Filet Mignon With Mushrooms and Madeira Wine Sauce
This recipe is the perfect comfort food and a great boost of protein. If you can’t find Madeira, you can substitute port or even a dry red wine. It just won’t have the nuttiness the Madeira brings.
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
12 ounces button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/2 cup minced shallots (about 3)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
4 5-ounce filet mignon steaks (each about 3/4 inch thick)
1/2 cup Madeira
1 1/2 cups canned beef broth
1/2 cup whipping cream
PREPARATION
Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup shallots and half of garlic and sauté until shallots are soft, about 3 minutes. Toss in thyme; season with salt and pepper. Transfer mushroom mixture to medium bowl.
*
Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Crack salt and pepper over the steaks. Add to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to plate. Add remaining 1/4 cup shallots and garlic to same skillet. Sauté 2 minutes. Add Madeira and boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and boil until mixture is reduced to 2/3 cup, about 6 minutes. Add cream and boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in mushroom mixture. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Return steaks to skillet and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.
From a collaboration with Southern Grist Brewing and Weathered Souls Brewing comes a new initiative to support justice and equality for People Of Color. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL. Southern Grist’s version is 10% abv, Imperial Stout with smooth vanilla highlights.
Southern Grist will be donating 100% of proceeds from sales of BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL to the Know Your Rights Camp and NAACPLDF to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily.
Check out the article below for more information on this worldwide collaboration among the craft brewing community.
Weathered Souls’ Black Is Beautiful Campaign Shows Racial Solidarity In Craft Beer
“I was dealing with some of the frustrations that were going on with murders,” he says. “Breonna Taylor, George Floyd. All of these situations that keep arising.”
As a Black business owner, Baskerville felt a responsibility to use his platform to promote justice. And yet, as a business frequented mostly by “white, middle-aged men,” Baskerville worried about alienating his fan base.
“You have to tread lightly, especially in the industry we’re in,” he says.
This week, Baskerville launched the Black Is Beautiful initiative, a project firmly at the intersection of these thoughts and emotions. It’s a strong move in the fight to raise awareness around injustice and a step toward bringing more diverse voices to an industry traditionally antagonistic toward minority populations.
What Is Black Is Beautiful?
Like Other Half’s “All Together” Project that mobilized craft brewers in support of a common goal, Black Is Beautiful highlights the need for equality and the injustice faced by people of color.
As part of the project, Baskerville worked with graphic designer Kevin Dyer to create a label for a beer can.
“It’s a general label that we created but a large portion of the label is left open for breweries to attach their own artwork to it,” says Baskerville.
“We created a recipe for people to use as a stout base,” says Baskerville. “But they can get creative and put their own spins on it.”
Donations to a local justice organization are encouraged, but “that’s not the main focus,” Baskerville says. Weathered Souls has chosen to donate proceeds from their beer to Know Your Rights Camp, an organization started by Colin Kaepernick to educate and empower “the next generation of change leaders.”
How Did The Black Is Beautiful Project Get Started?
Initially, Weathered Souls planned to make a single beer. But after speaking with Jester King’s Jeff Stuffings at Jester King Brewery — one of craft beer’s most vocal supporters and a man Baskerville credits as “a mentor” — Baskerville turned his project into a collaborative effort.
“I’ve been a fan boy of Jeff’s for years, and it developed into a friendship,” says Baskerville. “He’s actually the one that got us to open a brewpub over a brewery. In every situation where I’m like, ‘I want to do this’, or ‘I want to be part of this,’ Jeff has been like, ‘Note to self — help Marcus.’”
With Stuffings’ support, Baskerville was able to promote the initiative and reach a relatively large group of craft brewers in a short amount of time.
Who’s Participating In Black Is Beautiful?
Less than twenty-four hours after announcing the Black Is Beautiful project, Baskerville had sign-on from over eighty breweries. Only twenty-four hours after that, the number sits at 226.
“There have been some great names getting involved,” Baskerville says. “Trillium, J. Wakefield, Perennial. Today we heard from Great Notion, WeldWerks, and Voodoo.”
While these name might not mean much to someone outside of the craft beer scene, each of the named breweries plays a powerful role in shaping craft beer culture. Their support goes a long way in encouraging the most avid consumers to take the project seriously.
Justin Gyorfi, founder of Ingenious Brewing and a frequent collaborator of Baskerville’s, noted he’s not surprised at the project’s success.
