Celebrating: Cleaning the Fridge!

Celebrating: Cleaning the Fridge!: Tomorrow is trash day.  And also the day (I'll admit not weekly) that I go thru the fridge to see what needs to be pitched.  As I peered into each shelve, I found several things that had long since passed their expiration date, but also found a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Not enough to do much with, but I hated to just toss.  I found a chicken breast, artichokes and about 1/4 cup fire roasted tomatoes and set them on the counter.  While I was at it, I decided to check the freezer to see what I could purge (so I could have room for my ice cream freezer, I might add).  I found a bag with 1/4 cup of chopped onions, some Naan that had been there awhile and an open bag of cut okra.

So, I sat there looking at the counter pondering how I could use this stuff and not have to toss anything.
I decided to definitely bake my okra, so I gave it an egg wash and rolled it in panko, tossed in the oven 375 for 30 minutes.  I pulled out my skillet and started to saute the onions, chopped the artichokes, added the tomatoes shredded the chicken added water and a squirt or two or three of Unami paste.  On a whim I threw in some capers and a little juice.  I charred a piece of Naan, for I really needed something to soak up the rich tomato broth that my creation had produced.    Let me just say, and I am not going to be modest, that it was delicious!  I was so proud of myself - I made a wonderful meal out of something that I would have ordinarily tossed because there was not much left of any of it.  It was just pure luck that I had these food items at the same time!  Talk about turning trash into treasure!!!!



And the very best part is that I have leftovers!

Ya'll come back!



Susan

May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them CELEBRATE! Psalm 64:10

 *Originally posted April 11, 2012

Celebrating: Dresses, Hunts and Chicks!

Celebrating: Dresses, Hunts and Chicks!: From the time I could just "toddle" til today, I have had a new Easter dress.  Don't care how old I was or what stage of life, a new Easter dress was a must.  I can only think of about 2 -3 times in my life that I did not get a new Easter "outfit."  And when I was younger - it was an Easter ensemble.  New dress (the frillier the better), new shoes, new ankle socks (preferably with lace), new purse and a most definite for several years, a new hat.  I was an Easter fashionista for sure!

Cousin Chuck & Me! 

I have such fond memories of Easters past! On most Easter mornings, my Liddell cousins and I would load up and go to Sunday School, have a huge Easter Ham lunch and then hunt for eggs.  And not the plastic eggs of today - the real live honest to goodness dyed hard boiled  Easter Eggs.  I remember one year going to my cousins other Grandmother (fondly called Grandmother Bertie Sue), hunting for eggs in the most magical of places, for they had a huge yard and what I thought was the "coolest" house ever.  Built in the 1920's and located in the fashionable Buckhead area.  They even had a built-in swimming pool, which was waaayy cool in my opinion!  I can remember going to a local park, Hurt Park, that was filled with colorful Tulips and even had a little Windmill, which was aptly called Little Holland. I can still envision it in my mind the Easter parade my cousins and I put on in our Easter finest!

In the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, all of the local pet stores, had baby chicks and ducks displayed in the front window and dyed every color - blue, pink, green, purple.  (I'm pretty sure PETA wasn't around back then).  And the Easter Bunny did not disappoint, over the years I had pink and blue chicks and a baby duck that went to live at Murphy Candler Park - which we could "amazingly" pick out for years after. One year the Easter Bunny loved me soooo much, he left me one of his own..a little white bunny I named "Petunia."  Of course, we always got an  Easter basket full of  Candy eggs, chocolate Bunnies and marshmallow chicks.  And for some strange reason, the Easter Bunny always left us a new summer shorts set!   

I found a couple of vintage Easter photos and since I do not have a scanner, I called my friends Pam and Chaz to see if I could use theirs.  Not only did I get an "Of course you can use our scanner" but a dinner invitation as well.  Pam and Chaz are long time friends. We have had alot of fun over the years and I treasure their friendship.  Chaz cooked an awesome meal while Pam and I enjoyed a glass or two of Vino .
Thanks ya'll for another fun evening!

