Brrrhhh !!!

It's what we are feeling right now..today is only Nov 22 and its already 4 degrees outside as shown on the thermometer in our house..This will be my first winter here since I never ever experience the real coldness of winter..except aircon.

However, it seem to arrive into Genoa too early this year...lucky Mr L insist that we should start my winter clothes purchases early so as to prepare myself for the coming cold season.

Snowing is seen everywhere now in Italy especially at the North...the forecast says it will be in Genoa soon .. :(

Instead of going out to the weekly Saturday market, we decided to spend the whole of our morning doing housework since we are already half dead during weekdays to do anything.

While Mr L is doing his own portion of the housework, I should say he is really good at it (we split our housework chores in fact), I decided to sneak into the kitchen and cook a pot of beef stew to reward him and which at the same time it also warmed us too !

Serve only 3 :

3 tbsp olive oil (also ok with normal oil)
300g of beef chunks
2-3 garlic (chopped)
2-3 small onions (sliced)
2-3 medium size Carrots (sliced)
Celery 200 g (Sliced)
5-6 White button mushrooms (sliced)
2 tbsp Tomato paste
1 can of whole tomato
4-5 medium size potato (cut into bite size cubes)
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Paprika
2 tbsp of flour
Black Olives (as u wish)
Chopped Parsley (as u wish)
2 tbsp Green peas
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cooking cream (if you want thicker soup), if not cornstarch works too!
Water / Vegetable stock enough to cover the ingredients


Method:

1) Prepare all the ingredients as above
2) Coat the beef chunks with flour and shake off extra flour. Set aside
3) Heat the 1 tbsp olive oil (better in a non-stick pan) and add in the beef to stir fry till brown. Remove and set aside
4) Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil, add in garlic, stir for 2 mins, add in onions..
5) After onions are little brown, add in the beef.
6) Add the tomato paste and whole tomate and stir for 5 mins. Do not let the pot stick.
7) Add in potatoes, celery, carrots, peas, mushrooms, parsley (leave some for garnish) & black olives, salt, pepper, oregano & paprika. Cover and let it boil for one hour.
8) Stir and taste and season more if necessary.
9) Its done & ready to serve !

From this face, I can tell he is enjoying as he keeps saying 'Mmm..buono, buono...ciccia' !

Also made some la frittata di banana..(also known as banana pancake), a twist & an easier recipe to banana cake..

Ingredients (Serve 2)

60 g all-purpose flour
1 g salt
25 g white sugar
60 ml milk
2 eggs
2 large bananas, sliced
30 ml vegetable oil
7 g butter

Method:

1) In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly, until a smooth batter is formed. Add the eggs, one at time, stirring well each addition. Stir in sliced bananas.

2) Heat oil and butter in a nine inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour the mixture in by spoonfuls, spreading the mixture evenly across the pan. When the bottom has turned a golden brown turn the frittata and cook over low heat until golden brown on the other side. Sprinkle with icing sugar or Nutella. Serve warm.

Here is the end product..

Now, I feel less stress after cooking as I no longer need to handwash all the dishes anymore, as my sweet hubby has bought us a new dishwasher so that his wifey can have an easier life....muuuaccckkkkss to you ciccio...ti amoooo tanto !!!

All I have to do is to rinse everything with water and phew, phew and phew (means throw :p) into the dishwasher and all will be done in approx 1.40 mins time..varies depending on the load.

I told my mamma and I think she is already very tempted to get one....my poor daddy, his pocket will have another big hole soon...coz he just bought a vaccuum cleaner for her after their visit here early this summer and witness how easy is to clean the house with a vacuum cleaner...

Mmmm...so happy now as we are full, warm...and housework is complete!!

Can't be more satisfied than this....