Happy Memorial Day- Grilled Short Rib Taco’s And A Heavenly Light Dessert
American Flag
I want to acknowledge our heroes who have fought and died so that we can enjoy freedom. Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and a day when we gather to enjoy food, family and friends but it’s important that on this day we don’t forget those that served and are serving our great country in the armed forces. Lest we forget!
Memorial Day and our thoughts turn to grilling, its an American tradition. I decided to make something a little different than burgers and hot dogs, a little south of the border flavor peppered with a NYC flair. I love taco’s, they are easy to make and eat and you can add whatever fixings you like, tailoring to your taste. For these taco’s I made some beef short ribs slathered with the most delicious BBQ sauce made by my friend Bevi, I tested her recipe for A Cup Of Coffee BBQ Sauced Steak for Food52 and believe me this sauce is amazing, Now I usually braise short ribs in the oven or on the cooktop until they are fall off the bone tender, but because I wanted to uphold the american tradition of grilling on Memorial Day I did both. First I marinated the short ribs in the BBQ sauce for 2 hours, then I braised them covered in the sauce and some water in the oven for 2 hours at 325 degrees, they should be fork tender but not falling off the bone, slathered more BBQ sauce on and finished them off on the grill. It may sound like a lot of work but it really wasn’t, the time in the oven was great because they could be left unattended and the grilling only took about 3 minutes to get a nice char. I then shredded the meat, grilled a flour tortilla and there it is, a short rib taco made with a wonderful spicy BBQ sauce.
I wanted something a little different to top the taco’s so I made a sweet corn salad using raw sweet corn, avocado,red onion and cilantro or parsley and dressed simply with a buttermilk lime vinaigrette. The fresh crunchy salad on top of the rich tender shredded short ribs was really good! Add whatever fixings you want, queso fresco crumbled on top would be delicious, or eat the corn salad separately and top the meat with whatever you like.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
taco
A Cup Of Coffee BBQ Sauced Steak
Makes enough sauce for 2 big steaks
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 1 dried ancho chile, stem and seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
- 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice (use a regular lemon if Meyers aren’t available)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- Dash cayenne pepper
- Two 1 1/2-inch thick steaks, prime sirloin
- Place the ancho chile in the hot coffee and allow to steep for about 20 minutes. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and process until the ancho chile is pulverized and the sauce is a nice, thick texture.
- Return the sauce to the stovetop, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Place the steaks in a large ziploc bag, and add about 1/2 cup of the sauce. Squish the steaks around so they are well covered by the sauce. Place in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or longer if possible. Bring steaks to room temperature before grilling.
- Slather more sauce on both sides of the steaks. Place steaks on a hot grill, and grill to your liking. We turn the steaks over after about 4 to 5 minutes, first slathering sauce on the steak, to grill for a total of 10 minutes.
- NOTE: I used lime instead of the meyer lemon and a strong dark roast coffee
Corn Salad With Tangy Buttermilk Dressing
2 ears sweet corn cut off the cob
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 ripe avocado chopped
2 tbs chopped cilantro or parsley
1/4 cup buttermilk
juice of 1 1/2 limes
zest of one lime
1/2 tsp dried mint
pinch of salt
generous grinding of black pepper
Mix the buttermilk, lime juice, zest, mint, salt and pepper in the bowl you will be using to serve the salad, stir to combine. Add the corn, onion, avocado, chopped cilantro or parley and toss so that it’s throughly mixed with the dressing. Refrigerate covered until ready to use.
Parfait
I can’t forget about dessert, I have been on a diet so no cake or pie for me. I found this recipe also from Bevi on Food52, Coconut Crusted Mango Slices With Pineapple Sauce And Whipped Coconut Cream it’s light and delicious, to see the recipe click on the link. I made one little addition that wasn’t on the recipe, I added lime zest to the coconut cream, I think coconut and lime are so good together and also with mango, it was delicious!
apuginthekitchen 
Everything looks so good – I wish I could come over!!!
Thank you, I wish you could too! Happy Memorial Day.
Me too, I;m in wish I could jet over, ha! Sounds and looks good, I’ve made Bevi’s Coffee BBQ sauce and it is worth trying on anything! Happy Memorial Day to you Suzanne!!
One day we will meet! Have a very nice day!
That sounds like a fantastic marinade for the steak. I also love the sound of your dessert – I too adore the combination of coconut and lime – I’ve never tried whipping coconut cream – it sounds like a great idea. Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you, coconut cream whips beautifully, just like whipping cream. I will often mix with heavy cream half half to make coconut whipped cream. The dessert was fresh and light and really delicious.
