As I mentioned yesterday, here is the dinner we prepared and served.
Guinness Irish Stew
- 2 1/2 lbs. Sirloin tip, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes, all excess fat removed
- 3 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 2 x 900 ml containers of beef stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 can Guinness beer
- 1 cup Sangiovese wine (Merlot would do)
- 3 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
- 2 bay laves
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 3/4 bag, Golden little gem potatoes
- 1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. fresh parsley
Before browning the beef, sprinkle the meat with the salt and heat the oil in a large pot (not frypan) over a medium heat.
Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and work in batches. Cook without stirring until a nice brown on one side, then using tongs turn the pieces over and brown another side. Repeat until all sides are browned. Remove to a bowl and repeat with the meat pieces until all are browned. Return the meat to the pot.
Add the garlic and onion and sauté for about 30 seconds. Add the beef stock, water, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worchestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot and cook at a bare simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.
Add the potatoes and carrots and cook a further 60 minutes. If you can, let it sit for 24 hours and then reheat and serve. OMG! Is that ever good. To thicken it take 4 heaping tsp. of flour and mix with 1/4 cup of water. Mix together and temper it with some of the stew, then add to the stew. Perfection at its best.
Best Pea Soup You Will Eat (my site under Soups)
Blood Orange Creme Brulee
Use any recipe you like or even the instant kind. Just make sure you zest the blood orange and steep in the custard while you are making it. The flavour is very subtle but there. When caramelizing the topping, grate some more of the blood orange zest on top. Add a few segments of the orange on top for decoration. The taste of a blood orange is so different from the ordinary orange and would not be the same, for sure.
Enjoy and HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY.
Follow Up On Meet The Neighbors Night
Well, the dust has settled and we are still smiling about just how successful the night was. Let me explain…
About 5:45 p.m. Don and I started putting together the ‘snacks’ we had planned. This, alone, took us few days to think out and plan for and now we were ready to execute.
I double checked that washroom (enough paper out), mirrors cleaned, fresh hand towel on the counter and set out the candle so it would be ready to light just before our guests arrive.
Work done now and I light the bar of candles on the entry table, the candle in the bathroom and turn the light on and dim it a little. I always turn the light on so guests can find it easily and not always ask where the washroom is. The time is now about 6:55 p.m.
As they arrived, two by two (kidding, sort of) we introduced everyone to each other. Well, now I know it is going to be a good night. They all stood on the entryway and talked, and talked. I finally went and sat on the bench in front of the window and after a few moments I started to laugh. When they looked up and saw me, they came and sat down in the living room, the conversations never missing a beat.
We introduced everyone to the table with the snacks and poured the first glass of wine. We informed everyone that from this moment on, they were on their own. This way, you eat and drink what you want, not what the hostess thinks you should do. Don and I went into the kitchen and set out the hot appies and now invited everyone to ‘hit the table’ and everyone was into the evening.
Remember now, everyone who is not of the ‘mature’ birthdays, this is how the ‘oldies’ handle this kind of evening. One neighbor got up and returned to his home and came back with his guitar, music stand and book of songs. Not to be left out, another neighbor went to her home and came back with her husband’s package of about 8-9 harmonicas and song sheets. Then the fun began.
After a little bit, Don got up and picked up his Hawaiian gourd drum (Apu Hekki..sorry if spelled wrong) and away we went. We sang and sang, laughed and chatted the night away. When the evening (early morning hour) was done and the last neighbor left, it was the most successful evening we have had. Don and I have been in the entertaining mode for over 25 years and I always thought we did a good job. This? This was the best.
Our neighbors may not get together often but they won’t forget this night and best of all, won’t be strangers when they do meet again. Don’t be afraid to do this when and if new neighbors move into your block or neighborhood.
Oh yeah, on a final note….our new neighbors did not know each other but it turned out one neighbor knew the father of the other new neighbor. Also, they wanted to exchange emails at the end of the evening because in April another ‘hootenanny’ is going to take place and they want the guitar player and beautiful partner to be in attendance as well.
Saturday Dinner For Four
We invited a couple from our neighborhood for dinner tonight. Charlotte has been here before and is aware of the goings on BUT her husband, John, isn’t. So……pampering is the name of the game.
This is the supper we have planned and it is going to be so much fun to pull off. We love doing this, so read on. Remember our motto is, all who enter here are treated like royalty. Not to show off but to show how delighted we are to have your company.
