tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62563475814026310122024-03-12T19:44:32.656-05:00Dragon Woman's KitchenFood and GardensAkanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-36866690378499468982023-09-22T22:40:00.002-05:002023-09-22T22:42:58.148-05:00Pumpkin (is it fall yet ?)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP8gqRTjQRCF99yChsUlwsov1l1GjZWcFw1Wdk7i9m-OD6XCBobw4ueC5KQeF5w4XQ5QdJRR23Namz-V_39bdTDKjKwwx8J37UW-S2mabhGzBT1w1FvP6Et8mjuUdBlA9Bx2AX8e8vsVBTMbW-07VKZDwvhA7PXlFaCOPaAyCbhfq5wvfqIfVraRQLIIX/s720/Pumpkin%20Praline%20Bundt%20Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP8gqRTjQRCF99yChsUlwsov1l1GjZWcFw1Wdk7i9m-OD6XCBobw4ueC5KQeF5w4XQ5QdJRR23Namz-V_39bdTDKjKwwx8J37UW-S2mabhGzBT1w1FvP6Et8mjuUdBlA9Bx2AX8e8vsVBTMbW-07VKZDwvhA7PXlFaCOPaAyCbhfq5wvfqIfVraRQLIIX/w400-h300/Pumpkin%20Praline%20Bundt%20Cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> It's that pumpkin time of year again and I have 2 favorite pumpkin desserts. This is one of them, and I just got to bake one for a friend's birthday. It's a lovely bundt cake that I can bake in my Ninja 5 in 1 airfryer oven. I am known for making cakes and things from scratch, but there are a couple of things I make that are not part of that holy culinarium. lol (Google says that's misspelled, but I made it up, so screw Google. LOL) Anyway... this is one of those recipes that uses a tweaked out yellow cake mix. And it is magnificent. </span></b></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>The first step is the Praline topping mix. </b></span> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1/2 cup butter</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1/4 cup whipping cream (I have used evaporated milk and it works fine)</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 cup brown sugar </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3/4 cup chopped pecans </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Melt butter, add cream and sugar, stir til blended (about 5 minutes). Add pecans and remove from heat. Cool a bit.</b></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;"><b> Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. In a stand mixer, mix until well blended</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 yellow cake mix</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1/3 cup vegetable oil</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1/2 cup cold water</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Then add 4 eggs, one at a time until well mixed.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Add one can pumpkin puree (NOT pie mix) and 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and mix til fully blended.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwg4F9tqntzyBohGZDLIALQfgOsbBaQTzdhT6KiCzbEk86EzXarugRzexdwAhpmw5KkexmdiorO3-OiqVhjpybr6UKwmmFwvU4CU2t4MWbsl4FvQl2sxQ3FKhWv8JjWJ3dpumd_ykVCN6InkPtWzo9Ct_DNpdXinwsUIugmnqCwoIO0QSU2v8cZndTY4g/s600/PPB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwg4F9tqntzyBohGZDLIALQfgOsbBaQTzdhT6KiCzbEk86EzXarugRzexdwAhpmw5KkexmdiorO3-OiqVhjpybr6UKwmmFwvU4CU2t4MWbsl4FvQl2sxQ3FKhWv8JjWJ3dpumd_ykVCN6InkPtWzo9Ct_DNpdXinwsUIugmnqCwoIO0QSU2v8cZndTY4g/s320/PPB2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pour the cooled praline mix into a greased bundt pan and spread evenly. </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK264mouHZoJyuTgmJrgvOZgfG7pji1ErcI8v0Eq9lqcSfPYZD6BLIHhpmBNT4GtLAhNBulHbZWSUBfulCnVV_snmvW4ROsKmQpUezo8cXSzeqO1KYu01bOs2lmc487ArZ5DFC_G56NXbSLQqrYDZc6e2htJmPxSzkF9ci9-Kjy624YPcdfHkPlkmUXwLm/s600/PPB3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK264mouHZoJyuTgmJrgvOZgfG7pji1ErcI8v0Eq9lqcSfPYZD6BLIHhpmBNT4GtLAhNBulHbZWSUBfulCnVV_snmvW4ROsKmQpUezo8cXSzeqO1KYu01bOs2lmc487ArZ5DFC_G56NXbSLQqrYDZc6e2htJmPxSzkF9ci9-Kjy624YPcdfHkPlkmUXwLm/s320/PPB3.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Pour cake batter over all. Bake 40 to 50 minutes til done. When inserted toothpick comes out clean, cool in pan for about 20 minutes, then turn out onto cake plate. You can add a glaze if you like, but I think it's beautiful and just sweet enough as is. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Voila !</b></span></p><p><br /></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-45676212369882724722023-03-14T14:54:00.001-05:002023-03-14T14:54:18.465-05:00We do like to eat...<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span style="color: #a64d79;"> A few days ago I made a nice supper of pork chops and scalloped potatoes. Dishes like this can be a bit of a challenge when you live in an almost completely dairy free household. Husbandman has a bit of a problem with dairy really messing up his sinuses, so he doesn't eat cheese or milk products of any kind. (Except butter. He does like butter, other wise, I'd have to throw him to the wolves.) So, I have experimented with different kinds of sauces for the scalloped potatoes. My favorite so far was mushroom broth I had canned, it was superb ! It changed the color a little bit, but that didn't bother me a bit. This time I used a lovely vegetable bouillon that I picked up at the Dollar Tree, made by Leaping Leopard, from Turkey. It's quite good. I am out of home canned vegetable broth and this made a wonderful substitute. A couple of folks have asked for the recipe, so here goes...</span></b></span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqC9uXxl03VSydA8HmvOHYar5JeawIBDL5j_-EyHdgSCx90hWpBLHfNoYi0s5K2cr7ccjvDddhEvX_J-1c6E20gza4vJ4zfjXHIq1nJmtQWh4icp0XzoRCB2itYVbv41kpWwDVggZTNpSFZ4pUJ3LMKZf-_7eugOir3moitZh7rchSLKYJbQSKLUJgA/s4608/pork%20chops%20and%20scalloped%20potatoes%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqC9uXxl03VSydA8HmvOHYar5JeawIBDL5j_-EyHdgSCx90hWpBLHfNoYi0s5K2cr7ccjvDddhEvX_J-1c6E20gza4vJ4zfjXHIq1nJmtQWh4icp0XzoRCB2itYVbv41kpWwDVggZTNpSFZ4pUJ3LMKZf-_7eugOir3moitZh7rchSLKYJbQSKLUJgA/w400-h300/pork%20chops%20and%20scalloped%20potatoes%20001.JPG" width="400" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> The one problem I had was that the potatoes didn't cook as much as I would have liked and the pork chops too much. So I'm going to give you directions on how to do it right, and not the way I did it. lol Also, I cooked these in the airfryer oven. If you can, please use your oven.</span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> You'll need:</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> 5-7 large potatoes</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> 1 large onion</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Sea salt and Pepper</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken)</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> 3 T corn starch dissolved in 1/3 c. water</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Pork chops with Pepper and garlic powder</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> A 9x13 pan for 8 or more pork chops or an 8x8 for 6 small or 4 pork chops. And that's if you use boneless pork loin chops. If you're using bone-in, go with the bigger baking dish. Spray it well.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> About 5-7 good sized potatoes. If using russets, peel and slice thin. If using reds, scrub and slice thin. Thinly slice 1 large onion.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Make the sauce with the vegetable broth and cornstarch and set aside. </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Season and brown the pork chops in a little olive oil. DO NOT OVERCOOK. </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Layer the potatoes and onions in the baking dish, pour the sauce over it all. Layer the pork chops on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. When the potatoes are tender, remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes or so, until the chops have a healthy browned color. Serve with your favorite vegetable side. </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> Bon Apetit !</b></span></div>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-30070636102787547832023-02-20T23:25:00.000-06:002023-02-20T23:25:15.298-06:00Maafe, a vegetarian (vegan) version<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLwmOqc_eJVNi5Go8_6JFt5Ia2RMWRlMdKFXPLoG1FFQ_2DfunaEKOkluYnX5mnD3LCrtwW2I_Jag3RPIJA0Ayx5qiGEZFy53vWjOFkRocmmQyMd0w7G16nvH4rmvc9bY6rlZp4vKM5VUhffe2IOLjXkL_b8wz6GzvXkLMWa_tmAQTI-mNvor30AJXg/s4608/Maafe%20004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLwmOqc_eJVNi5Go8_6JFt5Ia2RMWRlMdKFXPLoG1FFQ_2DfunaEKOkluYnX5mnD3LCrtwW2I_Jag3RPIJA0Ayx5qiGEZFy53vWjOFkRocmmQyMd0w7G16nvH4rmvc9bY6rlZp4vKM5VUhffe2IOLjXkL_b8wz6GzvXkLMWa_tmAQTI-mNvor30AJXg/w640-h480/Maafe%20004.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> This is a lovely stew that I made for supper on this Meatless Monday. I recently (a year and a half ago ? lol) picked up a lovely cookbook called "Food From Across Africa" written by 3 young African chefs that started a bi-monthly supper club called The Groundnut in London, to bring awareness of the magic of African culinary delights to the world. I play with recipes always... making them vegetarian or substituting what ingredients I have on hand that I think will fit. I have been making more and more Asian, Indian, Egyptian and African dishes since we started eating more vegetarian meals. At least every other day I try to make a meatless meal, for reasons both health and carbon footprint oriented. Not to mention pandemic budgetary reasons. This stew is the 3rd African dish I have made and we were delighted with it. The more traditional Maafe recipes include meat, either chicken or lamb, and sometime I will try that as well. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKiEgV8nAeeevCd-lr-kX9neH1CiLGyIdQSI_ZckT9zXnDyGiTNXYEGoI3dyreW_k2m-8sWXKNstKv6EfCiZ6qL_EeyYxVNmgrXLgs6Y1DnveXbejcRkiGlTbe57WTSX2UTfDA-KE-Bx8TDUsN8Cg94CqQaSGTTCB8PC0i6E6fxs6Z60_I_lgrNtIg/s4608/African%20cookbook%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKiEgV8nAeeevCd-lr-kX9neH1CiLGyIdQSI_ZckT9zXnDyGiTNXYEGoI3dyreW_k2m-8sWXKNstKv6EfCiZ6qL_EeyYxVNmgrXLgs6Y1DnveXbejcRkiGlTbe57WTSX2UTfDA-KE-Bx8TDUsN8Cg94CqQaSGTTCB8PC0i6E6fxs6Z60_I_lgrNtIg/w300-h400/African%20cookbook%20001.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> So. The protein component in this stew would be the peanuts and chickpeas. When you eat vegetarian, you have to be mindful of nutrition. Mac and cheese just don't get it. lol So the protein and fiber content of chickpeas make for a powerhouse of nutrition for very little money. I teamed this stew up with some brown rice and a couple of slices of some fresh made honey oat multigrain bread. It was a delicious meal, very satisfying and simple to make. The hardest part was peeling the butternut squash, lol. Let's get started:</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> West African Groundnut Stew (Maafe)</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>ingredients</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>2 T oil (sesame is what I used, olive oil or vegetable oil works too)</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 med. onion, diced</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>4 cloves garlic minced</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 Scotch Bonnet or Jalapeno pepper (optional)</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>2 inches scrubbed grated ginger</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 Tbsp Cumin</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>2 tsp Coriander</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>2 tsp Paprika</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>2 Tbsp tomato paste</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>4-6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth if you don't care)</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>1 cup natural peanut butter</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>kale or spinach</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Salt and Pepper to taste</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> Crushed peanuts [and cilantro] to garnish</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> Heat the oil in a pot (** I used my instapot. I cooked the ingredients initially on the brown/sear menu button, then changed it to soup/stew when I was adding the broth and stuff **) Cook the onions, garlic and ginger (and peppers if you use them--I did not) in the oil. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin,coriander,paprika to the mix and cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the tomato paste, vegetable broth, chickpeas,squash and peanut butter to the pan and mix well. Stir it up good to make sure the peanut butter is melted and incorporated. Bring this to a boil and then turn down heat and simmer about 25 minutes, until the butternut squash is tender. At the very end, before dishing it up, add spinach or kale and a handful of peanuts. Salt and Pepper totaste. Let the spinach wilt and it's ready to serve. I made brown rice and put about 1/3 of a bowl of rice, mooshed over to the side and filled the bowl with the stew, as you can see by the picture. I didn't have any cilatro to garnish it with, so I just sprinkled some peanuts over the top. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b> If you try it, give me a shout and let me know !!</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-38170021571653420472023-02-20T13:51:00.004-06:002023-02-20T14:06:19.000-06:00Great Gods Gertie !!!! It's almost the last of February !!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM14EtCNS0sMQOBJBjavkkNKntgpp99v_7c1uXleqwUpRQvzV0OqFtxpU3apfh8MVgIxD5qT51JoTIVFsY6xo4PxwwSfdZQInfm94gzKspyAwTJsw7exV7k7XggQJ2N7Ehc8e9D2K8Zc0VAZ51KlFh5hdJvheknCAtKOL_LFgTGvITg5TP8iE5HkROew/s4608/Myma%20and%20eggs%20002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM14EtCNS0sMQOBJBjavkkNKntgpp99v_7c1uXleqwUpRQvzV0OqFtxpU3apfh8MVgIxD5qT51JoTIVFsY6xo4PxwwSfdZQInfm94gzKspyAwTJsw7exV7k7XggQJ2N7Ehc8e9D2K8Zc0VAZ51KlFh5hdJvheknCAtKOL_LFgTGvITg5TP8iE5HkROew/w400-h300/Myma%20and%20eggs%20002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> <b>Yep, the last week of February. It zipped right past. The weather here in the middle of the country has been either brutal or beautiful. We're in a string of beautiful [mostly] right now, mostly 50's and 60's with a 40 thrown in here and there, just so you don't get too cocky. It's brilliantly sunny and the skies are blue. Yesterday it was so nice that the baby dog (Myma, pictured, who is about 6 now I guess) decided to make a run for it. She managed to get out of her collar and off the leash and headed straight for the hills. She won't come when you call her, just speeds off in the opposite direction if she spots you. So she was gone for about 4 hours or more. When this happens (not as often as you might think) I worry that she'll get hit by a car or attacked by neighboring dogs. But somehow she manages to make it back safe and sound and all my worrying is for naught. This picture is her FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING, after she ran her little legs off. She is a MinPin and miniature beagle mix, and has the worst traits of both breeds. But...she's ours and we love her. I took Bella down the road later and she and I walked as much as 2 old ladies can. We stopped twice and went off road and explored some creek areas and flatlands. I'm going to try and take her again today, but not sure if we'll make it. Have to see how I feel. The Irishman generously gave me the bug he had all weekend. Not really sick, just a little raspy and tired around the edges. </b></span></p><p><b style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"> I am going to make the big batch of bread dough later today or tomorrow. The one that sits out for 24 hours and then goes in the fridge and you cut off chunks of it to make a loaf or 2 as you need it. Grocery prices are stupid, shelves are starting to look empty again and bread prices are crazy. We don't eat white bread and the decent multi grains or wheat breads are 5-6 bucks a loaf. No thanks. Too easy to make. </b></p><p><b> <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Realized that I appear to be out of home canned chicken last week as I was fixing some soup and some chicken salad to take to a friend who just had a hip replacement. Hard to believe I've used all that. maybe there is a box somewhere with some more jars in it, but I'm sure not seeing them. That means it's time to look for some sales on the 10# bags of leg and thigh quarters. I have made lots of soups and stews and stuff this past winter, so not really surprised. I still have quite a bit of corned beef and pork loin that I canned, but the pork loin is dwindling. Sigh... this householding stuff just never stops. lol And soon it will be spring. Then the big decisions have to be made about whether we attempt gardens again this year after a 2+ year hiatus. We really need to. We really need to get back to work at being more self sufficient, the way we were a few years back when we had big gardens and chickens. The way the world is going, I don't see how we can't... and then, of course, there's just life.... this from a post in 2014...</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/2014/06/eating-from-my-pantry.html#comment-form</b></span></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Okay. Guess I'll mosey on away from this computer and think about what to make for supper. Meatless Monday here, so it will be easier maybe. lol </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> [[Not sure what the problem is here. The hyperlink won't highlight or work. If you drag your mouse across to highlight it, it will let you go to the blogpost from 2014. grrrr....]]</b></span></p><p><b> </b></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-48687114893657914202023-01-16T10:47:00.000-06:002023-01-16T10:47:23.499-06:00Time to begin again...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBPXF6V1cMbsn1tsvo4WUpAszpBpvcYetTEmQs9DVSyPG8XVdZPpXPO2rtPDJrCBb3J0D45YimO5zSJut7v5s_6KuDgFpGgLwE1jjwH2oRLz6m05ckAfVsw0F6NDCD6CbgVSRAciDasB-VaqTaDTS0blSyYARFJaaQb5TzhFFPr4QXnkWhNFabfXaHw/s500/reading%20won't%20solve%20problems.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBPXF6V1cMbsn1tsvo4WUpAszpBpvcYetTEmQs9DVSyPG8XVdZPpXPO2rtPDJrCBb3J0D45YimO5zSJut7v5s_6KuDgFpGgLwE1jjwH2oRLz6m05ckAfVsw0F6NDCD6CbgVSRAciDasB-VaqTaDTS0blSyYARFJaaQb5TzhFFPr4QXnkWhNFabfXaHw/w400-h400/reading%20won't%20solve%20problems.png" width="400" /></b></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have a couple of different books going right now. And zero housework. Need to vacuum. Might do it today, might not. Got up at the butt crack of dawn and took himself to work to keep the car, ostensibly to attend a memorial (?) meeting for my friend that died yesterday. Once I got back home this morning, I decided that I really don't want to go. I don't want to see a bunch of people that may or may not be hurting as much as I am over the loss. I prefer to grieve in solitude... have always been like this. I rarely attend funerals or memorial services in funeral homes or churches, unless I need to be there to hold up someone I love that has suffered a major loss. I have my own ideas about death and dying. I don't believe in heaven or hell. I don't believe that God punishes people with life or death. I think it's just all part of the great cosmic scheme of things. We are born, we live, we die. Just like each year's garden. I like the idea of reincarnation, only because if I believe in a god, it's the god of second chances, who says, there-- let's try again. And try to get it right this time. More to learn. I also believe that sometimes souls choose the time of their death, especially if there's been a cycle of physical or emotional pain they've subjected themselves to in this life. OR that maybe once the lesson here is learned, we are finished, and can go. I like that idea a lot. So... there will be another celebration of my friends life at a later date, when it is all not so raw, and I might attend that. He knew me. He knows I am waffling about all this. And he's probably laughing his ass off. