Stuffing Mediterranean Style

Is it stuffing or is it dressing? Well, that can be a complicated answer. It is actually called both. Sometimes it is a regional difference, at least here in the United States. If you live in the South, you probably call it dressing. Northerners refer to it as stuffing and it is fair game for everyone in between. But it is also called stuffing or dressing depending on whether you cook it in the bird (or other meat) or if you cook it separately. I prefer to cook the dressing outside of the bird, but then it really depends on what I am cooking too. For Thanksgiving, I cook the dressing (although I usually call it stuffing) separately. When I make stuffed chicken or pork chops, I usually cook it in the meat. I think it is because the cooking times are much shorter, so everything cooks more evenly. A turkey takes a lot longer to cook, and if you cook the stuffing inside the turkey, often times, either the stuffing or the turkey do not cook evenly, which causes a whole host of other problems, including health risks.

What is stuffing or dressing? It is a starch based dish most often made with bread as the main ingredient, and anything and everything you would like to include as minor ingredients. Most stuffings are bread based, although you can also make them with potatoes, rice or other grains too. I make many different kinds of stuffings. Just like with everything else I make, it just kind of depends on my mood at the time. This time, for part of our Thanksgiving feast I decided to make a Mediterranean style stuffing, using artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil. Our Thanksgiving Feast

I apologize, I didn’t take nearly as many pictures as I usually do. I had a lot on my plate, both literally and figuratively. 🙂

Mediterranean Style Stuffing with Artichoke Hearts and Sundried Tomatoes

I lb or about 10 cups of day-old or dried bread, cubed

1 large red onion, diced fine

2 TBSP garlic

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil

1 10-oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup fresh basil, chiffonade or cut into very thin strips

1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano cheese

salt & pepper to taste

1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups chicken or turkey broth

olive oil for cooking

Preheat the oven to 350* F or 170* C.

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix the bread, Parmigiano cheese, basil, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper together and set aside.

Cook the onions for about 5 minutes first, in the olive oil, then add the garlic and cook for about 1-2 more minutes.

Then add the artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Combine everything together with the bread mixture and toss everything together well.

Lightly beat the eggs and mix in with the wine. Pour them into the bread mixture, along with about 1/2 of the stock and mix well. Evenly spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Firmly press the mixture into the pan. Pour the rest of the stock on top of the dressing and press again, making sure everything has been saturated with the stock.

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about an hour or until the stuffing is hot throughout. If you like a little bit of a crust to your stuffing, uncover for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time.

You can serve this with just about anything. Stuffing is always a great side dish, no matter what you choose to serve it with. It will always be a well-loved dish for any occasion.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Our Thanksgiving Feast

I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving had a a good one. We sure did. I have been busy cooking and cleaning for the past two days, pretty much non-stop, making sure the house was clean and all our guests had a delicious food and a great time. As usual, it was a major success. After our big meal, we all played a couple of rounds of Apples to Apples before our guests left. Then it was time for Larry and I to clean everything up.

The tables are set and ready for our guests to arrive.

Before the main dishes came out, we munched on some appetizers and starters. I prepared some spiced nuts and a relish tray. I knew my friend Marianne was bringing appetizers, so I kept it light. What I didn’t realize though, was that she was going to bring so many appetizers. But everything was very good. Needless to say, we hardly made a dent on the appetizers before starting on the main meal.

I cooked all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Larry smoked a turkey, as well as some ribs and a pork shoulder. His turkey was good, but maybe I am just a traditionalist. I prefer it roasted in the oven. The smoked turkey just wasn’t as juicy as it is when in I roast it in the oven.

I made an artichoke and sundried tomato stuffing or dressing. The main difference between a dressing and a stuffing is that the dressing is cooked separately and the stuffing is cooked inside the bird. It is usually healthier to cook them separately; less likely for cross contaminating the foods and it ensures everything cooks properly and completely.

