Cold Day Hot Food

It is a wet cold, bone chilling day in January in north Texas. Days like these make we want to cook. And bake. And eat.

For lunch today I made a bean and grain soup. First I cooked diced pancetta with a little olive oil and a whole diced onion. When the onion was transparent I added 2 cloves of chopped garlic, salt and pepper. I had leftover turkey stock from Christmas so I added that and a little water so I had about 5 cups of liquid. I then added dried kidney beans, dried pinto beans, wheat berries, barley, lentils and brown rice and 2 chopped carrots. Sometimes I add cumin or curry to season.

While the soup simmered I made a almond roll. Over simmering water beat 3 eggs and 1/3c. sugar for about 10 minutes till tripled in volume, and thick like a ribbon. Sift in 1/2 c. almond flour (almonds that have been on the food processor-fine) and 2 Tbs flour. Butter a piece of parchment paper and pour batter on. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. While baking place a damp towel over a cutting board and whip 2/3c. heavy cream with a little cinnamon and vanilla. When the cake comes out, invert it onto the towel and immediately roll up. Let cool about 5-8 minutes to room temperature. Unroll and spread whipped cream over and roll again. Trim edges and dust with powdered sugar.

Tonight, four cheese lasagna!

convenience

We did stop in to a few convenience stores and purchase snacks this Christmas while we were caravaning with all the family members during our travels to different cities in Texas. We already had packed snacks in the car, but when we stopped for a bathroom break, the kiddos were tempted to grab another salty or sweet snack on the way out. Hmmm...what were some of our purchases? Check mix, Mustard flavored pretzels, Twizzlers, and of course a Cocoa Cocoa Cherry Slurpee! Come to think of it, whenever hubby is out with the kids and they have to stop off for gas, they might grab a hot dog and a slurpee. It may not be accurate, but I have this impression in my mind that the snacks in the convenience store may have dust on them, are expired, or alittle bit more expensive than outside. These are just my thoughts :-) But it is "convenient" to grab something and go!

Convenience Stores

So what is your thought about convenience stores? Do you go? If so how often. If you don't go, why not? Do your husband/wife or significant others go? If so, what are they buying?

What do you think about the snacks and food items sold there?

Please be as descriptive as possible about the products, the stores themselves and the overall experience.

Thanks!

New Year - New Dinner Ideas

I am so sick of making the same dinner things week after week! Anyone have any good dinner ideas?

A Hate Love Realtionship

Growing up my mom unfortunately ruined me on many vegetables. Maybe in order to get a quick meal on the table, she often boiled, or over boiled broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans and brussels sprouts. They were often served with a bright colored cheese sauce. Thus began my dislike of these vegetables.

At Christmas I like to try new and different recipes for dinner. This year it was a twist on the classic turkey, stuffing and potatoes. Looking for a green vegetable to serve, I went through a culinary textbook and decided on an old nemesis- brussels sprouts, sans cheese sauce.

I have to save I have fallen in love with these brussels sprouts. I had 3 helpings for dinner. Try them, try them, you may like them.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook brussels sprouts till three-fourths done. Then promptly removed and place in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Trim ends and slice in half. In a large skillet render 3 slices of chopped bacon. Add sprouts and 2-3 tablespoons butter. Cook sprouts till golden and browned. Add 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts. Drizzle with a little more butter if needed.

First Post

To Debbie and the LUGs!
I thought that a space for postings and assignment stuff makes some sense. Feel free to add anything that strikes you as interesting or fun as you go about your "food life".

John