Paleo Braised Beef and Root Vegetables

In a sea of people, there is one thing we as humans all have in common. Not one of us is without a burden.  Some, though tired and weary, somehow keep going. Though we all face difficulties in life, the main difference between us is how, or who, we let carry these burdens. 

Sometimes, when the pain just won't stop, the same symptoms keep reoccurring for extended months, and I am completely crawling out of my skin, finding peace in the present moment can be a struggle. In reality, we all have what I call "mental wrestling matches." They wear us from the inside out, and though we may not be expressing our inner turmoil, it tends to come out in words or actions one way or another. But you see,  it does not have to be this way.

When I find myself in situations like these, I must remember to quiet my heart and give the present (and future) to God. I do not have to think about how I will get through whatever it may be, because He promises to supply me with all that I need when the time has come. This moment is when, as a human, we must trust in something bigger than our mental capacity.  Though the situation may not be any different, it is the simple act of surrender and renewing of mind that makes living a life of suffering that much more bearable.

Another aspect of life that makes time go by, is one of the biggest passion in my life, cooking.  However, if I try to do this as a way to distance myself from the issue at hand, it does not work. Bowls knock over, the wrong ingredients get mixed, and nothing ever seems to come out tasting right. Yet when I truly let go of the struggle to God, my hands move swifter, my brain naturally turns off, and I am allowed to find my true happy place.

When placed in front of the mountains of life, most try and find an "out" through TV, friends, hobbies, or even an addiction, all of which tend to fail us in the end.  This is because they are worldly, not all necessarily bad, but simply from the world i.e manmade, thus limited. However we need something far beyond ourselves, something or someone much greater.

When people wonder or ask how I make it through a life that is a never ending groundhog day, the answer is simple, Jesus.  No matter what you are facing, not only does He promise to bless those who follow him, but He will give you the desires of your heart. It might be right away, or it may be later in life. Either way, the immediate peace He provides will numb the bumps and bruises of life that are ultimately brining you to all that you were created to be.

As I said before, when my heart is in the right place, my type-A mind can turn off and things become seemingly less stressful.  It is times like these I tend to create some of my best recipes.  With the winter months arriving, and my mom now working, I decided getting familiar with slow cooked meals would be my next step in the kitchen. Not only do these types of meals conserve energy, but they also work for those simply trying to save money.  Due to the low, slow cooking time, having a prize cut of meat to make a succulent and incredibly flavored dish is not necessary.

Chuck steak, a piece cut from the shoulder section of a cow, is naturally tough.  Trying to eat it is like chewing on a bag of jerky, making dinner anything but a pleasant experience.  Because of this, "braising" instantly clicked in my mind.  With an over abundance of beets, and a fresh vine of grapes sitting on the cutting board, I decided red wine would be a nice pairing.  For those of you who do not consume alcohol, having a nice bottle put away for cooking can be really helpful in adding flavor, or in this case, tenderness to food.

Braised Beef and Root Vegetables

Print Recipe

(Serves 4)
Ingredients

• 1-2 pound chuck steak (or any other large, flat piece of meat)
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 cup of beef broth *or any other animal broth available, alternatively you can use water
• Duck fat 
• 3 leeks - sliced into rounds *greens removed
• 1 1/2 cup beets -cut into chunks
• 1 cup sweet potatoes - cut into chunks 
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup whole red grapes
• Garlic powder
• Bunch of thyme
• 1 bay leaf

Process

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees
• On a hot griddle or stove pan, melt duck fat and sear steak about 4 minutes per side, until it is nicely browned.
• In a large, 9x13 inch rectangle baking dish, place chunked potatoes, beets, sliced leaks, and whole grapes.
• Place the steak on top of the vegetable mixture and sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and garlic powder. 
• Make a "bouquet garni" by tying and string around the bunch of thyme and one bay leaf and place on top of the steak
• Mix together the wine and beef broth and pour around the sides of the steak.
• Sprinkle the vegetables with remaining 1/2 tsp of salt and tightly cover dish with tin foil.
• Place in oven and bake for three hours.
• Half way through, open the foil cover and stir the vegetables around to make sure they get coated with the broth mixture, and then cover once more.
• In the last 20 minutes, take the foil off the dish. 
• Once finished cooking, let stand out of the oven for 10 minutes, and then serve with veggies 

(Pin Recipe For Later)

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."