Of course, there were mashed potatoes, a steamed medley of winter vegetables, rolls and cranberry relish too. My friend Suzanne brought some roasted sweet potatoes. I didn’t get any pictures of any of these dishes, but trust me, our table was full. I guarantee, none of us left the table hungry. Our tummies were very full and very satisfied.

Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be complete without desserts. Instead of a traditional pumpkin pie I made a pumpkin chiffon pie this year. It was a big hit.

I also made a rustic apple and almond tart that was just perfect with ice cream. This too was very popular.

I don’t have to cook anything for pretty much most of the week now. The recipes for my dishes will be coming later.

We continued the tradition of visiting InVINtions for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This year though, instead of going in our pajamas, they had a wine monopoly game or wineopoly, which was a lot of fun. Because of the restrictions in place, not as many people could enjoy the indoor festivities at the same time. So they had separate tables of wineopoly games set up around and tables set up outside where we could enjoy our favorite libations and nibblies after the game. We took some of our leftover nibblies from last night to munch on. They went perfectly with a glass of wine.

I hope you all had an enjoyable and safe holiday. Thanksgiving is always my favorite holiday because it is all about family, spending time with loved ones and being thankful for what we have. I know I most definitely have a lot to be thankful for too.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, which occurs on the fourth Thursday in November, is based on the colonial Pilgrims’ 1621 harvest meal. The holiday continues to be a day for Americans to gather for a day of feasting, football and family, with the emphasis on FAMILY. In Today’s chaos and craziness, it is important to remember FAMILY and giving thanks for what we have are the reasons why we celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Stay healthy and stay safe.

Nature Walks – Walking in a Winter Wonderland

When we went to bed last night, there was no snow. When we woke up this morning, we were blanketed in about 5-6 inches of thick white snow. It’s so beautiful. It truly is a winter wonderland. I was going to be adventurous and do my normal walk, trudging through the snow the whole way. But after walking around just one lake, I had had enough adventure for the day. I did get some great shots though, which made it all worth while.

Look at all the birds high up in the tree. I think they are common sparrows.

This is my house and my view.

All the shovelers and snow plows are out, trying to clear the roads and walkways. It was much more fun to trudge through the snow without them being cleared though.

I am definitely enjoying it while I can for tomorrow, it could all be gone. That’s usually how it works here in Colorado; here today, gone tomorrow.

Happy early Thanksgiving. Stay safe and stay well Everyone.

I’ll Have Some Peas Please

I know I am a very strange person, some would argue in many ways too. Right now though, I am only talking about my love of peas. There is not nearly enough time to discuss all my other strange ways. 🙂

I have always LOVED peas. I could easily eat a pound of cooked peas with butter and salt and be a very happy camper. I remember one time my parents and I had gone out to a fancy restaurant when I was just a little thing, and all I wanted was a big bowl of buttered peas. The waiter looked at me in total surprise and shock. I just can’t understand why so many people have such an aversion to them and hate them so much.

The pea is most commonly the small spherical seed or the seed-pod of the pod fruit Pisum sativum. Each pod contains several peas, which can be green or yellow. Botanically, pea pods are fruit, since they contain seeds and develop from the ovary of a flower. Peas are members of the legume family and are very healthy and nutritious. One cup of boiled green peas has 46% of your RDA of vitamin K-1, known for maintaining bone health and helping blood to clot to prevent bleeding. Peas are high in fiber and low in fat and contain no cholesterol. Plus, they’re a good source of vegetable protein. A type of legume, peas grow inside long, plump pods. As is the case with all types of legume, their sugars start to turn to starch as shortly after they’re picked, so they are best eaten just-picked. Frozen peas are put on ice very soon after being picked (within three hours) and the flavor can be superior to that of fresh peas harvested a couple of days previously. Peas are best when they are fresh, but most of us pea lovers who live in urban areas eat frozen peas, which we can get year round. But if buying them fresh, pea season is from May-November.

