“What’s for dinner?” How can one question hold so much promise and dread at the same time? Tantalizing prospects of a delicious meal hover just out of reach as we try to decide what to eat…we pass the weighted question from family member to family member and we look at each other with the same solemnly accusing stares. “Why don’t YOU decide?” Ah, yes. Another question. “What do you feel like eating?” Oh, sure…put it on me!
Now, this scenario may play out in a number of ways. All predictably predictable! Either it’s going to be fast food (unlikely), take out (been there-done that for the week already), dining out (does this mean I have to put shoes back on my tired feet?), or a trip to the grocery store (after a fruitless rummage through the fridge in search of items to throw together for a meal). Being a personal chef certainly doesn’t exclude my family from the daily dinner dilemma. I actually think that in my case, being a personal chef only exacerbates the issue because my family is spoiled to the core. Now, don’t get me wrong; I LOVE to cook! Especially for my beloveds, however I still face the same challenges as any family. Which brings us full circle…What’s for dinner?
Tonight, I prepared Chunky Tri Tip and Potato Stew. Its hearty, yummy and relatively easy to make as I only had to use one pot. Hey, that’s a big deal for me! Sometimes it seems I use every pot and pan I own for one meal and my reckoning for a spectacular meal comes when it’s time to clean up. Well, tonight’s dinner was a success all around. The sounds of spoons clinking against the bottom of the bowls was music to my ears as were the full mouthed grunts of approval from my family as they made their way to said bowl bottoms. What’s even nicer than that is the prospect of leftovers for lunch tomorrow. My southern heritage and years as a restaurateur have taught me to make enough for seconds…even if firsts have you full to the point of unbuttoning your pants! And the weather has been decidedly chilly for Sunny Southern California which makes this deliciously warm and hearty stew tonight’s perfect answer.