Rib tacos, oh my! This is my kind of food! Everything looks so delicious!
Oh me too! Thank you!
The traditions for Memorial Day are quite similar to how we celebrate Anzac Day (you probably already know this, but it stands for Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) in Australia. Are there usually Memorial Day marches and a dawn remembrance service? These tacos look – in one word- amazing. The short rib meat sounds so delicious in that coffee sauce, and the parfait with coconut and lime sounds deliciously light and refreshing. I’m definitely going to try the meat marinade. Yum! Thanks for sharing the links etc. Happy Memorial Day lovely!
Yes, it is almost identical to Anzac Day in Australia, we have parades and there are memorial services held to remember those that have been lost. The President lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetary. We often forget that it’s a day of remembrance and get caught up in parties etc… which is fine but we should never forget the real meaning of Memorial Day.
Thank you, the BBQ sauce is amazing, I love the coffee and chili pepper, I used the whole thing, didn’t remove the seeds. I hope you like it as much as I did,
I definitely agree that the reason behind these events should never be devalued or forgotten. The same thing does happen over here though… people get caught up in having a day off from work, and in the process they forget the significance of the day itself. I’ll definitely try the sauce. I love coffee in marinades and chilli is my friend! Thanks again x
Happy Memorial Day my friend, looks like it will be tasty and really fun! 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru, hope you have a wonderful day!
Yum Yum Yum!! Have a wonderful Memorial Day!!
Thanks so much Pat, you have a great day too!
Oh, I would LOVE some tacos tomorrow! Sadly, I’ve been sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection (the double whammy) this weekend, so I’m at the whim of whatever my husband wants to make me. I’ll tell him tacos for tomorrow 🙂
I love the idea of grilling the short ribs at the end to get some char on them. I’ve never thought to do this, but I usually only do short ribs in the winter, and trudging out to the grill in snow boots isn’t top of mind! haha. You’ve made short ribs perfect for the summer grilling season!
Oh no, so sorry you are sick, I’ve had the double whammy before. Take it easy and take care of yourself. I really liked how the ribs turned out on the grill, it was a departure from my usual long slow braise in the oven which I love so I got to enjoy them prepared both ways which was a plus. Thanks so much.
I really needed a good barbecue sauce recipe. I’m tired of buying the bottled kind. I really like how you cooked the ribs in the oven, then just charred them on the grill. Great idea. As well as the delicious looking grilled tortilla! This is a perfectly put together dinner Suzanne! Thank you for the great idea! Happy Memorial Day!
The BBQ sauce is delicious and was perfect on the short ribs. I had never grilled them before but they turned out really nice. Have a really great day and thank you so much.
I could eat all of this – right now! Yum. And happy Memorial Day!
Thank you so much, you have a great day too!
Wow, that sauce sounds divine! I love that there is coffee in it. Coffee makes everything better. 🙂 I love the sound of that lime dressing too…simply delicious. I make a dressing kind of similar, but with coconut milk and it’s spicy. I dip sweet potato fries in it and also drizzle on salads. I want to try yours next! I agree that barbecue’s tend to be more the focus for many, but the real reason for the holiday is the people who’ve fought and died for our country…my dad being one of them. He fought in Vietnam and this holiday is always very, very hard on him.
Thanks Brandi I think coconut milk would be delicious in the dressing, We should never forget the meaning of this day, It’s a day to remember and I know it brings mixed emotions for those who served. Have a wonderful day!
Great recipe!! Happy Memorial Day!
Kenley
Thanks Kenley, Happy Memorial Day to you also!
It all looks and sounds great. Bevi’s recipes sound amazing. Coffee for BBQ sauce, hmm, wow, that’s really cool and I like how you served the dessert in a glass jar.
Happy Memorial Day!
I had never thought to use coffee in a BBQ sauce but Bevi’s recipe is amazing. So delicious! The parfait is also really good, I have a thing for jars and anything glass and thought the dessert would look cute in the jar.Thanks so much.
Looks like a flavor-packed meal! I made an impromptu corn salad recently that was similar, though I have to try your buttermilk dressing. Happy Memorial Day! 😀
Thanks so much, it was tasty and love corn salad. Happy Memorial Day!
Everything looks great! Happy Memorial Day!
Thanks so much, and same to you. Have a great day!
I love your parfait idea of the original recipe! I agree lime and coconut are great together, and I like that you added lime zest. Yum!
