Mango Chutney

About 10 years ago, I came across a recipe that looked interesting, but called for an ingredient I'd never tried - Mango Chutney. After a bit of searching, I found it in a local store and to my delight discovered that I really liked it! Over the next couple years, I bought several jars but then was dismayed to learn that the brand was no longer available. 


I tried several other brands over the next year or so, but just never found one I liked as much. I kind of felt like Goldilocks while I was trying them. One was too hot and spicy, one was too hard as it used under-ripe mangoes and one was a bit on the bland side. 


Nothing was "just right"!

So, I went looking for a recipe to make my own. I'd never tried something that ambitious on my own before but I wanted my Mango Chutney!! There are lots of recipes for it, but I finally decided to go for this one.

This is an adaptation of a Peach Chutney recipe from the August 1998 issue of Canadian Living. I've switched the peaches to mango but you could also use pears or a combination of mango and pear. The original was also double in size. I have made the full version a couple of times but if you don't have a decent sized canner or don't want to have to process large amounts, this is a better option.

This recipe could also be cut in half again. If you do half of this recipe, you could substitute 1/2 cup orange juice or 5-Alive (Mango or Citrus work best) for the whole orange but the real orange and the zest provide a much better flavour.

This chutney is delicious served with poultry, fish, pork or ham. It is great as a alternative for relish on burgers or hot dogs. It also makes a great dip for chicken tenders!

Mango Chutney

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raisins (Thompson, Sultana or Golden)

1 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon curry powder (for a mild chutney)

1/2 teaspoon dried ginger

2 large garlic cloves finely chopped or minced

1 large orange

1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

4 1/2 cups diced fresh ripe mango (This will be about 5 medium sized mangoes peeled and pit removed. Don't worry if it is closer to 5 cups when cut)

2 cups diced apple (2 medium sized apples, cored but unpeeled)

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup diced sweet red bell pepper

1 cup + 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

Directions:

Soak the raisins in warm water for about 15 minutes then rinse, drain well and air dry on a paper towel till needed.

Combine the mustard seed, salt, cloves, cinnamon, curry powder and ginger. Set aside, along with the garlic for later.

With a zester or a fine grater, zest the orange peel onto a plate. You should have 1 1/2 - 2 Tablespoons. Peel the orange, discarding the pith. Section the orange and remove as much of the remaining pith and membrane as possible, then cut the sections into small pieces. (I just use my fingers to tear them but do it over a bowl so you don't lose any of the juice!)

In a large pot, combine the chopped orange, orange zest, mango, apple, onion, pepper, raisins and brown sugar - then stir in the vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium heat and allow to simmer for about 1 1/2 hours - stirring often (about every 10 minutes). The chutney should be fairly thick at this point.

Add the combined spices and garlic then mix well. Cook for about 15-25 minutes or until very thick. NOTE: If the spices are cooked for longer than 25 minutes, they will lose their potency and the flavour will be lost!)

NOTE: If the chutney is chunkier than you want it, you can use a stick blender or a potato masher to purée it a bit more. (Personally, I use the blender or masher sparingly as I like mine a bit chunky for a nicer variety in textures.)

With a ladle, spoon the hot chutney into processed glass sealer's*, leaving 1/2 inch of space at the top. Carefully wipe the rim of the jar with a paper towel. Seal with processed lids and rings*.


Place sealed jars STANDING UPRIGHT in hot water bath and cover with enough hot water so that jars are about an inch under the water. Boil for 10 minutes then, using jar tongs, carefully remove the jars to a wire rack. Allow the jars to stand on the wire rack for 24 hours to allow the chutney to completely cool to room temperature. The jar lids should also "pop" (indent) during that time. That indicates that the jar is properly sealed. Store in cool dry place for up to 3 years. If any of the jars do NOT seal or once jars are opened they must be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months. Note: If there are not enough filled jars to allow them to all stand up then add some water to another jar and place in center so that the chutney filled ones will not tip over in the hot water bath.

Makes about 4 1/2 - 5 pints (9-10 cups)

~*~*~*~

*TO PROCESS JARS, LIDS AND RINGS: Wash all of the jars, lids and rings then place in a canner or large, deep pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes. Using jar tongs, carefully remove the jars making sure to allow the water to drain out of them before standing them upside down on a wire rack to cool. Carefully remove the lids and rings and also place on a rack to cool. Avoid touching the insides of the jars, rings or lids with your hands as that will contaminate them. You should also process at least one or two extra jars, lids and rings in case one breaks or doesn't fit properly. Note: For the lids and rings, I prefer to use a mesh strainer that my mom had for blanching vegetables. That way the pieces are all easily removed in one group rather than fishing the bottom of the pot with tongs to get them out. 

Enjoy! 
dn

My Mom

Today mothers are being celebrated for their countless sacrifices and the nurturing of the children in their lives.

They are lavished with love and affection. With homemade and store bought gifts. Meals - some more edible than others - that are made and served with love. Moms receive cards, letters and phone calls from those who can't make it home.

For me and my siblings though, this Mother's Day will be very different. It will be the first one since our beloved mom passed.

I've been trying to find a way to put my thoughts into words for this post for several days. It hasn't been easy.

I don't recall the last time that all of us kids were home on Mother's Day. It is at least 20 years though. It was easy when we were all kids or even young adults. But then - time, travel and other commitments seem to get in the way. We always tried to call though.

Mom never wanted us to spend money for Mother's Day. She was quite content to have either a visit or at least a phone call from the kids. For her, it was always more about family than material things.

That didn't mean that she didn't treasure those gifts we gave her - especially those handmade ones from when we were kids! When we were sorting through things at the farm house where we were raised, we came across a number of those long forgotten "treasures"! She kept so many souvenirs of our childhoods.

She loved nothing more than to have all her "chicks" back in the nest for a visit! She was never really a typical mother hen though. She worried about us but didn't hover or try to run our lives. She never tried to dictate our relationships or what we wanted to do with our lives. She was there to support us no matter what our choices. As long as we were happy and at peace, that was what mattered most.

There was always room for at least one more at the table. We were always welcome to bring our friends home for a meal or even for a weekend. There were a lot of our friends that our parents thought of as part of the extended family. Many of them came to visit mom and dad even if we weren't there!

After I lost so much of my sight, I didn't go out to the farm very often. I just felt more secure in my city mobility than at the farm. I missed spending time with her but my sister or a family friend would bring her into the city every once in a while and we'd visit while we shopped and had lunch together!

Over the last few years, we had gotten in the habit of talking for an hour on Sunday mornings. I'd call right at 11:00. The phone would ring once - maybe twice. She didn't have call display but she would answer with greeting me by name! In all the years we did this, she only got tripped up a couple of times by people who didn't realize or forgot that her and I had a standing weekly date!

In the last few months of her life though we had much shorter conversations - but also more often. She was in increasingly failing health and we knew those treasured calls were coming to an end. With the help of some wonderful friends, I managed to get out to see her three times in the last seven months of her life. It was so hard to see how much her health had deteriorated but I will always cherish those last few visits.

It has only been a few months now, but I miss her terribly. Oh, how I miss those phone calls!

I think of her when I see things that I know would make her laugh and I miss being able to read her email jokes. Sometimes she would even take notes on the jokes so she could tell them to someone else!

We talked a lot about food. I can't tell you how many times over the years that I picked up the phone to call and ask her something about a recipe or an ingredient. She loved hearing about the recipes I was trying and would jokingly say she was coming for tea or ask what time dinner was! Mom didn't bake the last few years so, I did a lot of baking for her as her Christmas present. I'd make different kinds of cookies, muffins, loaves, squares and biscuits. There would usually be 8-10 things in a large and heavy gift bag! She loved all of it and loved being able to pull something homemade out of the freezer to serve with tea when friends stopped by to visit or just to have as a treat.
 
