Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Yields 6 servings
 
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5-8 hours*
 
Ingredients:
1 (3 to 3-1/2 pound) boneless corned beef brisket with pickling spice packet
1 to 1-1/2 pounds Dutch baby potatoes, chopped in bit sized pieces
5 to 6 carrots, peeled and cut into 2" chunks (I used organic rainbow carrots)
4 cups vegetable or beef broth (I used vegetable)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 head purple (or green) cabbage, cored and sliced into small wedges
2 to 3 Tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Place corned beef brisket fat side up into a slow cooker.  Sprinkle with pickling spices and minced garlic. 

Pour broth over top of the brisket. Scatter potatoes and carrots around the edges of the brisket.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until both the corned beef and vegetables are fork tender.

Remove veggies to a serving platter and transfer brisket to a cutting board and cover with a sheet of foil to keep it warm.

To a Dutch Oven over high heat, add cabbage wedges and enough cooking liquid from slow cooker to cover cabbage.  Bring to a boil. Reduce to heat medium, cover, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until cabbage is softened and slightly tender. Remove cabbage with a slotted spoon and transfer to serving platter with other veggies. Dot with butter and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Slice corned beef across the grain and transfer to serving platter.

*If you choose LOW setting, it will take approximately 8-9 hours. ​

No travel this month.  Sadly, I could have gone somewhere because we had two weeks off of Portuguese language class, but we only found out the Wednesday before the Monday we were off.  I had doctors appointments the first week, but the second week was a possibility if only I had more time to plan.  So I decided to do a Staycation (see Being a Local Tourist below)!  After all, Lisbon is a wonderful sightseeing location.

I visited the following museums/attractions.  Click on the links to be taken to that blog post to learn more.
Medeiros e Almeida Museum
Jerónimos Monastery
MAAT Museum
​Jardim Zoologico (Lisbon Zoo)

My €2,200/month budget was off this month due to a major expense this month of getting new sunglasses to a cost of €680.  I only paid for half in February while they were being made (they are to be ready on March 2 when I'll pay the other 50%).

Health costs were €630.28 in February.  €365.28 for the 50% of sun glasses.  €159.78 for health insurance and the rest on vitamins and doctor co-pays.

I spent €327 (up slightly from January) on food because I stocked up on meats (fish, chicken, pork and red meat). 

I ate out 7 times this month for the grand total of €101.40 - that averages to €14.49 per meal.  Not bad!  That even included a fabulous meal (and most expensive of the 7) at a French restaurant in Belém called Restaurante Comptoir Parisien.

Utilities - Gas (for two months) was €23.83 and Electricity was €33.87.  I'm still waiting on the Water bill from my landlord.  They pay and then I reimburse them.

I got a package out of customs jail.  A friend had mailed me a Christmas package.  Portugal wanted €63 Euros for a gift valued at $45.  But a friend told me if I check the box that it is a gift, the duty will be waived.  I did and it was.  It only took one month and 20 days to get to me.

​I continued to do the tasks necessary after receiving my residence card.  I'm now a tax resident of Portugal and received my NHR status which means I only pay a 10% flat tax for the next 10 years (if I understood this correctly), but what I pay in the United States would be subtracted from that amount (I think I will definitely get a Portuguese accountant to help me when it's time to do taxes next year).

At the end of January, I had all of the tests done for my physical.  This month, I saw the doctor to review them.  Unfortunately, my cholesterol is very high, so I'm now on a daily statin drug.

I also went the dentist for a cleaning.  My cleaning along with a full set of X-Rays was only €63  and I don't have dental insurance here.  It would have probably been closer to $400 in the United States.  The dental hygienist recommended a cleaning every 6 months.  I'll be curious to see what just a cleaning costs.  I had two cavities (bad Linda!) and a possibly needing a root canal and crown.  I've had both cavities filled for €30 each.

I also went to the eye doctors for a yearly exam.  I do have vision insurance included so I only had to pay my co-pay of €19.  My vision only changed very slightly in my left eye so I don't need new glasses.  However, since my sunglasses were even an older prescription from 2020, I decided to get those replaced.  Glasses are most expensive here (at least for my level of prescription - as I mentioned above it was €680).  Unfortunately my current health insurance plan doesn't pay for glasses.  I might have to look for another plan since I know that some plans do pay.

I colored 11 pages in February.  Here are my favorites.

Just click on the photo to be taken to the recipe page.

What Happens in Paradise and Troubles in Paradise (Books 2 and 3) in the Paradise trilogy by Elin Hilderbrand.  I read Winter in Paradise in 2022.

​Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle.

The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton

Continuing with the Bridgerton series, When He Was Wicked and It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn.

