Dymetrie
05-07-2007, 23:13
It all began back in the heady days of 11am this morning.
There was me, innocently sat at my computer having taken the day off work due to 'illness'...
What should I consume this even for yummy din dins?
Haggis! Haggis say I!
Tempting.
Stew and Dumplings!
Sold!
And so it was that I found myself wending my merry way to Tesco in Leytonstoneville in order to buy ingredients for the aforementioned feast.
Upon arriving home I saw that there was washing up to be done. I twisted the tap of warmness to find, much to my dismay, that it was merely spewing forth tepid. Verily did I spank the **** out of the boiler until it started working and eschewing water of the hot variety with which I could make my kitchen clean again. Meanwhile I took it upon myself to load the dishwasher so that at least some of my items could be cleansed.
However, dear friends, I digress and should therefore concentrate on the telling of the tale which has led to my being here.
Grasping my trusty blade I set about hacking up some steak. I removed the larger chunks of fat an gristle (being sure to leave enough fat to ensure flavour would pour forth from the meat) until I was presented with this quivering pile...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0406.jpg
Next I set about a bag of shallots, peeling, harassing, chopping so that I could produce this pile of shakiness!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0407.jpg
Once prepared I melted a full chunk of butter in a pan and added the chopped goodness. Once browned I added some flour to bind (them all in the darkness) before about 3 pints of water.
Mmmmm.... Yellowy....
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0408.jpg
I cooked this abomination for an hour before I realised the true way to a stew's heart....
Wine...
The colouring became much better (especially when combined with leek and carrots):
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0409.jpg
Once the stew was within the realms of acceptability I decided to sort out the, wait for it, DUMPLINGS!
A little bit too much water in the mix methinks :$
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0410.jpg
However, once added to the stew and allowed some time to mutate they became much healthier!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0411.jpg
Once finally cooked I squeezed the meal for 4 into 2 soup plates for me and Harry to eat out of...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0412.jpg
It wasn't long before we'd made proper pigs of ourselves and had scoffed the lot!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0413.jpg
Verdict:
I shan't be eating again until August!
There was me, innocently sat at my computer having taken the day off work due to 'illness'...
What should I consume this even for yummy din dins?
Haggis! Haggis say I!
Tempting.
Stew and Dumplings!
Sold!
And so it was that I found myself wending my merry way to Tesco in Leytonstoneville in order to buy ingredients for the aforementioned feast.
Upon arriving home I saw that there was washing up to be done. I twisted the tap of warmness to find, much to my dismay, that it was merely spewing forth tepid. Verily did I spank the **** out of the boiler until it started working and eschewing water of the hot variety with which I could make my kitchen clean again. Meanwhile I took it upon myself to load the dishwasher so that at least some of my items could be cleansed.
However, dear friends, I digress and should therefore concentrate on the telling of the tale which has led to my being here.
Grasping my trusty blade I set about hacking up some steak. I removed the larger chunks of fat an gristle (being sure to leave enough fat to ensure flavour would pour forth from the meat) until I was presented with this quivering pile...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0406.jpg
Next I set about a bag of shallots, peeling, harassing, chopping so that I could produce this pile of shakiness!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0407.jpg
Once prepared I melted a full chunk of butter in a pan and added the chopped goodness. Once browned I added some flour to bind (them all in the darkness) before about 3 pints of water.
Mmmmm.... Yellowy....
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0408.jpg
I cooked this abomination for an hour before I realised the true way to a stew's heart....
Wine...
The colouring became much better (especially when combined with leek and carrots):
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0409.jpg
Once the stew was within the realms of acceptability I decided to sort out the, wait for it, DUMPLINGS!
A little bit too much water in the mix methinks :$
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0410.jpg
However, once added to the stew and allowed some time to mutate they became much healthier!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0411.jpg
Once finally cooked I squeezed the meal for 4 into 2 soup plates for me and Harry to eat out of...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0412.jpg
It wasn't long before we'd made proper pigs of ourselves and had scoffed the lot!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/dymetrie/Dyms%20Dumplings/DSCF0413.jpg
Verdict:
I shan't be eating again until August!