4.09.2010

Bravery and Toasted Anise Beef Sandwiches with Dijon, Roasted Peppers and Chevre

"The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can." 
Robert Cushing

I love this quote so much. It gave me courage this week as I faced  a few things that had me quaking and shivering. I'm smiling now because I DID face them. :-) Yep, I was scared spitless, but I jumped in and scrambled, (oh how I scrambled!!) and I made it. Today I am stronger, wiser, braver, not because I handled things in a glamorous or debonair way, heavens no, but because I pushed through anyways, battered, shaken, but still standing.


I watched others around me scramble too, facing unfaithful friends, abusive partners, debilitating illness, and ghosts from the past, and they inspired me, made me so proud to know them and be comforted that we don't have to scramble alone.


It's been a week of extremes for me. Extreme pain as I go through this ghastly detox and extreme joy in reconnecting with beloved family members and old and new friends. As my body is restored I feel my spirit getting restored too, and I'm grateful beyond measure.


Today, after days on end of black skies, hail, torrential rains, snow, and gusting winds, the sun came out. Beautiful, glorious sunshine streaming through windows, dancing across the water and setting my meadow aglow with dandelions. I love it!!! :-)



Yesterday in the grocery store I was staring at the Asian food shelves trying to decide what fish sauce to get when an arm reached in front of me and a lady chuckled an apology as she grabbed a massive jug of soy sauce. Apparently I have the sort of face that says, "Please tell me what you're going to use that for" because she launched into an exuberant and detailed story of the very, VERY best way to prepare roast beef. :-) With sighs of delight and hand pressed dramatically to her bosom, she promised that her recipe would turn the lowliest cut of beef into transcendent deliciousness. Then with a wave and a laugh she was gone. :-)

Naturally, I had to try it! I found a big slab of beef on sale and took it home, covered it with lavish amounts of soy sauce, beef broth and a sprinkling of anise seed, and set it to slow cook overnight. Next morning my house smelled of beef with a hint of licorice, and, oddly enough, it smelled GOOD! I let it cool in the marinade as instructed by the Unnamed Woman, then sliced it thinly and nipped a few pieces out for a taste. Fabulous! Tender as all get out and packed with flavor. Dear Unnamed Woman, I tip my hat to you!

That night I froze most of it, but used a few slices to make marvelous toasted sandwiches. I spread seeded bread with grainy mustard, layered on the beef and topped it with marinated roasted bell peppers and crumbled Chevre. I broiled the sandwiches for 3-5 minutes until the cheese was browned and melty and then dug in. Bliss. :-)


I wish you a most beautiful weekend, dear ones. :-)

Anise Soy Beef

Ingredients:

large beef roast
1-2 bottles soy sauce
1 carton beef broth
1/2-1 tsp anise seed

Directions:
  1. Place all ingredients in crock pot and slow cook 6-8 hours. 
  2. Let chill in marinade until cool. 
  3. Drain and slice thinly. 
Toasted Anise Beef Sandwiches with Dijon, Roasted Peppers and Chevre

Ingredients:

1 loaf seeded whole grain bread, sliced thinly
Grainy Dijon mustard
Sliced Anise Soy Beef
1 jar marinated, roasted bell peppers
4 oz crumbled Chevre

Directions:
  1. Spread each slice of bread with Dijon mustard.
  2. Top with slices of beef, roasted pepper strips, and sprinkle with Chevre. 
  3. Place under broiler for 3-5 minutes until Chevre is browned and sandwich warmed through. 
  4. Serve immediately.

30 comments:

  1. Tart, that sounds wonderful. Oh my gosh. I am so hungry right now. Broiling it...that was the most perfect thing to do, but you knew that. :)

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  2. Dear Amuse, it was fabulous! I can't wait to have another this weekend. :-) Yes - broiling was the cherry on top! :-)

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  3. Much respect for being so brave and strong. In addition to sharing your experiences with us. I know I am better for having read it. The recipes are great, but the human interest story really hit home. I hope you have a happy & blessed weekend. I just found your blog this week, looking forward to more posts. Cheers!

