I don’t have a kitchen, but I love to cook. The creativity, the use of all the senses, the delicious satisfaction that comes after eating something you’ve made can take your mind off of whatever is bothering you. It is a simple, necessary, nourishing act that gives me a sense of control in a world full of chaos.When you make something warm, delicious and comforting, like beef stew, it’s even more therapeutic. The best part is sharing it with someone you love. Light some candles, set the table, put on some music, and it’s a bubble bath in your mouth.

Here is a recipe for beef stew. It’s really a general outline, but the key is to keep it simple. Don’t doctor it up too much, and only use vegetables you really love. When you’re cooking for yourself, why make something you don’t like?

Ingredients
1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup flour
salt and pepper
1 large onion, chopped in large pieces
6 cups beef stock
3 Large Russet potatoes
3 carrots, chopped in large pieces
2 celery stalks, chopped in large pieces
5-6 mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 bay leaves
1/2 – 1 cup wine

Preparation:
1. In small bowl, mix flour and 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper. Put flour mixture in a clean grocery bag and add meat. fold over the opening of the bag a few times and shake to coat the meat.

2. Heat large pot over medium low heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the olive oil snaps and crackles when you splash a few drops of water in the pot, add the meat. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom, until brown.

3. Add chopped onions and cover the pot to make them sweat. Stir occasionally. Heat up beef broth (3 minutes in the microwave). When the onions are starting to turn brown and slick with juices, add broth. Bring pot to a gentle simmer.

4. Add carrots, celery, and bay leaves. Bring pot to a gentle rolling boil and add potatoes and mushrooms. Return to low boil, then turn the burner down and simmer. After a few minutes, at the wine to taste.

5. Continue to simmer until all vegetables are soft and fall apart in your mouth. Add more wine, salt, or pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread and salted butter.

This is a seriously delicious dish that is great for casual dinner parties. Get it to the final stages before your guests arrive, and you will be free to drink wine and hang out and smell the delicious as it simmers.

YUM! And here’s “Beef Stew” by Nicki Minaj to get you motivated.

Empty Biscuit Plate

Song of the Day: Yeah Yeah Yeah Song – The Flaming Lips

I have made a ton of biscuits, but this is the best recipe ever. It’s the kind of biscuit that you can eat one layer of delicious yummy goodness after another. Eat them hot with butter, jam, cheese, or soup! Add 2 Tablespoons of sugar and serve as shortbread with strawberries and whipped cream. Experiment by using 1 cup whole wheat flour, and 1 cup white flour.

They’re super easy, quick, and everyone thinks they’re delicious.

Biscuits!

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

Directions: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour with pastry blender or two butter knives. Make a well in the center and add eggs and milk. Beat milk and eggs together with a fork and gradually incorporate flour until moistened. Knead dough just enough to bring it together.

Roll out on a floured board until 1/2 inch thick. Fold in thirds. Roll and fold a few times (makes the layers!). Roll out to 1/2 inch and cut into rounds. Place on ungreased sheet. Bake at 450-500 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.