Do you know what sad is? Yes, that sad. Like unhappy sad. I was that way last week. It always happens every year, around this time of the year. Specifically, right after the Christmas tree is hauled away, all the decorations taken down, and the radio stopped playing Christmas songs.
A friend said it could very well be SAD. Do you know what SAD is? Yes, the disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder. The same friend who told me about it said she needs light therapy to combat her SAD. I don’t need such therapy and frankly, I’m not even diagnosed with the disorder. But I always get the blues around the beginning of January.
It’s short-lived, but real. You know how I know? Because everything feels so blah. Jokes are annoying instead of funny. People are weird instead of unique. Shows are boring instead of entertaining. Food tastes bland and cooking feels like a chore. Everything just feels…..well…..so blah…..
So, I was in this blah mood last week. Until a special package arrived. I was reading in the kitchen when the hubs brought in the mail. He placed a package in front of me without telling me what it was. I didn’t immediately look at it. Until the fragrance hit me.
What was that?! A thick padded envelope that smells like heaven! It’s a package of spices from my gal pal Sonal! I tore at it and when it was open, I took another whiff. And then I buried my nose in it. And took a good, long whiff. Aah…..it was so wonderful! The aroma just melted all my blues away…..
But more importantly…..it gave me my cooking groove back…..
So, I’ve been cooking…..and I’ve been eating…..
Now I just have to tell you about them…..
Starting with this Crockpot Beef Curry. After days of not cooking, I thought I’d start slow and use my crockpot. Besides, it’s been lying idle far too long.
Crockpot Beef Curry
2 lbs beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into chunks
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
5 fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole cardamom pods, crushed
1 tbsp Sonal’s Curry Spice Melange (or substitute with your best curry powder)
1 tbsp Sonal’s kasoori methi (omit if you don’t have any)
1 tsp salt
1 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp olive oil
Chopped cilantro and more curry spice for garnish
1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan or skillet. Fry beef pieces until browned all over. Remove and place in crockpot.
2. Add the other tbsp of oil in the frying pan and sauté onions and garlic while scraping all the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook until onions are translucent. Remove and add to the crockpot.
3. Now sprinkle all the dry herbs and spices.
Doesn’t that look good already?
4. Then add the tomatoes and ginger.
5. Add the coconut milk and salt.
6. Now stir to mix everything.
I’m cranking this thing up to high setting!
7. Set crockpot on high. Cook for 4 to 5 hours or until beef is tender.
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro and more curry powder before serving. Served with Lemon Rice and Roasted Tomatoes.
And I also made these roasted tomatoes…..
With Sonal’s Tandoori Masala…..
So, so, so, so…..delicious! And so easy! It’s just a matter of mixing the tomatoes with olive oil, the spices, salt & pepper, and then throwing them in a 375°F oven for 25 minutes. That’s it! Oh, and when you get them out of the oven, sprinkle some chopped cilantro. So, so, so, so…..delicious!
If you don’t have Sonal’s Tandoori Masala, try this recipe for Roasted Spiced Tomatoes, instead. Or better yet, start following Sonal @simplyvegetarian777 and then beg her for some. Or even better yet, why don’t you go and tell her to start selling her spices. I’ll do my best to encourage her myself. ‘Coz we all want to buy, right? She should call them Sonal’s Special Spice Sachet. Sonal, are you listening? Sonal?
How lovely that Sonal made you smile and lifted your spirits xx
Yah, that Sonal, she’s a keeper. Such a wonderful person! ❤️
She is xx
I really need a crockpot, this stew is wonderful. I got some spices from Sonal also that smell incredible and I am working on using in a dish. Yum, love your curry, it looks delicious. The roasted tomatoes look fantastic, I need to make her flatbread recipe too. The tomatoes look perfect with the curry.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with, Suzanne! I think I’m going to try some sort of appetizer next. Not much left, boohoo… Can’t wait to see her go commercial so I can order more. The roasted tomatoes were actually my favorite part of the meal. I ate the leftover as is. So good!! You gotta make! Seriously!
I am jealous I live so far away! Sonal needs to start a business asap & ship her spice mixes all over the world!! Love the name you have come up with, how apt 🙂 and that beef curry looks awesomesauce 😀
She’s thinking of going commercial. Now we can order as much as we like! I’m assuming even from Denmark. I’m excited for her!! 😃
Sounds yummy. I think I have to try this. My intent is to make it next week!
Let me know what you think, Terre! Thanks!
Oo how nice, food looks wonderful too, a sure way to cheer yourself up! 😄
Thanks, THH! Great food is the answer to everything. I’m completely cured! 😃😃
I just bought a chuck roast and I think I have all the ingredients at home.. I think I will try this one! Sounds delicious!!!!
It was my bestest curry! Not just best, bestest! 😄 I highly recommend, Olga!
Made it last night, it was delicious!!! Very happy with recipe:) I used my electric pressure cooker, it’s my new favorite ‘toy’, 30 minutes and it was done to perfection!
The spices really seem to bring out the flavour, your curry is glistening with flavour 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The spices made the dish! It was my bestest curry! Yes, bestest! 😸 Thanks, Uru!
AWesome! Welcome back out of les blues. It happens to most of us i think. Your website is a total inspiration though and i’m so glad a little gift like spices and a good recipe can lift your spirits. I’m the same way. What a wonderful thing. I’m stiiiiiill obsessing over your choux pastries so there’s always that.
It’s not uncommon I found from talking to co-workers. The weather and the end of festivities just send people into a funk. Thank goodness it was brief for me! 😃
You mean you haven’t tried the choux pastry yet? It’s about time, don’t you think? But I thank you for obsessing over mine and being such a wonderful caring blogger friend! 💕
I just need to get the plum tomatoes and I’m good to go! Can’t wait to try this Angie! 🙂
Let me know what you think, Bonnie! It’s my bestest curry ever. Bestest! Sonal’s spices had a lot to do with it, I’m sure! 😃 Btw, Bonnie, we’ll be celebrating the First Fiesta Friday Anniversary just a little over a week from now. I fully expect you to be there! You’re my Renaissance woman! We all need a dose of Bonnie every now and then! 😃😃
You are the best…ok I’ll put it in my posting schedule!! My hubby will love that stew, I know it! 🙂
Your recipe and post just radiates sunshine. Lovely.
Thanks, Maria! It’s easy to make happy recipe & post with the right pick-me-up, i.e., Sona’s spices! 😃 Btw, Maria, I would like to invite you to join Fiesta Friday. We’ll be celebrating our first anniversary in a week!
Thank you that is rather exciting!