I get so much joy out of sharing stories and recipes from my kitchen with you and yet, nights like tonight remind me why I am so very thankful you’re not actually here at dinner time with us.
When I started this blog, I wrote a post called ‘Meal Time Madness’ and although that was nearly 3 years ago now, meal times are still just as mad.
Here is a list of the most common things I would say on any given night at dinner time:
Your chair has 4 legs for a reason, please put them all on the floor.
Stop touching your brother.
We don’t say that word in this house.
Please don’t laugh when your brother says that word, it only encourages him.
Don’t point a knife at your brother.
Get out from under the table.
Get back to the table.
Leave the table if you can’t behave.
I don’t care if they say it at school, we don’t say it here.
Stop touching your brother.
It’s someone else’s turn to speak, please listen.
We had your favourite last night.
Yes, you have to eat all of it.
There is no dessert.
What assignment is due tomorrow? How long have you known about it?
I don’t think that’s a nice name to call your teacher.
Stop touching your brother.
I said don’t swing on your chair.
You are going to choke, please stop talking.
Quick, put his hands above his head, someone get him some water!
Please use your cutlery.
STOP TOUCHING YOUR BROTHER!
It’s a hands off policy at dinner, just like school.
Don’t wave your knife around, you could stab somebody.
Shhh, we are listening to how Dads day was.
Can you please help clear the table.
I know you did it last week, but it’s your turn again.
You are about to spill your drink, please move your cup.
Can someone get the paper towel.
I asked you to change so you wouldn’t get sauce on your school shirt.
Please take off your shirt and put it in the laundry.
One more piece of cauliflower and then you can leave the table.
Any of those ring a bell with you?
I truly believe that one of the most important things you need in parenting is PERSEVERANCE.
I love that word, but it conjures up images of sweat, tears, time, repetition, stress and tiredness.
On any one of these discouraging yet normal nights, I picture going out to dinner with my grown sons in many years to come, enjoying their company, the food and wine and thinking ‘all those nights of the hard stuff was worth it after all.’
Let’s keep persevering friend xx
- 1 kilogram chuck steak, fat trimmed, cut into chunky pieces
- 4 carrots, chopped into small rounds
- 1 leek, white part only, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 400 gram tin of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
- a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled, left whole
- To serve
- 500 gram packet of dried large shell pasta
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, put the lid on and cook for 5-6 hours. (If your slow cooker has settings, LOW - 8 hours, HIGH - 4 hours).
- In the last 30 minutes, remove the lid and using 2 forks, shred the beef. If it is not falling apart, put the lid back on and cook a little longer.
- Cook the pasta according to packet directions, drain and toss into the slow cooker.
- Give everything a big stir and serve in bowls with fresh parmesan cheese and a side of steamed veggies or salad.
- Don't forget to remove the bay leaves and rosemary stalks before serving.
- The sauce can be frozen, without the pasta in it.
