Almost Certain to Be Inauthentic Pyttipanna and Vanity

If you read my last post, you’ll know I’ve been considering questions of appearance. I never thought of myself as a vain person, particularly – though as kids my best friend Katie and I did play a game called BGW for “beautifullest girls in the world,” which later became BGU “beautifullest girls in the universe” so perhaps I am after all, perhaps the seeds of my vanity were sown early and this is the punishment for my presumptuousness. I’m not a subscriber to the vengeful god/universe theory though, so I don’t really think so.

Actually, I’m quite happy to be seen by all and sundry make-up free and in old trackpants and I’m embarassingly unembarassed about stuffing my gob in a most unbecoming manner and/or making any number of hideous faces that I allow to be captured for posterity in photographs. In fact, I’d hazard to say I’m known for it, especially the latter.

Anyway, the point is that a couple of weeks ago I was suddenly covered in eczema, a thing that hasn’t happened to me for more than two decades. It was at first blistery, then swollen and finally wrinkly, peely and dry. It depressed me far more than I would have imagined such a thing could. While the itchiness and inability to do basic things like cook, clean and shampoo my hair for myself hampered my daily life, F. was perfectly lovely and did literally everything I asked with the patience of a saint and here’s the thing: it was the appearance of it that upset me the most.

I worry that people will think I have some contagious disease and don’t wear skirts. I avoid going out unless I have a class to teach. I envision scenarios of a summer sans swimsuit, ie: hell. I am aware that there are far worse things but I’m afraid it consumes me a bit though I do try to get some perspective.

It hasn’t got better yet really, though it’s not as bad as it once was and I might have to make some lifestyle changes if it doesn’t get better which would kind of suck because I’m quite happy with my lifestyle as it is in all its sugar-eating glory.

In a rather confusing segue, I bring you: pyttipanna. Though I don’t imagine it cures or causes eczema, I do think it could be said to be a meal without vanity: it’s plain and honest. I first made it when I worked as a private cook for a lovely English family at their house in southwest France, La Meune. One day everybody but C. and I had gone out and there was leftover roast lamb to be used. Having only recently emerged from a life of vegetarianism at the time, I wondered what to do with it when her Swedish heritage came to the rescue and she suggested this meal of potatoes, leftover meat and onion.

Recently I had some leftover beef from this Steirisches Saures Rindfleisch so I made it again and while I don’t lay any claims to authenticity since I fiddled with the recipe, it was rather satisfying, messy appearance and all.

Confess: are you vain, dear reader?

Almost Certain to Be Inauthentic Pyttipanna

When I made it, I put the beef in at the beginning but if I did it again, I’d put it in at the end with the potatoes. This is enough for 1 ravenous or 2 moderately hungry people.

Fry the bacon in a bit of olive oil on medium heat until the fat renders and then fry the onion and the cabbage until wilted.

Throw in the meat and potatoes and fry until a bit crispy. Season well and add the nutmeg and thyme and parsley.

Serve with lingonberry jam and/or a fried egg atop it (I hate fried eggs so I passed on this).

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Tagged as: beef, easy, fast, lamb, leftovers, own recipe, potatoes, swedish