Below is a walk down Easter memory Lane!  Just a couple for your enjoyment/amusement!

I think this was my favorite one - it was lavender!

brother Chuck, cousin Margie, our Coco, Me, sister Charlene

                                                       This one had a great plaid jacket to match!
 

This years dress...why I can't show it to you today..it will make its debut Sunday on Easter!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace & happiness and let them CELEBRATE! Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted April 5, 2012

Celebrating: Those lingering cool days of Spring and Soup!

Celebrating: Those lingering cool days of Spring and Soup!: Yesterday was a little cooler than it has been for the past week, and while 70 degrees is by no means a "cold snap", it was better than the 80+ days we have been having.  Like everywhere else in the US, the south has experienced a very mild winter.  So when it was cool yesterday, I decided a pot of homemade soup would hit the spot. The week before I had boiled a chicken for something else I was making and was left with a pot full of golden stock and into the freezer it went.
I scanned the fridge for what could be used...I had my stock, carrots, peppers, onions and  an open bottle of white wine - good start!  Went to the pantry and grabbed some orzo. And then I began ...sauteing carrots, pepper and onions with a little EVOO and sprinkling with some dried thyme, fresh ground pepper and salt.  Poured in my stock , brought it  to a rolling boil , added a rather large gurgle of wine then the Orzo (which I got a little too heavy handed)

.   While it was simmering I added some fresh basil and sprigs of rosemary.  I decided I needed to add some green and remembered a can of Italian green peas that I had purchased at "the good" farmers market.  Drained and into the pot they went. And just because I could,. I tossed in a handful of little potatoes that were about the size of a nickel.  My kitchen was smelling soooo good! I fought back the urge to ladle up a bowl and did manage to let it simmer about 45 minutes.

I just cannot express what a difference a homemade stock will make.  It has such a rich, intense flavor!  And while a carton of store bought stock is absolutely acceptable (and admittedly what I use the majority of the time) -homemade sure does make a difference. It is so satisying to start with a blank canvas, or in this case a plain bowl of stock, to add a little bit of this and a little bit of that and produce your own masterpeice!  And what a pleasure it was to finally sit down with my bowl of creativity and savor each spoonful!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let then CELEBRATE!  Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted March 29, 2012

Celebrating: Tastefully Simple

Celebrating: Tastefully Simple: For those of you who do not know, I am a Tastefully Simple Cosultant.  I have been a consultant for almost 2 years and have really enjoyed meeting new people and introducing them to new "tastes."  If you are not familar with Tastefully Simple, it is a line of food products and we do in-home shows and eat, eat, eat!  And, as much as I love cooking, its nice to have some easy, quick and scrumtious products for those days when you just need a break!  Plus, you all know my love/hate relationship for baking, so I am pleased to have several options from the line. The Almond Pound cake is incredible!  There are dips, sauces, baked goods, drink mixes...I could go one an on!

I am having an Open House to introduce our new Spring Summer products this evening.  I will have over 25 different goodies to taste - am hoping my guests come hungry!  Last night I put a Pork Tenderloin in the cockpot with our new Honey Barbeque seasoning rub and I woke up at about 4:30 this morning to the most deicious aroma.   The tenderloin will be settled in right next to our Honey Apple Grill sauce for dipping!

I wanted something 'springy" for my buffet table, and I made the cutest arrangement.  Initially I got the basic idea from Pinterest, but I kind of made it my own.  I got a styrofoam topiary from Hobby Lobby and covered it with flowers.  It was a fun, easy project that I will enjoy for years to come.

                                                           Spring Topiary

                                                             Table Ready!

My party was a huge success!  Everyone enjoyed the food!  Got lots of orders and booked 3 parties!
I also had a Grand Prize drawing for a basket of Tastefully Simple products and some other goodies.
And a very special thanks to my sister Charlene, who came early to help me finish stting up - I would not have been ready on time without her help!

                                              Basket Give-Away and Spring Plates I made


Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them CELEBRATE!

