Food for Thought

So, the inlaws were here last week. I love my inalws! We actually are missing them and calling, today, to see when they will be back.
We got the whole family involved in the Wii Fit, including the inlaws. Dad loved the Wii tennis and bowling. He and G played tennis well into the night most of their nights here. Mom followed along with the Fit Step program and found that she really digs it, but needs some practice, as it takes a lot of paying attention. She would have had no problem with that if we weren't all laughing so hard!

We ate, we shopped, we ate, we played, we ate, we played some more! I made the Braised Beef from a recipe that I borrowed from a very wise woman. It went over VERY well. Everyone loved it and the girls actually took some with them to their New Year's Eve party.

Braised Beef

sliced a Tri Tip steak, about 2lbs (floured and pan fried til caramel in color)
one large, yellow onion, chopped
baby carrots, about a lb
celery, chopped a whole bag
handful of whole garlic
several bay leaves
bottle of Merlot, 3/4 bottle for braise, 1/4 bottle for me
generous splash Worchestershire
6 chopped tomatoes
some balsamic vinegar
2 cups beef stock (no msg)
8 bratwursts, cut and browned
1 orange, quartered (got some great looks about this LOL)
2 T tomato paste
handful of fresh marjoram, sage, rosemary and thyme (yes, we all sang along)

tossed it all in a huge roaster pan and into the oven, covered, at 300F for 4-4.5 hours.

Try it! You'll be amazed!