Monday

Revelations, Revamps and Ragu




For breakfast this morning we all sat around a skillet of bacon rashers, square sausage, ripened tomatoes and huge black mushrooms sizzling evenly in the salty goodness of which the bacon had originally arrived. We each tore great white dods of fluffy bread apart as we dipped it into the auld copper pan and tasted the full flavour of the rashers. Nothing follows bacon better than a good strong pot of tea. We indulged ourselves with tea and the family about us as we chatted and turned over the current excitement that has filled our abode rapidly over the last few months. Our task for the morning was to make a list of all the things that we are to bring along for the new place in the sun and the items that would not be suitable and might look out of place. For those that are unaware, it may come as a bit of an oul shock to discover that a devout atheist such as myself would choose to live in a converted chapel. There now, you might possibly know something personal about me at last. I have done for many years since. You do not have to believe in an entity to appreciate fine architecture, vaulted ceilings and solid green oak beams about your head. I'm sure that even Jaysus would appreciate the way in which we have put down the odd rug and thrown a bit of paint about the walls. At this point we should pause for reflection and allow Mr Pewfodder to wipe up the spilled coffee that he has just spat onto his keyboard. Strangely enough my feet are beginning to stiffen, perhaps it is the beginning of me turning into a pillar of salt. Blasphemer Chef! Aye, I'd probably go along with that.

The thing is though, solid oak furniture and the usual customary décor that befits our chapel home does not fit well with open plan Spanish white walls and clean lines, not to mention glass viewing windows facing the Med. Dilemma. Actually no. Siobhan and my daughters have offered to step in and save the day. The list was a waste of time. Everything will remain in situ at this end for our return at Christmas and Hogmanay. Why cart furniture halfway around Europe when you have women in the house prepared to go on ahead and shop till they drop? Aye, that'll be right! Even someone who has taken as many blows to the head as masel is no going to agree with that, eh? No, we are going to go revisit our past. When we moved into our tiny first home as newlyweds we had very little, but we found infinite pleasure hunting for bargains of cast off furniture and hand-me-down knick knacks. Money was extremely hard to come by and there wasn't such a vast array of beautiful items available as there is today. We were happy just being together and sharing the sofa which had been previously owned by my family (since 1756 if the stains were anything to go by) and watching the damp grow mushrooms on the window sill brought us closer together. Lean times they might have been, but happy times indeed, without question. We intend to enjoy many more happy days while we are still fit and able. Meanwhile, here is something enjoyable and tasty to keep yourselves busy in your kitchen as I go about arranging rescue for the little singing fella. It would appear that his VW camper has broken down 30km this side of Galway City and herself is busting for the loo.

He should never have sold his pushbike.


Ragu alla Contadina

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (45 ml)
2 ounces/60g pancetta, finely chopped
1 medium red onion, diced
1 medium stalk celery with leaves, diced
1 small carrot, diced
1 large handful of sweetcorn
4 ounces/125g boneless veal shoulder or round
4 ounces/125g pork loin, trimmed of fat, or 4 ounces/125g mild Italian sausage (made without fennel)
8 ounces/250g beef skirt steak, hanging tender, or boneless chuck blade or chuck centre cut (in order of preference)
1 ounce/30g thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma
2/3 cup (5 ounces/160ml) dry red wine
1 & 1/2 cups (12 ounces/375ml) chicken or beef stock (homemade if possible)
2 cups (16 ounces/500ml) semi skimmed milk
3 tins plum tomatoes, drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a 12 inch (30cm) skillet (frying pan) over medium-high heat. Have a large saucepan handy to use once browning is complete. Add the pancetta and minced vegetables and sauté, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, 10 minutes, or until the onions barely begin to colour. Coarsely grind all the meats together, including the prosciutto, in a food processor or meat grinder. Stir into the pan and slowly brown over medium heat. First the meats will give off a liquid and turn dull grey but, as the liquid evaporates, browning will begin. Stir often, scooping under the meats with the wooden spatula. Protect the brown glaze forming on the bottom of the pan by turning the heat down. Cook 15 minutes, or until the meats are a deep brown. Turn the contents of the skillet into a strainer and shake out the fat. Turn them into the saucepan and set over medium heat.

Add the wine to the skillet, lowering the heat so the sauce bubbles quietly. Stir occasionally until the wine has reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Scrape up the brown glaze as the wine bubbles. Then pour the reduced wine into the saucepan and set the skillet aside. At this point myself and the delightful daisyfae usually open the second bottle and swally the contents before continuing.
Stir ½ cup stock into the saucepan and let it bubble slowly, 10 minutes, or until totally evaporated. Repeat with another ½ cup stock. Stir in the last 1/2 cup stock along with the milk. Adjust heat so the liquid bubbles very slowly. Partially cover the pot, and cook 1 hour. Stir frequently to check for sticking. Add the tomatoes, crushing them as they go into the pot. Cook uncovered, at a very slow bubble for another 45 minutes, or until the sauce resembles a thick, meaty stew. Season with sea salt and white pepper. Hopefully, it should look like this.


