Every year at Christmas, I'm reminded of a significant gift. This gift so pure and powerful, can only be sent from the heavens above. Christmas for me isn't just about commemorating the birth of our Saviour but it's also my mother's birthday. And for us, this is truly a family holiday. While my family can be as dysfunctional as the Walkers (from TV's 'Brothers & Sisters'), but in no way as big or as complicated like theirs, we put our differences aside and come together as a unit to celebrate the true meaning of the season...LOVE.
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If there is a dish that can truly epitomized the meaning of LOVE, it's a pot of Mum's Beef Bourguignon. This traditional French recipe has recently been made popular again by the comedy-drama Julie & Julia (which I coincidentally watched with Mum on Christmas Eve), is a one-pot-wonder that perfectly compliments the holiday cheers. It's rich, full bodied, complex, well-rounded, aromatic, sweet, lingering, succulent, tender, addictive, and joyous - all the qualities of LOVE.
The dish is made with nothing more than bacon rinds, lean beef chunks, a bottle of Merlot, carrots, celery, onions, tomato puree, beef stock, smashed garlics, thyme and bay leaves. And unlike Julia Child's version, Mum doesn't make bake hers in an oven. She just lets it simmer in the pot for over 4-hours until the juice is reduced to a thick burgundy stew and finally right at the end of it all, she stirs in a little butter for that extra smooth texture. It's insanely delicious to dip some toasted raisin bread into the stew.
I know its your special day, but thanks Mum for the tireless hours you've put into making our holiday a special one year after year. I LOVE you and happy birthday.
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This post is dedicated to the late Mrs. Lee, Kelvin's mother, who is dearly missed on her birthday today as well.
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By the way, this is also my official entry for Masak-Masak's Christmas Giveaway #2/What Is Christmas To You contest in hopes to win Mum some lovely new cookbooks. You've got about two more days left to submit your entry (closing date is on 28th).
Updated (January 2010): Hooray hooray, the post did win a cookbook!
AWWWWWWWWWWWWW, what a touching post. a very blessed christmas to you and family.
ReplyDeletevery heartwarming. makes me glad that my family is visiting me from malacca this week, so i can spend some time with them too...
ReplyDeleteso am just wondering, from now on, when your mom serves that beef, would she wave her hand in the air and go, "bon apetitit!" as well? ;)
True that...the real stuff that makes the holiday season are always the stuff prepared from Mom's humble kitchen. Nothing quite compares! Happy Holidays! Hope you've an equally dishy NY coming as well!
ReplyDeleteHmm, a version of Brothers and Sisters, you say? Oh do introduce me to your brotherly version of Dave Annable, can? *hotnesss*
ReplyDeleteP.S. Super-cute pic of (Really) A Lil Monkey in his PJ's... :D
P.P.S. Happy Boxing Day!
FBB: Thanks for making Mum's birthday a special one with your cakes.
ReplyDeleteSean: Thanks. Hope you'll have an extra quality time with you family! Funny to think of mum doing a Julia Child. She'll just say, "EAT!"
Minchow: I know it sounds biased, but Mum's cooking is absolutely comforting and good. Have a great NY ahead to u too.
LFB: There are no addicts in my family, just ciggy ones. LOL. Happy boxing day to ya too!
Lovely post, can see the difference in the shots already. :)
ReplyDeleteMerry belated X'mas monkey.
Now catching up with the blogs. Nursing a sore throat IS sickening.
Awww. How sweet. :) Sounds like a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDelete(And on another note: AH! Little Munkey - so cuuuuuteeee.... Haha...)
If you don't win Masak2's contest, I'll cook beef bourguignon for you (not that it will make you feel any better).
ReplyDeleteaaww, so sweet. happy birthday to your mumzie!
ReplyDelete