Welcome, welcome dear SOUP readers! I do hope you are all enjoying the march towards Spring. You are? Excellent! I know I am certainly much happier now that I do not have to wear a million sweaters every time I venture outside for a wander. It was getting very depressing to see the constant cover of clouds overshadowing me as I traipsed through the mud between my apartment and the SOUP offices. And before you remind me that I am, in fact, a witch, I know apparating directly into the office would save me from the pouring rains and bitter winds. However, thanks to Lugh insisting on rigging every damn fireplace and foyer we possess with decoy detonators for April Fools Day, it is much safer to travel to work the Muggle way.
Besides, the exercise is good for me. At least, that is what I told myself this week as I made my way to Momma Fox's cottage for our monthly lesson. We all need to shake off the winter blues by getting a little sunshine on our skin and fresh air in our lungs after being cooped up inside for ages. I, for one, was in high spirits as I sauntered along the sunlit streets of Ottery St Catchpole.
Unfortunately, when I arrived at the pocket-sized paragon of food heaven's door, her welcome was once again less than cheerful. The poor lady greeted me with her normally glowing eyes streaming and her nose running worse than a waterfall after an ice melt. After questioning her worriedly, it turned out that the kitchen witch was suffering from a pesky cold. She was, however, determined to show me what she had planned in response to my owl. This month's SOUP theme of Steampunk had had her a little confused, but when I had reassured her that any Victorian dish would suffice, she had promised to come up with something delicious.
This was something I did not doubt, but I felt the need to check that she was not going to overdo herself while she was feeling under the weather. Luckily, Momma Fox had returned my fussing with a wicked smile and a declaration that she had absolutely no intention of working at all that day. Today's Beef Stew recipe was entirely in my hands, and it was a thought that somewhat daunted me. Needless to say, I rose to the challenge and read the offered paper carefully:
Ingredients
600g diced Beef steak
100g Baby Carrots, sliced
100g New Potatoes, sliced
100g Fine Beans or Peas
2 Leeks, chopped finely
300ml Boiling water
2 Beef stock cubes
2 tbsps of Tomato paste
2 tbsps of Garlic paste
1/4 teaspoon of Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of Onion salt
1/2 teaspoon of Paprika
1 teaspoon each of dried Basil, Oregano, Parsley,
Thyme, Majoram, and Chives
2 pinches of Ground Nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
1. Chop and slice the Beef and vegetables to your preferred size, then place them in a slow cooker, a large oven-proof dish, or a heavy copper cauldron with a secure lid. You may use any chopping or slicing spell you know to achieve this if you do not wish to use a knife.
2. Place the boiling water in a measuring jug and add the stock cubes. Stir until thoroughly dissolved.
3. Add the Tomato and Garlic Paste and continue to stir until dissolved.
4. Then add the remaining dry ingredients and stir well. Make sure to stir in both directions for at least a minute.
5. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon only.
6. Cook for 4-6 hours on a low heat (140C, Gas Mark 3 or the appropriate setting on your slow cooker). It is best not to use magic for this simmering stage, as the heating spell cannot be maintained easily for such a long period of time.
7. Stir gently every 60-90 minutes, then resecure the lid. (The condensation inside the pot should prevent the beef from drying out. However, if you feel it's looking a little dry, reduce the heat slightly and add 2-4 extra tablespoons of the stock mixture.)
8. Serve on its own or with a little bread to mop up the sauce.
As it turns out, I managed to recreate something distinctly edible, all while listening to Momma Fox babble on quite happily about the joys of the Victorian era; and how her own grandmother used to make the recipe she had shared with me while her grandfather repaired Muggle clocks. The tawny-headed wonder also thanked me for making her enough of the stew so that she would not have to cook again until her cold was less troublesome. I was glad to help and made a mental note to remember to check on her again in a few days.
So whether you are full of the joys of spring like me, or seeking comfort like Momma Fox, I do hope you enjoy this month's offering. It is enough to make anyone warm, cosy, and ready for new adventures. Until next time, Happy Cooking! - Nikita