Freeze & Thaw, Sort & Dispense

Freeze and Thaw

When I make a large batch of food I often
freeze part of the meal so we're not bored
eating the same meal all week long. 

Later I thaw the food and we have a ready
prepared meal without all the preparation and cooking time.

Sort and Dispense

I never knew why retired people said they had no time,
I am now finding out just how busy life gets.
We've been going through old files, clothes,
closets, and deciding what we need and what we don't.
Every task seems to take longer than we expected.
It's never too late to get organized, or is it?

Sweet and Spicy Pepper Relish/Jam

Sweet and Spicy Pepper Relish/Jam

1 large package of multi colored mini peppers chopped fine
1 large yellow onion chopped fine
4 garlic cloves minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped fine (optional)
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups white vinegar
2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 heaping tablespoon pickling salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon dill seed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
8 whole cloves
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 package low sugar sure gel pectin
5 of the 1/2 pint canning jars

In a non-reactive medium sauce pan add vinegars, salt and sugar. Bring to a boil till sugar and salt dissolve. Add peppers, onion, garlic and all the spices to pan and simmer for one hour without a lid. If mixture is thick enough, pour into jars. If too thin, add package of sure gel pectin and boil for one more minute. Pour into the 1/2 pint canning jars and place lids on top. Let sit at room temperature till cool. Refrigerate for up to two weeks. Use on burgers, franks, in egg or potato salad, or on a piece of bread or crackers slathered with cream cheese and topped with the relish. More pepper flakes may be added for additional heat.

Enjoy !

Cajun Gumbo without Shrimp

Cajun Gumbo without Shrimp

2/3 cup gluten free flour
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons butter
2 small or 1 very large yellow onion, chopped medium
12 tomatillos, husk removed, cut into eighths
10 mini red peppers or 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
20 small okra, stems removed and chopped in half inch rounds
4 garlic cloves minced
1 small can diced tomatoes
32 fl ounces of chicken stock
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 mild Andouille sausage, skinned and chopped in 1/4 inch slices
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Noting the price of shrimp at Ingles I just couldn't bring myself to purchase any. When I make gumbo, I precook some of the ingredients before I make the roux. Saute onion and set aside. Saute tomatillos till soft and add to sauteed onions. (I used tomatillos because I grew them and wanted to use them before they spoiled. You may substitute 3 stalks of celery, chopped small). In a medium sauce pan melt butter and heat olive oil at the same time. Add flour and continuously stir till roux becomes nice and dark, being careful not to burn the mixture. Add reserved and all remaining ingredients and cook till flavors are melded, at least one hour. Cook 1 cup of brown rice in  2 cups water. You may use white rice if you prefer. Serve over rice or with the rice on the side. I always keep a small cup of milk at the table in case the gumbo is too spicy. Milk works well to quell heat in the mouth from spicy dish.

Enjoy!

My First Teapot, Feeling Nostalgic

My First Teapot, Feeling Nostalgic

a teapot I made in 2009, how time flies
mulling over selling
my pottery equipment and kiln so
we can sell our current three story home
and move into a one level home.

over the years many things
are given up because of necessity,
aging or health reasons
doesn't make it any easier

went through a plethora of old files
some memories are painful to recall
others are nostalgic, tasks to be proud of

rediscovered photos of beautiful projects
we as a couple accomplished over the years.

might have to re-read Victor Frankl, here's a link
summary of his thoughts on 'Mans search for Meaning'
https://www.shortform.com/summary/mans-search-for-meaning-summary-viktor-frankl?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=dfb448e23d9c157445652271d4b93bb7#summary-start