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Mayor Curtatone Speeches
Young Somerville Advisory Group
Contact the Mayor's Staff
E-Mail the Mayor
Mayor's Summer Jobs Program
Somerville's Mayors (1872-2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
All America City Award.
For the first time since 1972, the City of Somerville was named an "All America City" by the National Civic League. The All America City Award is America's original community recognition award, honoring communities of all sizes where community members, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations work together to address critical local issues. Somerville was chosen in 2009 for its dedication to the Green Line Extension Project, diversity and communication issues, and youth issues such as Somerville Cares About Prevention, Somerville Positive Forces 100, and the Mayor's Suicide Prevention Task Force. Somerville was also named a finalist in 2008.
Balanced Budgets, Expanded Services and a Growing Commercial Tax Base.
After two years of fiscal turmoil, layoffs, and service cutbacks under his predecessor, Curtatone submitted and obtained the Board of Aldermen's approval for a layoff-free budget during his first year in office. As part of his financial restructuring plan, he also consolidated several departments and reduced the debt service by refinancing bonds. When the Board of Aldermen passed the budget in late June, it cut just $54,000, the smallest reduction of a mayor's budget since 1991. In subsequent annual budgets, Curtatone was able to restore jobs eliminated at the school, police and fire departments while expanding services with new programs, including a 311 constituent service center and the Connect CTY mass notification phone system. Despite these investments and service improvements, Somerville continues to operate on fewer property tax dollars per capita than any city in Massachusetts with a population of 50,000 or more.
The Best Bond Rating in Somerville History.
In February, 2008, Moody's Investors Service upgraded the City of Somerville's credit rating to Aa3 from its previous grade of A1. The report from the analyst team stated that, "The upgrade reflects the city's substantial economic growth in recent years and solid financial position supported by conservative management." The report went on to note that "Somerville's conservative budgeting approach, increasing property tax revenues, and strong financial management will continue to support favorable financial operations."
Smart-Growth, Transit-Oriented Development at Assembly Square.
As part of a larger commitment to providing the city and its residents with a prosperous and sustainable future, Mayor Curtatone completely reworked the Assembly Square development project, transforming it into a showcase for multi-use, smart-growth transit- oriented development. A refurbished mall opened in 2006, Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has begun preparation for construction of a new store set to open in 2010, and lead project developer Federal Realty Trust is pressing ahead with its plan to develop 2,100 new housing units, 1.75 million square feet of office space, 450,500 square feet of new retail and restaurant uses, a 62,000 sq. ft. cinema and a 200-room hotel - all in conjunction with a new MBTA Orange Line transit station and an elegant public access park and recreation area along the banks of the Mystic River.
SomerStat: Data-driven Performance Management for City Government.
Using Baltimore's CitiStat program as a model, Mayor Curtatone made good on his 2003 campaign promise to institute the first "Stat" program in New England. Instead of basing management choices on past practices, customs or immediate crises, "SomerStat" gives senior managers the ability to analyze data, measure performance and make continuous adjustments to advance strategic goals in real time. The SomerStat program facilitates regular forums in which key City decision-makers meet to study financial, personnel, and operational data. The forums allow for identification of opportunities for improvement and over time, to track implementation of plans. Since 2005, the SomerStat Model (along with the City's 311 Constituent Service Center - see below) has earned national acclaim and led to Somerville's designation by Boston Globe Magazine as "The Model City." Government leaders from municipalities all over the U.S. and from nations as far away as Sweden and China have visited Somerville to learn about its innovative style of management. ResiStat, a subset of SomerStat, is a neighborhood meeting program, which brings city service updates to residents, and provides a forum for constituents' ideas and suggestions to improve city services. Representatives from SomerStat routinely track residents' suggestions and feedback, incorporating ideas into policy decisions and daily operations. There are currently 14 resident groups, including larger neighborhoods throughout Somerville, and specialized groups such as Spanish-speakers and Young Somerville residents.
Award-winning Public Schools.
