How did we not realize before that this was the reason for all the delays and complications?
(ht: Sunil)
one more just for fun January 31, 2010
I call this one chicken stewli ’cause it’s not really a stew and it’s not really chili. But it is alllllll good.
Chicken Stewli
butter
olive oil
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken pieces (white or dark)
salt
pepper
chili powder
2 large onions, chopped
garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 c flour
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. half and half
dash Tabasco
ground cumin
32 oz canned white beans, drained and rinsed
canned mild green chilies, drained and chopped (substitute jalapenos if necessary)
In a dutch oven large enough to hold everything, heat a few tablespoons each of olive oil and butter. Season the chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Don’t be timid. 
Sear on both sides, reduce heat, and continue to cook until just cooked through. (Don’t overcook at this point, or the chicken will be tough later.) Remove from the pan and allow to sit for at least ten minutes.
In the same pot, add a few more tables spoons of butter and the onions. Sweat until soft. Meanwhile, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add garlic and cook uncovered at medium heat until garlic is soft but not browned. Remove from pan.
Add 6 tbsps of butter and melt. Whisk in flour and cook for three or four minutes. Stir in onions and garlic. While whisking, add 1 cup broth and all the half and half. (Add to taste: more half and half for a creamier, richer dish; more broth for a thinner, lower-fat soup.) Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and bubbly. Add more broth as needed to bring the thickened mixture to your desired consistency.
Add cumin, tabasco sauce, beans, chilies, and chicken and heat through. Taste for salt and heat and add more salt and chili powder if needed. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, tortilla chips, fresh tomatoes, avocado slices, etc.
(adapted from: http://www.karenceliafox.com/Eating/recipe_whitechili.htm)
Presbyterian Pot Roast January 31, 2010
This dish is amazingly warm and hearty and comforting. Perfect for a snow day at home.
Presbyterian Pot Roast
beef roast
salt
pepper
hot hungarian paprika
cinnamon
ginger
garlic
onion
bay leaf
cloves
bottle of red wine
big can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
carrots
celery
Put the beef in a large oven-safe dish. (I used a dutch oven.) Sprinkle well with salt and pepper. Add paprika to taste and a dash of cinnamon. Toss in onion and garlic (large chunks are fine), bay leaf, and two whole cloves. Pour wine over all. (Use something drinkable, but don’t waste money on this. Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s works beautifully. Also, if you don’t like the acidity of that much wine or if you want to have some wine left to drink with dinner, cut it half and half with beef stock.)
Roast covered at 250 for four hours.
Uncover. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Pour crushed tomatoes over all. (Definitely use a good brand of tomatoes; the wine is already acidic, and you need a sweeter tomato to balance that out. I use Glen Muir.) Roast uncovered at 325 for another hour. Sauce should be thick, rich, and bubbly.
Chop carrots and celery into whatever size you like to eat. Add to the pot and roast at 375 until veggies are tender. (You could add potatoes at this point if you wanted to make it a stand-alone dish, but be sure to add more salt and more liquid to compensate for what the potatoes will absorb.)
Serve over brown rice.
(Adapted from http://www.cooking.com/Recipes-and-More/recipes/Braised-Beef-in-Red-Wine-recipe-469.aspx.)
My hubby is fantastic! December 18, 2009
It is my aim and goal today to tell everyone I know how great my hubby is. For the last three days, he has devoted every night after work to helping me clean the house for a party. Parties aren’t his thing. But he has cheerfully (mostly 
) worked long and hard to help me get ready for it.
I love you hubby!! Thanks for being so great.
Cloud brain needed! December 9, 2009
We’re trying to name a new program at work in which we provide space heaters to low income clients so they don’t freeze to death this winter.
Suggestions….?
And the results are in… December 4, 2009
A big heartfelt “thanks!” to everyone who took the survey I sent out for my statistics class. If you’re interested in the results, you can find them here. It’s not as fun to read as the survey was to take, so when your eyes start glazing over, don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Mental health November 20, 2009
In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted. ~Bertrand Russell
music manager October 28, 2009
OK, I’m taking a poll…
What software do you use to manage your digital music files? Windows Media Player just is not as smart or as easy as I would like it to be, and I’m looking for something else. I need something that will be easy to sync with my phone/mp3 player.
No missed chances October 22, 2009
I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good that I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn
