Beef stew.

.

.

Beef soup, more like... or a cross between the two?  Well, maybe.  If that would still be a soup to most people's minds... including mine.  How was it?  Okay, just okay.  The spices were wrong.  The older veggies were mushy.  It wasn't as thick as hoped, if that part can be altered at any moment.  It truly wasn't horrible.  Some people, if they like that particular mix of herbs and spices, might have loved it.  The veggies weren't too over cooked, just a bit.

But the beef was excellent.  I parted bite sized pieces from a chuck roast myself.  The mushrooms were superior.  Hmm, I may have used to wrong fat.  I tried avocado oil.  It didn't smell or taste bad, but it is different.  I think I will fry with butter or bacon fat from now on.  Mostly, by parts, the soup was good and is worth eating.  As a whole, though, it just didn't come together... to my satisfaction.

No worries.  This is the first batch of soups and stews of many sorts to come.  I am just beginning my journey into this new, and to me terrifying, culinary field.  They young gent, who made the beef 'French term for beef and wine', after this try of mine, did much better than I even thought prior.  Yes, he did.  He was all but begging for acceptability... which... I wish he hadn't worried.  Not only classic, but right.  I know what it should taste like.  I have dined with... perhaps not kings, but men and women who... know the world and could afford the world... in it's oldest traditions.

Still, as mentioned, a start.  I will finish this soup.  I won't... regret the meals.  And, as mentioned, if this is a flavor profile one prefers, this would be a delight.  I simply won't waste a good meal.  I will add fresh veggies as needed, I even have fresh spinach to add to a bowl from time to time, and allow to wilt well.  No wine, but wine vinegar was used... a bit late to deglaze, but... with the pot as it was, I am not sure that was needed.

Not a bad thing, just not my preferred thing.  It should last a few days, perhaps a week.  Mushrooms and meat are my main goals.  The veggies will go downhill quickly, even being refreshed occasionally.

A late day.  I did get the waterers in, and ducks shut away.  The girls have been fed.  I need to get my vitamins and medicines reset.  Need to do a phone consult with the doc.  It's... all I can do for the moment.  Well, a call to the lawyer tomorrow too.  Just get it done!  So many things on my mind, politics one part.  To live in interesting times is not a grace.  But it is... a time.

Prayer, when waiting is all else left... or it is that time.  So... pray.  Amen.