Happy New Year 2013!

 

 

May you always have enough happiness to keep you sweet,
Enough strength to keep you strong,
Enough success to keep you eager,
Enough faith to give you courage,
Enough determination to make every day a good day,
And, may good health always be your best friend.

From our kitchen to yours, we wish you a Happy & Healthy 2013!

Mushroom Barley Soup

The devastation of Hurricane Sandy is unprecedented. The other night I had Shabbat dinner with a friend who lost much of his home from the storm. To see his pain, broke my heart. Most of us lost power and have slept in the cold ~ some longer than others. What I can't take is the complaining. You have your life, a roof over your head, your belongings, etc. It's not comfortable, but it's not tragic either. Put it in perspective ...don't overthink what you can't control, let people help you, if you can help others ~ do it! and spread as much love as you can. You don't know how bad it can be until G-d forbid it happens to you. Let's not forget the people working day and night to restore power, feed the homeless, bury the dead, etc. People have seen things no one should ever see or experience. We need to come together and help each other at a time like this. People need love and kindness now more than ever.

 

Waking up on this Election Day to bitter cold weather and all I could think about are the people that still don't have electricity, heat and hot water. None of us thought Sandy would be as bad as it was, but now with a Nor’easter threatening tomorrow, more power outages and downed trees are in the forecast. It's almost too much to comprehend. When will this end?

 

It's the perfect weather for soup. After I returned from voting, I headed to the kitchen to cook up a pot of Mushroom Barley Soup and hope that some of my friends who are still without electricity, will either find their way here or I will go to them.

 

ingredients:
1 1/2 tbs olive oil
1 cup barley
1 onion chopped
2 carrots diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 lbs. mushrooms diced
2 1/2 32 oz.containers of Kitchen Basics Low Sodium Chicken Stock
1 or 2 cloves chopped garlic (optional)
1 tbs kosher salt
1/2 tbs pepper (to taste)

directions:
Clean and dice mushrooms. In a large non stick pan on medium to high heat add mushrooms constantly stirring (approx. 7 min.) Set on the side.

In your soup pot add over medium heat the oil, onoin, carrots, celery and garlic constantly stirring until the onions are translucent.

Add your two containers of chicken stock, mushrooms (with mushroom juice), barley, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil and reduce to low. Skim off the scum that rises to the surface with a metal spoon into a bowl. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until barley is tender. If the soup is too thick, add more chicken stock. Make it to your liking. Check for seasoning and serve with a piece of delicious bread and you're good to go.

G-d Bless everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy. Remain strong!


Enjoy and Bon Appetit!


** the secret ingredient is always lots of love ღ

 

 

Chicken Stuffed Peppers

It's been quite some time since I've been in the kitchen and I must admit, I've missed it. You know how it goes, sometimes life just gets in the way.  But I'm back and I'm kicking off my return to the kitchen with a comfort food I've been wanting to make for few weeks, Chicken Stuffed Peppers.

Stuffed Peppers has always been one of my favorite comfort foods.  Growing up my mother made them all the time, but she prepared them with green peppers and beef.  I changed it around a bit this time.  Of course you could use white rice instead of brown, if that's your preference, and you could use turkey or tofu instead of chicken.  There are so many options in cooking.  Just by adding or deleting seasonings, a dish can taste  completely different.  Experiment and have fun cooking.  You might create the best recipe of your life!

3 large red peppers
1 large shallot chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
3/4 lb. ground chicken
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tbs. canola oil
kosher salt and pepper

Prepare your peppers by cutting the tops off and removing the core and seeds. Wash and set aside.  In a large frying pan, heat the oil on low to medium heat.  Add the shallots and garlic and cook until translucent (2-3 minutes.)  Turn the heat up a notch and add the ground chicken, constantly stirring until it is no longer pink.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add the rice and 1/2 cup of marinara sauce to the mixture and stir.  In a medium size pot (you don't want too much free space) add the rest of your marinara sauce plus 1/4 cup of water. Then place your peppers in the pot and carefully fill the cavities with your chicken mixture. 

Bring to a slight boil and reduce the heat to low for 30-45 minutes. 

Spoon some of the sauce on top of the peppers and serve hot with a delicious bread to soak up the sauce.

My sweet adorable Prince is never far away. ღ

  Enjoy and Bon Appetit!


** the secret ingredient is always lots of love ღ

L'Shanah Tovah from our home to yours

Love, Strength, Happiness, Abundance, New dreams, Amusement, Health, Togetherness, Opportunities, Victories, Adventure, Humor ~ L'Shanah Tovah! May all these be yours in the coming year. To all our friends of the Jewish faith, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy, Healthy, Sweet and Peaceful New Year. And if you are not Jewish, we wish you the same because we love everyone. Love, Beth and Prince ღ

 

L'Shanah Tovah 5773 - L'השנה טובה 5773

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs & your stocks not fall.

May your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count & your mortgage interest not rise.

May you & your pets get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastroenterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber & the IRS.

May you find a way to travel from anywhere during rush hour in less than an hour & when you get there may you find a parking space.

May this Yom Tov find you seated around the dinner table surrounded by love with your beloved family & cherished friends ushering in the New Year ahead.

May what you see in the mirror delight you & what others see in you delight them.

May the telemarketers wait to make their sales call until you finish dinner.

