In my home it was always busy with family and friends. I come
from a large family 5 brothers and 2 sisters. I however felt as though I
was the only child. You see there was six years between me and the
rest of the kids. Didn’t really get to know them all that well. But
they were always around and they seemed to all click. They all seemed
to have so much in common. How I wished many times I could fit into
their thoughts and feelings about things of life. Maybe we would be
closer now.
Every weekend someone would come to visit and stay just for supper or maybe even over night. It was great just the same. I was always more than willing to help mom in the kitchen. Even though my siblings got along they never seemed to see the need in the kitchen before and even after supper when it was time to clean up. They just seemed to slip away undetected. Guess who was always available? Doing dishes was not my favourite part of entertaining and it still isn’t.
Mealtimes have always been an important part of our family because of the way I was brought up and the way my husband was as well. It surprises me how many families today who do not eat together. How do they get to know one another. At our table it was always a buzz of daily events. Our kids looked forward to mealtime in order to express themselves and be part of satisfying meal. Everyone of our children had some part to play at mealtime. These kids always enjoyed being in the kitchen from a very early age. Our oldest was just 2 when I recall him helping make cookies, bread and all kinds of other treats. He just loved it. Jason is a fine cook in his own right. He is very comfortable in his own kitchen and in others as well. Him and his wife love to entertain and share his culinary skills with others. This is what is so important is the sharing good food and yes perhaps a glass of good red wine as well. These things are what create memories for ourselves and others. With so much violence and negativity in the world around us why not take time to share a good meal with friends and family. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy just tasty and simple. You don’t want to have to be in the kitchen constantly preparing. You want to enjoy the company around you. Have them help, it won’t hurt them. More than likely they will enjoy that part as well. Remember to keep it simple Jesus himself said to a friend of his “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one.” Here is a recipe that is great for entertaining with friends or family. It is simple and very tasty. I know you will enjoy it .
Burgundy Meatball Stew
2 lb ground beef
1 cup fine soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 egg
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
1 can (14 oz/398 ml) tomato sauce
1 can (10 oz/284 ml beef bouillon
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup water
16 very small white onions (or 8 larger, halved)
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes
4 carrots, cut in 1- inch chunks
1/2 small mushrooms (optional)
chopped fresh parsley
Combine beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper and thyme; shape into 1-1/2 inch meatballs.
Put on lined baking pan and broil for about 6 - 8 minutes on each side. Be careful to keep an eye on them so as not to over cook.
Put in large baking dish along with rest of the ingredients. Cover and bake at 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Carrots can be stubborn. During last 15 minutes of baking, thicken sauce with 2 tbsp flour mixed into 1/2 cup cold water.
Stew may be kept hot in 200 degree oven for about 1 hour. Add more water if needed. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Makes 6-8 servings.
I served this meal to some special guests one time. They were over whelmed by the aroma that the wine gives. The comment made was “What is that special ingredient” They were referring to the wine. Little did they know the special ingredient really was love.
Every weekend someone would come to visit and stay just for supper or maybe even over night. It was great just the same. I was always more than willing to help mom in the kitchen. Even though my siblings got along they never seemed to see the need in the kitchen before and even after supper when it was time to clean up. They just seemed to slip away undetected. Guess who was always available? Doing dishes was not my favourite part of entertaining and it still isn’t.
Mealtimes have always been an important part of our family because of the way I was brought up and the way my husband was as well. It surprises me how many families today who do not eat together. How do they get to know one another. At our table it was always a buzz of daily events. Our kids looked forward to mealtime in order to express themselves and be part of satisfying meal. Everyone of our children had some part to play at mealtime. These kids always enjoyed being in the kitchen from a very early age. Our oldest was just 2 when I recall him helping make cookies, bread and all kinds of other treats. He just loved it. Jason is a fine cook in his own right. He is very comfortable in his own kitchen and in others as well. Him and his wife love to entertain and share his culinary skills with others. This is what is so important is the sharing good food and yes perhaps a glass of good red wine as well. These things are what create memories for ourselves and others. With so much violence and negativity in the world around us why not take time to share a good meal with friends and family. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy just tasty and simple. You don’t want to have to be in the kitchen constantly preparing. You want to enjoy the company around you. Have them help, it won’t hurt them. More than likely they will enjoy that part as well. Remember to keep it simple Jesus himself said to a friend of his “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one.” Here is a recipe that is great for entertaining with friends or family. It is simple and very tasty. I know you will enjoy it .
Burgundy Meatball Stew
2 lb ground beef
1 cup fine soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 egg
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
1 can (14 oz/398 ml) tomato sauce
1 can (10 oz/284 ml beef bouillon
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup water
16 very small white onions (or 8 larger, halved)
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes
4 carrots, cut in 1- inch chunks
1/2 small mushrooms (optional)
chopped fresh parsley
Combine beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper and thyme; shape into 1-1/2 inch meatballs.
Put on lined baking pan and broil for about 6 - 8 minutes on each side. Be careful to keep an eye on them so as not to over cook.
Put in large baking dish along with rest of the ingredients. Cover and bake at 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Carrots can be stubborn. During last 15 minutes of baking, thicken sauce with 2 tbsp flour mixed into 1/2 cup cold water.
Stew may be kept hot in 200 degree oven for about 1 hour. Add more water if needed. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Makes 6-8 servings.
I served this meal to some special guests one time. They were over whelmed by the aroma that the wine gives. The comment made was “What is that special ingredient” They were referring to the wine. Little did they know the special ingredient really was love.
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