Wicklow Mountains and Guinness Lake

I had the day off work on Friday so we headed to the Wicklow Mountains, said to "sit on the city's southern doorstep," about 20 miles outside of Dublin. Home to the sets of Mel Gibson's epic "Braveheart," and chick-flicks "P.S. I love you," and "Leap Year." While the latter two films are no cinematic masterpieces, it is obvious that the one thing pulling them through the box office ranks is the scenery and atmosphere of rural Ireland. Peaceful, quiet and seemingly untouched, it's not surprising some of the most well-known artists of modern day seek out this beautiful refuge as an escape. In the heart of the Wicklows, it is not uncommon for visitors such as Paul McCartney, Paul Hewson, (better known as my old pal Bono), and the late Michael Jackson. These musical giants frequent these hills to visit Paul Garreth, U2's first manager. Paul's home, nestled in the valley between two of Wicklow's peaks, looks out over Guinness Lake. Guinness Lake, aptly named because of its dark color and frothy foam shore line, was once owned by the Guinness family and is still the main water source for the dark elixir Dubliners live on. The waters of Guinness Lake get their dark color from a mineral in the peat bogs surrounding it. Even the strong stout flavor of Ireland's favorite beer come from this unique mineral and are described as "tasting the way peat smells." As a day trip to the mountains turned into a history lesson on drink, I realized that the interests of a foodie, or anyone who enjoys a good drink, know no limits.

Foodie goes to France!

Although this food blog has taken on a strange travel spin, I thought chronicling my foodie experiences along with my travel adventures would be the perfect way to keep family and friends updated on my whereabouts, while staying true to the blog's original purpose.So back to the city of love...While in Paris, I figured I would make the most of my weekend in the gastronomical wonderland of France, and eat to my heart's content. And eat, I did.
Upon arrival, we checked out our hostel and grabbed some lunch on our way to the Eiffel at a French bakery. I had a delicious Salmon Broccoli Quiche and Jake had a jambon (ham) baguette. The perfect start to a fabulous weekend.
And of course, the obligatory fabulous French croissant!

I also experienced my first French Bistro! Delicious on all accounts, these charming little restaurants definitely live up to their name. For my entree (which is the equivalent to our appetizer) I had a delicious Foie Gras. It was rich, it was creamy, it was almost buttery. Phe-nom nom nom nom! I later learned that this delicacy is achieved by force feeding, or rather force fattening, a duck or goose and then extracting it's liver...No doubtedly inhumane, but afer a week of fast food and frozen pizzas, it made me feel human again. Sorry, PETA.
For my entree, or plat, I had a Veal Steak in a Blue Cheese Sauce with an Asparagus Croquette. Delicious. (Again, more heart-felt omnivorous apologies, this time for the year old, milk-fed baby calf on my plate...)Despite the fantastic flavors of the blue-veal combo, my favorite aspect of this meal was the asparagus croquette. I guess I am still a recovering vegetarian at heart!
Then, for dessert, I had the most lovely trifecta of chocolate delection in the form of Chocolate Mousse. This three flavored chocolate fluff combination was the perfect way to end a fabulous meal. Accompanied by some fantastic red wine and great company, I could not have been happier.

Jadore Paris!

Bono!

I was just sitting outside of Jake's art gallery, minding my own bid'nith and then boom! Bono walks by. We started talking, I got a picture with him and found out that he loves Lawrence! AWESOME.

Hello again!

I am here to announce that as of today, I am rekindling my on-again, off-again relationship with Foodie Newbie. I am not really sure what happened back in December, but I guess it is safe to say things just sort of fizzled between us. Now that I am off to bigger and better things as an intern in Ireland, I have the urge to inform FN of the great things in my life and hopefully make some much needed amends.
So for the first of many more to come...

Boeuf Bourguignon

Finals week at KU. Et tu bru-tal. I will keep this one cryptic, to accurately reflect my mood. With three finals down, and two more to go all within the span of 72 hours, it is safe to say that I have not been doing much cooking. I did attempt JC's famed relic, Boeuf Bourguignon, slow cooker style--I know a sin to say the least--and have been eating it for the last four days. I am relying on this dish and advice from Tween Pop Sensation and American Middle-School Icon Taylor Swift to keep me nutritionally sustained and keeping me from fleeing my little college town of Lawrence, Kansas, in search of safer harbors.
You are laughing, I know, but little teeny-bopping TS recognizes the wonders of Lawrence, Kansas, proving that she is just as smart as the rest of us liberal, anti-country college grads.


Slow Cooker Boeuf Bourguignon:


Boeuf Bourguignon

6 Strips bacon -- cut in 1/2" pieces
3 pounds Beef rump or chuck -- cut 1. 5" cubes
1 medium Carrot -- sliced
1 small Onion -- sliced
Salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons Flour
1 can Condensed beef broth -- (10oz)
1 tablespoon Tomato paste
2 cloves garlic -- minced
3/4 teaspoon Whole thyme
1 Bay leaf
1/2 pound Tiny white onions
1 pound Fresh mushrooms -- sliced
2 tablespoons Butter
1/2 cup Red or burgundy wine

Thickener:
3 tablespoons Flour
3 tablespoons Melted butter or margarine


Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Remove and drain. Add beef cubes and brown well. Place browned beef in 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Brown carrot and onion. Season with salt and pepper; stir in flour. Add broth, mix well and add to slow cooker. Add cooked bacon, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, bay leaf and onions. Cover and cook on Low 8-10 hours.

One hour before serving: Sauté mushrooms in butter and add, with wine, to slow cooker.

Thicken gravy with flour combined with melted butter or margarine. Stir into stew and cook on High until thickened.

I'm Sorry!

Okay, so I now it has been FOREVER since I have blogged, and forever is magnified in the blogosphere, so having totally committed a web-based social faux pas of the rankest kind, I am easing my way back into your good graces. I will have you know that despite my absence on the Internet, I have still been cooking. This was actually quite surprising for myself, even, because as I have always loved writing, and this cooking thing is a new-found obsession. It is an obsession that I figured would surely die out just like my short stint with Jnco Jeans back in the 5th grade and that time I made my dad convert part of our attic into an "Art Room" to go untouched to this day and for the entirety of its ten year existence. So tonight I will not be providing you with a recipe and a story about my day, but rather I will share with you my latest obsession. Joni Mitchell's "River." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCov0TYXBp8

This song is heart wrenchingly depressing and never ceases to make my throat ache. These songs are rare, and so when you come across one, I think it should be given proper recognition. It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on But it don't snow here It stays pretty green I'm going to make a lot of money Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene I wish I had a river I could skate away on I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on I made my baby cry He tried hard to help me You know, he put me at ease And he loved me so naughty Made me weak in the knees Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on I'm so hard to handle I'm selfish and I'm sad Now I've gone and lost the best baby That I ever had Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on I made my baby say goodbye It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace I wish I had a river I could skate away on