Maybe the Dingo ate your Le Creuset...

Today began with a relatively uneventful start.  But, I suppose that is a very good thing to say considering it is only Tuesday...same-old, same-old in these here parts!  As like any other day, E.V. and I ventured to the park where she felt an obligation to roll around in the sand.  She tells me it was strictly for pleasure, however I totally know she had a secret objective...she did it simply because I had just vacuumed and felt it necessary to litter the house with sand.  Who doesn't want sand all over their carpeting??  I know most people just love, love, love sand all over the house!  It's like living at the beach!!  Well, I have decided...just THIS once, I will forgive her.  Maybe she really did have an itchy back or something.  Regardless, here she is chillin' in the sand!  It's a shame we weren't on the coast...or in Belize...they have gorgeous sand!

"Mama...I love this sand!  But, could you please hand me a tissue?  I really could use a tissue!"

After the outing, I returned to the apartment to begin the evening meal.  Allow me to commence with a brief explanation...well, it probably won't be brief, because I am seldom brief when it comes to words, but regardless...I felt the need...  I just don't know why!  Where was I???  Oh, yes, explaining my meal.  It is summer.  One would equate summer with flip-flops and sundresses, not Uggs and yoga pants.  For some unspecified reason, we seem to be the only area within the continental United States that is not suffering through some sort of heat wave.  It is actually cold here.  Yep, cold and wet.  Sometimes the sun will make a brief appearance...but he's still a stranger in these-here parts!  Well, as I digress...I presume I should get back to my point.  Ummm, yeah...my point...  That's right!  Dinner!!  I made braised short ribs.  Actually, just one rib since it was for one and I couldn't possibly eat two ribs.  It is a little 'comfort-foody' for summer, but (and here is the weather connection...I told you I had a point!), considering how it's been, it was a perfect dish!

"We're so excited we were rescued from the grocery store.  It won't be long now until we have fulfilled our destiny...to be part of a delicious dish!  Thank you, Lesley!  You're the greatest!"  Pshawww, thanks guys!  I couldn't have done it without you.

Back to the recipe...which could clearly be doubled or quadrupled, depending on your feeding situation.  Again, as with every other dish, the versatility and flexibility is undoubted.  I diced 3/4 of a carrot, two large crimini mushrooms, 1/2 stalk celery and 1/4 of a red onion.  You could absolutely use a yellow or white onion...I personally prefer the red as far as taste is concerned.  Heck, you could even do a sweet onion, but after a terrible experience five years ago involving sweet onion flavored potato chips, I can't do a sweet onion.  I'll spare you the details.  Trust me, you'll thank me for my discretion later.  It wasn't a very pleasant experience.  Now that we've addressed onion preferences,  shall discuss the remainder of the ingredients photographed?!?!  Browned prosciutto, red wine, beef stock, and fresh herbs.  No one ever wants to forget the fresh herbs!  They make the world go 'round!  Well...I did also have a beef short rib.  We wouldn't want to leave the star of the dish out of the picture!

I browned the prosciutto in my Le Creuset...an overkill to say the least, especially for one lonely, old short rib, but I was not about to pass up the opportunity to use a cooking vessel as precious as my Le Creuset.  Le Creuset, Le Creuset...maybe the dingo ate your Le Creuset.  hahahahaha.  Remember that line???   This is the part where I would have inserted a photo of said Le Creuset...but something has gone awry and I can't load photos... Don't worry, though.  I'll save it and post it later!  :-)

Once the proscuitto was browned, I removed and browned the short rib that I had dredged in flour and spices.  After that process was finished, I removed and added my diced vegetables, cooking until softened.  Once they were soft, I deglazed with the wine and added the stock, herbs, pepper and the rib.  I placed it in the oven at 350 degrees and cooked for an hour.  If you were to make a normal-sized portion, you would want to cook at least two hours.  I removed an placed all atop some mashed potatoes.

Check out my new plate!  A break from the squares.

I have to say, it was quite delicious.  The broth is amazing.  You could always be a total fancy-pants and strain the liquid..but the little veggies made it taste even that much better.

Talk about utilizing all aspects of the meat...once I was finished...E.V. was able to enjoy the bone.  Yum!

"Thanks, Mama!  This bone is better than one from the store!  I'll be sure and thank you later by rubbing your feet.  Oh, wait.  That's right...I don't have thumbs!  I guess you'll just have to miss out!  Sorry.  My bad." 

If ever there was a time I wish she had thumbs...it's right about now.  That and at 3am when she needs to go out to the bathroom.  If she could walk herself, I'd be set for life!  Hahahaha.  I will close by saying thanks again for joining us!