Posted on January 14th, 2009 by Pamela in Music, Recipes
I was gearing up to make a pot of Chili (Chris refers to as “meat stew” maybe because I don’t use enough Chili Peppers?), given the arctic cold front we are experiencing, but discovered I’m out of Chili Powder. Dang it! But as we all know from a previous post, I love the challenge of substituting in a pinch.
Instead… Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potato Medallions were on the menu! I snagged a random recipe off the internet that looked good, paired with some home made rolls I had baked in the afternoon to go with the original Chili idea.
The rolls, I adapted from a basic white bread recipe (such as the French bread one that I used for the wreaths) by substituting the last cup of flour with whole wheat flour, to incorporate more fiber (and to make Melissa proud!).
Sweet Potato Medallions are super easy, just slice up a sweet potato in rounds, toss in olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever herb/seasoning you prefer. Bake for 25 minutes at 425F turning over the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.
Sorry for the long delay in posting. Got a bit sick of food for a little while, right after the holidays. You understand I’m sure.
Starting this new year I’ve found myself a bit reflective, but mostly looking ahead to the next few months. The first thing I’m really looking forward to is my choir’s performance on Jan 31. The program is called “Journey Through Fire”, here are the details:
The Grand Philharmonic Youth and Children’s choirs, with the KW Symphony will be opening with a lament called “Threnody” by Canadian, R. Murray Schafer. Written in 1966 as an anti-war protest, the spoken text comes from children’s eye-witness accounts of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
Followed by ”The Armed Man:A Mass for Peace” by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins in memory of the victims of the Kosovo crisis. It will be performed by both the Adult, Youth choirs with the KW Symphony.
I’m especially looking forward to this because we will be featuring a special guest performance from our local Islamic community: Islamic call to prayer will be delivered by Alkan Mehmet, the muezzin at our local mosque in Waterloo. I can’t help but think that the timing is perfect given the recent violence in Gaza.
Posted on December 26th, 2008 by Pamela in Music, Recipes
I have a bit of a dislike for cilantro. It all started in Chile where I was served lentils with cilantro every day for dinner. I liked it at first but by the end of three weeks if I never met another Coriander plant again I definitely wouldn’t miss it.
Unfortunately I love guacamole, and it’s difficult to find it sans cilantro. So I’ve taken to making it myself on a regular basis. And why not? it’s healthy, it’s easy to make and the ingredients are available year round.
I don’t have an actual recipe, I just go with my gut (haha!).
2-4 ripe avocados cut into chunks
1 medium tomato chopped
1/2 small red onion chopped
juice of 1/2 to a whole lime
few shakes of hot sauce
salt and pepper to taste
mix it all together in a bowl and serve. I like to leave mine chunky instead of mashing the avocados until they’re smooth. Store leftovers in the fridge with plastic wrap in direct contact with the guac, otherwise it will turn brown.
I used to get out my grandmothers old Viking (Eton’s brand) record player, set it up in the dining room, and listen to records while I did my Christmas baking. By then there was mostly just base coming out of the speakers, which was great for playing my parent’s Bee Gee’s album.
In keeping with the season, here’s a Christmas album I love.
“I need music in my life. I need to make challenging, uplifting, wonderful choral music that feeds my soul, comforts my heart and transfixes and transforms me. Church music, while comforting, is not enough for me. I need to be a part of the grander choral scheme of things. I need Bach, Mozart, Estacio and yes, even Beethoven in my life.” – Lisa Macoll
This afternoon I had my nieces, Aislinn and Tara over to bake some Christmas Sugar Cookies. We all agree that stirring is very hard work. But is well rewarded by a good squishing of the fingers in a big bin of flour (or using the dough as playdough).
Sugar Cookies (from my mom’s recipe box):
1 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp Salt
Cream together shortening and sugar. Stir in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, tartar and salt. Mix together wet with dry, roll out on floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake 375F 8-10 minutes.
I usually decorate my sugar cookies with a few sprinkles but in our case, today we made up a glaze that I grabbed off the internet and had fun “colouring in” the shapes. Somehow the red and green for Christmas ended up pink and green.
When we were finished we crashed on the couch and watched Christmas movies.
Posted on December 4th, 2008 by Pamela in Music, nonsense
Since Chris and I have been together we have noticed a peculiar phenomenon when it comes to me and electronics. Every time I walk by I cause some sort of interference (we assume it’s all the space age titanium I’m loaded with). Seems to happen mostly with video but it will also occur with the internet. This was most apparent Tuesday night during a hockey game, when every time I walked by the cable box, the TV would scramble. Fortunately not during any crucial moments.
Posted on December 1st, 2008 by Pamela in Music, Recipes
I don’t know why, but I love sad music. I love to listen to it, sing it and altogether envelope myself in it. I don’t really know why, maybe it’s because I view it as being the most authentic. Some of the best of course, and one of my favorites to sing comes from Rachmaninov. It also seems appropriate to hear a something from his works when there is a good snow storm on.
In my opinion it’s best of you dim the lights and light a candle or two, drink Russian Tea.
Oh, and here’s the recipe for Russian Tea to keep you warm:
3/4 cup instant tea
1 cup tang
1cup instant lemonade
1/4 -1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
( mix together, then add a tbsp or so in a cup of boiling water)
Posted on November 26th, 2008 by Pamela in Music, Recipes
I was asked recently how I manage to cook and enjoy cooking so much without being able to stand for long periods of time. I like to think that I manage my time well, I pace myself and I plan out my meals so that I do the prep, rest for a hour and then cook later. Maybe I do sometimes but I think the secret to my success lies within being extremely unorganized about it. I’ll get something started, hit a road block because I discover that I’m out of a certain ingredient. Then spend at least half an hour on the couch with my laptop looking up the best substitute.
Today’s substitute: Bisquick Mix
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1tbsp shortening
(mix the dry, cut in the fat, store in the fridge and there you go)
Someday I dream of a kitchen where I can store everything at waist level, and where I can be supported by either a trapeze hanging from the ceiling (Mission Impossible style) or a stool with castors (much like the one I use at work). Until then, I’ll be adding vinegar to milk, breading chicken with Rice Krispys, and putting whipped cream in my coffee.
