Beef Shortribs!!!! and Paramesan Gnocchi

Executive Chef Justin Dain, whose amazing shortribs are a perrenial favorite, has decided to start sharing some of his hoard of recipes.

Reluctant Panther Boneless Beef Shortribs with Scallion and Parmesan Gnocchi

Shortribs:

4 pounds boneless short ribs
3 cups red wine
8 cups Veal Stock (or beef broth)
1 medium white onion
2 stalks celery
1 large carrot
8 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon Chinese five spice
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, sear short ribs in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once browned on both sides add celery, carrot, onion and garlic and cook until vegetables are slightly brown. Deglaze pan with 3 cups of red wine and cook until reduced by half. Add veal stock and cover for 2 hours. After 2 hours take the cover off and let the sauce reduce to a thickened consistency, cooking an additional 2 hours. Check ribs to make sure they are very tender and almost falling apart.

Parmesan Gnocchi:

½ pound unsalted butter

2 cups water

1 tablespoon salt

10 ounces of all-purpose flour

1 cup parmesan cheese

8 eggs

Bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour and stir until fully incorporated. Place mixture in a KitchenAid mixer with the paddle attachment. Add parmesan cheese and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly add the eggs one at a time. Place mixture in a piping bag with a large plain tip. Pipe small amounts of the mixture into salted boiling water. Cook each batch for 1 minute.

Parmesan cream sauce:

2 cups heavy cream

½ cup Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons cornstarch

½ cup of water

Mix the cornstarch and water. Bring the heavy cream to a boil and slowly add the cornstarch mixture until thickened. Take off heat and add parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. For garnish grill 1 scallion for each plate!

Enjoy!

The Economy--and The Panther

In the 1992 Presidential election, Bill Clinton's team popularized the phrase "It's the economy, stupid!" The idea was that the campaign needed laser-sharp focus on the number one issue--the economy--if they hoped to beat George H. W. Bush in the election.

Well, today isn't much different. For those of us in the hospitality industry, a laser focus is needed to keep us from faltering in this difficult time. So we're concentrating on what we do best--providing a place of quiet and comfort where our guests can go for that brief respite that will help them re-charge the batteries and get back into the battle. It's our feeling that great quality of service at a reasonable price, delivered in a relaxing environment by professionals is just what the Doctor would order (although today, the doctor is likely to be a Ph.D. in Economics!).

To help bring our guests--and us--through the next few months (March 15 through May 1, 2009), we've put together a Spring Special that we think may be just the thing. With savings of 25-50% on EVERY room in the house, you're bound to find a place where you can spend a few days relaxing and re-charging.
In general, the higher savings (50% off) are on rooms in the Main House (the newly rebuilt main building), with the lowest savings coming in those rooms that have wood-burning fireplaces (25% off) with a good mix in between.

We've instituted a few changes that help us make this kind of reduction possible (nothing is ever free!).

• First, we've decided to stop serving breakfast until May 1, 2009;
• Second, reservations during this period are non-refundable; and
• Third, these reservations are non-cancellable and not transferrable to another date.

In addition, our restaurants (The Main House Dining Room and The Panther Pub) will be open on Friday and Saturday nights ONLY beginning on March 15th.

We hope that the economy treats you gently, andwe hope that you'll consider coming to seeus when it doesn't--or even if it does!

Snow!!!

Well. It's snowing once again which, in my mind at least, makes this the snowiest winter ever! Of course our experience with snow in Vermont is limited, but it sure seems like there's lots of it! This is very good for those among us who like Winter sports--and the snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoing, hiking, and general all-around playing in the snow have been great so far this year.

But the season is coming to a close, and we're preparing to celebrate that close with a great sale on rooms--up to 50% off! Give us a call to see if your favorite room is on the discount list (hint: they ALL are!).

Inaugural Post

Welcome to the first posting on the official blog of The Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant, located in Manchester Village, Vermont!



Take our poll over on the right hand side of this page and tell us which room you prefer...you can only vote for one!

And now, on with the show....