It’s like this a lot of nights.
We’re driving back from town, coming over the Pali. On weekdays, it’s often a little late, a few minutes after 6 p.m.
I’m driving. Meda is thinking ahead to the big question–What’s for dinner?
We have choices. We can make a stop in Kaneohe and shuffle around like food zombies at one of the supermarkets. Foodland, Times, and Safeway all have convenient locations for a quick stop. But stopping “just for one or two things” always turns into something more, especially if you shop when you’re hungry.
On this night I decide, let’s just drive on home. I remembered a small package of stew meat in the freezer that should get used. Eat it to save it. And save it we did.
I browned the meat with some chopped onion, then simmered in some red wine, a teaspoon of tomato paste that I also found in the freezer, garlic, a dash of hot red pepper, a little salt. Simmer until meat almost tender. Then I added a handful of small carrots, celery, and potato. Thyme. Another 20 minutes or so and it was ready to serve.
The plates–Vernon Kilns vintage, Organdie pattern.
Meda, meanwhile, was doing her thing with a wonderfully simple salad with a nonfat caesar dressing and anchovies. A little warm bread, served in a wooden rice bowl made at Oahu Prison, probably dating from the 1950s. No wine on the table yet. I’m sure that was remedied before we ate.
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Looks nice, Ian! No salt and pepper in the stew?
sorry! I just noticed it in your recipe!
What’s missing from the plate is at least a little bit of rice. Isn’t that “required” in the islands?
What’s missing from the table is a cat!
Ooo, we have one of those 1950’s O’ahu Prison koa bowls (my maternal grandfather was chairman of the Parole Board). It is heavy, and when you look closely, you can see that it was not tuned on a lathe, but rather chipped and sanded like a canoe. Beauty!
How might one acquire a “prison bowl”? It sounds beautiful, tom8.
Ian, I’m coming by for dinner one day. I’ll just happen to be in the neighborhood, of course.
We got this one from a friend whose husband had worked at the prison in the old days. Once saw another at a garage sale in Mauawili. They are rare today.just keep scrounging and cross your fingers.
Thanks, I an! Will do.
only kama’aina “acquire a “prison bowl”” and even then not very likely.
eh Ian. never food shop when yer hungry!
“only kama’aina”? Gee, an assumption *and* a thinly veiled insult, what to do? Moving on …
I vote for more food posts – always inspiring. Mahalo!