Wow! It's been a year since I started this blog. And the last few months I have been a serious slacker on posting! Wanna hear my excuses? No? Okay, but here's one really good one.... I have a full time job now. I've always worked --part time since having my kiddos but this is the first time I've worked full time since Noah was born (he's 9). I'm grateful to have a good job in a bad economy-- but let me tell you-- I'm T.I.R.E.D. I'm a teacher. And I had forgotten how much energy being in the classroom all day takes out of you. And now, when I go home I have my 3 little lovies to attend to. There, that's my excuse for not posting in a very long time. It's the very last day of my school vacation and I feel pretty refreshed and ready to take on the next 6 weeks before the next vacation.
I've really enjoyed being home again and having the time to cook meals that are more than throw together meals. I recently made a beef stew. Here's my recipe:
veggies of your choice but I like:
1 medium onion chopped
3 stalks celery chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 carrots peeled and sliced
1 whole sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup butternut squash cubed (I often use frozen)
1/4 cup green beans
oh and the meat (beef) of course-- I grabbed what was on sale (can't remember the cut...but sometimes I get the precut stew meat to save time)
2 table spoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon basil
salt & pepper to taste
2 dry bay leaves
3 tablespoons flour & 1/2 cup water mixed to thicken at the end
1 big box of beef stock (you know, not the can)--which ever has the lowest sodium count I can find....salt and I aren't always friends.
In a large sauce pan, heat a little olive oil. Season cubed meat with salt & pepper. Add meat to the pan to sear and brown on all sides--but not to cook through. Once the meat is seared remove from pan. Add onion, garlic and celery. You might need to add a little beef stock to deglaze the pan at this point. Let the onions and celery simmer for a few minutes. Then add veggies one at a time, adding a pinch of salt and pepper at each layer and letting each new veggie get acquainted with the pan and all become friends. Add spices. Once all the veggies & spices are added and simmering for about 5 minutes add the stock to the pot and possibly some water to create the broth. Bring to boil. Add beef and bay leaves. Bring back to boil. Let it all boil for a few minutes then reduce heat to a simmer. I usually let mine simmer for about an hour or so stirring occasionally. If I need to add more liquid I pour water into the emptied beef broth box and shake to add some of the flavor that's left in there.
Add flour and water mixture to thicken.
You could also throw all the above ingredients into the crock pot and set it on low for 8 hours. :-)
Enjoy.
~ Pam
