It amazes me sometimes where a recipe will pop up from.
This past Sat. night I was hosting a group of homeless men at a church I used to belong to. Fed them supper, popcorn and a movie, a safe warm night's rest, a shower, some clean clothes, full breakfast and a sack lunch. After supper we were diiscussing the different holiday meals and how my family does not have the "normal" holiday meals. It sparked a memory of one of the older guys. He recalled how an uncle of his cooked the Christmas meal. It was Roast Beef cooked with orange. So long ago, he did not know the recipe but that it was chuck roast and orange peel (not the orange meat or juice - just the peel). You cooked it all together would even eat the cooked orange peel. Did not sound at all like the orange beef oriental stir-fries. Intrigued me. So hadda try - especially since momma was out for a few hours on Sunday - you know that that is Caney's play time! However, did not have a roast, all I had was some stew meat. And I had one, old orange. Used a sharp knife to cut the zest off the orange - leaving as much of the pith as I could. Whether this was correct, I had no idea. Stuck the rind in a small pot along with the stew meat, some quartered onions and a little water and beef base. Added salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Set that thing on a low setting. Man that smelled good. Went in and out to the garage to turn some pens. Each time I wanted to stay inside - it smelled real good. About half way through decided that the meat wasn't going to be enough - I was getting hungry, so added a sliced portabello. Wanted to get it all cooked down good, but momma was due back soon - so rushed it. She is on some sort of 17 day fish and veggie diet and did not want to tempt her. Cooled down the pot in a pile of snow outside so I could eat it and clean the evidence up before momma got home. Was some pretty good stuff, and the orange peel was very good in it. Needs some work. Almost need some sweetness. Need a real roast, that has been browned, Other ideas are wine, more garlic, and maybe some rosemary and maybe some cayenne. Probably carrots and potatoes would be a good addition. Has anybody else seen a recipe like this - I have not!
I have not seen a recipe for this but it is interesting. It is great that you are giving and aiding the homeless. I am sure all the smiles are worth the effort.
Interesting recipe in development. A regular old potato peeler works a treat for removing the zest sans pith.