It felt really strange to not be baking for her this last Christmas.

I think of her when I see certain things on sale in the grocery aisles. I think of her when I read recipes or see one on TV that she would have liked. When I bake something that I know she would have loved, I have the first few bites for her.

If you have read this blog at all in the last few years, you know I've often spoken of my parents and especially of my mom. (I'll post links to several posts at the end of this post)

There is so much more I could say and write about my mom - and someday I will. But today, I just want to remember her and thank her again for being the best mother I could ever have asked for.

Many of us have had to say goodbye to our mothers. It is never easy. Once our parents are gone there is a little part of us - that no matter how old we are - feels like we are orphans. Who will we turn to for help or advice? If we stop and think back on who our mothers were and what they stood for, we can almost hear their calming voice and sage words of wisdom guiding us on our daily paths.

Today we think of our mothers and wish with all our hearts that we could have just a little more time with them. To hug them and to tell them just how much we love them.

So, if you are lucky enough to still have your mom in your life, please give her an extra hug today and tell her how much you love and appreciate her. It really is the best gift you can ever give her.

dn

These are some of the posts where I've talked about my mom:
Sunday's
Family Humour
What Are You Doing To Celebrate Canada Day?
Sale!
Blizzard Of 1986
Holiday Traditions
Christmas Memories
Undecorating
April 1984 Ice Storm
My Parents Were Stoners
At The Lake
Going Home
Sorting Treasures
The Oak Wardrobe

Miss, Mrs or Ms?

A few days ago, I saw a post that asked if any women still use Ms anymore.

Yes, it was asked by a man. But in all fairness, he was sincerely asking how women prefer to be addressed. Do they prefer Miss, Mrs or Ms? He said he totally understood the appeal of Ms as like Mr, it doesn't give away a relationship status.

In the pre women's lib days, it was customary to refer to a single woman as Miss and to a married woman as Mrs - even if she were widowed or ... gasp .... divorced! Miss was also commonly used in British society to address women considered to be of an upper class. In some cultures or circumstances, Miss is still used as a sign of respect for any older women regardless of their marital status. This is most commonly seen in areas of the American South - such as the fictional Miss Ellie on the long running TV show Dallas.

Though there are still those - both men and women - who prefer the old terminology, the enlightened among us prefer to let each woman decide how they personally wish to be addressed

For many women it isn't as simple as whether they are married or single. There are so many types of relationships that it can be hard to define a term that feels appropriate. I am not even talking about the notion of whether or not to hyphenate or use the partner's last name upon marriage or to keep a partners name in the event of a divorce. That is a whole different discussion.

For a lot of women, it is a recognition of their independent status to use Ms. They aren't defined by their relationship or lack thereof.

Men have always been referred to as Mr and that tells us squat about what their relationship status is! So, why should women be forced to identify their status through their title?

The terms Miss and Mrs are both derived from the word Mistress - not exactly a flattering term now a days! Many think the term Ms is a product of the women's lib movement but in reality it has been around for much longer.

"There is a void in the English language which, with some diffidence, we undertake to fill. Every one has been put in an embarrassing position by ignorance of the status of some woman. To call a maiden Mrs is only a shade worse than to insult a matron with the inferior title Miss. Yet it is not always easy to know the facts... Now, clearly, what is needed is a more comprehensive term which does homage to the sex without expressing any views as to their domestic situation, and what could be simpler or more logical than the retention of what the two doubtful terms have in common. The abbreviation "Ms" is simple, it is easy to write, and the person concerned can translate it properly according to circumstances. For oral use it might be rendered as "Mizz," which would be a close parallel to the practice long universal in many bucolic regions, where a slurred Mis' does duty for Miss and Mrs alike." - The Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Believe it or not, that commentary was published on November 10, 1901!

Whether or not this was truly the first time the term Ms was proposed is still debated but given the social restraint of the time, it is both refreshing and encouraging to see how enlightened the writer was!

And yes, despite our enlightenment, there are still most definitely some women who wear the term Miss as a screaming headline that they are free and looking for a Mr who will change the Miss to Mrs. In the olden days, a single woman past her early 20's was considered a spinster. Thankfully, that term is pretty much antiquated! Women marry at almost any age now - from late teens to well into their senior years. In most cultures, it is no longer a badge of shame to be single - either by circumstance or choice.

Many businesses, medical and government offices recognize that women are free to be identified in a variety of ways. Most information forms that we fill out give us the option of Miss, Mrs or Ms.

I can't speak to the terms used in non English speaking countries but am truly thankful that I have the option and freedom to call myself Ms.

Personally, I've used Ms since my teens and I am now 54.

For me, it just never felt appropriate to be called Miss. I always felt that Miss sounded to prissy for me and eluded to a more gentile side of the female. I never liked to wear dresses, pink or lace. I haven't worn a dress in 25 years. There is no pink or lace in my wardrobe. I don't even own heels! I've nothing against those who do dress in more traditional female attire - it just isn't my personal style. I'm certainly not the classic tom boy either. I just don't dress or act the part of what many would consider as a "Miss" . I am an independent female who prefers to be addressed as Ms.

In our increasingly impersonal yet technology connected world, the current trend is for clerks, receptionists etc to attempt more personalized service and address people by either a first name or a title and last name. If the first name is unknown or difficult to pronounce, people tend to only look at the gender and age (if shown) before addressing a woman.

Though well meaning, it is greatly erroneous to assume that any woman over a certain age - for instance 35 - is married and therefore addressed as a Mrs. I find it insulting to be called Mrs by clerks, receptionists etc - especially since I am not married.

What's wrong with just saying "May I help you?" or "Thank you for shopping here."? Why do people feel the need to add a title to the regular spiel and risk using the wrong title which may offend a customer/client? If they were truly interested, then they should ask how we wish to be addressed!

Of course there are also those who, no matter what, will stick to the old traditions. Many years ago, I helped a woman write a business letter. She was only a few years older than me, but also single. In the draft, I referred to her as Ms rather than Miss - she was deeply offended!

So, to each their own.

For the most part, I would strongly suggest that unless you know specifically what a woman prefers, Ms is the safest way to go.

It is also a hell of a lot better than being called Ma'am!! Now THAT I find to be insulting! I'm not completely sure WHY I find Ma'am or even madam so insulting, but I think that on some level I see that as being reserved for someone older than me. Even if it is done out of respect by someone younger than me - and in most cases it is - it still makes me squirm.

Yeah, I guess I am old enough to be called ma'am by those younger but I really don't like it.

Frankly, I'd rather be called "hey you" than Ma'am, Mrs or Miss. I'll take Ms any day!

dn

New Toys

Whether or not we choose to admit it, we all have toys.

The concept of toys can mean different things to different people - especially for us big kids. Granted some of us big kids still get a kick out of the little kids toys. Our definition of "toys" varies greatly, but I'm talking about the kind of toys that get us excited about our favourite hobbies or other activities!

Sadly, even with the greatest of care and maintenance, many of our beloved toys must eventually be replaced with newer and more efficient models.

I won't go into a list of all of my toys, but many of mine are found in my kitchen!

One of my favourite toys, I got about 6 1/2 years ago - a Kitchen Aid Stand mixer! My old hand mixer had died and I was going to just get another one, but found a great deal on a lift & lock stand mixer that I couldn't resist! Besides, I'd always wanted a stand mixer and I knew I'd get a lot of use from it! My mom owned a Braun kitchen machine and I loved using it when I was at the farm, but hated cleaning all the little grooves around the top of the mixing bowl.

