Seattle/Stew
What does one do after a crazy/busy week full of deadlines and dilemmas? Why one jaunts off to Seattle for the day!
We’re off bright and early tomorrow morning, and our goal is to cram in as much great food-related shopping as possible in our tiny window of time. (I say tiny because we’ll also be meeting up with friends, prepping for an evening party, and hauling the infamous poochie around with us everywhere we go.)
So, if any of Seattle’s denizens have food shopping recommendations… speak up! On the list so far, Uwajimaya and World Spice Merchants — but that’s only because we know about those places. Tell us about all those cool and super cheap places no one knows about.
Oh, wait. Then everyone would know.
It’s okay. Whisper a name or two in my ear. Mum’s the word.
Meanwhile, here’s a simple Irish style stew for another rainy weekend.
Chopper’s Irish style Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs Beef Chuck, cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes
- 5 medium sized carrots, peeled, quartered, and sliced thick
- 5 large stalks of celery, topped and sliced thick
- 3 large leeks sliced into rounds
- 4 medium sized russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 quarts beef stock or broth
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red wine
- Place liquid in a large pot and put on high heat.
- While liquid is heating, caramelize carrots and celery in a separate pan, and add to the pot.
- When pot comes to a boil, reduce to a low simmer, and add potatoes.
- Brown beef in the same pan used to cook the vegetables, deglaze with red wine, and add to the pot.
- Add leeks to the pot, and cover.
- Simmer until beef is fall apart tender, then add thyme, and season to taste.
- Serve with Irish Soda Bread.
November 18th, 2005 at 5:29 pm
Well, you already know about the Spanish Table down in tourist-land. I have it on good authority they sell a fabulous sherry vinegar called Bodegas Toro Albala Montilla, though I’ve never tried it.
Ohgod, what a gorgeous stew. Did I miss dinner?
November 19th, 2005 at 4:43 am
Seattle’s one of the few cities in the US blessed with an O&Co (in Pacific Place Center). They’re not cheap, but you don’t have to worry about purchasing a taste-dud: everything’s available for sampling! I can *highly* recommend the olive jam…
November 19th, 2005 at 5:44 pm
Well, it’s probably too late since it’s already Saturday evening and I don’t have a cheap food *shopping* place per se to recommend. But I do beg of you someday to try the panini sandwiches at Michou at the Pike Place Market(same part of the Market as Beecher’s Cheese). They are absolutely divine–be sure to get them toasted for the full yumminess factor!
November 26th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
Great stew recipe.
November 30th, 2005 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for the suggestions! As you’ve seen from our catch-up post, we didn’t get terribly far in our Seattle travels due to barfing dog and lack of extra coat. But, I’ve added all the recommendations to the list for next time! Mmmmm… panini!