Magic Man was a well established bachelor when we met. He was and is independent, a handyman, a very talented illusion manufacturer, housekeeper, and cooks to survive - not because he likes that task. To be fair, he does a few really good recipes "up his sleeve", so to speak. I love his potato salad, beans, ribs, fajitas, and sausage. HIS personal favorites added Hamburger Helper, canned asparagus, and green beans overloaded with bacon, onions, and salt.
The other night, like every night this week, required a quick meal at home. At work I wondered what we could toss together and be palatable. I don't stock Hamburger Helper in my pantry, but decided with our stock we could mimic Magic Man's favorite "blend."
Arriving home from work, I headed straight for the kitchen snatching a large baking potato and onion en route. My trusty Dutch oven started heating on the burner and after a quick potato prep, we sliced it into thicker-than-potato-chip pieces. We browned the potato slices in hot oil in the Dutch oven, then chopped the onion while the potato slices cook. The spuds were done, so they started the draining excess oil process and were set aside. Back in the Dutch oven, the onions sautéd to which we added some ground beef. A quick defatting of the meat mixture and addition of some flour - I guess it was a couple of tablespoons, we stirred this together and let the mixture bubble and brew for a while. It was time to toss in some salt, pepper, and minced garlic followed by a cup-ish of chicken broth. This mixture was thickening nicely and starting to smell really good. During that simmering time, I discovered a package of frozen peas and dumped those in. Back in went the potatoes, followed by a couple of big dollops of sour cream. A final good stir and it was time to eat.
Magic Man complained. We should have doubled the recipe.
No pictures to go with this story. Maybe next time. No one expected this meal to be a hit. The best part is, this recipe becomes one of our "Some" collection.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Asparagus Pasta
I love recipes. I especially love recipes whose measurements are accurately noted as "some."
Tonight we had a quick, one dish meal, portioned just for Magic Man and me. This recipe was adapted from an article in Southern Living magazine so many years ago I can't recall the issue. We replaced their pecans with our leftover chicken to present this dish as perfect for our family.
Start "some" (about 1 cup) mini penne pasta boiling in the Dutch oven. I prefer the penne. It has the same proportions as the vegetables.
While that's cooking, cut 1 red bell pepper into matchsticks,
cut "some" asparagus into 1" pieces,
chop "some" leftover chicken,
and mince 3-6 cloves of garlic. Have ready some seasonings to taste: pepper, basil, parsley, (fresh if you have the luxury of herbs handy) and a chicken bouillon cube. I cheated this time, since I also have no fresh garlic tonight. Must be time to head back to the local market.
Also, consider scooping "some" of the pasta water, and have a handful of Parmesan cheese close at hand.
Drain the pasta when it's al dente, breathe a sigh of relief that you were wise to reserve the pasta water ahead of time. Meanwhile, back in the Dutch oven, begin to saute the red bell pepper. After some minutes, usually 3, toss in the asparagus. Stir that around for another three minutes or so. Add the chicken, garlic, seasonings, and chicken bouillon cube. Stir in a couple tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Add more water as needed. Just before serving add the Parmesan, toss to coat.
If you're lucky, pour the mixture into a serving dish just in time for dinner. Magic Man prefers to scoop it out of the pan. He dares not wait a moment longer to eat.
This recipe easily exchanges or changes ingredients... shrimp, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, jalapeno, pasta shape.
Enjoy!
Tonight we had a quick, one dish meal, portioned just for Magic Man and me. This recipe was adapted from an article in Southern Living magazine so many years ago I can't recall the issue. We replaced their pecans with our leftover chicken to present this dish as perfect for our family.
Start "some" (about 1 cup) mini penne pasta boiling in the Dutch oven. I prefer the penne. It has the same proportions as the vegetables.
While that's cooking, cut 1 red bell pepper into matchsticks,
Drain the pasta when it's al dente, breathe a sigh of relief that you were wise to reserve the pasta water ahead of time. Meanwhile, back in the Dutch oven, begin to saute the red bell pepper. After some minutes, usually 3, toss in the asparagus. Stir that around for another three minutes or so. Add the chicken, garlic, seasonings, and chicken bouillon cube. Stir in a couple tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Add more water as needed. Just before serving add the Parmesan, toss to coat.
If you're lucky, pour the mixture into a serving dish just in time for dinner. Magic Man prefers to scoop it out of the pan. He dares not wait a moment longer to eat.
This recipe easily exchanges or changes ingredients... shrimp, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, jalapeno, pasta shape.
Enjoy!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Town Crier
This has been a great week. My stolen vehicle was recovered earlier this month and my trusted mechanic returned it to me Wednesday. She may be old, but she's certainly reliable and proven resistant after rudely taken from her home.
I drove to Mom's Thursday morning, picked her up and headed to Big City North. My daughter was schedule for induction Friday morning. Friday night, we welcomed our newest family member. I was so happy to be here and hold her in my arms.
Meanwhile, Daughter and Baby are receiving doctors and nurses this morning. Mom and I are going shopping (she forgot to bring pants) then race back to visit the Zoe this afternoon.
We're finishing this week with Mom's meatloaf. If I get my two cents and to the kitchen first, meatload accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. Maybe while we're out, we can add a loaf of warm French bread to the menu.
What a great week. Yes, I had to declare it again.
I drove to Mom's Thursday morning, picked her up and headed to Big City North. My daughter was schedule for induction Friday morning. Friday night, we welcomed our newest family member. I was so happy to be here and hold her in my arms.
Meanwhile, Daughter and Baby are receiving doctors and nurses this morning. Mom and I are going shopping (she forgot to bring pants) then race back to visit the Zoe this afternoon.
We're finishing this week with Mom's meatloaf. If I get my two cents and to the kitchen first, meatload accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. Maybe while we're out, we can add a loaf of warm French bread to the menu.