It was delicious, I add lime to a lot of dishes but it goes so well with coconut for me it’s mandatory! Thank you so much,
Um, when is dinner? Everything you post is fabulous! This is a must copy!
Thank you so much, any time at all, stop by!!
Salivating. I was out and about this weekend, away from the computer and haven’t read any posts. I chose this moment, right before dinner, to go through and finally read the 10-15 exciting reads building up in my inbox. This recipe topped the list. And while going out for Mediterranean is the plan, I might need to sway my husbands to tacos just to satisfy a bit of my craving. These will be made soon.
I love taco’s, have to say I ate the meat and salad without the tortilla. :0( I hope you enjoy if you get a chance to make them. Thanks so much.
Love the salad, Suzanne. It sounds fantastic.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday day with your family. Fxx
Thanks Francesca, I hope you and your family had a wonderful weekend!
Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you so much it was a nice long weekend.
A belated Happy Memorial Day, I hope you and your family had a good time. The food looks delicious, I like the sound of the coffee and chili sauce as it’s so unusual and I love coffee. I have been doing the 5:2 diet for a while now which isn’t always easy so I wish you loads of luck with your diet. 😉
The BBQ sauce is great, equally good on chicken too! I never heard of the 5-2 diet, have to look that up. I started with 7 days of the GM diet, and now am doing a modified low carb. Trying to lose 20 lbs. 9 down 11 to go. Best of luck with your diet too!
Those tacos sound delicious and the picture is making me hungry!! I know the hubs would love these, I’m going to have to pin this one 🙂 Thank you for acknowledging service members that have gave their lives for us.
Thanks so much Suzie, it was delicious and if you make it I hope you like. My two nephews are both serving in the military, one was in Iraq. My father was also a veteran having serving in the Air Force. Our servicemen and women deserve all the support and praise we can give them.
What a great Memorial Day post, Suzanne! I love it. And what a wonderful selection of foods. I love the buttermilk – lime dressing for the corn salad. It looks perfect! I’m going to have to make it this week 🙂
Thanks Susan, I loved the corn salad I am partial to anything with lime!
What a wonderful feast, Suzanne! I hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day holiday.
Thanks Stefano, I did. It was a great weekend, hope you and the family did also!
I tested Bevi’s recipe for A Cup of Coffee Barbecue Sauce, too, and it’s to die for!! I can’t wait to make it again, and will double the recipe next time. I love that you used it in tacos – great idea! And now I must make this Coconut Mango Crusted dessert…oh my. Thanks for sharing!
It is the best BBQ sauce, I am making another recipe also and doubling it. I just made another coconut mango dessert but changed it a bit and it was still good. I didn’t fry the mango, I toasted the coconut in the oven and sprinkled on the raw mango layered with the coconut cream. It was so good. Thanks so much Hannah!
That sounds and looks pretty awesome. Great sauce idea. We’ll have to try that one!
It was really good, thank you, I wish I knew how to do the short ribs 100% on the grill, any suggestions?
Oh now you’re talking. Well, don’t know if you ever read our easy smoked ribs article or not, but that will have lots of tips and basics on the matter of rib making. There is much to say on this topic after all.
http://patronsofthepit.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/bbq-pork-ribs/
Your biggest challenge might be your grill and getting it to go a little lower than its probably used to. Tinkering may be in order, to get it to hold around 250.
Anyways, a worthy goal. Ribs done 100% on the grill are like none other. Toss on some smoke wood, and it will taste like it came from the best rib joint in town.
I am not an astute griller, I am good at the simple rudimentary type of grilling, I don’t have a fancy grill, weber kettle is what I use. I will read the rib post. I don’t know how I would get the grill to a fairly constant 250 but will look into it, the flavor of the ribs on the grill is the best! Thank you.
These sound delicious! Thanks for sharing both recipes.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Thanks for featuring the recipes, Suzanne. How nice of you. I am glad the BBQ sauce is such a hit. I like that it is so easy to put together. Hopefully we can get together soon – a trip to NYC is coming up.
I love the BBQ sauce, it’s amazing and goes with different kinds of meat. I love the versatility, It’s also good by the spoonful! Thank you and I hope you do come to NYC soon, wish I could come to your neck of the woods but the pugs are not in traveling condition.
I love all the flavors going on in this. Looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you, I love short ribs and had never done on the grill. They were wonderful with the corn salad.
Wow, what fantastic food! Looking at this made me super hungry 😛 I love that you used coffee in your sauce.
Thank you so much, the BBQ sauce is wonderful and was perfect with the short ribs.
Thank you, wish I knew how to ping back!