Sunday, August 31, 2014

Beef and Macaroni Stew part 1

I don't like lamb. I just don't. I've tried it, and maybe I'm going about it all wrong - but I've barked up that tree 3x and I can confidently say - for me, hold the lamb. Or 86 the lamb (restaurant lingo). And if you're wondering why I began this post with my feelings towards lamb - click the link at the bottom of the page. You're welcome.

Anywho - September is knocking on August's door today. Tomorrow is Labor Day, here in America. Efurd Orchards is all sold outt've peaches til next year. I've had enough melon and ham as far as this summer is concerned. I'm not particularly enthused for pumpkin spiced anything - I must admit that I am looking forward to toasted pumpkin seeds & Jack-O-Laterns & trick-or-treaters. All things pumpkin tho, are still a month away.

Where does that leave me? September is a transitional month. It's also onna the longest that drags and lags because it's in the way of all fun things that are fall. (law of relativity) This (inevitably) leads me to hum-drum paths of boredom. No matter which way I take at every "fork in the road" - I'm bored.

I'll be damned if this expected boredom is gonna get me down in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. And this one (me) has got a lot of heart and a strong strong strong belief in a home. so.

Here we go!

weekend Beef Stew.

The acid: tomato
The base: onions & celery & beef fat
The protein: cow The cut: bottom round boneless
The seasoning: garlic and dried bay leaf
The sweetness: sugar and carrots

What You'll Need for this EXACT Same Recipe:

.67lbs beef
3 stalks celery
1/2 onion

2 carrots

2 cloves garlic

1 can tomatoes
1 Tbl tomato paste

36oz water

1Tbl salt
pre-ground black pepper

EVOO
Elbow macaroni

a day's worth of time
 
start
 
prep. mise en place
 
trim
 
not cross contaminating
 
rendering fat & making Max doggie treats
 
 
stove top
 
don't crowd
 
brown
 
get ready
 
check out that caramelization. sear, don't panic, walk away
 
flip
 
adding grassy flaves with EVOO
 
move and reserve
 
TREAT TIME
 
dump in chopped celery and onion
 
 
season accordingly
cover
 
don't burn or rush it
 
time + steam + condensation + clean bottom = home cookings
 
heat adjustment
 
clock
 
tomato paste
 
that much sugar
 
 
reserved juices = yah. that good.
 
 
 
alchemy
 
work quickly. add tomatoes, carrots, garlic, and agua
 
 
 
bring to a boil or at least a bubble
 
close enough
 
see the bubbles?
 
cover
 
reduce heat
 
set your timer. This one is courtesy from my sis Z.
to be cont'd... 

I'm addicted to YouTube. Addiction aside, Nigella Lawson strikes again

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