Dackel Princess

Making Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon

I’m here to announce that my attempt at making Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon, went very well. It was not, however a meal that one can just throw together. I had to go to the grocery store in town and ask for pork fat. It seems that this makes the sauce even more flavorful, and nothing burns when you use it. Of course now that I have asked for pork fat in town, I’m sure they will label me as eccentric! In case any one is wondering, they did not charge me for the pork fat.

There is a lot of preparation from the cutting of the meat into cubes, to the drying of the meat before one browns it in the rendered pork fat.

After drying the meat I tossed it into the very hot pan to saute.

It takes almost no time at all to do this part.

Then after you have browned all the meat and removed it to the dutch oven, you put the onions and carrots into the pan and saute until they are browned.

Then, after 3 hours in a low oven I pulled it out, added the braised onions and sauteed mushrooms, and stirred them in. Then dinner was ready!

It was delicious, but very labor intensive and after I got done with the cooking I had to pull my kitchen apart and clean everything! (Sauteing the meat in the pork fat sent the grease flying! Quite a mess!)

Was it worth it? Oh yes, very much so.

Will I do it again? Absolutely!

Random Dozen

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Fried dough yum!

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes

3. What is your favorite gift to receive? Almost anything. I love to get presents.

4. When was the last time you tried something new? A few weeks ago I tried soft shell crabs and I LOVED them!

5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre? Favorite are enduring love stories (hopeless romantic that I am) and least favorite are Science Fiction.

6.Silver or Gold? Gold.

7. What makes you sigh? A beautiful sight, a gentle hug, a peaceful melody.

8. If you didn’t know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? Very. I have often said I am an old spirit, living in a young person’s body.

9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? Yes. In a heartbeat.

10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? Cooking. I would love to be Julia Child! (LOL)

11. You’re having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would point out her strong points and if it didn’t stop them, I would explain that she is my friend and hope this would end the discussion. If it didn’t then I would leave.

12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?

Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts
Words of Affirmation

The one I am least interested in are gifts. I know everyone loves presents, but I think it’s the least important. I love being with the people I love, I love hugs and kisses, and I never tire of hearing those three words, “I love you“!

Anneliese & Groceries

Monday was the first day that I left Anneliese alone for a couple of hours. We desperately needed food, and as it turned out the separation was good for both of us.

Hubby and I had our breakfast and then headed for the grocery stores. I will tell you that I have never shopped as quickly and as efficiently as I did today. Although I was concentrating on getting all the items on my list, I was also thinking about getting back home to my girl.

I bought some special food items for her too. She needs them right now until she has recovered, and she ate a little this afternoon, which was really encouraging.

In fact, I think she has turned the corner.

Oh she is not completely well yet, but she is doing so much better and that makes me very happy!

Tuesday will find me baking and cooking all day. In the morning I want to make a couple more loaves of zucchini bread,

and in the afternoon, I plan to make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon!!!

I am so excited about this and will be taking pictures and posting how it all comes out on Wednesday. Stay tuned!!!

Old Movies & TV Shows

The last couple of days I have found that TV has been painfully boring! Due to the fact that I am sort of house bound at the moment with Anneliese, I’m looking for something to watch and/or listen to. Reading is still close to impossible for me, as I cannot see most printed book fonts and even when I use large print books, my eyes tire pretty quickly.

I digress.

Movies. Yes, I have found that some movies I can listen to while I work, and since I have seen them waaaay more than just one time, I almost know the lines each actor is saying.

Take the movie “Julie and Julia“.

Right now they are really overplaying it on the movie channels, and as it is one of my favorites, I often tune it in just to listen to. My cousin and I love Julia Child, and we both are big fans of her PBS TV Series, which they still rerun, as well as this movie. Meryl Streep captures her perfectly. And unfortunately for my family, I am starting to do a killer imitation of Meryl Streep imitating Julia Child!

This morning I actually pulled out my copy of a movie that I hadn’t seen in a while.

“When Harry Met Sally“.

Now that is also an old friend sort of movie. No matter how many times I have seen it, that movie always makes me laugh. Especially the scene in the Deli when Harry and Sally are talking about sex.

Last night I watched a very old movie on Turner Classic Movies.

“Leave Her To Heaven” with Gene Tierney.

I’ve always loved Gene Tierney because of her role in:

“The Ghost and Mrs Muir“

another of my favorites, but in the movie last night, she played a very bad woman, and she did it so well! What an actress she was!

I’ve also watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding“

and several episodes of “NCIS“

and “Bethanny Getting Married?“

I know. Reality TV, but somehow I’ve gotten hooked on this show!

Oh yes, and Julia. The real Julia Child in her old show,

“The French Chef“

and “Julia and Jacques“.

I have enjoyed some ‘watching’ of these shows, but more often then not I am ‘listening’ to them as I go about my work. They’re all sort of comforting old friends. You know things that make us feel like we aren’t quite so alone. I may break out,

“The Lake House“

tomorrow and listen to that while I fold the laundry that I plan to do. I think that is another one of my favorite movies and I really enjoy the musical soundtrack from it as well.

What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Are there any that seem like old friends to you? Or am I just crazy?

The Fruits of Our Labor

What a beautiful day it was here in New Hampshire! The sun shone brightly and it was right around 80 degrees with a slight breeze. Perfect! While I cooked, and tended to Anneliese, Hubby worked on the fruit trees. They are amazing. Of course his constant companion during his trips around the yard is Fritz.

