Ingredients:Thursday, December 10, 1998
Last night I had a horrible night and woke up at 6:30 a.m. unable to tolerate the pain of my throat or the continual throbbing and draining of my sinus. My ears are filled and ringing and I curse the miserable checkout clerk who served me with this infection four days ago along with my shopping and bill (it only takes an infected touch on a card, bill or bag and four days for the filth to incubate).
However, that's not what you wanted to know .. Here is my favourite recipe. It is so versatile: If you prefer chicken, use that and some white wine (and don't brown the flour mixture). If you don't like meat, use tofu or soy-burgers. If you like curry or chilli, use those. There's not much you can do wrong .. except adding salt! Salt added at the beginning can increase in flavour and can ruin the whole thing.
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Ingredients:
one tablespoon margarine or butter or some oil
two medium onions, chopped
two cloves garlic, chopped (if you don't like the onions or garlic, then just make the roux without them)
one pound stewing beef, fat removed, chopped
two tablespoons flour
two packets or cubes beef bullion, mixed in two cups hot water. (If you don't have these in the house, just brown the beef and roux a bit more)
one bay leaf (remove before serving)
two large celery stalks, sliced
three medium carrots, sliced
two cups other fresh or frozen mixed vegetables
on-eighth teaspoon pepper
one quarter cup dry wine or wine vinegar (I used sherry)
Method:
Place margarine, onions and garlic in a heavy pot (I just used a frying pan). Cook and stir over medium heat until the onions become clear. Stir often so they do not burn.
Add the meat and stir until it is cooked on the outside (about five minutes).
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and meat mixture and stir until the flour disappears.
(I usually pour this into my crock-pot / slow cooker).
Take the pot off the heat while you add the rest of the ingredients. Stir. Return to heat. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to low. Cover and simmer for about an hour. Stir occasionally.
If you are using frozen mixed vegetables instead of fresh vegetables, add them just at the end and simmer for 10 minutes.
Check the seasoning for salt and pepper etc. If you are leaving this in the slow cooker you should still not add salt - except to the portion you are using.
This recipe makes seven cups.
Well, I added a can of tomatoes and a can of red kidney beans. I put the mixture in the crock-pot and will go back to sleep .. Take two aspirin, have a nice cup of tea and settle down. I hope you feel better soon .. But for goodness sake PLEASE don't go in to work and spread your horrible cold and flu germs around!
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A day later,after I'd used the stew, (and frozen bowls of leftovers) I felt like something lighter. Can you buy "Highliner" frozen fish in England? They have some good new recipes: This is salmon with cheese and broccoli, with breadcrumbs, ready to bake. This is my favourite. |
I might have a half-glass of wine .. but that's all. When you've got an infection the last thing you need is your immune system depressed by alcohol!
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