Good Evening Humble Readers!
Well, the results are in, and all I can say is...
O... M... G...
This was an amazing find! I am so incredibly excited to share this with you, and so incredibly bummed that I forgot to take pictures of it... for that I apologize. The original of this recipe can be found here, and what follows is my adaptation. I think this recipe is easily adaptable to larger or smaller amounts... have fun with it! (Don't get freaked out by the long list of ingredients... it really is easy!)
Coffee Braised Roast Beef
Olive oil
1 - 3lb chuck roast
1 tbsp seasoned salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon (my ace in the hole for this recipe!)
4 cups very strong brewed coffee
2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups quartered button mushrooms
1/4-1/2 cup worchestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried rosemary
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup beef stock
1/2 cup sour cream (I used non fat)
Mix seasoned salt, pepper, and cinnamon together, and season the roast on all sides. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot (like a dutch oven), and sear on all sides. Remove the roast from the pot, and toss in the onions and garlic. Saute for a couple of minutes, taking the time to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the mushrooms in for a quick saute, and then add the roast back into the pot (and any accumulated juices). Pour the coffee over the roast, and add in the worchestershire sauce, rosemary and thyme. Give the coffee mixture a bit of a stir, and allow to come up to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer slowly for an hour an a half to two hours (depending on how well done you like your roast beef). Turn the roast once, about halfway through.
When the roast is done, remove it from the pot and cover it with foil. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and beef stock. Bring the braising liquid back up to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch-beef stock mixture, and allow to thicken. Combine sour cream and a couple ladle-fulls of the gravy in a small bowl to temper the sour cream (so it doesn't separate) and add to the gravy.
Slice roast and serve with the gravy.
I did mashed taters and a garden salad as sides. I will confess that when I first tasted the braising liquid, I thought it tasted a little bitter, and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I am so pleased with the end result. Chuck roast certainly isn't the leanest or most tender cut of beef, but this recipe really did an amazing job on it! There was a ton of the gravy left over, and I think I'm going to use it in a Shepherd's Pie I'm going to make later in the week.
(And the cinnamon is absolutely that kick in the background that just makes it perfect!)
I really want one of you guys to make this and tell me what you think... My Beloved has asked that this be repeated often and soon.
** added in answer to Elana's question... I'm not 100% certain on kosher alternatives, but if non-dairy sour cream tastes similar to dairy sour cream, I think it would be ok. As for the worchestershire, perhaps some really strong beef stock (like if you reduced it), or maybe some balsamic vinegar (I was thinking I would add a splash next time). The worchestershire helps to cut the bitterness of the coffee, so anything that would add that tang would work, I think. If any of you out there have other suggestions, please speak up!
*** added to answer Good Timing's question... no, the coffee isn't overpowering. It's there, but it works in combination with everything else. I'm not a big coffee drinker either (I had to go out and buy coffee for this recipe), but I loved this!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Experiment in Progress
Hey Humble Readers...
****Warning! Foodie Insanity Ahead****
I was feeling inspired today (for the first time in a while) and I'am trying something new for dinner tonight.
I came across a recipe online for a coffee braised pot roast, and I was intrigued. Earthy coffee, earthy beef... and the recipe calls for onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Most of the comments I read were either "I love it" or "I hate it". I'm taking a risk here, but chuck roast is cheap so I thought what the hell... worst case scenario, I use the leftovers for soup.
I tweaked the recipe a bit, adding some seasoning to the roast itself before I seared it off, and some worchestershire for extra beefiness.
We'll see how it turns out, but if it tastes half as good as it smells it will be a great dinner. If it works out well, I'll post my version here.
Cross your fingers for me!
****Warning! Foodie Insanity Ahead****
I was feeling inspired today (for the first time in a while) and I'am trying something new for dinner tonight.
I came across a recipe online for a coffee braised pot roast, and I was intrigued. Earthy coffee, earthy beef... and the recipe calls for onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Most of the comments I read were either "I love it" or "I hate it". I'm taking a risk here, but chuck roast is cheap so I thought what the hell... worst case scenario, I use the leftovers for soup.
I tweaked the recipe a bit, adding some seasoning to the roast itself before I seared it off, and some worchestershire for extra beefiness.
We'll see how it turns out, but if it tastes half as good as it smells it will be a great dinner. If it works out well, I'll post my version here.
Cross your fingers for me!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Week 28: In the Home Stretch
Greetings Humble Readers! Long time no talk!
I can't believe the third trimester is here! Wow!!
Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been taking advantage of my last week of vacation combined with the long weekend to get some much needed household chores done. The kitchen is now sparkly clean (walls included, thanks to the efforts of my Beloved), a few little fix-it things are fixed, and...
wait for it...
the nursery is cleaned out and painted! Woohoo! I think I might still have to do some touch-ups tomorrow, but it looks good. I was concerned as I was putting on the first coat that the grey looked a little too blue, but now that it's got two coats and almost dry, it looks how I wanted it to. Next on the nursery list is to paint the repurposed furniture we are going to be using. We're going to be stopping by Ho.me Dep.ot tonight after dinner (I'm soooo not cooking tonight... mexican here we come!).
Here's the update...
How far along? 28w0d
Maternity clothes? Of course! A couple of shirts are actually starting to show some wear... hmmm...
Body Oddities? I think I'm finally showing more. When I was painting today, I ended up getting more paint on my belly than any where else on my anatomy. My hips hurt and crack/pop all the time. Oh yeah, and apparently I have hit the wonderful flatulent part of this journey. So special...
Sleep? Still off and on... I was able to sleep in yesterday whicle is amazing.
Best moment this week? Ordering all the decor stuff we'll need for the nursery from Etsy. It was so much fun!
Worst moment? When I realized that after this week off, I only have another three weeks of work, and about a month and a half worth of to-dos. *Sigh*
Movement? All the time. I think he/she is turning a lot. The Halfing has been transverse at a lot of my OB appointments, but I'm feeling movement in other areas now... more vertical.
Food cravings? Seafood, sushi, dairy
Rings? Back on (and they look bee-yoo-tee-ful after getting prettified!)
Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy. Let me know what you think... there's a poll on the right.
Intense Dreams? What is it with travel dreams? Aside from the nightmares of death and loss, in all my dreams I'm travelling. The other night, I was on my way to China with one of my staff... odd!
Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... bp holding steady at 130-ish over 70-ish), Gestational Diabetes (closer to getting it under control), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn.
What I miss? Being able to sleep on my stomach. I miss this so much!
What I look forward to? Being able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want it. Getting the furniture painted. Putting the crib together.
Emotional State? I'm feeling pretty good. More even keeled than I have been for the last few weeks. I can still snap at the drop of a hat, but I'm not feeling so anxious or frustrated.
I can't believe the third trimester is here! Wow!!
Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been taking advantage of my last week of vacation combined with the long weekend to get some much needed household chores done. The kitchen is now sparkly clean (walls included, thanks to the efforts of my Beloved), a few little fix-it things are fixed, and...
wait for it...
the nursery is cleaned out and painted! Woohoo! I think I might still have to do some touch-ups tomorrow, but it looks good. I was concerned as I was putting on the first coat that the grey looked a little too blue, but now that it's got two coats and almost dry, it looks how I wanted it to. Next on the nursery list is to paint the repurposed furniture we are going to be using. We're going to be stopping by Ho.me Dep.ot tonight after dinner (I'm soooo not cooking tonight... mexican here we come!).
Here's the update...
How far along? 28w0d
Maternity clothes? Of course! A couple of shirts are actually starting to show some wear... hmmm...
Body Oddities? I think I'm finally showing more. When I was painting today, I ended up getting more paint on my belly than any where else on my anatomy. My hips hurt and crack/pop all the time. Oh yeah, and apparently I have hit the wonderful flatulent part of this journey. So special...
Sleep? Still off and on... I was able to sleep in yesterday whicle is amazing.
Best moment this week? Ordering all the decor stuff we'll need for the nursery from Etsy. It was so much fun!
Worst moment? When I realized that after this week off, I only have another three weeks of work, and about a month and a half worth of to-dos. *Sigh*
Movement? All the time. I think he/she is turning a lot. The Halfing has been transverse at a lot of my OB appointments, but I'm feeling movement in other areas now... more vertical.
Food cravings? Seafood, sushi, dairy
Rings? Back on (and they look bee-yoo-tee-ful after getting prettified!)
Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy. Let me know what you think... there's a poll on the right.
Intense Dreams? What is it with travel dreams? Aside from the nightmares of death and loss, in all my dreams I'm travelling. The other night, I was on my way to China with one of my staff... odd!
Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... bp holding steady at 130-ish over 70-ish), Gestational Diabetes (closer to getting it under control), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn.
What I miss? Being able to sleep on my stomach. I miss this so much!
What I look forward to? Being able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want it. Getting the furniture painted. Putting the crib together.