A year later, I also bought a Kitchen Aid food processor. I've gotten a LOT of use out of it as well! Frankly, I couldn't do some of my favourite recipes without them!

I got a blender for Christmas in the mid 80's. I was thrilled, until I realized that the only way to get it thoroughly cleaned, was to take the base of the plastic jar apart every time! Just adding hot soapy water wasn't cleaning it enough. No matter what I did though, I could never get the darn thing back together properly! I always had to get someone else to assemble it for me after cleaning. Not fun or convenient! I eventually gave up that blender after attempting to reassemble it myself one day. I was making a pudding and had the misfortune of the milk leaking out all over my counter.

A year ago, I got my mom's old blender that had a solid glass jar. It had been a 25th wedding anniversary present for my parents back in 1969! It was a great machine back in the day, but alas, it's prime had past. It overheated easily and just couldn't handle most of the jobs anymore.

I also got my mom's hand mixer - circa late 70's. It was also a good mixer except that it had a detachable electrical cord. I never really like it, as the cord always seemed to slip out while I was using it. Mom always joked that it was all in the way you held your mouth while you used it! So, I guess I should have left it at the farm, but frankly I missed having a hand mixer as some jobs are just not practical or worthy of using a stand mixer but too much for a stick blender.

The hunt for New Toys was on! I wanted a new hand mixer. I wanted a blender like my mom had - one with a solid glass jar that didn't come apart, but they don't make them that way anymore. I did my usual research - comparing various brands, models and reading customer reviews - but quickly realized that my best options were with the legendary Kitchen Aid! After that, it was just a matter of watching for a good deal.

The deal came in mid March when The Shopping Channel had a showstopper featuring a 5 speed blender with a 48oz glass jar and a bonus immersion blender! There was also an introductory price on a 9 speed hand mixer with several attachments! I hadn't actually planned on getting a blender AND a hand mixer at the same time but the prices were just too good not to!

The New Toys arrived a few days later!

Okay, so the blender jar can be completely disassembled for cleaning however the instructions state that you can also add a drop of detergent and some warm water then run the machine for a few seconds and then thoroughly rinse. It does clean it well - you just have to make sure your water isn't too hot or the lid will pop off and make a heck of a mess!!

Tip: Before you run a warm soapy water solution - or any warm substances - loosen the clear plastic cap in the lid so that you can hold it just a fraction of an inch above the full lid while the machine is running. That way the lid doesn't pop. You may still get a bit of spillage but it won't be nearly as bad!

So, after I cleaned up the mess and dried the jar, I had to decide what to make first! Well, since it was getting close to Easter at the time, I did the pureed fruit and liquids for the Paska. I've also done a pudding mix, made some bread crumbs and crushed some ice! The machine is wonderfully efficient!

I've only used the hand/immersion blender once and that was to do a final blend of a chilled mix for my lemon cheesecake ice cream. It is a bit noisier than I expected - especially on the higher speed but so far so good. To be perfectly honest, I've owned another version of an immersion blender for many years and rarely used it as it had several little disk attachments that were a nuisance to switch out. This new one came with only the one attachment (others can be purchased separately) which is much easier to deal with but I'm really not sure how much use I'll get out of it. Time will tell.

So far, the hand mixer has gotten the most use. I've made a couple of different frostings, a cake, and mashed potatoes for my Soulful Chicken! Works like a charm!! The dough hooks wouldn't be suitable for a large or heavy dough but if you were only doing a small batch of a cookie, or a loaf/muffin of some kind then this would be great!

I've only had my New Toys for a month, but I am loving them! The sleek styles, powerful motors and the increased options and versatility they allow me to have in my kitchen are a real joy!

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to go play with my toys....

dn

PASKA!!

Easter is only a couple of weeks away and many are looking forward to their favourite seasonal treats. I grew up in a home where Hot Cross Buns were that treat! In my mid teens, my taste buds were exposed to a flavourful sweetbread called Paska. There are countless versions for both the loaves and the frostings that decorate the tops.

Through my teens and most of my twenties, I managed to get either a small loaf or at least a couple of slices from my Mennonite friends whose mothers and grandmothers made the delicious bread! Okay, I'll admit it - I occasionally had to make some not too subtle comments about how much I loved the bread but didn't get any at home so was wondering if any of my friends could share a little! Usually one or two would take pity on me and bring me a couple slices!

One year, I was even invited to a Paska decorating party! A friend and her sister baked two huge batches of Paska and invited several people over to help decorate them. There were a couple of different kinds of icings and at least a half dozen types of sprinkles and other decorating delights! We sat around the table talking and decorating to our hearts content - also knowing that we each got to take one mini loaf home!

My mom did try making Paska one year. I don't recall what recipe she used, but for some reason, it just didn't rise that well. It was also a bit dry and not as flavourful as what I had in the past. It was one of the few times that my mom's baking didn't turn out great. We did eat it all but she never made it again.

Well time moved on and many of my Mennonite connections faded. I hadn't had Paska in about 25 years, but I still thought about it every Easter. A couple months ago, I was talking with a Mennonite friend about some of the traditions and told her about the Paska party. I decided that this year, I would try and find a recipe and make it myself!

Typing "Paska" into any search engine will get you millions of results. Many of the recipes will call for 8-10 eggs for a 5 loaf recipe. That was more eggs than I wanted to use as I have a low tolerance for eggs. Most also called for using dry active yeast. I've never had much luck with proofing yeast so have been using rapid rise/instant yeast for well over 20 years!

I decided to focus on recipes that called for fewer eggs and figure out how to convert to using rapid rise yeast.

It didn't take me long to focus in on a recipe on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook site - a truly wonderful site for all kinds of recipes! A recipe using rapid rise yeast was posted but it used too many eggs. However, there was also a link to a previous recipe by Lovella that used only two eggs for 5 loaves! She had also posted the recipe in more detail on her personal blog. What really drew me to her recipe though, was that it used not only the zest of an orange and a lemon but it also used the whole fruit! The only drawback was that it used dry active yeast. (Please click on the hot links above to see the MGCC site, other recipes and visuals for making Paska.)

I emailed her to see about converting to rapid rise and a couple of other questions. I had a response from her and one of the other MGCC girls within a few hours!

When I sent the email, I wasn't sure if I would make a full batch or a half batch. The blender I had was rather old and I wasn't sure it would be up to such a labourious task so I was debating about using my food processor instead. I've always mixed and kneaded my dough by hand even though I do have a dough hook for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer.

In the end, I decided to go with a full recipe and knead the dough by hand. I also got a new blender on sale!

I made a couple of changes to the recipe. Lovella's called for real butter but to be honest, I never buy butter and couldn't justify paying close to $6/lb! I compromised by using a good quality block margarine and added half & half rather than plain milk.

Rather than proofing the yeast, I combined the rapid rise yeast (same amount just different type) with two cups of flour and the vanilla pudding mix. The water that would have been used to proof the yeast was used to clean out the excess liquid in the blender then added to the other liquids.

The citrus truly makes this recipe! The aroma as you are preparing the dough and as the bread bakes is like being in a bakery in the heart of a citrus grove!

So, was the effort worth it and did it take me back to all those years ago when I last tasted Paska?

Yes and Yes! It is truly a festive treat for the senses!

Paska
2 tablespoons rapid rise/instant yeast
2 cups all purpose flour
1 instant vanilla pudding mix (4 serving size - NOT light version!)
1 medium lemon
1 medium orange
1 1/4 cups half & half
1/2 cup margarine or butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup + 1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm (not hot!) water
5-6 cups all purpose flour - enough to make a smooth soft dough


Combine the 2 cups flour, rapid rise yeast and pudding mix in a bowl and set aside.

Grate the zest of both the orange and the lemon and set aside. Remove as much of the white pith as possible and discard. Cut up the orange and lemon into small pieces - removing all seeds. Place the cut up fruit and zest in blender.

Cut the margarine into small pieces and place In a microwave safe bowl with the half & half. Heat on medium till margarine is melted. Add to the blender with fruit. Allow the liquid to cool slightly before starting to puree. Cover and puree for 2 to 3 minutes. NOTE: if the liquid is too hot the lid of the blender will rise and you will lose part of your needed liquids!

Add the eggs, sugar and salt to the blender and mix for another minute or two or until very smooth. Turn off the blender and check the measurement either on the blender jar or in a measuring cup. You should have about 4 1/2 cups - depending on the size of the fruit and eggs used. If it is a bit more or less don't worry as you will adjust the amount of flour added later. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Pour 1 cup lukewarm water into the blender and press stir for a few seconds. This will get almost all of the creamy mixture left in the blender. Pour the water mixture into the bowl with the fruit mixture. Stir the two together just to blend.

Add the flour/yeast/pudding mixture to the liquid and stir.

Gradually add more flour till you have a soft smooth dough. This should be about 5 - 6 cups depending on how much liquid you had in the blender.

Cover the bowl lightly with plastic wrap then place a towel over top. Allow to rise till double in size - about an hour or so.

Prepare the pans by spraying with Pam or brushing with canola oil.

Punch down the dough and shape into 5 loaves or 10 mini loaves. The dough will be sticky but just grease your hands with a bit of canola oil to keep the dough from sticking to them while you are working with it. (I poured some canola oil into a small dish to dip my fingers in as needed) Cover and let rise till double in size - about an hour or so. Note, that any loaves made in tin foil pans should be placed on a baking sheet for stability when moving and while in the oven for baking.

Preheat the oven to 350F and bake for about 20 minutes. Depending on the size of the pans this may take a few minutes more or less. The loaves will be a golden brown and will have a slightly hollow sound when you tap them on the top with your finger.

Remove from pans immediately and let cool completely on wire racks. While the loaves are cooling, make the icing.

Icing for Paska
1 cup block margarine, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup pasteurized egg white substitute (raw eggs are not advised for anyone with a compromised immune system, young children or the elderly)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
enough icing sugar to make a soft icing (about 2 cups)

Beat the margarine till creamy. Add the egg whites and beat till light and fluffy. Add the extracts and blend. Gradually add icing sugar till a smooth soft icing forms.

Ice the top of the loaves and decorate with various sprinkles.

NOTE: I haven't tried freezing the loaves with icing on them, but my understanding is that it can be done by placing the iced loaves on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen, wrap with plastic wrap and store in freezer bag for up to one month. Unfrosted loaves can just be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen in freezer bags then iced when they are thawed. If you aren't planning on eating the loaves the same day, freeze them as they tend to dry out fairly quickly. You can keep a loaf wrapped in the fridge for a few days but it is best used within a couple days. Unfrosted loaves can also be sliced and toasted.

Enjoy!

dn

Lazy Cabbage Rolls

Every once in a while, I get really hungry for cabbage rolls. There are thousands of recipes and variations for Cabbage Rolls. Different types of cabbages switch up the flavours as do a multitude of variations in the sauces. Then there is the fillings. Some use mostly rice with a bit of ground beef or bacon in the filling. Some use a rice and vegetable mixture and others use more meat and only a bit of rice.

It is all a matter of personal taste and to a large degree, what version you grew up with. I grew up with the mostly meat filling and therefore tend to find the mostly rice versions to be lacking in something flavour wise.

Many years ago, I had a neighbour who made an amazing version! She bought a special type of cabbage that I can't recall the name of. The filling was about 50/50 meat and rice and the sauce was thick, rich in tomato flavour with a bit of tanginess and sweetness! They were amazing! Unfortunately she never shared the recipe with me, but we did have a deal that whenever she would make her cabbage rolls, I would bake buns and we'd share! I really hated to see her move!! I've never tasted anything else that even came close to hers since!

When I was a kid, my mom would sometimes buy an oversized head of cabbage and carefully boil it so she could gradually remove the outer leaves to make cabbage rolls. It was a LOT of work and more often than not, the leaves would tear and would have to be pieced or overlapped with other leaves to roll the meat and rice mixture into. As tasty as they were, they just weren't worth the effort and the time.

So, more often than not, mom would make Lazy Cabbage Rolls by layering the sauce, meat mixture and cabbage in a Dutch Oven and then baking it to a tasty perfection! To be honest, other than the visual appeal of the rolls, there is no difference in the taste. The only difference we ever found was that sometimes the whole leaves would get a little stringy or the rib like sections near the core would be too tough to eat. We certainly didn't care if we had rolls as opposed to the lazy version - especially if it meant we got to have this yummy supper a little more often!

Mom usually served some homemade bread or buns along with this dish - and that is the way I prefer to have them as well. I bake the buns the day before or that morning, then warm them just before serving.

Lazy Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:
9 cups chopped cabbage (about a 3lb before coring and cutting)

2 1/2 cups pasta sauce (640ml bottle)
3 cups tomato sauce (700ml can)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 lb/454g lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (NOT instant)
1 cup chopped onion (1 medium cooking onion)
1 Tablespoon Bar-B-Q sauce (original, garlic or onion work best)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
dash of salt and black pepper

Directions:
Chop the cabbage into bite size pieces, removing the core and the thicker rib like stems near the core. Place the cabbage along with, 1/2 cup water and a dash of salt in a Dutch Oven. Cover and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and drain liquid. Transfer the partially cooked cabbage to a large mixing bowl.

While the cabbage is cooking and cooling, combine the pasta sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, onion, Bar-B-Q sauce, garlic powder, oregano, a dash of salt and pepper and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.

Add 1 cup of the sauce mixture to the cooled cabbage and combine to coat the cabbage.

In the Dutch Oven layer the ingredients as evenly as possible WITHOUT stirring:
1/4 cup sauce mixture
3 cups cabbage sauce mixture
1/2 of meat rice mixture
1 cup sauce mixture
3 cups cabbage sauce mixture
1/2 meat rice mixture
1 cup sauce mixture
remaining cabbage sauce mixture
remaining sauce mixture

Cover and cook in preheated 350F oven for 1 hour 30 minutes then uncover and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Serve hot with fresh bread or buns.

Serves 6-8.

Note:
- This can also be made into 3 smaller casseroles or loaf pans. Divide ingredients as evenly as possib
le between the pans and bake as above - reducing time by about 30 minutes covered and 10 uncovered. Allow to cool completely then cover and freeze to be used at a later date.
- The entire cooked dish can also be divided, cooled and frozen into individual portions for later use.
- Thaw in fridge overnight or in microwave safe container before reheating.

Enjoy!

dn

The Vinyl Cafe - LIVE!!

Four years ago, I wrote a post about how much I love listening to The Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio. In that post, I mentioned that I'd never been lucky enough to see a live concert. Well, this past Sunday afternoon, I finally got to be in the audience for a live show here in Winnipeg!!

Before I tell you about the concert, let me tell you how I came to be there.

The Vinyl Cafe has a large and loyal fan base - not just on the radio but also on Facebook! Stuart McLean, the host and brilliant writer/humourist/storyteller along with producer Jess Milton make regular posts to the fan page. They fill us in on what Stuart is up to on the show, on the road or anything else they think we may be interested in knowing!

