January 2nd, 2011

Coconut Lime Beef Stew, Recipe, Easy, Beef Stew with a Twist

It does not matter if it is during the summer, fall, winter or spring, but the moment it rains, I start thinking about soups.

Today was the perfect example on how the weather might dictate what I would like to have for dinner.

I cut recipes from magazine, newspapers, local books; if it catches my eye, I will clip it.  And the moment I prepare a dish, I consider that recipe mine, especially if I change it here or there.

When I saw that some of the ingredients in the stew were ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric and coconut; without even trying the recipe I thought it could be one of those recipes I might want to keep and pass on. 

I use a lot of these ingredients on average but since I am passing the recipe along I decided to go on www.wikipedia.org and read about them so that I could tell you more about their origins. 

What I found out about some of them really surprised me and this stew might be healthier than I thought. 

Cumin  –  Native East Mediterranean to East India.  It is used in many different cultures.  It is a member of the parsley family. 

During the Middle Ages it was believed that cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering; a happy life awaited the bride and groom if they carried cumin seeds throughout the wedding ceremony.

Coriander – Native to Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwestern Asia.  It contains antioxidans.  It has been used for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in some countries.

In India, the seeds are used as a diuretic when boiled with cumin seeds.  It is also used as a digestive aid.

Coriander has been documented as a traditional treatment for diabetics.  Apparently, its extract has insulin releasing and insulin-like activity.

It also lowers the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.  And, the juice mixed with turmeric powder or mint juice is also used to treat acne; applied to the face like a toner.

Some people have allergic reactions to coriander, though.

Turmeric was to me the most interesting one.  It is a native of tropical South Asia.  It has become a key ingredient in many Indian, Persian, Thai, and Malay dishes.

It is also a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders.

It is usually used in the dry form but just like ginger it can be used fresh.  It is also used as a replacement for Saffron, being that it is not as expensive.

It is used as an anticeptic for cuts, burns, and bruises.  And, the most interesting one is that turmeric is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, and other clinical disorders.

Coconut milk and water have been in the news for some time now; so many health benefits are attributed to its consumption.

Coconut Lime Beef Stew

3 tablespoons canola oil, divided

1 large yellow onion, chopped

3 gloves of garlic, minced (if you want more, well you know what you can do)

1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1 3/4 teaspoons ground coriander

1 3/4 teaspoons cumin

3/4  teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste

2 3/4 lbs. of beef chuck, cut into small chunks

1 teaspoon of lime zest or more

2 cans of unsweetened coconut milk

4 tablespoons of lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste

2 bay leaves

1 pound baby carrots, cut in bite size pieces

Just remember that this stew is a little different so if you are having guests for dinner and they think you will be serving them a traditional stew, well they are going to be a bit surprised.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons in a large pot on medium heat.  Make sure you have a lid that fits this pot since you will be putting the lid on later on.

Add the onion and saute until it begins to color. 

Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric and cayenne pepper.  Cook until fragrant, probably this will take a minute or so.  Transfer this mixture to a bowl.

Return pot to the stove and increase the heat to medium high and add 3/4 tablespoons of oil to the pot and put 1/2 of the meat in it and cook until browned on all sides.  Take that meat out and put aside and cook the rest of the meat in another 3/4 tablespoons of oil until, again, the meat is browned on all sides.

Now return the cooked beef to the one that is already in the pot and also add the onion mixture.  Mix and then add the coconut milk, lime zest, lime, juice, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. of sea salt, bay leaves, and baby carrots.

Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover and cook on low heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring it from time to time.

You can serve this stew over rice, either brown or white.  But I did not do it that way.  I just served it as a stew and garnished it with extra lime zest.

It will serve 6 people but if you serve it with rice then it will probably serve 8.

Note:  It was really good.  The coconut and lime and those spices really gave it a tropical touch. This stew could easily be doubled to feed a crowd.  Just add a salad and some crusty bread.

