Chinchai Cook: Slow Comfort

Some things simply cannot be rushed. The first cup of coffee on a Sunday morning. Earning a person’s trust. Watching a Lord of the Rings movie marathon (director’s cut). These things simply take time, not just because you want to savour it, but because you might scald yourself or lose the plot if you try to rush through them.

It’s the same with stews. You just gotta add the ingredients in one at a time and let it slowly simmer to coax out the flavours.

And so I took it slow today, content to have my Sunday coast mundanely by before the hustle and bustle of the working week swings by again. An unhurried brunch with alilfatmonkey, strolling through the supermart for groceries, watching cartoons… and yes, making stew.

1. Slice up several strips of bacon and lightly fry them in a pot (yes, a pot).

2. Remove bacon from pot and set aside.

3. Add a couple of onions (quartered) into the pot, and briefly fry them in the bacon oil to bring out the fragrance.

4. Throw in chunks of potato and a whole bulb of garlic.

5. Fill the pot about halfway up with water.

6. Bring to boil then let it simmer.

7. While that simmers, chop up carrots and add them to the pot.

8. Go play a few rounds of facebook games.

9. Chop up white carrot and throw that into the pot.

10. Add water, if necessary. Sprinkle in salt, pepper and herbs.

11. Let it simmer (time for a cuppa).

12. And simmer (a few more games on facebook).

13. Tear up a chinese cabbage and throw that in.

14. Simmer some more (maybe cook the rice in the meanwhile).

15. When the cabbage has softened enough, carefully stir the pot to mix everything. Be gentle – you don’t want to end up with mashed potato/carrot/cabbage porridge.

16. Throw bacon on top and continue to let it simmer covered. Go have a shower.

17. When you’re done with the shower, go check on the stew. Taste the broth and add more salt/pepper/herbs/spices/maybe even soy sauce if that’s how you like it.

18. Turn off the fire (finally) and serve it hot with bread or rice or simply on its own.

There. A little long-winded, perhaps, but it’s good to have something warm, hearty and comforting.