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| This homeowner in town made an awesome ice tree. |
Seriously, I am not whining considering the unbearable conditions that many have endured. Just emphasizing the need to hunker down and enjoy the fact that we did not have to be anywhere but tucked safely and warmly inside.
It seemed to be a good day to throw together a big pot of soup so I scrounged the freezer and the pantry for every vegetable suitable for the pot. I came up with sliced okra, butter beans, and a bag of mixed vegetables. The pantry yielded cans of diced chili-ready tomatoes, whole kernel corn, and green beans. The lovely jar of broth saved from the New Year's ham was just the ticket to add that needed "down South flavor." The DH here likes a meaty soup so I browned a pound of ground beef with diced onions, garlic, and bell pepper. The DH doesn't like to “see” okra in the soup so that meant a bit of prior boiling and “mashing” to disguise the dreaded vegetable. However, I maintain that okra adds a very important taste to the soup… so it is mashed and stashed underneath the remaining veggies! Into the pot it went to simmer away for a couple of hours or so.
So reading, a crochet project, a night at the local art's center crafting a cute snowman door hanger, and some quality kitchen time... that's how I spent my time this week. What about you? Hope you are all thawing out and are safe and warm!
It seemed to be a good day to throw together a big pot of soup so I scrounged the freezer and the pantry for every vegetable suitable for the pot. I came up with sliced okra, butter beans, and a bag of mixed vegetables. The pantry yielded cans of diced chili-ready tomatoes, whole kernel corn, and green beans. The lovely jar of broth saved from the New Year's ham was just the ticket to add that needed "down South flavor." The DH here likes a meaty soup so I browned a pound of ground beef with diced onions, garlic, and bell pepper. The DH doesn't like to “see” okra in the soup so that meant a bit of prior boiling and “mashing” to disguise the dreaded vegetable. However, I maintain that okra adds a very important taste to the soup… so it is mashed and stashed underneath the remaining veggies! Into the pot it went to simmer away for a couple of hours or so.
I could not bear to serve this wonderful concoction with a sandwich or cracker so out came the cast iron skillet and the cornmeal. Homemade cornbread from scratch was on the menu, too! A delicious meal with enough left over for later and the DH did the dishes...ahhh!
Happy Weekend!
That sounds (and looks) like a wonderful winter meal! It's fun to have a little change, right?
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed! I am learning to embrace the change of not having to be at work 10 hours a day! However, I admit ... I miss it! :-)
DeleteSusan, what a delicious way to warm up! That soup and cornbread is making my mouth water, and even though it's summer here, it's looking very tempting. Wondering if I'd have your success with the washing up too!
ReplyDeleteJane.. Hope you are basking in all sorts of Summer delights! Have been very lucky that almost 44 years ago I married a man who likes to do dishes. Do hope you get a helping hand now and again with kitchen duty. Thanks for stopping by! Happy 2014!
DeleteWith that ice tree in mind, I guess you really could get beautifully creative with water.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice winter meal.
RJ...so good of you to stop in. Yes, several neighbors and friends created quite a winter wonderland for their little ones to enjoy! Have enjoyed reading the posts about your new life in Portland. You are quite adventurous... I am awed by your courage and the moves you have made over the past few years. Best wishes for 2014 and thanks for sharing!
DeleteSusan, I love cornbread, but have not found a good recipe. Your cornbread looks delicious! Christa
ReplyDeleteChrista... I have had lots of practice! I learned to make cornbread muffins as a 5th grader in the 4-H Club and that was a very,very long time ago. My mama was a wonderful cook so I probably developed my recipe from watching from her. Not sure what brands y'all may have up there but Martha White and Aunt Jemima are both good. I get the cornmeal with buttermilk solids already added. For a large cast iron pan I just follow the package directions. The one deviation would be that I use real butter or butter-flavored Crisco. I melt enough to go in the recipe as well as enough to well grease the pan for baking. I also add the melted butter last to the cornbread mixture and pour into the hot frying pan. Then pop into a hot oven for about 20 minutes. Some like cornbread with a bit of sugar(similar to the boxed Jiffy Cornbread mix), but I do not add sugar. So now...is my further explanation clear as mud? :-)
DeleteThanks for the visit!
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ReplyDeleteDear Susan,
ReplyDeletea hot soup on a cold day is oh so delicious - and yours sound so very good. As a child I was no fan of soup - that has changed very much. I will try tu use okra in a soup (never did it - hope that here noone will complain about it). Good to hear that you were safe from too chilly temperatures. (In Berlin we still have a sort of strange spring temperatures - but that might change quickly).
Britta...soup day at school was always a favorite growing up....I think the main attraction was always the freshly baked, homemade peanut butter cookie that accompanied it! The weather has changed here from teen temperatures to 50 degrees warmer today, but very rainy with thunderstorms. A nice day to read and work on the scarf I am crocheting. Hope you had a good day! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteSusan, I mentioned your creation "daughter-in-love" two times in the comment of my last blog - people adore it and I want that you get the credit - first time I wrote only "Susan", second time I realized that I have very fascinating ladies - a Sue, a Suze, and two Susans - on my blog list, so I specified by naming your blog-title, too. Thank you - it is really great!
DeleteThank you, that is so kind of you! I wanted to call our dear Gwendolyn something besides "in-law" and "daughter-in-love" seemed the perfect sentiment. She adores our son and he her, so what could be better? When someone loves your child, you have to give them the respect and love due them...so I appreciate both my daughter- and son-in-love... both my children are very blessed to having such loving spouses!
DeleteI will have to put on a pot of soup tomorrow. You meal sounds delicious and would be just the thing for this rather drizzly winter day.
ReplyDeleteSoup seems to warm the body and the spirit on cold dreary days! Thanks for dropping by.
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