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> So I had all these good intentions to regularly post here this year and it's already the middle of January and I missed December completely. So much for good intentions. It's a grey and rainy day here on Honeysuckle Hill and I am doing some laundry and looking through local grocery ads. Some good deals that I will go pick up. Mostly meats, as my freezer is getting low, and I have a little extra money. I have not been buying much the past few months, but eating more out of the pantry and freezers and using what I have. Meat prices have come down on some things this week, and I found (in my town) the big 10# bags of chicken leg and thigh quarters for $.59/lb. AND boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb. We are still eating plant based meals about every other day and I will stick with that plan. I am also make meals that are meat incorporated instead of a meat main dish. Stretches the budget and is probably healthier. But every once in a while, I make a meat centered meal and it's so appreciated. Last night I had a package with 2 huge chicken breasts that I sliced in half lengthwise and then pounded and put in an Italian dressing and lime juice marinade along with some jumbo shrimp. They were very good and fork tender. Made some crispy potatoes that could have been better and some peas and that was supper. I didn't feel like working too hard yesterday. lol </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcM6lP-mHh7RY8zZAcBn9gLNhjxzqH7XRR3Utnn9UTyxxp9UiuvXtuQKRjtJ864FI4gt-dXc96GtOFEK_1lU2lmNL_CTtgVKL79riXeo4L-TjPjKySFWKuWvqkDR8WhGII7qCdi8KGYx9-gmNhbcTr1P3QD3CE4qFhCyg4MSPTRM-UHwANSHxJ-aDHQ/s4608/Chicken%20and%20shrimp%20002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcM6lP-mHh7RY8zZAcBn9gLNhjxzqH7XRR3Utnn9UTyxxp9UiuvXtuQKRjtJ864FI4gt-dXc96GtOFEK_1lU2lmNL_CTtgVKL79riXeo4L-TjPjKySFWKuWvqkDR8WhGII7qCdi8KGYx9-gmNhbcTr1P3QD3CE4qFhCyg4MSPTRM-UHwANSHxJ-aDHQ/s320/Chicken%20and%20shrimp%20002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Must have been good, as he finished off everything. lol Today is Meatless Monday and so I am thinking about what to fix. Don't want tofu. Don't want pasta. Yawn. This weather has me thinking of lentils or split pea soup, both of which I love. A small batch with maybe one day of leftovers. I don't want to be eating it for a week. I have enough time today to make some baquettes to go with. That sounds kinda good. Split pea or lentils or Dal (I think I have some golden lentils). Later in the week I will make some chili, maybe. Temps are pretty warm this week. Heading for 60 today. Unseasonable so. But we'll take it after the Arctic weather we had earlier. My electric bill (and everyone else's) was sky high. Over 500 dollars here after 425 the month before. They're killing me.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> So... maybe I'll make the lentils with coconut milk and Indian spices that I love for the aroma as much as the taste. It's a good rainy day dish. With some homemade baguettes. Maybe some salad, maybe not. And a pie. Cherry or pumpkin. Hmmmm...</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJWbRyJ1HinyYPjzc85jWhxHJ5wBZiKSjs6ANQ8iyKndSVu80txJ8YKjCitWK9u7HXuosG6KUGOpiMFfd6rGdgo-yr4ExwJjhbTxPWvMJoF7WRw72NasWI60mUCSj0cgJJOyw0rFaYselblKtcI1_AOjYQIpatXNYOmRJBHHuWG4COd9g1KfgXQ7wA/s4608/Lentils%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJWbRyJ1HinyYPjzc85jWhxHJ5wBZiKSjs6ANQ8iyKndSVu80txJ8YKjCitWK9u7HXuosG6KUGOpiMFfd6rGdgo-yr4ExwJjhbTxPWvMJoF7WRw72NasWI60mUCSj0cgJJOyw0rFaYselblKtcI1_AOjYQIpatXNYOmRJBHHuWG4COd9g1KfgXQ7wA/w400-h300/Lentils%20001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-55655086383542518812022-11-28T23:36:00.002-06:002022-11-28T23:36:57.190-06:00Just like that...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnXfMyK7x9By9NbbVEwcNZ9rDhfDCVVJqATdq72WXjzaIGV2eXhllJ8cN8Y3g_xPLSD2ZoAGj1u5OIYV96ug3_LO3Ohh_Wtr7dCtDRupPtic3iNvlbc8zxbt4YNbwg_3PypEXkWfTLrHUBYiWFGuwbrsDYHbxxtlIEynMiGGsAeT1Op2XeV1jyp40zQ/s4608/20221124_193236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="2072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnXfMyK7x9By9NbbVEwcNZ9rDhfDCVVJqATdq72WXjzaIGV2eXhllJ8cN8Y3g_xPLSD2ZoAGj1u5OIYV96ug3_LO3Ohh_Wtr7dCtDRupPtic3iNvlbc8zxbt4YNbwg_3PypEXkWfTLrHUBYiWFGuwbrsDYHbxxtlIEynMiGGsAeT1Op2XeV1jyp40zQ/w288-h640/20221124_193236.jpg" width="288" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> Well, well. Just like that. Suddenly it was Thanksgiving. And I cooked and I cooked and I cooked. And I was frazzled. Then the party of 6 turned to a party of 5. Then my son got sick and it turned to a party of 4. lol But nevermind... I cooked a small spiral ham and a 13 lb turkey and glazed sweet potatoes with cinnamon and pecans. I made cornbread stuffing with crimini mushrooms, onions, celery, and dried cranberries. I made smashed red potatoes and turkey gravy. I made home canned green beans with onions and garlic. I had jellied cranberry sauce and whole sauce too. I made a pumpkin and a cherry pie. And we 4 ate ourselves into a food coma and took a plate and 2 pieces of pie to my sick boy. (The next day I made him some turkey and rice soup.) After our guest was gone and my husband and his brother who had traveled down from Minneapolis were watching tv, I cooked down the turkey carcass and made 5 quarts of beautiful broth, 4 of which I canned in the electric canner and 1 went in the fridge for soup. It took 3 sets to get all the dishes done. I know people think I'm nuts, but I don't care how many people are at my house for a meal...we use real dishes. I did try cleaning up as I went as much as I could. It was still a lot. SO I got to sit a spell between sets. That helped. It was grand, but I'm really glad it's over. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> The next 2 days were nonstop. And when Sunday came and my BIL was heading home, I made sure to tell him goodbye and make him promise to call when he arrived safe and sound,THE NIGHT BEFORE. Because no way was I gonna be able to get up at 7 AM. lol I intended to do nothing but laze around the whole day, but of course I couldn't as there was laundry to be done (himself's work clothes mostly, but it turned into everything). lol Once himself was back home from getting his spiritual batteries recharged, he helped with it all. I'm still tired. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> To give our systems a rest and try to get back on track, we had a Meatless Monday today. I made sweet potato and chickpea Buddha Bowls that were quite good. I used leftover sweet potatoes, and some vegetables that were languishing in the bin. The chickpeas are cooked in a spice mix, and instead of roasting the vegetables in the oven, I used my big cast iron skillet to pan roast them and used sesame oil. I had some leftover quinoa from Wednesday night's supper of Peanut Butter Tofu that I used for the grain. The vegetable ingredients were : Kale, Red and Yellow Bell Pepper, leftover steamed broccoli, Red Onion- quartered, and sweet potato.</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-o67BwOhDddbBPb0dTe6krvUfOcm1clcxtq3gXwTDhTUEPfx9yV8zPV7qrmT1_l4UhYZJT08V9MToQ_dKtzzl4uEuUo_0ZP-nDC9Xd6iBjZAkNgt6m_6JIiNeB9VExm4uLR7U4Bpj5tZPyJ2TKud3VBpwbVw4pt-hZRAlHzIgLsdhzfvaMYbjbVh6Q/s4608/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-o67BwOhDddbBPb0dTe6krvUfOcm1clcxtq3gXwTDhTUEPfx9yV8zPV7qrmT1_l4UhYZJT08V9MToQ_dKtzzl4uEuUo_0ZP-nDC9Xd6iBjZAkNgt6m_6JIiNeB9VExm4uLR7U4Bpj5tZPyJ2TKud3VBpwbVw4pt-hZRAlHzIgLsdhzfvaMYbjbVh6Q/s320/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> The chickpeas were tossed in a bowl (after draining rinsing and patting dry) with some grapeseed oil and spices. Cumin, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder and salt & pepper. Then in about a tablespoon more oil in a small cast iron skillet, I cooked them until the crackled a little over medium high heat. Didn't take long and they were toasty and spicy and done. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DNuqhFY_GXz59wMv6BxJqtAQnB_5-9ErKIZWNh6EGy2pwx3SiqqzASfjDaLwf6umxOg8vJjOZOCMr2ahENXd4iP4cyp8GgVcI__h1n-69I6XXpcL-QkSgpNPzZ5LNcCMKGw1ws_gKZ1XYL-yVNEhaQnHhUFM7iwIDEIFUN6DrL_6-XUIi9QXJdWV-A/s4608/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DNuqhFY_GXz59wMv6BxJqtAQnB_5-9ErKIZWNh6EGy2pwx3SiqqzASfjDaLwf6umxOg8vJjOZOCMr2ahENXd4iP4cyp8GgVcI__h1n-69I6XXpcL-QkSgpNPzZ5LNcCMKGw1ws_gKZ1XYL-yVNEhaQnHhUFM7iwIDEIFUN6DrL_6-XUIi9QXJdWV-A/s320/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20003.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> Then I made a dressing for the whole shebang of a quarter cup (plus or minus-- didn't really measure it, just eyeballed it and tasted it, lol) Tahini, about a tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of real maple syrup and a tablespoon or 2 of hot water to thin it down once you've got it all mixed up. It was divine. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnMbH9R6AOVuEH1wyzE2TCFhJPapKW6I7lKnYFznH67MI9e5WVZE_jLjD_qVho7vWOmPvrS1I7K-ERfeJvIq0PWp8hx58ZLb_gZEuWLMyKIijUQv5QI4lGeAFX5n3-czR8n4d50e-y02fLbErcD0spMWzik-h5mVc70H5snLrRZYcIMMldTBu_MQOfw/s4608/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnMbH9R6AOVuEH1wyzE2TCFhJPapKW6I7lKnYFznH67MI9e5WVZE_jLjD_qVho7vWOmPvrS1I7K-ERfeJvIq0PWp8hx58ZLb_gZEuWLMyKIijUQv5QI4lGeAFX5n3-czR8n4d50e-y02fLbErcD0spMWzik-h5mVc70H5snLrRZYcIMMldTBu_MQOfw/s320/chickpea%20sweet%20potato%20Buddha%20Bowls%20004.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>It was a really good bowl -- who doesn't love a BIG bowl of healthy supper on a cold night ? We finished of f the last piece of pumpkin pie for dessert and it a perfect amount of food. Good and healthy, tasty and using leftover items and vegetables that would hit the compost heap in another few days felt right, somehow. This week winds down the month and then it is December, and all the madness starts. Not so much for me, actually. But it's hard times for lots of people and I am a bit of a shelter for some who have these hard times. It's okay... there's plenty of love to go around. We have a very cozy house that's warm and inviting, coffee or tea or hot chocolate is always available. We keep our Xmas holiday very small, sometimes we have had big Xmas Eve suppers and invited friends who have no other family, or none in the area. Sometimes it's just us. We really have everything we need and even some to share, and though we live on a pretty limited income, simple food, and simple drinks can go a long way to easing the culture shock we go through this time of year. The week of Xmas, and almost NEVER before, I will get a few ceramic snowmen and Santa Clauses out of storage and put up a small fiber optic tree. I have a raggedy old Gifting Stag (I love him !!) made of papier mache that will make an appearance if the mice haven't destroyed it in the garage. A few Xmas wreaths that I made myself. That's it. I have no grandchildren and my big family stopped celebrating together years ago, so everyone spends the day with their own. I'm okay with all of this. It's too much for me these days, as I totter off in my dotage. lol I expect December will zip through just like November did, and shock me with it's arrival and departure. And the nit will be New Years Eve and then it will be my 70th birthday, which I am looking forward to, as I join the ranks of the old and decrepit. LOL Be assured-- there is a LOT of freedom in being old. When you turn 69, you get a taste of it. I looking forward to the whole pie next year. Sliding into old age with a BANG !</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVFI8Bgp2MxkBaxAS74LzCyH4dtPhsKQ9VWMg1jSbPyhXfnfftnhs-6owk4gpOTk3mymSPnmoCo9r7RezL4XUKIFkFWBvKcrAtM6ia3aISrWCEYglJq_37re4mEXrL8No8Vl6acc6wIX3Nu9RZB-waOZXKknjrW_Bj6E5MlnRZqYvoRUiurG1A2o1Vg/s4608/Xmas%20decos%202015%20005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVFI8Bgp2MxkBaxAS74LzCyH4dtPhsKQ9VWMg1jSbPyhXfnfftnhs-6owk4gpOTk3mymSPnmoCo9r7RezL4XUKIFkFWBvKcrAtM6ia3aISrWCEYglJq_37re4mEXrL8No8Vl6acc6wIX3Nu9RZB-waOZXKknjrW_Bj6E5MlnRZqYvoRUiurG1A2o1Vg/w400-h300/Xmas%20decos%202015%20005.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b> Til next time..</b></span>.</p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-7585566176337004892022-11-02T00:16:00.000-05:002022-11-02T00:16:40.151-05:00Helllloooooo...November !<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNBVX2Klf2bz_W1b5bUe3RO3EySkbVwM34afSflQDZ8viG0ipzK-K16u9hwipGeaOhInYc0n18WaOT_MZ0Swc7eQUfGDizJzNPzAlNg8hOqpWkIlzoJAQjj9BcIjhCO5MtNLOCoEybM1-u0ieF1aYMe6tdQUdElPvvWegMorwRitNwBIWIh8BG2p1g/s229/NOvember.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="229" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNBVX2Klf2bz_W1b5bUe3RO3EySkbVwM34afSflQDZ8viG0ipzK-K16u9hwipGeaOhInYc0n18WaOT_MZ0Swc7eQUfGDizJzNPzAlNg8hOqpWkIlzoJAQjj9BcIjhCO5MtNLOCoEybM1-u0ieF1aYMe6tdQUdElPvvWegMorwRitNwBIWIh8BG2p1g/w400-h267/NOvember.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hard to believe it's November already. It's been a busy few weeks around here and the older I get, the faster the months fly by. Finished out 1.5 months of the pantry challenge and spent a little over 20 dollars at the grocery. Not bad. Didn't really make a dent in the pantry either. Did free up lots of freezer space, so there's that. We are also now eating plant based meals every other day instead of just a random time or two each week. Mostly makes me have to become a little more creative with my cooking, but it's definitely healthier. We might actually become vegetarians by the first of next year. Maybe. lol </b></span></p><p> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Temps a little cooler, but then it heats back up again. We're in the mid to high 70's this week. Had some damp and chilly days too, so got to make a nice dairy free Creamy Potato soup for supper one night last week. I'm going to share that recipe so I can send a link to some folks asking for it. This time I used some of my home canned red potatoes that I got from my produce guy's little front yard market, I bought a good sized box from him and canned most of them. I usually can them in big chunks to use for stews and breakfast potatoes, and then pint jars of them diced to use in soups. I also buy fresh potatoes and use them regularly but the price of potatoes has been sky high around these parts the past 4 months. (Like everything). And I like having canned potatoes for back-ups, in case I run out. They worked really well in this soup. I know not everyone cans or likes canned potatoes, so I'll put this recipe the way I make it with fresh potatoes.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Here it is: Creamy Potato Soup. (without the dairy) :) </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> **ingredient list</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Red or Russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced. I use about 6 large potatoes to make soup for 2 with leftovers.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 1 nice sized onion, diced</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 2 stalks celery, washed and diced</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 1-2 medium sized carrots, scrubbed and diced</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 2-3 Tablespoons Olive or Sesame Oil (or veg oil, or butter--your choice)</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 2 quarts vegetable broth (or water)</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Sea salt and ground black pepper, and any other seasonings you like in your soup. I like fresh minced garlic in it.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> A dash of liquid smoke (optional) I use it because it gives an illusion of bacon or ham in the soup.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 1-2 cans Cannelini beans or Navy beans </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">I use my instapot to make most soups these days. I have a gas range and the price of propane is thru the roof, so I use it as little as possible. With the InstaPot on the brown/sear setting, put your oil, onions, celery and carrots in and sweat them well. After about 15 minutes, add the diced potatoes. Add the minced garlic and seasonings and mix it well. Add the broth or water and make sure you have enough to cover the vegetables. If you need to, add more. Set it on the soups/stews setting and let 'er go. It usually takes about 20 minutes to cook the carrots and potatoes through. Depends on how small you diced them. I always put these vegetables in my potato soup because it's added nutrition and it looks pretty. lol </span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2T98nHP-hNLSZDdjDG-k8iQe8jj7t20Rr2Vjyd6r9mHndCVJFevRLj1RMsvjvhaOQRcnjO7t8hC_qMIVPjvKjoRTDNMQndO5aWQ4SWeWv_jy9DbBK94lgRib4Pv4HW_qa3BSh9QuY9k50A_ZMEUVWvyHbgaSau8-Hl0Wm6KcxZ5q180TQx9tCpoG8g/s4608/Tater%20soup%20002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2T98nHP-hNLSZDdjDG-k8iQe8jj7t20Rr2Vjyd6r9mHndCVJFevRLj1RMsvjvhaOQRcnjO7t8hC_qMIVPjvKjoRTDNMQndO5aWQ4SWeWv_jy9DbBK94lgRib4Pv4HW_qa3BSh9QuY9k50A_ZMEUVWvyHbgaSau8-Hl0Wm6KcxZ5q180TQx9tCpoG8g/s320/Tater%20soup%20002.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> When the vegetables are done to your satisfaction, put the can(s) of beans into your blender, liquid and all. Add a couple of ladles of your soup to it and blend until smooth. Stir this into your pot of soup. If it's too thick, add a little water. If it's too thin, add more beans. But this should be just about right. Taste it and add more salt if needed. We don't use milk, but we do use butter, I will sometimes put a spoonful of butter into it at this point. It makes a really nice silky creamy soup. Serve it with some yeast rolls or buttery crackers or whatever you feel like. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj13aaemtEL9hvDgCOKYbUB2JVSAREgf-YCKwADeBbZ8E10P3UZhvzpBqyzOsdVW5yuZU6FRXQzt3xM2xLqIZT4nslxi_u9YP2pAgpIazJHmAIEOuufZ_c3HUUN3syFKDxpnVM_zE2J6QCpzMt875D505p9kwFhP-dqoJKeNdA3X8M-50UqmuPQ0-zmw/s4608/Flaxseed%2010%20grain%20rolls%20and%20soup%20002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj13aaemtEL9hvDgCOKYbUB2JVSAREgf-YCKwADeBbZ8E10P3UZhvzpBqyzOsdVW5yuZU6FRXQzt3xM2xLqIZT4nslxi_u9YP2pAgpIazJHmAIEOuufZ_c3HUUN3syFKDxpnVM_zE2J6QCpzMt875D505p9kwFhP-dqoJKeNdA3X8M-50UqmuPQ0-zmw/s320/Flaxseed%2010%20grain%20rolls%20and%20soup%20002.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>These are 30 minute yeast rolls that I baked in my Ninja Foodi Grill.</b></div><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEax6shYIJCf61Hr8B--GZ-uuTVV9jjaa4_LJKzDF4YS4VC2YHBbDbkP8bGTg4tCnMu_LJRdNNc87kZMaYQw0tcXxNkf3djW1K17KMRUiUwA8R8bFjq4WV28Xa48KZen_JIweNTGKs7yESGx_alHUZ2qmTW-9yG6EdQy98dl_YoZze8g2sJqmJ-g2Q/s4608/Flaxseed%2010%20grain%20rolls%20and%20soup%20004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEax6shYIJCf61Hr8B--GZ-uuTVV9jjaa4_LJKzDF4YS4VC2YHBbDbkP8bGTg4tCnMu_LJRdNNc87kZMaYQw0tcXxNkf3djW1K17KMRUiUwA8R8bFjq4WV28Xa48KZen_JIweNTGKs7yESGx_alHUZ2qmTW-9yG6EdQy98dl_YoZze8g2sJqmJ-g2Q/s320/Flaxseed%2010%20grain%20rolls%20and%20soup%20004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoy-- Bon Appetit !