Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Slow Cooker Red Curry Beef Pot Roast – Teaching Old Meat New Tricks

When shopping, I like to take a quick peek at the end of the meat case where they sometimes have marked-down cuts that are past their prime. I usually stay away from the smaller, thinner pieces, as they tend to go bad faster, but once in a while I’ll find a big roast, like the one that inspired this delicious red beef curry; and as the old saying goes, the only thing better than a 3-pound chuck roast, is a half-priced, 3-pound chuck roast.

By the way, this “Reduced for Quick Sale” meat is generally fine taste and texture-wise, but the surface of the meat has oxidized, so it doesn’t look very appetizing. Other than that, it’s perfectly fine to use, especially in a slow-braised recipe like this.

I cooked mine on low, for about 7 or 8 hours, until it was fork tender, but if you’re in a hurry, you can do it on a higher setting. Conventional wisdom is that the longer slower method is superior, but in all honesty, I don’t think there's a huge difference, so suit yourself. No matter what setting you use, simply do not stop until the meat is tender.

Some of the most frustrating emails I get, are the ones that say, “I followed your braised-whatever recipe exactly, but the meat came out hard.” Actually, no you didn’t. Every time I give an approximate cooking time for something like this, I’ll always say, “or until fork tender.” So why would anyone stop cooking it while the meat is still hard? I find it as mystifying as I do annoying.

Anyway, assuming you don’t stop, won’t stop, until the meat is succulent, you are in for a real treat. Feel free to add any vegetables you like, and if you want, you can cook them separately and just add to the finished dish. I generally don’t serve this over rice if I use potatoes, but that's just my personal hang up, so don’t feel like you need to deny yourself that particular pleasure. I really hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 4 giant or 6 regular portions:
2 1/2 or 3 pound beef chuck roast
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 chopped onion
1 or 2 tsp red curry paste, or to taste
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
1 can (10-oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (or any diced tomato product)
3 tbsp Asian fish sauce, or to taste
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp tomato paste
4 cloves minced garlic
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
juice of one lime
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 pound small potatoes, halved
4 or 5 baby bok choy, sliced
1 rounded teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water
To garnish:
chopped roasted peanuts
chopped fresh cilantro leaves

View the complete recipe

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand For iPad 4 with Retina Display, New iPad (3rd Gen) and iPad 2 (K39512US) review and discount

Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand For iPad 4 with Retina Display, New iPad (3rd Gen) and iPad 2 (K39512US)

Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand For iPad 4 with Retina Display, New iPad (3rd Gen) and iPad 2 (K39512US) description


The Kensington KeyFolio(TM) Pro 2 provides a high-performance removable keyboard optimized for the touch typist. Built-in Bluetooth technology delivers wireless operation and one button set-up. A secured Velcro fastener ensures tablet vertical stability with viewing angels from 70 to 20 degrees. This lightweight 3-in-1 design is optimized for travel and in-case use plus protects your iPad 2 from wear and scratches.
User reviews for Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand For iPad 4 with Retina Display, New iPad (3rd Gen) and iPad 2 (K39512US) -





Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand For iPad 4 with Retina Display, New iPad (3rd Gen) and iPad 2 (K39512US) features


  • Tactile keyboard with high-performance keys optimized for touch typist
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Apple iPad MC706LL/A (32GB, Wi-Fi, Black)3rd Generation review and best price

Apple iPad MC706LL/A (32GB, Wi-Fi, Black)3rd Generation

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Apple iPad MC706LL/A (32GB, Wi-Fi, Black) NEWEST MODEL.What's in the box: Apple 32GB new iPad with Wi-Fi (Black), Dock Connector to USB Cable, 10W USB Power Adapter, Documentation and 1-Year Limited Warranty.
User reviews for Apple iPad MC706LL/A (32GB, Wi-Fi, Black)3rd Generation -





Apple iPad MC706LL/A (32GB, Wi-Fi, Black)3rd Generation features


  • 9.7 Retina Display, 2048 x 1536 Resolution
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Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) 3rd Generation review and best price

Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) 3rd Generation

Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) 3rd Generation description


Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) NEWEST MODEL.Built-in speaker and microphone.
User reviews for Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) 3rd Generation -





Apple iPad MD328LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White) 3rd Generation features


  • Product Line: iPad 3rd Generation,9.7 Retina Display; 2048 x 1536 Resolution
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Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation review and discount

Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation

Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation description


Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) NEWEST MODEL.What’s in the box: Apple 16GB new iPad with Wi-Fi (Black), Dock Connector to USB Cable, 10W USB Power Adapter, Documentation, 1-Year Limited Warranty.Built-In Apps :Safari, Mail, Messages, Photos, FaceTime, Newsstand, App Store, iTunes, Videos, Maps, Music, Game Center, Photo Booth, YouTube, Contacts, Reminders, Calendar, Notes, Camera.
User reviews for Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation -





Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation features


  • Product Line: iPad 3rd Generation,9.7 Retina Display; 2048 x 1536 Resolution
  • Apple iOS 5; Dual-Core A5X Chip with Quad-Core Graphics
  • 5 Megapixel iSight Camera; 1080p Video Recording
  • Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); 16 GB Capacity
  • Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life; 1.44 lbs
  • Bluetooth  4.0 + EDR,Ports : 1x Docking (30-Pin Docking Port)

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Apple iPad 2 MC979LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi, White) 2nd Generation review and discount

Apple iPad 2 MC979LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi, White) 2nd Generation

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Apple iPad X10LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi, White) NEWEST MODEL.Built-In Lithium-Polymer Providing up to 10 Hours per Charge (25Wh).Ports: 1x Docking, Audio: 1x 1/8 Inch (3.5 mm) Headphone, 1x Integrated Speaker, 1x Integrated Microphone.What's in the box: Apple 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (White), Dock Connector to USB Cable, 10W Power Adapter, Documentation and 1-Year Limited Warranty.
User reviews for Apple iPad 2 MC979LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi, White) 2nd Generation -





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OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad (4th Generation), iPad 2 and 3 - Black review and best price

OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad (4th Generation), iPad 2 and 3 - Black

OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad (4th Generation), iPad 2 and 3 - Black description


Otterbox Defender case. Black. Apple iPad 3
User reviews for OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad (4th Generation), iPad 2 and 3 - Black -





OtterBox Defender Series Case with Screen Protector and Stand for the New iPad (4th Generation), iPad 2 and 3 - Black features


  • Robust silicone - durable and absorbs impact force
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