This is pruning season in the vineyard. I have 300 vines pruned and 230 still to go. Pruning efforts continue despite 30-40 mph winds and a wind chill of 37. As long as it is not raining, I prune.

Luckily my son Ben stepped up last weekend and prepared a hearty and tasty dinner. It is called Yakamein and is also known as “old sober.” Apparently it’s also good for those dealing with a morning-after hangover. I choose to consider it a wonderful dinner that I didn’t have to cook and will overlook any reasons Ben may have for a hangover recipe.

Yakamein
2-3 lb. stewing beef roast
4 quarts water
2 Tbsp. beef bouillon base
1 tsp. seasoning salt
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1 lb. spaghetti noodles, cooked
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
3 green onions, sliced

Soy sauce, hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce, to taste
Brown the stewing beef on all sides in a large pot. Add water, beef bouillon base, seasoning salt, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, oil and salt and pepper. The solution should cover the meat plus one inch. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 2-3 hours.

When the beef is fork-tender, remove from the pot and shred. Then return to the pot and add salt as necessary. I came into the kitchen about that time and felt the liquid in the pot could be thicker, so I mixed about 3 Tbsp. of corn starch to a quarter cup of water and added it to the mixture. It thickened nicely. I also added Worcestershire sauce.

Serve the noodles with the meat sauce over the top. Garnish with the chopped boiled eggs and green onions. It was wonderful. Of course, I was tired and hungry, but most meals taste wonderful when they are prepared for you and all you need to do is relax and enjoy.