Under Mayor Curtatone's leadership, Somerville's Public Schools have regularly received a designation from Standard and Poor's School Matters program as a top-performing urban school district. MCAS scores have risen during his administration, and schools programs - including arts, language extra-curricular, pre-K and after school - have been restored and expanded. In 2007, Curtatone oversaw the opening of the state-of-the-art, 110,000 sq. ft. Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park. The new school serves over 4,800 students in grades K through 8.
311 "One Call to City Hall."
A centralized customer service operation reached by dialing 311 was once a service that only larger, richer city cities could aspire to, but, in December of 2005, Somerville's Constituent Service Center became the first of its kind in Massachusetts, and one of the first in mid-sized city anywhere in North America. By dialing 311 from any landline or cell phone within city limits, constituents are able to make service requests, receive information about City departments or events, and track requests online. Customer service representatives also speak a variety of second languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian-Creole, the three most widely-spoken languages (after English) in Somerville. In a Rutgers University independent 2008 study of 14 cities, Somerville's 311 call center received the highest overall ranking in operational efficiency, usability, and services offered. In May, 2006, Somerville also became the first community in the northeastern United States to offer both 311 and Connect-CTY technology. Connect-CTY allows city officials to place phone calls and send emails to thousands of homes and businesses in order to deliver time-sensitive or emergency messages within minutes. The system is used to notify residents and businesses of citywide issues, such as snow emergencies or construction projects, or specific neighborhood issues like water shutdowns or parking restrictions.
Partnership with Tufts University to "Shape Up Somerville."
In 2003, Dr. Christina Economos of the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition began a study of first through third graders in Somerville designed to serve as the basis for an ambitious project to combat childhood obesity. In 2004, she enlisted the assistance of Mayor Curtatone, who she later described as a "community champion" and a "sparkplug" to help her develop and implement a comprehensive program of nutritional and physical activity changes in Somerville Public Schools and across the city. Their efforts included an extension of a bike path that will eventually go all the way to Boston; a successful initiative to get more kids to walk to school by providing enhanced pedestrian safety; dozens of new bike racks for schools and streets; and a "Shape Up Partners" promotional program for area restaurants offering special menu items with low-fat substitutes and controlled portions. In May 2007, Economos published her first results, reporting an average weight gain of one less pound per year among Somerville participants as compared to similar populations. The program continues, and students are now offered healthy food options, improved after school programs and activity-centered curriculum.
Green Line Extension through Somerville to Medford.
Since 2004, Mayor Curtatone has remained an aggressive advocate for the long-delayed extension of the MBTA's Green Line, a crucial transit project originally promised by the state in the early 1990s as mitigation for the environmental impacts of the massive Artery-Tunnel Project. In alliance with Governor Deval Patrick and the city's legislative delegation, Curtatone has finally brought this project to fruition: state capital has been secured through a bond bill signed by Governor Patrick in April of 2008 and the design and development process is moving forward on the creation of six new stops through Somerville into Medford. In addition, the state continues to hold community meetings to solicit resident feedback on the potential sites for the stops, including a spur into Union Square.
Community Policing and Improved Law Enforcement.
In 2004, Mayor Curtatone hired former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger to review the Police Department's implementation of the 2001 police management study conducted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Following one of the group's most immediate recommendations, Curtatone removed the job of Police Chief from civil service, and sought public opinion for the hiring of a new chief. In August 2007, he hired the city's first African-American police chief, Anthony Holloway, who had previously served the Clearwater, Florida police department for over 20 years. Through a host of administrative changes, budget, training and equipment upgrades, and a complete renegotiation of labor contracts, Curtatone has also implemented a transformation to a community-based policing model with more officers on the street, two regional substations, and additional staffing at peak hours.
Established a Neighborhood Impact Team.
In 2004, Curtatone assembled a special "SWAT" team of police, fire, Health Department, Inspectional Services, DPW, and Council on Aging as an extra force against neighborhood blight. Over the last four years, the team condemned and oversaw the refurbishment of numerous dilapidated properties, brought local businesses and organizations up to proper code, and rescued and successfully relocated residents from unsafe and/or unhealthy conditions.
Developed the City's First-Ever Environmental Strategic Plan?
