Salt And Pepper Shrimp / Beef Tataki / Beef Stew

 

Song:  What is Life

Artist:  George Harrison

Last night...

I made Salt and Pepper Shrimp for my sister and myself.

I use a 50/50 sesame oil and chili oil to sear the shrimp.

We ate our fill...

but I left enough room for dessert (Blueberry Pie)...

while my sister saved her Peach Pie for the following morning.

I stopped by the kind lady's pie and pastry truck

(the one who thought I was homeless and had given me 3 cookies).

Although she had someone filling in for her as she was catering an event...

I had told the young man who was tending her shop about her kindness...

and I had asked him to tip her the cost of a bag of cookies and to thank her for me.

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On the following morning...

I got started on making beef tataki...

the most laborious portion of which is the grating of the daikon.

I then sliced up a couple of white onions.

After adding in the onions...

...I added in rice vinegar and memmi.

I then sliced up the rest of a previously made roast beef from a few days prior...

and then added it into the mixture to marinate for a couple of days in the fridge.

After I had finished with the beef tataki...

my sister started on making beef stew.

She had cubed the beef...

...and began searing the meat in batches.

After each batch of seared meat was finished...

she placed them into a 24 quart stock pot.

After finishing the meat...

she then began searing the veggies.

As the veggies were searing...

she filled up the stock pot with the requisite amount of water.

After adding the veggies...

she added the spices and beef stock and brought it to a gentle boil.

After about 45 minutes at a low boil...

She then added quartered red potatoes for another 45 minutes of a low boil.

We then had a delicious meal of beef stew and buttered bread.

After allowing the stew to cool enough...

I then put the rest of the stew into 8 freezer containers for quick and easy 

meals in the future.

My sister's beef stew recipe (per pound of beef).

In this batch...she had used approximately 5 lbs of beef.

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Tomorrow...

my sister will be meeting with a realtor to look at some properties.

Even though her number one pick is in contract...

she will try to see it anyway...

and if she really does like it still...

she can put in as a backup buyer.

Day 4 - Cajun Seafood Boil / The Caffeinated Cow

 

Song:  Rocket Man

Artist:  Elton John

This song just matched my lightheartedness of today...

especially after having eaten my meal...

and enjoyed the fun loving woman at the Caffeinated Cow.

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At about noon...

I took my sister to Peak View for their live performance day...

and for her to enjoy a meal there.

Just before arriving at Peak View restaurant in Woodland Park.

The performer.

The guitarist played softly as we ate.

We had BBQ Brisket Spring Rolls as a starter.

I then got the Cajun Seafood Boil for us to share.

We finished off the remainder on our second plateful.

I was so glad I tried this dish.

The spices were so tasty...

and I enjoyed everything on the platter.

I will take my elder sister and her husband there once they arrive.

The meal was so satisfying.

I am so glad we have Cajun seafood right in Woodland Park.

Whenever I feel like Cajun food...

I know just where to go in the future.

So...so good.

We then attempted to go to an art fair at Garden of the Gods.

However...

once we arrived...

they weren't allowing any more people in due to lightning in the area.

The winds were picking up...

and it had started to rain.

So...

we left for a specialty coffee and dessert place in town.

When I had first seen this listed as a possibility...

I knew it would be a fun place to go.

The name was just so unique.

The whole of the shop was a Mom and Pop store...

and once in...

I had seen that it was a family run operation.

They had stuck to the theme of cows throughout...

and even more fun was the Mom.

She had stayed in character...

for when she received a tip...

she rang a cow bell...

and then mooed!  :)

I could tell this woman loved what she did...

and that she poured her creative talent and passion into her establishment.

I love to see this...

the amount of pride she took in her shop.

I especially loved her moos...

she was just so funny.

She just belted them out without hesitation or embarrassment.

 Her playfulness was only matched by her friendliness and warm and genuine smile.

She was just a fun loving woman...

and it was her personality that...

I believe...

had drawn in her customers...

besides having outrageously good Ice Cream and Coffee.

My sister and I had a good time there...

as it was such a fun atmosphere.

The above pictures were in the bathroom.

On the way home...

I laughed periodically as I kept remembering the owner's face as she mooed.

As we neared home...

the skies began to clear until...

...the skies became beautiful once again.

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The sad news is that my sister's number one property choice had gone into contract 

with someone else this morning.

It was the perfect home for my sister...

but...

there are other possibles for her to see in a couple of days.