As you will notice today there are two types of posts. One involves the usual recipe. The other one regards a visit we did in a ranch in the southern part of Greece and more specifically in Sofiko. But let’s take first thing first.
My son goes to the 1st grade of primary school. He has several fellow students and they throw parties. In such a party we met a couple. Their two girls were in the same class with my son. It’s funny but sometimes you meet someone and from the first moment it seems that you know him or her forever. The same happened with this couple. From the moment we met, we started talking and talking. From then on we became friends and started going out not only with our children, but also without them.
So, a week ago they called and they asked, if we wanted to go to a place that resembles Far-West and is called
The Ranch. We said yes and so, on Saturday morning we headed towards Sofiko and this ranch. Below you will see some of the photos I took. It was really funny. I was there in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains, Greek mountains and I was standing in place that reminded me of all the old movies with John Wayne. Everything was wooden and it depicted a small Far-West town with a Saloon, Church, wooden houses, horses etc. The children loved it. They rode horses, they played football, basketball, trampoline etc. There was also a small train to show them the place. This whole establishment was laid on a 400 stremmata (100 acres for the US citizens).
Unfortunately, Sunday morning my son woke up with throat ache and we had to leave and return back home. I guess Murphy’s Law always chases me. Anyway, at least he enjoyed it very much on Saturday. Also, we promised to take him back again some other time.
Because of all this, I decided to make a comfort food, something that would be smooth for his aching throat. This is a totally comfort food. This stew I make it all the time and if you have a pressure cooker it is done in no time. Mashed potatoes! What can I say about them? I just love them and when I start, I cannot resist.
Veal Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
For the stew
800 gr. veal in pieces
400 gr. chopped tomatoes
2 onions cut in 4
300 gr. button mushrooms, sliced
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Pinch of ground clove
1 tbsp sugar
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
½ cup wine any wine, I used dry white
For the mashed potatoes
2 kg. peeled potatoes (unpeeled around 2.2 kg.)
200 gr. evaporated milk or light cream
200 gr. margarine (or butter, I use margarine for health reasons)
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp salt (taste it and add more if you want)
A handful of emmental cheese (or any other yellow cheese you have)
Instructions
For the stew
Take a pressure cooker; throw the olive oil at high fire. Throw the onions and sauté for couple of minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté for another couple of minutes. Throw the wine and let evaporate. Add all the other ingredients, close the pressure cooker. When the steam comes out of the valve, lower fire to low. Let it cook for an hour and after all steam is out of the cooker open the lid. If the sauce is a little runny just add 1 tbsp corn flour to 1 tbsp of water dissolve it and throw it to the stew it will make it thick. Just a note; if you do not have a pressure cooker, just use a pot and boil the stew for 2.5 to 3 hours until it is soft.
For the mashed potatoes
In the meantime, in a pot put the peeled potatoes cut in two and boil them until they become soft. Drain them and throw them back to the pot. Lower heat to low, place the pot on the stove and start mashing the potatoes with the puree tool. Add the margarine cut in cubes, the milk or cream, the cheese and the seasonings. Mix until everything is incorporated.
I am sure you all know how to proceed from here on. Just put them on a dish and devour them. Kali Orexi!
Labels: Main Course, Meat
