My Week and a Mexican Beef recipe

Happy Sunday!  This was an odd week for me.  It neither flew by nor drug on but as I was thinking back over it, it seemed a blur.

The big guy's second surgery seems to have gone well.  He has his follow up tomorrow afternoon and then all that's left is to finish all of the eye drops.  I'm so thankful it went well and he is amazed at how much better he can see now.

The weather was pretty mild all week even as the Summer Solstice arrived.  I know many love summer but this fall and winter loving woman is thrilled that the days are now slowly getting shorter.  Yesterday was warm but the humidity was low.  Today it is brutal outside with temps feeling like 105 with high humidity. We're supposed to have storms later and hopefully they will not be too bad but bring us some much-needed rain. 

I finished reading While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park and I can't recommend it enough.  It is a very thought-provoking book.  The insight she has from her personal experience with North Korea, China, South Korea and the US is gripping to say the least.

What we ate this week:

I used the left over Mexican beef to make beef and cheese taquitos.

Arugula pesto and garlic pasta with a salad

Fried chicken breast, smashed garlic potatoes and salad

BIG salad

Joes Wings and a Joe Boli-delivered with a salad

Tonight, I'm making sloppy joes and zucchini fries

In our last beef box we received two one-pound packages of beef stew meat.  The first one I used about a month and a half ago to make a hearty chili.  It's a bit too hot now for chili or even beef stew so I decided to try something different.  It also gave me a reason to pull my Crock pot out that I haven't used in forever.

1 pound beef stew meat

1 onion peeled and sliced in four

5 or 6 large heads of garlic, peeled

2 poblano peppers, seeded and sliced into 1/2 inch strip

2 Cups of Beef Bone broth

1 Tablespoon smoked paprika.

1 Tablespoon smoked cayenne

1 Tablespoon cumin

1/2 tsp. coriander

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. cracked black peppercorns.

Sautee the beef, onion and peppers in a cast iron skillet for about 10 minutes.

Put beef mixture and all the remaining ingredients in the Crock pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

The first night we had the beef with spicy rice and warm tortillas with a lime, avocado, sour cream sauce.  The next meal I used the beef to make beef and cheese taquitos and I used the left-over broth to make the rice in.  This time I served with some of my home-made taco sauce.  Culinary Adventures with Lori: Random Thoughts and Taco Sauce

We enjoyed both meals a lot and I'm already thinking what else I could use this for.  I'm definitely thinking nachos, quesadillas or beef hand pies would be amazing.

Other than work and stopping at the farmers market, we do not have anything planned. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  The big guy's cataract surgery went well.  This week he has the second one and we're hoping it goes just as well.  I'm a bit surprised that they don't let much of the anesthesia wear off before sending you home.  The big guy is 6 feet, 230 pounds and I'm 5'4, 130 pounds and it was a challenge keeping him from hurting himself.  He was SO loopy.  Luckily, he slept off and on for 4 or 5 hours and he could finally walk by himself.  At least now we both know what to expect which always makes things easier.

Where I've been:  I've made a few trips to the Farmers Market and stocked up on Spring produce. I was able to pick up more strawberries.  B said the season was really long this year.  I'm guessing it's because we've been cooler than normal. I stopped by the library to pick up a couple of books that I requested.  I've also spent a lot of time in the backyard with the garden.  We are up to our ears in arugula and have been eating it all week.  I think I am going to make a pesto out of some today to put in the freezer. The Japanese Wasabi radishes are ready to pick.  I'm excited to see what they taste like.  Everything else is growing well. 

Where I'm going:  Wednesday we'll be going to the eye surgery center and if the big guy is feeling OK on Saturday we're going to a BBQ. Other than that I'll be at work as usual.

What I'm watching:  I watched the latest season of Never Have I Ever and really enjoyed it.  I also watched XO Kitty which is a Spin off series of To All The Boys I Loved Before.  Both were funny, feel good series.

What I'm reading:  I finished Spoon Fed-How eight cooks saved my life and Food Americana.  I really enjoyed both books. Today I am starting In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom.  According to the cover, "One of the most harrowing stories I have ever heard and one of the most inspiring.  She has a new book coming out this Fall and I want to read this first book before it does.

What I've been eating: 

BIG salad X2

Wings for the big guy, steak for me with baked potatoes and asparagus

Dinner out with a couple of friends.  I made grits and egg for the big guy.

Pizza with left over steak sliced thin, portabella mushrooms, poblano and red onion.  It was delicious.

Air fried chicken breast with a salad and asparagus.

Last night I made a Mexican Beef and served with rice and flour tortias.  I'm so glad I wrote down what I did because it turned out amazing.  I promise to share this week.

I made a batch of Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins and 10 pints of strawberry jam.  And today we are having our first BLT of the season for brunch and I can't wait.  You can see the muffin recipe I use here. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Search results for jordan marsh blueberry muffins

The local berries this year have been amazing.

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring and staying safe and healthy.  Have a fabulous Sunday!!

My Weekly W's- I can't believe it's June

What's top of my mind:  Friday the big guy is having cataract surgery.  I'm hoping everything goes well.  Everyone tells me this a routine procedure but it's the big guy and I'm a bit protective. 

Where I've been:

Other than work, I stopped by the library to pick up a couple of books.  Saturday we went out to breakfast and stopped by the garden center for a new rosemary plant.  Then I spent the entire afternoon outside reading. I ordered a new set of glass food containers.  These have three divided areas and are really heavy.  I love them.  They will be perfect for lunches or road trips and storing things in the fridge.

Where I'm going:

No plans other than Friday morning making a stock up shop at the store.  The rest of the weekend we'll be at home. 

What I'm watching:

Tonight is the final episode of Chao House.  I didn't really care for the show as much as I thought I would but I have to finish it out and see who wins.  

What I'm reading:

I read Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber and loved it.  It's the first book in awhile that I finished in less than 24 hours.  Yes, I liked it that much.

Tomorrow I will start The House of Eve.

What I'm listening to:  I've been opening the patio door early in the morning before it gets hot so Binx can get a bit of fresh air and hear the birds.  It is a peaceful way to start the day.

What I'm eating:

Chicken kabobs, grilled potato and deviled eggs

LO Chili with cheese, sour cream, green onion and oyster crackers

LO pasta, salad and garlic bread

Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, salad

Chicken and Waffles

BIG salad

Who needs a good slap:

People that litter.  I mean is it really hard to hold onto your trash and throw it away instead of just dropping it where you are?  

What's making me smile:

Today is Binx 1 year Gotcha Day.  I can't believe it has been a year since we picked up that sweet 3.5 pound bundle of pure energy and curiosity.  He has brought a lot of love and laughter to our house.

This is the picture that introduced us to Binx who was originally name King Cole but we changed it to Binx and it fits perfect.

I hope everyone is safe and well.  Have a great week!