Beef Stew with Beer and Horseradish

Many of you may think our sunny San Diego weather something akin to that of Honolulu, but let me assure you that is certainly not true...

While I may have been able to walk along the beach this morning, enjoying those light ocean breezes, recently I've had to start wearing long sleeves.  In addition, I've had to shut the windows at night (well, all except for a little crack - some fresh air is necessary to sleep...).  And I've found frost on the grass in the morning on more than one occasion, and believe me, my feet are absolutely freezing when I take the pups out on said morning with bare feet.  (Goodness... that  39º concrete is darn cold at 6 AM).  All I can say is thank goodness for for my beloved seat warmer as I drop the kids at school.

In all seriousness... I do chuckle at the number of people wrapped in ski jackets, scarves, hats and gloves as we walk along the beach with temps in the mid 60's.  One can always tell the "out of towners" as they are comfortable in t-shirts and even shorts.  San Diego Sissies?  Yes... we are!!

Such dire weather where one is chilled to the bone calls for extreme measures... such as a steamy bowl of stew.  Filled with tender beef and soft veggies, this beer spiked, horseradish flavored version had the entire family (even picky Liv) asking for seconds.  Mushrooms add wonderful flavor and texture while the horseradish gains somewhat of a sweetness and loses its bite as it stews over time.

So as we enter this chilly new year and continue into the dead of winter, break out your pot and stew yourself up a bowl of warming goodness.  Your chilly bones will thank you...

Black Bean Stew with Butternut Squash

It was a dark and stormy night, wind shrieked past the corners of the stuccoed dwelling splattering the driving rain onto the freshly washed windows.  When, oh when would she learn to wait until April to wash those panes of glass which so lovingly let the coveted morning light shine into the familial home (for it is in San Diego that our scene lies).  

But in San Diego it doesn't rain, or it hadn't rained much more than the usual 10 inches or so annually until a year ago when the family obtained the two tiny balls of white Maltese fluff... the same fluffs who don't care to get their manicured toes wet when it's time to "do their business".  The same fluffs who stand outside past bedtime on the soggy lawn (but not alone... no never alone...) with the somewhat impatient mother whose hair is wet even with the hooded protection of a somewhat too thin jacket.  She stands there, coaxing the little fluffs, telling them that it will be a long night and that they should "go" now.  But they are more interested in the flying leaves and the strange feeling of wind and rain on their teddy bear-like faces.  Finally they are done and the mother returns with the wet and "not-so fluffy" Maltese fluffs to the warm and aromatic house.

Aromas of beef and chili spices envelope the warm rooms of the house, for the mother had known it was going to storm and what better way to beat the unbearable (yes... it was in the low 50's...brrrr) cold on a stormy day than a hearty stew?  Filled with vibrant butternut squash the stew was visually a sight for cold eyes.  Chipotle chiles and a slightly spicy chili powder brought a warmth other than the actual physical heat of the dish, and the cilantro and pepper jack cheese brought a Mexican Chili-like flair to the steaming bowl of goodness.  Pearl barley added a healthy fiber to the flavorful mix and the tender chunks of grass fed beef made the husband's spirits soar.

With full bellies and happy heads, the family slept through the remainder of the storm awaking to gleaming but streaky windows and welcoming a new day.

Beef Stew with Red Wine and Mushrooms

I'm not usually one to plan ahead, but this morning had a busy day in front of me and I actually put a Beef Stew on the stove shortly after breakfast.  Letting it simmer away while I finished up the dishes and other little chores, I got a head start on dinner.  I do have a crock pot, however, I frequently forget to use it - as I did this morning!  But I'm certain that this would be one of those crock pot recipes that would come out perfectly.

Browned beef, sauteed onions and garlic enhanced with a robust red wine and a touch of thyme give this simmering stew a mouthwatering scent that meanders its way throughout the house.  A side of crusty bread to sop up the juices is a nice addition to this one pot chill chaser!

A forgiving recipes that works well with what you have on hand, I have to admit that I have never really measured what I toss in, but the results have always been just fine!