Beef and herb puff stew, a weigh in, and fun at the beach

Hello again, dear readers. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. We had our first monthly BBQ now held at church on Sunday. It went very well. So well, we need to think about preparing more food next time. To us, that is an excellent result! Now, look above at this stunning sunrise. How blessed am I to have this view every morning! I never take this for granted- it is special.

I love how in the space of a few minutes, the sky goes through so many colour changes. Such a stunning time of the day :)

The weather was very warm yesterday, especially after the overcast morning. After dinner last night, we decided to head to the beach as the tide was coming in- a great chance to swim in clear water.

We ended up at an alcove on the creek side, not too far from the creek mouth. The area was packed- it may have been 5:30 pm but it was still so warm, and many were obviously doing the very same thing as us. Who could blame them- the water was stunning! 

Hubby, bubby, my German teen and I found a spot to park our gear, put on bubby's swimmers, and head to the water. Lets just say, bubby isn't fond of waves-even itty-bitty ones. But she loves sand! Playing, touching, eating- it delighted her. So while hubby sat on the sand with a happy bub, my German teen and I headed into the water for a swim.

The crystal clear water was surprisingly warm after diving in. I could clearly see the bottom, and the scores of fish swimming around my feet. After a while, the many swimmers around us vanished. I hadn't really noticed, as i was enjoying swimming further out. Then I heard my name called. My full name, by hubby. Apparently, there had been a rather large, dark shadow swimming only a few metres from me-within 5 metres. Strangely, I wasn't scared. In fact, at one point as I was swimming deeper and further out, the thought of sharks crossed my mind, but I felt no fear. Apparently, everyone else did- expect my German teen.

My first real swim for ages, and a dark shadow scared people out of the water. As you can see, I wasn't bothered! 

To be honest, except that I am responsible for the safety and well being of my teen, if it was a shark, they aren't likely to purposely target people. No one got hurt, and for the most part, in clear water with plenty of daylight, and with an abundance of fish, humans are safe. 

 My sweet little beach babe, enjoying the taste and texture of an afternoon at the beach :)

I jumped on the scales this morn. I wasn't sure what to expect. I went swimming yesterday in size 8 shorts and a new hot pink swimmers. The shorts were a little snug on my hips, but fitted great everywhere else. I have had a few naughty food days where I have eaten to stay awake. Not bad food, just too much starchy/ carb meals. Imagine my relief when I stepped on the scales and saw this...

...still 60kg's. I'm relieved, and motivated to get back on track. I want those swimming shorts to be looser on my hips!

Breaky this morning was big and healthy. I was starving, and had to fill my belly with good nutrients... 

 My salmon slice and a green yoghurt smoothy. A great way to start the day and satisfy a rumbling tum. 

To make the green smoothy:

2/3 cup baby spinach leaves

1 scoop barley green powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon natural fibre mix (or LSA)

1/2 cup plain yoghurt

water.

Blend.

I needed a nutritious breaky- I had big plans for today. I am pleased to say, I have fulfilled all I set out to do. Satisfaction right there. The things I accomplished went a little like this...

• Put away the weeks worth of folded washing scattered all over my bedroom and walk in robe. Check!
• Clean the fish tank and change the water. Check!
• Do 3 loads of washing and hang them out. Check!
• Find the illustrations for my kids book, Mardi Loves Lipstick! and scan/save ready to upload later onto Hank & Petal blog. Check! 
• Organise to see a friend in relation to a photo with my art work and ask her how it has impacted her, and her work. Check! Interview/ photo done this afternoon :)
• Make something filling for dinner out of the organic beef strips I purchased on special. Check!

I am quite pleased about my efforts today. This was despite the fact that the storm that hit last night cut the power for a few hours after 1am-ish, leaving hubby wired and talkative, me hot and grumpy with no fans and interrupting what could have been a brilliant sleep, as bubby barely stirred. I have been super tired today. But I chose not to let it stop me. I may need to apologise more to hubby for being so snappy today however :) 

And now, lets talk dinner. This is what  felt like making the family for 

Family Dinner Night: 

Beef and Herb Puff Stew.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

Base:

1 medium zucchini, roughly chopped

1 carrot, roughly chopped,

1 stick celery, chopped

1/2 red onion, roughly chopped

500gms beef strips

salt/pepper/sweet paprika

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon tamari or soy

300mls stock (I used my home made lamb stock)

1 dessert spoon plain four

1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil

Herb Puffs: 

1 cup unbleached SR flour

60mls olive oil

1 tbsp each fresh chopped parsley and thyme

1 egg

1/3 cup grated cheese

1/4 cup milk

salt 

Method:
Heat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Cook meat in batches in butter/olive oil mix. Put aside.

Cook veg in same pan juices. Stir frequently 'til softened slightly.

Add meat back, stir. Add stock, seasoning and stir. Simmer for several minutes. Add 1 dessert spoon of flour mixed with water to the meat. Stir through, turn of heat.
Place in a baking dish.

To make the puffs:
In a bowl, place flour and mix in 60mls of olive oil with a spatula until it resembles crumbs. 
Add milk, herbs, cheese and mix thoroughly.
The mix may be sticky. 
Roll into balls and cover top of meat base.
Cook in oven for 35 minutes, or until puffs are golden and have risen.

The veg, roughly chopped and ready to cook.

The first stage of the puffs- olive oil mixed into the flour.

The remaining ingredients about ready to be mixed in.

The stew ready to go into the oven...

...and 35 minutes later. If only you could smell this!

The feedback was definitely do it again, but add more gravy to the meat and some more veg. I need a larger baking dish. How sad, I must go shopping for kitchen needs :) 

There, another day done! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have writing it for you. Remember, feedback appreciated, and welcome. Stay tuned, I have more planned for you soon.

Thanks for reading :)