A few weeks ago, Stuart posted this message: "Okay ... Stuart here .... it's Tuesday night ... I feel like giving stuff away." Two hours and well over 400 posts later he had given away some books, CD's and tickets to upcoming concerts to a few lucky fans. Some people offered to trade things for free stuff and Stuart was happy to accept a number of new treasures! He promised to be back the next week for more fun!

The following Tuesday evening, he was there and had over 400 posts in a little over an hour! I commented that I’d been a longtime fan, but had never been able to afford tickets to a concert when he was in Winnipeg or a book. I offered to trade some of my homemade chocolates for tickets! I offered some “Peanut Butter Bars in Dark Chocolate”; “Truffles” (with a hint of cherry brandy) and my newest creation called “To Sin With Love” - a dark chocolate fudge, with dried cherries, orange zest and roasted almonds! I'd also add some of my "Double Chocolate and Roasted Almond Shortbread"!" A few minutes later, he posted; "HEY DN ... we are coming to Winnipeg in a couple of weeks. You can come as my guest. send me your email address." YES!!!

So, Sunday afternoon, one of my gal pals and I headed for the Concert Hall. We picked up our tickets and to be perfectly honest, I was a bit disappointed that our seats were in the front of the second balcony. Then again, they were free and I had neglected to add that I was legally blind when I had sent in my contact info. Oh well, I was still excited and thankful to be at a live show no matter where I sat! We made our way to the merchandise table so I could give Jess the chocolates for Stuart. Besides the promised goodies, I had also included a bag of my "Black Forrest Cookies"! I mentioned that I'd hoped to be a little closer to the stage as I wasn't sure how much I'd see from that far back. Jess offered to see if there was anything better available. A few minutes later she returned with tickets on the main floor - Row 13 center! Still a bit far for my eyes but WAY better than balcony! Thank you Jess! You are awesome!!

From the moment the lights dimmed at 2:30 and the hilarious, tongue twisting T's of the intro, to the final bows at about 5:15, the packed house was thoroughly entertained with stories, banter and music!

Stuart told three stories. The first was an old favourite - "The Waterslide". One of the new ones, involved Dave making a trip to a car wash with Mary Turlington's car! There were a couple of spots where some of us in the audience got a little ahead of him in the story as we anticipated what dilemma's Dave was getting himself into. But as usual, Stuart never disappoints in finding ways to keep us visualizing and laughing so hard there were tears in our eyes as we listened to Dave's latest adventure!

The second new story was from Dave's childhood and filled with drama! A few weeks ago, Stuart had posted this tease to the story: "In those days they would always set something on the ice out in front of the Breakwater Hotel. An old car, an outhouse. Maybe a tractor or some sort of rig. They would place it there on New year's day and then take bets on when it would go through the ice ..." Let's just say that this one had us all on the edge of our seats!

Before intermission, Stuart announced that he would attempt to do 7 stories in 11 minutes in the second half. He asked the audience to write down a VC story they'd like to hear and he would do an abbreviated version of whichever ones he pulled out of a bucket! John Sheard (masterful pianist) and Dennis Pendrith (stand up bass player extraordinaire) were at the ready to provide appropriate musical accompaniment to whatever the story was! Now, I don't know whether these guys have worked out a selection of songs ahead of time for the multitude of stories that could be requested or whether it is all off the cuff. I won't spoil the fun of what songs were played, but John and Dennis's choices were truly priceless!! It took a little over the attempted 11 minutes but no one was complaining as we were all enjoying the stories, background music and the banter between Stuart, John and Dennis!.

The special musical guest was the multitalented musician/singer/songwriter Harry Manx. His music is a perfectly seasoned blend of blues and folk with an infusion of the sounds of an instrument from India called a mohan veena. In truth, I am not a fan of the music of the East, however Harry has a way of bringing just enough of its influence into his music to touch the soul and keep me listening! I thoroughly enjoyed all of his pieces on Sunday! In particular: "Bring That Thing" and "Make Way For The Living". Harry did a couple of songs on his own but was also accompanied by John and Dennis for several selections. You can hear some of his music on his site, MySpace or YouTube. He has recorded 11 CD's since 2001 and any or all would be a welcome addition to any musical library!

As well as musical bridges between segments and backup for Harry, John Sheard also did a beautiful piece from his newest CD.

An audience participation section saw several young people on stage helping Stuart display CD's and books to be given away to lucky audience members - including the youngest (a 5 year old) and the oldest (a lady of 92!). The audience was a great representation of the wide appeal of this talented group of performers - and a very appreciative audience as well!

Though I didn't get the opportunity to meet Stuart, it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Thank you Stuart, John, Dennis, Harry and everyone else involved with the Vinyl Cafe and this tour! Your enthusiasm, talent, interactions with each other and the audience speak volumes for your dedication to your art! It was a true pleasure to be a part of the audience!

To purchase books and CD's from The Vinyl Cafe, check out the Store page on the VC site or Zunior. Music from Harry Manx can be purchased through sites such as Amazon or ITunes. As Stuart likes to say - books and CD's can also be purchased at sensible book and music stores everywhere!

dn

4 Years, 400 Posts and counting!

Four years ago this week, I made my first post on this blog. Today, I am adding my 400th post!

Looking back, I'm not sure I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew there was a lot of things that I wanted to write about and to share, but I didn't realize how much I would also learn while doing the blog!

It took me a while to get the hang of blogging. It took time for me to figure out how to use some of the blogger tools and shortcuts like learning how to do hyperlinks, add photos, spacing, etc. The spell check feature in Blogger is somewhat limited and I often found myself having to double check words through other sources. It was also a US English so didn't recognize the unique addition of the letter "u" after "o" in so many of our Canadian words such as favourite and colour. I finally realized that it was easier to compose my posts within Word and then copy them into Blogger draft and ignore the spell check within Blogger.

For the record, I am still a lousy speller - always have been and always will be. Same goes for typing! Even after 5 1/2 years of using a PC, I still can't type without looking at the keys on a regular basis. Okay, there are times that I do get on a bit of a roll and actually type a sentence or two without looking but that doesn't happen too often! Some things never change!

Every blogger has their own way of doing things. Granted all blogs are not created equal. They each have their own merits and audiences. Mine didn't have a set target audience. My tastes are too eclectic to narrow my posts to a category or two.

I've always tried to keep it real and honest by writing about the things that interest me. It may be music, humour or people that I admire or have been lucky enough to meet. It may be about a product I've found or a subject I have an opinion on. I've shared many of my life experiences - the good, the bad, the difficult and the happy experiences.

I've shared my attempts at photography in several posts and also through slideshows that are on YouTube. The pics aren't perfect by any stretch of the imagine, but hey - for a legally blind broad, they ain't half bad!! My slideshows can be viewed by clicking on the "Video's by dnsyl57" pic on the right hand side of this page or here.

More than anything, I've shared my love of food and the recipes that I've created. I'm no gourmet or food junky but I do enjoy cooking and baking up new experiments in cuisine! There are more than 70 recipes in "dn's Recipe Box" on the right side of the page. All of the recipes are my own variations and creations. They are divided into categories and hyperlinked for quick access. Hopefully, you've found at least one or two to tempt your taste buds!

You may have noticed that there is more than a couple that include chocolate!! Well, what can I say? I LOVE my chocolate! BTW, in the coming months, I'll be adding a decadently sinful chocolate dessert that I created after eating out at a local restaurant back in November!