In 2006, Mayor Curtatone created the City's Officer of Sustainability and Environment, committing the city to a series of actions designed to reduce energy use and harmful carbon emissions, and promote best practices for a sustainable city. Successful programs and service changes have included:
The City of Somerville is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by at least ten percent by 2010 and, in the immediate future, plans to increase "green cover" in the city by increasing its tree inventory by 20% in 2008.
Preserving and Enhancing Green Space.
Reaffirming his commitment to creating a "greener" Somerville, and a sustainable, livable city, Somerville has seen the addition or reconstruction of more than 18 new open spaces under Curtatone's administration, including one Off Leash Recreation Area (OLRA) for dogs at Nunziato Field. Under his Environmental Strategic Plan, and in keeping with the City's Open Space and Recreation Plan, Curtatone has already announced plans for several new parks and community gardens to be completed by Fall 2009, including a new park at the former Kemp Nuts site, and the Community Path Park and Community Path extension. Mayor Curtatone has worked tirelessly and successfully to regain control of the George F. Dilboy Memorial Stadium. In 2006, the City saw the completion of a brand new stadium and the transfer of maintenance from DCR to the City of Somerville. Curtatone is now working with the DCR to takeover maintenance and operations of Saxton J. Foss Park, and the Veteran's Memorial Skating Rink.
Created an "Accurate, Courtesous, Easy" (ACE) Customer Service Initiative.
Mayor Curtatone is committed to providing excellent customer service to all Somerville residents, which requires a transparent, open city government. He believes that the most efficient means of creating a sustainable city where people love to live, work, play, and raise a family is to engage residents in decision-making processes, and to provide forums for resident feedback and reliable customer service. In keeping with this idea, Curtatone became the first Mayor in the Commonwealth, and in the Northeast, to simultaneously adopt several innovative management and customer service tools, including:
Making Somerville One of the Nation's "100 Best Communities for Youth."
Mayor Curtatone has overhauled the City's youth programs by hiring new directors, and reinstating lost programs and services. New programs include the SomerTime Day Camp and the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program, and in 2004 Curtatone increased youth programming when he hired Teen Empowerment, the nationally known non-profit organization, to establish a new, broad-based teen leadership program. In 2006, as part of Teen Empowerment, Mayor Curtatone also began meeting regularly with the Somerville Youth Council, a delegation of 13 youth leaders representing the various youth-serving agencies in the City, to spearhead youth issues. In 2008, the City of Somerville was selected by the America's Promise Alliance as one of the top 100 communities in the U.S. for youth programming and learning opportunities
First begun in 2006, the Safe-START initiative is designed to make Somerville even more walkable and bike-able by defining clearer, better routes from neighborhood to neighborhood and city square to city square. Improvements to date include: new bike lanes on Beacon Street, Powderhouse Boulevard, Broadway and Willow Avenue and better, brighter signage, pavement striping and visibility improvements at intersections across the city; and pedestrian countdown displays on traffic lights. In the pipeline are: updated Safe Route maps for Parents and Children; new bike lanes on Somerville Avenue and on the soon-to-be built Assembly Square Drive, and pilot programs for solar-powered pedestrian warning lights; infrared thermal heating equipment for faster, better pothole repairs; and expanded use of pedestrian bump-outs to calm traffic and improve safety at key intersections throughout the city.
Leading Regionally and Nationally.
Due to his effective leadership and innovative ideas, Mayor Curtatone currently serves as President of the Massachusetts Mayors Association, on the Board of Directors of the National Leagues of Cities, and serves as an active member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and its subset, the Metropolitan Mayors Association. Mayor Curtatone uses his leadership and membership on these boards and organizations to further the city's agenda while sharing best practices and ideas with his colleagues across the state and nation.
International Engagement at Home and abroad.
Mayor Curtatone created Somerville's first Multicultural Commission, this commission serves as a liaison and outreach coordinator for the one-third of Somerville residents who were not born in the United States. In addition, Curtatone has established also adopted the Sister Cities program, establishing formal relationships with the municipalities of Gaeta, Italy; Yucuaiquin, El Salvador, and Nordeste, Portugal between 2005 and 2007. The city is currently in the planning stages of a student foreign exchange program with Gaeta, and is working on the development of several additional Sister City relationships.