</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-21291142994734662112022-10-09T11:59:00.000-05:002022-10-09T11:59:49.729-05:00Autumn has arrived...<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UyvTkcg3f1oR4NXdYt7zikpEghszcVat0v6ZjmbQcDCahuE0NFM8Ae_1UwK1KvZOX_lhNNrYt6NBS7rK3BZ6MgCaUdYpCW4crVNINa6ROeAEUXbkCt1RZBDZZTbNfH1SVvqyR1eF8HFBjj-EeZoKLRDZ5_RjhZHs4HDmnNIjjV4HQ04OvQxk4yZxVw/s4608/Chix%20n%20rice%20soup%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UyvTkcg3f1oR4NXdYt7zikpEghszcVat0v6ZjmbQcDCahuE0NFM8Ae_1UwK1KvZOX_lhNNrYt6NBS7rK3BZ6MgCaUdYpCW4crVNINa6ROeAEUXbkCt1RZBDZZTbNfH1SVvqyR1eF8HFBjj-EeZoKLRDZ5_RjhZHs4HDmnNIjjV4HQ04OvQxk4yZxVw/w400-h300/Chix%20n%20rice%20soup%20001.JPG" width="400" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Zuppa</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> Very grateful for the cooler temps of late. Mostly because it means it's soups and stews weather. lol This is a chicken and rice soup I made this past week, all made from pantry ingredients, of course. We had the leftovers for Saturday night supper last night, with peanut butter sandwiches, and there's still enough left for at least one of his lunches this coming week. It was quite tasty. In the 25 days since I started this Pantry Challenge, I have spent about 15 dollars at the grocery store, for mostly produce and a couple of loaves of bread. But this week I'm going to start making bread again, and I'll probably still have to buy a little produce and fruit. But that's okay. I'm sticking to it, even though the local grocers keep trying to entice me with their ground beef and steak sales. lol </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> Today is Sunday and I'm trying to figure out what to make for our supper tonight. We usually clear out whatever leftovers there are on Friday and Saturday, but not this week. There is still some air fried chicken in the fridge. And soup. But I made breakfast for supper Friday night and finished up the mashed potatoes by making potato pancakes, the white gravy by using a leftover biscuit each for B&G, the piece of leftover smoked sausage for , well, meat. lol Added 2 over easy eggs and it was a great supper. And cleaned some stuff out of the fridge. Win/win !! I just had a thought about a one pot Corned Beef and Cabbage dish for supper tonight. Make it with home canned corned beef, baby carrots and red potatoes and fresh onions and cabbage. I could bake a small loaf of Irish Soda Bread to make it special,. Mmmm... that sounds pretty darn good. Himself does love that Irish Soda Bread. (Me too). lol</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> Hope everyone is surviving the inflationary prices of everything. The cost of gas is going back up again (that didn't last long). Makes me worried that I cannot afford to refill my propane tank. The last time it was filled it was 700 dollars. And that's when fuel prices were not nearly this high. SMH... interesting watching Victoria (the Masterpiece Theater series) last night about the Irish Potato Famine and the attitudes of the wealthy (English) landowners and their behaviors. Quite disgusting, really...millions of people dying of starvation and they're throwing them off the land and houses and proclaiming that they "brought this upon themselves". Then himself proceeded to tell me about the British evicting all these people living in the slums because they were sick and tearing down all the housing, leaving them with nowhere to go. This was (I think) late 1800's. </span></b></p><h3 style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Didot, Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: -0.3px; line-height: 2rem; margin: 0px 0px 15px; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slum clearances: evicting the lowly</span></em></h3><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 1.625rem; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Between 1878 and 1899, slum clearance schemes in central London led to 45,334 men, women and children being evicted. Those, at least, are the official figures; the real numbers may be much higher, because it was in the slum landlord’s interest to evict as many people as he could before the official valuation of his property – empty rooms having greater letting potential than houses filled to the rafters. There is no figure for those thus ‘winkled out’, but even the official number is huge – equivalent to the population of Rotherham in the 1890s.</span></b></em></p><div class="nativo" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"></div><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 1.625rem; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Who were these people? The short answer is: we don’t know. The voice of the evicted slum-dweller is, for all practical purposes, silent. Some among them would have been intelligent and articulate, literate and skilled. Most, though, were the nameless poor, who lived large parts of their lives in hunger, cold and semi-nakedness. Perhaps word of mouth told them to stay put for the few shillings of compensation that came their way, but that is all they got. At the end, as the social reformer the Earl of Shaftesbury described in the House of Lords in 1875, when the bailiffs arrived “perplexity and dismay are everywhere; the district has all the air of a town taken by assault”. The slums were not cleared to benefit people like these. They were cleared to get rid of them.</span></b></em></p><div><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> There's your history lesson for today, ducklings. </span></b></em></div><div><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></em></div><div><em style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></em></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Okay-- I'm off into my day. Might get dressed, might not. Hope you have a peaceful Sunday...</span></b></span></div>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-2279539476766794402022-09-29T11:09:00.001-05:002022-09-29T11:09:26.295-05:00How's the Pantry Challenge going, you ask ?<p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IsMV6cjnbqaeXtBWlhfetmBghpw-3avm17zhDzi9owxbU4Qvcup6eTFX8HkwRcTOXKOfSsfBkfls_dJhW5hv39HkVBe2XRld-IdWuSjBuiYQO_g-Dt69yShI8469xpEdUbotdr-DQ1mk1pI_H8vq9z1lqg0mXwwOgotn_EVVknPxVD_LLIT5HZIvdw/s4608/Quinoa%20corn%20edamame%20salad%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IsMV6cjnbqaeXtBWlhfetmBghpw-3avm17zhDzi9owxbU4Qvcup6eTFX8HkwRcTOXKOfSsfBkfls_dJhW5hv39HkVBe2XRld-IdWuSjBuiYQO_g-Dt69yShI8469xpEdUbotdr-DQ1mk1pI_H8vq9z1lqg0mXwwOgotn_EVVknPxVD_LLIT5HZIvdw/s320/Quinoa%20corn%20edamame%20salad%20001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Quinoa,Corn and Edamame Salad<br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTEUsKOJ_fB6dhMTRFaNRTvUCRhMiJVHJKfFhogB-uSulHNcdbbCWn1jWO9lNo1fpcqgcedE536NCQe7UZOrz85EW32ZRYaQJsWZvRyOEGGhP1p5P_JhiUfMGJgoKFJ1pJ7C1sNpmss8sVzvfDHZntOBktYaHVE9sxdTgdqzHRhDMi5C0sdrG5Ioncw/s4608/Happy%20Family%20Fried%20Rice%20002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTEUsKOJ_fB6dhMTRFaNRTvUCRhMiJVHJKfFhogB-uSulHNcdbbCWn1jWO9lNo1fpcqgcedE536NCQe7UZOrz85EW32ZRYaQJsWZvRyOEGGhP1p5P_JhiUfMGJgoKFJ1pJ7C1sNpmss8sVzvfDHZntOBktYaHVE9sxdTgdqzHRhDMi5C0sdrG5Ioncw/s320/Happy%20Family%20Fried%20Rice%20002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Family Fried Rice<br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD5NPXk1F-rfRiABM1dsRMFVc7lIX1TotJKGDZ8A8pHGWCGKsWrEU6zGjJO0rEW1QjmT4JceZKdIT7TKN5gAlWtlnmU9_0XuA526YWpqa7SfKaHNfhmGByYNRZ8YyQy9sxgAmUF9uQCW-a-Dqa7GGK-gIX0iseJOCR9hxhz9qJ4z1HyMfuAGjfwR_eg/s4608/ribs%20and%20taco%20salads%20007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD5NPXk1F-rfRiABM1dsRMFVc7lIX1TotJKGDZ8A8pHGWCGKsWrEU6zGjJO0rEW1QjmT4JceZKdIT7TKN5gAlWtlnmU9_0XuA526YWpqa7SfKaHNfhmGByYNRZ8YyQy9sxgAmUF9uQCW-a-Dqa7GGK-gIX0iseJOCR9hxhz9qJ4z1HyMfuAGjfwR_eg/s320/ribs%20and%20taco%20salads%20007.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Taco Salads<br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohXQPRw45U-jVd4td7BVl7ic3mHjFTru7DCYjTNy-0rori3Gr_gVYZn9RFfa9XDnfyyn8o7IDAJE61VsxvZKe6UJ_8GDNMYHnsG61LcQRJBP5rQwAiC7l5BayV5SlYXmwTsSwPdt9TbDRKQpzTigutbhJ1qdCfbhHyKEhowAsCR13XwiCMq4826V6aw/s4608/ribs%20and%20taco%20salads%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohXQPRw45U-jVd4td7BVl7ic3mHjFTru7DCYjTNy-0rori3Gr_gVYZn9RFfa9XDnfyyn8o7IDAJE61VsxvZKe6UJ_8GDNMYHnsG61LcQRJBP5rQwAiC7l5BayV5SlYXmwTsSwPdt9TbDRKQpzTigutbhJ1qdCfbhHyKEhowAsCR13XwiCMq4826V6aw/s320/ribs%20and%20taco%20salads%20001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Ribs 'n Taters 'n Green Beans<br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspqlgbX15_s-8DXxJU4ehWJ4dyaJwbW2eevH7AGsRc5AC7MV5xtLXfgXuhvsvnFWVTtDdBrkYq7nuu0obLmwGGz8e_ibokmyVG8irc5ryrlxnMIFBuPFFWy496BN-iZT79sawWKeCHF-gOVq5-pFG6obxqtwFAKb4bIMNEWjRcS4rwHlu0wrQlNqTUQ/s4608/Aloo%20Palak%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspqlgbX15_s-8DXxJU4ehWJ4dyaJwbW2eevH7AGsRc5AC7MV5xtLXfgXuhvsvnFWVTtDdBrkYq7nuu0obLmwGGz8e_ibokmyVG8irc5ryrlxnMIFBuPFFWy496BN-iZT79sawWKeCHF-gOVq5-pFG6obxqtwFAKb4bIMNEWjRcS4rwHlu0wrQlNqTUQ/s320/Aloo%20Palak%20001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Aloo Patak</b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> Then there was smothered chicken last night, with smashed potatoes and glazed carrots. The night before that was Caribbean stew, made with home canned pork loin. Tofu burgers for Meatless Monday. Chili on Saturday and still plenty of that leftover for omelets, lunches and whatever else. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> It's been an interesting [almost] 2 weeks of the Pantry Challenge. Have not felt any kind of a squeeze yet, which is good. Making more one pot kind of meals than normal, but I have been trying to do that anyway, to cut down on the amount of meat we consume. Still eating it, but less quantities and less often. Very helpful in this time of sky high prices. My little local market has Porterhouse steaks on sale right now for 6.99/lb. Boy, am I tempted to go buy a couple ! But... once I start cheating a little on this challenge, it will happen more and more often. And that defeats the purpose of the whole shebang. lol I have already decided that tonight's supper will be a healthy Egg Roll Bowl, a recipe of cabbage and onions and carrots and ground sausage and bean sprouts. That reminds me, I want to start my sprout jar today too. The fermented carrots are about done. Have had a problem (?) with Kahm yeast growing on it, and have cleaned it out twice. This time it will go into the fridge for snacks and salads. I'm done fooling with it. The Kombucha, on the other hand has been going well. I have 2 bottles in the fridge now and the 3rd batch since I started brewing it again is on the counter. Now that it's so much cooler, the process is taking much longer. Gives me time to drink the stuff that's already made. lol </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> The weather has finally cooled down here, we're having 40 degree nights and 65-70 degree days. Almost good soup weather. You can feel the changes in the earth's energies as the world begins to slow down a little. I find it a relief, although the past couple of weeks have been pretty hectic for me. Today I am home all day, with no commitments and time to do whatever I choose. That has to include a little householding, as the dog hair is rolling down the hall like tumbleweeds in a Sonoran desert. The Galloping Goofballs (new twin kittens) are wreaking havoc with any and everything, now that they're finally healthy and old enough to jump and climb and run. They are a constant source of amusement and fun. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> OK. I am going to get dressed and eat some breakfast. Then I'll start some hard boiled eggs in my little Egg Wizard machine. I like having hard boiled eggs to munch on or use with salads. I have 4 dozen eggs in the fridge right now. Cooler weather means himself is eating more oatmeal and less eggs. Healthier for him, more frugal for me. I'm going to check the cupboard and see if I have any sugar free jello left. That makes a better dessert option for me and my blood sugar than the leftover orange bundt cake. lol My numbers are staying very good, so I'm not too worried.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b> Off I go...</b></span></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-29598894047390370942022-09-16T12:20:00.000-05:002022-09-16T12:20:54.094-05:00Days 1 and 2 of the pantry challenge. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjEPXh_3MkeN4qWlu7d6XqzB0r4H2UJAThYa_BitAnCnADB_tDGbKudYrda3akEnUXy4Qz-Z4jIZOrDR_tQQzkxEzW4jGg3R7J6nHLUPGRzUH_-Bp6Ni-Hdoj1omX-Tda8sv5EwEK3Udg8bFnpo5ZgY183ViNNT4EjD7iv0PFR0NU_PPmhDqyu_uiFw/s590/Annie%20cooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="590" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjEPXh_3MkeN4qWlu7d6XqzB0r4H2UJAThYa_BitAnCnADB_tDGbKudYrda3akEnUXy4Qz-Z4jIZOrDR_tQQzkxEzW4jGg3R7J6nHLUPGRzUH_-Bp6Ni-Hdoj1omX-Tda8sv5EwEK3Udg8bFnpo5ZgY183ViNNT4EjD7iv0PFR0NU_PPmhDqyu_uiFw/w400-h363/Annie%20cooks.jpg" width="400" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> Been a bit of a snafu here. As usual, Annie makes plans and God laughs. I have not been feeling well since Wednesday and now it has erupted into a full blown bit of buggery. Went to the dr yesterday and am starting antibiotics today, after himself picks them up on his way home. I have felt horrid, have had to cancel plans twice this week and may have to cancel tonight. I didn't sleep well and am in a lot of pain. So...that being said, I have not been able to do the shopping I had planned to round things up before starting the pantry challenge on the 15th. (yesterday). But by the time I got out of the clinic yesterday, I was running out of time to make supper. I got home about half an hour before he did. I seriously thought about stopping and getting a rotisserie chicken, something I could make a quick easy meal around. Then I thought-- no, I have stuff at home. It had been a hot September day, and I had salad greens that needed using, so I just came straight home and got busy. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> I had some leftover hummus from Meatless Monday, had some cukes and odds and ends of vegetables. Had some little instant soup packets I had picked up at Big Lots, a Pad Thai soup. So I set to work and before he got home, I had supper on the table. All made from things I had here at home. It looked like this: </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jfUULQKn56vzVPMyTYeFdA68c6xm-jQh_sJg6ff0YEJD9tmVJSM_Dls4hvrF-4msTXcxk1pOygph3X6jJi_WLWsIWsi9rC34hjxqFevQfQER4uNkaPiSF5Y1va9nW_ZL6jVXaFC3WQLzJmlflqEEFpJ8AsoCoBZ_qEiq55xNWO4gTvPdoTAvf_aNsw/s4608/Pad%20Thai%20soup%20and%20salad%20supper%20005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jfUULQKn56vzVPMyTYeFdA68c6xm-jQh_sJg6ff0YEJD9tmVJSM_Dls4hvrF-4msTXcxk1pOygph3X6jJi_WLWsIWsi9rC34hjxqFevQfQER4uNkaPiSF5Y1va9nW_ZL6jVXaFC3WQLzJmlflqEEFpJ8AsoCoBZ_qEiq55xNWO4gTvPdoTAvf_aNsw/s320/Pad%20Thai%20soup%20and%20salad%20supper%20005.JPG" width="240" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /> Home made hummus. Edamame from the freezer. Canned (home again) baby carrots. Onions, cukes,black olives,radishes. Yum. And those little soup packets (all natural ingredients) were really quite good. If I see them again, I will buy them for quick use. Mix, 1 c water. 2 minutes total in microwave. It's from the UK. </span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOyd8kWuwXJ3VsKBK-Rl5HcRT5jeTQ8htMF8nuzorhsHm95SQV1cm8q3MoFPrhjuz_MqNW0Gq1WBMNo7eCUiW_tfUZC7wkwigDcAnP_rEsjpphLvszBqsqR0eR-iTz0p30fUnH0TapkSNZg2p5bDcEZWnPqvdQBd1jAJ9fCLc2TL15tv_J5tl0eKU1Q/s4608/Pad%20Thai%20soup%20mix%20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOyd8kWuwXJ3VsKBK-Rl5HcRT5jeTQ8htMF8nuzorhsHm95SQV1cm8q3MoFPrhjuz_MqNW0Gq1WBMNo7eCUiW_tfUZC7wkwigDcAnP_rEsjpphLvszBqsqR0eR-iTz0p30fUnH0TapkSNZg2p5bDcEZWnPqvdQBd1jAJ9fCLc2TL15tv_J5tl0eKU1Q/s320/Pad%20Thai%20soup%20mix%20001.JPG" width="240" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Might check and see if Amazon has them by the case. They'd be a handy lunch for cold winter days.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> Anyway. Today is Friday and I am not terribly motivated to work too hard at supper. I just had a bowl of multi grain Cheerios for breakfast/ lunch. Supper tonight will be fish cakes made with canned tuna. I keep that stuff super stocked at all times. It's a cheap and easy to make a lot of things with source of protein. We really like the tuna croquettes, made with cracker crumbs and egg and onion and some spices. I'll open a jar of my home canned applesauce and heat up some leftover potatoes and maybe open a can of peas. Voila. Supper. Out of the pantry. Day 2. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> I've had a lot of practice making meals out of what I have on hand. We live just far enough out in the country that I can't run to the grocery easily, and the 2 small mom and pop grocery stores close to me are much more expensive than Aldi or the bigger box supermarkets. Our country road is never the first to be plowed and cleaned up during winter snows, so it can be an issue getting out to the main road from here. Hence, making meals out of what's in the house. It's exciting sometimes. lol</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> Tonight's supper will look like this (more or less) : </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZyYAXU-R9DL-YboQmtFvoowqZEmmsykxh942THQkJ9KQcT_BrOhtHUR0tNaHIvxDw5O4TwEiUTFbXwJAjs5roHmlT9ATaZcm09cLTq24KagaK4-COFCvRiQrSkMnTToHT4FfGxyerm3BSjH8EfAfw2-cv7BRaoD6tfhNKlVybEye80zJy0UJbHd74g/s3072/salmon-croquettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZyYAXU-R9DL-YboQmtFvoowqZEmmsykxh942THQkJ9KQcT_BrOhtHUR0tNaHIvxDw5O4TwEiUTFbXwJAjs5roHmlT9ATaZcm09cLTq24KagaK4-COFCvRiQrSkMnTToHT4FfGxyerm3BSjH8EfAfw2-cv7BRaoD6tfhNKlVybEye80zJy0UJbHd74g/s320/salmon-croquettes.jpg" width="240" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> With sides. lol Have some cut up watermelon for dessert. Life is good on Honeysuckle Hill.</span></b></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-13985750043573610812022-09-12T15:45:00.001-05:002022-09-12T15:45:40.525-05:00Circumstances... Time for a pantry challenge.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy2awr2rC5CP_WSIoAdadXQ9hm96i0DCGZnZCZS6w-bv51dAyVPnC8frQgihoxFhjhy7xGPQf6NY9vF7bk6JNEPkdCDn4673hWne_ItAwDdqqEcQGMOAQWGTfG6MJZgFsl3cyPIqYMUzzdCBFuKvGeEvv3V3dKRNuWVm4flNcu6wPz-wTBQj0mpAB3Q/s4608/Pantry%20stores%20002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy2awr2rC5CP_WSIoAdadXQ9hm96i0DCGZnZCZS6w-bv51dAyVPnC8frQgihoxFhjhy7xGPQf6NY9vF7bk6JNEPkdCDn4673hWne_ItAwDdqqEcQGMOAQWGTfG6MJZgFsl3cyPIqYMUzzdCBFuKvGeEvv3V3dKRNuWVm4flNcu6wPz-wTBQj0mpAB3Q/s320/Pantry%20stores%20002.JPG" width="320" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">"The Time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things..."</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"> Especially the cabbages part. lol</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"> This is an interesting time we live in. And by interesting, I mean downright terrifying at times. I have been caught in web of sticky wickets of late. We have more money going out than coming in, like a lot of Americans. Having had an onslaught of medical bills, his OT at work has vanished, gas prices through the roof (and when I say gas prices, I mean petrol for the car and truck as well as propane for the furnace and stove). We are about out of propane, I expect, and the last time the tank was filled it was over $750.00. In the meantime our [another] small company bit the dust and was bought out by a bigger national company. I tremble to think what the next fill is going to be and if we can afford it. I just paid off the last one. Utilities are on the rise and the general cost of living has skyrocketed. This isn't news to anyone with half a brain.