This Keto granola is crunchy and perfectly sweetened! Delicious with your favorite nut milk, over a little plain Greek yogurt or fresh fruit. This is a breakfast and snack must for any Keto or low carb diet!​

I've made granola several times but it's so much easier just to buy it when you are in a hurry.  I love Lakanto's Keto Granola.  But now that I live in Portugal, it's a bit harder to get some of the products I used in the U.S.  So I'm back to making my own since I haven't found a Keto option here.

And this one is super easy.  Done right on the stove, in just 5 minutes!

Easy 5 Minute Keto Granola
Yields approximate 3 cups

​Ingredients:
1 cup pecans
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup roasted pepitas
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 Tablespoons Chia seeds
2 Tablespoons Hemp seeds
2 Tablespoons Flaxseeds
4-5 Tablespoons Lakanto Monk fruit sweetener
2 Tablespoons coconut oil 
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of pink salt

Customize with the following variations:

Swap the cinnamon for another spice such as:
nutmeg/allspice/pumpkin spice for a fragrant Autumn granola
or a pinch of cayenne if you like it spicy!

Change it up by adding extracts (add these to the oil at the beginning):
vanilla extract
almond extract
maple extract

Step back in time and picture yourself riding in a luxurious carriage with beautiful wheels and ornate decor at the National Coach Museum in Belém in the district of Lisbon.

​Located in Belém, near the Tagus River and the National Palace (the official residence of the President of the Republic), the National Coach Museum is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in this tourist area of Lisbon!

When Queen Amélie of Orléans and Bragança (wife of Carlos I of Portugal) realized the great cultural value of the Royal House’s ceremonial coaches collection, she decided it had to be shared with the public.

The museum officially opened on May 23, 1905 in the hall of the former Royal Riding Arena. and then moved to it's current location in 2015.

What’s a Coach?

A Coach is a ceremonial and travel vehicle that emerged at the beginning of the 15th century, in Kocs (Hungary). In fact, the term “coach” (used in English) derives from the name of this village, which inspired linguistic adaptations in other European countries: “coche” (in Portuguese, French, and Spanish), “cocchio” (in Italian), “Kutsche” (in German), etc.

Despite being called National Coach Museum, the collection of this museum consists of almost 80 vehicles of various types that belonged both to the Portuguese Royal House and to figures of the clergy and aristocracy. In addition to coaches, you’ll find berlins (a four-wheeled carriage for two seated people​), chaises, litters, sedan chairs, carriages, landaus, and much more!

The National Coach Museum houses the Coach of King João V. King of Portugal from December 9, 1706 until his death in 1750, he was known as the Magnanimous and the Portuguese Sun King.  His reign saw the rise of Portugal to new levels of prestige and prosperity among European courts. 

​The Coach of the Coronation of Lisbon is another of the five embassy coaches that participated in the procession for Pope Clement XI in Rome. 

Ornate painting and decor were magnificent to look at.

I really loved the intricate wheels.  They are works of art!

This is the oldest horse-drawn prisoner transport vehicle known in Portugal.  Access to the interior is through a single rear door which opens only from the outside.  There are 6 individual cells.

This Mail Coach delivered mail between Lisbon and Porto in the late 1850s. 

There's one car in the National Coach Museum - the first automobile that circulated in Portugal in 1895! It’s was made in France from the Parisian brand Panhard et Levassor.  I love antique cars so it was super cool to see!

There was an interesting collection of chess pieces and Fado guitars in a separate area.

Getting There

Located at Av. da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa, Portugal.

It's easy to get to this museum by public transportation.  You can take the bus (lines 28, 714, 727, 729, 751), tram (number 15E) and train (Cascais Line)! 

For more information, visit their official website.

Like museums?  Check out my other Lisbon museum posts.

Tiramisu pie takes that dessert to the next level! Rich and creamy - rum laced lady fingers meets a flaky, buttery crust.  This dessert is perfect for Pi Day or any other holiday or gathering.

Pi Day, not to be confused with Pie Day which is January 23, is coming up!  Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π. Pi Day is observed on March 14 since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant figures of π.  

Please note this recipe is not gluten free. I originally made this pie for my husband who is not gluten sensitive, like I am.  So if you have someone in your household who loves Tiramisu, this is the pie to make them.

Directions:
For the Tiramisu Filling
Beat together sugar, mascarpone and cream, beat until thick. 

Putting it Together
Spread the prepared pie crust with an even layer of chocolate hazelnut spread.  Top with half the Mascarpone cream mixture, sprinkle with some cocoa powder.

Dip the lady fingers (whole), one cookie at a time in the coffee, then place on top of the Mascarpone Cream mixture.

Top coffee soaked lady fingers with remaining cream. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is even better. 

Before serving, sprinkle with cocoa powder over the π cut out.  I printed out the π symbol from the internet, and cut it out.