Month: January 2007

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  • Asparagus Tarts

    NOTE: The following is not a confession of a fragile being. Under normal circumstances, life's crises are handled with goal-oriented rationale that would make any Asian parent proud. But I must confess to net friends and anonymous readers that may was not a good month. Topsy turvy is one way to put it. Though, it makes the last four weeks sound like a cutesy-kitsch carnival ride at the state fair when, really, it was akin to a gut-shifting roller coaster at Six Flags. Due to painful timing, there wasn't the obligatory mourning-unwinding-meditative-introspective-cathartic period to digest the experiences and as Bono and the boys so poetically put it, "walk on." So, I ran away for a weekend because I needed to "think things over." I worked crazy-hard in the office to focus on "what needed to get done," because there was so much to be done. I had mini anxiety attacks because I couldn't help it. None of these coping mechanisms really worked. But I went through them all the same.
    I hung out in my kitchen and made an asparagus tart because I was hungry.

    Queen of Twindom.


    ------------------------------------------
    Oh, Queen of  Twindom. post in comments.  As the VIrgin Queen of twindom, many years ago, I found that my twins often ignored me completly--reflect, your Highness, that the child becomes the woman,
    sends off missionary sons to Brazil and other distant climes--all the while ignoring her deposed queen, because independence is oh so much more fun. When did yourb onetime Queen last have the fun that it was her joy to give you?  The wicked witches of the West and North hold sway, and your adoring Queen, who people so often asked if she was your Mommy, what of her?

    Ketja

  • 4 pounds round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
    4 garlic cloves, minced
    1/4 cup cooking oil
    3 cups chopped onion
    2 3/4 cups water, divided
    2 cups sliced celery
    3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
    2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
    1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
    3 tablespoons chili powder
    2 teaspoons ground cumin
    2 teaspoons dried oregano
    1 teaspoon salt, optional
    1 teaspoon pepper
    1/4 cup all-purpose flour
    1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
    Shredded cheddar cheese
    sour cream
    sliced green onions
    sliced ripe olives

    In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute steak and garlic in oil until browned. Add onion; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups water and next nine ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 2 hours or until tender. Combine flour, cornmeal and remaining water; stir until smooth. Bring chili to a boil. Add flour mixture; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, onions and olives.

    serves 10

    Posted by HRH Queen of Twindom

    Now that's a Utah recipe, so I'll  let it go this time--but recipes should go in comments.  My five week hospital stay was miserable but truly spiced up by a visit from the youth of a central Utah clan and their chaparones and watch the other patients scatter in every direction.  Miss Utah  Wool growers of 1949.  She might have recognized some faces.  Grandma's best friend died about the same time as Kathleen--a flu like illness.  She was the midwife on the Lambing Ground--Ann Sudweeks.  Maybe her soul didn't want to stick around for the witch hunt.

    I am now assuming that you are my baby sister in twindom. If you remember the story about (presumably) our common father's fight for DDT--which left one inch of fly corpses on the porcelain of the John--
    I've wondered why a junior officer would be involved in this. The problem was war wide.  Those who joined up or stayed on after Hiroshima, and down winders like me were exposed to radiation. Dad  missed this in active duty and picked it up in Utah.

    There were many, many, tropical diseases in the Burma Theatre and the men who were in Japanese Camps had them all, plus malnutrition,
    In The Bridge on the River Quai there is a man in the infirmary who the doctor won't let out until a scratch on his arm heals.  Sick men are meanwhile being released for work.  The Doctor says he's likely to keel over and die if he lets him iut early--he's seen it before.

    Well--now you know.  Was I your Queen Sister in Twindom or, a sister-in-law.  The one with the twin husband and sons?
    I am dying of curiousity--sounds better than a rotting kidney. 
    Any more recipes?

    K.