Think of this as a dual-purpose PSA: not only are these recipes tops, but they’re the center of The Bear, a series on Hulu that you need in your life. One of the most creative and fast-paced series about a guy who goes back to run the family restaurant in Chicago, and gets ready to binge, on both the spaghetti and gravy along with the brisket.
The Bear has us all answering requests with “Yes Chef.” It doesn’t take having worked in a restaurant to feel and embody the “Yes Chef” mentality. If you know, you know. But The Bear has us itching to say “Yes Chef” in the appropriate context. We watch 50% for Lip from Shameless, and the other 50% for the close-up shots of mouthwatering dishes that have been developed over the whole season. Here are three recipes inspired by The Bear that will demand that your friends start adopting the title for you.
Cola-Braised Short Rib and Risotto
While attempting to up the ante for a restaurant newly helmed by a world-class chef, Syd presents the staff with a demo braised short rib and risotto dish that looks divine. The floundering sandwich shop wasn’t quite ready to make quite the 180 on the menu, but a lucky accidental food review sends hundreds of orders to the kitchen anyways. Syd is rightly frustrated that Carmy won’t sell her recipe, but there is no time to dwell as she single-handedly shuts down the restaurant with the onslaught of orders that overwhelm her new digital system. Regardless, the braised short rib is not forgotten.
We get a glimpse of her notes which include most of the recipes she uses. Her braising liquid of choice is Coke, which likely gives the ribs a sweet succulence that pairs well with her subtler thyme risotto.
The ingredients we can briefly see in her notebook include:
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2/3 cup onion, diced
- 2/3 cup carrot, diced
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups Coca-Cola
- 1/4 cup thyme
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 2 pieces of bay leaf
- 2 cups beef stock
Though we don’t know the exact steps she uses, it seems like she might use a similar process as we do in our Guinness Braised Short Ribs recipe. You can either swap the liquids or go for beer instead.
Avec style Pancetta-Beef Burgers
Like a true Chef, Syd seeks out inspiration from the best in the industry. And though the show is based on real events, the research and references contained within the show come from real sources. So, the writers wrote in a real restaurant and its Chefs as Syd’s burger confidantes.
The secret to these burgers is the ground pancetta that gets added to the beef mixture. The meat stays moist without being undercooked and pairs well with any toppings you have around.
This take on the recipe includes pickled onions and horseradish ketchup, and they recommend loading the burgers and toppings onto crusty sourdough, which we have a recipe for.
Family-Meal Spaghetti and Tomato Sauce
The simplest meal is the one that always ends up winning the most hearts. And it is the San Marzano tomato sauce recipe from Carmy’s late brother that triggers a wave of luck for the restaurant. We love that the special recipe is served as a family meal for the staff, rather than for customers to enjoy.
Everyone has their own secrets to get the perfect pasta. Carmy sautees a halved-onion in butter before adding the tomatoes. He removes the onion before serving the sauce, so the flavor remains without the texture.
It’s tough to get spaghetti and tomato sauce wrong, but it also takes a couple of secrets to make it exceptional. Our family-style recipe is a similarly simple take on the meal. Just take out the onion if you want to feel like Carmy.