The fruit is growing so quickly now and ripening too. Hubby called me out to look at the pears, which have come on so strongly this year. I love pears and hope we will be able to can some for enjoyment during the winter.

As you can see the pears really are getting big! That is so exciting. In years past we have had some pears, but they were not very big or very good. This year, I am hoping that we will strike gold with them!

We also have plums coming along too. Several different varieties. Castleton Plums have already been picked, The Stanley Plums will be ready soon and the Mount Royal Plums, pictured here, will also be ready soon.

We’ve actually found a couple of them that were fully ripe and boy, were they tasty! When the Stanley Plums are ready I will make some jam. I simply love Plum Jam and the Stanley Plum seems to be a nice plum for that.

Yes, August in New Hampshire is a wonderful month. The garden is still growing vegetables, the fruit trees are producing and I’m busy in my kitchen!

Peach Kuchen

It’s really easy and actually fairly low-fat (if you leave off the whipped cream!). You can use almost any kind of fruit you like, fresh or canned – the amount will depend on the size of your pan. I’ve used peaches with great success and I’m sure apricots would also be lovely. I fiddled a bit with the streusel recipe and added a bit more butter along with some flour until I got a consistency I liked. The glaze is optional. I prefer a thinner cake so I made mine in a 10-in flan pan.

Peach Kuchen

1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup granulated sugar (I also used Splenda)
2 eggs, separated (I used 1/2 cup egg whites)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk (fat free)
2 cans (each 14 oz/398 ml) peaches, drained, or 2 cups fresh sliced peaches

Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (Splenda Brown Sugar)
1 Tbsp soft butter or margarine
1 tsp cinnamon

Glaze:
1/4 cup icing (confectioner’s) sugar
1 tsp milk
1/4 tsp vanilla

Grease 9-in/2.5 L square cake pan. (or use greased 9 or 10 in. springform or flan pan with removable bottom).

In large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and egg yolks until fluffy. Combine flour and baking powder; beat into egg mixture alternately with milk. In separate bowl, beat eggs whites until stiff but not dry; fold into batter. Turn into prepared pan. Pit peaches and arrange over top.

Streusel topping: In small bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and cinnamon; mix well and sprinkle over fruit.

Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven for 45 to 55 mins (depending on size of pan used)or until top is golden and toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.

Glaze: Combine icing sugar, milk and vanilla; mix well. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Friday Fil-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Music _Makes my heart sing_.

2. _COFFEE_ is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: _It’s okay, Anneliese_.

4. _Baked chicken_; it’s what’s for dinner tonight.

5. It’s all been _a bit crazy here this week._

6. _Sleeping_ is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _watching a DVD_, tomorrow my plans include _catching up on some housework_ and Sunday, I want to _sit quietly and read the newspaper in the morning and then make Plum Jam in the afternoon_!

Friday Fil-Ins are provided by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

Life & Coffee

So the day dawned, and Anneliese, Arnie, Greta, Fritz and I woke like we always do, and after a walk in the yard where they communed with nature, and I stood there in my robe, slippers, and sunglasses and watched them, we were able to come back in to my freshly brewed coffee. It always amazes me that until I have that first cup of coffee, I remain in lala land.

We came in and by that time the coffee was made and my first cup of pleasure was poured. I fixed it up, sat down and read my email, while I sipped it.

Have you ever noticed how wonderful that first cup tastes in the morning? I’m not sure why, perhaps it is that after a long night’s sleep, it just makes the taste that much nicer.

I brought Anneliese in this morning for her post operative check up. She is doing very well, and aside from her discomfort, she is healthy and will be well. She has followed me around all day and wanted to sit in my lap or next to me, but all is going as it should.

I’ve got my very last batch of Bread and Butter Pickles soaking and they will be canned tomorrow. After that, I’ve got plums coming and I want to make a couple of batches of Plum Jam. I also plan to bake a Peach Kuchen for Hubby, who has been so wonderful the last few days.

Yes, life goes on, doesn’t it? Yes, sometimes we stumble and fall, sometimes the world doesn’t turn the way you wish that it did, but then…you wake up. You put on your robe and slippers and sunglasses and go outside and breathe.

And you just know, that life is good.

Not So Good News

Dear Friends,

I’m sad to announce that Anneliese’s baby girl did not make it this morning. She was taken via c-section, was big and beautiful and seemed to be doing well, and then just faded away.

Anneliese is doing okay, sleeping next to me right now. I have cried many tears. I don’t understand….but then I tell myself that God is with me and with Anneliese and I have to have faith.

Love,

Maribeth

2nd Cup Of Coffee (She’s Baaaack!)

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?

This morning as I wait for Anneliese to go into labor.

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?

Tuck it away for later use.

3. Do you volunteer anywhere?

Yes. I’m a Library Trustee and that is all volunteer.

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it?

Corn of the cob and Ichiban Eggplant.

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?

It depends. Locally, small, But world-wide, very large!

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?

June 27th I think it was.

7. When you’re feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up?

Cooking a meal or taking me out for dinner.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer?

Yes, back in June.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time?

Pictures of my loved ones.

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far?

Haven’t been to the movies, but love old movies. I watched “The Road To Morocco” the other night with Bob Hope and laughed and laughed!

11. Describe a perfect summer day.

Warm, dry air, and a barbecue with potato salad and fresh fruit, with the ones that I love!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

I couldn’t pick just one so I made a mosaic!