Lisa's World: Random Thoughts

Monday, December 12, 2011

Random Thoughts

I'm trying to rest my voice because I've been battling asthma and intermittent laryngitis. As a result I have all these random thoughts spinning round my brain trying to find a way out. Plus there's no one here to hear my thoughts anyway.. Let me rephrase, no human here. Sparky would listen to everything that I have to say. It just doesn't quite take the place of a pair of human ears. So, I've decided to blog my thoughts. It doesn't matter to me whether anyone reads them. Nonetheless, having them out of my brain is helpful, blogging serves this purpose. Here I go with my random thoughts:

I love coming home whether I'm driving up the road to my home, or coming home from a walk with Sparky. I love approaching my house and seeing the Christmas lights all lit up. I love seeing the clean, manicured yard and know that pleasant feeling I'm having at the sight of this view is a direct result of my work and doing. It's all mine. It's because of me and it belongs to me. Makes me smile.
While I'm trying to type this, the cat (Sterling) wants on my lap and of course on the key board I'm using. Sparky is watching, JEALOUS! I feel like I'm cheating on my lover. Sterling is on my lap and rubbing her face in mine. Sparky is glaring with a death stare. He then tries to get in my lap as well. Sterling lets him know that's not acceptable with a serious and fierce "mmeeeeeeoooooowwww" in a low drone. Finally, I have to upset her even more which pleases Sparky immensely. She needs to get off my lap so I can actually get these random thoughts out. She does, begrudgingly - but she does. Oh now, she's repaying me by sitting in front of me and grooming her arse. Spectacular.
I think I should be an author and write my living single combo cook book. I am cooking up a storm now. Just loving being in my kitchen. Still can't believe this is my home. I love this space. Cooking in it and filling it w/the smell of spices, and veggies frying and hearing the crackling of the butter and oil sparking in the pan is heavenly.
I wish someone were here to enjoy the lights and decorations with me.
I wish someone were here to have a gentle conversation by the fire while enjoying my roasted red pepper and squash soup.
Incidental , the soup or what's left of it will become roasted pepper pumpkin yam soup tomorrow. YUM!!

I know I have plenty more random thought rattling around the recesses of my mind but they have decided to take a nap now that I'm actually sitting here typing. Sterling (cat) on the other hand is rattling all around me and my lap trying to get my focus and hands off of the keyboard so SHE can occupy my lap and get my hand's attention rather than this rectangular distraction.

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Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1lb ground turkey
1 package taco seasoning
4 -5 tsp. chicken stock(or cans liquid)
2 beef boullions
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can sliced black olives
1 can diced jalepenos
1 can stewed tomatoes (or diced)
1/2 cup salsa
Cheddar cheese and sour cream

Brown turkey, drain grease. Add taco seasoning and 1 c. water. Stir. Transfer to large pot. Add appx. 6 cups water chicken boullion/stock, and beef boullion. Add beans, olives, jalepenos, tomatoes and bring to boil. Add salsa and lower heat to a simmer. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Smoky Barbecue Chili

(I'll add a photo in a couple of days after I've prepared it!)

2 C. yellow onion
6 Garlic Cloves
2 - 3 pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 - 3 New Mexican dried red chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 chopped seeded chipotle chiles canned in adobo sauce
2 Cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 TBLS canola oil
1 1/4 lbs top round, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/4 lbs boneless pork loin, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 3/4 C. no salt tomato puree
1/2 c. Water
2 TBLS dark brown sugar
2 TBLS cider vinegar
1 TBLS honey mustard
1 TBLS Worcestershire sauce
1 TBLS Molasses
1/2 tsp. salt
2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans rinsed and dried

1) Heat a large non-stick skillet over med/high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray or butter. Add onion & garlic. Saute 5 minutes. Add chiles, cook 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes (until chiles are tender). Cool slightly. Place 1/2 chile mixture in blender. Blend until smooth. (You may need to remove center piece of blender lid and cover with paper towel to allow steam to vent). Pour into bowl. Repeat and add to bowl.

2) Heat 1 1/2 tsp. of canolo oil over med. high heat. Add beef; cook 7 minutes or until browned. Remove from pan. Repeat process with pork. Add chile mixture and beef to pan. Stir in tomato puree and remaining ingredients except beans. Bring to boil. Partially cover. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hr. Stir occasionally. Stir in beans; cook 15 minutes.

(363 calories. 10g. fat. 38 gr. protein.) Serves 8.

Eat up Buttercup!

Pumpkin Soup Recipe

1 c. chopped onion, 1 C. celery, 1 C. apple(peeled & chopped), 2 tbs butter, 2 tsp curry powder. Saute in pan until veggies are soft. Add 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup pumpkin(mashed or canned). Cook on Med heat for about 5 - 8 minutes. Put into blender or food processor. Blend well. Add another 1/2 cup of mashed pumpkin. Puree until smooth. Put back into pan. Cook about 8 minutes over Med. heat. Add 1 bay leaf, salt/pepper, 2 tsp honey, 1/3 cup heavy cream. Simmer appx. 5 minutes. (while it's simmering, mix about 1 tbs taco/mexican seasoning in 1 cup sour cream. Chop Chives. Serve soup with a dollop of sour cream and chives. Very delicious!

Lisa's World

Monday, December 12, 2011

Random Thoughts

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