Four hundred posts in four years is a lot actually. I wrote one a day for the first fifty days in honour of turning 50. Then slowed it down a tad to every second or third day. Later I switched to once a week. Now, at 400, I'm going to slow it down a bit more. I'll post when I have something that I want to say or share - hopefully a couple of times per month.

It's not that I've run out of things to say - far from it! It's just that there are other things that I also want to do besides write. I want to learn to use some of the software programs I have on my PC. I want to do more reading - books that is. There are recipes to try, walks to take, friends to spend time with and a life to live away from the PC!

Over the last four years, I've had tens of thousands of hits to various posts! I've had hits from well over 150 countries! To all of you who have somehow found your way to my little blog - thank you! I hope you found something you liked - that made you smile, think or tempted your taste buds! Please come back again - and invite a few friends! All are welcome!

What else is coming up? Well, I know there will be lots more recipes, stories, experiences and opinions! So, please stop by anytime - 'cause you never know what I might post next!!

dn

The Winter Coat

As far back as I can remember, I’ve hated shopping for clothes! Yes, I know that to many, that would make me a disgrace to my gender, but here’s the deal. My arms and legs are about an inch longer than the average female. That makes finding things that fit a challenge! The average pants barely reach the top of my ankles. Sleeves rarely even reach my wrist.

The last time I bought a winter coat was about 8 or 9 years ago. I went to at least fifteen stores and tried on at least fifty – yes fifty - coats before I found one that was long enough in the sleeves, that also fit well elsewhere and was going to be warm enough for a Winterpeg winter!

The last couple of years, that wonderful coat was beginning to lack in warmth. It had done its job well over the years, but definitely needed to be replaced by something warmer. Either that or I move to a warmer climate. As appealing as that may be, it wasn’t realistic. I knew that the inevitable coat hunting would begin again this past fall.

So, in mid October I finally got up the courage to hit the stores! This time however, I hoped things would be different. This time I would START with the store where I’d found the last one - Mountain Equipment Co-op!

I explained to the staff person that I needed something that would keep me warm while walking outdoors or standing at bus stops in -40C but that would also be long enough in the sleeve to keep my Amazon arms warm. I also told him the short version of the last coat hunt.

He handed me a down filled coat. I liked the style, but needed a size larger. When I tried on the larger size, it fit perfectly! Even the sleeves were long enough! I stood there in disbelief. Was it really possible that I’d found THE coat on the first try? It seemed too good to be true, but I bought the coat and also wondered how I would turn this abbreviated hunt into a full blog post!

When I got home, I went to the MEC website to check out the coat. Lo and behold, the ratings weren’t great for the seemingly perfect coat. Several reviews, stated that the insulation around the seam of the arm/shoulder was severely lacking. Oh dear. Then again, most had not stated what activity they were doing when they noticed the chill. I’d have to wait and see.

The weather stayed fairly warm through the rest of October and well into November so it was over a month before it was finally cold enough to give the coat a try. The first day I wore it, it was about -15C. I felt the chill, but wondered if I was also projecting the chill due to the reviews I’d read. I wore the coat 3 or 4 more times over the next few weeks, but sadly, the reviews had been correct. As time went on, the arms got colder. The last day I wore it was December 15. It was -11C with a wind chill of about -21C. A rather balmy winter day in Winnipeg, but my arms were freezing! I might as well have been wearing a spring jacket! I was not amused – or happy!

On Monday, December 19 – two months after the purchase, I took the coat back to MEC. As it happened, the same staff person who had helped me find the coat was at the checkout when I went in. He asked how the new coat was working out. I told him my tale of chilly woe. He assured me they would take it back and exchange it for something else or give a full refund if I couldn’t find anything else. He took the coat and had another staff person take me to the coats to find something else.

I tried on a 3 in 1 jacket that would have been okay, but they would have to order in my size and it was almost $100 more than the one I was returning. I then tried on a Frostbreaker Parka. It was a lighter weight jacket but also $125 cheaper than the one I was returning. With the money I’d save, I could buy a really good quality hoodie to wear underneath it (or any other jacket) for layering and therefore better warmth. I tried on several hoodies and settled on a Women’s B-Line in XL.

Of course, there was a hitch to this plan. They didn’t have the women’s XL Frostbreaker in stock! The main distribution centre was also out of stock, but there were a couple of other stores in Eastern Canada that did have an XL. They could order it in, but it would take 2-3 weeks (over the holidays). If the weather stayed warm that would be okay but what if it got cold before it arrived? What if it didn’t fit as well as I hoped? Then what would I do for a coat? What to do!?!

The, oh so helpful, staff person suggested that I get a men’s medium in the meantime and then just exchange it when the women’s XL came in. I can do that, I asked? Yup, I could return the original coat from October that day, then get the men’s style (identical except for the material covering the zipper on the opposite side) and use it until the one I wanted arrived.

WOW, I knew that MEC had great return policies and service but hadn’t realized it was that great! Almost nobody lets you return something that long after the fact – without a major hassle or an additional charge of some kind! Then again, I shouldn’t have been that surprised. When I’d been there in October, I mentioned that one of the strap closures on my backpack (purchased at MEC in late 2002) was broken. They offered to fix it and only charged me for the replacement piece – less than a dollar. It only took a couple of minutes for the guy to fix it!

So, I bought the hoodie and the men’s jacket. It wasn’t that cold over the next couple weeks, but I did wear it without the hoodie and only a lightweight long sleeve sweater underneath. It was more than warm enough. The online reviews were also good.

I picked up the women’s XL Frostbreaker on Tuesday, January 10. I also exchanged the women’s XL B-Line hoodie for a men’s L B-Line as I felt the women’s size would be a bit too snug under any of my bulkier sweaters. The men’s large would give me more flexibility in what to wear.

The exchange went smoothly – and was just in time for the onset of our real winter weather! It has only been a few weeks, but so far so good! I have worn the coat with the hoodie in -30C with a wind-chill near -40C and been quite comfortable! Granted, I was only out in the elements about 10-15 minutes at a time but I was not freezing!

I still don’t like shopping for clothes and I’m no big fan of winter either but at least I won’t be freezing when I do have to face the elements!!

dn

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Well, it is mid January and winter has made a fashionably late arrival in this prairie burg.

For many of us, that means it’s time to hibernate and enjoy some time reading, watching TV, crafts – not to mention some cooking and baking! That often means comfort foods, but comfort foods can also get switched up with some wonderful flavours!

January generally means some great deals on citrus! In the past, I’ve posted a few recipes that include lemons or oranges: Orange Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies; dn's Lemon Chocolate Chip Muffins; Citrus Baked Salmon and Veggies.

Today, I’m going to share my Orange Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe. I’ve been making this recipe for years. I honestly don’t recall where I got the original one from, though there are some similarities to the Orange Bran Muffins on page 28 of Company’s Coming Muffins and More by Jean Paré. But, like all my other recipes, I’ve tweaked this recipe over the years to make it mine!


Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup oat bran
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
grated orange rind of 2 oranges
1 3/4 cups chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
Juice of 2 oranges and sour milk to make a total of 1 3/4 cups.*

Combine dry ingredients. Stir in the grated orange rind and the chocolate chips.

Combine wet ingredients.

Mix the two just to combine.

Divide batter into 24-28 paper lined muffin cups.

Bake 18 -20 minutes at preheated 375F oven or until toothpick test shows they are done. Cool on wire rack.

These are great warm or you can freeze them and thaw as needed. Just loosen the paper liner and heat in a microwave for about 10-12 seconds on high before serving.

