Receta Spring Stir-Fry with Beef; the update
I played hooky yesterday.
It was cold, but the sun was shining, and when mon mari said he was off to buy plumbing supplies I decided to go along for the ride.
Not that I'm terribly interested in plumbing supplies, but I figured we'd be passing a garden store or two that we could stop at, and reading in the car is the only way I catch up on my magazines.
Plus I could dutifully admire the lilacs, wisteria, iris and other assorted blooms along the way.
It wasn't until we were on the road that I realized we weren't going to Bergerac, a mere half hour away, but to the other side of Perigueux, an hour and a half away.
(He said: Did I say Bergerac? I meant Perigueux.... I must have said Perigueux... You just misunderstood.
Yeah, they sound so much alike, clearly, it was my fault for not hearing correctly.... Whatever.....)
It was a lovely day out but nothing else was accomplished.
So, a late update:
The work upstairs continues, wall studs going up faster than I can figure out where to put them.
Frames for doors are being put in place, halls are being established.
We're now getting down to the arguing stage. What seemed like such a huge space to start with is rapidly filling up.
And then there are the little things like the windows to take into consideration.... One really shouldn't have the bathroom wall bi-secting the window. But if the wall goes on the right the bedroom is too small and if it's on the left the bathtub won't fit.
He: That's easy, no bathtub in that bathroom.
Me: That's not acceptable, there will be a bathtub.
Ahem..... And so on.....
We'll get it worked out, we always do. But it does involve storming up the stairs, tape measures in hand, in the middle of making dinner to argue / prove / make a point.
As to dinner....
One of the things that is a bit frustrating here is the beef.
I either don't know what to buy or it doesn't exist, but I haven't been able to find a reasonably priced cut of beef that is good for quick-cooking - as in stir-fries or pasta dishes. It tastes good but is usually as tough as old shoe leather. (If anyone has suggestions, please......)
Wonderful expensive cuts for grilling; wonderful inexpensive cuts for braising.....
I have started just using ground beef.... I find I rather like it.
- Spring Stir Fry with Beef
- 12oz ground beef (mince 350gr)
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 green garlic
- 3oz (90gr) mushrooms
- 3oz (90gr) mangetout (snow peas, peapods)
- 3oz (90gr) cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium carrot
- 1/2 (4oz, 120gr) cup beef stock
- 1 tbs sherry
- 1 tbs soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs cornstarch (or thickener of choice) dissolved in 2 tbs water
Trim and slice green garlic. Slice red onion. Clean and slice mushrooms. Trim mangetout and cut in half. Cut carrot into matchsticks. Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
In large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and stir-fry 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, green garlic, mangetout and stir-fry 3 minutes longer. Remove to a plate.
Add beef to skillet and sauté, breaking it up as it browns. When beef is browned, return vegetables to skillet and add stock, sherry, cumin, soy sauce. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer 5 minutes.
Dissolve cornstarch in water. Turn the heat up under the skillet and add the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until thickened. Serve over brown or Basmati rice.
Now I have to go measure bathtubs....