What a great week. Yes, I had to declare it again.
Birth Day
Late last night my granddaughter entered into our world, leaving behind the warm, cozy, nearly anti-gravity home within her Mama.
She's beautiful and is worth the wait. Weighing in at 8 lb 2 oz, stretching to 19", topped with loads of black hair, Zoe is healthy baby girl. Mama and Papa are doing well, but tired. Grandma and Great Grandma are ecstatic.
I didn't think anything would be as wonderful and fulfilling as my daughter until I held my granddaughter in my arms. I have an ally!
She's beautiful and is worth the wait. Weighing in at 8 lb 2 oz, stretching to 19", topped with loads of black hair, Zoe is healthy baby girl. Mama and Papa are doing well, but tired. Grandma and Great Grandma are ecstatic.
I didn't think anything would be as wonderful and fulfilling as my daughter until I held my granddaughter in my arms. I have an ally!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Miscommunication Turned Good
This weekend, Big City North friends dropped in unexpectedly to deliver their sack o' shirts. Actually, it was a huge miscommunication that worked out well. Let's set up the scenario before the story begins.
We lost a very dear friend the afternoon before Thanksgiving. We knew him and his family for over 25 years. He voluntold as referees for FIRST Robotics. He was a great leader for us and mentor for the teams. In his memory, we are making a quilt for his family.
We considered working on the quilt this weekend. Where was never discussed. I planned to drive to Big City North to be with my daughter as she enters into labor. They thought while they were delivering an ROV (for an underwater robotic competition demonstration) to the Big City. Understand, we thought Magic Man was bringing the ROV back here when he returned home.
The situation worked out well for us. We made lots of progress on the quilt. Imagine, if you will, engineers cutting and stablizing quilt blocks. "This reminds me of making composites." "This reminds me of sheet metal layout." So ladies, know that what you do in the quilting world is indeed very techinical.
Our friends brought a gift. Here it is. Oh, it matches the granddaughter's bedroom. How convenient and fortunate for ME!
We lost a very dear friend the afternoon before Thanksgiving. We knew him and his family for over 25 years. He voluntold as referees for FIRST Robotics. He was a great leader for us and mentor for the teams. In his memory, we are making a quilt for his family.
We considered working on the quilt this weekend. Where was never discussed. I planned to drive to Big City North to be with my daughter as she enters into labor. They thought while they were delivering an ROV (for an underwater robotic competition demonstration) to the Big City. Understand, we thought Magic Man was bringing the ROV back here when he returned home.
The situation worked out well for us. We made lots of progress on the quilt. Imagine, if you will, engineers cutting and stablizing quilt blocks. "This reminds me of making composites." "This reminds me of sheet metal layout." So ladies, know that what you do in the quilting world is indeed very techinical.
Our friends brought a gift. Here it is. Oh, it matches the granddaughter's bedroom. How convenient and fortunate for ME!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Look What Followed Me to Work!
This young fella was guarding the door. Mr. B and his breakfast burger coaxed him into the building. Ms. Julia is coming to pick him up and take him home. I would take him if we had a place for him to run.
This is My Lucky Day
Luck #1.
Mr. B works with me. Mr. B is very talented, is not credited enough for his skills. On top of that, he's one heck of a nice guy. I adore Mr. B. He should be my son.
Mr. B had a bag of lemons on his desk, at least that was the info from his office partner in Mr. B's absence. I picked up and smelled those bright yellow orbs. Then he walks in. I was caught sniffing the goods. He explained they came from his tree at home, then graciously offered the bag of, the bag of LIMES. Yellow limes? These must be ripe.
Luck #2
Sam's Club is not my favorite place to shop. To be honest, outside of fabric shops or old-time hardware stores, I don't like to shop. OK, maybe the trip to the farmers' market. But since I HAD to be here, I wandered over to the cheese chest. Preparing to be disappointed again, my eyes carefully scanned the dairy assortment. And then, I heard the angels, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...". There was my cheese, MY cheese. It was back. Containing a happy dance, I picked up a block and hurried it to check out. No waiting, no pausing for any other item. This was my sole purchase, my soul purchase. I hugged the cheese all the way home.
Back at the hacienda, I carefully hid the block of gold in the refrigerator, away from Magic Man's hands that sleight. He will not make my cheese disappear, I will.
Look at all the lovely colors of heat in this cheese, the swirl of jack and cheddar. It is time for a midnight snack.
'Night y'all.
Mr. B works with me. Mr. B is very talented, is not credited enough for his skills. On top of that, he's one heck of a nice guy. I adore Mr. B. He should be my son.
Mr. B had a bag of lemons on his desk, at least that was the info from his office partner in Mr. B's absence. I picked up and smelled those bright yellow orbs. Then he walks in. I was caught sniffing the goods. He explained they came from his tree at home, then graciously offered the bag of, the bag of LIMES. Yellow limes? These must be ripe.
Luck #2
Sam's Club is not my favorite place to shop. To be honest, outside of fabric shops or old-time hardware stores, I don't like to shop. OK, maybe the trip to the farmers' market. But since I HAD to be here, I wandered over to the cheese chest. Preparing to be disappointed again, my eyes carefully scanned the dairy assortment. And then, I heard the angels, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...". There was my cheese, MY cheese. It was back. Containing a happy dance, I picked up a block and hurried it to check out. No waiting, no pausing for any other item. This was my sole purchase, my soul purchase. I hugged the cheese all the way home.
Back at the hacienda, I carefully hid the block of gold in the refrigerator, away from Magic Man's hands that sleight. He will not make my cheese disappear, I will.
Look at all the lovely colors of heat in this cheese, the swirl of jack and cheddar. It is time for a midnight snack.
'Night y'all.
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