What a Crock

This is just not happening. NOT. HAPPENING!!

It is freezing today by Texas standards, which means hot comfort food is a must. I don’t get the chance to make beef stew often, but today was the perfect day for it. Sleety, windy, gray, cold: just like winter should be. Not what I want in a winter, but nothing I can do about that except maybe place The Goron on my Voodoo List™.

Not saying I did, mind you.

Anyway, I go to do my kitchen prep: peel and dice potatoes, carrots, onions, brown stew beef cuts, and open the red wine. Yes, I cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. I place all that heavenly goodness into the crock pot, plug it in and….. nothing.

NOTHING!!!

I am aghast. My crock pot is dead, y’all!!

I am at a loss. I love my crock pot. I use it at least once a week. After hyperventilating and walking around the kitchen island sobbing, I calmed down and decided to put it in the oven to cook, like a boss. Actually, like a boss that has a ton of cast iron dutch ovens. I’ll be danged if I let this setback ruin dinner. I mean, there is no way I am going out in this weather. Not even for a dinner out.

On the upside, Hubby has an idea of what to get me for Valentine’s Day 😉

Thursday Never List

Some days ago, I was cooking dinner and manage to catch Little One in a mood to help. It doesn’t happen often, so when it does I take full advantage of it and basically turn her in the Sous Chef. The irony here is that she is my picky eater, and wasn’t going to eat dinner that night. Of course, that didn’t stop me from putting her to work. Anyway, I asked her to get the dill, and she brought me two jars.

LO: Here you go, Mom.

Me: We have two jars of dill? Both open??

LO: No, we have four.

Me: So why bring out two?

LO: One for each hand?

Me: *rolls eyes*

Apparently, we are fans of dill around here. And it got me to thinking about what else I have in my spice hoard. And what spices I just can’t do without.

#5– Pepper

All kinds. Except Jolokia. No joke.

#4– Oregano

I love it for most ethnic dishes, especially Puerto Rican ones.

#3– Thyme

The best part, aside the flavor, is hearing the mispronunciation.

#2– Paprika

Sweet or sharp, but especially sweet.

#1– Rosemary

Alone or in Herbs de Provence, the fragrance and flavor are sublime.

So there you have it: spices I can NOT do without. You may wonder why dill isn’t listed. Well, that’s because Eldest is responsible for that particular hoard. I’m only responsible for the jars, packets, and tins of Herbs de Provence and paprika.

All ten of them 😀

Thursday Never List

It’s College Bowl Time around here, and boy howdy, has it been fun!

The Aggies won, the Spartans won, the Raiders won (I will catch hades for this one), the Ducks won (and this one, too), so I’m a happy camper overall. Especially with the A&M- Duke game. But that’s my bias typing.

Anyway, one of the complaints heard from the Peanut Gallery was my lack of *ahem* hostess skills this time. When Draco was here visiting, I went out of my way to set out snacks and sandwiches for the guys while they watched football. Apparently my lack was noticed by some, since this time I decided to enjoy the games and let them fend for themselves. They weren’t raised by wolves, apparently.

Things One Should Never Skimp on Football Days

#5– Pillows

You’ll be on the edge of your seat, so best to have some backside support.

#4– Ice

If you run out, you’ll get tasked to get some. Which means you’ll be missing the game.

#3– Throat lozenges

You’ll thank me for that. And avoid the cherry flavored ones. You’ll thank me for that, too.

#2– Snack foods

This goes without saying, I know.

#1– Painkillers

Because not every team wins, and “moderation” is not in your vocabulary during a game.

Anyway, I’m off to shop for tonight’s game. The last thing I need is more Peanut Gallery musings while screaming at the TV 🙂

Atomic Entertaining

Yeah, that title is a bit misleading. But it’s my blog and I liked it. Anyway, it’s a reference to what some people call “atomic cocktails”, those drinks made popular during the 50’s and 60’s, at the height of the nuclear ‘duck-and-cover’ stage.

While I was home for Christmas, my mom made mention of ALL the kitchen stuff I have given her over the years. Frankly, I was appalled it was that much. I think only the pots and pans weren’t from me. Anyway, up high in the cabinet she had these glasses that were given to my parents as wedding gifts.

Back in 1965.

And as y’all know, everything old is new again, only more expensive. Those glasses evoked a lot of memories, mostly of my uncles drinking and carousing, but still fond memories. Trust me: there is nothing more awesome than listening to your uncles and your dad singing around the hibachi. NOTHING!!! It hurt to see the glasses just gathering dust. My mom, ever practical, told me to take them, so she could have more room for more stuff.

Are they not AWESOME??? Yes, yes they are. And you can bet your poodle skirt and bobby socks they will get used. I don’t care if it’s for parfaits and sodas, either. Every day is special, right?? So yes, I shall be wearing my retro apron and my pearls and heels as I serve Hubby his Cuba Libre tonight.

He’ll probably think I’m crazy, but he won’t care after I serve him the drink and bring him his slippers 😉

Good Tidings!

It’s Christmas Eve Eve!! And I am excited because I just LOVE to run around like a stormtrooper at a rebel firing range.

