One of my favorite meals is one that can simmer on the stove so I have time to whip up a special salad or dessert to go with it. This is just such a meal.
Hot Chili for a Cold Day
Oil as needed
2 large onions, chopped
6 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled, smashed, and chopped
2 pounds of boneless beef (steak, sirloin, chuck, stew . . .), cut into small chunks
1 pound ground beef
1 can (approximately 28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup red wine, chicken broth, or water
1/3 cup your favorite hot sauce
1 packages of dry chili seasoning
In a large cooking pot, heat a tablespoon of oil and saute the garlic and onions until softened. Remove from the pot and set aside in a bowl. Heat two or three tablespoons of oil in the same pot and brown the boneless beef. Remove to a dish and brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
Now, put all the ingredients into the pot and stir to mix. Heat until boiling and stirring to combine. Turn down to a slow simmer, cover and continue simmering for about an hour or until the meat is tender. Check on the pot and stir as needed.
Ideas . . .
A dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions on each serving is nice.
Have tortilla chips and grated cheese on the side.
Soft, warmed flour tortillas go will with this.
Finely chopped red onion is very good on the hot chili.
Keep a bottle of hot sauce on the table for the braver ones.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Starving Student Saga Continues . . .
I posted earlier in the week that my daughter's college goofed about having sent a required e-mail to her about her loan funding. As a result, her food card at teh cafeteria has been cut off. The college is pretty much out of the way of things so there isn't much to chose from outside of the campus. Another glitch got her the wrong loan so we now have to come up with $1,700 to reinstate her meal card. Needless to say, we didn't find that amount hidden away in the sugar pot so have to withdraw money from our retirement fund. Yes, this will incur lots of extra taxes on our income tax return for early withdrawal. It will also take up to a another week or more to get here. Meanwhile, my daughter and her best friend/roommate are making do with what they had on hand. Oh, yes, her roommate was told there was a $700 error in her funding the the school cut off her meal card, too. It will take her parents until the next pay day to cover her.
All I can say, it is good thing their mother hens are not in the area or some motherly feathers would be flying at the treatment of these two girls. You can kind of understand why they both decided to not participate in their graduation and are anxious to finish out the semester and shake the dust of this institution of learning from their feet.
It is beyond me why a school would totally cut off food to out-of-state students without even inquiring into thier financial resources.
All I can say, it is good thing their mother hens are not in the area or some motherly feathers would be flying at the treatment of these two girls. You can kind of understand why they both decided to not participate in their graduation and are anxious to finish out the semester and shake the dust of this institution of learning from their feet.
It is beyond me why a school would totally cut off food to out-of-state students without even inquiring into thier financial resources.
How I spent my afternoon . . .
As you can see, I was a bit productive in the quilting department today. I'm pretty happy with the hexagon baby quilt but not sure about the other one, yet. After I pinned on all the circles, I wasn't totally pleased with how it looked. Fortunately, nothing is sewn into place and change is possible.
The hexagon pattern is a new one for me but I enjoyed the process of learning and actually making them. I went with baby blanket quilts to try the designs. I make pretty colorful baby quilts. I noticed that with my own children, they were always very attracted to bright colors and would often stay quietly in their cribs at naptime, checking out the patterns on their own baby quilts.
Continuing scary thought!
Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what's going to happen to us
with both a Senate and a House?
Yes, I'm still quilting . . .
Now that we have my daughter graduated and things are settling down, the fabric comes back out and the quilting continues. If I keep up at this rate, I'll have to open a store to sell my backlog of finished quilts!
Anyway, I'm almost finished with the Christmas quilt I shared a picture of last week here. It was one of those projects that just seemed to go together of itself. I like those moments when the inspiration melds with the capability of my mind and hands. I am heading the finish line on my totally scrap quilt wherein I designed four different types of squares. This may be one I keep for myself. Lots of memories in the scraps from bygone projects.
My husband treated me to a quilting magazine over the weekend and it had about four ideas that I'm anxious to try. I started one, yesterday, and my mind is constantly heading back to that compartment of my brain to mull over the next steps I want to take with it. Pictures to follow in the next week or two.
There is no morning Mass this week so my work days are getting a slightly earlier start but I do miss the quiet half hour at church. It worked out well because my altar boy teen came down with a bad cold on Monday and we couldn't have gone anyway. God provides!