Leading in the Statewide Battle for Marriage Equality.
Curtatone rejected the Romney Administration's policy of differential treatment of out-of-state same sex couples, allowing out-of-staters to obtain licenses until the state's attorney general ordered the city to stop in early 2004. Somerville and 10 other communities filed suit, asking the courts to invalidate the 1913 law on which the out-of-state ban is based and asking for an injunction against the A.G.'s enforcement of the ban.
Restoring and Sustaining Community Traditions.
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Join SAME, The PRC (Peace Resource Center) and CFAC (Canvass For A Cause) for a Film Screening & Discussion of "OUT RAGE '69" This is our mutual contribution For Pride Week on Tues July 17th, 6:30 - 9pm at the Peace Resource Center (Bldg 100) 3850 Westgate Pl, San Diego 92105. This event is FREE and Open to the public! Invite your friends!
About the film:
"OUT RAGE '69" , the first in the four-part series The Question of Equality, examines the social and historical environment that gave rise to the current movement for gay and lesbian civil rights in America as told by those who were there. From Stonewall to Anita Bryant, to Oregon Measure 9 and "don't ask, don't tell," the Gay Liberation movement has fought for equal rights in a climate of hatred, violence, intolerance, and discrimination. The pursuit of individual liberty -- the freedom to think and act freely -- comes with the individual responsibility to not harm the freedom of others.
6:30 pm -- Doors open, light refreshments
7:00 pm -- Film starts promptly, and Discussion after. (Image via PRC)
There are currently no events scheduled. Check back soon!
SAME meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at the San Diego Pride Office, 3620 30th St.
Email email@example.com for details.

subset: commoncrawl


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About Cinemax Banshee
Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), an ex-con and master thief assumes the identity of a murdered sheriff where he continues his criminal activities. His past seems to haunt him by those he betrayed years earlier. This ex-con imposes his own brand of justice where violence erupts at every turn in the not so quiet Amish town, Banshee, Pennsylvania.
-Banshee returns for Season 4 in 2016 on Cinemax-
Banshee is part of Cinemax's attempt to expand its original programming content, and it joins Strike Back (co-produced with BSkyB) and Steve Kronish's Sandbox. Banshee premiered on January 11, 2013. The show was first revealed in August 2011, when it was announced that Alan Ball would produce the crime drama. Ball helped develop the project alongside creators Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler. Banshee was originally set up at Cinemax owner HBO, but moved to Cinemax when it was decided to increase original programming on that network. By August, Cinemax was finalizing casting and financial details with the intention of filming in Spring 2012 in North Carolina. In January 2012, Cinemax ordered ten episodes for the show's first season, with the first episode being directed by Greg Yaitanes.


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Sunday, 18 March 2012
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day! Totnes food market is on once a month and today it was here again. These photos don't do it justice - the whole market square is full of around 100 wonderful local produce stalls ranging from cakes to herbs to meet, fish etc.. all organic. It's like being in France and is an extremely popular event here. I love the old citroen van that sells coffees and crepes.
5 comments:
- hapi-ness said...
ahh these look lovely :) and the cake looks very nommy! enjoy and have a happy mothers day :) xx
- 18 March 2012 at 06:57
- Rainbow Vintage Home said...
Yum! Markets and Mother's Day are perfect together, I spent the morning at a local monthly Vintage & Flea market and it was just the right way to start the day. Hope you had a lovely day and enjoyed the cake!
- 18 March 2012 at 08:37
- Gillian said...
Wow, your market looks amazing. Those cakes! We stayed near Totnes on holiday last summer and i loved it. You're lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
- 19 March 2012 at 15:27
- LozzieB said...
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! and I love the citroen van too.... xx
- 21 March 2012 at 15:13
- Modern Country Lady said...
mmmmm gorgeous.Love your blog and your designs! Just discovered you through another Etsy seller :-)
Have a great Easter.
Modern Country Lady Blog
My Aunt Agatha on Etsy
- 6 April 2012 at 13:03
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Undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research and CPD courses.
We are facilitating detection, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of vision disorders through innovative research.
