Miso Stew

In the span of two days, I managed to cut my 9K document to 1K. Having undertook a huge study, the analysis of results were a pain. It was so complicated that I often fell asleep dreaming about statistics (instead of food!). Since this is only study 1 out of 10 studies (study 2 is done) that I have to write up, I was panicking big time. Finally on Monday, supervisor read my 9K draft and said "This is so complicated that only you and I can understand it". In my head I was thinking "that was what I have been trying to tell you for the past 3 months!".

Despite having to cut out pretty much all the work I have been doing for the past few months, there was a sense of relief. Probably because inside me, I knew that wasn't submission standard. Waaayy too much information and I probably have to hand up TWO thesis instead of one given the thickness of the chapter. Also, once I decided what I want to reduce, the writing becomes so much easier. It just came within me. I felt calmer as I write. Probably because I understand what I'm writing. After all, I'm not training to be a statistician, I'm a clinical psych!

Heading to see supervisor this afternoon again. This time round, I'm hoping that my new draft will need small changes (when u have a perfectionist as a supervisor, you will always have chances to make to your drafts) instead of big ones. Also, if I can start the process of analyzing study 3 and 5 (4 is already done), I will be a happy girl.

Which also explains my lack of taking photographs and reading up on recipes for the last few weeks. There were 2 weeks in late Oct/early Nov when I stopped baking altogether (close friends will not believe that huh..). I was so mentally exhausted that I couldn't, just couldn't try new things. Then, I started picking up my mixing bowl again. I went to the extreme and baked lots of cookies instead (I made the cranberries oats twice! heheh). There are a few more cookie posts lined up.. ;p

But today I'm going to be showcasing this wonderful stew. Stews are warm, comforting and so easy to make. I love slurping up the gravy and having it with a bowl of warm rice. East meets West Kitchen made Miso Chicken Stew and I knew immediately that it was an excellent idea. I had a huge pack of red miso paste in the fridge and there were only how many bowls of miso soup and miso green beans one can eat!

I didn't follow exactly what East meets West Kitchen had on her recipe. Simply because there were some ingredients that I didn't have on hand. Largely though, the concept is similar. Please feel free to adapt this to your liking.



Miso Stew (serves 4)
300 grams of cubed meat (I used pork because that was what I had in the fridge, I would have used chicken if there were some left!)
50 grams of mussel meat
2 carrots sliced
2 potatoes cubed
1 capsicum cubed
1 tablespoon of garlic
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/4 cup of mirin
1 tablespoon of soya sauce
1 tsp of chilli powder
1 generous tablespoon of miso paste
1/4 cup of water/stock

Method

Preheat pan with oil. Fry garlic till fragrant. Add meat cubes. When meat is almost cooked, add to the pan all the vegetables, chilli powder, soya sauce, mirin and water/stock. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Add in mussel meat (if overcooked, this becomes tough, so I usually add it last). Again, simmer for about 3 minutes before adding in miso paste. Stir to make sure that the miso paste is dissolved properly.

Serve with a bowl of rice!

PS No salt was added since the miso provided a salty taste.