I do need to get a bumper for the Jeep. It’s a tough call as to which to go with. I like the Poison Spyder, and then I came across this offering from JCR Offroad. Neither bumper includes the disco skid – which I would also add.
New additions to the aquarium
Picked up 3 Siamese Algae Eaters for the aquarium this evening. Also picked up some plants, some sort of Hygrophila, I think. Getting more algae growth, so I figured I should try controlling it with some algae eaters, and also add a little more nutrient competition by adding more plants.
Winch line weight
Received a new winch line weight from my friend Rob over at BuiltforOffRoad.ca.
His new design allows you to easily wrap the weight around the winch line so that it stays in place. If you use a winch at all, this is a MUST HAVE accessory!
Lamb Stew
Came across this recipe the other day while testing out my new Chromecast device – and watched Gennaro Contaldo in Malta make this dish on Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube.
The following day I stopped in at the ACME Meat Market on 76th Ave, and they kindly fixed me up with a couple couple pounds of lamb shoulder (raised in the Tofield area), all cut up nicely into perfect stew sized chunks. (They also had some Guanciale, which I’m going to use in a couple days to make some Real Carbonara.)
Lamb Stew
Recipe Type: Main course
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 x 1kg lamb shoulder, cut into 4cm chunks
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- olive oil
- 5 anchovy fillets in oil
- 1 carrot, trimmed
- 1 stick of celery, trimmed
- 2 medium onions, peeled
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 fresh red chilli
- ½ a small bunch of fresh thyme
- 250ml white wine
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar (I used balsamic)
- 500g potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 200g ripe baby plum tomatoes
- 250ml hot vegetable stock, preferably organic (optional)
- 250g fresh peas
Instructions
- Season the lamb well with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Place a large casserole pan over a medium heat with a splash of olive oil and the anchovies. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until melted, stirring continuously, then add the lamb and cook for a further few minutes, or until browned and sealed all over, stirring often.
- Meanwhile, roughly chop the carrot, celery and onions, then add to the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Peel and crush the garlic with the palm of your hand and halve the chilli, then add to the pan with the thyme sprigs and wine.
- Turn the heat up to high and allow the liquid to boil and bubble away until reduced by half, then reduce the heat to low, add the vinegar and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop the potatoes into 3cm chunks. Add to the pan with the whole plum tomatoes and hot stock or water.
- Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the stew has thickened and reduced.
- Stir in the peas with a good splash of water and cook for a further few minutes, then serve with a wedge of rustic bread to mop up the juices.
Just realized that I forgot to add the pepper! Oh well, it was still very good, and I now have an excuse to make it again soon – and not forgetting the pepper!
Need more jars!
Bought 3 dozen 125ml canning jars – but still have some more spices to get into the new jars – so I think I’ll get a dozen more. The can of chalkboard paint would probably do 100 dozen!
My daughter and I had a challenging time getting some of the spice names to fit – but it was fun. We’ll have to be careful not to rub the names off too!
One thing I’ll have to remember is to burnish the painters tape down along the label edge. I’m also going to see if I can’t source a better quality chalk – one that might allow for a little better control, and maybe add some colour!
After painting the 4 coats of chalkboard paint on the 36 jars, I came across these DIY Chalkboard stickers at Thinkgeek.com. These might be an even better approach!