It’s been one of those seasons when everything seems to hit at once: medical situation, car needing to be fixed, unexpected bills, you name it, it’s happened! 🙂 As a result, this week I was left to plan meals with only what I had on hand. I confess I got a little panicky, wondering how on earth I’d be able to stretch everything, but somehow it all worked out. After my initial AAAH!!! – I’ve been having a grand time experimenting, seeing what marvy things I can make from bits of this and that. 🙂
Soup is always a winner in such circumstances and thankfully I had some broth – chicken and beef. Rummaging around in my fridge I also found a 1/2 bunch of kale, two potatoes, a bit of celery, an onion and, from the pantry, a handful of barley.
I sauteed the onion and celery in a skiff of vegetable oil, adding in the kale after a few minutes. When the kale was nice and wilted I covered the lot with the two different broths. Admittedly, the mixed broth was an accident, but it tasted fantastic! 🙂
When the broth began to boil I added in the potatoes and barley and simmered everything together until it was a dense stew with a good, strong broth. Rather nervously I tasted a spoonful and was delighted to find that it was delicious! I downed a bowl then and there and was so pleased to have something yummy and nourishing for the days ahead. 🙂
On the weekend my friend Kat came over for dinner – I made garlicky mashed potatoes and she brought a gorgeous roast that we stuffed with garlic and rosemary and slow-cooked in wine and bay leaves for a couple of hours.
Ingredients:
2 potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 bunch kale, chopped fine
1/2 cup barley
6 cups broth
Directions:
1. Saute onion, celery and potato in bit of vegetable oil until onion and celery are clear.
2. Add kale and cook until leaves are glossy and wilted.
3. Cover with broth and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add barley and simmer another 20 minutes.
5. Serve hot.
Roast Beef Tart with Roasted Peppers
Ingredients:
1 9-inch par-baked tart crust (use 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom)
1 cup cubed roast beef
1 can artichoke hearts, drained
1 jar roasted bell peppers, drained
2 eggs
1/4 cup cream
1/2 tsp-1 tsp dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a bowl combine eggs, cream, dry mustard, salt and pepper, stir until well-mixed.
2. Add beef, artichoke hearts and peppers, stir gently until coated.
3. Pour into par-baked tart crust and bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes until filling is set.
4. Serve cold or warm.