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">That brings us to the cost of eating, as it always does here. lol I have been tucking away bits and bobs of stuff when I can and trying to prepare for a rough year. Not easy when everything is such a struggle already. I have tried to focus on things like meats I could can, already canned meats like tuna and salmon and mackerel. Staples like rice and beans and flour and sugar and salt. Spices for cooking. Olive oil and vegetable oil, grapeseed oil and sesame oil. Cases of canned vegetables. Meat for the freezer. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">This isn't my first poverty rodeo, lol Those of you who are new here may not remember this:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><a href=" https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/2014/06/eating-from-my-pantry.html "> https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/2014/06/eating-from-my-pantry.html </a><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">It's that time again. So, starting September 15th, I am going to do another pantry challenge, to try and get through this rough time. As soon as I have a little extra money Wed -Fri (hopefully) I am going to buy a few more items like oatmeal and some other staples. I think I can do it for under a hundred dollars. I haven't bought any groceries for 2 weeks. Then I will not buy any food related items. We will eat what we have. Creatively. The last time (see link above) in a 3.5 month period I spent less that 38 dollars, and that was only because I had to buy rice, toilet paper and olive oil. The pantry was completely bare by the time it was finished and he went back to work. But the gardens were going and the hens were laying. No hens or gardens this year. So there's that. But I have the confidence to believe that we can do it again. It may look a little different, but I will make it work. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Wish me luck.</span></b></div><p></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-32398070787475556452022-07-17T15:57:00.004-05:002022-07-17T15:57:41.590-05:00Week 6 -- Store bought staples<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxNsBefuloe9oBZMyexMBscGf_A5XdK4FpUQHge06q9dctK3uyVsLvV2EnS0JHRtbmBP2o0o8pkxgQA_WuGDW76dcAvi3GXmChOcSNs43VcDEfhAxF42m21rJlTX3KA_k9igaA6kpl5K4-o3voM1NOGvcEqR7uBBv3gutP6qKLrP4yCG5fuP2vrEuqA/s4608/Pantry%20stores%20001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxNsBefuloe9oBZMyexMBscGf_A5XdK4FpUQHge06q9dctK3uyVsLvV2EnS0JHRtbmBP2o0o8pkxgQA_WuGDW76dcAvi3GXmChOcSNs43VcDEfhAxF42m21rJlTX3KA_k9igaA6kpl5K4-o3voM1NOGvcEqR7uBBv3gutP6qKLrP4yCG5fuP2vrEuqA/w300-h400/Pantry%20stores%20001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;"><b> So, let's talk about some of the other things you'll want in your pantry. Things like mayonnaise, mustard and things that have nice long shelf lives. Here's the thing: you want survival foods, but you also want everyday foods. Disasters are not going to hit you one right after another. Usually. lol And some reasons to keep your pantry stocked are not tornadoes and hurricanes. Some reasons are much more every day and mundane, like losing your job, illness, injuries, etc. Out here it can be something as simple as unpassable roads or power outages. I love not having to freak out when I can't get to the store. I can go into that pantry at any given moment and find the stuff to make easy tasty meals. That is priceless. Do you know that big box stores keep only about 3 days of stock on their shelves ? What happens if gas dries up or prices make it impossible for trucks to roll ? No deliveries. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Here's my story. I have been a stocker and thrifty witch for a long time. Probably from growing up kinda poor and watching my mom struggle to put food on the table in the middle of paychecks. And from living in the lower echelon of society myself. So, when I can, I buy a little extra and put it away. One Memorial Day weekend, we were coming home from a meal out when my husband fell asleep at the wheel and rolled our car. The car was totaled, we were taken to a hospital and treated. I was just banged and bruised but he (the breadwinner in this family) broke a vertebrae in his back and couldn't work for 3 months. We have limited available savings and pretty much live paycheck to paycheck. The company he works for gave him all his vacation and holiday pay for the year, his last paycheck and held his job. What a blessing. But 3 months is a long time for no money coming in (except my monthly disability check) while money is still going out to pay insurance and electricity and stuff. I had just downsized our cell phone bill and plan, thank God. I was looking around at where I could cut spending to make this a little easier. And the very first thing was the grocery bill. I thought I could probably not have to buy much in the way of food. This was surely going to be the test of stocking up. I got a pad and pen and went to the pantry. I started with a list of breakfast foods and made a menu from what was in there. Did the same with the other 1-2 meals a day. I checked my freezers too, which were pretty well stocked. Long story short, over that 3+ month period, I spent less than 38 dollars at the grocery store. Had to buy olive oil, toilet paper and a couple of other small things. By the time it was over, my pantry was bare and so were the freezers. But we made it. And garden season was in swing, so I was able to replenish a lot of things from there. THIS -- this is the reason I prep.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Okay-- so if you look at the picture above, you can see things like baking cocoa, ketchup, artichoke hearts, salad dressings, peanut butter. Of course, there's a whole shelf of home canned jellies and jams. lol I also have a shelf of plastic gallon sauerkraut jugs that are filled with flour, sugar, pastas, beans, salt, things I have dehydrated etc. Another shelf has some canned marinara sauces, mayonnaise, jars of peanuts, black and green olives. I have baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch. You know what your family eats and you know what you can make. . I know that I need to keep a backup 1 pound cake of compressed yeast for baking bread. When the pandemic started one of the first things I couldn't find was yeast. That won't happen again. I always think too that if things get really rough, I will need some things that aren't just survival foods. I will need comfort. Sweets. Special foods (artichoke hearts). Peace of mind. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Happy stocking.</b></span></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-44798588921962943822022-07-07T15:14:00.001-05:002022-07-07T15:14:11.970-05:00Week 5 : Mama, will we ever be able to eat meat again ?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TVRc2BLz4xqGPxBfg6ylO_B7x8ZzQnFPSwKYCuKDvbKRHa5y1EZZihLsVtuaFXWUWylBkE2dm8e1E0zjJFdvik_2VXUuFy7OpuIjXmP3lkYk3ozUNJN1ltVI5IwOJ9OzHUaQYKaEfp_PKyEIWE8PjZihuYeSYEZTRyKHZRuYQLKAd-I1sPdcJfyldQ/s224/Zombie%20canning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TVRc2BLz4xqGPxBfg6ylO_B7x8ZzQnFPSwKYCuKDvbKRHa5y1EZZihLsVtuaFXWUWylBkE2dm8e1E0zjJFdvik_2VXUuFy7OpuIjXmP3lkYk3ozUNJN1ltVI5IwOJ9OzHUaQYKaEfp_PKyEIWE8PjZihuYeSYEZTRyKHZRuYQLKAd-I1sPdcJfyldQ/w286-h400/Zombie%20canning.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>After watching a few Zombie movies, you might never want to eat meat again. lol</b></span></div><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> I wanted to talk about stocking your pantry with meats from the grocery store, since I know a lot of people don't can. In my humble opinion, it's worth learning how to do, but that's me. The initial investment can be a little pricey for a pressure canner, jars and rings, but it doesn't have to be. I know people who have found jars and canners at thrift stores and flea markets. But, back to the subject at hand. You can always freeze fresh meats you find on sale, if you have a freezer. I do and will buy things specifically to freeze. However, freezer life is limited, so that should be meats you are eating regularly, not storing. Other items I can for shelf stability and I've told you a little about that. But if you're not a canner, you can still keep your pantry stocked with some good sources of protein for your family's diet. So, let's look at some affordable options.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> If you're a sales shopper, like I am, keep an eye on the in between pages of your grocer's sales papers. You know the part-- where the vegetables and ketchup and stuff is. A lot of times you'll find great prices on things there. The Dollar Store also is a good place to find items, as is Big Lots. I'm not a Walmart fan, but they do carry the cat litter I like, so when I'm in there, I scan the shelves for sales. Here's a list of things I look for, things I know I can build a meal around that my family likes.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>1) Canned fish. Tuna, mackerel and salmon. The canned portions are much cheaper than fresh, and check the BBD (best by date) and will keep in your pantry for as long as 2-3 years. They're good sources of protein as well as Omega-3's and other nutrients. I always buy tuna packed in water, unless the oil packed is crazy cheap (then I rinse it before I use it). All 3 are good for making sandwich salads, croquettes, casseroles or loaves. I keep 10-20 cans of tuna in my pantry at all times and rotate it as I use and buy more. I usually have 5-6 cans of salmon and mackerel there as well. We'll stick oysters, clams, sardines and anchovies in here as well. I do have canned oysters and clams in my pantry, that I use to make a seafood chowder. No anchovies for me, but I do have a couple of tins of sardines in mustard sauce in there. (Not sure why. LOL) </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>2) Canned chicken. Several companies make a canned chicken breast in small cans that you can buy. They are a little pricey, but they are available. Dark meat is also available, and costs a little less. Chicken is a healthy protein source. These can be used for chicken salad sandwiches (no cooking required) or to make soups or chicken and dumplings or enchiladas or anything else you would make with cooked chicken. Can also just be eaten out of the can in an emergency.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>3) Potted meat. This stuff is not one of my favorites, but if you're hungry, you'll be grateful for it. It is a deviled ham product, all seasoned and ready to go. Great for sandwiches.(If you have bread). It's inexpensive, it's a source of protein and fats and the tiny little cans don't take up a lot of space. We'll stick those Vienna sausages in here too in their cute little cans. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>4) Meat soups and stews. These are always handy, and you can doctor them up a little if you need to (I do). There are ready to eat beef stews, chicken and dumplings, bean soups with ham and a whole lot of other things. All that is required is dump and heat and there you are. There are canned sloppy joes, different Chef Boyardee pastas with meat, and other similar items you could consider too. Again-- just be sure it's stuff your family will eat. Don't waste money (even on a sale) if it's not useful to you.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>5) Canned beef and pork. Can be used in all sorts of meals and are convenient. Probably not something you'd buy for everyday use, but handy just the same.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>6) Canned hams and bacon. I always pick up the little funny shaped cans of DAK canned ham when I see it. It's great for so many things, tastes good and keeps well. I dice it up and brown to serve with scrambled eggs. Use it in beans. Use it for sandwiches. I'm not a big fan of canned bacon, but it might work for you. Then there's the good old Spam and Treet, 2 canned meats that have been around since the 1930's. They're making a comeback and are versatile enough to use in many recipes. Again, good sources of protein that can give you some versatility in your meals.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> So, there are some ideas of things to look for.when you're thinking about the meat and protein part of pantry stocking. Hope it's helpful. I have canned pork loin, ground beef, roast beef, chicken of all sorts, and corned beef that I always keep on my shelf. Last week I found some pork loin on sale and canned up some more of that. High protein, low fat...and useful in so many ways. Maybe I should have added beans in here too... but I think I'll save that for next time. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> Bon Apetit, babiees...</b></span></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-10080161754119890832022-06-27T00:07:00.001-05:002022-06-27T00:10:27.855-05:00Week 4 : The High Cost of Eating<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-gOcY3TIVAZnqQZHvXL9NxoOEwUGA3qxqBzr-h7gncW2XouUD0QRBYn7QWX96LYjRgIYdknhubkYxybZqNWdSgPsafcERHCAbHc5nTSh1_XSNHcB9OBcTTmk-msDzNl-cBGfSUmj4vozADssRz6X96IBMkAbEBBhPz1CDjXcYFuZXqG41ag0nHJA5Q/s3264/Pantry%202021%20001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-gOcY3TIVAZnqQZHvXL9NxoOEwUGA3qxqBzr-h7gncW2XouUD0QRBYn7QWX96LYjRgIYdknhubkYxybZqNWdSgPsafcERHCAbHc5nTSh1_XSNHcB9OBcTTmk-msDzNl-cBGfSUmj4vozADssRz6X96IBMkAbEBBhPz1CDjXcYFuZXqG41ag0nHJA5Q/w640-h480/Pantry%202021%20001.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b> <br />Let's talk about the current issue of food pricing for a minute. It's on everyone's mind, because frankly, there are people who can barely afford to eat. I was listening to an episode on NPR and they were talking about the hike in food prices everywhere around the world. They said food prices in the US are up over 14% . That's one of the biggest jumps we've seen in a long time. But as bad as that is, and as much as we're seeing items disappearing on the shelves, we are still not as bad as some places. Lebanon for instance, has seen a 3000% increase in food prices. People are starving because they cannot afford to buy food. The reasons for these increases are varied and troubling...war, climate change events that include drought, flooding, fires; embargos, gas prices. Many many things that are beyond our control. <br /><br />So, in order for me to not lose it over all this... what can I do ? I can try to stay on top of it all by 1) Changing the way I eat 2) Being mindful of wasting food 3) Learning to cook real food and not just buy fast food 4) Stocking my pantry by watching sales and buying in bulk and 5) Educating myself about how people in poorer countries than mine eat and cook and manage to survive.<br /><br />If you can garden in any way--Garden. In the backyard, in the front yard, in pots. Just do it. Raising your own food is not only a good financial idea, but it also gives you a better appreciation of the food we eat. If you have the time and location do some large scale gardening and then can, freeze or dehydrate it to store. There are lots of great books out there on preserving foods. Read some.<br /><br />I have learned that the best way to stretch a food budget is to rarely make meat a main entree, I still do now and then, but I often make it a central ingredient rather than the main attraction. We eat less meat and what meat we do have goes a lot farther.<br />I carefully watch for sales in our smaller community markets and take advantage of them when I can. This week I came across a boneless pork loin on sale for $1.99/lb Normally I wouldn't buy them for more than .88-.99/lb. But things aren't normal anymore. I have seen boneless pork loin in the last month for 3.49 lb !! I bought 3 beautiful loins at about 25 lbs total. I cut them up into cubes and canned them, except for 8 boneless chops I cut from the biggest one. That was our Sunday night supper, (with leftovers) and boy was it good. I canned 11 quarts and 1 pint of pork. That's a minimum of 20-25 meals for 2. So, for less than 50 dollars I get to feed us for about 2 dollars apiece. The meat part, anyway. And that's a deal kids. People always ask me what I do with canned pork. Here's a few things: Carnitas, posole, bbq sandwiches, sweet'n'sour pork, pork fried rice, burritos, Caribbean Stew, a sandwich spread that is like ham salad, only made with pork. And anything else you can imagine.<br /><br /> So, here's a short tutorial on canning pork loin. Ready ??<br /><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLBfPLcUwumK1FIkc-3ibRtIApClG_XRwQjwBUc_Rjrn-lKgjg5nOy3bLPftrKnvX8djzkGvU7daZqTxHcLqTyNe-glGU4nVyr-syv34MDtLzmDyOF8c41TbUqpb1tRNOQX1_VBdIk4mJYQsibmHW0DhtZx-JLQzeTqeRmsk8UzZYVRbd0JX5lhLkSw/s4608/Birthday%20cake%20and%20canning%20pork%20002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLBfPLcUwumK1FIkc-3ibRtIApClG_XRwQjwBUc_Rjrn-lKgjg5nOy3bLPftrKnvX8djzkGvU7daZqTxHcLqTyNe-glGU4nVyr-syv34MDtLzmDyOF8c41TbUqpb1tRNOQX1_VBdIk4mJYQsibmHW0DhtZx-JLQzeTqeRmsk8UzZYVRbd0JX5lhLkSw/s320/Birthday%20cake%20and%20canning%20pork%20002.JPG" width="240" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b> Assemble your equipment : Canner, cutting board, sharp big knife, bowl to hold the cubed pork, clean jars and lids and rings. Don't mind my messy kitchen-- it's well used ! <br /><br />I cut the big loins in half and work with half a one at a time. Slice it into 1 inch wide chops. Cut each chop into 3 strips and then finish cutting into cubes. Keep at it until you've cut the whole thing. <br /><br />Meats MUST BE PRESSURE CANNED. Food safety people. I have 2 canners. My trusty old Presto which is used on top of the stove and my smaller Carey canner which is electric. I never thought I'd say this, but I LOVE this thing. It's self regulating temp wise, which is the hardest part of canning sometimes with the stove top ones. The downside is that it only holds 4 quarts at a time, while the other (Presto) holds 7 quarts at a time. But still, with the crazy price of gas and propane now, I'd rather use the electric one anyway since we have propane. <br /><br />Pack the clean quart jars full, using a knife to push out the air pockets and tamp the meat down. Use a vinegar soaked cloth or paper towel to wipe the rims, making sure there is no food or grease on the rim from packing the jar. I firmly suggest you use a canning jar funnel to load the jars. Makes it much easier. Wash the lids in hot soapy water and rinse well then set on top of the jar and put the rings on. Tighten them "finger tight". Tight, but not wrenched down. Follow your canners directions on how much water it needs. Quart jars of meat must pressure can for 90 minutes. That's an hour and a half. It's a long time. I use the interim time to start the next batch of cutting and chopping, and take a break in the middle there somewhere.