lit*chick

Winner and Recipe

2009-12-18T06:47:27-05:00

The winner, as chosen by random.org, is number 6 - Katy, Congratulations!

I had a few requests for this recipe, consider it a consolation prize.

Flemish Beef & Beer Stew from Ready When You Are Cookbook (Martha Rose Shulman)

3TB all purpose flour

salt and pepper

2-3 lbs boneless chuck or round steak, cut in 1 inch cubes (we use more like 3+ lbs)

4 oz bacon, trimmed of some fat and diced

2 TB unsalted butter

2 large onions, thinly sliced

1 TB brown sugar

1 TB cider vinegar

1 ½ cups dark beer (my favorites in this are Newcastle and or Guinness)

bouquet garni made with 1 bay leaf, few sprigs of flat leaf parsley, thyme tied in cheesecloth (or just tossed in and removed before serving)

2 thick slices country bread

Dijon mustard

Potatoes, mashed, or rice, for serving

Combine the flour, ¼ tp salt and a few grinds of pepper and lightly dredge the meat in it. Set aside

Heat half the bacon over medium low heat in a large, heavy Dutch oven or flame-proof casserole until it renders its fat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and all of the onions and cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender and light brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the sugar and stir together. Remove from the heat. (You can cook the onions several hours before browning the meat. Keep covered at room temperature)

Meanwhile, heat the remaining bacon over medium heat in a large heavy nonstick skillet. When it is cooked, remove from the skillet and transfer to the casserole with the onions. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet, and when the foam subsides, brown the meat, in batches on all sides. Transfer the meat to the casserole with the onions. Pour off any fat from the frying pan and discard, then add the vinegar to the pan and deglaze, scraping all the caramelized meat juices from the bottom of the pan. Pour the scrapings into the casserole. Add the beer and bouquet garni to the casserole, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to very low, cover and simmer gently, stirring from time to time, for 3 hours, or until the meat is fork tender. Taste and adjust the salt.

Spread the slices of bread thickly with mustard and cut in half. Place mustard side down, on the surface of the stew. Cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes. Serve with steamed or mashed potatoes, or rice and accompany with beer. (I don't do the bread part, but have at it. The dudes like their bread separate.)

This will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator and freezes well for a few months. Like all stews it is better the day after you make it. The gravy, with bits of meat is good with rice, pasta or on top of bread.

We are supposed to get quite the snowstorm this weekend...and I think this stew will be my contribution to the snowman construction project.

Thanks again to cookware.com for the giveaway. Go check them out - their prices look pretty good and they have EVERYTHING. I'm now thinking I need cast iron bread pans....

The End.

A Little List Leading to a Giveaway

2009-12-15T09:34:59-05:00

Only a few days left and several items are NOT getting checked off the list. Christmas cards will most likely be late, not a function of addressing (oh dear) but we haven't TAKEN THE PICTURE yet. Ahem. Evie was dressed and ready, the hooligans changed out of their church clothes before I could say cheese. And here we are cardless with 10 days remaining. I haven't given up hope...

While I'm not getting my Christmas cards done, here's another mini wish list for peeps who like to cook or bake:

I know it isn't fancy or glamorous, but I love new kitchen linens - dishtowels, napkins, tablecloths, and yes, oven mitts. They fall into the category of things I don't think of buying for myself but when I get them I'm very happy.

Molly had this cool book on her blog:

The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel

And here are some linens I likey:

from Crate & Barrel set of 2 from Williams Sonoma

Ice Skaters from Oola

Gloves from Pata Pri

and these plaid napkins from Williams Sonoma:

There is a matching tablecloth but unfortunately my dining room is orange and no matter how I hard I try to deny it, the clash factor is a bit much.

I am a total sucker for specialized cake pans like this:

the stadium pan

and this:

snowy village pan

and this:

chocolate bar brownie pan

Do I ever actually make funky shaped cakes? Not so much. But I like the idea of them. Maybe not enough for the real estate they would take up in my cupboard.

Just in case you are looking for a few kitchen investment items, a fabulous group gift, or you REALLY like someone who REALLY likes to cook these are my 2 top picks.

The first -Le Creuset dutch ovens are plain excellent. A few years ago, I was thrilled to find one under the tree. Yes they are pricey, but if you are investing in one big ole pot this would be the one. Because it makes my food taste better. Really. And they are pretty too. Here's mine in action - onions & bacon in preparation for beef & beer stew.

and the 2nd...

my workhorse Kitchenaid mixer. I've had it for almost 17 years...since my coworker and I started baking biscotti as a side business. And it is still going strong. Scary, no?

