Monday, February 28, 2011

The Hip Subscription: Meat & Bread. Need we say more?

The Hip Subscription: Meat & Bread. Need we say more?: "If you're like us and like both meat and bread, especially together, then you must make your way to Meat & Bread in Gastown. The r..."

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Beef Barley Soup and more

Beef Barley Soup
Will this snow day ever end? We are still experiencing much to much hail, sleet and freezing rain for my liking. I haven't seen a blade of grass in a week. I'm having to hand pick periwinkle leaves for my hens as they demand their healthy greens as well. So, soup has been on the menu this week. I have made Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Vita-Mix (if you don't have a Vita-Mix yet, this soup alone is worth the price tag!), Italian Sausage and Kale Soup (even better than Olive Garden) and Beef Barley Soup. My favorite is the Tortilla Soup. It comes together in under 10 minutes and tastes as though I had been slaving for hours in the kitchen. I just need a mariachi band playing in the background. Ole. Would you like the recipe? I'll post it today.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Snow Day February...need hot food!

I'm a little old for school but love the 'snow day' idea. However, as the snowdrops and crocus come into bloom I am less than enthusiastic about the white coating covering everything outside. The chickens are eyeballing the heavens with dislike as well. They hide under the bamboo and dash for the warm water bucket occasionally. It's bitterly cold outside as I dig for small clumps of grass to feed the girls.
I'm thankful I cooked up a big pot of spaghetti sauce last night. Not my usual sauce loaded with cumin and cinnamon but my brother-in-laws sauce with pork and beef cubed and simmered for 6 hours in tomatoes, spiced with oregano, garlic, onion and bay leaves. I tossed in chili flakes and basil with some fresh parsley. If I added beans it could be served over rice but I will likely serve with pasta and garlic bread. Oh wait, I have garlic naan so will use that. How international! Smells wonderful as I enter the house after being in the frigid cold yard. Actually, once inside again, I can appreciate how lovely falling snow really is.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Where Have I Been?

Well, it's been a while. I have continued baking and cooking and living, But alas, I have not been faithful to my blog. That is about to change! I am back. Committed! My exercise regime is on track, family is well looked after, so no more excuses.
Random note, are you watching Nikita? I love that woman. Are you watching the News, unsettling, troublesome News. Are you putting together food storage as the prices climb into the stratosphere? I have begun to stock some staples, I think it's time.
Do you recall that I have chickens? I lost my wonderful Golden Laced Wyandotte to a hungry coyote. I swear it was a timber wolf, even though the local forestry service said they are rare here. It was too big for a coyote and I was only several feet away from it. Sometimes the circle of life is depressing, especially when the chickens you have are really more like pets. Funny that my Black Australorp chicken turned out to be a rooster and I returned him to my supplier and traded for a sweet female. I receive, amid proud noise and honking, 3 eggs most days. I miss my hen turned rooster but the neighbors are so close they surely would have been annoyed. I love all the new by-laws allowing city chicks.