<br /><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdJ972R76nY55GPwSBTqAeFaMHPOkhnfD08APgxB4YA695eEDtZAhjubi8hpVKvz3rcJ16mNEKo1nYrqGLSwdDvxs9ly-fr_ZQY7R1oNDln74U5BeYWT8zgkELBrzc1hgErW5f5HRzODkZLA9xiL7Z4s-YHtnbUXebYk4IOkEonAE3ZF-Nz82KkdthQ/s4608/Canning%20and%20pork%20chop%20supper%20002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdJ972R76nY55GPwSBTqAeFaMHPOkhnfD08APgxB4YA695eEDtZAhjubi8hpVKvz3rcJ16mNEKo1nYrqGLSwdDvxs9ly-fr_ZQY7R1oNDln74U5BeYWT8zgkELBrzc1hgErW5f5HRzODkZLA9xiL7Z4s-YHtnbUXebYk4IOkEonAE3ZF-Nz82KkdthQ/s320/Canning%20and%20pork%20chop%20supper%20002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b> Here's today's adventure, finally finished. The jars have all "pinged" which let's you know they've sealed. Some of them are still bubbling. I place a heavy old folded bath towel on the table to set them on, because the jars must not be moved for at least 24 hours. Also-- make sure wherever you put them, there's no draft. They need to sit unmolested to finish the cooling and sealing process. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b> You can use chicken breasts, roast beef, corned beef and can them the same. This is called a Raw Pack. And no, I never add any liquid to the jar, as they pressure can, they release their own juices. You don't need to add salt, but you can if you want to-- it's flavoring only. Nothing to do with the preserving. </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b> If you have never canned before, please, read the Ball Book on Canning. There are all kinds of little things you should know. There are also all kinds of Youtube videos and Google knows everything. lol</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b> Oh yeah--that special Sunday night supper... Yeah baby. Mashed potatoes, green beans and applesauce...with panko and cracker crumb breaded pork loin chops.</b></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0jSxJK2f4Vw7N1MnAu6xcaG5czylAnUUv--7aGBliM8QO7r34galdoxDFrxpT7-lp876QEIOR1UazwN9rnJJcJntLg6WmrsKBOj0438PSFUYqjBgCRRLYYFlguR0cIDPaTML2eZz309J3NFwthl5F8KLn3tnK6__Ioynbd72Pwn2fE1DzzrA0kDqw/s4608/Canning%20and%20pork%20chop%20supper%20001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0jSxJK2f4Vw7N1MnAu6xcaG5czylAnUUv--7aGBliM8QO7r34galdoxDFrxpT7-lp876QEIOR1UazwN9rnJJcJntLg6WmrsKBOj0438PSFUYqjBgCRRLYYFlguR0cIDPaTML2eZz309J3NFwthl5F8KLn3tnK6__Ioynbd72Pwn2fE1DzzrA0kDqw/w400-h300/Canning%20and%20pork%20chop%20supper%20001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-45290777256315534692022-06-20T14:17:00.003-05:002022-06-20T14:27:27.266-05:00Oops... where did last week go ??<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv4vFdNbFuxI6RKteMaW0b6Jo7jdzyHFX-YOMOZbz8B7T2BJ0gJwtMi9I64C-r0ed62RlRcyUow9cuDPTsFv2F-lZxVxdcyzamZ2xbVq-LqdYg2N_XjjgHGEXTQu5DmEpv7lbrOMTsRio1FD6SYU4eeScSiSqE9u05JQ60wLMKI7na8kz0XYJ_sbOrg/s1600/cold%20soba%20salad.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv4vFdNbFuxI6RKteMaW0b6Jo7jdzyHFX-YOMOZbz8B7T2BJ0gJwtMi9I64C-r0ed62RlRcyUow9cuDPTsFv2F-lZxVxdcyzamZ2xbVq-LqdYg2N_XjjgHGEXTQu5DmEpv7lbrOMTsRio1FD6SYU4eeScSiSqE9u05JQ60wLMKI7na8kz0XYJ_sbOrg/s320/cold%20soba%20salad.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what happened here. lol I didn't make it here to post last week OR SOMETHING. Getting old is always an adventure. In the past 9 days, we have taken a trip to celebrate our anniversary and my sober birthday (not far away or anything, but we did get out.) Then we had some hellacious storms here, fallen trees and tree branches took down power lines and left us powerless (lol) for over 36 hours. We loaded both freezers down with ice and blankets on top for insulation and luckily we didn't lose any food. Biggest problem was the heat. We've been having temps in the high 90's with heat indexes in the hundreds. Yuck. Thank Goodness it cooled down for a couple of days. The storms giveth and the storms taketh away. So, there's my pitiful excuses for not posting and I promise I'll try to be better. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So, this week, I want to talk about another important pantry item. Pastas. Pastas are a great filler of bellies and extender of foods. Depending on what kind you buy they can also be nutritious. One of my favorites are Soba Noodles. They are made of buckwheat. <b>Soba</b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"> noodles are some of the healthiest options out there for carbohydrates. Unlike ramen noodles, which often contain oils, fat and salt, soba noodles calories (especially pure buckwheat) are very low in fat and cholesterol, provide healthy carbs and give you protein.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"> I keep a variety of pastas and noodles. The difference between the two are the va<b>riety of wheat used to make them. Noodles are made from regular wheat and pasta is made from durum wheat. Most of us can't tell the difference. But back to the pantry. I buy bulk items from Amazon, like the organic soba noodles because the price is so much better. For instance I am out of Soba, so I ordered a pack of 24 packages for 23 dollars. Walmarts lowest price of the same brand is $4.99/package. I also buy Rice noodles from Amazon. This week I wanted to try something we do not usually eat, although my husband says he ate it in college. I ordered a case of Ramen noodles (soy sauce flavoring packet) for under 7 dollars. It's the cheapest way to get the ramen noodles (and throw away the seasoning packet, lol) I keep thin and regular spaghetti, penne pasta, angel hair pasta, fusili pasta, and fettucine in my pantry. I keep a gallon jar of egg noodles at all times. These make a relatively inexpensive meal when mixed with a jar of my home canned chicken or roast beef. Filling, satisfying and better for you than the fast food options. </b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Today is Meatless Monday here on Honeysuckle Hill, and my plan WAS to make a cold soba noodle salad for supper. Alas. No soba noodles in the pantry. So I will make something like it, but with a different pasta, like angel hair or thin spaghetti. It's in the mid 90's again today, so we need a light but sustaining supper. The cold noodle salads or pasta salads are a perfect choice. I have a take and bake baguette that I can fix in the air fryer oven and make a nice garlicky bread to go with it. I can make it like a putanesca salad, and use up whatever vegetables in my fridge that need to be used. I have olive oil (EVOO) or sesame oil in the cabinet to dress it with. I have some fresh basil out in my planter box that will top it nicely. A very low cost meal, made from things I have on hand. Don't have to spend any money today on gas or groceries, and in my book that's a win-win. So, here's a recipe I posted in about 2012 I think... check it out. <span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/search?q=cold+soba+noodle">https://dragonwomansmysticalmeals.blogspot.com/search?q=cold+soba+noodle</a></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Happy Pantry. You can go out this week to many places like dollar stores and find a nice variety of pastas for your pantry. Just do it. lol I store all mine in jars...big and small. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><p></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-18499223692991624032022-06-01T22:31:00.003-05:002022-06-01T22:36:10.579-05:00Week 2. Building up a stocked pantry<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0uOTKGLVY7Emq3W9xTfTTQFb7rLBuGvWV5mFxfhqHDmu4PoalTdmoDBPg4Ahq3PRVqirmb5sl6zpKMh4-eEsUf_8BiZuwn9BwBRIcbl9WaPnUEwUH3Knl6LQnHoNH3dr0DvkWpFsdw8MkOKzBC958lCbRjVP0nDZ_NzBfLRWph-8B3152-a_kxe_MA/s3264/Pantry%202021%20008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0uOTKGLVY7Emq3W9xTfTTQFb7rLBuGvWV5mFxfhqHDmu4PoalTdmoDBPg4Ahq3PRVqirmb5sl6zpKMh4-eEsUf_8BiZuwn9BwBRIcbl9WaPnUEwUH3Knl6LQnHoNH3dr0DvkWpFsdw8MkOKzBC958lCbRjVP0nDZ_NzBfLRWph-8B3152-a_kxe_MA/w640-h480/Pantry%202021%20008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> About once a month, if the budget permits, I try to buy a case of some item (usually a specialty item) that I use a lot. Sometimes it's shelf stable tofu, sometimes it's organic full fat coconut milk, sometimes it might be a soba or rice noodle. This month it was time to buy more brown rice, so I toodled on over to Amazon and hooked myself up with a 10# bag of Brown Basmati Rice, and a 2 pound jar of Tahini. I know that all households eat differently, and here we try to eat at least a couple of meatless meals a week. Having been a vegetarian off and on throughout my adult life, it's usually not too hard for me to come up with ideas. We also have a very liberal palate(s) when it comes to trying new foods or foods from other countries. For instance, I have made cold soba salads, Vegetable Pad Thai, Peanut Butter Tofu and a number of other exciting foods. I have cookbooks with recipes from India, China, Africa, Ireland, France, Korea, Japan, and England.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> This week I want you to think about Beans and Rice for your pantry. These staples of many countries around the world, complement each other nutritionally and are a must have. Who doesn't love cornbread and beans ? I keep dry beans, canned beans and home canned beans in my pantry at all times. Right now, my pantry has Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, Black Beans, Adzuki Beans, Lima Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Kidney Beans, Red Beans and Cannellini Beans. You can find these beans at any grocery, some at Dollar Generals, and just about anywhere. The cost ratio per serving is amazing and the nutritional punch is awesome.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> <a href="https://beaninstitute.com/bean-nutrition-overview/#:~:text=TYPE%20OF%20BEAN,371">https://beaninstitute.com/bean-nutrition-overview/#:~:text=TYPE%20OF%20BEAN,371</a></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b>I always keep a couple of gallons of dry pinto and Navy beans on hand. I also home can each of these for convenience sake, because it takes time (and fuel) to cook a pot of beans. Especially if I want a smaller amount to make burritos or refried beans for a meal. Handy. I have canned garbanzos, but usually I just buy a case of them at Aldi because my life needs simple sometimes. lol So many vegetarian meals you can make with garbanzos (chickpeas). They are a staple in many middle eastern foods in places like India, Africa and Egypt. And they care crazy good for you. I make my own Hummus and Falafel. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b> I keep a variety of rices in store as well. Brown rice, which doesn't keep as long or as well as white does, but is much healthier, Jasmine rice, Basmati rice and sometimes wild rice. This way I can have a variety with meals. Most of my life I have never used a rice cooker until about 5 years ago and now I can't live without one. If I had to though, I could cook rice on the stove. lol So, there's your challenge for week 2. Rice and Beans. The recipe I want to share is Chana Tikka Masala. It's a traditional Indian recipe that is chock full of tasty nutrition. If you are not fond of Indian food, skip this. But if you're on the fence, or don't know, give it a try. It's simple and it's mouth watering. It's vegetarian, and with the rising cost of meats, we all need to start eating less of it and expanding our palates.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRuaiDSsCB8_uP3tfGWLa5T7q1m1U9mco8HH02rTA6geEvjjS4qYoHXHV4HXZvREd5jsVjtW1m0YSdOvy-s1rjOaDHxLZvtvOubBl0rBC5lXTBsSNLh4enoUeMC9rnOY6QvXkZn6q1hgPZebP6M0nuS8ZREFNf0O-p1gZVCGPlBR7ZnJ0OaQJ9ivIp6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRuaiDSsCB8_uP3tfGWLa5T7q1m1U9mco8HH02rTA6geEvjjS4qYoHXHV4HXZvREd5jsVjtW1m0YSdOvy-s1rjOaDHxLZvtvOubBl0rBC5lXTBsSNLh4enoUeMC9rnOY6QvXkZn6q1hgPZebP6M0nuS8ZREFNf0O-p1gZVCGPlBR7ZnJ0OaQJ9ivIp6A=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Chana Tikka Masala</b></span></p><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredients-container wprm-recipe-13183-ingredients-container wprm-block-text-normal wprm-ingredient-style-regular" data-recipe="13183" data-servings="6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(232, 232, 232); border-top-style: double; border-width: 4px 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: inherit; margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" href="https://amzn.to/32Rsnaq" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(248, 194, 59); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-shadow: rgb(248, 194, 59) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">olive oil</a></span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 large onion, diced" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-1" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">large</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">onion, diced</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="5 cloves garlic, minced" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-2" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cloves</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">garlic, minced</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-3" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tablespoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fresh grated ginger</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-4" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" href="https://amzn.to/30sJtuf" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(248, 194, 59); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-shadow: rgb(248, 194, 59) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">garam masala</a></span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-5" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ground cumin</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 teaspoon turmeric" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-6" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">turmeric</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 teaspoon ground coriander" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-7" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ground coriander</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-8" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cayenne pepper</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1 teaspoon salt" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-9" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">salt</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="14 ounce can tomato sauce" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-10" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ounce</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can tomato sauce</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="13.5 ounce can full fat coconut milk" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-11" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">13.5</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ounce</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" href="http://amzn.to/2FNg4yH" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(248, 194, 59); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-shadow: rgb(248, 194, 59) 0px -4px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">can full fat coconut milk</a></span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="1/4 cup water, as needed to thin the sauce" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-12" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">water, as needed to thin the sauce</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="(2) 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-13" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(2)</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">15-ounce</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed</span></b></span></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name wprm-block-text-bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; font-family: proximanova; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 1.2; margin: 18px 0px 15px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">FOR SERVING</span></h4><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="4-5 cups cooked white or brown rice" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-14" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4-5</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cooked white or brown rice</span></b></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="Vegan Naan" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-15" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /></b></span></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0px -16px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><input aria-label="chopped cilantro, parsley or green onions" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-16" style="margin: 0px; opacity: 0; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">▢</span></label></b></span></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>chopped cilantro, parsley or green onions</b></span></span></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-unit-conversion-container wprm-unit-conversion-container-13183 wprm-unit-conversion-container-links wprm-block-text-normal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proximanova; letter-spacing: 0.15em; line-height: 1.5; margin: 15px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instructions-container wprm-recipe-13183-instructions-container wprm-block-text-normal" data-recipe="13183" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(232, 232, 232); border-top-style: double; border-width: 4px 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: inherit; margin: 35px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-recipe-instructions-header wprm-block-text-bold wprm-align-left wprm-header-decoration-none" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; font-family: proximanova, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.2; margin: 25px 0px 10px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instructions</span></h3><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proximanova, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none !important; list-style: none; margin-block: 0px; margin: 15px 0px 15px 10px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-13183-step-0-0" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; counter-increment: item 1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 20px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In a large pan, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, then add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 more minute.</b></span></span></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-13183-step-0-1" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; counter-increment: item 1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 20px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now add the spices, salt, tomato sauce, coconut milk and drained/rinsed chickpeas. Stir until smooth and combined, then simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.</b></span></span></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-13183-step-0-2" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; counter-increment: item 1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 20px 35px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taste; add more salt or spices as desired. Serve immediately over rice.</b></span></span></div></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #272b2b; font-family: proximanova, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-17883865751841081642022-05-26T00:39:00.004-05:002022-05-26T00:45:14.207-05:00Annie makes plans, and God laughs...here we go...