While I'd LOVE to get you all a little sumpin (or a big sumpin), I can offer you a chance at winning one of these bakeware sets, courtesy of Cookware.com.

set of 2 cast iron bread pans from Camp Chef

Le Creuset baking set in caribbean, kiwi, cherry, or white (set includes 9"square and 5" square pans; also available if you prefer is an 11" oval baking dish)

a funky cake pan like the stadium one pictured above, or the beehive, or the cupcake cone

I cannot be held responsible for your cake being stuck to these pans...I'm just sayin' you may want to make friends with cooking spray.

Okay here's the drill:

To win, leave me a comment and tell me which item you would like. If you link this post on your blog, please leave an additional comment with a link to your blog (giving you an extra chance). Giveaway will close on Thursday night at 9pm EST.

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*Many thanks to the kind folks at Cookware.com for sponsoring this fun giveaway. Prizes are subject to availability and may not be received in time for Christmas. Lit*chick is not receiving any consideration in exchange for promotion except the joy of giving stuff away.

A Book Girl's Wish List

2009-12-11T11:00:37-05:00

I think reading is officially "in" from all the wonderful stuff I'm finding and adding to my lil file of goodness.

for the littles:

the book buggy from magic cabin - i understand wanting to load up my favorite things and pull them around, if only there was one in my size... oh yeah it's called a stroller

the personal library kit from knock knock speaks to my inner librarian and if you like to share your books, you might actually get them back

the book birdhouse from uncommon goods - oh my

I love this throw from Garnet Hill...apparently lots of other people love it too since it's sold out :(

jane mount @ 20x200 with ideal bookshelf 6

this tote from americajane

part of a dutch marketing campaign it says "time for reading" from isotope

notecards from crescent creations

from a likely story

and my favorite:

Library sign from Three Potato Four

Random.org chose no. 5 - JUDE congratulations, you won the book When You Reach Me. Enjoy it! I have another giveaway next week, sponsored by the lovely folks at cookware.com. (Think books and cooks go together).

The End.

Now We are Six

2009-12-09T22:44:00-05:00

Now We Are Six

Author: A.A. Milne

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.

I'm not sure it's possible to sum up this kid in just six points. Here goes, Owen at six:

1.Stubborn and unrelenting. If he wants something he will ask or talk about it until he gets it or until you flee. But he will follow you and hunt you down and there is no escape. And even if you get away his voice will ring in your ears long after. Tenacity, when applied correctly could be an asset at some point right?

2. Fearless. Rode a scooter at 2, first one to ride a two-wheeler, two front teeth missing from two separate incidents. Hello emergency room, do you take reservations?

3. A serious foodie. Maybe it was the seaweed soup Miss Miji started giving him at one year. He brings his own chopsticks to eat dumplings. And he almost ate my entire bowl of pasta with zucchni, bleu cheese, and sundried tomato sauce last night. He is most excited for ordering lattes in heaven. And he'll try anything once...

4. Joie de vivre. He's got it. I'd love to bottle it. He's going to have a zesty life and it's going to be something to watch.

5. Hilarious. Makes up some funny stuff - last heard calling one of his brothers a crab nipple. Dad and I often have to leave the room to laugh before putting on our discipline faces.

6. Tough outer shell, gooey on the inside. Our Owen is most like an egg. We love him scrambled too.

Happy Birthday O. You rock.

The End.

My Top Ten Reads of 2009 and a few more

2009-12-08T08:40:25-05:00

My ya fiction list quickly morphed into this list consisting of my top 10 books read in 2009. Most were published this year but let this serve as my disclaimer. Here are my picks - including contemporary fiction, memoirs, and ya/juvenile fiction.

Top Ten

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Undercover by Beth Kephart

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken

A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenburg

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

The Girl with No Shadow by Joann Harris

highly recommended/shortlisted:

Take This Bread by Sara Miles

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Happens Every Day: An All Too True Story by Isabel Gillies

TheElegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

No booklist from me would be complete without a giveaway. I have a new copy of When You Reach Me to send to a lovely reader. Leave me a comment and tell me a few of your faves this year. Comments will remain open through midnight est, Thursday, December 10th.

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Saturday Snow All Dressed up with No Place to Go

2009-12-05T09:53:17-05:00

Evie and I were ready to go to a women's breakfast at church this morning, but it's an icy mess. And by ready to go I mean showered, dressed and in the car with provisions. Here's her $5 Christmas leisure suit from Toys R Us - because I'd like you all to enjoy it as much as I do:

I love this song:

Please keep recommending books, mugs & music. I'm really enjoying seeing your selections.

The End.

Traditional Treats - Consumer version

2009-12-04T17:11:25-05:00

Aside from all the little things we do this time of year, I add to my collection of holiday entertainment. I buy a new children's book for our basket, a new CD for the rotation, a new ornament for the tree, and a new Christmas coffee mug just because I like to feel festive first thing in the morning.