When I made dinner, last night, I remember how good applesauce could be with pork chops. Since I didn't have applesauce on hand, I peeled and roughly chopped four apples and simmered them down into tender chuncks with lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and cinnamon. My ailing son perked up considerably and ate his entire dinner including the applesauce.
Clothes shopping for my ever-growing teenager tomorrow but, today is mostly mine and I hopefully plan to get some sewing down . . . after the laundry . . . the ironing . . . the dishes . . .
Yeah, I complain but I know I'm blessed!
Anyway, I'm almost finished with the Christmas quilt I shared a picture of last week here. It was one of those projects that just seemed to go together of itself. I like those moments when the inspiration melds with the capability of my mind and hands. I am heading the finish line on my totally scrap quilt wherein I designed four different types of squares. This may be one I keep for myself. Lots of memories in the scraps from bygone projects.
My husband treated me to a quilting magazine over the weekend and it had about four ideas that I'm anxious to try. I started one, yesterday, and my mind is constantly heading back to that compartment of my brain to mull over the next steps I want to take with it. Pictures to follow in the next week or two.
There is no morning Mass this week so my work days are getting a slightly earlier start but I do miss the quiet half hour at church. It worked out well because my altar boy teen came down with a bad cold on Monday and we couldn't have gone anyway. God provides!
When I made dinner, last night, I remember how good applesauce could be with pork chops. Since I didn't have applesauce on hand, I peeled and roughly chopped four apples and simmered them down into tender chuncks with lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and cinnamon. My ailing son perked up considerably and ate his entire dinner including the applesauce.
Clothes shopping for my ever-growing teenager tomorrow but, today is mostly mine and I hopefully plan to get some sewing down . . . after the laundry . . . the ironing . . . the dishes . . .
Yeah, I complain but I know I'm blessed!
Garbonzo-Chocolate Cake?
Although we aren't sensitive to gluten, I like to try recipes of that nature just for a change of pace and to see what can be done without the addition of flour. My daughter has friends who are gluten intolerant so I also like to pass on finds to her. I haven't tried this recipe, yet, but the comments were all favorable on the review. It certainly seems simple. Thought I'd share the link.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/garbanzo-bean-chocolate-cake-gluten-free/detail.aspx
Never thought I'd see a receipt that uses canned garbanzo beans in place of flour.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/garbanzo-bean-chocolate-cake-gluten-free/detail.aspx
Never thought I'd see a receipt that uses canned garbanzo beans in place of flour.
Reality in quotes . . .
"If there's anything unsettling to the stomach, it's watching
actors on television talk about their personal lives."
-- Marlon Brando
-- Marlon Brando
"It's all right letting yourself go as long as you can let
yourself back."
-- Mick Jagger
-- Mick Jagger
Is Fall in the air?
Seems to me that even with 80-plus temperatures, there is a slight difference in the air like we might have a Fall and Winter in the near future. Naturally, in California the seasons tend to blend into each other but we relish a brisk morning, a rainy afternoon, or cool evening quite happily. Around the end of October, my contant fret will be, "Please, please don't let it be a hot day on Thanksgiving!" We've had a few where the scent of roasting turkey didn't quite mesh with a 90-degree day. But, hey, if I'm living and breathing, I'll be thankful, nevertheless!
The real clue that Fall is technically on it's way is apple season which started the beginning of September. Nope, not down here in the flatlands but up in the foothills and mountains about 30 minutes or so from here. We can get pretty good apples in the grocery store most of the year but the fresh one picked from the tree are a whole other story.
We have a favorite apple orchard we visit. The apples are a bit expensive but worth it for taste. It is run by a darling 80-plus couple and their faithful and equally elderly dog, Daisy. Daisy greets everyone that arrives. The gentleman owner requires you taste every apple available that day before allowing you to purchase. He has a keen sense of humor and visiting with him is the best part of apple season. He wasn't doing to well with his health, last year, so we are planning our first trip for apples with a bit of worry about how is he doing and how the past few months have treated him. Even with weak legs and a few hospital visits here and there, he can be seen tearing around in his farm truck with Daisy in the passenger seat. He stopped his truck to talk to us once but Daisy would only incline her canine head royally towards us before looking straight ahead, again. After all, she and her master were working.