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gOGUL3BVMJpA6doMAi3FwwVt3sEK1tLvjB6yREEmjKZ8pXUbX9LSdcVfvXB57wIgKYk53i2Zq9_FTVKiXXALKKIV1aEYvnOKTjpyFEYcJnWXaRSe88rIBjoUzNtzBiyQetoonUINEWq46u14jtCFozFFvn_1noxPuhntxis1JDEuz7GGtwZ6EP_51w/s500/Grandma%20survived.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="500" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gOGUL3BVMJpA6doMAi3FwwVt3sEK1tLvjB6yREEmjKZ8pXUbX9LSdcVfvXB57wIgKYk53i2Zq9_FTVKiXXALKKIV1aEYvnOKTjpyFEYcJnWXaRSe88rIBjoUzNtzBiyQetoonUINEWq46u14jtCFozFFvn_1noxPuhntxis1JDEuz7GGtwZ6EP_51w/s320/Grandma%20survived.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> There may or may not be another great depression in this country. It remains to be seen. We are seeing food shortages, crazy inflation, supply chain disruptions that most of us alive now have never experienced. It's pretty frightening. I'm sliding into 70, and I have experienced some weather catastrophes that got a little unnerving. I'm a vagabond who has lived in several places around the country, which gave me untold opportunities. Tornadoes. Earthquakes. Floods. Hurricanes. Power grid interruptions that lasted for weeks sometimes, grocery stores with no deliveries made. I also grew up in a large family with one working parent, so money was always a little tight, though we never had to do without basics. My parents were Depression kids who could remember how tough things got in the world. The duration of it was about 120 months. That floors me. I had no idea it lasted that long. No wonder people were so mentally and spiritually devastated by it all. My mom was a pretty good cook and knew how to stretch a dollar. My dad worked a union job in a steel factory, so we were not destitute. But as we all know, it takes a lot to run a household. I remember days before payday when she would invent things for us because the grocery money was used up. One of my favorite suppers during those times (and still is today) was cooked white rice with milk and sugar and cinnamon and butter. And fried potatoes. It was a Keto nightmare, LOL, but tasted soooo good to us kids. And it fed all 8 of us with no problem. After WWII something interesting happened in America and convenience foods were born to make a wife's job "easier" Women were encouraged to get out of the kitchen and enjoy life. (*snort) The foods became much less nutritious and more processed until we ate our way into heart disease and colon cancer and general malaise. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> I hear people all the time complain that eating healthy is more expensive (not true), it's too difficult, and they don't know how to do it. The hardest part of cooking is the planning. And doing it every day. </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyyTafguQDXDkMk5PcwbA512dOZQOs-pphSCfFMzk2Zgahp7N36LyaXW1kU8WBZy4pwy2AyVRkcVWBe1n4Dum7nOx0vsPpOMlRO89n8tKvlvhkH8Uc8Ov0fmSmTvck4CIEXXBZHzn11vYms92Q0zO03UQyHZ4kvkMjZw_NTKZSmdnkpBD8VzcslqFhg/s640/cook%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20your%20life.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="640" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyyTafguQDXDkMk5PcwbA512dOZQOs-pphSCfFMzk2Zgahp7N36LyaXW1kU8WBZy4pwy2AyVRkcVWBe1n4Dum7nOx0vsPpOMlRO89n8tKvlvhkH8Uc8Ov0fmSmTvck4CIEXXBZHzn11vYms92Q0zO03UQyHZ4kvkMjZw_NTKZSmdnkpBD8VzcslqFhg/s320/cook%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20your%20life.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Some people make meal plans. I tried that, but like everything else in my world, I lack the discipline to follow through. So I just wing it mostly. But I only have to cook for 2, and that guy will eat almost anything I put in front of him. Of course, after cooking for him for 30 years, I pretty much know what he likes and dislikes. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> One of the first things I want you to remember is to please-- only stock foods your family will eat. I'm going to start with your <i>first pantry item</i> for the week to buy, and it's old fashioned rolled oats. An important thing to keep in mind is that you need things in your pantry that are versatile and healthy. Filling. I keep a 5 gallon food grade bucket of rolled oats in my pantry. One thing about oats, you CAN eat them without cooking if you have to. They are digestible and tasty. You can use oats to make cereal (granola type AND cooked hot cereal). You can easily make your own granola bars. You can use it to make cookies with peanut butter and raisins (no bake cookies). It's a healthy way to bulk up and fiber enrich home made bread. Meatloaf filler and binder. You can find them in any grocery store or order them in bulk online. Here's a recipe for an easy to make granola that is customizeable and relatively inexpensive.</span></b></p><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> If your family is a cereal eating bunch, making the transition from commercial boxes to home made can be a satisfying, healthy and economical move for you. Not to mention the fact (and this is big for me) you know exactly what's in it. NO fillers (sawdust?--seriously). NO high fructose corn syrup. No chemical additives. No empty calories at all.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> This is the list of ingredients to make a basic granola:</span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <i> <span style="color: black;">8 cups rolled oats. (not quick-old fashioned)</span></i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 1/2 cup dark brown sugar</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 1/4 cup barley malt syrup (optional--I have it, so I use it)</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 3/4 cup honey</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 1 cup oil (I use coconut, but any vegetable oil will do)</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 1 Tbsp. cinnamon</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> 1 Tbsp. vanilla</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> [ Dried fruits and nuts, coconut, sesame seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds (preferably raw), raisins...whatever your family likes best. I dry a lot of my own fruits and use those in my granola and makes it even less expensive to make. As you can see by the ingredients, it isn't costly. This recipe make a big gallon jar of granola.]</span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c0a154; clear: both; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15Y2Fk3VG8PtZBbjc82lpA0FcVLFrf50fjdU4cpTfmCDYOzx9E_we8pXtvxwU_Nrtice1HV3_fCD4KgtZKdW4zTuxoZl5zMA4rnHRktindGoeRr7J1Gr_9l_rlYaSMCFJCoSj7sikRcnU/s1600/DSCF0879.JPG" style="color: #cc3300; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15Y2Fk3VG8PtZBbjc82lpA0FcVLFrf50fjdU4cpTfmCDYOzx9E_we8pXtvxwU_Nrtice1HV3_fCD4KgtZKdW4zTuxoZl5zMA4rnHRktindGoeRr7J1Gr_9l_rlYaSMCFJCoSj7sikRcnU/s320/DSCF0879.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"> You want to get out a medium sized saucepan and mix together the next 6 ingredients on the list. (Hint--if you put the oil into your measuring cup before the honey or BMS, the sticky stuff will come out effortlessly!) Cook over a low flame, stirring to dissolve all the ingredients. While this is cooking, assemble your dried fruits and nuts...I often use a combination of nuts, like walnuts, peanuts and almonds. Depends on what I have on hand. You can put in coconut if you like that. Put in whatever seeds you like into the oats mixture. DO NOT PUT THE DRIED FRUITS INTO THE MIX YET. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> When your pan of goo is completely dissolved and mixed, pour it over the oats mixture and using a large wooden spoon or spatula, mix thoroughly. You want to coat all the oats completely with the hot mixture. Next, we're going to put this into a 250 degree oven to toast and dry out the mix. This part of the process will take about an hour or so. You want to get in there and mix and stir it about every 15 minutes, so that it doesn't burn.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c0a154; clear: both; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-MazrvBvGZzqdLzUreqGNH0q1-1IidMu6H5D-R8absQh7lHmcUyFXG-RcBtQeHI9KhZH0-dSWnv83wlf9JW0DSIwt77rJPvcuV0jUkrxSBAVxG7zyheuspAA25SoI8Es5wSlb74FcXSo/s1600/DSCF0884.JPG" style="color: #cc3300; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-MazrvBvGZzqdLzUreqGNH0q1-1IidMu6H5D-R8absQh7lHmcUyFXG-RcBtQeHI9KhZH0-dSWnv83wlf9JW0DSIwt77rJPvcuV0jUkrxSBAVxG7zyheuspAA25SoI8Es5wSlb74FcXSo/s320/DSCF0884.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Now, after it's all golden and yummy looking, add the dried fruits you chose and mix it up again. Let it cool before putting it into a one gallon container. And there you have it. A healthy nutritious breakfast that's quick to fix on busy mornings, and makes a great snack too. We eat it with milk or mixed with yogurt--both equally good. The Irishman and I both are a little lactose intolerant, so we don't use much dairy in this house. I have found a really good organic soy yogurt and we have Rice Dream rice milk. If you want a hot breakfast, all you have to do is pour your milk over it and stick it in the microwave for a minute or so. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> One thing about this hearty treat--It doesn't take much of it to fill you up, A cup of granola is about all my hardworking Irishman can eat and I eat a little less than that.</span></b></div>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-62964058948825171382022-05-18T23:42:00.000-05:002022-05-18T23:42:03.898-05:00The Resurrection of Dragon Woman's Kitchen<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0F7-w_OHfRzP7aSpJxaQ1ki7YZr_2fZkyaNjzRFM2tEufBOnCcjMO6xx_M7mxCCkVpg-CB0pjcKEV_IHhLv_oPl2Y45pJsC3Y_8vNO_6NRrqX_-sQbalX2I-QmUr2xpetJQfVZMajb4C9vFBsn_tggc0fCrUeR-N_ttqs3aUIlzMwiJO_GSLqotreA/s3264/Wisteria%20hummingbirds%20and%20Corned%20beef%20005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0F7-w_OHfRzP7aSpJxaQ1ki7YZr_2fZkyaNjzRFM2tEufBOnCcjMO6xx_M7mxCCkVpg-CB0pjcKEV_IHhLv_oPl2Y45pJsC3Y_8vNO_6NRrqX_-sQbalX2I-QmUr2xpetJQfVZMajb4C9vFBsn_tggc0fCrUeR-N_ttqs3aUIlzMwiJO_GSLqotreA/s320/Wisteria%20hummingbirds%20and%20Corned%20beef%20005.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So. Here's the thing. Times are tough right now. People are freaking out over the cost of food (as am I). The price of gas is ridiculous. The world is in chaos. As you know, I have long been a proponent of keeping a stocked pantry and cooking at home. I know lots of people think they can't do this, but there are many ways to stock your pantry. I don't have a traditional "pantry". The house I grew up in did. I created a pantry from a big walk-in closet in the bedroom that is now my office. I bought metal shelving units and built other shelves in there. It works. At one time, almost everything in there came from my hand-- I planted, grew, harvested and canned so many fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, applesauce, pie fillings-- you name it. I was extremely pleased with myself. lol It looked like this: </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclwDq2uPU4ULP8o27hy9rkvIWWJpeb1CNh0kqREiUg14Uj6IauGqLsZv1bsV6XCCPrMQzC5sbh3X4QYH8RjcypO6Fna5J56iT4-zSJ1xZKyLvyC979ho21RSiQmeo57ZgJaQIPRfwno4fk36EPGc11R9R7T3n3N_UPsfCWOty5zcf78NEkMaGZ2W_OQ/s960/pantry%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclwDq2uPU4ULP8o27hy9rkvIWWJpeb1CNh0kqREiUg14Uj6IauGqLsZv1bsV6XCCPrMQzC5sbh3X4QYH8RjcypO6Fna5J56iT4-zSJ1xZKyLvyC979ho21RSiQmeo57ZgJaQIPRfwno4fk36EPGc11R9R7T3n3N_UPsfCWOty5zcf78NEkMaGZ2W_OQ/s320/pantry%201.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Fast forward a couple of years, and I had some major issues. FIRST-- raccoons killed all my chickens. I lost it. I live in the country on a small piece of dirt and can do anything I want out here, so I had about a dozen layers all the time. Then I had a mild heart attack, which resulted in a quadruple bypass. Hospital stay, and changed me quite a bit. That was in 2020 when the pandemic began. I couldn't handle the heat of this midwestern area I live in, I was limited in ways I never imagined I would be. No garden that year. No garden the next year. Just couldn't do it. This year in late February, I tripped in the middle of the night in the bathroom and fell hard on the stone tile floor, breaking my ankle. A Trimalleolar Fracture they said. The least commonly seen break, it was the tibia, the fibula and the calcaneal ankle bone, all broken right down where they meet at the ankle. Surgery, plates and pins, PT and learning how to walk again after 6 weeks of no weight bearing. So.. no garden this year. Much of my pantry staples have been depleted. So I had to start buying things differently. I've been a little depressed about it all. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Now, here we are: people have been asking me for help figuring out how to navigate these times, in way of meal ideas, grocery shopping and such. First, I want to recommend a book by my friend Sharon Astyk called "Independence Days". Some years ago I took an online series of classes that she did about stocking and eating out of your pantry. It was invaluable. Her book is full of really great ideas and information. Look for it at your local bookseller, but not Amazon. The price there is ridiculous. lol She talked about things I hadn't thought of at all, like how much pet food to store, what food can you eat if there's no electricity, gas, or refrigeration. What about medications ? So much to consider. I keep fully stocked medical supplies too. I bought masks 4 years ago and gloves. When the pandemic started and everything was in short supply, I had things. Not just food, but bandages and vitamins and aspirin and stuff. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> I want to start a series of blogs here about supplies to make less expensive healthy foods that can feed your family affordably, and the recipes to go with them. The meals won't be any fancy dancy things that no one can make at home. And they will be wholesome and healthy and easy. We'll see how it goes. If I get no responses, it's okay, I'll just do it until I get tired of doing it. But I want you to know...there are no rules in cooking. It's magic. And it's also the most primal form of love you can show your family. Every post will contain one thing for you to buy to start your stocking up process. All basic staples. Okay ?? I will start the first post tomorrow, after I go to the local market to try to make a deal to take the rest of the corned beef off their hands if they'll haggle. Roast beef prices here are between 5 and 7 dollars a pound. Even ground beef is stupid high. They have some corned beef for 1.99/lb. I'm going to get more. The top picture is corned beef I bought a couple of weeks ago and canned. If you're not a canner, you can freeze it too. But what happens if your electricity goes away ?? That's why I started canning meats. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> See you tomorrow. </b></span></p>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-12657926368688657092020-06-29T17:18:00.003-05:002020-06-29T17:18:52.168-05:00Chicken and dumplings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Zn892wSWGIRCHfjsRGboG4LJhZ3ICakFunqUZ305_AzjTkO3_FLJhrhRIQ-ouODTDqReW81q5wOTJCSdiFET4K0wEiIbLmgv4YSq41kZrjktLIrmwoI8OBJQj6D2wexUC4ZC9zcxQns/s1600/Chicken+and+dumplings+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Zn892wSWGIRCHfjsRGboG4LJhZ3ICakFunqUZ305_AzjTkO3_FLJhrhRIQ-ouODTDqReW81q5wOTJCSdiFET4K0wEiIbLmgv4YSq41kZrjktLIrmwoI8OBJQj6D2wexUC4ZC9zcxQns/s400/Chicken+and+dumplings+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYaJm01zklUVOW2iWGWKpNhSh3WZHHzWfD7YAHzLswke1bAWyjU0VvKaI56GfNnqmwrO6zQ2m5idLGBjs6MbpjZeKpk1VVZ63reqr2RaUEdxbkpoEmDe7-rJlPg2BYX5OVCLIzj9KCVR0/s1600/Chicken+and+dumplings+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYaJm01zklUVOW2iWGWKpNhSh3WZHHzWfD7YAHzLswke1bAWyjU0VvKaI56GfNnqmwrO6zQ2m5idLGBjs6MbpjZeKpk1VVZ63reqr2RaUEdxbkpoEmDe7-rJlPg2BYX5OVCLIzj9KCVR0/s400/Chicken+and+dumplings+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPK66D2p9WrjTomoAAEuvZkQyZ9v3bOM_drcD-4KWDO32fOzbyJ2upot6PQ8MRlNHr5zj1qTb3HvLsJQYfeNUpTNs1S60XDdXhS06Pc9GSjBbFvnmJiinGDO3bFH_2_cKe1_FP-Lcowrv/s1600/Chicken+and+dumplings+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPK66D2p9WrjTomoAAEuvZkQyZ9v3bOM_drcD-4KWDO32fOzbyJ2upot6PQ8MRlNHr5zj1qTb3HvLsJQYfeNUpTNs1S60XDdXhS06Pc9GSjBbFvnmJiinGDO3bFH_2_cKe1_FP-Lcowrv/s400/Chicken+and+dumplings+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv57VC1BZcBNGGNzRJNrJzsEyJYpzD94wHCAhKQYfz0n0b9H1nHPGQZQavRcLKlSIQIiuI7ZDYyXbCyS9zghkMSteMEWTK1L254v8icDo1DDiIhED93m6XhCftZj6tUgNcPys9DP20PiM5/s1600/Chicken+and+dumplings+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv57VC1BZcBNGGNzRJNrJzsEyJYpzD94wHCAhKQYfz0n0b9H1nHPGQZQavRcLKlSIQIiuI7ZDYyXbCyS9zghkMSteMEWTK1L254v8icDo1DDiIhED93m6XhCftZj6tUgNcPys9DP20PiM5/s400/Chicken+and+dumplings+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1V30chF-UBltTdGeuDtwGwRXk8tikoPxL4Uuwsr9n1VEd5PiSKYNx2JBIcaEZWrWAHNjSxPCfpQAfcDBiGducsDhDTKqJL7ZHQSfoxC82FYtUCeRhGNqRd0T5g6V4vO-gEj9jV_BdboF/s1600/Chicken+and+dumplings+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1V30chF-UBltTdGeuDtwGwRXk8tikoPxL4Uuwsr9n1VEd5PiSKYNx2JBIcaEZWrWAHNjSxPCfpQAfcDBiGducsDhDTKqJL7ZHQSfoxC82FYtUCeRhGNqRd0T5g6V4vO-gEj9jV_BdboF/s400/Chicken+and+dumplings+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> Mmmm... good old chicken and dumplings. Comfort food of the pantry variety. My friends daughter asked me to please make her some chicken and dumplings, so I did.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> It's a Cracker Barrel copycat recipe for the dumplings which works pretty well. I always have home canned chicken and home canned chicken broth in my pantry, so it makes it a breeze to put this dish together. Start to finish, about 45 minutes. </span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div id="recipeIngredientsInfos" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 3rem; overflow: hidden;">
<div data-rtype="3" id="recipeIngredients" style="float: left; width: 38rem;">
<h2 style="line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">INGREDIENTS</span></h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2 cups flour</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1/2 teaspoon baking powder</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1 pinch salt</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2 tablespoons butter</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1 cup milk</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2 quarts chicken broth</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1 stalk celery, diced</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2 small-medium carrots, diced</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1/2 onion, diced</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3 cups cooked chicken</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> salt and pepper to taste</b></span></li>
<li itemprop="recipeIngredient" style="padding: 0px 0px 0.2em 1.3em; position: relative;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>garlic and onion powder if your little heart desires (mine does)</b></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="p402_premium" id="recipeSteps" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 3rem;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> Put your chicken broth into a wide pan (dutch oven) and bring to a simmer. Chop carrots, celery and onion into small pieces and put into the broth to cook.Add the S&P and the onion and garlic powder. Put a lid on it.</span></b></div>