*Originally posted March 24, 2012

Celebrating: Being Crafty!

Celebrating: Being Crafty!:

Have you found Pinterest yet?  Well I have, and I can't tell you how many good ideas and recipes I have used from visiting this site.  Some people are so clever and creative!  And when I see the idea, I can usually re-create it.  This past year I made a Christmas Wreath for my door that got so many compliments for being both festive and different from anything they had ever seen.  I also made  apothecary candy jars that are being used year round.

So when I spyed an Easter wreath - I could not wait to try my hand at it!  I had also seen many clever ways to make pedestals, and I thought it would be nice to have a couple for entertaining.  So last week, I deemed Saturday to be a craft day. 

I went to my local Goodwill and purchased 3 silver candlesticks and a couple of silver plated trays (all for under $12.00).  I found another square silver tray at a yard sale for .25 that I could not pass up.  All I did was epoxy the trays to the of top the candlesticks and walla - I have 3 silver pedestals for my next party.

 Now to tackle my wreath.   I purchased most everything from Hobby Lobby and Michael's (using the 40% coupons).  In no time, I had the cutest Easter Wreath, which will be placed on my door this afternoon. I am so glad for other peoples creative ideas that I can reproduce!

I love being creative - whether it is in the kitchen or using my hands. My creative "kitchen genes" came from Mom, of course, but my artistic gene came from my Dad.  He loved to draw and paint! And he made the most amazing ships from kits.  There would be a million "parts" and he would spend hours putting them together.  He was very ill the last few years of his life and making these ships perhaps helped on those particularly hard days.  We have several of his paintings hanging on  the walls at Mom's house  - its very comforting to see my dad still there in spirit!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them celebrate! Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted March 13, 2012

Celebrating: Whole Lotta Shopping at Whole Foods!

Celebrating: Whole Lotta Shopping at Whole Foods!: Wow -it has been a while since my last post!  First my camera broke and I didn't want to do a "nekkid" post. Then when I finally got a new camera, I had  to relearn how to use the new one (which is still  an on-going project!)  And frankly, I haven't really done much to post about.  I have finally come to the conclusion, that even though my life might lack "big" excitement, I will celebrate the "small" excitements that give me joy!
So my first post of the year is one that is only may seem strange (except to a fellow foodie, of course).

Grocery Stores - I adore them!  I love walking up and down the aisles, checking out the produce, drooling in the bakery and envisioning great things for the pork loin I have just put in my buggy. (or cart - depending on what area of the US you reside)  Of course we have the standard Grocery Stores. Kroger, Publix and Aldis (my new favorite).  I am also lucky enough to be reasonably close to Trader Joe's, The Dekalb Farmers Market (which is referred to as "the good" Farmer's Market) and Whole Foods.  There are also local International Farmers Markets that are convenient (one being right across the street from my office)  One thing I wish we had locally... specialized meat markets, delis and a local fish monger!  I am envious of the girls on Contessa's Kitchen that have these shops around them!  And in the spring/summer/fall, I am lucky to have several Saturday Farmer's Markets to go to with local produce in abundance!  I am impatiently waiting for the 1st home grown tomato sandwich of the year!

So, on Friday ,, I decided it had been way too long since my last visit to Whole Foods and I really needed  a "fix!"   My sister Charlene and my Mom have never been and it was high time they were introduced to the Whole Foods experience!  We conned my nieces (with brownies) into going with us and set out for what I refer to as "Six Flags over Foodie world" - MY kind of amusement park!  I pushed my cart through rows of produce, stopping every now and then for a sample of a juicy strawberry and a block of sweet cantaloupe, then continuing to perhaps one of my favorite exhibits - the Cheese shoppe!  Sample plates of Aged Cheddar, Gruyere and a creamy Blue that demanded a 2nd (and maybe 3rd) nibble!  And then, there is was...the grandest attraction of all...the Bakery! My nose was filled with the aroma of fresh baked Sour Dough Bread and Rolls. My eyes darting back and forth from Mini Fruit Tarts, Cannollis, cookies, cakes and pies, oh my!  And as much as I NEEDED to push my buggy straight through to the next attraction, I had promised Em a brownie, so a stop for a brownie (and a mini cannolli) was necessary.