*Note: Once I have juiced the oranges, I generally have about 3/4 to 1 cup of juice. I then add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and then top it off with enough 1% milk to make the 1 3/4 cups required. I let it stand for a few minutes before adding to the other wet ingredients.

Enjoy!

dn

Holiday Wishes

Another Christmas is here. Christians around the world are celebrating the birth of the Holy Child.

This is supposed to be a day to spend with family and friends. To share fellowship, food and gifts. A day of peace, love and goodwill towards all.

For many, this is a day tinged with sadness, anxiety and stress.

Too many people in this world, have little to celebrate. Economies are in trouble in many parts of the world. Financial problems have led many to abandon their homes. Wars and civil unrest have torn lives, and countries apart. Extreme weather and natural disasters in the forms of hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods and more have also taken human, emotional and financial toll.

Then there are those who have been dealing with illness or the loss of a loved one.

The thought of facing another Christmas is overwhelming for all too many. We want to crawl back under the covers and stay there till things look brighter – whenever that may be.

Some do just that – but the majority of us find a way to move on and celebrate even the smallest things in our lives.

Some decorate their homes to the hilt. Some just put a couple of ornaments out.

Some will prepare or sit down to a bountiful meal. Some will heat a frozen dinner or get take-out.

Many will choose to gather with others and some – either by choice or circumstance – will spend the day alone.

Some will go to a place or worship while others will say a quiet prayer of gratitude.

No matter what others may say, there are no set rules for how we spend this day.

We try to find a balance of what is right for ourselves while respecting the rights of others in our lives. Not an easy accomplishment on any day but even more so on this day of days.

We are thankful for the food on our plate. The shelter around us. The people around us who really do give a damn about us.

We are thankful for the times past that were shared with those who have left this world.

We cherish past holiday memories and traditions while creating new memories and traditions.

No matter how you and those around you spend the day, may if be a day of peace and love. May it be warm and safe. May there be food on your plate and goodwill in your heart. May the coming year bring you love, peace, health and prosperity!

Merry Humbug,
dn

John Lennon – War Is Over (Happy Christmas)
So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now


Michael Bublé - Grown Up Christmas List
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my start still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list



PS – I am taking a bit of a break over the next couple of weeks, but I will be back sometime in January, 2012 with new posts.

Soulful Chicken

Looking for a recipe to use up some leftover turkey? Or how about a great dish for a cool winter’s night? Have I got a recipe for you!

This recipe is a bit of a cross between a “Chicken A La King” and a Shepherd’s Pie”. It has a kicked up potato crust and a creamy filling loaded with veggies and chicken!

I found the original recipe “Hearty Chicken Bake” is from a 1992 cookbook called “101+ Hurry-Up Chicken Recipes”.

The original was good, but like every other recipe, I’ve played with the ingredients and method to make it my own.

What did I do differently?

To me, the sauce was always a bit too bland and runny so I decreased the amount of milk and added a bit of ranch dressing to kick up the flavour. Rather than using mixed frozen vegetables, I used frozen corn and frozen peas – but also sautéed onion, red pepper, garlic and carrots.

I baked the potato crust for a few minutes while I was preparing the veggies and making the filling. That way, the crust has a bit more stability and flavour.

As for the chicken, well there are a couple of things you can do differently. I’ve used leftover chicken or turkey and sautéed it with the vegetables to give a bit more flavour. If I didn’t have any leftover poultry, I used 1/2 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast. See the * at the bottom of the recipe.

Soulful Chicken


1 cup frozen kernel corn
1 cup frozen peas
2/3 cup frozen cut green beans
4 medium potatoes (about 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 pounds)
1 79g/2.8oz can French fried onions, divided
1 1/4 cup grated medium cheddar cheese, divided
4 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
Olive oil for sautéing (about 1-2 Tablespoons)
1/4 cup chopped sweet red bell pepper
3/4 cup diced carrots (fresh – not frozen or canned!)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (bottled type) or 3 cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cup diced cooked chicken or turkey*
1 284ml/10oz can mushroom soup
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Place the frozen corn, peas and beans in a colander and rinse with warm water till thawed. Set aside to drain thoroughly.

Peel and quarter the potatoes. Cook till tender and drain. Mash the potatoes. Crumble 1/2 of the fried onions and add to the potatoes along with 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese and 2 Tablespoons of Ranch Dressing.

Spoon the potatoes into a well greased 2 quart oven dish. With the back of a spoon, spread the potatoes evenly along the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake in a 350F oven for about 15-20 minutes.

While the potato crust is baking, sauté the onions, red pepper and carrots in olive oil. Once they are starting to brown, add the garlic and the cooked chicken*. Sauté for a couple of minutes then add the thawed veggies, mushroom soup, ranch dressing, milk, mustard powder and pepper. Stir to combine and let it heat through on a medium low setting. Stir occasionally.

Remove the potato crust from the oven and add the creamy chicken and veggie mixture to the center of the crust. Return to oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.

Top with the remaining cheese and fried onions. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and onions are starting to brown.


Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. (Do not expect the servings to lift out intact as a pie would. The potato crust is not that solid and does break as you take it out.)

Serves 4-6

*If you do not have left over chicken or turkey, take about 1/2 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast and dice into small pieces. Brown the chicken in the olive oil and remove to a paper towel on a plate. Then sauté the veggies in the drippings. Add the garlic on its own, then add the freshly cooked chicken with the veggies, soup and spices.

Note: If you have individual oven proof serving dishes, you could divide the potatoes among each of them and proceed as above – also dividing the creamy mixture, the cheese and onion toppings. Heating time will be less in this case but since the ingredients are all cooked, you are basically waiting till everything is heated thoroughly.

Enjoy!

dn

The Holiday Waist

Have you looked at a grocery store flyer lately?

Noticed anything different?

An observant and health conscious shopper would have noticed that the usual fare is all but missing.

Oh sure, some of the basic produce, meat, dairy and grains are still there – just not as many of them. The versions that are there also tend to be more of the fancy variety or better cuts though.

Staple items have been replaced by the “must have” seasonal treats and delicacies. The fancy cheeses, gourmet meats and specialty baked items. Countless variations on appetizers, side dishes, desserts, flavoured beverages, snack foods and treats have filled the flyers and the aisles of our favourite stores.

The advertisers and manufacturers want us to buy their premade products rather than waste time making them ourselves. Who cares what it is made of or how many calories it has! This is already made! Why not pay us your hard earned money because we are saving you all that prep time!

Yes, I’m sure they have our best interests at heart – NOT!

We want to entertain and be entertained at this time of year. We try and crowd it all into a few weeks. To do that, it often means shortcuts of convenience and pre-packaged foods from the bakeries, delis and other specialty food shops to serve to the guests.

Just what we need – more artificial foods laden with hidden calories, sodium, saturated fats and other unwanted additives.

Waistlines get thicker and wallets get thinner in the name of socializing and being a good friend/family member or host.

‘Tis the season to indulge! We can diet in January!

Yeah, right. January rolls around and many people roll over on the couch, too tired from the holidays to get up and exercise or shop for healthy food. Oh, they may have good intentions and may even show up at the gym for a week or two, but far too many don’t have the will power to stick to it.

For that reason, we need to be very aware of what we do now. Think about what is being served at all those holiday functions.

Now, I’m not trying to be a party pooper, nor am I suggesting that you can’t have an occasional treat. Almost anything in moderation. There is nothing wrong with having a wee taste of almost anything. The problem is that most of us have trouble stopping at just one of those holiday favourites!

Before you put any of those seasonal fave's and treats on your plate or in your glass, ask yourself if the extra calories, sodium and lack of nutrition are really worth the temporary taste sensation.