<div class="p402_premium" id="recipeSteps" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 3rem;">
<div class="recipeStep" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;">
<div data-rtype="5" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 2rem;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender. Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Pull the dough into 2 halves.<br /><br />I use parchment paper to roll my dumplings out ...flour it heavily. Helps keep clean up easy AND doesn't stick. Flour your rolling pin too. Roll out to about 1/8 inch thick, cut into 2" wide strips with your pizza cutter. Then cut across to make 2x2 inch squares.</b></span></div>
<div data-rtype="5" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 2rem;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings.<br /><br />To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them. The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth.<br /><br />Cook them for about 15 to 20 minutes or until they don't taste doughy.<br /><br />Add the cooked chicken to the pot and serve</span><span style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">.</span></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-76656474080659355372019-04-07T18:04:00.001-05:002019-04-07T18:04:52.762-05:00Spring has sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq-7p-5rTCvgPbHaUTCQWXnMLVl52K1CH_hOorLxhTX3g0acf84mhDqgOV679QCrkW6SdqhPVpfYcgdeS5e-nl3ThuExKOGknNU7x4Hs4j5SykLXfN1mpLhEd9Yep1CphNhyphenhyphenM9pII6gYp/s1600/Canning+pineapple+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq-7p-5rTCvgPbHaUTCQWXnMLVl52K1CH_hOorLxhTX3g0acf84mhDqgOV679QCrkW6SdqhPVpfYcgdeS5e-nl3ThuExKOGknNU7x4Hs4j5SykLXfN1mpLhEd9Yep1CphNhyphenhyphenM9pII6gYp/s400/Canning+pineapple+003.JPG" width="400" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> It's always in the very beginning of spring, April, that pineapple comes on sale. It hasn't hit the rock bottom price yet, but I did get it for $1.29 each. That's not a bad price at all. I have [so far] dehydrated 15 pineapples and made pineapple teriyaki sauce to can with 2 more. If/When the price comes down, I'll be canning it too. I still have a couple of jars from last year in the pantry, but that's it. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> Today (Sunday) I thought I would get some pork steaks out of the freezer and make them for supper. I hit a couple of really good meat sales this week and bought a butt load of stuff. There's a market not far from here that holds a giant sale every year. Sometimes I go, sometimes I don't. The prices are frankly not that much better than the sales I generally hit, but the quality of their meat is consistently good and local, and I like that. This week between 2 markets I got arm roasts, pork loins, corned beef and bacon. I spent Friday canning the pork and beef and corned beef. About 26 quarts all in all canned. I cut up most of one of the pork loins into boneless thick chops and 1 small roast, and they went in the freezer. Today I wiped down all the jars and put them in the pantry and realized I still had 2 pineapples sitting there on the island that needed to be used. So I thought I would make a pineapple teriyaki sauce for the pork today and make a big batch and can it. So I did. I set aside a pint (more or less) to use for supper and beyond. The remaining stuff was 10 half pints (jelly jars). I water bath canned that stuff. I wanted to get in here and write the recipe down before I forget.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><i> Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce/Marinade (Approximately 6 pints)</i></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 2 very ripe pineapples (you could use cans of canned crushed pineapple) </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 2-3 cups brown sugar</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1 cup of low sodium soy sauce</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider)</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1 tbsp ground ginger</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1/2 tbsp each onion powder and garlic powder</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1/2 tbsp black pepper</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Cut the ends off the pineapple and pare the outer peel off. Be sure to get all the eyes. Then cut the pineapple into fourths and cut out the core. (NOTE** I am the proud owner of a VitaMix blender. That baby will puree plywood. I used the cores after I cut them out because I hate to waste anything. After pureeing the pineapple and pouring it into my stainless steel dutch oven, I pureed the cores by themselves to see how they would be. It was great, so I pureed them all and poured it into the pan. I don't know if a regular blender can do this, but it would be worth trying. Maybe. ) I then mixed all the ingredients in the pan and stirred well and brought to a simmer over low heat. At this point taste it. If it needs more sugar, add it. If it needs more soy sauce, add it. You know I'm not good at measuring things when I cook so...don't trust me !! lol This makes the 6 pints. I water bath canned it for 15 minutes. Everything has sealed, so it should be okay. I figured between the rice vinegar and the pineapple, there's plenty of acidity, making it ok to water bath. Pressure can it, if you want to. I considered it, because I have a new Carey Canner (electric and wonderful. lol). I looked in several places online for instructions, and it seems to be the general consensus that water bath canning is good. There you have it. (If you're just a normal person and you don't want to can this sauce, you could divide everything into 4ths and make a one or two use batch. I think.)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpu-zysZRm6H_x9WtWOKCTvmKDdS-tLE_LVMTcuchKdqZQpS8gnc0E6VK1ZKSwoYU7eRpift1Iml2wI-SIIaKPRWYvtT7asFAPntrDAPPw15yVZWaf5u99ZA4qgP-wELyHH8NVCDAy3RE/s1600/pineapple+teriyaki+sauce+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpu-zysZRm6H_x9WtWOKCTvmKDdS-tLE_LVMTcuchKdqZQpS8gnc0E6VK1ZKSwoYU7eRpift1Iml2wI-SIIaKPRWYvtT7asFAPntrDAPPw15yVZWaf5u99ZA4qgP-wELyHH8NVCDAy3RE/s320/pineapple+teriyaki+sauce+001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> If you aren't impressed yet, here are the meats I canned:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LPxKnSsb7fRAlUWAvC6NRwwjd0ZoVYyQkwrSsMTYPoaK66KCYCxrSv04rAlNFaUdkoD7r4g20S32kZfVpZ_Nr23bSDLWHCSI84G0oppPL5Izou_9m_pdf_QpcA9Ct_-BiN21OYqMwxxH/s1600/pantry+meats+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LPxKnSsb7fRAlUWAvC6NRwwjd0ZoVYyQkwrSsMTYPoaK66KCYCxrSv04rAlNFaUdkoD7r4g20S32kZfVpZ_Nr23bSDLWHCSI84G0oppPL5Izou_9m_pdf_QpcA9Ct_-BiN21OYqMwxxH/s320/pantry+meats+001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> For the amount of money I spent, I have roughly 40 meals at a cost of about 3.50 per entree.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> Sometimes it seems like I spend a lot of money on our meals, but honestly, I am very thrifty. I was down to one jar of corned beef, 3 jars of pork loin and a few jars of chicken from the past 2 years. And I think there may have been one jar of roast beef left. These canned meats taste great, they are convenient and good for quick meals and a variety of dishes. Almost all of the meals I make have enough leftovers for himself to take in his lunch at least one day and sometimes more. And sometimes for a second meal, in the matter of soups and such. So... in the long run, it makes sense.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> My friend Jen came over and we cleared up some of the mess in the gardens. She moved to a place (apt) where she can't have a garden or chickens, so we're going to share crop this year and see how that works. We took measurements on the chicken coop to decide about repairs and I will be buying chicks this week. I went one whole season with no garden and no chickens. Enough is enough. lol My life has no meaning when I can't produce some of my own food. (While it was a bit of a relief for a minute to not have to tromp out in the frigid snow every morning to tend chickens, I missed it. I missed the giant eggs [compared to grocery store, my regular eggs make their jumbo eggs look like small ones] they taste better and they might cost less. And it's a spiritual event, caring for animals. So... this year I will be back at it. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> That's about it from the Dragon Woman's kitchen for today. I am really going to make more of an effort to post here and try to get myself back on track. I have been writing this blog for quite a few years now, neglecting it lately, but hopefully that will change. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> Here's to a year where we all try to be better than we were last year. One thing at a time.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b> Bon Apetit !</b></span>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-90860284087964900532019-03-24T23:19:00.003-05:002019-03-24T23:19:30.605-05:00Computers will be the death of me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHg9VA4aIFyJ977PBlAjaXfZMBJFZh5y3PqNSDDnkw4-vP5oezVhcSxcr6KXTfIFA5UUttmJJI9ubsZfB-5OSc7QL-b117525ffeGLmdlVDYsqpZCOxQMVwiDfClb7fwSG7mMr3FxZUvh/s1600/9540740-angry-woman-shouting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHg9VA4aIFyJ977PBlAjaXfZMBJFZh5y3PqNSDDnkw4-vP5oezVhcSxcr6KXTfIFA5UUttmJJI9ubsZfB-5OSc7QL-b117525ffeGLmdlVDYsqpZCOxQMVwiDfClb7fwSG7mMr3FxZUvh/s320/9540740-angry-woman-shouting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>The past month has been a bomb cyclone of computer glitches and technology fails in my life. And now I can't post in the other blog because every time I try to sign in to it it shoots me over here.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> I want to scream/.</b></span>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-37081261081099886202019-03-03T12:08:00.001-06:002019-03-03T12:11:09.363-06:00Heavens to Betsy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGikKs_B6FAKcPOrEASGebTT61TE5uV9NWU8gjPmPEJ9wQKNlr0i6AkrSc_8wFSHIKMFniG7J9WvZVaTIWMOaY4jtprZtkFIQHvyASXgyx3vKmLwyX5vfW8dOg3JOW1LjmWIx3B__o489u/s1600/Butter+Pecan+Cookies+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGikKs_B6FAKcPOrEASGebTT61TE5uV9NWU8gjPmPEJ9wQKNlr0i6AkrSc_8wFSHIKMFniG7J9WvZVaTIWMOaY4jtprZtkFIQHvyASXgyx3vKmLwyX5vfW8dOg3JOW1LjmWIx3B__o489u/s400/Butter+Pecan+Cookies+001.JPG" width="400" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> I have been MIA...but I haven't stopped cooking ! My kitchen stays as busy as ever, no matter what's going on. In August of 2017 I took a part time job with a senior help at home agency and was back to work for the first time in 17 years. Never thought anyone would hire me at 65 years old with a 17 year gap in work history. But amazingly I got offers from 2 different places I applied and took this one. I only wanted to work 25 hours a week since I was still on disability and there's a limit to what you can earn on their right to work ticket. So I jumped in and loved it. And the extra money was a godsend. Then in January I turned 66 and they kicked me off disability and put me on regular social security which is a total game changer. My benefits stayed the same, but was now allowed to earn up to 3.5 times more than before. But I still only wanted to work part time. The day after my birthday [the first week of January] I had an attack of acute diverticulitis. Wound up at the hospital, thought I was dying. I have never had intestinal issues before, so this was a shocker. They gave me pain medication (the pain was awful) and they did an MRI and came back with the diagnosis. I was put on a heavy hitter antibiotic which made me sicker since I almost never take antibiotics. I had a couple more mild attacks as the month wore on. Saw a gastro doc who wanted to do some tests and make sure I didn't have colon cancer hiding in there behind the diverticulitis, but had to wait until the 3rd of Feb to let the other stuff calm down. That helped my anxiety a LOT lol. Finally got them done everything checked out fine and the very next day...I got hit with a virus that has been making the rounds. That was Feb 4th. I am still sick. I get a little better and then get it again. Wicked sore throat, coughing like a TB patient and exhaustion. All the headachy sinus-y crap that goes with that. The Irishman had it too. We were a pair. He was even home sick for the better part of a week, which is something he NEVER does. Then he went back, I got a little better and Friday he came home feeling crappy again. Last night I started getting a sire throat again. This morning... blech. I went to the urgent care back at the beginning of this and they tested me for strep and it was negative. Told me it was viral, just keep doing what I'm doing with OTC cough syrup and Tylenol. And now, here I am ...On the bright side... I am getting rested up. lol I had to quit my job because I couldn't do it and couldn't be counted on and they assured me that if I wanted to come back I always had a place on their team. That was encouraging. And so here I stand. Unemployed. Sick again. And wondering if I'm ever going to get well and if winter is ever going to be over. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> It's been a pretty brutal winter around these parts. So I've been cooking loads of soups and stews, lots of comfort foods, and sitting around the house getting fatter by the day. This weekend I was supposed to be in Southern IL for a business meeting, but they cancelled it because they're supposed to get over a foot of snow between last night and today. Good. I didn't want to go anyway. It's snowing here for the past few hours, but it's a relatively light snow so far. Supposed to get down to 3 degrees or something stupid tonight. And snow until Wednesday I guess. Oh well. I don't have to leave Honeysuckle Hill. I'll sit it out. lol As always, I have a stocked pantry, so I don't have to worry about anything foodwise. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> In the middle of last week I had the urge for a lentil or split pea soup. I love the lentils cooked with coconut cream, but I have made that several times in a row. Then I remembered I had a lovely half an H&B ham in my freezer. On Christmas Eve day I had baked a ham and roasted a turkey. We had our usual Christmas Eve supper guests and had a great time. I froze half that ham and some of the turkey that was leftover. SO, I thought-yum, split pea and ham soup. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItjeomU1-aKRDEbvzWn68ke_uRwpsQ8MjtR6L02zXnoE7HquI1fk_yqK9nvayT8PJydyPPrFY-u0EvzOK3fvgAOdOAWuWtgYj9otpVEKxPy6XJCztoWv7KqzApFULBy2N-tQnJdM_PKoD/s1600/split+peas+and+cookies+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItjeomU1-aKRDEbvzWn68ke_uRwpsQ8MjtR6L02zXnoE7HquI1fk_yqK9nvayT8PJydyPPrFY-u0EvzOK3fvgAOdOAWuWtgYj9otpVEKxPy6XJCztoWv7KqzApFULBy2N-tQnJdM_PKoD/s320/split+peas+and+cookies+002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>It was awesome. I made some of Mary's buttermilk biscuits to go with it and the cookies at the top of the page. Wowza. We ate like royalty ! Here's my recipe for ham and split pea soup:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>You'll need:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>1 pound or so of green or yellow split peas.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>1 medium onion, chopped</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>2 stalks of celery, sliced thin</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>2 carrots, sliced thin</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Ham-sometimes I use a ham hock, but more likely I'll use about a cup of cubed ham or a little more.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>2 bay leaves </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>1 chopped garlic clove</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Black pepper to taste</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> Rinse the split peas and set aside. This soup cooks quickly (if you use chopped ham) and I would guess it's around 45 minutes to make, counting prep. Take your veggies and sweat them in a large sized saucepan in a little olive oil. In about 10 minutes or so, they'll be slightly tender, add the cubed ham and stir it all together. Cover with water, add the bay leaves and pepper and put the lid on it. Keep an eye out and stir it from time to time. If it needs a little more water, add some. Some folks like their split pea soup extra thick, some like it thin...it's not rocket science. I like mine in the middle-- not too thick and not too thin. I like to add a little liquid smoke to my soup if the ham isn't nicely smoked. The H&B hams are almost perfect...they are raised and processed right here in a little town about 15 minutes from me. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, and you should have a yummy bowl of soup in front of you and your loved ones. I like chewy Italian bread, or biscuits with it. It satisfying and healthy and makes a great winter meal.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqawU-RM_4l4O22Zjag1pPerWkA-vJKlNhuTxNNQwEC6m_H3Znt3-qHNXw_B3dFyhjxhptJkbqju4042e0ILd1mM_GZ2T_K5P9WlgeyeWHCeaeWYiezzyRuhRSrprgA058Ad4U0z4wgWb/s1600/split+peas+and+cookies+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqawU-RM_4l4O22Zjag1pPerWkA-vJKlNhuTxNNQwEC6m_H3Znt3-qHNXw_B3dFyhjxhptJkbqju4042e0ILd1mM_GZ2T_K5P9WlgeyeWHCeaeWYiezzyRuhRSrprgA058Ad4U0z4wgWb/s320/split+peas+and+cookies+003.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> Bon Apetit, baby.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-61744759281895107872017-12-14T01:17:00.000-06:002017-12-14T01:17:22.719-06:00Why yes... I am posting from here again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V-QlSWSYFIlxbkl-UX5JeXxs33JZLOsUR9M6X4uFQRqomfnITgnWy4r5qbPxXLhinDMDiitjb6Pd_DvNBsOCbmbSNpVm5K6KCpxVgyLpkJWKJcaKIcTdgo_Q1NAt1l2besz0Lh8ujw59/s1600/jerky+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V-QlSWSYFIlxbkl-UX5JeXxs33JZLOsUR9M6X4uFQRqomfnITgnWy4r5qbPxXLhinDMDiitjb6Pd_DvNBsOCbmbSNpVm5K6KCpxVgyLpkJWKJcaKIcTdgo_Q1NAt1l2besz0Lh8ujw59/s320/jerky+002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>This is chicken jerky. The marinade is a simple soy sauce and ginger with some spices and liquid smoke. You marinate it for about 24 hours and then put in the dehydrator. I have made about 2 gallon bags full so far and have another 2 to go. I have made turkey jerky in the past, but this is really easier and I think I like it better. (Wasn't there a dance called the Herky jerky ?? ) lol</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> As you've probably guessed , I'm in holiday gift mode. Not buying anything for anyone this year, everything home made. (Well, except for the Mrs Brown's Boys set I got himself and the new laptop for me. lol ) At any rate, that's the reason for all the jerky. I'll be baking cookies too-- short breads, sugar cookies, old fashioned ginger snaps. Nut brittles. Spiced nuts. 2 people are getting batches of my home made granola-- I think I'll make one batch and split it. I make it a gallon at a time for us... I've made some beautiful cranberry pineapple jam, Monkey Butter, and an assortment of other jams over the summer.