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
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
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
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
Max and Prince join me in wishing everyone a Happy Passover, Good Friday and Happy Easter. We hope your holiday is filled with tons of new memories and wonderful times with the ones you love. Make it great!
Life is like a camera lens. Focus on what is important and you will capture it perfectly.
Live ~ Love ~ Laugh and always think Positive. ღ
I love this time of year when Passover and Easter fall at the same time. While some of us will be reading from the Haggadah at the Passover Seder others will be celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We certainly can't forget about all the ladies in their beautiful Easter bonnets and baskets of chocolate bunny's.
Yesterday morning I took my boyz to the vet for a check-up. From there we went to the kosher butcher to get everything I needed for my chicken soup. After all, you can't have Passover without chicken soup and matzah balls. When I returned home I couldn't find my chicken soup pot. I looked everywhere, but still no pot. Where could it be? It was making me crazy. I don't know about you, but I have one pot I use for chicken soup and felt lost. Did I need to make a police report? I was in too much pain from my spasms at that point and gave up looking. Went to my friends house for dinner and Dancing with the Stars and asked her if by chance I gave her my pot. Not thinking I did, because I really believed it was in my house. We looked thru a couple of places where she keeps her pots and there it was. I couldn't believe it. Oh the joy! Then I realized I made soup for Thanksgiving and brought it over in the pot and obviously left it there. The mystery was finally solved! Thank goodness!!!
Many years ago my mother taught me to make chicken soup. Even though I altered the recipe slightly to make it my own, the memories of my mother preparing for the Seder live forever deep in my heart. I remember how she told me you must use only a broiler chicken cut in 8ths. I never questioned what she told me since her soup was always delicious. So, like mother like daughter, I too use a broiler chicken cut in 8ths. My mother would be slaving away in the kitchen cooking up a storm when the door bell would ring. It was always flowers from my father. There wasn't a holiday that he didn't send her flowers. Her face would light up with excitement as if it was the first time she received flowers from this man. It's the little things that count. I really miss my parents, especially at the holidays, but am grateful for the memories.
ingredients:
1 large kosher broiler chicken in 8ths
5 large soup carrots, peeled and diced
1 head of celery, diced
1 large turnip, peeled and diced
2 large parsnips, peeled and diced
1 large onion, skinned and left whole
1 large leek, diced
2 bunches each of italian parsley and dill
kosher salt and pepper
directions:
Fill your soup pot slightly more than half way with water and bring to a boil. I can't give you measurements because I have my chicken soup pot that I use and never measure. While your water is coming to a boil prep your vegetables. I also put the diced leek in a strainer in a large bowl of water to soak all the dirt out. Prep your chicken on a separate cutting board and make sure there are no feathers in the skin. I have tweezers I use just for cleaning the chicken. When the water comes to a boil add 5 tablespoons of kosher salt. Add your chicken pieces followed by all your vegetables and some freshly ground pepper. Bring to a boil and skim away any froth.
Add the bouquets of parsley and dill.
Cover and simmer for 4 hours.
Turn off heat and let cool. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or until all the fat has risen to the top and it is a hard sheet. Remove all the fat, parsley and dill. Heat, taste for seasoning and enjoy!
Max and Prince waiting anxiously for the soup to be finished.
Gems might be precious, but friendships are priceless. Friends find the sweetest sense of happiness comes from simply being together.
Live~Love~Laugh and think always Positive.
Enjoy and Bon Appetit!
** the secret ingredient is lots of love
ღ
This weather has been so crazy ... one day it's 75 degrees and everyone is outside planting flowers and the next it's 30 degrees, windy and down right freezing. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some beautiful Spring weather.
It's been a long month of physical therapy, exercises and daily struggles with muscle spasm pain, so I haven't been doing much cooking. These spasms have a mind of their own, but I am determined to get my life back to what it was before my accident. Determination is half the battle ~ and my wonderful physical therapist is the icing on the cake. Thank you Lindsay for always reminding me to breathe thru the pain.
Last night I decided to have a few friends over for dinner and Dancing with the Stars. Everything is more enjoyable when shared with good friends and loveable pooches. I find cooking to be therapeutic and decided to push myself. The menu was simple and I gave myself all day to get things ready so I could rest in between. Guacamole, salsa and chips with cocktails, salad, chicken francese, rice, slow roasted tomatoes and sauteed baby spinach with shallots. You can't beat easy and delicious!
My mother was a professional ballroom dancer and would have loved this show!
After dinner we headed to the den to watch the show.
And to finish the evening we had some delicious strawberries and ice cream.
The big question is ... who will be sent home tonight. We'll find out soon.
Friends find the sweetest sense of happiness comes from simply being together.
** the secret ingredient is lots of
love ღ
