Fall is calling … and so are Saucy Short Ribs!
Perfect for fall dinner parties!
Dear Friends,
The air is cooler and at Grandfather the leaves are changing and falling! Time to host cozy dinners and holiday parties, which always brings to mind my near dinner party disaster.
How would you feel if the plumbers were arriving as your Christmas party guests were arriving?
Yes, you read that right. Me — the person who has spoken to nearly 5,000 women about entertaining was in my bathrobe with wet hair dumping buckets of water out of the kitchen sink to keep it from overflowing an hour before my husband’s entire office arrived for their Christmas party. An hour later our guests arrived exactly at the same time the plumbers did. Merry Christmas everyone!
Oh wait, there was also the time when the kitchen sink dropped through the countertop minutes before guests arrived.
What to do? Enjoy the chaos and offer everyone a cocktail!
Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of dinner party adventures. Those occasions remind me of the most important lesson about entertaining:
People don’t come for a perfect party — they come to have fun!
This is why women love my “30 Days to Effortless Entertaining” workshop. Not because I help you avoid mistakes (though we will cover that!), it’s because I want to help you embrace the beautiful imperfection that makes entertaining real, warm, and memorable.
In our fall workshops, you’ll discover:
- The simple secrets that make guests feel truly welcomed
- How to lean into what you enjoy and solve what you don’t
- Practical strategies to take the stress out of hosting for the bar, menu, tabletop, and more
and … Menus that work when hosting. We learn how to prep and prepare in advance so you are ready and relaxed when your guests arrive, and so you can enjoy the party too!
The magic isn’t in perfection — it’s in being together.
Join me for my “30 Days to Effortless Entertaining” workshop, where I pull back the curtain in my own home to show everything I do from kitchen to tabletop.
Whether you’re a reluctant or seasoned entertainer, this workshop will transform how you think about hospitality.
Watch now!
In the workshop …
Two workshop sessions are starting this fall:
- Session 1: September 17th
- Session 2: October 15th
Over the next week, I’ll be sharing insights from the workshop — what makes this experience special and how it can help you step into the season of gathering with confidence and joy.
I want you to imagine this … What if entertaining could feel as natural and joyful as having coffee with your best friend? What if you looked forward to hosting instead of dreading it?
That transformation is possible, and I’m here to show you how.
Saucy Short Ribs
SERVES 8 Adapted from Bon Appetit
Ingredients
¼ c brown sugar
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp dry mustard
4 tsp cumin
2 tbsp paprika
4 tsp salt
4 tsp pepper
8 lbs beef short ribs
2 tbsp olive oil
8 oz chopped pancetta
2 cups chopped onion
8 sprigs thyme
1 bottle red wine
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp Tabasco
4 – 6 cups beef broth
Directions
Combine brown sugar, oregano, mustard, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper into a rub.
Dredge ribs through the rub coating on all sides.
In a large pan over high heat, heat olive oil. Sear short ribs in small batches and transfer to roasting pan or large casseroles.
In same pan, deglaze with 4 tbsp red wine over high heat. Reduce heat and add pancetta. Sauté for 2 min. Add onion and sauté 2 – 3 min until softened.
Add thyme, wine, tomato paste, and Tabasco. Blend. Add wine. Bring to boil.
Pour mixture into roasting pan around short ribs.
Cover and cook at 300° for 3 – 4 hrs until ribs are tender and easily pull off the bone. Be sure to check the pan every hour and add beef broth if needed.
Remove 2 cups sauce from the roasting pan and strain through a sieve into a sauce pot.
Bring sauce to boil and reduce heat. Simmer 15 min until thickened. If needed add corn starch dissolved in hot water.
Serve ribs with sauce.
Polenta
SERVES 8
Ingredients
2 cups yellow stone ground grits
2 cups half and half or whipping cream
4 cups chicken broth
½ stick butter
Directions
Add all ingredients to pot. Bring to boil.
Reduce and simmer 20 – 25 min.
TIPS & QUIPS
available here
available here
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If you add to your dish before cooking, the heat cooks out, but the flavor stays. If you add it to your dish after cooking, you’ll get the heat and flavor!
available here
Did you know …
In Week 3 of the “30 Days to Effortless Entertaining” workshop, we cover Menus and Recipes to ensure you’re enjoying the party with your guests and not, scrambling in the kitchen.
To learn more and register for the workshop, click here.
Just a reminder! The Guide, 2nd Edition is included in the workshop 😍!
ELLEN
We want to hear from you!
