Random update

[chickenfeet]

Shrimp, for that is what the kitten is now called, is doing fine though she is still small for her age, hence the name. She is totally litter box trained and is experimenting with the big cats' kibble. She is also experimenting with the big cats' tails. Padmini plays along, Leela gets sniffy and Jane, I'm afraid, is not nice about it at all. You can take the cat out of the alley...

I have a big pot of boeuf en daube on the stove. This is the first one since the summer. Can cassoulet and choucroute garnie be far behind?

I won a game of Scrabulous en francais. It was against a Quebecoise so maybe it doesn't count.

I'm probably starting a new gig on Monday at CCO. I have to get through a couple of interviews first but I know the people involved so that shouldn't be a big deal.

I have an evening to myself tonight as lemur_catta is working the Tabla Ensemble concert. I have no plans.

This is the first McCormick Cup day in 10 years that I haven't played rugby.

Comments

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

mmmmm ... yummy! You should post the recipe ;-) I made choucroute garnie for LDW when he was here ... sounds like the kind of thing I shuld make for him when I visit him, too ;-) Or something yummy ... lamb shanks, perhaps?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Daube is dead easy.

Cut 200g bacon, salt pork or pork rind into little cubes.
Cut 2kg of beef (I use shank) into slices or cubes as tou will.
Dice three onions
Peel and smash a head of garlic

Put some olive oil in a big stewpot.
Add the bacon.
Layer half the meat and season with S&P
Layer the iniun and garlic and whatever other flavourings you like. Some black olives are nice. Also a bouquet of parsley, bay and thyme. You can add some mushrooms and/or two or three hot red peppers.
Layer the rest of the meat.
Heat on a highish heat until you hear sizzling then add a bottle of red wine.
Bring to boil and simmer until the meat is done. (about three hours)

Serve with buttered rice or pasta or just with bread and follow with a salad.

A little chopped parsley and garlic may be sprinkled over the plates.

My favourite lamb shank recipe

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Nicked from Jamie Oliver and really good.

Spiced Slow-cooked Lamb Shanks

* 4 shanks of lamb
* sea salt
* freshly ground black pepper
* 1 tsp coriander seeds
* 1 small dried red chili
* tsp dried marjoram, or, oregano
* 1 tbsp flour
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
* 1 large carrot, quartered, finely, sliced
* 6 sticks celery, quartered, finely, sliced
* 2 large onion, finely chopped
* 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
* 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
* 170 ml dry white wine
* 6 anchovy, fillets
* 2 x 14 oz tins of plum tomatoes
* 1 handful fresh basil, roughly, chopped


Directions:

Spiced Slow-cooked Lamb Shanks

1. Season the lamb with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2. Smash up the coriander seeds and dried chilli and mix with the dried marjoram. Roll the lamb in this mixture, pressing it in well. Dust the lamb with the flour.

3. Heat a thick-bottomed casserole pan, add the oil, brown the meat on all sides and then remove from the pan.

4. Add the garlic, carrot, celery, onions the chopped rosemary and a pinch of salt and sweat them until softened.

5. Add the balsamic vinegar and allow it to reduce to a syrup.

6. Pour in the white wine and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.

7. Add the anchovies (these really seem to intensify the lamb flavour) and then add the tinned tomatoes, kept whole. Shake the pan and return the lamb to it. Bring to the boil, put on the lid and simmer in the oven at 180 C/350 F/gas 5 for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, then remove the lid and cook for a further half an hour.

8. Skim off any fat and taste for seasoning. Finally, stir in a handful of roughly chopped fresh basil, marjoram or flat-leaf parsley.

[poppycat.livejournal.com]

You just made me hungry damn you! Now I have to stop and go make food for myself:P

[globetrotter1.livejournal.com]

I won a game of Scrabulous en francais. It was against a Quebecoise so maybe it doesn't count.

Hardy har har.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

You beat me to it.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the interviews! I hope that the new gig will be good: it's been sounding like you needed something to change for the better.