the fifo wife

Beef Chow Mein

Add what ever vegetables you like. Quick easy. Yum.

What you will need:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium brown onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 600g beef mince
• 1 carrot, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 1 cup beef stock
• 350g packet fresh chow mein noodles
• 1 bunch baby pak choy, trimmed, shredded
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce

How to:

Even better served the next day!!

xx Deb

Did you know that they think that reminicing your first dates, days and weeks are part of the key to a long healthy relationship? I heard this awhile ago and went ahhh that makes sense. Im constantly reliving how FIFO husband and I first met. Constantly. It was one of the most happy and amazing time of my life and its one I constantly play through my head. I remeber the smells, the sounds and the feelings. How blissfully happy I was. It was also that time in my life when I started knowing who I was. I liked who I was. He liked me for who I was.

I remember our first date. I think about it all the time. I remember those first three weeks with such clarity it makes my heart sing. Love him more. Our first date was fun. It was heart beating not wanting it to end fun.

We met outside the Mitchell st woollies at 10am I had just been to the Rapid Creek Flea Market for breakfast. I was dressed in denim and sandals carrying the Australian Newspaper, I loved to read the newspapers back then. I still do but it’s not the same. I can’t immerse myself in it with three kids needing my every bit of attention. I devoured every page like a good novel. It was the Sunday after the Friday that we met. We walked and walked. We walked the Darwin esplanade. I was struggling to keep up with his stride he thought I was trying to walk the date over. We talked about our favourite cartoons. I love the old cartoons Fred Flintstone and bugs and the gang. He is a Disney boy.

We went to the museum to an art show. I went to the gallery every Sunday. I love art. It was the first he had ever been to. We argued over a painting of an old woman. We left and had coffee at the Cool Spot a Darwin institution. He had mocha coffee. He ordered it by mistake. Thinking it was a hot chocolate. He doesn’t drink coffee and it set his heart and tongue on fire. His laughter got louder his talking faster. He made me laugh like no one had before.

We went back to my place. He made me dinner. Omelettes it was literally the best omelette I had ever had. We talked and laughed some more. He told me stories about his childhood that I thought quite simply had to be untrue they had to be made up. His stories. Him being funny was sexy. It still is.

Our date ended with a movie. The sound of one hand clapping. We met his mate at the theatre. We watched it separately. Not touching. Just two friends. He walked me to my car. I remember standing there holding the car door wondering if he was going to kiss me. What was this day to him? No he said good bye from the kerb a safe but friendly distance. I didn’t care. I wasn’t offended. I wasnt dissappointed. Either way I was happy. I had met someone special. I was intensely happy with that.

So what was your first date. How did you meet your significant other? Tell me I love knowing. The best love stories are the real ones.

Reminisce girls it makes the heart grow fonder. Truly it does.

Have a wonderful Friday lovelies,

XX Deb

 

What you will need:

2kg chicken pieces

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/3 cup (80ml) dry white wine

1½ cups (375ml) passata

4 anchovies, finely chopped

2 tablespoons shredded basil

1/3 cup (50g) kalamata olives, pitted,

halved basil leaves,

cooked pasta, to serve

How to:

1. Dust chicken pieces in flour. Heat oil in a flameproof casserole dish on high. Pan-fry chicken, in batches, for 2 minutes each side, until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic to pan and pan-fry for 3 minutes, until soft. Return chicken thighs to pan and add wine. Bring to boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, until wine almost evaporates.
3. Add passata and 1 cup water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add drumsticks and cook, covered, for another 5 minutes. Add remaining chicken and anchovies and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Stir through shredded basil and scatter over olives.
4. Sprinkle with basil and serve with pasta.

Enjoy,

xx Deb

I grabbed this recipe from Home Life I have tried it a couple of times and its a good make ahead meal. Enjoy!!

Cottage Pie..

What you will need:

1 tbs olive oil 1 brown onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

500g beef mince

1/4 cup (40g) plain flour

1/2 cup (125ml) red wine

1 cup (250ml) beef stock

2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

2 tbs tomato paste

2 tbs dried bay leaves

1/2 cup (80g) frozen peas

4 (about 800g) pontiac potatoes, peeled

50g butter 1/2 cup (125ml) warm milk

Melted butter, extra, for brushing

How to:

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery;  cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion softens. Add mince and  cook, stirring to break up lumps, for 5 minutes or until mince changes  colour.

Add flour and cook, stirring, until well combined. Add wine and bring to  the boil. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until wine reduces by half.  Add stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and bay leaves and simmer.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until sauce thickens.  Add peas and remove from heat. Taste and season.

Meanwhile, place potatoes in a saucepan with cold water over high heat;  bring to the boil. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well,  return to pan, add butter and mash until smooth. Add milk and stir to  combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat grill on high. Spoon beef into a 1.5L (6 cup) ovenproof dish.  Spoon mash over the top; lightly brush with melted butter. Cook for 2-3  minutes or until potato is golden brown. Serve immediately.