AuthorHeather WallaceCategorymOO, sammiesDifficultyBeginnerGrief is a funny thing...
It comes in waves of being unbearable and not feeling a single thing at other times. It's a juggling act of when and how to allow the pain and memories to flood your mind. Sometimes it's uncontrollable and sometimes you can steer through the deep floods of emotions that lurk beneath the surface of the mind.
I very recently lost my grandfather expectantly and have been trying to cope with the loss. I've had more experience with death in my life than I care to have had...and knowing it's a part of life doesn't make it easier. Knowing my grandfather lived a full and happy life does make it bearable a little.
At times I am numb and don't feel anything, like the event, didn't affect me at all. Then it all crashes down on me and I cry and get angry at different things...I tell myself I should have done so much more with my papa, visited him more...but I realize these are all the steps to grieving and it's normal and good to feel all of these including feeling numb. It's a self-defense measure that doesn't allow you to feel the whole impact of the loss at once.
I've found that allowing myself to remember things that we shared to be helpful...like food. Meals that we shared, special recipes I first had with him or weird dishes we both enjoyed like grilled peanut butter and onion sandwiches. Sitting with my grandmother and remembering the things he didn't like and sharing recipes that were his favorites. It's the things like these that make it bearable.
Like this recipe- my first time having this beef stroganoff melt was at Sunday dinner over my grandparents. Of course, my grandpa didn't like the green peppers so he got a slice without them. Making this recipe has always made me think of him and I'll always have that memory tied to this dish...and that is beautiful. These types of recipes are my favorites- the ones that are sprinkled with a loving memory.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of shaved beef (or ground chuck) and 1 medium chopped onion until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft; drain.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of red wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes scraping bottom of the pan if needed.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of sour cream until combined.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Cut a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and place on baking sheet. Butter each half of bread, top with 8 slices of Muenster cheese.
Spread meat mixture over the cheese and arrange sliced green pepper and tomatoes over the meat.
Top with 8 slices of Swiss cheese slices and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
and Enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of shaved beef (or ground chuck) and 1 medium chopped onion until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft; drain.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of red wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes scraping bottom of the pan if needed.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of sour cream until combined.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Cut a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and place on baking sheet. Butter each half of bread, top with 8 slices of Muenster cheese.
Spread meat mixture over the cheese and arrange sliced green pepper and tomatoes over the meat.
Top with 8 slices of Swiss cheese slices and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
and Enjoy!