Category: MISC

BEEF BARLEY PASTA SOUP

3 tablespoons butter
1 pound stew meat, in 1/2 inch pieces
flour
1 large carrot, diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 teaspoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup barley
1 cup pasta
1 cup White Grenache Wine
1-28 ounce cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
4-14 ounce cans beef broth*
salt and pepper to taste

  • Over low heat melt the butter.
  • Stir in carrots and saute until soft. 
  • Add onions and garlic sauteing until fragrant.
  • Dredge beef pieces in flour.
  • Add beef to pan and saute’ until beef pieces are browned.
  • Add the wine and simmer 10-15 minutes. 
  • Add the tomatoes and broth. Stir well and simmer 1 hour or more.
  • Add the barley  during the last hour and simmer slow.
  • Add the pasta during the last 15 minutes.

*or make your own with 4 1/2 cups hot water and 3 teaspoons vegetable or beef bouillon.

CHICKEN ADOBO – MEXICAN PHILIPINO CROSS – CHICKEN ADOBO ala TAMY

When  you look up recipes for Chicken Adobo ou have to choose between either a Phillipino recipe or a Mexican recipe.  I couldn’t choose so I decided to combine my favorite ingredients from each of them and make my own recipe.

Chicken Adobo
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  3tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced VERY thin
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 tablespoon achiote seeds
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cover achiote seeds with boiling water. 
  • Cover and set aside overnight. 
  • Drain seeds discarding water.
  • Place seeds, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne, paprika, cinnamon, honey, salt, pepper and garlic in a food processor. Grind until well blended.
  • In a large wok or skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on one side until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and sear the other side for another 5 minutes.  
  • Add the onions over the chicken.
  • Pour the seed mixture over chicken and heat through.
  • Serve hot over rice and vegetable sides. 

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons cocoa
2 large eggs
1 (12 oz) bag semi sweet chocolate chips

  • Preheat oven to 375F.  
  • Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together butter and peanut butter until well blended.
  • Add sugar and brown sugar and cream well.
  • Gradually beat in flour mixture.
  • Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Drop dough from rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheets.
  • Bake 10-13 minutes.
  • Allow cookies o cool on the sheet for 2 minutes.
  • Remove cookies to a cooling rack. 

    Roasted Banana Pudding

    Roasted Banana Pudding 
    5 ripe unpeeled medium bananas (about 2 pounds)
    2 cups half-n-half
    2/3 cup sugar, divided
    2 tablespoons cornstarch
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    2 large eggs
    1 tablespoon butter
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided
    45-55 vanilla wafers, divided
    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Place bananas on a jelly-roll pan covered with parchment paper.
    • Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
    • Remove 2 bananas; cool completely.
    • Peel and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
    • Bake the remaining 3 bananas at 350° for an additional 20 minutes.
    • Carefully peel and place the 3 bananas in a small bowl, and mash with a fork until smooth. *The original recipe calls for 3 sliced bananas and 2 mashed bananas. If you want more banana pieces in your pudding you may want to do this.
    • Combine half-n-half and 1/3 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer (do not boil).
    • Combine remaining 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, salt, and eggs in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk.
    • Slowly add hot half-n-half mixture to sugar mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. It’s very important that you mix these together very slowly and stir constantly. If the hot mixture is added too quickly it can cook the eggs! So take it slow and don’t stop whisking!
    • Return this combined mixture to pan.
    • Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 3 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
    • Add mashed bananas, butter, and vanilla, stirring until butter melts.
    • Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl for 15 minutes or until mixture comes to room temperature, stirring occasionally. If you don’t have a large enough bowl, fill the bottom of your sink with ice.
    • Fold half of whipped topping into pudding.
    • Spread 1/2 of the custard evenly over the bottom of an 8x 8-inch baking dish. Top evenly with vanilla wafers and half of the banana slices.
    • Spoon remaining custard over banana slices.
    • Repeat procedure with vanilla wafers, banana slices.
    • Spread remaining half of whipped topping evenly over top.
    • Crush several wafers; sprinkle over top of whipped topping.
    • Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

    I’M A KEPT WOMAN

    My mom sent me this recently and oh how true it is!!


    I Am a ‘Kept‘ Woman

    You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

    There were times when I thought I could go no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

    At times, I’ve wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

    Sometimes, I think the money just isn’t enough, But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc…, (Matt. 6:25 -34)

    When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

    I could go on and on and on, but I’m sure you hear me! I’m blessed to be ‘kept‘.

    I’m “Kept” by the Love and Grace of God

    God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED,…. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

    Peace Be With You Throughout Your Day!

    POLITICALLY INCORRECT but OH SO FUNNY!!

    Nativity scene in the nation’s capital this season. The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in the United States Capital this Christmas season. This isn’t for any religious reason. They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in the Nation’s Capitol. A search for a Virgin continues. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.