May your checkbook & your budget balance & may they include generous amounts for charity.

May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your partner, friends, pets, children & parents.

May we live as intended in a world of peace with the awareness of the beauty in every sunset, every flowers unfolding petals, every baby's smile & every wonderful, astonishing & miraculous part of ourselves.

May we all be blessed with every happiness, great health, peace & much love during the next year & all those that follow.

 

 

** the secret ingredient is lots of love ღ

 

 

 

Remembering Julia Child ...

Today we remember Julia Child, an American icon, on what would have been her
100th Birthday.  We thank Julia for her creative inspiration, infectious enthusiasm
and love for food she brought into our lives and homes. Thanks for the memories.
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                                    
                                     

   

A friend of mine just mentioned she was going to watch the movie "Julie and Julia" today & I think I'm going to do the same.  It happens to be one of my favorite movies & could watch it over & over again.  In the voice of Julia Child "Bon Appétit"

** the secret ingredient is lots of love ღ
   

Friends and Jewish Penicillin

Hard to believe we're in July already.  Where has the time gone?   I hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous summer and that this heat wave we are experiencing is not hindering on your fun.  To the millions of people without electricity, you are in our thoughts and prayers.  Try and stay cool and hang in there.  Please be safe! 

This morning I called a dear friend and was shocked to find out he was recently in the hospital and had a heart procedure.  On one hand, I was glad to hear he was resting at home, but on the other hand he has to learn his limititations and stop pushing himself so much.  I love and care about you Ira and want to you to be well. 

When you're not feeling well the best remedy for the sick, and therefore good for the body is Chicken Soup, long known to many as Jewish Penicillin.  So once I heard he was back home and resting, I asked if he would like me to make him some soup.  The answer was "yes" which made my heart happy.  The only request was to not use any salt, which was easy enough.  And off to the the kosher butcher I went.

Since Max has been having some eating issues these days, I picked up a second chicken and made a second pot of soup for the boyz.

While the soups were simmering away and I was cleaning the kitchen, Max and Prince were taking their morning naps.

Somehow we are given the strength to do what we need to do when we need to do it.  There is nothing I wouldn't do for any of my friends.  Now it's my time to take a pill and join the boyz for some rest.

Gems might be precious, but friendships are priceless. 


Live~Love~Laugh and think always Positive! It's the only way.


** the secret ingredient is lots of love ღ

Memorial Day Thoughts ღ

To our brave military ...
Today, I salute you, I honor you, I celebrate you,
and most of all ... I THANK YOU! ღ

We remember the ones who died in service for our freedom and their families. ღ

Honey Balsamic Beans

It's been a while since I've blogged and I must say I've missed it.  This last month has been very up and down with my spasms, which has kept me out of the kitchen.  To me cooking is therapeutic, so I'm happy to get back in the kitchen doing what I love most.

After returning from physical therapy today, I decided to change that.  Here's a dish that's easy to prepare and oh so delicious.  Great as a side dish and fabulous for the vegetarian.  I recently served it at a birthday party and it was a huge hit.

Saute a chopped shallot and 2 cloves of minced garlic in olive oil on low heat.  Add a can of stewed tomatoes cut into small pieces with 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil.  Add a can each of drained white beans and chick peas, 2 tablespoons of honey and three tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, 2 sprigs of thyme, 4 tablespoons of chopped parsley and a half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you like it hot.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Check for seasoning, remove thyme sprigs and top with chopped parsley.  Remember we eat with our eyes first.

If you don't like shallots and/or garlic, leave it out.  That's the fun part of cooking.  
Adjust the ingredients to your liking.  Add, delete ... make it your own. 

Live this day and everyday with happiness and joy in your heart.  The past is over and the future is not guaranteed to anyone.  So why not make the most of today and get in the kitchen a create some great dishes. 

People will forget what you said.  People will forget what you did.  But people will never forget how you made them feel.  Great conversation and delicious food with the ones you love makes for some fantastic memories.

Max and Prince send everyone their love and kisses.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit!


** the secret ingredient is lots of love ღ

Passover Dinner with Friends and DWTS

Every Monday evening my friends and I get together for dinner and DWTS.  It's a great opportunity to chit chat, enjoy a cocktail or two with good friends, enjoy some delicious home cooking and of course watch a television show we all love.  Last night our group grew from four to ten.  The more the merrier! 

My daily struggles with muscle spasms continue, but thanks to my wonderful physical therapist, Lindsay, I think I'm starting to see some improvement.  Everyday is different, but I remain positive and determined to get my life back to where it was before my accident.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend a Seder this year, but G-d willing by this time next year I will be spasm~free. 

Friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe of life.  Our dinner menu was simple but well balanced ~ chicken soup with matza balls, tri color salad, roasted asparagus, stewed zucchini, roasted yukon gold and purple potatoes with shallots, onions and garlic, burgers and grilled chicken, some fruit, chocolates and toffee macaroons for Passover.  A huge thanks to Rene' for doing all the grilling.

I can't watch Dancing with the Stars without thinking of my mother, who was a professional ballroom dancer and how she would have loved this show.

When everyone went home, Max and Prince went right to bed.

So the question remains ... who will be going home tonight?


Life smiles upon those who smile at life.
Life without friendship is like the sky without sun.



** the secret ingredient is lots of love ღ