Here's what I'm thinking about adding to the Christmas stash.

Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas

Shawn Colvin: Holiday Songs and Lullabies (a little extra, for our little extra)

Books for consideration:

A Day on Skates by Hilda van Stockum

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

I'm leaning towards this one:

Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini

AND this one

Corgiville Christmas by Tasha Tudor

This is definitely on the list...

from middleburg's shop on etsy

I love this mug set from kate spade....although it's a bit out of my budget

I may have to get a smell-good Yankee candle instead, so I can fake it 'til I make it. (meaning baked goods)

Do you have any pre-Christmas treats coming your way?

Oh, I finished my December Daily shell and now I know what the real barrier to completion is....we are boring. Or I am. While I appreciate Brooke's (inchmark) post on the tradition of stillness, I'm not sure I can claim it as my own (maybe next year). Rather our activities will come in fits and starts - we'll go to the movies, look at lights, bake cookies, and pick out our tree all on the same day. Then nothing for a week or so. If anything, the emptiness of the DD album is teaching me about the tempo of our lives. And we aren't a daily kind of crew. I suppose that's the point, right?

The End.

Travel Writing by Peter Ferry

2009-12-04T09:38:01-05:00

Travel Writing by Peter Ferry, 304 pages.

I'm not sure what to say about this book...it is by far the most unique story I've read in some time. The narrator, Peter Ferry, a high school English teacher and sometime travel writer, witnesses a fatal car accident. While relaying the event to his students, he spins a fantastical tale of obsession - his fixation on the accident victim Lisa Kim and how it effects those around him. But what is real - as Peter (the narrator & author) alternates between past and present is he also alternating between fact and fiction? And does it matter?

I finally gave up trying to figure it out and just enjoyed the ride. Mr. Ferry is a gifted storyteller and it is most apparent in the readability of his non-linear style. Although the shifting rhythm takes a bit of getting used to, the journey is worthwhile. This book would make for a fascinating bookclub discussion.

Other reviews:

Lunch.com

Just the Bookstore

The End.

No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer

2009-12-01T11:22:13-05:00

No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer, 368 pages, originally published in 1939.

Have you heard of Georgette Heyer? No worries, I hadn't either until I received multiple messages from Danielle at Sourcebooks. Some smart cookie over at SB thought to re-release Heyer's catalog in the US. And by catalog I mean over 50 titles in the Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, and Mystery genre. Heyer is beloved by many including Dorothy Sayers and even has a section in forum at Austenfans.com.

For my introduction into the world of Heyer books, I chose this mystery, the latest re-release - No Wind of Blame. Here's the description from the back:

Wally Carter's murder seems impossible - not one of the suspects was anywhere near the weapon at the time the shot was fired. The superlatively analytical Inspector Hemingway is confronted with a neglected widow, the neighbor who's in love with her, her resentful daughter, a patently phony Russian prince, and a case of blackmail that may-or may not-be at the heart of this most unusual case...

What I loved about it? The fact that the murder doesn't occur until well into 1/3 of the story and because her characters are so lusciously developed, you don't even care. And after the murder the humor is kicked up in a flurry of witty dialogue and comical conversations. I admired her use of language and clever dialogue as a means to character development. It is obvious that Heyer was an observant student of human nature and relationships which may explain why she is beloved by fans of Jane Austen. I would submit she isn't as subtle as Austen, but perhaps more readable as a lighter sort of escape. You do have to be in the right sort of mood for a book like this - I started strong, blowing through the first 150 pages in a sitting. I then struggled to finish because it was so different from the other books in my stack and isn't the sort of thing you can pick up for just a few minutes at a time. The characters and plot require an involved and attentive reader. There is much to delight in and I'm looking forward to reading more Heyer titles in the new year.

If you are interested in learning more about Georgette Heyer, lookie here. There is also a forum on goodreads for Heyer fans. This title would be a great book for an advanced middle grade reader who likes intellectual mysteries, there is nothing objectionable in these pages.

For a list of the available new releases go to Sourcebooks.

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Winner & Reviews to Come

2009-11-29T21:49:47-05:00

Where did the LONG holiday weekend go? Ours was packed full of food, friends and family. I hope you got some rest and ate some good meals. We sure did.

Kathy @bermudaonion - Congratulations, you won the PW Cookbook. I'll email you and get your info.

There will be more giveaways coming, so don't go too far...

This week I'll be posting reviews for :

No Wind of Blame - Georgette Heyer

Travel Writing - Peter Ferry

The Girl on Legare Street - Karen White

A Friend of the Family - Lauren Grodstein

AND

I'll have a young adult/juvenile fiction booklist.

AND

at least one maybe two giveaways...

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