Tuesday, October 28, 2008

YUMMY DINNER TONIGHT

Those of you who follow my recipes at www.happyhousewivesclub.com get a sneak preview! This will be on an upcoming menu! Sooo good, and pretty easy too! Its all about the wine people!! A little for the stew and a little for you!


SPEZZATEDDU
Sicilian Beef Stew

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2 inch cubes

3/4 cup flour

1/3 cup olive oil

2 medium yellow onions, diced

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch strips

1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch strips

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced

2 cups chianti or medium-bodied red wine

2 cups beef stock

1 cup fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Fried capers and parsley sprig for garnish

Method

Heat vegetable oil, on high, in a large stew pot. Season the beef with salt
and pepper
then dredge in flour and brown in two batches. Remove beef and drain on paper towel.

Add olive oil to same pot and heat on medium-high. Sauté onions until
slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Add peppers, rosemary and garlic and continue to cook another 3 minutes. Add meat back to pot, along with tomato paste and potatoes. Stir to coat. Turn up the heat to high and add red wine. Reduce by 1/3, about 5 minutes.

Add beef stock and bring back to a boil for 3 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until meat is fork tender. Stir in the fresh parsley. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, ladle into large bowls and garnish with the fried capers and parsley sprigs.

The fried capers give this dish its incredible flavor. But of course it may not be for everyone, so feel free to leave it out, its optional. I like to serve this with Italian bread that I've warmed in the oven, and a simple side salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar. So filling and satisfying on a cold night! Leftovers are delicious!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Goodness where does the time go? Well it is football season here! This year the boys are in different schools so my running around time as just about doubled! But hey I'm a Mom. If anyone can be in two places at once, its a Mom!! The boys are doing fabulous with school and with football. Ricky ran a 60 yard touchdown yesterday!! WHOOO HOOOO! I am such a proud football Mom!
We have been really busy. Right before school started we took the boys to Hershey Park PA. That was a blast! Roller Coaster heaven for the boys! Then in Sept Louie and I went to the San Gennaro Feast in NYC, and last weekend we were in Atlantic City. I don't want to travel again for a few months! Its so nice to be home!
Heres some pictures of our travels!!!

MY CRAZY KIDS WERE ON THIS...MOMMY WAS SCREAMING LOUDER THAN THEY WERE, AND I WAS ONLY ON THE GROUND!

AND NYC AND THE SAN GENNARO FEAST!!!!!!!!!!

AND OUR RIDE TO ATLANTIC CITY...SOOOO PRETTY
Photobucket

Happy Family

Happy Family
Myself, hubby Louie and Ricky and Ronny on my big 40 birthday!

About Me

My photo
Italian American Mom, Wife, Daughter, living life to it's fullest, and trying to preserve traditions and family values of our culture.