A Soup-er Kind of Saturday

 

I was looking for a quick soup recipe to keep me warm today. How about a bowl of Zesty Bean Pasole ?

 The Pantry Raid recipe is in the December issue of Better Homes and Garden. Click HERE to see recipe. Most of the ingredients come from jars and canned items from your pantry shelf.

 

I did add a few other ingredients that were fresh..like parsley, bits of shredded cooked chicken, and, a little cumin.

Bundle up this week end. It will remain cold here in Texas.

Meggie

Looks Like a Pub to Me

Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

At the moment, this is my favorite place to eat....the tortillas are hand made in the restaurant's kitchen. Everything is prepared from scratch.

Click on Photo

My plate includes the Quesadillas, charro beans, guacamole, pica de gallo, sour cream, and Hispanic rice.  Quesadillas can be made with meat or vegetables, like spinach, along with cheese.

The establishment is called a "Restaurant and Grill". Wine and beer may be served with your meal. There is a guitarist playing music in the evenings. I think it has the feeling of a Pub.

Usually I arrive in mid-afternoon, on Saturday, after the lunch rush is over. The owner knows me by name, expecting me to come this time of day. It is one of the beauties of small town living.

My favorite table by the door....

Still warm with a sprinkling of cinnamon....

Click on the link below to read a short history of the Sopapillas

I couldn't resist, when the owner of the restaurant offered to make Sopapillas for dessert. I asked her to put them in a to-go-box. But, first I had to sample them. Look how light and flaky they are. You drizzle honey over the top, and take a bite.

Wish you could join me next Saturday for afternoon lunch !

Meggie Mac

All Day Gardening

Somewhere between last Friday and this week, the Texas Mountain Laurel  decided to bloom. Look out, there's a bee!

The mountain laurel came with the purchase of the farm. My farm had been abandoned for over 15 years. So, I believe any plant that survived , on it's own that long, deserves to continue to grow.

It is too close to the back door of the farmhouse and the trunk of the shrub is gnarled. Once a year, it blooms these incredible violet flowers. You can see the Cowgirl Room in the background, with the cedar stepping stones  leading to the door.

I found one lone seed pod still holding on. The seeds, two in a pod, are very hard and must be scored to make them sprout.

Friday began with a 7am trip to the local discount store in town. I bought 20 bags of pine bark mulch for the garden beds.  It is less expensive to have it delivered in bulk, but the bags are easier for me to handle. When you work alone, you must take your back into consideration.

After unloading the truck, I trimmed some shrubs at the back of the farmhouse.

Finally, I made the decision to prune back the roses that were already showing blooms.

The potatoes are just beginning to break the ground. I added sand to this soil to make it loose for planting potatoes and carrots.

The first fruit tree I planted 12 years ago, is beginning to bloom for this year's fruit. It almost didn't survive the drought from last year. The plums make the best plum preserves that I usually give as Christmas gifts.

The wild dewberries are about to bloom. They produce a small red berry that also makes wonderful jam or dewberry muffins.

When the day was over, and a much needed shower taken, it was time to think about dinner. Nothing fancy and certainly nothing that would require much preparation....onions, orange bell peppers, zucchini, and sausage.

Adding some potatoes, I have dinner.

And last, the chore of washing today's dishes.

I think I'm tired....

Meggie Mac

The Rules Have Changed

Lunch at Noon? Dinner at 6pm?

There was a time when this was the rule. My family was young and I had a mealtime schedule. But, the family grew up and moved away. Now there are no rules or weekly menus posted on the fridge.

Cooking for one is very flexible....

I will start with a trip to the kitchen garden  and pick some winter greens for a salad.

How about a pot of "quick" soup?

I keep it simple for today's lunch, using whatever looks interesting in the fridge. I have some leftover breakfast sausage, red and orange bell peppers, and a small onion that I saute in a little butter. Using a can of black beans, rinse the liquid off. I add the beans to the mix and continue to cook for a few more minutes. Sprinkle in a little flour. Continue to stir while adding a can of chicken broth and 1 cup of water.

A handful of pasta swirls will make it more filling.

This is what you have for lunch when you can break the rules....

Meggie Mac

From My Kitchen....

You get the tea ready and I will bring the brownies.....

Happy Sunday!
Meggie Mac

Look What's on the Lunch Menu

I'm just trying to tempt you. Homemade wheat bread and homemade wieners....
How about joining me for lunch today?

The $3.25 per pound wieners (maybe, you call them frankfurters) are not like the ones made commercially. The quality and taste are more like an expensive sausage.



It is a short drive from the farm to a small community of families whose ancestors are German and Czech.  It is not uncommon to be able to buy homemade bread at the same place you purchase gasoline for your truck or auto. The city market has meat that is grown locally, along with these wonderful wieners made from his grandmother's recipe. With this heritage so prevalent in town, homemade noodles and kolaches are available every day in the local bakery.

Also included in my lunch for today, are fresh pickled carrots and cucumbers made by yours' truly.

 I used 2 re-cycled jars a friend was happy to give me.

Lunch would not be complete without a serving of kolaches for dessert.

So, if it's too late for today's lunch,  tomorrow will be fine too!

Meggie Mac