I have ONE MORE DAY to get everything organized and wrapped and shipped out and stuff cooked and baked and call people and go around the neighborhood dropping off goodies and packing and cleaning and dusting and clearing out empty boxes and making sure that Santa can find his way from the chimney to the tree with no dog obstacles.

But I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Except maybe to have someone else do the laundry. Maybe that.

So go tackle the day and smile, because that always makes you feel better, and makes people wonder what you have up your sleeve 😉

ZOMGooooood Stuff

A couple of evenings ago, I asked Hubby what he would like to have for dinner the following day. I always ask, and usually he responds with, “Anything is fine”, which is great. The other night he had an actual request, though: a cream-based dish I hadn’t made in at least a decade.

The man is patient, I’ll give him that.

Anyway, I searched for the recipe and finally found it! I was thrilled because this dish is not for anyone wanting to watch their health. It’s that good!! And to make things even better, very easy to make.

Ok, it’s a crappy photo of it. You’ll just have to trust me on the delish, ok?

Paprika Beef

• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 1½ lbs. flank or skirt steak (I use sirloin, though)
• 2 C. heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp. sweet paprika (or sharp, if you like it spicy)
• 1 tsp. salt

Heat 2 tsp. of the butter in a pan on medium heat until bubbly. Add half the steak and cook until done to your liking (we like it medium rare here), about three to four minutes per side. Remove to a platter, and do the same with the other half of the steak. Remove to the platter as well. Let it cool a bit, then cut crosswise into strips ¼ inch thick and about two inches long. Or you can cube it.

Raise the heat to high. Add the cream, paprika, and salt to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk until well-blended, about four to six minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the remaining butter and then return the steak pieces to the pan along with the accumulated juices. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until heated through, about three minutes. Serve over buttered noodles or rice. Season to taste.

I’m going to see if it is slow-cooker adaptable. For now, I’m going to enjoy leftovers 😀

So Far, So Good

Except when it comes to my waistline.

Mom has been cooking lunch and dinner every day. And like a dutiful daughter, I have been rising up to the challenge and eating lunch and dinner, every day.

Of course, now my jeans are trying to rise to the challenge of containing me.

The upside of this is that I haven’t had to cook dinner since she arrived. That is awesome in my book, and the reason I don’t dwell on the downside of this. I have been attempting to cook more Puerto Rican dishes, but let’s face it: they aren’t a patch on my mom’s cooking. Still, my family likes it enough to enjoy leftovers the following day, so that’s saying something. But I can’t let my mom do all the cooking while she’s here. I want her to enjoy her time with the family. So I shall be cooking this weekend for the clan. Not all weekend, mind you. Just dinners and one breakfast, maybe. And first request? Beer braised beef.

Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.

Because it’s beef, in beer. How can you go wrong???

Anyway, time for me to run. I have to go to the grocery store. Again. And to the liquor store. Again.

It’s for a good cause 😉

How I Took Home a Chef

Well, as y’all may recall, this past Saturday I went to see Chef Curtis Stone, the original Take Home Chef, cook and be all dreamy. Hubby, our friend Flower Girl and I headed out early to get a good parking spot. I had no hopes of getting good seating, but the stars, they were aligning. As usual, I’m getting ahead of myself.

We get to the outlet mall, and find a close parking space to the enormous tent. There is no line to purchase the book, so Flower Girl and I make our purchases, and proceed to enter the tent. People are milling about, and there is a KitchenAid™ demonstration going on, as well as several local restaurants and wineries showcasing their wares and providing samples. Between bites of Caprese salad in a wonderful vinaigrette and a few swigs of Riesling, we encountered a photo booth. AWESOME!! My friend and I hurry over to have our photos taken, and because we are the first to try out the Photo Toaster® (yes, that’s the name of it), the videographer asks if he can also take our photos for the event. Sure!! I wore makeup in case I would ever get the chance to get close to Curtis Stone. I can dream.

By this time people are starting to be seated, so we go back in the tent and get seats middle right. After what seemed like forever but in reality was about fifteen minutes, Curtis Stone came onstage.

We Need Some Happy

This week has had its share of tragedy. We need some happy around here!! So tomorrow I am going to head out to the mall to see Curtis Stone cook and be all dreamy.

Why yes, I would love for you to follow me all over the grocery store and then cook my dinner, Curtis.

I can dream whatever I want, you know.

The best part? The Le Creuset™ store will be having a special sale in conjunction with his appearance here. And y’all remember the $50, right? The stars, they are aligning!!

Y’all have a great Friday 😉

Polyglot-ony

Polyglot and gluttony.

There’s plenty of both here right now!

My friends from Germany arrived without incidents, and we have been having a wonderful time cooking and sightseeing. Last night we had sauerbraten, and cucumber salad. ZOMG!!! I gained three pound just making the stuff.

So far, my pants still fit. That’s not guaranteed to be true in the next two weeks.

Along with the wonderful food, we are enjoying wonderful conversation. Not only in German, but also Hungarian, and Spanish, and English as well. Tomorrow, I hope to learn to make Amerikaner danish and soda bread. I am going to be one heck of a gourmet by the time they leave.

That, or one heck of a whale. Either is acceptable.

Anyway, just wanted to give y’all an update as to the happenings at Casa de Aggie. I will make an attempt to post tomorrow. Unless my friend decides to make schnitzel. Then y’all are out of luck 😉