I like the tastes of sweet, sour, and tangy. Two of my favorite ways to use the sauce is with cooked meatballs or slices of smoked sausage.
Basically, I use salsa, hot powedered mustard, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and tomato sauce for my sauce creations. This is a taste as you go along adventure. Once you have a sauce that meets your expectations, you can add herbs and spices to your specifications. Freshly ground black pepper almost always shows up in my dishes. If you like an Italian taste, go for some pesto. More inclined towards Mexican, add chili and taco spices. Curry works for an Indian slant. Soy and ginger point you East to China. As you can see, there are no rights or wrongs in making this sauce. It is up to you, your tastes, and creativity.
This works well in the crock pot as you can turn it on low with your meat of choice and serve when you and the meal are ready. This works over mashed potatoes, on rice, with pasta, or over a toasted bread bun.
If you are really pressed for time, just doctor up a bottle of inexpensive barbeque sauce and proceed as indicated for cooking.
I like to cook but, sometimes, I don't have the time I want/need so rely on little tricks of the trade to bring good food to the table for my family.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
No rock by the river for me today!
The bad side is that our washer cannot be easily or reasonably repaired. Age has something to do with it - the washer not me! The good side is that the local home supply store not only had washers on sale but an additional 10% off so we got a good deal. To sweeten the adventure, the desired washer was in stock and it fit in the back of our van so we didn't have to wait or pay for delivery. Right now, stalwart husband and helpful son are busy setting it up for me. I and my cracked and sore hands are most grateful to not have to hand scrub clothing today. Two days of playing pioneer woman at the kitchen sink was enough for me. I'm a modern, spoiled housewife!
Now, my morning is dedicated to figuring out the grocery list and planning a basic menu for the week. I don't do too much detail work on that because we often find that what sounded good today, doesn't appeal to us by Monday. I get basic supplies and usually go with the current inspiration. I do keep onions, garlic, pasta, and potatoes on hand at all times. Cheese is a second requirement. With just that, I can get through a meal preparation. We have cut back on our meat consumpting and have discovered we don't really need that much in a serving to be satisfied.
It is always interesting to reflect back on how we prepared and ate ten years ago and the changes today. I know I don't use much in the way of prepared, packaged items anymore. We always have plenty of fruit and vegetables in the house. If we need bread, I bake some. I used to use a lot of coupons on my shopping trips but am actually saving more now that I follow the sales and cook to match what I have on hand. Coupons still come in handy for dish soap, detergent, bath soaps, and deodorant. Often, however, the items for those products can be cheaper getting the ones on sale than even using the coupons on a stated brand.
This evening, I'm treating the family to an oven-baked pot roast. Ever since I've discovered browning the roast and then roasting it on a bed of diced onions, garlic, and vegetables, I'm sold on the method. The meat juices and cooked vegetables in the bottom of the pan blend into a terrific gravy without the need for flour or further use of butter or fat. Hey, I might go crazy and even make a dessert since I don't have the kitchen sink full of dirty laundry to do. I'm blessed!
Now, my morning is dedicated to figuring out the grocery list and planning a basic menu for the week. I don't do too much detail work on that because we often find that what sounded good today, doesn't appeal to us by Monday. I get basic supplies and usually go with the current inspiration. I do keep onions, garlic, pasta, and potatoes on hand at all times. Cheese is a second requirement. With just that, I can get through a meal preparation. We have cut back on our meat consumpting and have discovered we don't really need that much in a serving to be satisfied.
It is always interesting to reflect back on how we prepared and ate ten years ago and the changes today. I know I don't use much in the way of prepared, packaged items anymore. We always have plenty of fruit and vegetables in the house. If we need bread, I bake some. I used to use a lot of coupons on my shopping trips but am actually saving more now that I follow the sales and cook to match what I have on hand. Coupons still come in handy for dish soap, detergent, bath soaps, and deodorant. Often, however, the items for those products can be cheaper getting the ones on sale than even using the coupons on a stated brand.
This evening, I'm treating the family to an oven-baked pot roast. Ever since I've discovered browning the roast and then roasting it on a bed of diced onions, garlic, and vegetables, I'm sold on the method. The meat juices and cooked vegetables in the bottom of the pan blend into a terrific gravy without the need for flour or further use of butter or fat. Hey, I might go crazy and even make a dessert since I don't have the kitchen sink full of dirty laundry to do. I'm blessed!
Too many great quotes passing through my computer today!
Science
may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst
of them all- the apathy of human beings.
- Helen Keller
One of my favorite prayers . . .
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
Don't Forget the Three Kings . . .
Definitely late for this but I just remembered, myself, to change the date on our doorway markings for the Feast of the Three Kings. It is not too late to bless your own homes and teach your children a little bit about the background on the subject, too. Our pastor, who was assigned in Belgium for several years, said it is a major event on that day. Here is how you go about it.
Around January 6, the symbol +C+B+M+ with two numbers before and two numbers after (for example, 20+C+B+M+12) is written in chalk above the doorway of Christian homes. The letters are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. These letters also abbreviate the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless the house." The beginning and ending numbers are the year, 2012 in the example above. The crosses represent Christ.
A Blessing for the Marking of DoorwaysLeader: Peace be with this house and with all who live here.
Response (All): And peace be with all who enter here.
Leader: During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this Feast of Epiphany, celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the Magi, and thereby to the whole world. Today, Christ is manifest to us! Today this home is a holy place because of the presence of Christ here.
Leader: Listen to the Gospel according to Matthew.
2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2:2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 2:4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 2:6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
2:7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 2:8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 2:9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 2:11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Leader: This is the word of the Lord to you.
Response (All): Thanks be to God!
Leader: O God, Lord of all that exists, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill each of us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Response (All): Amen
Around January 6, the symbol +C+B+M+ with two numbers before and two numbers after (for example, 20+C+B+M+12) is written in chalk above the doorway of Christian homes. The letters are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. These letters also abbreviate the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless the house." The beginning and ending numbers are the year, 2012 in the example above. The crosses represent Christ.
A Blessing for the Marking of DoorwaysLeader: Peace be with this house and with all who live here.
Response (All): And peace be with all who enter here.
Leader: During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this Feast of Epiphany, celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the Magi, and thereby to the whole world. Today, Christ is manifest to us! Today this home is a holy place because of the presence of Christ here.
Leader: Listen to the Gospel according to Matthew.
2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2:2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 2:4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 2:6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
2:7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 2:8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 2:9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 2:11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Leader: This is the word of the Lord to you.
Response (All): Thanks be to God!
Leader: O God, Lord of all that exists, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill each of us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Response (All): Amen
A timely reminder to take into the New Year . . .
You
must learn from your past mistakes, but not lean on your past successes.
- Denis Waitley
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