Enjoy and make it your own…..just like I did….talk to you later

January 1st, 2011

Bake Shops, Breakfast, Restaurants, Baked Goods, Coffee, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches, Open for Breakfast

I know you might not be able to think on New Year’s Day, so let me help you a bit.  Dowtown Rehoboth Beach has 3 very good and very different bakeries; all with their own unique specialties.  One thing in common is that they do offer coffee, and come New Year’s Day, well, that might be something very much needed.

Are you staying in a hotel in Rehoboth?  Or, crashing at a friend’s house?  All these bakeries are pretty much within walking distance if you are staying in town.  Well, you might want to drive to Pasqualini’s.  So, let’s get down to business.

Pasqualini’s Bakery is located at 375 Atlantic Avenue, Rehoboth Beach.  Tel. is 302-227-2111, 302-227-1086.  They are right behind the Crystal Restaurant.  Their website is www.pasqualini.com. 

I stopped and found out that they will be open for business all week-end.  Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  On Sunday, they will be selling all their baked goods at 50%.  Yes, they are taking off until March when they will open the week-end of the Chocolate Festival.

The bakery smelled delicious; they all do.  Their coffee cakes are shipped all over the country.

Beautiful pies were displayed and I was drooling.

The fresh baked breads looked amazing.

The Bake Shoppe is located at 222 Rehoboth Ave., tel. 302-226-0176.  They have been in this location for 12 years and continue to open year-round. 

When I stopped for that brief visit, they were peeling apples, already plenty of baked goods were gone and they were getting ready for a busy week-end.

They are the home of the Split Cream Donut, which I had the pleasure of eating completely when I wrote a post on 9/6/10.  If you want to see that post just click on the month of September, 2010 and scroll down to the date.

It is a full service bake shop. 

Cake Break is located at 7 South First St., tel. is 302-260-9264.  Website is www.cakebreakrehoboth.com.  They are on Twitter and Facebook. 

I have written about this bake shop several times but the first one was on 8/20/10.  If you would like to see it just click on the month of August 2010 and scroll down to the date.

Cake Break was referred to me by Rachel Rockstarr, who had been reading my blog.  Of the 3 bakeries, this one is the only one that can claim to be completely a nut free facility.  This is important because anyone with a nut allergy can safely go into the bake shop.

They also open every day of the week.  New chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies were out.

The Christmas cookies were staring at my face.  I resisted, though.

The cinnamon rolls and croissants were out too but I continued with my will power.

Known for their cupcakes, they are also happy to announce that they can offer a gluten free/vegan cupcake with icing.  They are the only ones offering them at the Delaware Beaches.

If you happen to be in Rehoboth around the hour of 3 p.m., that’s when their breads come out of the oven.  They call it Aroma Bread Therapy; you know that there is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread.  Please stop by and enjoy.

Also they have lots of specials in the local papers.  Check them out, as well.

I left with a good cup of coffee and 4 gluten free/vegan cupcakes with icing.  We have enjoyed them and are pretty much gone.

The gentleman that I spoke to was buying a box full of cupcakes for his guests this week-end.  They looked delicious and I hope he enjoyed them, as well. 

If you are looking for a full breakfast experience then I know of a couple of places:

The Crystal Restaurant opens every day.  They are located at 620 Rehoboth Ave.  Tel. 302-227-1088.  Plenty of parking and plenty of breakfast choices for the whole family.

I wrote a post on 8/13/09.  I had just started my blog.  No, I don’t have pictures of my breakfast.  I guess I have to gather a few of those friends of mine and meet there soon.  If you want to see that post just click on August 2009 and scroll down to the date.

Greenman Juice Bar & Bistro located at 12 Wilmington Ave. is also open this week-end.  Tel. is 302-227-4901.    They are also open for lunch.  You can find them on Facebook.

I wrote a post on 12/17/10 and if you would like to see it, please click on the month of December and scroll down to the date.

One of these days I will have to break down and have that amazing French Toast they offer.

I hope those choices help.  You won’t be dissappointed…..Again, a New Year….full of hope and possibilities….Have a good One!!!!