March Note to Readers

Hello, Friends! Hope you're keeping warm as we enter the homestretch of wintertime. March means St. Patrick's Day and, around here, a big family celebration for my Foley and Kennedy clans. While we're in the final stretch of wintertime, as well, I've been meaning to pass along this great recipe for a while now, everyone who tries it loves it. Perfect comfort food for this time of year, and it makes your whole house smell heavenly while it's cooking.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Not-Quite-Irish Stew but my All-Time Favorite Country Red Wine Beef stew recipe - I usually double or triple the recipe. You don't even need to stir it once the lid goes on for its long cooking time over low heat.

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 medium onions, sliced thin
1 lb. boneless stew beef
1 bay leaf
5 tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves

1. In a medium to large saucepan (that has a lid), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and the salt and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often. When they start to brown, add the minced garlic and sautee for another minute. 

2. Add the beef. Stir to coat well with the onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes or until the outside of the meat loses its pink color. Add the bay leaf.

3. In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients. Stir this mixture into the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to LOW. Cover and simmer _without stirring_ for about 2 1/2 hours, or until meat is very tender when tested with a fork.

4. Ladel the stew into a shallow serving bowl and serve over a bed of egg noodles or rice, or with a side of crusty bread. (Depending on how thick it turns out, it makes a great sloppy joe style sandwich for leftovers!) 

---

"How do you get an Irishman on the roof?"
- Tell him the drinks are on the house.

Lassi says "Paddy we've been married a long time. You're good lookin and I think you've slept with alotta women. I won't be mad but I would like to know how many  if any." 
     Paddy says, "My lovely Lass you should know I never slept with anyone but  you my Darlin. All the rest I was awake.

Have a Pint & Enjoy the Irish Music :)

[Brogan's Bar, Ennis, Ireland - from bryanmcnally.ca]

Pippin: "It comes in pints?"

Until next month!
  Gaelen