Bean-less Chili

This weekend we celebrated our baby! He turned 1 on the 1st! 

I made two pots of chili, one with beans and the other without beans. When I was making the chili, my hubby, was not sure about bean-less. I must say, I wasn't too sure about it either. 

I still added my Almond Butter for a little creamy flavor! I topped mine with a pile of avocado instead of sour cream. I was proud of myself and sticking to my guns... 

I will be honest with you --- I ate a little cupcake! Not GRAIN-less and from a box! 

I wish I could tell you that I still slept great and that I did not wake up with a headache BUT I DID. I slept terrible. I had the worst headache. To top it off - my elbows started to itch. 

Each time I do this to myself - I promise, NEVER AGAIN... 

Will I ever learn???  :) 

Bean-less Chili

The Ingredients:
2 - 3 lbs grass fed ground beef
7 - 10 celery stalks, diced (I use one whole celery bunch, leaves and all)
6 - 10 carrots, diced
1 white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 TBSP Olive Oil
2 16 oz cans of diced tomatoes (homemade would be best but can is fine)
16 oz chicken broth (homemade is best)
2 big pinches of sea salt
2 TBSP dried Oregano
2 TBSP dried Basil
1 TBSP cumin
3 - 4 TBSP Chili Powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 TBSP Almond Butter


The Directions:
Saute veggies in olive oil for about a minute and add meat and brown.  Season the meat mixture with all the spices.  Add the tomatoes and chicken broth and simmer for 35 minutes.  Taste and add more seasoning if desired.  


Let me tell you --- it was tough not having beans in my chili or topping my chili with sour cream. 

Bistro Papillon: French, CBD Sydney (1 Oct 2010)

98 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.bistropapillon.com.au

A slice of France in Sydney

There seems to be a good range of French restaurants now in Sydney and Bistro Papillon would have to be one of the favourites I've come across so far where it's hard to pick a meal from the menu because they all sound so good and authentic. Quench your thirst with a French Kroenbourg beer ($8) or quaffable and reasonably priced French 2009 Gros Manseng Sauvignon Blanc ($8) and 2005 Chateau Riotor Rose ($7). Substantial sized Grilled Goats Cheese Toast with a Walnut and Pear Salad ($14) is easy to share as an entree or the smooth Homemade Chicken Liver Pate, Cornichons, Red Capsicum Relish and Baguette ($15) although I find it unusual to see a side salad of tomato, lettuce, egg and the capsicum relish. A hearty yet high priced Roasted Confit of Duck Leg with a White Bean Cassoulet ($35) has nice flavours and there's no shortage of prawns in the Fresh Egg Linguine, Green Prawns, Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Chilli and Olive Oil ($29). The dish envy of the night went to the Braised Rabbit Papadelle [Pappardelle] with Mushroom, Pancetta, Herbs and Preserved Lemon ($30) with lovely citrus notes to help cut through the dish. I'm always tempted to try the Coq au Vin ($33) from the menu which comes in a hearty red wine sauce which I order with some decently cooked fries as my included side.

For dessert the Mousse au Chocolat ($12) is served with Grand Marnier Créme Anglaise which you self-pour on top and is one of the better ones I've had around town. I can't resist ordering the Classic Crème Brûlée ($11) and thankfully it comes with a perfectly crunchy caramelised topping although was a lot more custardy than I've had before and I usually prefer it with more vanilla bean. The French service was friendly and welcoming and managed the restaurant as efficiently as possible although they probably could have done with an extra hand to help attend to customers needs. There's attention to detail with nice thick paper towels in the toilet and French posters scattered amongst the walls and even a humorous beret on the coffee machine. The decor was cosy and atmospheric and I'd happily return to try other dishes from the menu when I get the chance.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Authentic French dishes, Centrally located in the city, Friendly and passionate service, Nice decor, Good selection of affordable wines

CONS: French cooking means a lot of butter, Service can be a little slow when busy

MUST TRY: Braised Rabbit Papadelle, Crème Brûlée

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Salad de Chevre Chaud: Grilled Goats Cheese Toast with a Walnut and Pear Salad ($14)

Pate de Foie de Volaille: Homemade Chicken Liver Pate, Cornichons, Red Capsicum Relish and Baguette ($15)

Cassoulet de Canard Confit: Roasted Confit of Duck Leg with a White Bean Cassoulet ($35)

Pates Fraiches aux Gambas: Fresh Egg Linguine, Green Prawns, Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Garlic, Chilli and Olive Oil ($29)

Papadelle au Lapin Façon Chasseur: Braised Rabbit Papadelle with Mushroom, Pancetta, Herbs and Preserved Lemon ($30)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Coq au Vin: A French Classic, Corn Fed Chicken Casserole cooked in Red wine with Bacon, Mushroom, Onion and Thyme ($33) with side of fries

Classic Crème Brûlée ($11)

Mousse au Chocolat served with Grand Marnier Créme Anglaise ($12)

Kroenbourg beer ($8)

2009 Gros Manseng Sauvignon Blanc, Alain Brumont, France ($8)

2005 Chateau Riotor Rose, Cote de Provence, France ($7)

Bill $214 for 4 people

Posters from France

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Seafood at the Beach: New Year's Day Fish n Chips, Dee Why (1 Jan 2011)

12A The Strand, Dee Why NSW 2099

First beer & lunch for new year

New Year's Day has become my first swim of the year followed by a fish and chips lunch and a game of bocce with friends — hopefully the traditional will continue. Seafood at the Beach seems to have quite a monopoly at Dee Why beach and hence a 30 minute wait for your order is not uncommon when busy as it was today. My basic Fish and chips ($11) had a sizable amount of fish and a fairly thin batter although could have been a bit crispier. The higher priced Grilled barramundi with chips ($17) and Grilled perch and chips ($19) looked quite nice. After a short walk to the park the decently sized Grilled swordfish with garlic, lemon, parsley, butter and chips ($19) looked pretty soaked with butter. A generous serving of Salt and pepper squid ($9) with it's KFC looking coating was fairly tender but could have been a bit better and less oily. Looking at the menu compared to last year it looks like a few items have gone up in price and some have stayed the same. I was keen to get some oysters but they weren't looking particularly happy in the display counter. Service is frantic in the kitchen and always looks a little stressed so friendliness can be a little hard to come by.

