It's hot. 90 degrees hot and a wonderful time for us to test our thinking of not using air conditioning this summer. Call us crazy, but we'd like to go without. A good experience for our americanized children who think anything over 75 calls for air. Will we stick it out? Good question. I haven't been pregnant and without air conditioning..............ever. A lot depends on my attitude. I'm determined to not let the kids whine and complain (or their mama) or i may just make them run laps in the hot sun. On the other hand, i'm already looking forward to being invited to friends houses who sit in cool luxury. ;) I also think, or rather know, that it'll be a great way for me to keep my pregnancy weight down. I like that part, a lot. I see a lot of watermelon, fruit salad and homemade ice cream coming up. Of course, i will still have to cook, which brings me to a trusty friend. My crockpot. I can even plug it in outside if i don't want even that heat. I also don't care for smelling my food all day. By supper i have no desire to eat it. Which can also be a good thing. So here's a crockpot recipe i'm trying for supper tonight. Never made it before so i can't promise what the results will be like but it looks great. If you want to keep it gluten free you can use arrowroot for the thickener.
MUSHROOM BEEF
4 T BUTTER
4 OZ. MUSHROOMS, SLICED
3 T FLOUR
1/2 TSP. SALT
DASH PEPPER
1 CUP MILK OR CREAM
1 CUP BEEF STOCK
1 LB. STEW MEAT
MELT BUTTER IN A SAUCEPAN. ADD MUSHROOMS AND SAUTE UNTIL LIMP. WHISK IN FLOUR, SALT AND PEPPER AND COOK OVER LOW/MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL FLOUR BEGINS TO BROWN SLIGHTLY. POUR IN MILK AND STOCK IN A SLOW STREAM AND WHISK. BRING TO A BOIL, REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER 5 MINUTES.
PLACE STEW MEAT IN CROCKPOT AND POUR SAUCE OVER TOP. COOK UNTIL MEAT IS TENDER AND SERVE OVER RICE, EGG NOODLES OR POTATOES.
ok two things...
ReplyDeleteI am ALL about the no AC. all about it! now? I'm 42 weeks and I would like to sit in an ice bath all day long. ha! I'm SO hot all of the sudden!
secondly I had to say how very proud I am to have a friend (and mennonite friend no less!) that can make cream of beef... WITHOUT "campbell's cream of mushroom soup"?!
I HATE that stuff. I grew up on that nasty canned stuff. I seriously don't think people realize you can make it yourself! haha
go you!! you make me proud to be your friend!
I can relate to the ice bath. Just trying to convince myself that heat is no excuse for buying popsicles. (i just bought donuts instead.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't learn how to make cream of beef from my mom, we used to eat the cream of mushroom soup as a meal. Soooo, maybe that makes me not a mennonite? :)