Tofu Green Curry Bento

Green curry paste

coconut milk 

fried tofu 

baby corn 

zucchini 

snap peas 

asparagus 

carrot shavings

onion

 Fry onion in a small amount of oil, then add curry paste to release aromatic qualities. Stir fry vegetables in the regular way. When done, push veggies to one side of pan, then add second serving of curry paste to empty side of pan. stir coconut milk into the paste to 'loosen it up'. Add coconut milk to taste.

Embroidered shirt

How to do a wheel stitch. This was a new one for me, I enjoyed it.

Stew

Guinness Style Beef Stew

2 tbsp olive oil

2.5 lb stew beef, I got a whole package of cheep meat for $5. It cooks a long time, and is a good choice

3/4 tsp each salt and black pepper 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

2 onions , chopped 

6 oz bacon ,  diced 

3 tbsp flour

14.9 oz Guinness Beer (I just used a nut brown ale) 

4 tbsp tomato paste 

3 cups chicken stock/broth

3 carrots , peeled and cut into 1/2" thick pieces 

2 large celery stalks, cut into 1" pieces 

2 bay leaves

3 sprigs thyme

 

• Cut the beef into 5cm/2" chunks. Pat dry then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a heavy based pot over high heat. Add beef in batches and brown well all over. Remove onto plate. Repeat with remaining beef.
• Lower heat to medium. If the pot is looking dry, add oil.
• Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until softening, then add bacon.
• Cook until bacon is browned, then stir through carrot and celery. 
• Add flour, and stir for 1 minute to cook off the flour.
• Add Guinness, chicken broth/stock and tomato paste. Mix well (to ensure flour dissolves well), add bay leaves and thyme. 
• Return beef into the pot (including any juices). Liquid level should just cover.
• Cover, lower heat so it is bubbling gently. Cook for 2 hours - the beef should be pretty tender by now. Remove lid then simmer for a further 30 - 45 minutes or until the beef falls apart at a touch, the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
• Skim off fat on surface, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and thyme.
• Serve with creamy mashed potatoes!!

 

Christmas Pudding

Recipe.  A pudding basin is a bowl that can be baked or steamed for several hours. I used an aluminum bowl. This is just a little different from a fruit cake. I liked it a lot.

Candied peels

2 large oranges, ¼ inch of top and bottom cut off

2 lemons, same

4 cups sugar, divided

3 cups water

Cut peel on each fruit into 4 vertical segments. Remove each segment (including white pith) in 1 piece. Cut into ¼-inch-wide strips. Cook in large pot of boiling water 15 minutes; drain, rinse, and drain again.

Bring 3 cups sugar and 3 cups water to boil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add peel. Return to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until peel is very soft, about 45 minutes. Drain.

Toss peel and 1 cup sugar on rimmed baking sheet, separating strips. Lift peel from sugar; transfer to sheet of foil. Let stand until coating is dry, 1 to 2 days. Makes about 2 cups    

Tiny Snacks

This is Willa. She is E's new baby doll. I felt like she needed some snacks. Tacos, cheese crackers, carrots and celery all made from Fimo Dough.

Gnocchi soup

Belive it or not, this is yet another great use for leftover chicken soup. Simply add a bag of spinach, packaged gnocchi, and a heavy pour of 1/2 and 1/2.