I miss my little Iowa hometown still, even though I haven’t lived there for ages, and even though I’m starting to get comfortable with Georgia. And one of the things I miss most (beside friends and family) is some of the classic Midwestern food favorites. And of those favorites, I especially miss the humble Hot Roast Beef Sandwich.

Birria de Res & Birria Tacos
Birria de Res & Birria Tacos have been trending all over the place in the last couple of years and for good reason. If they’re not on your radar yet, Birria de Res is a classic, a Mexican “stew” of beef, slowly cooked, earthy, rich, fragrant, and just a little spicy. And the tacos made from it? Out of this world crazy delish.

Instant Pot Brisket Street Tacos
I gotta tell ya, my fave recipe of the year has got to be Instant Pot Brisket Street Tacos. That’s sayin’ a lot because the winter holidays haven’t even rolled around yet and that’s when I do most of my “special” cooking and lots of desserts. Who knows, maybe I’ll make something that will edge these tacos out, yet, but these are mouth-watering crazy good.

Beef Guinness Stew from Simon Pearce
I gotta tell ya about this recipe, an old family favorite, the Beef Guinness Stew from Simon Pearce. I pulled this recipe ages ago from either Bon Appetit or Gourmet; I think it might have been a write-in request and it’s been a St. Paddy’s Day celebration dinner and family fave off and on ever since.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew
When I was looking for a recipe for the simple stew I grew up with, a friend came through for me, the same friend who passed on what has become our family’s favorite Thanksgiving stuffing. Here’s the recipe for the easiest stew, ever, Old Fashioned Beef Stew. You might see this same stew sometimes called Five Hour Stew and you’ll see why soon enough!