lovely jubbly london

Guinness Beef Stew

With the freezing weather and snow happening on and off all week, it's the perfect time for hearty Guinness Beef Stew.

Guinness Beef Stew by Cooks Country

3 T vegetable oil

2 onions, chopped fine

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 T tomato paste

1/4 c flour

3 c chicken stock (I used 4-5)

1.5 T dark brown sugar

1 t thyme

2 lb stewing beef, 1.5 inch cubes

1.5 lbs potatoes, unpeeled and cut in 1 inch cubes

1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces

2 T fresh chopped parsley

Guinness

Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Salt and pepper beef. Set dutch oven on stove on medium-high heat and add oil. Once simmering, add onion and cook 10 minutes or until well browned. Stir in tomato paste and garlic, cook for 2 minutes or until rust coloured. Add in flour and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Whisk in chicken stock, 3/4 c Guinness, brown sugar, and thyme. Ensure you scrape up browned bits on bottom. Allow to simmer until slightly thickened. Add beef, return to simmer and then remove from stove to finish cooking in oven. 

Cook for 90 minutes, stirring halfway through to allow beef to brown evenly. Add potatoes and carrots, stirring to fully incorporate, you may need to add more stock at this point to ensure vegetables soften. Return to oven and cook for further 60-90 minutes, stirring at 30 minute intervals until potatoes are tender. Remove from oven, stir in 1/2 c Guinness and parsley. Serve and enjoy!

American Chop Suey

American Chop Suey or American Goloush wasn't a dish I had heard of before Cook's Country. However, it looked like something the husband would enjoy so I whipped it up on the weekend. Flavor was a bit lacking for me so next time I'll spice it up.

American Chop Suey

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves minced

1 T tomato paste

1/4 t red pepper flakes

28 ounces tomato sauce (passata in the UK)

2 cans diced tomatoes

2 T soy sauce or worcestershire

2 T oregano

1 T basil

2 bay leaves

ground beef (I used Quorn faux mince!)

3 cups elbow pasta

oil, salt and pepper

parmesan for topping

In dutch oven, cook pasta. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside. In now empty dutch over, add oil and cook beef. Transfer to bowl and set aside. Add more oil and cook onion and bell pepper. Add tomato paste and allow to cook for 2 minutes until rust coloured. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked beef, basil, oregano, soy or worcestershire and 1-2 cups of water. Bring to simmer and cook uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves. Add pasta and heat through. Serve -or- refrigerate overnight and reheat gently on the stove. Top with parmesan.

*If using Quorn or beef alternative, follow package instructions. Quorn is seriously the best thing ever. I was never really a fan of ground beef and you can't tell the difference. I served it to my carnivore and he didn't know!

Life Lately

Tried to follow this ruffle cake tutorial. Tip: make sure you use a stiff icing- mine was way too soft.

Made ribbon garland inspired by Pinterest. I have a little party coming up at work and this will be perfectly girly.

I haven't used heat on my hair since mid-December which means I'm now running out of ways to make it look good. I've been rocking my natural curls, but the English weather makes my hair more frizzy vs the perfect natural curls I get in the States. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect products to make my hair UK compliant. Until then, a side braid will do.

Donuts. They're Electric.

I know you think I'm exaggerating when I return from the States and tell you I did nothing except have Dunkin Donuts every day. 

But, I'm not.

Sometimes I even go to DD twice a day.

Well, I've been missing my beloved donuts so I went on a little hunt for some donuts by a man from Chicago. Apparently the Doughnut Vault is quite the institution. And I wasn't disappointed.

In the lobby of the Electric Cinema, I found Electric Donuts.

Every Wednesday to Sunday there are different varieties on offer.

More importantly, there are limited trays. So go early.

Chocolate Glazed, Birthday Cake, and Roasted Coconut

I tasted a variety for you. They were delicious. You're welcome.

I would describe these as classic American cake donuts. If you are after the classic Krispy Kreme glazed, this place is not for you.

So my friends, is this the best donut in London?

Until this happens.

Olive Garden Comes To England

Totally got you excited with that title, right?

Don't be too mad at me for teasing you.

I promise you this Pasta E Fagioli and breadstick recipe will have you thinking you're at the Olive Garden even though you have to do all the cooking yourself.

Gift Guide {for the home}

1. Belkin WeMo {UK} {US}. This magic plug goes with an app that allows you to control it from your location. Going on holiday and want to turn on your lights at different times? Doable with this device.  

2. Agate Coasters {UK} {US}. These brighten up any table.

3. Tipping Tea Cup. Know any tea drinkers? Why not throw in some loose tea with these teacups that sit one way to brew and another to drink. 

4. iPhone Gramophone. No need for electrics so this gorgeous speaker works around the world. Set your phone in the base and this amplifies the sound 3-4 times. 

5. Aeroccino {UK} {US}. Your latté loving friend can easily become his or her own barista with perfectly streamed milk every time. 

Gift Guide {wine & beer edition}

1. Vino2Go. Holds 10 oz of wine and is perfect for your favourite wino. 

2. Rewined. Wine scented candles in recycled wine bottles made in the USA. The perfect gift for an oenphile that says I know you enough to know not to attempt purchasing the real deal.

3. Beardo BeerMo. A little bit of fun for your man or hostess with the mostess. 

4. Corkcicle {UK} {US}. I love it. Oprah loves it. Need I say more?

5. Red Icon Party Cup. The best loved party symbol in reusable form. 

Honey Wheat Bread

I am not a bread baker. It's not my strength. However, my second attempt at this recipe turned out almost perfect. I say almost because you'll notice the large hole in the center. Luckily, once it was slathered in honey butter, you didn't even notice that little hole.

Honey Wheat Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 T sugar

2 1/4 t yeast

2 T melted butter

1/2 c honey

1 T cocoa

2 t instant coffee

1 t salt

2 c whole wheat bread flour

2 c bread flour

cornmeal, for dusting top

Proof yeast in water with sugar. Wait 15 minutes until yeast is foamy and active. Add all ingredients except flour and cornmeal to stand mixer. Turn on low and add flour. Allow to mix and turn mixer to medium-high, allowing dough to knead for 10 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl and wait 1 hour, allowing dough to double in size. Once doubled, flatten dough into rectangle and shape into loaf. Place in loaf pan, sprinkle with cornmeal and allow to rise.

Bake at 375F (190C) for 40-45 minutes for large loaf or 30 minutes for smaller. Serve with warm whipped honey butter.

Today

listening: to the wind

smelling: vanilla candle

eating: lunch of champions

making: pumpkin bread

drinking: M&S hot choc

(as good as my all time favourite Leon)

What are you up to today?

Mariage Frères

On my last trip to Selfridges, I stumbled across a new concession freshly arrived from France. Mariage Frères has been specialising in tea for over 130 years and carries over 500 varieties.

The selection is amazing and I really never knew tea could smell quite so good. In addition to pre-made tins, you can even make your own blend right on the spot.

Even my very English husband has been enjoying the fine French tea instead of his usual cuppa.

Best of all, it's reasonably priced and packaged nice enough to make the perfect gift.

Why not treat yourself or someone you love?