We play an important part in our community, through promoting and enhancing eye care for the public.
Our School is housed within a state-of-the-art building, enabling high quality teaching, clinical practice and research in situ.
Our on-site Eye Clinic provides specialist assessment, treatment and advice for members of the public.
1 August 2016
Cardiff University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences celebrate being ranked 'Number One' in the UK for Optometry, according to the Complete University Guide 2017.
17 March 2016
9 March 2016
25 January 2016


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Archive for the 'enigma' Tag
The development of wireless communication in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was quickly followed by the development of encrytpion for coded transmissions. The ability of the US to decipher these coded transmissions played an essential role in helping the US and her allies to victory in World War II. Today, we discuss an iconic World War II enryption tool, the German Enigma Machine.
Posted by ENS Chris O'Keefe in History, Navy, Podcasts | 1 Comment
Tags: A History of the Navy in 100 Objects, enigma, WWII


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Author(s): Twiner, M.J.; G.J. Doucette; A. Rasky; X-P. Huang; B.L. Roth; M.C. Sanguinetti
NCCOS Center: CCEHBR (http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/centers/ccehbr)
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal Title: Chemical Research in Toxicology
Date of Publication: 2012
Reference Information: 25(9):
Keywords: azaspiracids; cytotoxicity; harmful algal blooms; hERG potassium channels; marine algal biotoxins
Abstract: Azaspiracids (AZA) are polyether marine dinoflagellate toxins that accumulate in shellfish and represent an emerging human health risk. Although human exposure is primarily manifested by severe and protracted diarrhea, this toxin class has been shown to be highly cytotoxic, a teratogen to developing fish, and a possible carcinogen in mice. Until now, AZA's molecular target has not yet been determined. Using three independent methods (voltage clamp, channel binding assay, and thallium flux assay), we have for the first time demonstrated that AZA1, AZA2, and AZA3 each bind to and block the hERG (human ethera`-go-go related gene) potassium channel heterologously expressed in HEK-293 mammalian cells. Inhibition of K+ current for each AZA analogue was concentration-dependent (IC50 value range: 0.64-0.84 µM). The mechanism of hERG channel inhibition by AZA1 was investigated further in Xenopus oocytes where it was shown to be an open-state-dependent blocker and, using mutant channels, to interact with F656 but not with Y652 within the S6 transmembrane domain that forms the channel's central pore. AZA1, AZA2, and AZA3 were each shown to inhibit [3H]dofetilide binding to the hERG channel and thallium ion flux through the channel (IC50 value range: 2.1-6.6 µM). AZA1 did not block the K+ current of the closely related EAG1 channel. Collectively, these data suggest that the AZAs physically block the K+ conductance pathway of hERG1 channels by occluding the cytoplasmic mouth of the open pore. Although the concentrations necessary to block hERG channels are relatively high, AZAinduced blockage may prove to contribute to the toxicological properties of the AZAs.
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Printed on December 11, 2016 from http://www.coastalscience.noaa.gov/publications/ccehbr/detail?resource=pkjvM94dKjsIbzPaN5bAhd6s5KVUYpqp6NEYcmwXuA0=.


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German shepherds, border collies and any breed with the word "cattle," "sheep" or "shepherd" in its name were originally bred to work alongside a shepherd as a herder, a drover or both. Shepherding dogs make great pets: they're intelligent, quick learners and adapt well to domestic life. If you're considering getting a shepherding dog, you've got a huge choice of breeds, all with different characters but with some common personality traits.
Prey Drive
Although shepherding dogs were bred for the protection and control of livestock, they possess a strong prey drive. This is an essential personality trait, but when put to work, the shepherd controls this instinct with training. Herding requires the dog to "hunt" livestock to control its movement, but the final, gruesome part of the hunt never happens. This is because the dog is intelligent and will obey his master's commands. You'll notice your shepherding dog, whether it's an Australian cattle dog or an Anatolian shepherd, loves to chase.