“Marcus’ passion about the project is contagious and I couldn’t imagine a brewery owner who read his message — and who had the means to participate — not wanting to be involved,” he says.
Ingenious, along with fellow independent Texas brewery and close Weathered Souls / Ingenious collaborator Turning Point Beer, are both participating in the project.
Now, even those who don’t know Baskerville personally want to get involved. Ignacio Montenegro, owner and Director of Marketing at Tripping Animals Brewing Co. in Doral, Florida, committed his brewery to participating after hearing about the initiative on social media.
“We didn’t think twice about it,” he said. “We don’t have a relationship with Weathered Souls just yet, but if we can use our platform to raise awareness in our community, we’re more than happy to do it.”
Diversity As The Future of Craft Beer
“As brewers and business owners, we bring another perspective that’s a little different,” says William Teasley, founder of Khonso Brewing in Atlanta, Georgia. “The best thing anyone can do to help is ensure we’re part of the conversation.”
While Weathered Souls’ initiative is a huge step toward a more equitable craft beer industry, the true test of the project’s success will be to see whether or not current industry leaders extend themselves to the BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) community.
As the editor of a craft beer magazine, I’ll be the first to say that our industry hasn’t been very good at this. While programs like Fresh Fest and Beers With(out) Beards provide spots of hope, major industry events (including ones that I’ve personally thrown) have left brewers who are African American out of the conversation.
Still, things are changing. Hopefully the Black Is Beautiful project will not only show solidarity, but convince industry leaders to extend themselves to more people of color in the industry.
“I remember when I started, there was maybe one or two other black-owned breweries,” says Chris Harris, owner of Black Frog Brewing in Holland, Ohio. “Now you’re looking at close to thirty or forty right now. The change is happening. Slowly but surely, it’s happening.”
by Jenna Bratcher, StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Associate Editor and Lead Writer. Read the full article on Styleblueprint, here.
The subject of health is front and center these days, whether we’re considering socially distanced gatherings, grocery store outings, or sending our kids back to school. And while we still have a lot to learn about COVID-19, one thing is clear — keeping our bodies in tip-top shape is one of the best ways to fight against the virus. We asked some local experts to weigh in on a few of the best prevention practices and what we can do to ramp up our immune systems.
5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Immune System
Exercise regularly.
It’s a no-brainer that exercise is crucial to keeping your body physically fit, but how does it affect your immunity, and how much exercise do you really need? Having a consistent exercise routine is vital since it increases the circulation of immune cells and helps build immunity by reducing inflammation. Not to mention, exercise is a fantastic stress release, and stress is a major culprit in suppressing our immune systems.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
The old saying “You are what you eat” rings true — healthy food makes for a healthier body. “A well-balanced diet can help us stay on the preventative side of many medical conditions and build the foundation for a healthy immune system, making us less susceptible to infections,” says Anna Smith, a registered dietitian nutritionist for Kroger Health. Eating a nutritionally balanced diet is the clear-cut answer, and following the USDA’s MyPlate method is recommended.
Consider health supplements.
Vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc have all been shown to reduce healing time after infections and play a key role in building immunity, particularly to respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. In fact, the National Institutes of Health published new evidence that suggests vitamin D plays a significant role in regulating the immune system, and studies also show that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. So, how do you get the appropriate amount of vitamin D? Turnip Truck’sHealth & Beauty Department Manager, Jasmin Rosil says, “Most Americans do not get enough from sunlight alone, so supplementation is a great tool to help us get enough of this essential vitamin. One of our favorite brands for vitamin D is Natural Factors. They are family-owned, and stringent quality control ensures their products are pesticide-free and non-GMO.”
Before adding any supplements to your healthcare routine, it’s important to do plenty of research, talk to your trusted healthcare provider and remember that, as Jasmin puts it, “All supplements are not created equally. Choosing a supplement with healthy (not harmful) ingredients is paramount.” Not to mention, nutrition starts with your daily diet, so it’s important to remember that supplements are meant to do just that — supplement. They aren’t intended to take the place of vitamin- and mineral-rich foods, which you should obtain through fresh produce. “If you are eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other whole-nutrient sources, your multivitamin may be adequate,” offers Jasmin. “Consuming fresh and natural foods is the simplest, most complete way to lay the groundwork of daily nutrition.”
