Meatless Gumbo?

Last night was one of those nights where I didn't feel like going to the grocery store, but I didn't quite have the normal makings for a dinner in the fridge, freezer or cabinet.  So I simmered one of those sketchy Everything Stews on the stove.  I did have some rustic bread leftover from the weekend that wasn't getting any fresher, so I cubed and seasoned before crisping it up in the oven for a crouton soup topper.  The stew started with a mirepoix.  You can see my faithful half teaspoon giraffe keeping watch by night over the simmering pot. 

I cooked down a little beef stock before adding a tablespoon of flour or so to brown and deglazing with some of the Bell's Amber Ale I had in hand. In went a couple quarts of Jeremy's homemade chicken stock, some frozen green beans, an unmeasured amount of rice, some sriracha, thyme, a bay leaf, you get the picture...
While that pot of mystery food was stewing I continued with my recent craft obsession- creating various items from wine corks.  I managed to finish a trivet before serving myself some stew and settling in to finish District 9.  It was terrible.  Really, don't see it.  I expected much more and was disappointed with such an unresolved ending.  You really have to have a movie that can stand on its own pretty strong in order to hint at a sequel like they did. 



So for tonight, I'm looking forward to an hour and a half massage and seeing what fun items I can scope out at Trader Joe's. 

By the way, if anyone has a really nice camera they would like to donate to my blog cause, I will gladly accept... iPhones rock, but they are better suited to more phone and internet-like tasks than they are to food photography. 
Thanks for reading, and have a super duper day!