35 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. The abode and the ragu. Well done on both fronts!

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    1. Mr Earl, the Ragu is complimented by a good bottle or two of red wine, something fruity works best for me.

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  2. You have a very lovely home.
    As a matter of fact, I too have had dreams of purchasing an old church.
    The architecture on some i've looked at is stunning!
    But i'm not shocked that you live in one.
    From all i've read of you, you have a keen sense of style and a wonderful appreciation of fine things.

    Happy furniture hunting blasphemer! ;D

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    1. It's not all sunshine and roses living in such a building, conditions are attached in regard to changes to external structure, stained glass for the windows and worst of all roaming rights for the land it sits upon. I do appreciate fine things, that much is true, but that wasn't always the case.

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  3. I'll try this...for once I can get all the ingredients.

    We're about to start furnishing our house in the capital...but - culture shock! Costa Ricans throw nothing out and what expat Americans returning to the USA put up for sale is top dollar for crap....

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    1. Ah, dear Fly, may I suggest you trawl the antique markets in Europe? Shipping costs are not as expensive as you might think. I will admit that during the course of my trade I have excellent access to reclamation yards containing many, many wonderful treasures that can be brought back to life with hard work and a wee bit of love.

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    2. If you have any suggestions for shipping firms...please tell me. I've four storeys of stuff to bring across, let alone scouring the yards - which is where a lot of the four storeys came from...

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    3. Helen, the best advice I can offer is the internet for your part of the world. I use a Dutch shipping company based out of Ireland for delicate items, not cheap, but necessary when it comes to getting things there in one piece.

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    4. Yes, getting things there is one piece is the problem with most of the companies that serve Costa Rica...and it pays you to stand over the customs official with a big stick to persuade him to keep his hands to himself.

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  4. tried to post a comment earlier, but something bounced... perhaps it's even a remote and etherial connection between me and a church building that causes some sort of cosmic storm. me and churches don't mix well... but i love what you've done with the place! have always appreciated the architecture!

    perhaps a silly question - are those cables hanging from the rafters part of the lighting fixtures? connected to giant bells? or just part of the trapeze system that you crazy pagans use for your equinox-orgies?

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    1. It would seem that lightning has been sent your way sweet cheeks, this can only be due to the fact that you are my online mistress and Ghod is determined to punish you. The only escape for you is to remain naked at all times and wear a large aluminium foil hat.

      I will need photies to substantiate the fact that you are complying with Ghod's will.

      The cables are in place for bizarre satanic rituals, which are performed every second Tuesday, unless it is raining of course.

      ....Lighting actually.

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  5. A lovely tranquil place. The sky lights are a brain wave.
    Not a total surprise to me - a hint was the church door some time back. I'm relieved you are keeping a foothold. Sounds like the life of Riley:)

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    1. Dear lady, more to do with the one or two Riley's that over the last decade or so have worked hard along with the Donnelly's, O'Connell's, Brady's and the Quinn's. As you know more than most, the only spoon in my mouth during my childhood was wooden and contained mainly bread and scrape. As the mammy was fond of saying, 'what's for you will not go by you'. Laying bricks and digging holes is proof of where there is muck there definitely is brass.

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  6. Square sausage is new to me. I'll keep an eye out for it. Our local breakfast meat delicacy is called either Taylor Ham or Port Roll. Different names for the same item. It's a bit like Canadian bacon. New Jersey only, I'm afraid.

    That's your holiday place?! An architectural marvel. You have done quite well for yourself, sir. Aren't you afraid of bursting into flames as you cross the threshold? It must cost a fortune to heat it.

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    1. UB, square sausage is also known as pork lorne, available in your part of the world according to my younger brother who visits Boston regularly. Ask for it sir, taste a wee slice of Scotland for your good self. And no... our new place is in Alcudia, a rather tasteful place perched up high and overlooking the sea. In fact, a total contrast to the family home.

      Bursting into flames and heating the place seems to solve its own problems actually. Although we did go through a phase where we were burning three priests a week at one point, that was just to heat the dining room too! We had to switch to a log fire after the little pope fella himself rang me at home and asked me to return his priests as there was a definite shortage occurring in Dublin.

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  7. That place is gorgeous, i'd never leave, except of course to get a pint or two... and damn if i don't envy the tales of you and your missus, it's good to know that somethings work out better than they were planned.

