I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #14
Beef stew with mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and so on
Today’s post is the 14th of “I eat, I read, I watch,” my column highlighting one of my solo dinners and my reading or Netflix accompaniments. Please treat yourself well at mealtime too. Don’t just eat alone - dine solo! You’re worth it. And it’s not hard to do.
Missed the earlier instalments? See the list at the bottom of the post:
I eat: Beef Stew
I don’t eat a lot of beef. Sometimes I buy ground beef for chilli, but I’m not a roast beef or steak person. Winter, though, occasionally cries out for stew. When I spotted some stewing beef labelled ‘organic’ in the supermarket, I decided to give it a whirl.
Most meals are amped up with mushrooms and the dried version are a particular favourite of mine. So much so that rather than feeling overwhelmed by its size, I was delighted when a friend gave me the 1/2 kg container of mixed dried mushrooms from Costco for Christmas. For mushrooms, I’ll do some rearranging!
Meal prep, therefore, began with boiling the kettle and soaking some ‘shrooms. Half an hour later, I turned on the oven to 350 and I got an onion, a carrot, baby potatoes, two small turnips, a zucchini, and some creminis from the fridge. I diced the onion and got it into my dutch oven with a little olive oil and umami salt and pepper. While they were softening, I chopped the carrot, the turnips, half the zucchini, and three fresh mushrooms. With the onions looking good, I added stewing beef, stirring occasionally. Once each side was brown, I added a spoonful of flour, stirred to coat the meat, and poured in the mushroom liquid. I topped it up with the chopped veg, a handful of baby potatoes, the chopped reconstituted mushrooms, and a sprig of rosemary. For flavour and colour, I chopped in half a dozen grape tomatoes. I gave it all a good stir, put the lid on, and hauled into the oven, always fearful I’ll drop this very heavy Le Crueset onto the oven door, but knowing it makes a darned good meal.
Thirty minutes later, I pulled it out to check. Flavour good, consistency good, needs a little longer cook. But thirty minutes after that, I was hungry so even though the beef would likely have become tender with more time in the heat, I plated myself a portion, garnishing with a little scallion. Sour cream would have been a great addition too, but I have none.
Prep Time: 30 minutes + 30 minutes to soak the mushrooms + 60 minutes in the oven
Cost: $12 for beef, $6 for veg (I’m guessing) = 3 meals
What’s good in winter for you? In the Comments below please!
I read: Toronto Life
Toronto Life has arrived in my mailbox every month for nearly all of the 35 years I’ve lived in Toronto. I know - it’s very old school to subscribe to a hard-copy magazine. Not to mention unenvironmental. But nothing beats curling up on the sofa with a glossy mag. Even though 9/10s of the articles irritate me. Like really irritate me.
You see, Toronto Life, presents info for the rare few Torontonians who need to know where all the cool kids are eating so they can go there too. Or, in the case of February’s issue, are interested in Raptors players. It’s a red-letter issue that speaks to something of interest to me. But yet, I wouldn’t miss an issue.
This one DID include an interesting article on Toronto’s bicycle lane debates. For those not in the know, our provincial premier has a hate on for Toronto and, in particular, for bike lanes. He passed legislation last fall allowing the provincial govt to muscle its way into municipal territory, giving himself the power to veto new lanes and even remove lanes, including one near his Etobicoke home that has him (or more accurately, his voters) vexed. The writer rightly concludes Toronto’s traffic snarls are not caused by cyclists - it’s a much more complicated result of inadequate transit, too many traffic pinch-points due to construction, and a rapidly growing population. Bike lanes are move towards a resolution - Ford couldn’t be more wrong in his analysis.
Got me thinking about why I’ve never taken up cycling. Oh sure, I have a bike - took it out three times last year, on cautious tootles within a 10 minute radius of home, only getting up to speed through Pelmo Park where there are no cars and nearly no other cyclists. The idea of getting to the Humber River trail makes me nervous - how would I cross Weston Road? The trail itself is a commuter route for e-bikes and seasoned cyclists. Although I walk there daily, cycling would be as scary as walking on an eight-lane highway. I just don’t have that confidence. That’s how I’d feel on all Toronto’s streets. I’ll stick to walking. And yes, commuting to car when I need to. Sad to say.
Got a reading recommendation? Add it to the Comments below.
I watch: The Resident
I am easily sucked into a medical drama, especially one with some sleazy characters - none of the McDreamy McSteamy stuff. No, I want cut-throat doctors aiming to make a fast $. The Resident delivers all that. Of course, we do have some eye-candy residents who are remarkably confident about their medical prowess given they mostly haven’t slept. But it’s Bruce Greenwood, who is an extremely handsome Canadian in his late 60s, and in this show, a bit dark - struggling with the fact his surgical skills are waning, with not having made the kind of $ he expected he would, and with a penchant for women who are bad for him, and in one case, just all-round bad.
There is a lot of gore in this show so I’m frequently looking away as they’re up to their wrists (or higher) in blood pooling in a body cavity. Blech. But the plot’s engaging and serialized so 45 minutes and it’s done. Netflix. 6 seasons. Give it a try.
Have you found anything worth sharing? In the Comments below please!
Missed the earlier instalments of this column? Click:
#1 (pork chop & green beans)
#2 (trout & veg)
#3 (shrimp pepper bisque)
#4 (rice & peas with coleslaw)
#5 (ramen)
#6 (burger & fries)
#7 (duck sausage & salad)
#8 (shrimp & veg with pasta)
#9 (Wigilia)
#10 (mushroom shepherds pie)
#11 (roasted veg and sausage)
#12 (leftovers)
#13 (garlic shrimp with rapini on egg noodles)
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