What’s in my Fridge Beef Stew

Hi Jen, 

It’s been one of those weeks.

Work is super busy, I’m PMSing like crazy and I can’t seem to kick this awful cold/flu. I was so sick this weekend that I had to pass on our weekly Sunday grocery excursion. Seb being the dutiful future hubby that he is, went solo.  I was pleased by his willingness to shoulder the responsibility of our week's food supply, so I sent him along his merry way. In hindsight, considering how he usually leaves me in the veggie section and makes a beeline to the butcher, I probably should of given him a list or said something like: "please don't bring home an entire farm". He arrived home after spending $70 and this is what he bought: two giant steaks, a chicken, pork tenderloin, ham, bacon, peanut butter, bread, a massive block of swiss cheese and one teeny weeny bag of bokchoy. Ahh boys— where would our protein intake be without them? Lol, you're probably gagging over all the meat on that list. 

As a result of Seb's meat-a-palooza, we had a lot of left over meat in our fridge so last night, still sick, I decided to whip up a big bowl of what I like to call, What’s in My Fridge Beef Stew. 

Ingredients:

·         2 carrots, chopped

·         ½ large onion, diced

·         2 stalks of celery

·         Flour

·         2-3 Garlic cloves, chopped

·         Thyme, Oregano

·         1 stalk of Leek

·         Beef Broth

·         Left over beef cubed (I used the leftover Striploin tip from our dinner 2 nights ago)

·         Mushrooms

·         Kale

·         Brussel sprouts

These are the main things that I used because it’s what I had in my fridge, but feel free to use whatever you have. 

I chopped up the onions, carrots, leeks and celery and sautéed till soft in a pot with some olive oil. When ready, I added the garlic, thyme, oregano, marmite (the one you gave me Westie!) and a bay leaf. When I can smell the garlic, I added flour to coat the veggies and mixed. Add the beef broth (I use the salt-free kind because I ran out of my home-made stuff in the freezer). Add the beef and let simmer for about an hour. 

Add mushrooms, brussel sprouts and kale (again all optional, but these are my favourite vegetables, so I pretty much always have some in my fridge) and simmer for another 30 mins or so. 

It’s really the perfect stew for a cold night when all you have to do is cut up a bunch of random things in your fridge. If you want to make it even more thick, you can make a rue with some butter and flour, or add some potatoes! Salt and pepper to taste at the end.

Serve with a piece of crusty bread to dip. DE-LIC-OUS!

Hope you and the little one enjoy! I bet Georgie would like this one!

I miss you! It's weird not having someone ask me what I ate the day before every day. 

Salted Cod with Potato Bhaji

I took my time, I apologise. It's been a crazy few weeks, having moved 4 times since we arrived back from Montreal, but I have finally had the opportunity to share my DELICIOUS dinner with my Canadian homie, Levan.

Over the weeks I have thought of Levan each time I put a spoonful or forkful of something delicious in my mouth, but I thought nothing would make her more proud than cooking up a seafood dish. I remember the shock on her face when we would discuss my lack of seafood-eating in the car on the way to work. Ok, this is just cod, but it's a start and particularly appropriate now I'm living by the sea.

This photo does not do it justice.

You will need (for 2 people):

- 2 Cod loins

- 2 large potatoes

- 1 onion

- garlic

- 1 can tomatoes

- ground cumin

- coriander seeds (cilantro for you Americans)

- fresh coriander

- mustard seeds

- chilli

- good quality ketchup

- olive oil

- butter

Cover the cod loins in salt an hour before you start and put in the fridge. Boil the potatoes and chop into cubes once done.

Fry the finely chopped onion and garlic with all the spices (the quantities are up to you, but it should be quite flavourful and spicy). Once the onions are translucent, add the cubed potato (you may need to add a little more oil) and fry until crispy. Add the tomatoes and a squeeze of ketchup and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thick. Give it a taste and add more spices/salt if necessary.

Rinse your cod and pat dry. Cover in butter and grill for 8-10 mins (don't turn over). You'll know when it's done when the flesh starts to flake apart.

Dollop some bhaji on your plate and top with your cod and a good sprinkle of fresh coriander. Flipping amazing!

I miss you my Asian Barbie x