My goodness how times does fly!! I started dinner about 6 PM and we ate at 8 pm. Then I cleaned up so I am getting a really late start!! But I have to say it was a meal to remember!!! Hate to brag but it was so good! Fresh tomatoes, Noonday onion, and fresh Okra. Then I did broiled Trout and shrimp for Michelle and I (and I finally found a fish that did not taste fishy at all and it was so wonderful!) Miraculously it was seasoned just right! Since Travis doesn't like fish I broiled him a thin cut TBone steak. I did not want to pay the price for a great big thick one and he did not need it!! OH - and we had stuffed baby eggplants, tomatoes and cantalope. To Travis' disgust I did not cook cornbread but told him ahead he could go to Traditions and get him some but he said no. The meal was topped off with Angel Food pound cake topped with fresh peaches and cream! I did not eat the cake and cream so I am thinking when I add the calories it will be a good thing!!
Mark's sermon was excellent yesterday even though parts of it made me sad! As you know Travis and I are getting older and when Mark said "GO do the things you've wanted to do -" don't wait until one of you dies and you have to go alone"; "Enjoy life while you can" and "Go have fun!" - I was struck with the thought that that is exactly what Travis and I are doing -- waiting for one to die. Every tme I go to Galveston or Dallas with my sister, Maura and Michelle - I see couples having lunch together, laughing and talking and I just want to scream and run out. Although I love the times my sister and I go places and we have a great time - envy rares its head and I can't help it. Unless it was a bank function - it has been almost a year since we even went out to dinner alone. My sister is always saying she and her husband are "slipping off for dinner or to eat" and that he is "demanding her for the day "- and if she only knew how I crave that!!! I love Michelle with all my heart but I also crave to be with my husband alone and play normal once in a while. It is harder to get away for even the weekend and by the time I arrange for Michelle to stay with someone and get someone to take care of the dogs - I am worn out but believe me - to me it would be worth it!! Oh well life hands us different challenges and with God's help we make it! WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT HIM THOUGH???
Ok - how about the recipe I created as I cooked my Okra and tomatoes?
OKRA AND TOMATO STEW
1 lb. fresh Okra - trimmed, cleaned and cut into thirds
1 onion (I used a small Noonday - it was so sweet and good )- chopped coursely
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced very fine
1 small bell pepper, slivered
1/2 tsp jalapeno, chopped finely (mine was very hot -- if not so hot use a lttle more to taste
5 fresh tomatoes cut into large chunks
Dash of red pepper flakes
Black pepper and salt to taste(about 1 Tbps. salt and at least 2 tsp. black pepper (Penzey's of course@
1 tsp. sugar
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 large non-stick skillet and lid
Heat olive oil and add onion and bell pepper. Saute until they are almost tender and add garlic. Almost immediately add Okra and about 2 cups very hot water. Cook until okra starts to feel tender when pierced with fork. Add tomatoes, and seasonings. Contine to cook until all is tender. You will probably need to add another couple of cups of Hot water! (Make sure it is HOT!) Just before serving - put about 1-1/2 tablespoons corn starch in a 1/2 cup ice cold water, stir and add to okra mixture for thickening and binding together. (You can use flour but it is fatening and corn start isn't! Ummmm good!!
Have you bought really fresh peaches yet? I mean the kind that was picked the morning you bought them!! My Mom and I went up to Rozell's nursery on the right just past the Airport on Hwy 64. Of course I zoomed right past it and had to tun around go and go back! They were $25.00 for a half bushel but my sister, Mom and I were sharing so that is not so bad. We got about 14 great big peaches a piece! They are just so good! Mom said today she saw them advertised in Gresham for $12.50 for a half gallon and the way Travis is going after them -- we may have to go again!!!
Tomorrow night I will tell you some secrets to broiling! If done correctly it really is a delicious and healthy way to cook!!
Have a great tomorrow - and are you looking for good things to do for others? I hope so!!
GOD BLESS!!!
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