I meandered through the rest of the store getting the necessities I came after ( plus a few other treats) and maybe another cruise through the Cheese Shoppe,  then headed to the dreaded check-out line - for they don't call it Whole Paycheck for nothing!

One item I came home with was bulk Split Peas, for I had a hambone in the freezer just begging to be the star in a pot of Split Pea Soup.  Now 30 years ago (or so) a spoonful of Split Pea Soup would have never crossed my lips, however, someone encouraged me to make Ina's recipe and just try it and I am so glad I did.  Let me tell you - it is NOTHING like that canned Campbell's I was served once at a  friends when I was about 10 years old and thought they were joking when they placed a bowl of green "poo" in front of me. Honestly, I thought it was a joke...a very bad joke at that! And since my mama had taught me good manners, I did taste it and try to gag down enough to make a dent. (And seriously. who serves a 10 year old split pea soup) But I digress...

This is such a great filling, rich soup - just perfect for the cold damp day it was.  Ins's recipe does not call for a ham bone - so don't wait to make this until you have one -it's just as good without.

Ya'll Come back!

May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them Celebrate! Psalm 64:10

Susan

*Originally posted March 11, 2012

Celebrating: Thanksgiving!

Celebrating: Thanksgiving!:

Thanksgiving 2011 was very different this year.  In "Thanksgivings Past" we have always had a full house and enough food to feed at least a dozen more and still have leftovers!  This year Mom had knee replacement surgery on 11/11/11, so Thanksgiving would find her still "rehabilitating" at LifeCare of Gwinnett.  So, Chuck and his family celebrated with Niki's family and Eric took "the girls" to his family in Alabama.  This left Charlene, Mom and I to celebrate a quiet day together.  Since the Center is so close to my house (1/2 mile), we decided to "spring mom from the joint" for the afternoon, if she was feeling adventurous.

Since it was just the 3 of us, I opted to do a Roast chicken, rather than turkey. Truth be known, we would much rather have chicken than turkey!  Between the two of us, we put out an outstanding spread, if I don't say so myself!  Roast Chicken, my Mom's dressing (Charlene threatened me if i did anything other than Moms dressing -some things just can't be messed with!), gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato dumplin's (my favorite), slaw, deviled eggs, homemade cranberry/blueberry sauce and rolls. Pecan pie and Apple Cake with caramel sauce and whipped cream came much later!

We sure did miss everyone gathered at her table, but our little celebration served the purpose of being Thankful for God's bounty. 

I am so very thankful for my family, whether we are all gathered at the table together or at another table. I am thankful Mom's surgery was successful and she is on the path to recovery.  I am thankful for my extended family and many friends. I am thankful I got the majority of my Christmas shopping done on Black Friday. And, I am really thankful that The University of Georgia beat Georgia Tech!

My feature recipe comes from my sister Charlene.  Her famous Sweet Potato Dumplings.  If you are looking for a "different" way to serve sweet potatoes. this recipe is for you!   Also great with a Pork Chop!

Sweet Potato Dumplings

4 sm. baked sweet potatoes                          3/4 cup sugar

1 pkg. cresent rolls                                       1/2 stick butter

1 cup water                                                  1 tsp vanilla

Peel and cut in half each baked potato.  Form each piece into a ball.  separate crescent rolls.  Place ball of sweet potato in crescent roll.  Roll up and place seam side down in a casserole dish.  Combine water, sugar, butter and vanilla in a sauce pan.  Heat to boil.  Pour over the eight potato rolls.  bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Note - You can also use frozen sweet potato patties  instead of baked sweet potaoes.  Some like this as a dessert instead of a side dish!

Ya'll come back!

Susan

May the Lord bless his people with peace and happines and let them Celebrate!

Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted March 4, 2012