High Intelligence
The border collie is typically regarded as the most intelligent dog breed in the world. The German shepherd and Shetland sheepdog also make it into the top five. Due to the complex and demanding nature of shepherding, only the most intelligent dogs were used for work. Subsequently, the offspring of the original shepherd dogs have inherited this intelligence. High intelligence is a blessing and a curse for dog owners. While training a smart dog is a rewarding and thrilling experience, your shepherding dog won't be happy if under-stimulated. Herding dogs excel at agility trials, flyball and other dog sports.
Low Boredom Threshold
One of the most common problems that come with owning a high-intelligence dog is the low boredom threshold. While some dogs, especially those bred purely for companionship, are happy to laze about all day, your shepherding dog will not put up with this. If you don't provide plenty of mental stimulation such as agility training, your dog will soon find ways to entertain himself, and you may not be happy with his choices.
Working Instinct
You'll notice that your shepherd dog, whether a border collie or an old English sheepdog, loves to "work." His instinct for controlling the movement of his flock remains strong, even though he's a domestic pet. He'll try to round up family members, nip at the legs of people running by and possibly even chase cars. If you've ever noticed Lucky the sheepdog glaring at you, it's because he's waiting for your next move so he can herd you.
Unlike scent hounds and sledding dogs, herding dogs were bred to work with a shepherd and nobody else. This calls for a high degree of loyalty. Those dogs that didn't devote themselves to their shepherd would typically have been regarded as poor shepherd dogs and certainly wouldn't have been used for breeding. A shepherding dog is a "one-man dog." He'll stick by your side, won't fawn over strangers and will always have his eye on you. For this reason, these dogs make excellent guard and watchdogs.
By Simon Foden
About the Author
Simon Foden has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. He has contributed to and written for various magazines including "K9 Magazine" and "Pet Friendly Magazine." He has also written for Dogmagazine.net.


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The Friends of the Luther Callaway Public Library Board of Directors, will hold their monthly meeting at the Library, 104 NE 3rd Street, Chiefland (a block behind City Hall), at 11 a.m. today.
The Luther Callaway Public Library is the Chiefland Branch of the Levy County Public Library System. For an agenda, email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
through May 30
Free living healthy program
Wednesdays through May 30
What difference can a single blood donation make? One figure frequently cited is that one pint of blood can save up to three lives, since it can provide three lifesaving products: red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
The 29th Annual May Day Extravaganza, sponsored by the Chiefland Men's Club, will be Saturday, May 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at Buie Park.
The event promises fun for the whole family. Children should bring their swim suits to play in the water games.
For ticket information, call Jake Wynn at 352-463-8014.
The Early Ford V-8 Club of America Suwannee River Region No. 140 will celebrate its 20th anniversary of sponsoring the Annual Antique Car Show at Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The show is for cars from 1987 and earlier. Dash plaques, Best of Show and People's Choice awards to the Top 20 cars will be awarded. Judging will be by participants in the show. The registration fee to show a car is $15 per vehicle.
All proceeds will be donated to charity and admission to the event is free.
It is time to start planning for the 2012-2013 club year. New officers will be elected at the next meeting of the Suwannee River Garden Club on Monday, April 30. The club is made up of members from Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy Counties. They meet in the Fanning Springs Community Center located behind the Catallic Motel at 7 p.m.
Ministers hold community service
The Chiefland Ministerial Association is sponsoring a city wide Community Service on Sunday, April 29, at 6 p.m. at the Chiefland Assembly of God on Manatee Springs Road. Everyone is invited.
AARP driving course in Cross City
Cross City Rehabilitation is sponsoring an AARP Safe Driving Course from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Insurance companies must give a discount to those completing an AARP Safe Driving Course.
This course is open to all people age 50 and older. The fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Cross City Rehabilitation is providing lunch, snacks and beverage.
Branford Camera Club meeting
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The Chiefland Citizen is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Chiefland Florida, and the surrounding area.


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Melt-In-Your-Mouth Oven Baked Pot Roast
Andy Anderson !
This, for all intents and purposes, is a basic recipe for making a nice and flavorful beef stew. I prefer doing most of my roasts and stews in the oven, because they receive a more consistent, all around heat, than can be achieved on the stovetop. Plus it gives you the advantage of being able to put it in, and forget it.
