best day ever

[abka]

Yesterday was an awesome day. I got a job offer! I finished a fellowship application in consultation with my adviser. D.'s work didn't have power so he got sent home at noon. Our building didn't have air conditioning yet so durdge invited us over and we spent much of the afternoon playing Mario Kart on the Wii. Then I passed my bellydance exam and can move up a level (this is for one particular teacher I just started with this spring who teaches in a slightly different style than my other teachers). I was really surprised to pass, most people have to take several semesters of her class (although she did give me a list of things to work on). Then we went back to durdge's where Jem had gotten home from work "early" and we watched Superbad. An excellent day.

Today our air conditioning was turned on (finally!). I'm making a lentil and rice casserole and I have a question for all you cooks out there. Last weekend D. bought a roast at the grocery store (we don't usually eat large chucks of meat, but it was massively on sale). I made the roast with roasted root veggies and it came out okay. We've had it a couple times but now I have half a beef roast cooked medium-rare sitting in my fridge.

Any suggestions for other things I can make with the leftover meat? I'm particularly partial to stews and casseroles but any ideas would be appreciated. There's only so many roast beef sandwiches I can eat in a week.

Comments

[sosovirtuoso.livejournal.com]

Yay good day! :)

Regarding beef ideas: a few, actually, depending on your taste and available ingredients, of course.

Classic: mix with barley, throw in whatever other veggies you want. More liquid and it can be more of a soup, less and you'll get something more stew-ish, just enough for the barley and you'll get something more like a pilaf or risotto. I tend to like mushrooms/onions/greens(kale maybe), but then this is ME we're talking about. If the barley doesn't turn you on, simmer for a while with your usual onions/carrots/celery/whatever garden veggies you like and skip the barley. This is particularly convenient if you have some frozen or canned veggies laying around.

You could cook some rice, mix in the beef, and use that to stuff cabbage or peppers. That's a bit more labor-intensive, but not much and is certainly a reliable way to go. Since it isn't ground, it may be a bit more uneven than you're looking for--don't know how much of a texture person you are.

You might want to try simmering it with some more root veggies, particularly if they have a little bitterness to them; turnips are a natural for this. Some carrot may help out if you like to balance that with sweetness (I have a marked affinity for bitter flavors, so I would probably skip it). You can add stuff to the water/broth depending on how you want to flavor it.

If you want to get away from the heat, depending on how tender the beef is, you might get away with a nice mixed greens (or even just romaine) salad. It will probably go well with some red onions and cheese, maybe feta (or whatever you like). I would be partial to endive if I wanted to splurge somewhere, but there's me and bitter again!

I'll stop rambling for now, but I could pitch in some other ideas or give more information if desired. Just ping me if you're interested. Enjoy!

[mrsjadephoenix.livejournal.com]

Beef stroganoff maybe? You already have the beef prepared. I think you just need to cook some shallots, mushrooms, add sour cream and some herbs and spices, then put everything on top of some fettucine. I'm no expert but you can easily check around for recipes.

[lifeinlondon.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking that since it's hot, something you don't have to cook would be good. How about slicing it thin and using it in a wrap? Like with thai chili sauce and some cucumbers and carrots. You could do quesadillas too, and if you have a grill, even better, since you can cook them on that.

It's 94 degrees in Hanover today. Clearly not turning on the stove has taken over my mind.

[(Anonymous)]

What's the job offer??