What does Thursday mean to you? Nearly Friday? Time to eat out? Another day? Don't have to go to church tonight? A certain TV show is on? Just wondering - I guess the thing it means to me is it is closer to the weekend and its expectations - and the day my house will be clean and shining and smelling so good when I get home! I have this wonderful lady that comes once a week and oh my goodness - I used to dread weekends because I knew I was going to spend all of Saturday cleaning house or face it being dirty all the next week - not something I would accept - so we cleaned! She is raising two little boys alone and my heart just bleeds for her. She is so so sweet and appreciative of the work. She is really an amazing woman! Young, beautiful and trying so hard to make a good life for her little family.
Tonight I made enchiladas and if you have ever had El Charro's original enchiladas - these taste like them - without the grease. I am trying to keep some of my "Original Texas Chili" in the freezer and tonight I used some of that over the enchiladas -- they are so easy -- and were really great. I also had some tamales I had bought earlier from a couple of great cooks so our dinner was delicious. We also had some of the best Salsa I've ever tasted -- actually it tastes just like it just came from the garden. This really neat lady I just met from the Arp area made it and shared it with me! She is an amazing lady - she has about 40 acres and grows 350 tomato plants, about 4 varieties of bell peppers, onions, and I can't even count how many different peppers she grows to make this wonderful salsa. She is so full of knowledge and is a sweet, sweet, generous person. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet her and get acquainted. Not for the salsa and jam she gives me (although we really enjoy it)but to just know someone like her and to learn at her feet.
I made a new breakfast dish tonight and will let you know how it turns out! It is baked raspberry french toast! It is suppose to have an almond syrup to go along with it -- but I don't have any sliced almonds and I am thinking maybe I will make a pecan syrup up in the morning to serve with it. Travis is making me some sausage balls to go along with it. I will take all of this to work and surprise my co-workers. They are really special people!
Do you always follow a recipe for sausage balls or have you ever made them. Most of them are bisquick, cheese and sausage - and they were always good until Travis altered the recipe: You still used the basic ingredients - then add sage, crushed red pepper and either fresh or dried jalapeno -- and then you have a fantastic sausage ball. Well - you know what my Thursday evening was like - cooking and creating - and cleaning! That's ok - It was fun!
I visited Sweet Gourmet today - and oh my goodness - if I thought it was a picture at Valentines - it was even more a vision of Easter! The big bunnies, the eggs, the ribbon toparies - a sight to behold. And I told you how it was cleaned out at Christmas -- well it is well stocked now - with many new products that sound wonderful. I bought some new products by Ferrer - that she found at a show in California. The Brava Sauce says it is Hot Spanish Tapas sauce for potatoes and BBQ. I could not resist opening it for a taste and it is absolutely delicious -- doesn't taste like salsa but has a hot taste of maybe french dressing with hot peppers, garlic, and almond. My description does not do it justice. I also bought a bottle of the ferrer's Gazpacho Spanish Cold Soup -- same color as the Brava Sauce and I haven't tried it yet - but with only 80 calories per cup full - who can resist? Anyway - if you haven't been - now is the time to check out Sweet Gourmet - you will feel like you are going through the bunny trail - and tell them I sent you! I don't get anything from it -- just want Pam to know how much I appreciate all the effort she makes to give Tyler a wonderful store in which to visit and shop!! None like it!!!!
I have a wonderful recipe SOMEWHERE for an Angel Food Cake that features almonds and if I can find it, I want to enter an "almond dessert" contest but I have not found it yet!! Tonight I want to give you a recipe I created, entered in a Cooking Light contest and forgot all about. One night I was looking through an issue of the Cooking Light magazine and I nearly fainted - there was my recipe!! Published. Since then they have put it in two of their cookbooks. Such an honor. It says in the book: "Garnished with fresh cilantro,chicken and rice are turned into a complete supper that's ready in a dash." - Jon Carole Gilbreath, Tyler, Texas
1 large onion, chopped
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 Cup uncooked long grain rice
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz. each)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
3/4 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
Minced fresh cilantro, optional
In a large skillet, saute the onion, jalapeno and garlic in oil until tender. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and cumin. Place over rice mixture. cover and simmer 10 minutes. Turn chicken and cook 5 to 10 minutes longer or until juices run clear.
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Now you know my claim to fame!!!
Tonight I want to share more from Handbook 2010
Personality:
-1. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is.
-2. Don't have negative thoughts on things you can't control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.
-3. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
-4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
-5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
-6. Dream more while you are awake.
-7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
-8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her
mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
-9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
-10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
-11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
-12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems
are simply part of the curriculum that appears and fades away like
algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
-13. Smile and laugh more.
-14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Two more nights with words from Handbook 2010. So far - good advise!!
Take care - have a blessed night - pray for someone you are mad at - seek God in everything you do and with His Will - join me again.
No comments:
Post a Comment