Out of site; but hopefully not out of mind…
Out of site; but hopefully not out of mind…
Featured Pinch Tips Video
30 Min
4 Hr
- 4 lb
- chuck roast
- 1 tsp
- kosher salt
- 1 tsp
- black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 1/2 tsp
- paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp
- ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp
- olive oil
- 1 medium
- yellow onion, cut in half at the equator, and outer skin removed
- 5 medium
- carrots, sliced 1-inch, on the bias
- 1 c
- red wine (cabernet sauvignon)
- 2 c
- beef broth, freshly made, if you have any.
- 3 sprig(s)
- fresh thyme, and rosemary
- 1/2 medium
- lemon, just the juice
Directions Step-By-Step
1Remove the roast from the refrigerator, then take a fork and pierce it all over. This is a great way to take out your frustrations, and trust me, the roast won't really mind.
2Chef's Note: The roast should have a lot of marbling. During the long cooking process, the fats will melt into the liquid; further enhancing the flavor of the broth and the veggies.
3Mix the salt, pepper, paprika, and ground cumin in a small prep bow, and then thoroughly rub the mixture all over the roast.
5Chef's Note: This will give the spices a chance to be pulled into the meat. You could always wrap it in cling foil, and place it overnight in the refrigerator; however, with this recipe I saw little to no difference.
6Chefs Note: Concerning the pan… It should be large enough to hold the roast and the other ingredients; however, not too big. I have several sizes of my favorite pans… cast iron pots, actually, and I choose a size that will just barely fit the roast.
If you have a really large pot, you're going to need a whole lot more broth to cover the roast, and that will dilute the overall flavor of the dish.
8Remove onion halves, and then add the sliced carrots. Toss about until they are slightly browned, and then set aside.
9Chef's Note: I wash my carrots, but I do not peel them… This gives the dish a more rustic appearance, and if beef stew is anything… it's rustic.
The same holds true for the onion... When it comes out of the pot it will fall apart into layers, creating a rustic appearance.
11Remove the roast, and deglaze the pan, using the red wine. Scrapping up all those good flavor bits (fonds) attached to the bottom of the pan.
12Chef's Note: If you're not using the wine, then substitute it with the same amount of beef broth. However, since you won't have the braising properties that wine bring to the time in the oven, the dish will need to spend about an extra 30 minutes in the oven.
However, here's a trick... Add about 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the broth before deglazing, and that will help with the breakdown of the beef while it slowly cooks.
13Return the roast to the pan, and then add enough beef stock to cover the roast about halfway. Finally, add the onions, carrots, rosemary, and thyme
15Cook the roast for 3.5 to 4 hours, unattended. When you pull the roast out, it should be fall-apart tender. Discard the sprigs of rosemary and thyme.
16Chef's Note: If you want your carrots to have a bit more bite to them don't add them until the last two hours of cooking time.
17Remove roast from pot, and slice against the grain into nice thick slices. This may not be easy, since the roast will be fall-apart tender. You could always serve it shredded... making the dish even that much more rustic.
18Chef's Note: Why add the lemon juice at the end? Well, if you added it at the beginning of the process, its unique flavor would get lost... by adding it at the very end, it adds a unique kick to spice up the sauce.
19Chef's Tip: Okay, how much lemon juice is in 1/2 of a lemon? Well, depends on the lemon, so let's say that you want 1.5 tablespoons of lemon juice. But don't fogey, all good chef's season and taste, season and taste.
20Add the lemon juice to the gravy in the pot (if using), and gently stir to combine. This gives the gravy an added kick. Place the beef into a serving dish, ladle the gravy over the top, and then surround with the onions and carrots.
21Chef's Note: You may have noticed an omission on my part, and that's the addition of potatoes… I'm not a big fan of cooking the potatoes with the stew (although I know a lot of chefs do). Potatoes absorb a lot of flavor components, such as salt, and really change the flavor of the stew. So what I do, if I'm using potatoes, is to cook them separately, and then serve them on the side as baked, or as mashed.
The pictured dish is my potato fans: Russet Potato Fans
If you want another starch option… Beef stew goes very well with a long-grained white rice. You might want to give that a try.