Emotional State? I'm feeling pretty good. More even keeled than I have been for the last few weeks. I can still snap at the drop of a hat, but I'm not feeling so anxious or frustrated.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Saga Continues
Good Morning Humble Readers -
Well... my Beloved did his best, but in the end, the faucet defeated him. I am currently without water in my kitchen. Have been since last night. Plumber probably won't be here until tomorrow morning. Fun times!
*****
I went to see Dr. U today. Just a follow up on my GD, to see how things are going. He's still not totally happy with my numbers (the mornings especially are far from great), but he set my mind at ease by telling me that it takes time to get the right balance of insulin and my ever changing body chemistry. He said that we may be playing catch up for the rest of this pregnancy, because as the baby grows my need for insulin will continue to increase. I got a quick peak at the Halfling, and he/she seems to be turning a bit... no longer completely transverse. My weight is also down again... now officially lower than my pre-pregnancy weight for two visits to the doctor in a row.
*****
So, the stove... I am so happy with our new stove! It's awesome! Ceramic flat-top with a warming zone and one burner with turbo boil. Self-cleaning convection oven, that can convert a regular cooking setting to a convection setting at the push of a button. And the bake element is hidden. My only complaint is that the storage drawer underneath is smaller so I have had to find space in my cupboards for a few pans and things. But what I'm most proud of is my mad negotiating skills (ok, not really, but I can pretend). We shopped around, and the best deal was at Sears. Regular price on the stove was $1249, but because it was last year's model it was marked down to $799. We agreed to take the floor model (no dings or scratches or anything), so with a three year 'protection agreement' included (valued at $139, which we will get back in three years if we don't need to use it) we paid $769. Delivery and taking away our old stove was extra, but all in all, I'm happy.
*****
My next u/s has been booked for 32 weeks, so first week of October.
*****
In an ironic twist, I have to attend a meeting in Calgary in mid September, for work. The meeting is to help me be a better manager (coaching staff, directing how things go on the sales floor, driving sales, etc). The meeting takes place two weeks before I start my mat leave. Hilarious!
Well... my Beloved did his best, but in the end, the faucet defeated him. I am currently without water in my kitchen. Have been since last night. Plumber probably won't be here until tomorrow morning. Fun times!
*****
I went to see Dr. U today. Just a follow up on my GD, to see how things are going. He's still not totally happy with my numbers (the mornings especially are far from great), but he set my mind at ease by telling me that it takes time to get the right balance of insulin and my ever changing body chemistry. He said that we may be playing catch up for the rest of this pregnancy, because as the baby grows my need for insulin will continue to increase. I got a quick peak at the Halfling, and he/she seems to be turning a bit... no longer completely transverse. My weight is also down again... now officially lower than my pre-pregnancy weight for two visits to the doctor in a row.
*****
So, the stove... I am so happy with our new stove! It's awesome! Ceramic flat-top with a warming zone and one burner with turbo boil. Self-cleaning convection oven, that can convert a regular cooking setting to a convection setting at the push of a button. And the bake element is hidden. My only complaint is that the storage drawer underneath is smaller so I have had to find space in my cupboards for a few pans and things. But what I'm most proud of is my mad negotiating skills (ok, not really, but I can pretend). We shopped around, and the best deal was at Sears. Regular price on the stove was $1249, but because it was last year's model it was marked down to $799. We agreed to take the floor model (no dings or scratches or anything), so with a three year 'protection agreement' included (valued at $139, which we will get back in three years if we don't need to use it) we paid $769. Delivery and taking away our old stove was extra, but all in all, I'm happy.
*****
My next u/s has been booked for 32 weeks, so first week of October.
*****
In an ironic twist, I have to attend a meeting in Calgary in mid September, for work. The meeting is to help me be a better manager (coaching staff, directing how things go on the sales floor, driving sales, etc). The meeting takes place two weeks before I start my mat leave. Hilarious!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Pray for my Kitchen!
Oh Humble Readers... I can't decide if I should be worried or proud.
Currently, my Beloved is in the kitchen.
He's attempting to change the kitchen faucet himself. He bought the new faucet this morning. I can't believe how expensive faucets are, and he got one at the bottom end ($150). Yikes!
He spent more than two hours trying to get the old faucet off. Apparently there were some seriously stripped screws. Now he's trying to put the new one on. I'm staying out of his way.
No matter what, I love him for trying!
Currently, my Beloved is in the kitchen.
He's attempting to change the kitchen faucet himself. He bought the new faucet this morning. I can't believe how expensive faucets are, and he got one at the bottom end ($150). Yikes!
He spent more than two hours trying to get the old faucet off. Apparently there were some seriously stripped screws. Now he's trying to put the new one on. I'm staying out of his way.
No matter what, I love him for trying!
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