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    1. Kono, it wasn't always this way sir. There were darker times when I had nothing but the faith in my making my own way in life without the aid of a lead pipe and brass knuckles.

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  8. Mark 3:29 - But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

    Luke 12:10 - And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

    Revelation 13:6 - And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

    Matthew 12:31-32 - Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Read More...)

    Leviticus 24:10-16 - And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father [was] an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish [woman] and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; (Read More...)

    James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

    Revelation 16:11 - And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

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  9. Pew... 2 or 3 comments from you is funny, even funnier when I enjoy deleting them rather than letting you voice your opinion on my time. However, 42 comments with you ranting and raging and quite obviously making yourself ill with your misplaced loyalty is bordering on insanity. 4,0176 characters is probably the max anyone can use when commenting. You are either unemployed or have an office job in a library where the workload is miniscule. I urge you to seek help. Normally I would not pander to your whims, but on this occasion I truly fear you may harm yourself with your all consuming fervour. Photie removed, calm yourself down.

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    1. Getting soft in yer old age pal! :)

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    2. I shall miss painting those walls! And the fun we had with the ceilings, you on me shoulders... :¬)

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    3. No soft son, I'll still stand my ground against any of life's hard chaws, but baiting the insane is akin to bullying. You know how I feel about bullies, eh?

      As for yis painting... aye, the skirting boards were pure dead brilliant.

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  10. As one whose family believes she would be more comfortable living in 1813, I can attest to the workmanship of older things: our home is 130 years old (the original part) and for years I looked forward to pieces of antique oak furniture.

    As for churches. Our original home was next door to a church with a cemetery. Some people found that creepy. We didn't. When we bought our current (and last as far as I'm concerned!) home it was next to not only a church and cemetery, but one on a list of historical buildings. And yes, several of the cemetery occupants previously lived in our house. :)

    Enjoy your new one. Looking forward to even more recipes while the ladies are out shopping. ;)

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    1. Interesting comment hen, I've looked again at the photies of your house, nice to know the vintage of a dwelling, especially the history. I'm told that our home is haunted by many apparitions, including monks, priests and even small childer. Personally speaking I have no fear of the dead, tis the living that I always have one watchful eye upon.

      The house in Spain has little history, it is barely seven years old. It will do nicely for a few months of each year.

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  11. I saw the picture of your home when you first posted it, wonderful. I rented an oast house once... and the ceilings were as high, I never quite managed to reach all the cobwebs. The floors were immaculate though, as ever.
    Sx

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    1. The secret to high ceilings and cobwebs Scarls, is to attach a flexible pipe to an elongated carbon fishing pole (16 mtrs) and attach the other end directly into your Hoover. Cleaning the inside of the skylights is altogether more tricky, not to mention more costly too. As for your floors, I hear that since the new lino went down things have improved. However, the carpet around the toilet bowl has cigarette burns and is slightly unsightly. May I suggest you ring the council so that they may send a man in?

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  12. Are we to expect news of an International Furniture Heist? I'm imagining the screen-play and subsequent movie now...Liam Neeson for the lead?

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    1. Finally enough hen, Liam has my nose, do you think he could play me in my life story? Obviously Danny DeVito would play the little singing fella, they share many characteristics.

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    2. It's the accent isn't it?

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    3. Of course, what else could it be?

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  13. Of course we did "update" the outside of the house as it had asbestos siding when we bought it. The fun part was actually pulling the old siding off to see how many types of wood, sometimes in layers, were underneath it! You could tell where the original house was and how the additions were added...it was more like an archeological dig than remodeling.

    On a side note, I thought of you and the singing fella last night. We were watching a t.v. program about Southern slang and the phrase "y'all" came up....which to most of us down south means "you all" smashed together. Imagine my surprise to learn that it originally came from the Scotch Irish who settled in America: it was actually "Ye all". Sure, not much of a change, but who knew my favorite piece of slang came from your neck of the woods? :)

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    1. Hope, the celtic language is sadly bastardised with many strange words pushed together out of laziness. Occasionally they stick and end up in the most unlikely of places. I am as guilty as the rest for using Glaswegian dialect in my posts, a habit which has been with me since childhood.

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  14. I'm slightly late to the party for once Jim, sorry to say I have been slacking in boxers and slippers with the cold still at me. I know of the chapel of which you speak, not far from Rob Roy himself if I am not mistaken. Nice pad, can't see much over the tall gates but it looks impressive from further up the hill. Mr distillery sends his regards.

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  15. Be careful peeking over the wall at night son, there are a lot of holes that have been dug during the wee small hours, you would nae want to vanish eh? Tell your oul pal I was asking for him.

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Thank you, the chef is currently preparing an answer for you in the kitchen. Do help yourself to more bread.