Smothered Salisbury Steak

 "Have a good time. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling." (Kobe Bryant)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    The other night I was watching cooking videos on Youtube and I knew I had everything to make this one. It was a winner!

Smothered Salisbury Steak

https://essenrecipes.substack.com/p/smothered-salisbury-steak

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb (450g) lean beef mince

• 1/2 cup (30g) panko breadcrumbs

• 1 large egg

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

FOR THE GRAVY:

• 2 ½ tbsp butter

• 2 shallots

• 1 garlic clove

• 9 ounces (250g) cremini mushrooms

• 2 tbsp all purpose flour

• 1 cup (236ml) white dry wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon blanc)

• 2 cups (470ml) beef stock

• 2 tsp dijon mustard

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• Salt and black pepper

Kitchen utensils: large bowl, frying pan, spatula, cutting board and knife.

 

 

METHOD:

1. Start by mixing 1 lb (450g) minced beef, 1 egg, c cup (30g) breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands or a spatula.

2. Divide the mince mixture into 4 equal balls. Shape into an oval and press down a little to make a small boat-like shape about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick.

3. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over a medium to high heat. Cook the meatballs for about 2 minutes on one side until nicely caramelized. Turn and cook for another minute on the other side. They should not be cooked through. Set aside on a plate.

4. Cut 2 shallots into thin rings and finely chop 1 clove of garlic.

5. In the same frying pan, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the onions and garlic over a medium heat for about 1 minute.

6. Slice 9 ounces (250g) of mushrooms and add to the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are browned, for about 4 minutes.

7. Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 tablespoons of the flour and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

8. Add ½ tablespoon butter and continue stirring for another 30 seconds.

9. Pour in 1 cup (236ml) white wine. Mix well until the flour dissolves.

10. Gradually add 2 cups (470ml) beef stock, stirring all the time.

11. Add 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons Worcester sauce, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

12. Return steaks to the pan with any remaining juices. Cover with the sauce and cook for a further 7-8 minutes until the sauce thickens.

     

    
    
    

    Here is the finished recipe. It was really good, a little too much salt for me though. It would be easy to take some out. This is going to become a regular thing for us. 
    

     

    Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!
    

It's Going To Bw A Journey

 

“Let this be the year you release your fears about what you can achieve.”  

(Oprah Winfrey) 

 

  

Hello, my lovely friends! 

    What exactly is 'balance'? Is it the serene image of sitting cross-legged on a mat, chanting 'Om'? Or perhaps the intense focus of a sweaty yoga session with a room full of strangers? Maybe it's the cathartic release of journaling for an hour, or the creative expression of crafting a collage from magazine clippings. We often hear about the pursuit of balance, but have we truly found it?

 

    The truth is, finding balance isn't necessarily about yoga, meditation, or other traditional 'inner peace' practices. While these methods work wonders for many, they may not resonate with everyone. So, what then? If these paths don't lead to your sense of equilibrium, where do you turn?

 

     I absolutely adore the film 'Eat, Pray, Love.' Like many women, I often fantasize about escaping the everyday grind and embarking on a year-long journey of self-discovery, much like Julia Roberts' character. Watching her savor pasta in Italy, find inner peace through meditation in India, and ultimately discover love and balance in Bali is undeniably inspiring. While acknowledging that the film, though based on a true story, undoubtedly embellishes certain aspects for dramatic effect, its core message resonates deeply. The pursuit of balance and fulfillment is a universal human desire, and 'Eat, Pray, Love' serves as a poignant reminder of this yearning.

 

    We often believe that mastering practices like yoga or meditation will magically bring us the balance we crave. However, true balance isn't about external techniques or gurus; it's an internal journey. What brings balance to one person may not work for another. Some find tranquility in extended meditation, while others struggle to sit still for even a few minutes.

 

    The key lies in discovering what brings you inner peace. This can be as simple as quiet housework, cooking from scratch, or self-care rituals. It could be your morning yoga routine, nightly journaling, or a short afternoon nap.

 

    Finding balance is a personal quest. Don't get discouraged if one approach doesn't work. Experiment and explore different avenues. Remember that balance doesn't require expensive retreats or time-consuming regimens. Simple practices can be incredibly effective.

 

    Finding balance is a deeply personal journey. There's no single formula that fits everyone. The key lies in discovering what truly nourishes you – whether it's a quiet moment of reflection during housework, the joy of creating a recipe from scratch, a luxurious self-care routine, a morning yoga session, evening journaling, or even a short afternoon nap.

 

    This year, prioritize yourself. Make time for activities that bring you peace and fulfillment. Don't get discouraged if something doesn't work; explore different options until you find what resonates with you. Remember, balance doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. Simple practices can be incredibly effective.

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Surviving Cold Season

 

"Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health." (Julia Child)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    Cold season is in full swing, and it seems everyone is succumbing to the sniffles. Back in the day, my grandmother always had a home remedy for every ailment. Over the years, I've experimented with some of her wisdom, with varying degrees of success.

 

Do you have any go-to remedies for fighting off a cold? Share your tips in the comments below.

 

• Stay hydrated – One of the things that happens when you get sick is becoming dehydrated. I tend to get dry mouth because of the medication that I’m taking and I drink lots of water. I’ll fill up a large mason jar with lemon and sip throughout the day. I’ll also keep on hand Gatorade or Pedi-lite. 
  
• Hot tea – Hot tea with lemon and honey work wonders when you have a sore throat.
• Stuffed Up – Instead of putting lemon and honey in your hot tea add about five cough drops (the Halls ones work best because it has the menthol in them). It really opens you up.
• Still stuffy – Get a large bowl add a spoonful of Vicks menthol rub and hot water to it. With a large towel covering your head to keep those vapors in. Breath in to open yourself up.
• Take the right medication - there are so many medications out there and they are for so many different symptoms. Make sure you are taking the right one for what is going on for you now because if you are not it's not going to work well for you.
• Plenty of rest - You need to get plenty of rest because well, you are sick and not at full strength. If you are able to just rest. Grab a comfy blanket, your hot tea and rest on the couch or go back to bed.
• Don’t ignore your face, lips and skin - it is so easy to ignore your face when you are sick, but do not do that. I will use a moisturizing mask at least twice during the time I am sick. I will also apply moisturizer on my face throughout the day. Also, using chapped stick is good.

 
 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!