Thursday, July 16, 2009

Whatnots


I have a folder on my desk top that says potpourri. It's where I stick all of my photos and whatnots that might make a blog post. I clicked on that folder yesterday and it was overflowing. I decided that I'd take a couple of whatnots from there for today.

First, Ro asked for the recipe for Red Curry Beef Stew (one of Mr. Dragon's favorites), so Ro, this is for you. I did have a photo, but for some reason, it turned a very unappetizing blue color (probably because I snatched it from the Taste of Thai web site).

RED CURRY BEEF STEW
(Comfort food is the same the world over.)

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 Tbsp Red Curry Paste
  • 2lbs (908g) stew meat
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
Directions:
  1. In large pot, heat oil. Add Curry Paste. Saute for 1 minute
  2. Add stew meat and brown on all sides.
  3. Add onions and carrots and saute for 3 minutes.
  4. Add potatoes, Coconut Milk, Fish Sauce and brown sugar
  5. Cover and simmer for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender
  6. Garnish with peanuts
As you all know, I never make a recipe the same way twice. I had sweet potatoes and used those the last time I made this recipe. I had some red bell pepper left over and tossed that in. I didn't add the peanuts. Sometimes peanuts and I don't get along, so I didn't take the chance this would be one of those times. One of the times I made this stew, I had some asparagus left over and tossed that in. It is a stew! This recipe is from the Taste of Thai web site. I've tried several recipes from their site and they have all been delicious. There you go, Ro. Enjoy!

***

I thought I'd close with a short review of The Death of An Irish Sinner: A Peter McGarr Mystery by Bartholomew Gill. The McGarr mysteries are a series of rather dark police procedurals. I've read most of them and in order. Superb plotting, riveting background, storyteller type of prose, tongue in cheek humor, interesting, entertaining, evil, dark, charming -- all of these words come to mind when I think about this series. Gill (Mark McGarrity) died several years ago in a freak accident, but that's another story. If you are at all interested in this series, don't start with this book!

From the book flap "local benefactress and celebrated biographer Mary-Jo Stanton is a supplicant to death - left lifeless on her knees in a patch of daffodils, a barbaric religious implement wrapped tightly around her neck. A clergyman has approached Peter McGarr, requesting that the Chief Superintendent quietly investigate this outrage that occurred at Barbastro, the slain grand lady's compoundlike Dublin estate. Murder is McGarr's business, this one might be his undoing, as it draws him ever-closer to Opus Dei, a secret order of religious zealots devoted to enforcing the Lord's edicts no mater what the cost in money - or human life- it has ensnared the dedicated policeman in its lethal web. And now its madness is reaching out across a century to touch the place Peter McGarr is most vulnerable: the precious heart of his own adored family." This book has a copyright date of June, 2001. I'm sure Opus Dei will remind you of another book out about the same time, DaVinci Code. That's a whole other post that will probably never happen!

Enjoy your day.


7 comments:

Rosa said...

Nyum nyum. Thank you Snap! Can't wait to try it! I'm the same way, never go by the recipe exactly, especially with soups or stews. You just can't go wrong by throwing stuff in! Thank you!! xo

Wildflowerhouse said...

Your recipe sounds delicous, must try this. Sharon

Kate Tracton said...

Mmmmm, that recipe certainly sounds tasty! That's the way I like to cook - just use the recipe as a suggestion. It certainly keeps things lively in the kitchen...

Kate

Pat - Arkansas said...

Recipe sounds wonderful, and so does the book. I'll have to start at the beginning of the series, as that's the way I like to read them, also.

Janet said...

The recipe sounds delicious but nothing spicy for me and no meat either!

I just bought a juicer and I'm playing with that now! Lots of fruits and veggies....yum!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

The recipe for the beef stew sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for that--and also for the book review.

Have a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Stew sounds good! That is good to have a folder like that for future blog posts. I have one like that, but it's in my head! Sometimes it's a little challenging to "retrieve" it, LOL!
Thank you for entering my giveaway! Good luck to you!