Today was a bit of a weird day. My husband was also working from home, so I actually had someone to talk to albeit briefly - we're working in different rooms. I also spent a fair chunk of the afternoon having to de-install and re-install a program which was stopping other things from working properly and was, to be honest, a massive pain in the arse that I DID NOT NEED. It was a weirdly reassuring one though, IT problems will continue despite it all. I actually feel less panicked than yesterday because it felt like I did something constructive in fixing the problem.
Then I decided that I need to make stew, after yesterday's panic purchase. I had half intended to make a recipe from the wonderful Tapas cookbook from the late, lamented Camden restaurant El Parador, which involves beef, lentils, fennel and carrots but my amounts were all wrong so instead I mushed it together with Katie's recommendation in the comments from yesterday. And it seemed to work.
You will need: an onion, some garlic, fennel, chilli flakes, carrots, stewing steak, red wine and some herbs of your choice.
Finely chop the onion, soften it with the herbs and some chilli flakes to taste (I had fresh thyme, although not as much as I could have done if I'd gone into the garden. A fox had just arrived in the garden when I was cooking though, so I left him to enjoy it - rural life in SE London). Throw some flour and seasoning over your stewing steak, I added a bit of paprika as well. Brown the meat, trying not to make too much of a mess of your pan. Stir through the garlic and veg, then deglaze with red wine. I don't drink a lot of red wine unless there are other people about, and didn't have any cheap stuff in, only good bottles that seemed a bit of a waste in cooking. Then I remembered an ancient, tiny bottle of red wine that has lurked in my husband's store cupboard since before I even met him so I used that. It had a 2009 date on the cap. He doesn't drink red wine, so I have no idea where it came from, but it smelt ok when I opened it so in it went. Hopefully your wine will be more recent/of less murky origin? Top up with water, bring to boil and simmer for as long as you can.
I then went off to do an online exercise class in an attempt to increase my fitness and maintain my sanity - I think it worked. The stew kept simmering away during that, so it was perfect for being at home with other stuff to do! And it actually tasted ok, so thank you Katie!
Then I decided that I need to make stew, after yesterday's panic purchase. I had half intended to make a recipe from the wonderful Tapas cookbook from the late, lamented Camden restaurant El Parador, which involves beef, lentils, fennel and carrots but my amounts were all wrong so instead I mushed it together with Katie's recommendation in the comments from yesterday. And it seemed to work.
You will need: an onion, some garlic, fennel, chilli flakes, carrots, stewing steak, red wine and some herbs of your choice.
Finely chop the onion, soften it with the herbs and some chilli flakes to taste (I had fresh thyme, although not as much as I could have done if I'd gone into the garden. A fox had just arrived in the garden when I was cooking though, so I left him to enjoy it - rural life in SE London). Throw some flour and seasoning over your stewing steak, I added a bit of paprika as well. Brown the meat, trying not to make too much of a mess of your pan. Stir through the garlic and veg, then deglaze with red wine. I don't drink a lot of red wine unless there are other people about, and didn't have any cheap stuff in, only good bottles that seemed a bit of a waste in cooking. Then I remembered an ancient, tiny bottle of red wine that has lurked in my husband's store cupboard since before I even met him so I used that. It had a 2009 date on the cap. He doesn't drink red wine, so I have no idea where it came from, but it smelt ok when I opened it so in it went. Hopefully your wine will be more recent/of less murky origin? Top up with water, bring to boil and simmer for as long as you can.
I then went off to do an online exercise class in an attempt to increase my fitness and maintain my sanity - I think it worked. The stew kept simmering away during that, so it was perfect for being at home with other stuff to do! And it actually tasted ok, so thank you Katie!
Aww, I feel sorry for your ancient cupboard wine, so long neglected. But it looks like it went for a good cause. And also, hurrah for cooking club actual tips!
ReplyDeleteWord on the online exercise classes. It's a thing to hold onto.
Wow! Brilliant! Congratulations on your first stew. I think nothing says Confined Kitchen quite like a forgotten bottle of wine of dubious age and unknown provenance.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping not to have to use the less dubious wine - that's for drinking! Thank you for the tips!
DeleteCongratulations on the first stew! Many years ago (well, pre-2003 anyway) my ex and I drove past the Huge Warehouses that supply Cellier des Dauphins to the world. They went on for ever. Happy memory, actually; we just couldn't believe it, and kept giggling...
ReplyDeleteHappy first stew! Bunging a load of ingredients and some booze into a pot is almost always a way of creating something happy-making. I'm so glad it turned out well. :)
ReplyDelete