I've a hankering for Irish Stew. So today, with my wife's help, I'll build one. I begin with a Roux. Slap a slab of bacon in my dutch oven and render it of its fat, add flour and with tender care bring it to the color of a pecan shell. This, after I brown my stew meat (beef) which delivers a rich flavor to the Roux.
Then butter, red potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots and mushrooms and believe it or not, small green Lima beans. Yes, I have my own twist on Irish Stew. Deal with it.
This is a file photo of a nice pot of stew, notice the herb string. I love the old Le Creuset. This old pot has cooked many a meal.
Last evening I made a batch of my famous Irish Kick-Ass Salsa. I'll try and get a picture for you...standby.
Sorry the picture is so out of focus. Notice the chip...there's a world of hurt in this bowl of tasty goodness. Wimps need not apply.
Gotta run, my day nurse is at the door. Be still my heart.
Later.
Stephen
He's up, has an appetite and is cooking - yay! Signs that life is returning to normal!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, slowly, gimping, but I'm getting there. Thanks, Bubba.
DeleteSounds like things are definitely looking up for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteTruthfully, just restless. Day nurse just left so for a couple of hours I walk around and say, "Ouch." Thanks, John.
DeleteNice techniques there. Very cassic method of actually cooking the roux. Most just throw in the flour and stir thinking its ready for the liquid. Like you said browning the roux really brings out the flavor. You get that nice nutty aroma as it starts browning. Nothing like enamel cast iron for hold a nice even heat. Looks good, nothing wrong with lima beans. You may have some Irish in you but there is defintly a some southerner in you as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. I try. I agree on the lima beans, of course, guess it's the southern boy in me, like you said. The stew was great.
DeleteSo glad you're back home and feeling hungry enough (and well enough) to want to cook! You're definitely on the road to recovery now.
ReplyDeleteNow stay healthy, dang it! You skeered us!!
:p
Thank you, Lovely Lady. I scared the heck out out of my wife too, bless her heart. I feel like a caged animal, the cooking helped.
DeleteTruly awesome. Sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend...it was good.
Deletei love me a good stew and a good salsa...and i'll eat both at the same time. not to mention smashed potatoes and gravy...mmmm...smashed potatoes and gravy...mmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteI can eat the salsa for breakfast...thank you, kymber.
DeleteLooks real good stew. Salsa is ok, but doesn't agree with my stomach. Sounds like you are coming around to your old self again. Healing better now that you are at home. Have you had you a decent pot of the good coffee you wanted when you were in there? Glad you have an appetite. In My Prayers..
ReplyDeleteOh yes on the coffee...it's the staff of life. Thank you for your kind prayers. I getting try, it'll be a while before I'm back to normal...baby steps as they say.
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