Lets begin with the first holes I've put in any wall in the new abode.
I'm not even sure where I got this, but I've had it for several years.
I disdain using disposable products as much as I can, preferring to use cloth that can be washed as opposed to paper or plastic that is used then discarded. That roll of Paper Towel I bought 2 yrs ago, just to show how little I use it)
This was a flank steak or something, I bought on discount and froze. There were holes in the plastic that I hadn't noticed, so this cut was severely freezer burned, and rather than try to cook it as a single entre, I decided to make it stew meat.
After I quickly thawed it, I put it on this napkin, that had been damaged in the "Bleach Incident".
I covered the meat, then ROLLED it up in the cloth so I could squ-a-WEEZE the water and blood out of it.
My cousin Julia Child joking of course taught me that to properly brown the meat, it must be dry.
Then I proceeded to cut it into smaller pieces than you normally get when you purchase stew beef. Input some bacon fat to fry it.
(there was a lot more than this)
editors note, all this time I was also washing another load of clothes, one of the most bittersweet joys of homeownership
I bought this "mortar and pestle" on Amazon almost 2 yrs ago. My niece, with whom I used to live, asks me every time she sees it "Do you really USE that thing?" why yes, yes I do Michele.
I have a twist grinder such as you'd put on your table, but this was so much more satisfying
It is made of Granite, like my new countertops.
You may think that is a lot of black pepper, and it is, but so far I am not noticing and extreme or even noticeable HEAT, but the flavor is exquisite. So far only one un-ground peppercorn found.
but I digress
I tossed in my usual kitchen sink of ingredients
Then ending up with this which I let simmer while I took my clothes out, and answered some messages
Near the end, I added Basil (I grew) Cilantro (I bought and froze) and some poor little cherry 'maters I grew and froze
And "¡Voila!”
The finished (and very tasty I might add) product.
First meal cooked here
by
Jerry E Smith
©12/24/2020
All images are mine
These .gifs were created for me by 