A Day Late...

Never before has the saying "A day late and a dollar short"  had more meaning than after a conversation I had with my kids last weekend.  We were 15 minutes in on a 4 hour car ride at 3 a.m. to a swim meet in Evansville.  My plan of them falling asleep backfired when I glanced n the rear view mirror and saw 2 pair of eyes staring back at me.  They were in a chatty mood and I needed to lull them back to sleep.  Nothing better to do that than talking to them.

I asked them what holiday family traditions they liked the best.  I told them Christmas was off limits, I wanted them to really think about it.  I should have gotten my first warning sign when it took the two of them a while to come up with something.  I waited and after a few minutes one of them said that they love hunting for Easter eggs at their grandparents houses.  They do this every year and each year seems to be more exciting than the last. 

The other one asked why we never hide Easter eggs at our house.  Before I could answer my oldest son reminded his brother of the year that I wanted to host the annual egg hunt.   I diligently filled 100 plastic eggs with little trinkets and coins.  I really thought I was thinking ahead.  I hid them where the boys could never find them.  I think you may guess how this story ends...I didn't find them until the next year when I was cleaning out a closet in the garage.

I often put off decorating for holidays until it is almost too late.  There is just something about hauling out all of that stuff that clutters the house that I despise.  I find myself feeling the need to bribe my children into not wanting a spooky graveyard for Halloween or two separate Christmas trees for them to decorate. I haven't won yet. 

I asked them if they remembered the year I made a green breakfast  in honor of St. Patricks Day.  I was pretty sure that they didn't but of course they proved me wrong.  Last year, I thought I was being so clever.  Without telling them prior to the day I had decided that I was going to make them an all green breakfast complete with green dishes and even green milk.  I thought I had finally arrived...I was now one of those Moms that remember holidays and do something extra special to commemorate it.

So that morning I prepare their breakfast and go to wake them up.  I am so excited to show them and say "See,  I remembered BEFORE the day of not after the fact".  The confused look on my husbands face should have registered with me but in my child like excitement I overlooked it.

I ushered them over to the table and waited for their response with baited breath.  They both just stood there with a blank look on their faces.  I said "Hey guys! I remembered that today was St. Patrick's day and I made a green breakfast".  Nothing.  No response.  Finally my 7 year old walked over to me, took my hand, and said "Mom, green eggs and ham is for Dr. Suess' birthday and that was last month".

The lesson I learned from that day was that I need to quit worrying about whether or not I have every little thing right all of the time.  There is so little that is remembered after the dust of that day settles.  We all had a good laugh and that is what they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.  That their Mother was not afraid to laugh at her mistake and we all did that day together, as a family.

This is a new twist on an old favorite meal, Beef Stew.  In keeping with the upcoming holiday, St. Patricks Day, I have made mine using Guinness Draught beer.  Nothing more Irish than that.  This pairs nicely with traditional Irish Soda bread.


Guinness Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak tips, cut into 1 inch pieces
salt and fresh pepper
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
2-3 large carrots, peeled and sliced thin
2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed (may also use 1 medium onion chopped)
1/4 all purpose flour
2 cups low sodium beef broth or stock
1 cup Guinness Draught

Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking.  Next, add the beef and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook beef until well browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.
Melt butter in the now-empty pot.  Add carrots, potatoes, onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
Stir in broth, beer and beef, along with any accumulated juices, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until beef and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.




With 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time this is a fast and satisfying dinner!



Guinness stew and Irish soda bread.  A good combination.

I used potatoes but you could easily use parsnips instead.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread 

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened (make sure it is room temperature)
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease a cookie sheet or use parchment paper.
In a large bowl add flour, sugar, powder, soda and salt and margarine.  Stir in the buttermilk and egg.
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead slightly.
Form dough into a round and place on prepared cookie sheet.
In a small bowl combine the melted butter with the remaining buttermilk.  Brush lightly over the top of the dough.  With a knife make an X on the top and place in the oven.
Bake for 40-50 minutes. Brush with the reserved buttermilk mixture every 10 minutes or so if desired
Bread is done when a tooth pick comes out clean.

                                     This bread is good warm but also the day after baking.

Buttermilk gives this crusty loaf a good flavor.

This bread was very easy to make and can be made a day in advance.