Peas and Pea Pods

There are three common types of peas, the English peas, also known as shelling peas, where the edible peas are found on the inside of the pods and the pods are inedible; snow peas, which are flat pods with smaller peas inside and you eat the whole thing, pod and all; and snap peas that are a combination of both the English peas and snap peas. Their pods are tender and edible and the peas inside the pod are larger, full sized peas. My favorites are the English peas, (maybe that is just the Aussie in me) although I love them all.

We hadn’t had any fish for awhile, and I took some cod out of the freezer. Larry said he wanted fish & chips, which I am always up for. Well peas and fish & chips just go together beautifully, and we haven’t had any peas in quite awhile either. So I knew peas were going to be served up alongside the fish & chips, though I wanted something a little different than just plain peas. As I was looking through my library collection of cookbooks, I was really surprised to see that in all my vegetarian/vegan cookbooks, there were NO recipes for peas. WHAT????? Do vegetarians and vegans NOT eat peas? I was shocked at this, considering how healthy they are. Finally though, I did find a really good recipe that actually was already paired up with cod. It was just meant to be.

I made an herbed pea relish. The recipe called for fresh oregano, but maybe because it is Thanksgiving, I could not find fresh oregano anywhere. That’s OK. That is exactly why I always have a wide array of dried herbs in my pantry. Dried herbs work just as well as fresh herbs.

Herbed Pea Relish

2 cups frozen green peas

1 1/2 TBSP fresh oregano, chopped or about 1 TBSP of dried oregano

1 large shallot, minced

2 TBPS capers

2 TBSP lime juice

2 TBSP olive oil

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together, except the peas. The cook it all in a hot skillet for about 7-10 minutes, or until the peas are completely cooked.

As the peas are cooking, in a separate skillet, in hot oil, cook your battered fish and cook your chips. We cook our chips in a deep fryer.

When everything is cooked, it is time to serve it up. Spoon the pea relish over the fried cod and sit down to a proper British meal. I served it with a dry viognier on the side to complete the meal. Cheers and Bon Appetit!

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Nature Walks – Out in the Fields

It was yet another gorgeous, sunny day, and it was also a good day to take Vinnie for a nice long walk around the lakes and through the fields. At first, we didn’t see too much. It was very quiet around the lakes, although I was able to get a couple of good shots of a lone female mallard. She was posing so prettily for the camera too.

But once we got out into the open space and the fielded areas, it was a different story. The prairie dogs were out by the droves, just running all around enjoying themselves. Many of them were also in their holes, on the lookout for the big scary brown and white wolf on the loose. We even saw a coyote way off in the distance, but he was too far away and I could not get a good shot of him.

As we were out walking about, we came across this pretty picture of the fields. It was just out there in the open, for everyone to see and enjoy.

I was also able to catch a few good shots of some new feathered friends too. This is a Northern Flicker.

This Cassin’s Finch was perched on my roof, right outside my office window. At first there were four of them, all lined up in a row, but I was only lucky enough to capture this one.

No matter what we see on our walk-abouts though, two of my favorite wild things are always Vinnie and the Daddy Dog, Larry.

Enjoy the sunshine and enjoy your days. Life is short. Take it all in and appreciate all the beauty around you.

Pumpkin Fries with a Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce

It’s pumpkin season, and I love pumpkins, so I am always looking for new and creative ways to prepare them. I came across this recipe for pumpkin fries and just had to try them. I know what you’re thinking … Pumpkin fries? WHAT????? But trust me, they are very tasty, and this sauce just really makes the flavors pop and come to life. Most Americans think pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice, especially for lattes, when they hear the word pumpkin, but pumpkins can be used for oh so much more. There really is no limit to how they can be used and cooked.

Pumpkin and squash are all part of the same family, and in many countries around the world, the two are interchangeable. A pumpkin is a cultivar of winter squash that is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and is most often deep yellow to orange in coloration. The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. The name is most commonly used for cultivars of Cucurbita pepo, but some cultivars of Cucurbita maxima, C. argyrosperma, and C. Is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? A pumpkin, from a botanist’s perspective, is a fruit because it’s a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, flowers, and tubers. So, a pumpkin is really a bit of both. They are also very healthy, high in fiber and low in calories too. Plus, they are absolutely delicious.

Pumpkin Fries with Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce

Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 TBSP yellow mustard

1 1/2 TBSP honey

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp chocolate chili powder, optional

Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

The Pumpkin

1 small pumpkin, peeled and sliced

2 TBSP olive oil

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 350* F or 180* C,

Spray cooking spray into a baking pan.

Mix all the spics and olive oil together then toss with the pumpkin slices until they are all thoroughly coated.

Spread the pumpkin slices in a single layer in the baking pan and roast for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are just tender. Make sure to stir them occasionally while they are cooking.

When you are ready to eat them, serve them with the mustard sauce on the side.

I served my pumpkin fries with a roasted medley of winter vegetables and my marinated beef roast to make for a perfect wintery meal. Marinating the Beef Roast

This sauce is so good. I have plenty left over, so don’t be surprised to see some more creative recipes coming your way to use this sauce. It would go very well with chicken or pork too, or even as a spread for sandwiches too.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Natures Walks – Birds, Bunnies, Squirrels and a Puma and a Panther

When we go walk-about, we just never know what we’re going to see. Sometimes, we see a whole bunch of stuff, and other times, nothing. But today, we saw a lot and even met 3 “new feathered friends”.

I saw a Harris sparrow, hanging out on the willows.

A Clark’s Nutcracker playing on the rocks.

But my favorite new friend that I met today was a beautiful American Kestrel. Isn’t he just gorgeous?

We saw a couple of bunnies who were trying their best not to be seen.

There were a couple of playful squirrels up in the tree.

And a puma and a panther waiting for us once we got back home.

It was most definitely a good day for a nice walk and a good day for pictures too.

Marinating the Beef Roast

Because I am usually only cooking for the two of us, I don’t make beef roast all that often. But every now and then, a beef roast will come into the cooking rotation. And I am always glad when they do. And I am always looking for tasty ways to prepare them too. If found a delicious recipe that only required a few basic ingredients and a few hours to marinate. This is one of the recipes that the longer all the flavors get to combine with each other, the better it will be. An overnighter would be perfect, but if you don’t have all night to let it rest, let it rest for at least 3-4 hours before cooking.

I marinated the beef roast with tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, onions and garlic. YUM! You can’t go wrong with any of those flavors, and the roast came out so flavorful and so tender. It was almost tender enough to cut with just a fork.

Beef Roast with a Tomato Balsamic Vinegar Marinade

2 1/2-3 lb beef roast

2 TBSP garlic

1 cup balsamic vinegar

2 TBSP fresh rosemary, chopped fine

2 onions chopped

3-4 tomatoes, medium dice

salt & pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and pour over the roast. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours. Overnight is best though.

When you are ready to cook the meat, preheat the oven to 350* F or about 180* C. Cover the meat with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Let it roast for 3-31/2 hours, or until it is tender and the juices are clear.

Remove the roast from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. Top with some of the sauce and serve it up. The meat will just melt in your mouth. You’re going to love it. I promise you.

I served it with some roasted Brussels sprouts and pumpkin fries with a spicy honey mustard sauce and a velvety red on the side. Ah! Perfection on a plate.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Video #18 – Making Caramels with Priscilla

My friend Priscilla and I have been friends our whole entire lives. We are familia. Every year we get together and have a tradition of making big batches of caramels that we share with family and friends over the holidays. We have perfected these caramels too. We make the plain, traditional caramels as well as chocolate pecan caramels. And we have made all the mistakes already, so rest assured, these are fool proof now. With the Holidays just around the corner, it is the perfect time to share this video and share the caramels with everyone too.

As always, if you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube page and share it with your family and friends too.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.