Coyotes and goulash

Coyotes and goulash

Never, in all my time at my humble Lisle abode, have I seen as many coyotes as I have recently. I’m not seeing them once or twice a year. I’m not seeing them once or twice a month, but rather several times each week.

My neighbor, one day saw seven of them feeding on something in his backyard. I’ve had several encounters myself. A while back, there was a great big one right across the street from me. I walked to the end of the driveway in an attempt to shoo it away. Instead, he turned and took a step towards me, daring me to come closer. I yielded and went back into the house.

One weekend, there was a racket coming from several directions. I went out and there was a coyote in my backyard howling, one in my front yard howling and one down the block answering both of them. None were as big as the one that challenged me a week ago. I successfully chased them away.

With two small dogs, Camper at 16 pounds and Squeeky at 33 pounds, I have to be careful when I take them out so they don’t become dinner. One night I got a scare. I started to go out on my back deck and both dogs ran down to the back yard. That’s when I noticed the coyote right below my deck. 

Squeeky immediately took off after the coyote, who ran away. I got Camper and yelled for Squeeky to stop, but she was going full speed, chasing the coyote down the river. Finally I got Squeeky to return and I was thankful that the coyote was scared, and not hungry. When my heart stopped racing, I settled down to make a big dinner to sooth my nerves.

I don't know. This goulash smells so good, maybe that's what's attracting the coyotes.

1/2 lb. bacon

3 large onions, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, smashed and minced 

3 tbs. Hungarian Paprika

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

2 lb. beef pot roast, cubed

1/2 tsp. caraway seeds

4 cups beef or chicken stock

3 medium potatoes, cubed

1 15oz can of diced tomatoes

1 red and 1 green bell pepper, chopped 

1 tsp. thyme

Preparation

Heat a large braising pan and cook the bacon until it begins to crisp. Remove, chop and reserve. Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook gently for about ten minutes until the onions turn golden. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Off the heat, stir in the paprika.

Add the stock, beef, bacon and caraway seeds, Cajun seasoning and bring to a boil. Simmer, partially covered for about an hour. Add the potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes and thyme. Cover and simmer another half hour, stirring occasionally.

Serving

Take a bowl and fill it with the goulash and serve it with some homemade rye bread and butter. A salad and a large tankard of beer will round out this hearty feast. 

After all, living amidst a pack of howling coyotes can be stressful and a little comfort food is always welcome.