The meterologists in our area began forecasting a major snow storm a few days ago and of course, everyone's mind went immediately to food. Well, I did not really think much about the food thing or the storm because I have had so many other things on my mind lately. But, yesterday was D-day. So after I ran a few errands, I ended up in the grocery store. Really, I was looking for some Red Zinger tea. Nowadays, this is the hardest item to find and I'm mad about it! Anyhow, I was amazed that the parking lot was full, because since it was just cold I had forgotten about the storm forecast.
While in the store, my mind went back to the first time I made homemade stew. It was during Hurricane Isabelle in the Fall of 2003. It was an impromptu decision then also. Just wanted to try something knew. Now I'm no Julia Childs, but when I get inspired, I can do a little somethin' somethin' on the stove. I haven't had that kind of inspiration lately, though. The 2003 stew was right on-time. I ended up hosting a few friends and their families because their power was off. As God would have it, my power was not affected by the storm. Can I say that the stew was good? It wuz good, yall!!! The stew took us right through the storm and its aftermath.
Well, that memory motivated me. I went to the fresh vegetables section and picked up a package of baby peeled carrots, stalk of celery, a yellow onion, and a few potatoes. Then on to meat section to get some meat. This took a minute. The last time I purchased the meat the package read
"beef for stew". The meat was already cut into little cubes so I did not have to try to figure out what was the right kind of meat to buy. Oh well, I ended up getting a package of chuck roast. It looked like the right stuff. I was already in line when I remembered that I needed tomatoes so, I decided to quickly grab a couple cans of diced tomatoes.
This morning after shoveling a little snow, I started the preparations: seasoning the meat and browning it in the pan, cutting up the vegetables and throwing them in the crock pot. Did I tell you that I really did a good job on seasoning the meat (if I have to say so myself). I really like well-seasoned meat. Finally, everything is cooking in the crock pot. It probably will not be ready for the next 20 hours, but I enjoyed the preparation. The vegetables looked wonderful: orange, light green, white, yellow (used some frozen corn I had in the freezer). It's a recession type of stew because it could stand to have a little more meat than it does.
Nevertheless, I am so looking forward to eating the stew with my favorite side dish, cornbread (Jiffy, that is). Now don't laugh, why try to re-invent perfection. Tomorrow, if God allows me to live, is going to be a good day! I will enjoy a simple pleasure. And in this day and time of recession and joblessness, my hope and prayer for you is that you too will have the opportunity to enjoy one of life's simple pleasures. Peace!