About 20 years ago, the owner of this orchard moved to the area to retire and ended up back in business when he became fascinated with the varieties of apples. He has some we have never heard of before. My apple pie baking during this season is above average as each pie can have three or four varieties of unique apples in it.
Oh, a clue for making your own apple pie. Soak your peeled, sliced apples in lemon and lime juice before going on with your usual methods of pie making. The lime juice offers a certain something that will have people wondering how come your pie tastes so wonderful.
The real clue that Fall is technically on it's way is apple season which started the beginning of September. Nope, not down here in the flatlands but up in the foothills and mountains about 30 minutes or so from here. We can get pretty good apples in the grocery store most of the year but the fresh one picked from the tree are a whole other story.
We have a favorite apple orchard we visit. The apples are a bit expensive but worth it for taste. It is run by a darling 80-plus couple and their faithful and equally elderly dog, Daisy. Daisy greets everyone that arrives. The gentleman owner requires you taste every apple available that day before allowing you to purchase. He has a keen sense of humor and visiting with him is the best part of apple season. He wasn't doing to well with his health, last year, so we are planning our first trip for apples with a bit of worry about how is he doing and how the past few months have treated him. Even with weak legs and a few hospital visits here and there, he can be seen tearing around in his farm truck with Daisy in the passenger seat. He stopped his truck to talk to us once but Daisy would only incline her canine head royally towards us before looking straight ahead, again. After all, she and her master were working.
About 20 years ago, the owner of this orchard moved to the area to retire and ended up back in business when he became fascinated with the varieties of apples. He has some we have never heard of before. My apple pie baking during this season is above average as each pie can have three or four varieties of unique apples in it.
Oh, a clue for making your own apple pie. Soak your peeled, sliced apples in lemon and lime juice before going on with your usual methods of pie making. The lime juice offers a certain something that will have people wondering how come your pie tastes so wonderful.
Elegant Cream Puffs from YOUR Kitchen?
Creative cooks need basic beginnings. Even during those pre-payday times, cream puffs are not out of the realm of the possible. The following recipe for cream puffs may surprise you with it’s ordinary ingredients and ease of preparation.
Cream Puffs
One cup water
½ cup butter or margarine
One cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring the water and butter to a boil in a pot. Stir in the flour all at once and stir over low heat until mixture forms a ball. This happens fairly soon. Don’t let it scorch! Remove dough from pan and place quickly in mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs all at once. Continue until batter is smooth. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet. Parchment paper is great for this.
The cream puffs take 30 to 40 minutes to bake. Try not to open the door until they have been going 20 minutes. The cream puffs should be well puffed up and golden. Cool before filling.
Cream puffs can be either dessert, dinner or appetizer. If you are in a hurry and desire something sweet, cut a slit in the side of the cooled puff and fill with whipped cream. Serve immediately. During the summer months, try strawberries and top each cream puff with a flourish of whipped cream. Ice cream can happen, too. A drizzle of hot fudge can only compliment your kitchen creation. If you like a pudding filling, there is a boxed flavor favorite at your supermarket.
If you want an impressive dinner presentation, try filling them with creamed chicken, tuna salad, or ham salad. These are suggestions to get your creative juices going.
Cream Puffs
One cup water
½ cup butter or margarine
One cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring the water and butter to a boil in a pot. Stir in the flour all at once and stir over low heat until mixture forms a ball. This happens fairly soon. Don’t let it scorch! Remove dough from pan and place quickly in mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs all at once. Continue until batter is smooth. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet. Parchment paper is great for this.
The cream puffs take 30 to 40 minutes to bake. Try not to open the door until they have been going 20 minutes. The cream puffs should be well puffed up and golden. Cool before filling.
Cream puffs can be either dessert, dinner or appetizer. If you are in a hurry and desire something sweet, cut a slit in the side of the cooled puff and fill with whipped cream. Serve immediately. During the summer months, try strawberries and top each cream puff with a flourish of whipped cream. Ice cream can happen, too. A drizzle of hot fudge can only compliment your kitchen creation. If you like a pudding filling, there is a boxed flavor favorite at your supermarket.
If you want an impressive dinner presentation, try filling them with creamed chicken, tuna salad, or ham salad. These are suggestions to get your creative juices going.
If at first you don't succeed . . .
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of
enthusiasm.
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