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C1Rj70C22k61F6AtjJBbahS1hX0H2P1on1mM6ehpdmzDeVTSpaCtT5dYBIlxRKjYPhA-Pdi1LkknYpNeWPBCA_AYjz4I1LUotfpVP5PRksRU_Of_eyKdO6w6oq1E6m_xY1U9f8wLab92/s1600/cranberry+pineapple+jam+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C1Rj70C22k61F6AtjJBbahS1hX0H2P1on1mM6ehpdmzDeVTSpaCtT5dYBIlxRKjYPhA-Pdi1LkknYpNeWPBCA_AYjz4I1LUotfpVP5PRksRU_Of_eyKdO6w6oq1E6m_xY1U9f8wLab92/s320/cranberry+pineapple+jam+002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4c-s21e2pEWsnZKr5Z8b5zSLdsyrZrEgIAA1kGQdbZhzfHqOmI7unW0opSu90aWHI5pgUFuljHZkFJMGdbfJcEC7piI4f8VTyB4i2XKaGq-RDm5JhqYJ9AXMSR7t2lfsbohwqOkfn4rw/s1600/Cowboy+candy+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4c-s21e2pEWsnZKr5Z8b5zSLdsyrZrEgIAA1kGQdbZhzfHqOmI7unW0opSu90aWHI5pgUFuljHZkFJMGdbfJcEC7piI4f8VTyB4i2XKaGq-RDm5JhqYJ9AXMSR7t2lfsbohwqOkfn4rw/s320/Cowboy+candy+002.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw26rWy4tH24c9hkPQhliqGIR7KzpjyW8JMeem8WmTqUapcbCTdMsjOK7JE16uzEVqT_ztC0CNsNRDz9VT2JbEhqx2W8jK5wQAlmlTzhrWANk9JgkLEOiZgXBRFoayebgJ8mEqS7Nv0wyP/s1600/Monkey+butter+and+French+Vanilla+Creamer+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw26rWy4tH24c9hkPQhliqGIR7KzpjyW8JMeem8WmTqUapcbCTdMsjOK7JE16uzEVqT_ztC0CNsNRDz9VT2JbEhqx2W8jK5wQAlmlTzhrWANk9JgkLEOiZgXBRFoayebgJ8mEqS7Nv0wyP/s320/Monkey+butter+and+French+Vanilla+Creamer+001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AEFAOezFj9W06mliyjHY009Yc7uiRyntZUpZqocnLuCDrVwNeVNUsv0ldyVfvz9qEMq1akFckkxwCrPXxEqq_HCRgncgsAskYyemq4gPm8MpnkLhaDhs0Kez88cGuPk7lcueFrDA_EZU/s1600/PLum+jam+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AEFAOezFj9W06mliyjHY009Yc7uiRyntZUpZqocnLuCDrVwNeVNUsv0ldyVfvz9qEMq1akFckkxwCrPXxEqq_HCRgncgsAskYyemq4gPm8MpnkLhaDhs0Kez88cGuPk7lcueFrDA_EZU/s320/PLum+jam+003.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>Today I bought some stockings at the Dollar Store and will use them instead of boxes. I think that will be fun. I got some bakery bags for the cookies and things too, and some red curling ribbon and some raffia. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> Tomorrow will be a day of baking and playing...I have a birthday cake to bake, an Italian Creme Cake, for the meeting. I may be able to get some cleaning done and my Xmas stuff out too... Not a lot, just enough to remind me of the holidays. lol I don't get terribly excited about this time of year anymore... it's just the 2 and sometimes 3 of us. No children. I am getting a fresh turkey from Bussmann's in Gillespie this year. It will cost about 3 times what I normally pay, but I am assured that I will not be sorry. We'll see. If it is really that much better, we may raise a couple of turkeys of our own next year. We are talking about raising meat birds. We have butchered hens before...not a favorite thing to do, but probably doing it more often would make the job seem easier. It would be good to have some healthy clean meat...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> Next week I will get everything else done, all the last minute local gifts. The ones I need to finish are the ones going to Wisconsin. So, hopefully I can get a batch or two of cookies done to send along with the jams and jellies.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> I'm tired and heading for bed soon... Just wanted to post on this blog before the year is over. I've been wicked busy canning everything from roast beef to jam to pork loin to chicken breasts to navy beans to potatoes to jalapenos. I canned tortellini in marinara for a quick heat up meal. I canned 3 kinds of soup-- in fact, we had the French Onion for supper tonight and it is fabulous. I canned French Vanilla Creamer. (You know, to have on hand for guests who like cream in their coffee since we rarely have dairy here.) I've been a canning fool...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> I'm reading Amy Tan's second novel The Kitchen God's Wife. I have read several of her books and don't know how I missed this one, but I'm lovin' it. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> Alright campers-- I'm done for today. I may make it back here, since I finally got that glitch figured out that was making this blog hard to post on. I keep saying I'm going to get more disciplined about writing again, and maybe 2018 will be the year that it actually happens. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> You just never know...</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0cv1J-7YhqmtPPNiIsMx_UMCXMO20I2yIELJ72H3Po1j1CwzUZ2S0sEExzdnrKcAeOVfy-4av64zJQcIJ7P7wjJSEoUE8yOU3LWUvadbbRQJvBt9lsvY4fRtrK0YHqCIdHPqOdmh2lLK/s1600/Annie+cooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="590" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0cv1J-7YhqmtPPNiIsMx_UMCXMO20I2yIELJ72H3Po1j1CwzUZ2S0sEExzdnrKcAeOVfy-4av64zJQcIJ7P7wjJSEoUE8yOU3LWUvadbbRQJvBt9lsvY4fRtrK0YHqCIdHPqOdmh2lLK/s320/Annie+cooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-59059767214199252072017-11-10T15:04:00.003-06:002017-11-10T15:04:41.069-06:00When 29 degrees is the high for your day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPhAiUHig-dKz7zmTD1ogVKZdsot2NP4sXACxbYJfMYT-CHVzMbtG5Wr1oyvJxvP-81abwd6el8rKHyEBUPzNNOSrwT8OwWZb3gms2FbLFpdORaDvlJtruaeXFgvoob2WoMEpHCpMbS3k/s1600/Cold+day+work+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPhAiUHig-dKz7zmTD1ogVKZdsot2NP4sXACxbYJfMYT-CHVzMbtG5Wr1oyvJxvP-81abwd6el8rKHyEBUPzNNOSrwT8OwWZb3gms2FbLFpdORaDvlJtruaeXFgvoob2WoMEpHCpMbS3k/s320/Cold+day+work+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b> You make soup. And you can soup. And since onions were 69 cents for a three pound bag and you bought 7 bags...well, you make French Onion Soup. lol 7 quarts are in the canner as we speak. That's plenty to have on the shelf. and then because I have more beef broth than onions, I am making more soup for supper (and a boule of bread) and may wind up canning beef broth. We'll see how much is left. I cut up about 6 onions to make a small batch for us. We do love FOS...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b> Yesterday I canned pork loin again. Got some beautiful meat on sale for 1.69/lb. I bought 2 whole loins--one smaller one bigger. The small one I made a Caribbean Stew and froze 3 packages of 6 each boneless pork chops. The other one was a perfect 7 quarts of chunks of canned pork in one and a half pint sized jars. Winner winner chicken dinner.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b> The weather turned cold fast and we had about a week of absolutely stunning tree action. Here are some pictures of that... just a couple, I promise..</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2c10h3cvJ_1xblmJD3pu81kD4CLFQUe9EQdBPLt0GEignaycwAb7mKQg6PpdR6NXhtsJQccScRRSQfx1b7w7F1cBX5IZKnPvJHhqEEc2P_r-gHcSGvbf-eZIvPqHVjzlK0xsVDhYHTP/s1600/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2c10h3cvJ_1xblmJD3pu81kD4CLFQUe9EQdBPLt0GEignaycwAb7mKQg6PpdR6NXhtsJQccScRRSQfx1b7w7F1cBX5IZKnPvJHhqEEc2P_r-gHcSGvbf-eZIvPqHVjzlK0xsVDhYHTP/s320/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+001.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRUd-BkNldAV93mDQd2z9wRUl_F2LFg3ZkI27rVZivXHZv3wwcpnNukMmoC8FTAvajryDRinbbqiAbolmluoXCey-lWEtoSsowVrcvgMQSvLNPPh3rZBVQlfqkrfNtFDWlspQOQKvHc5/s1600/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRUd-BkNldAV93mDQd2z9wRUl_F2LFg3ZkI27rVZivXHZv3wwcpnNukMmoC8FTAvajryDRinbbqiAbolmluoXCey-lWEtoSsowVrcvgMQSvLNPPh3rZBVQlfqkrfNtFDWlspQOQKvHc5/s320/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+004.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9qVdg8bHE-JnlpPjiGvqM6FQW6nR7WTsV5PB5rxkTUvEEfD4DKPiDZqRA6w3zuy2wXJqtz8m2JukJbX0fSKqFyB2b_ReCYlRPNX-MyhPleuedSAhvUZJ3Ac3U16_aOqtiMAtFqMywYvx/s1600/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9qVdg8bHE-JnlpPjiGvqM6FQW6nR7WTsV5PB5rxkTUvEEfD4DKPiDZqRA6w3zuy2wXJqtz8m2JukJbX0fSKqFyB2b_ReCYlRPNX-MyhPleuedSAhvUZJ3Ac3U16_aOqtiMAtFqMywYvx/s320/La+Vista+Autumn+2017+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>Is Mother Nature crazy beautiful...or what ??</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>I have been kind of down for the count this past week, just recuperating from the wedding stuff and grieving some over a friend of mine that died. Another friend has been given a year or less to live (cancer diagnosis). Life is pressing down on me </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>some days. When that happens, my tendency is to hunker down at home and do the things that soothe my soul. Stocking my pantry, cooking for my family, loving on my critters. For 3 days now I have been meaning (sort of) to get to the grocery store and pick up a few things, but I still haven't done it. I will be in town tomorrow and it's nothing that can't wait til then. Not like we're gonna starve around here. lol</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>I have some bread in the kitchen raising that should be about ready to make into rounds for the second rise. It will be really good with the soup for supper. And I just found a recipe for Cherry Bars (I have cherry pie filling in the pantry) that I'm going to make for desert. Himself comes home really hungry on these cold days as much of his work is outside. The bars have a shortbread like base, with filling spread over it and extra dough dropped in spoonfuls on the top. Then a drizzle glaze, which I probably won't do. Sounds good though, and that boy does love cherry stuff. </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>OK. It's about 20 minutes til the soup comes out of the canner. Then the dessert will bake and lastly the bread, so that it comes out of the oven and is warm, slathered with real butter to go with the soup. We usually eat around 6, so that gives me 3 hours to get these things done and hopefully get in the shower, since I didn't fit that into my busy morning schedule. lol Weather is supposed to move back up into the 40's in the coming days, and stay in the high 40's and low 50's. That will be perfect fall weather. Warm enough to get some outside work done and cool enough to almost enjoy doing it. lol </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b> I'm off to the kitchen...the bread awaits me....</b></span></div>
Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256347581402631012.post-15640940955730144962017-11-06T12:50:00.000-06:002017-11-06T12:50:17.462-06:00It's Fall..Y'all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PLo2S5LRrhijd_rQNoV_3577LyR4fz0pPqi1BvEP14PVJsRpHxWsEMn7Kqom2fFoLVmMYpxegGivIJt78DaSjK8yKi_lq6VVwRuYXRxuohHLxsFHlEHhS-iCpRKlerZc3-Tcmz3VVFWE/s1600/Fall++2017+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PLo2S5LRrhijd_rQNoV_3577LyR4fz0pPqi1BvEP14PVJsRpHxWsEMn7Kqom2fFoLVmMYpxegGivIJt78DaSjK8yKi_lq6VVwRuYXRxuohHLxsFHlEHhS-iCpRKlerZc3-Tcmz3VVFWE/s320/Fall++2017+004.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U60M-n_NMr5b7293dtPAidxXWXgJMwBwEN9XU81SYtnu8v59EN_A7wTnWsRa_byeDOo6LX-iZPdyzABXKfXVWCjLPcMGeD79PTUEezU-3VM2zpIfh30YElhO8MVXxfVlcbO4Z7Kfu7Ys/s1600/Fall++2017+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U60M-n_NMr5b7293dtPAidxXWXgJMwBwEN9XU81SYtnu8v59EN_A7wTnWsRa_byeDOo6LX-iZPdyzABXKfXVWCjLPcMGeD79PTUEezU-3VM2zpIfh30YElhO8MVXxfVlcbO4Z7Kfu7Ys/s320/Fall++2017+006.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj326bSErAJyaPEQpawpbGvbgC-3iCPrNxxq72jRKoPtwmTKz2ekQ9wwhYXVIACZjd3YgUzYFBiD9W6eWUEZtk75GTi_I49e19-_f0WY2L7lBIGDfE9YzF_iscuXJ92rEabobCeqJSYk1k_/s1600/Fall++2017+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj326bSErAJyaPEQpawpbGvbgC-3iCPrNxxq72jRKoPtwmTKz2ekQ9wwhYXVIACZjd3YgUzYFBiD9W6eWUEZtk75GTi_I49e19-_f0WY2L7lBIGDfE9YzF_iscuXJ92rEabobCeqJSYk1k_/s320/Fall++2017+009.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcI-oFUZEqocJtKlQIKjE_jGxvniAsjBBg_hU4Zu42PF_SpaP50x7xMw5-bVN_r_3icl4SXhI9HWnrRpUFPYpj2Qujro_gbaKAXJiR14R_yI-Ur0dIndv-ykxlCzLsqsSPoNJCIqxt4sw/s1600/Fall++2017+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcI-oFUZEqocJtKlQIKjE_jGxvniAsjBBg_hU4Zu42PF_SpaP50x7xMw5-bVN_r_3icl4SXhI9HWnrRpUFPYpj2Qujro_gbaKAXJiR14R_yI-Ur0dIndv-ykxlCzLsqsSPoNJCIqxt4sw/s320/Fall++2017+010.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMAiY544BWKMqnnGLgA3Rpcq2RcwZPQupEEZfUtOyKXzbo1mIwNccHD-3Z8pXC_MRSBBaQFicNNCWB989hiqtvDw19eDmSJKlI6jQ1FQJyC3K7rk11w3gyeDHuEFzm36Cy76TxZncIdOX/s1600/Fall++2017+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMAiY544BWKMqnnGLgA3Rpcq2RcwZPQupEEZfUtOyKXzbo1mIwNccHD-3Z8pXC_MRSBBaQFicNNCWB989hiqtvDw19eDmSJKlI6jQ1FQJyC3K7rk11w3gyeDHuEFzm36Cy76TxZncIdOX/s320/Fall++2017+011.JPG" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> At least, it is here, on Honeysuckle Hill. lol It started acting fall-ish once before, then temps zoomed back up into the high 70's. But now it looks like it might be here to stay. The last of the garden was tomato and pepper plants (bells and jalapenos) and now they are dead--frost ravaged. The wisteria is limp, but still green and it seems like overnight the little red maple I brought from North Carolina when we moved here has turned it's brilliant red. It feels like sweat pants weather out there again this morning, with just a little wispy fog hanging around here and there. Yesterday's high was 63 and rainy and today is predicted to be at least 15 degrees cooler than that. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> I catered a wedding rehearsal meal on Friday night of appetizers and yummlies. Had the big wedding on Saturday afternoon, and all I had to do for that was make the 5 gallons of fruit punch and the coffee. And help set up, keep things filed and clean up. lol I was exhausted by the time it was all over. It was a beautiful to-do with 2 beautiful people who have found love in middle part of their lives. She a young widower who has raised 4 beautiful kids and he a musician/IT guy/ nicest man you could ever hope to meet. Both very important parts of my life...family not by blood, but by choice. I got to make some lovely foods and meet his sister and brother and their family. His parents are gone, like mine, so I offered to provide the post-rehearsal food. I don't think they'll mind if I post my favorite of the wedding pictures </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebF1vwlAanDffYhZXuT4ukEgrEEy3zdnlB0hLdEHgcMFWKY51bsJ5QIYhsBi4bFfCfHUg4GAflXARM4EFnSD23CqXF-iZJVrKziUe1QZtLkJVRM2rHhprObfQgrMP_qbAQLHD6w5c9_p7/s1600/The+SiviaGaskins+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1440" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebF1vwlAanDffYhZXuT4ukEgrEEy3zdnlB0hLdEHgcMFWKY51bsJ5QIYhsBi4bFfCfHUg4GAflXARM4EFnSD23CqXF-iZJVrKziUe1QZtLkJVRM2rHhprObfQgrMP_qbAQLHD6w5c9_p7/s400/The+SiviaGaskins+Family.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> I was extremely honored to be part of it all.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> So... it's fall, y'all. That means (generally) our methods and modes of cooking shift to more soups and stews. More comfort foods to get us through the cold weather. MUCH less outdoor grilling (at least where I live in the mid west) and more crock pot meals (because they are easy and more energy efficient). This time of year, I start easing back into baking my own bread. I usually quit in the summer, again due to our climate. It gets hot here and the AC is already taxed. But it's a comfort to turn on the oven this time of year and fill the house with the smells of baking bread. No better air freshener in the world. lol It simultaneously helps to warm the house, so there you go. In years gone by I used a wood cook stove, which is really a deal that makes you think twice about every single cooking thing you do, no matter what time of year it is. And once you develop certain habits, well...they go with you to the grave. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> So, after all this photo fol der ol (haha--get it ?? FAL de rol ??) I wanted to post a recipe of some sort. Trying to figure out what. Last night I canned baby carrots. 6 quarts. A 1.5 pint jar. And 5 pints. My pantry is over flowing with stuff and needs to be cleaned and organized. I am enlisting the help of a friend. I have cases of stuff like pickled okra, cowboy candy, plum jam, mushrooms...sitting everywhere and pushed under beds and under tables with long scarves on them to hide the goods. lol My shelves are pretty full. too. My spare room is a wreck, not fit for human habitation because the bed is full of stuff (everything from wrapping paper to ricers to canners to canned butter) and the floor is stacked with everything from our emergency drinking water supply to empty jars and quarts of chicken stock. Sigh...but getting it all straightened and cleaned up will be a WONDERFUL THING. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> OK-- I think that the recipe I want to share with you today will be something a little light but comforting. It's been on my mind since I was canning carrots anyway. I was going to an after Thanksgiving potluck a few years ago where everyone was supposed to bring their leftovers from The Big Meal. I didn't have Thanksgiving at my house that year, but I thought I could go in my pantry and find out what I could find in there to make something reasonably Thanksgiving-y. lol I found a couple of jars of canned carrots, a jar of pumpkin puree and thought--soup ! Everyone loved it. The color was gorgeous. The aroma was tantalizing. I've made it numerous times since then and it's always a hit (even when it's just the two of us). Here it is:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Creamy Carrot/Pumpkin Soup </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>(Serves 4-6)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 2 quarts canned carrots and juice(from my pantry-you can cook and use raw carrots)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 4 cups pumpkin puree OR pureed butternut squash</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 4 cups cooked white rice (I like basmati) </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 2 Tablespoons real butter </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Dash of salt</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 1/2 cup brown sugar (or your choice of sweetener)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> 1 tsp. each nutmeg and cinnamon</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>** Put these ingredients into a dutch oven and bring to a simmer. Add a little water if it needs it. Once it is hot and bubbly, take it off the burner and get out your stick blender (WHAT ? you don't have one of these ??-- Get thee to Target and get one. I have a Hamilton Beach one I've had for 6 years. They're under twenty dollars and will save you the hassle of transferring things like this back and forth to a blender and possibly scalding yourself silly). Puree it into silky creaminess. The rice will disappear. It will be beautiful. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Voila. That's really all there is to it. A beautiful vegetarian soup that you could make vegan but trading out the butter with coconut milk (full fat). </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Serve it with a lovely warm baguette or with warmed pitas. Or muffins. Or whatever you like best with your soup. </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59ea-kTa0HWDF9ZY0Qodo1nbw3KV7feDYhkn2MxarM0MiXooGL3CvKuuLb3-rbU9eWQGoPFlzK3CAy0ygfOTMDJ9bf-oIgeyIZEnJvwu3PghiJaLqkAd_pkLZ7Ta8MdHkZPjwgtYlOLqY/s1600/CReam+of+carrot+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59ea-kTa0HWDF9ZY0Qodo1nbw3KV7feDYhkn2MxarM0MiXooGL3CvKuuLb3-rbU9eWQGoPFlzK3CAy0ygfOTMDJ9bf-oIgeyIZEnJvwu3PghiJaLqkAd_pkLZ7Ta8MdHkZPjwgtYlOLqY/s320/CReam+of+carrot+soup.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> This is an older picture and I think I started blending all of the texture out of it later. lol This one looks a little lumpy, but you get the picture. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> Bon Apetit, babies !</b></span>Akanniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00513632434353119491noreply@blogger.com0