Just before the holidays, I went to Target to get a few odds and ends. But, as these things tend to go (I mean, this was Target after all), I found myself browsing the shoe department, then accessories, and finally the card and stationery aisle.
Oh, the stationery! The beautiful, luxe, thick papers and swirls of typography! The dainty ribbons and filigree embellishments of Save the Dates! The thematic details of destination wedding placecards, menus, and favors! The simple ivories! The traditional florals! The modern stripes!
I stood there gazing longingly at their DIY attainability and eye-catching packaging, and I coveted each. I spent no less than 25 minutes weighing the merits of each option as though they could actually be mine, as though I were actually in the market for wedding invitations and accoutrements. And that’s when I caught myself.
With a stink-eyed sneer, I chucked the neatly boxed cards I’ve certainly no use for back upon their shelf, bequeathing them to a future bride with impeccable taste whomever she might be. And then, for good measure and without regard for who might see me, I flipped off the entire spectacle of wedding invitation regalia.
What can I say? Sorry I’m not sorry I have a love-hate relationship with the wedding stationery aisle at Target. So, stew me.
Ingredients:
4 russet potatoes- peeled and cut into 1/2 in. slices
3 yellow onions, peeled and cut into 1/2 in. slices
2 lbs boneless beef stew meat- cut into 1 in. cubes
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
ground pepper to taste
4 cups beef stock or broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup dry red wine (recommend a merlot or cab, but used a Pinot because it was handy)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare vegetables as listed above. Arrange half of potatoes evenly in lightly oiled, Dutch oven. Layer half the onions over potatoes, then all of the beef cubes. Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper over meat. Finish layering with rest of onions and potatoes. In a saucepan, bring the stock and Worcestershire sauce to a boil. Pour over the meat and vegetables, adding the wine. Cover and place in oven for about 1 1/2- 2 hours. While you wait, drink rest of red wine in bottle lest it go to waste and try to pronounce “Worcestershire” without giggling.
Sorry I’m Not Sorry Spinster’s Stew
*For those moments in life when your bad “spinster” behavior is merited.
This stew sounds amazing and will certainly be making its way to my table soon.
As for Target and stationary – I do this over all sorts of things I don’t need and probably won’t need. This is the secret, horrible underbelly of Target Culture.
So true! I feel like “knack for drawing you into buying that which you didn’t know existed but you must absolutely have” should be their mission statement or something. It’s an effective business model if nothing else! Thanks for commenting and for liking my spinster dinner! xo
Umm, this stew sounds delightful and perfect for a cold winter’s day. And I feel you on the Target stationery aisle. There are potholes for us all, single or married, and we’ve just got to avoid those puppies like the plague, even if the stationery that comes with them is OH SO CUTE.
Here’s to stews that make all things better.
Thank you! And SO TRUE (re: potholes).
Love, love, love it! Ah yes…the good ol’ Target shopping fun. Also, your stew looks, “edible” lol.
Thanks, Mom! You’re a cooker girl.
Your stew looks DELICIOUS! When I get my new kitchen I am so going to try it out (okay so it’s not a new kitchen, just an old one in a new flat but anyway you know what I mean). xx
Thank you so much, G! I’d probably add less onion if making it again, but that’s just me.