I still want that moment though. That is where the food comes in. I remember way back when I was a SAHM I would plan holiday meals for weeks. I don't have the time for that now, but I still enjoy throwing something together. I am not sure what I will make for the family party or Christmas with the kids yet. I did make a lovely lamb stew for after shopping. I used my new french/dutch oven. It was so easy and so good, like a celebration all on its own.
Lamb stew
1lb lamb stew meat*
1 onion chopped*
couple handfulls of carrots and potatoes* cut up
1 box of beef broth
~1 c red wine, I used a semi-sweet leftover from Thanksgiving
1 clove garlic crushed
herb de provence
splash of oil
dusting of flour to coat meat
salt to taste
*local products purchased at MooRoo in Waterloo
I coated the lamb with the flour and seared it with the garlic in oil. I removed the meat and added the vegetable to the pot to bring out the sugars. After about five minutes I added the broth and wine, scraping the bottom to deglase and bring the flavors into the broth. I then added back in the meat and the seasonings before placing into a preheated oven set at 450. I let it cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.
I served it with cottage bread* and butter*. I was half into my second bowl before I could stop to get a picture.