To start with, I used my beige ultrasuede tablecloth (I made it years ago), stayed with a black and tan theme from charger plates to glasses. The shots of colour came from the flowers and the plates used. Individual candles at each setting, as well as salt/pepper shakers, butter dishes and bread plates complete the table.
Signataure Drink and Hors d’Oeurves
When we were in France three years ago, I really liked the drink “Kir”. It is a 1 oz. of Cassis and 3 oz. chilled white wine. Yummy! Don made Potato Rostis with Lemon Cream. OMG, we have sampled a few already (we call it quality control). Sucks to be us, right?
Soup and Salad
I made my favourite “Blueberry Soup” with blueberry yogurt and fresh blueberries. I love this soup. Chilled but delightful then on to the “Festive” Salad. This is, also, a favourite of mine. It is colorful and super tasty. The wine for these two courses is Piesporter.
Beef Bourguingnon with Baby Potatoes, glazed beets and baby carrots.
Don makes the best that you could ever taste. I know you think I may be bragging but, so help me, this is why we are still together. He’s a great cook and I’m a great sampler……tee hee. The wine for this course is Pinot Noir. The meat is cooked with it as well so we are just bringing out the flavours.
Now, for a change of pace (we have never done this before) a small plate of green and red grapes and a few slices of cheese, served with a glass of Lemoncella. This will clear the palette for the upcoming dessert.
Dessert
I made a maple pots de creme with salted maple sauce and a praline topping. With this is a bitter chocolate chunk salted cookie. The pairing of the sweet and the bitter is incredible and with this is a small glass of well chilled Burgundy Ice Wine.
Coffee/tea and conversations…..
Another great evening and, yes, we were delighted to have you with us. Just a note to let you know that the soup, salad and dessert were eaten before I took pictures. So sorry. Next time.
OMG – September You are kidding.
The summer is officially gone and most families are enjoying the last days of bbq’s, trips to the lake, etc. and just enjoying everything.
We are too as my sister-in-law is here for a nice long visit and we get to catch up on all the stuff we miss during the year. So…let the weekend go and I’ll get back to you all on Tuesday.
Enjoy and be safe.
After the party
This is Sunday, the day after our Lead in to Christmas dinner. It was most enjoyable to say the least. We had the signature martini (yummy). Even the Pear Cider with diced red pear garnish was a hit for our guests who do not drink alcohol.
One of the favourite things they ate was the cheese shortbread. True! The dinner went well, lots of laughter and then we retired to the livingroom when we presented them with the tray of goodies. I don’t think I have ever seen such surprised faces as that.
All in all, yes we were tired (not young anymore) and would we do it again? Absolutely! We love it. But when you do, be sure to call it what it is “A lead In to Christmas”…..now bring on the rest of the month we are all ready.
My Comments
I have always felt adults were left out and only went through the motions of being happy and relaxed. Stress levels are high because we put the pressure on ourselves for the pefect everything for that one day.By using the ‘lead in’ approach to the holiday season such as Christmas, you as the adult, have shared one evening with like-minded friends, enjoyed it immensley and are relaxed enough to go ahead with your celebration day/dinner feeling happier than you have in years. Try it once and see……….. it will give you the ‘mental adjustment’ needed to make it happen.
In the meantime, cook, bake and entertain with a passion that holds no barriers.
By the way, I keep getting a comment on my site that I am copying someone else’s story. I have not now or ever, copied another’s story. What you get here is only me. ’tis sad but true.
I hope you enjoy reading and using my recipes and ideas to make that ‘damn, I can do this’ level. It is only fun!
Fancy Fruit for Kids
Are your children tired of the same old fruit in a bowl? Try this one for size. Cut the ends off a melon. Cut into 1/2 inch thick slices and with a 2 inch metal cookie cutter, cut different shapes. Also, by using a fruit baller, you can make flowers by scooping out little circles of the same fruit or one of a different colour.
This makes the fruit a lot of fun to look at and to eat. If your children are a little older get them to help cut out the fruit.
Goblins and such
Here’s hoping people are saner this year and do not doctor the candy, apples, etc. that children will be receiving. That is senseless, useless, and harmful.
Remember when we were kids? I know my dentist did. tee hee.
Have fun tonight and keep safe. Later. Please don’t let your children just dive in and start eating their treasure. Look it all over, double check everything then mete it out.