Other visits to Seafood at the Beach:

• 1 Jan 2012 - Grilled fish and chips

• 1 Jan 2011 - Fish and chips, Salt and Pepper Calamari

• 1 Jan 2010 - Fish and chips, Snack Pack, Oysters

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Handy location to beach and park, Lots of menu choices

CONS: Relatively expensive, Long waits when busy, Oysters weren't particularly looking fresh

MUST TRY: Getting oysters from Sydney Fish Market on the way next year or checking out Dee Why Seafoods to compare

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Fish and chips ($11)

Grilled barramundi with chips ($17)

Grilled perch and chips ($19)

Grilled swordfish with garlic, lemon, parsley, butter and chips ($19)

Salt and pepper squid ($9)

First beer of the new year

Menu

Customers waiting for their orders

Display counter — only a few sad looking oysters left

Across the road from the park and beach

My best shot of the day (left)

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Ground Beef RECALLED

Yet another reason we buy local meat....


First Class Foods, Inc of Hawthorne recalls almost 40,000 pounds of ground beef previously distributed to 6 States. This is because of possible Escherichia coli contamination. 


The ground beef is being recalled in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, and Washington. The establishment number of the ground beef is “EST.18895” and they have been producedDecember 7 and December 16.


YUCK -- To read the article and to see if you are one of the six states, click here. 


Thank you J & J for providing my family safe, local meat. Where the cows are grazing and are free to roam. Thank you for not over crowding the cows and giving them enough room where they are standing in their own poop. Thank you !!!! 

Bring in the New Year

Hubby and I decided we wanted to bring in the New Year with a special meal.  Something not normal, for us! Seafood!!!! 

I made this delicious Caribbean Seafood Stew. This was amazing! 

SERIOUSLY --- YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS!!!!

It is quick and easy!!! 

The Ingredients:

2 lbs of  raw seafood (I used 1 lb of wild caught shrimp and 1 lb of mahi mahi pieces)

1 yellow onion, diced

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 TBSP cumin

1 bunch cilantro

1 can coconut milk

3 tomatoes, chopped

1 TBSP Coconut Oil

Sea Salt and Black Pepper

The Directions:

Dice up the stems of the cilantro bunch and set aside. In a large soup pot saute the onions in the coconut oil.  When the onions start to turn brown, add the garlic and the cilantro stems and saute for another 2-3 onions.  Add the tomatoes, cumin, salt and pepper, mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add the seafood and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the seafood is done.  Serve with the cilantro leaves on top as a garnish.

Part of Real Food Wednesday

Meatball

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy 2011!!!! I am looking forward to another WONDERFUL year!

I set Resolutions - don't keep em!  

This year though... I am going to be able to keep mine. 

Here is what 2011 has in store for me! 

** I am going to write in a journal, every day/night!!! I am going to write of my blessings! 

           

 --- Thank you, Twelve Months of Bliss and All Kinds of Goodies, for giving me this idea... I am also going to be writing daily happening of the boys (quotes or sayings). 

** Nutrition and Fitness.

(Vegetables, some fruits, grass fed meat and nuts)

(No dairy, No Grains, No Legumes)

--- We will continue on our eating adventure. (which I will be documenting!)

 I will continue working out and getting back into shape! :)  (which I will also be documenting)  

**I plan on cooking a fish dish at least once a week. 

** I plan on cooking 2 - 3 new (Paleo) dishes a week.  

Why do we choose resolutions that are impossible to keep?? Why do we wait to start a resolution until January 1? Why can't we just start a resolution in March or in September or when the idea comes to us??? 

I think that my resolutions are practical and worth keeping! They are simple enough that after a few weeks, I will still want to keep them. They are challenging at the same time, that I will have to push myself (and remember) to do them! I am excited to start the year and really excited to see if I am able to make it the WHOLE year achieving my goals! 

HERE IS TO 2011!!!!

Almond Meal - just in case you didn't know what I mean.

 I leave my Almonds roughly chopped - personal preference!

Don't over crowd the meatballs. I think I saw that on Rachel Ray once. 

The Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb grass fed ground beef

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced 

2 TBSP Parsley

Garlic Powder

Ground Pepper

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Homemade Tomato Paste

1 cup Almond Meal

The Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, onion, garlic and yellow bell pepper. Add seasonings and mix well!

In a large frying pan add a little Olive Oil. Ball of meat mixture into meatball size. 

Do not add too many meatballs into the pan. 

Brown all sides of the meatballs. 

In a large soup pan add tomato sauce and start to boil. Add brown meatballs to tomato sauce and cook for 10 minutes. 

 

ENJOY!!!!

Join Kimi at The Nourishing Gourmet for her Nourishing Resolutions carnival today, and link up yours!

Tuesday Twister