Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Skating, Dutch Speeders, Downton Abbey.

This is the third blog I have written today. Two for the A to Z Challenge in April. I was doing well with those but have slowed down a bit. It’s the Olympics, I am spending time watching. Today I watched the American couple, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, win the Gold at ice dancintessa-virtue-scott-moirg being followed by the Canadian couple, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, with the silver. Both couples were flawless and in my personal opinion the Canadians were better. The American performance was more athletic than dance. As the commenters remarked though, a lot of it is subjective. I also thought the French couple were excellent too but the Russians, also very good, won the bronze. Tessa repeated a phrase I liked “We didn’t lose the gold, we won the silver”.

The Dutch are doing really well in speed skating sweeping the podium in the women’s 1,500 metre race. As I commented to a Dutch SkaterDutch friend though, aren’t all the Dutch born with speed skates on? They have 5 gold medals with a total of 18 over all at least 16 of which were won in speed skating. Great Britain sadly have only one medal, gold, this year. As I said to Matt, where are the Torvill and Deans, the Robin Cousins’ and others, they used to be so good, but British skaters seem to have disappeared for now. They showed a snippet of Torvill and Dean’s wonderful short programme which they danced to Bolero at the games in Sarajevo 30 years ago. That’s incredible, 30 years!!!

Mr BatesBeing Tuesday when you read this, I have an appointment to see the doctor (a nephrologist) about my kidney function. We have to take our lunches or we won’t have time to eat and get to the bowling alley for our League meet. After all, I have to discuss Downton Abbey with two of my friends. “Did he?” “What do you think?” Matt hasn’t the least interest so I can’t discuss it when it happens. If you are a fan, you will know what I am talking about. Just discovered there is only one more show this season, Boo Hoo.

I mentioned that on Saturday I made a different sauce for our fillet steaks. As I said, Matt didn’t like it, but I did. Here it is for your opinion. I didn’t take pictures, of course.

Balsamic Vinegar Sauce

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar di ModenaBalsamic Vinegar Sauce
1 clove(s) garlic, minced
1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 Tbs cornstarch
1/4 cup beef stock
1 pinch(es) pepper

1. Mix together balsamic vinegar, pepper, lemon and garlic and pour into a small skillet. Bring to a boil, and let it reduce a bit.
2. Add cornstarch and whisk it in. Once the sauce thickens pour it over your choice of meat, i.e. fillet or steak.

Servings: 1
Author: alexia_cu

Author Notes: A very yummy Italian sauce for all steak and fillet lovers

Have a great day
Jo

16 comments:

  1. That recipe looks tasty. I'd like to try it without the beef stock.

    Thanks for the update on the Olympics. I haven't been watching it closely, so I appreciate the news.

    Be well, Jo.
    xoRobyn

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    1. I think it wouldn't work without the beef stock Robyn. Be much too tart.
      '
      I haven't been watching that closely myself.

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  2. Downton Abbey finished soooo long ago on UK TV that I struggle to remember what happened in the last epidodes .. but there's another series planned this year I believe. Did you know some of it was filmed at Chatham Dockyard?

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    1. We don't get them until January. I didn't know about Chatham Dockyard, but I wouldn't recognise it today anyway. Matt used to work there and then a friend took him round it and it has all changed drastically. The mast ponds are still there though.

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  3. My rule of thumb tends to be that I'm more interested in sauces for my steak when the meat itself isn't as good. But I can't always get that prime cut steak that I want either, it costs too much money, so I actually do want sauces sometimes.

    So, I'd be pretty interested in trying it out. I have no qualms about any of the ingredients used.

    And I'm sorry to say that I've not been too into Downton Abby, my wife watches it, but she's not asked me to watch it with her, which makes her think I probably won't enjoy it that much. She's so sweet that way.

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    1. II used not to want sauces on my steaks, but my tastes have changed somewhat.in recent years.

      I think it's mostly women who watch it.

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  4. The Olympics are a fun distraction.
    With ice dancing, it's difficult to tell if anyone messes up.

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    1. I certainly enjoy them.

      True, the results tend to be mainly subjective.

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  5. I love a good balsamic. Substitute vegetable broth and I could make that.

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    1. You're right it would be fine for you that way.

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  6. Oh how I love the ice skating and ice dancing. I was blown away by the talent of the competitors this year. Unfortunately, I was so tired from having hardly slept the night before that I fell asleep. Hubby sure tried to keep me awake...so I saw snippets.

    Sauce sounds delish. We love balsamic around here.
    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
    http://www.facebook.com/TinaLifeIsGood

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    1. Me too Tina. Sorry you fell asleep - I do that sometimes even when it is something I am interested in and I don't have your excuse.

      Matt felt it overpowered the steak.

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  7. Hey Jo, hope you enjoyed your discussion on Downton Abbey. The Aussies don't have snow and it is intriguing watching it while in the throes of a heatwave. So our team isn't featured much except in Australia. Been some enjoyable events.

    Thanks for the balsamic recipe. Sounds yummy for a salad dressing.

    Denise

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    1. Only one of my DA friends there today. No, I haven't seen much mention of Oz. Not really a snow country are you?

      No, I don't think it would work as a salad dressing, way too pungent.

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  8. Oh no, just one more show of DA? I think that he did it. So, now what does Julian F. do with the story? I think that Thomas is up to no good and will somehow figure it all out and cause much trouble. I like the sauce--it sounds tasty on paper, and I will try it.

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    1. Nah, I don't think so. It would be too many coincidences, Bates just happened to be in London when Green just happened to be where he could be pushed off into traffic. After all, he may have raped more women and someone else could have been tagging him too. You are right about Thomas though.

      Like I said, I enjoyed it.

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