Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon, no I am not french (much) but this is one of favorite dishes.  I first became interested in this recipe, after watching Julie and Julia, which I thought was a pretty good movie (who am I kidding I love Amy Adams!).  I decided to try it so I googled Julia Childs recipe and gave it a shot.  It had some pretty antiquated techniques and it didn't seem very healthy so I tweaked it a bit and I think my way is easier (and a bit healthier).  So if you like Beef stew you will probably like this, it is richer but Oh so good!



Preheat oven


Slice 3 carrots and 1 onion
Cut a Chuck Roast into 2 inch pieces and brown in 2 tbsp of Olive oil
Make sure to dry beef before putting in oil so that the meat browns properly.
Brown the Beef in batches and then remove from pan and set-aside
Next add the veggies and cook until the onions are soft
They should look like this
Add the beef and 2 tbsp of flour and stir it all around coating all the beef and veggies
place it in the oven uncovered and cook for 4 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir again 
place back in oven for 4 more minutes then remove.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Next add 3 cups of wine (which is about a bottle) and then add enough beef broth to cover
meat and veggies about 2-3 cups.
Add 1 bay leaf and a spoonful of tomato paste.
 Reduce heat to 325
Cover pot and place in oven.  Cook for 3-4 hours, check the meat
and when it easily is pierced with a fork it is done.
After you take the Beef Burgandy out of the oven, sautee mushrooms in butter and olive oil about a tbsp of each.  Add the cooked mushrooms to the stew.
Serve over mashed potatoes.

Bon Appetit


Ingredients
2-3 lb Chuck Roast cut up into 2 inch chunks
Olive oil
3 Carrots Sliced
1 Onion Sliced
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbsp Flour
1 Bottle Red Wine (I use Merlot)
2-3 Cups Beef Broth
2 Cloves of Garlic-mashed
1 Bay leaf
1 Spoonful of Tomato Paste
Mushrooms













Monday, October 24, 2011

Pumpkin Patch

Norah recently had her first school field trip and boy was she excited, not about going to the pumpkin patch but about riding the bus!  I think if that had been the field trip she would not have been disappointed.  This year her school went to the Willamette Valley Fruit Co. and we were given a tour of the facility.  We took a hay ride, got lost in a corn maze that was super muddy, and some of the kids did the zipline.  What a blast!  You see that slide a couple of pictures down?  I have an awesome picture of Norah's teacher coming out of it but I decided to spare her.











Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Comfort Food

It's fall and that means comfort food!  I am looking forward to using my fall cooking repertoire.  These are a few of my favorites.

Clam chowder
Swiss steak
Stroganoff
Beef bourguignon
Corn chowder
Beef stew



 I will also be trying some new recipes such as pulled pork.  What are some of your favorite comfort foods?






Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Warrior Dash

That's right we are the Warriors!
 Pre-Dash
 2 bee stings later and a pit of mud!


 So much fun!
Our reward: Beer and Turkey legs
(for a more detailed account check here)

Monday, September 19, 2011

First Day of School!

It's official.  My little girl is in school.  This was not a milestone I was looking forward to and it really sneaked up on me.  On her first day I took her to her class and we had a good look around.  Mrs. Wilson offered to take a picture of us and I could feel myself choking up,(I kept it together).   Norah found her cubby all by herself and she loves her teacher.  


 I love you Norah!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Hot August Days




 One day after church we decided to take a trip to the beach.  It had been super hot at home and we just figured it would be a nice day at the coast.  As soon as we drove into Lincoln City it was foggy and cold. We found a nice little beach and played for about an hour and a half (that is all Zach could handle).  We played in the water, built sand castles and had a blast!  


 




 The water was a little cold.
 He looks happy here!

 What a mess
 Playing with Daddy!

 I love this little family!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

It was way to quiet


If it seems to quiet around the house it probably is!  Just after saying Norah sure has been quiet, this is what I found.  Norah playing in my make-up.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Friday, July 8, 2011

Faux Hawk

The other day I gave Zach this really cool faux hawk.  As soon as Greg saw it he ran for the camera!  So cute! 

I Love My Family!


Thursday, July 7, 2011

July 4th weekend

Last weekend we went camping at some good friends property in Willamina.  It was so fun and relaxing.  The kids played in the slip and slide and Zach got is first ride on a motorcycle.  As you can see from the picture he loved it!  

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Through Norah's eyes

I frequently find pictures on my camera that I did not take ( and Greg didn't take them either).  I love seeing the world through the eyes of a 4 year old!  

 This picture reminds me of the perspective that Norah has, she has to look straight up my nose!