Yes please!

Brisket & Queso Rangoon with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

1 large fresh jalapeno, chopped

½ cup cilantro leaves

2 green onions, chopped

½ cup bottled ranch dressing

8 ounces beef brisket, coarsely shredded

¾ cup Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso

20 Wonton Wrappers

6 cups vegetable oil

2 teaspoons BBQ Rub

 

Place the jalapeno, cilantro, green onions and ranch dressing in a small food processor or blender. Puree until smooth and place in the fridge to chill.

In a small mixing bowl stir together the brisket and Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso.

Working one at a time, use your finger and moisten the outer edges of a wonton wrapper with water. Add about 2 teaspoons of the brisket queso mixture in the center. Bring the 2 bottom points together in the middle of the wonton and pinch. Repeat with the other 2 corners and pinch to form a square bottom and pointed top. Lay on a cookie sheet and cover lightly with a clean damp kitchen towel while assembling the remaining wontons.

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 375° over medium high heat.

Working in batches, fry the wontons for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle the fried wontons with the BBQ rub seasoning and allow to drain on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet. Serve with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce.

Makes 20 wontons.

 

You can purchase Desert Pepper Salsa products at your local Sprouts, Publix, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Shop Rite, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Market Basket, Jewel, Meijer

You can follow Desert Pepper on their Website, on Facebook and Instagram 

#desertpepperrecipechallenge #desertpeppertradingco #desertpeppersalsa