Make a deal with yourself that you can’t have the less healthy options until after you’ve had two or more healthy options. Odds are, that you won’t be as hungry after the healthy foods and may even say no to those lesser options!

Here are a few more suggestions:
- Try and pick a healthier choice.
- Fill up on the raw veggies, whole grains and fresh fruit.
- Avoid the processed foods and creamy sauces.
- Limit your alcoholic beverages.
- Position yourself as far from the buffet table or other food trays as possible. It really does help to avoid grazing.
- Some people also find that if they drink extra water and have a small healthy snack before going to a holiday gathering then they are far less apt to overeat while they are out.

Oh, one more thing – PLEASE don’t drink and drive! If any of your guests have too much to drink, please make sure that they have a safe ride home or allow them to sleep it off at your home. If you want to drink while you are out, have a designated driver or pre-order a cab to drive you home. Many communities have programs that you can call to get a ride home. Here in Manitoba, we have Operation Red Nose. Teams of volunteer drivers, will drive you and your vehicle home. The service is free but donations are greatly accepted and money raised goes to local charities.

I know there is more stuff on your calendar than you probably want, but whatever you do - DON’T stop your workouts! With all the extra calories you are most likely taking in this month, your body needs that physical activity on a regular basis. Yes, I know that fitting a workout into a crowded schedule isn’t easy, but trust me – your body and your mind will appreciate the effort! Quitting or even cutting back on those regular workouts, will make it a whole lot harder to get back into the routine once the holidays are over.

Speaking of your mind. It is pretty easy to get overwhelmed this time of year. Either with schedules, responsibilities or family dynamics. You can’t escape all of it but try and set aside at least 10 minutes a day just for yourself – more if you can. Clear your mind of the past few hours and set aside the coming hours. Do something that relaxes and clears your mind. It could be meditation, yoga, a walk, playing your favourite music – whatever works for you. It will rejuvenate you. Taking that time will help you to de-stress and face whatever is coming up.

My mom always joked that had she known that Christmas was coming she’d have been ready. Well we do know it is coming. It is the same day every year. If you really wanted to take off some of the stress of the season there are things you can do.

Why not try spreading the socializing out more? There is no law or rule that says you HAVE to see everyone within a couple of weeks of Christmas or even in the month of December. There tends to be at least one friend that I end up getting together with in late November. Almost every year there are at least a couple of people that I don’t get to see until sometime in January as schedules are just too busy. Those visits are always more relaxed as the pressure of the season either hasn’t really started yet or is already over.

Whatever your holiday season brings, I hope you find the will power to resist the majority of those over processed, calorie laden, nutritionally challenged treats. I hope that the stress of the season is greatly overshadowed by the love, peace and goodwill that this season is supposed to bring.

Merry Humbug,
dn

The Materialistic Season

December is always a busy time. There is Christmas and Hanukah as well as other seasonal celebrations. A season that is supposed to be about peace, goodwill and spending time with the people we care about.

Somewhere along the line, that peace and goodwill has all too often been replaced by materialism, over spending and over scheduling.

Once upon a time, Christmas used to be about spending time with the people who were most important to us. Sure we’d get small presents but they didn’t cost a lot. Certainly not enough to put consumers in debt for the next few months.

There would be one gift from Santa for each of the kids. A stocking with some peanuts, a mandarin orange, a candy cane and maybe some socks or a small toy. Parents would also give each child a gift. Depending on the income of a family, kids may or may not exchange gifts. The kids usually made something in school for the parents. With or without religious beliefs, it was more about spending time together than exchanging gifts.

Some families have tried very hard to stick to those goals. I know of a few families, where Santa leaves a stocking full of necessities such as new toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, socks etc. Yes, the kids also get an orange and a bit of candy but it isn’t excessive.

Merchants and manufacturers want us to believe that giving more is better. Their message is to buy, buy, buy! They want us to believe that the value of the gift is directly equal to how you feel about the other person. The more you spend the more you care.

Stores and advertisements are filled with the supposed “must haves” of the season. The things that they feel the customers never knew they always wanted and needed. They push their merchandise at unwitting shoppers, desperate to find the perfect gift. Our homes fill up with things we didn’t need, didn’t want or can’t use.

It’s hard to resist many of those sales pitches when it is all presented in a neat little ad or a 30 second pitch. People have gradually been conditioned to expect big and expensive gifts. You are made to feel like a cheapskate or you don’t really care if you don’t buy the expensive (fill in the blank) item that everyone wants!!

I’ve never bought that logic. My friends and family are in my life because we care about each other and love each other – not how much we spend on each other’s gifts. I refuse to measure a friends worth by how much they spend on me. I’d rather have something from a dollar store that was given with love than something that cost a lot of money and given out of obligation.

Many years ago, when one of my nieces was about 6 or 7, she gave me a plain white note pad for Christmas. Nothing fancy – just one of the ones you’d write a letter on. I asked her what made her decide to give me a note pad. She said that since I was always making lists on scrap paper, she figured this would be something I’d like! It was the best gift I got that year!

If consumers were to be perfectly honest, does anyone really NEED multi hundred dollar gifts such as shoes, purses, shirts/blouses, sweaters or jewellery? $50 pens or paperweights?

You can find lots of great deals at second hand shops, craft sales and discount retailers. I’m not talking kitsch either. There are gently used books, music, movies, clothes, toys, jewellery and any number of other items to be found in nearly new shops.

Consumers work extra hours to pay for the extra gifts and the extra entertaining of the obligatory gatherings. The extra hours mean less time with the people we want to be with so we compensate with bigger gifts we can’t afford. It’s a vicious circle.

Some recent surveys have shown that the average consumer here in Manitoba will spend close to $700 on gifts this holiday season. That isn’t counting the extra foods and decorations they may also buy!

In many ways I am lucky. I can’t afford to spend a lot on gifts but what I do spend goes a long way. Most of my Christmas gifts are my homemade chocolates and baking. This year I spent about $130 on supplies – including packaging. From that, I made up 37 gift bags and 3 trays in varying sizes. I donated 2 gift bags to a friend to auction as part of a fundraiser for “Movember” – a cause that has guys growing a moustache for the month of November to help raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research. The remaining will go to family, friends and the wonderful people who make my life easier throughout the year.

I spent about $125 on nine other gifts. Several of those were Christmas ornaments for the children in my life – the grandnieces and grandnephew and kids of friends. From the year they are born till they leave home they get a Christmas ornament every year (usually something handmade that I pick up at a craft sale in November). By the time they leave home, they have enough ornaments to decorate a small tree. They look forward to seeing what I get them every year and I love it because I don’t have to know what they have on their wish lists or the sizes they wear or what they already have.

Wish lists - done within reason - are a great way to make the shopping easier. Mine is generally quite detailed and even includes price estimates for many of the items. The most expensive item on it this year was about $60 but most were in the $5-$15 range.

Not everyone has the time or ability to bake or make their own gifts but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot at this time of year either.

Spend what you can afford without putting yourself in debt. If you are lucky enough to have the extra money to spend, please consider a donation to your local food bank, a homeless shelter, a coats for kids program or a toy drive. Pay it forward - you never know what the future holds. Somewhere down the road you or someone you love may need that helping hand. Even a small donation can warm a lot of hearts.

Give from the heart – not the pocketbook. It isn’t about the cost. It really is the thought that counts.

Yes, that is a bit of a cliché but your real friends will understand and appreciate whatever you give them. And in the end, isn’t that what the season is all about? Goodwill, peace and spending time with the people who matter to us.

dn