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  4. Thank you so much, Lazaro. :-) Your words greatly cheered me today. :-) Hope you have a fabulous weekend too!!

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  5. Keep it up, friend. Yeah for the sunshine and the weekend (and for unnamed woman who get you to buy soy sauce and slabs of meat!).

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  6. Thanks muchly, dear Trish. :-) Will write you SOON!! :-)

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  7. Good weather definitely does wonders for one's mood and emotional state. Yay for sunny skies!

    That roast beef sounds delicious. I love meeting people in the most random of ways and places. You never know what goodies they will impart.

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  8. Gorgeous and delicious ....as ever...love them all babes.....

    jus the kinda ecstasy we need at the party below and u sure are invited ...

    Hullo Happy Sunshine pal, its GOrgeously spring ,blue skies and summer hues, we are so happy and with this happiness lets JOin the Party ,for dear CHaya 's BIRTHDAY.[10th april]..yeah its a suprise party for her....and she's ur pal too....
    and all u need to do is hop at the link below and leave her a birthday message and link any or all of ur deliciousness u wanna bring to the party.....looking foward to u ....at the party and CHaya ...is going to love having u over .......
    ANd if possible please send this message atleast to 5 of ur bloggin buddys , we so wanna make her day dont we....

    come to the party ....ur presence n love will make the difference.....

    to bring the joy of the gorgeously stunning Springtime right here

    http://brightmorningstarsfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/04/hugs-n-love-suprise-party-for-u-dear.html

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  9. It sure does, Joanne! I couldn't stop from smiling as I drove home today, the sun warming meadows and flowering trees. Just gorgeous. :-)

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  10. Thank you, dear Sugar Plum! And how lovely of you to surprise Chaya like this. :-) She's such a wonderful lady and I will definitely celebrate with you. :-)

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  11. Thank you, Duchess! It was delicious!! :-)

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  12. Thank you for your comment on my blog!!! :)

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  13. I sent you a new reply on my blog! :)

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  14. Oh good! :-) Thanks for friending me on Twitter. :-)

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  15. hmmm! might have to try that! the anise seed part is very intriguing and i do love that flavor in lots of other places. (except candy!) plus all those good things you're putting on top of it!

    well Krista you have a gift for making things look attractive. i am generous in spirit towards most things but i was apparently taught very early in life that dandelions are VERY BAD THINGS. then i was set to digging - very deep - to uproot them and throw them in a pile. Many of them! I could never ever look at a dandelion with charity!

    happy weekend!

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  16. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos and savory recipe!

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  17. Oh Paradis, that's hilarious! :-) I can imagine your antagonism towards dandelions is very deeply rooted indeed. ;-) Maybe it's because I'm not responsible for that stretch, and can delight in the meadowish look to my heart's content. :-)

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  18. Melted chevre... heaven! Glad you are having a better week. x

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  19. Such lovely photos to accompany your wonderful recipe :-). It sounds like your week has been difficult. I don't know what demons you are struggling with, but I do know you can conquer them. Slay some dragons for us. Blessings...Mary

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  20. I will so..........make that beef, as soon as i get to the shops!!!!!!!!! It sounds fab and I have anise seeds!!!! Have a blessed weekend. It is well. I am so proud of you in many ways! Stay well dearie!

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  21. Thank you so much, dear Mary, your words cheered my heart greatly. :-) Today is my recover from slaying dragons day and the sun is shining. I'm so glad. :-)

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  22. Big, big hug to you, Ozoz. I needed your words so much this morning. :-) "It is well." I shall rest in that today. Thank you.

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  23. Wow this sounds fabulous! What kind of roast did you use?

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  24. Thanks, Kathleen! :-) It was just the cheapest roast I could find, nothing special. Not sure of the cut, sorry!

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  25. Ooooh that looks soooooo YUMMY!!! Mouth is watering!!!

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  26. Aw, thanks, Fifi! :-) So glad it pleases you. :-)

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