Get a full night of sleep.
From physical to mental benefits, there are a lot of evident and indisputable advantages that come with a solid night of slumber. But did you know that immunity-boosting brain chemicals are also released while we sleep? Essentially, our bodies need sleep to fight off infection, and for the average person, this means a full seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
Don’t ignore your mental health.
Being in shape is a whole-body affair, and we would be remiss to overlook the importance of mental health. Dr. Dana Verner, a mental health professional at Green Hills Family Psych, says, “Many people are surprised to learn just how strong the mind-body connection is — the health of our mind and body are inextricably intertwined. The same chemicals and hormones in the brain that affect the way we think and feel also affect our body and the way its systems function.”
Self-care takes many forms, and it’s at the epicenter of our wellness. Be it getting enough sleep, focusing on proper nutrition, exercising, taking health supplements, or finding a daily stress-release, our overall health depends on it. As Dr. Verner says, “Prioritizing self-care allows us to focus on what we can control during the chaos of pandemic life, rather than what we cannot.”
*It’s important to note that stress can become unmanageable despite our best efforts. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, Dr. Verner recommends reaching out for professional help from a counselor or therapist. “Thanks to the pandemic, telehealth restrictions have been lifted, and counseling is widely available and accessible in a safe way to those who need it,” she shares.
This colorful tomato salad is bulked up with red or pink beans. But it’s not a bean salad with tomatoes; it’s a tomato salad with beans. I added celery to the mix for its crunchy texture, which is nice against both the juicy tomatoes and the soft beans, and because I love its herbal, crisp and refreshing flavor.
INGREDIENTS
– 2 pounds ripe sweet tomatoes, preferably a combination of red, green and yellow heirlooms
– Coarse sea salt
– 1 ½cups cooked red or pink beans (1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
– ½ cup finely diced celery
– 1 small garlic clove, puréed in a mortar and pestle or put through a press
– 2 ounces crumbled feta (about 1/2 cup), plus additional for garnish
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, plus additional for garnish
– 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
– ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
– 3 to 4cups baby arugula (optional)
– 12 barley rusks or 12 small but fairly thick slices toasted whole wheat country bread
PREPARATION
Cut tomatoes into wedges. If tomatoes are very large, cut wedges in half across the middle. In a large bowl, toss tomatoes with salt, beans, celery, garlic, feta, mint, vinegar and olive oil. Mixture will become quite juicy quickly if tomatoes are ripe.
Line a platter or plates with arugula and arrange rusks or toasted bread on top. Use 2 pieces of bread per serving. Top with tomatoes and juices. Garnish with additional feta and mint, and serve.
Tip
Salad can be prepped ahead but do not salt or toss with dressing until shortly before serving or tomatoes will release too much juice.
1) Make the crust: In a food processor, briefly pulse together flour, cornmeal and salt. Add butter and cheese and pulse until mixture forms chickpea-size pieces (3 to 5 one-second pulses). Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, up to 6 tablespoons, pulsing occasionally until mixture is just moist enough to hold together. Form dough into a ball, wrap with plastic and flatten into a disk. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
2) Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with a double layer of paper towels. Spread out tomato slices in a single layer. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and let sit for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
3) In a skillet over medium heat, combine vinegar, honey and thyme sprigs and bring to a simmer; let simmer 2 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. Wipe out skillet, then add olive oil and garlic. Cook garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, or until garlic is golden and caramelized. Remove garlic and finely chop. Reserve garlic oil.
4) Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin. Gently roll out dough to a 1/4-inch thickness, dusting with flour if dough is sticking. Transfer dough to baking sheet and return to fridge for another 20 minutes.
5) Heat oven to 425 degrees. Pat tomatoes dry with paper towels. Brush tomatoes with honey mixture (reserve the thyme sprigs). Leaving a 3-inch border, distribute cheese, garlic and half the chopped thyme leaves on center of crust. Add black pepper to taste, then layer tomatoes in an overlapping pattern, maintaining the 3-inch border. Drizzle garlic oil over tomatoes, sprinkle with remaining thyme leaves and lay the reserved whole thyme sprigs on top. Gently fold crust up around tomatoes, making a 2-inch border.
6) In a small bowl, whisk egg and 1 teaspoon water. Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash over crust and sprinkle top of crostata with flaky salt. Bake for about 35 minutes, until pastry is deeply golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
