Experimenting a little was on my agenda for tonight's meal. Of course, I also cooked some of my "regular" stuff as well, just in case the experiment went awry. (It didn't, but there must always be a "Plan B" to take care of unanticipated problems.)
Let's get to the menu: First of all, I had put some white beans to soak last night so they'd be ready for cooking this morning--and they were. I used a pot that Mis' Dot's niece, Linda, gave us when she was cleaning up the trailer. Maybe that's why, but those were some of the best white beans I've ever cooked--tender, tasty, delicious. I added only onions and green peppers to the beans, along with a little salt and pepper. I cooked them over a relatively low fire for several hours--and they were just right for supper tonight. BOTH Randi and Sid complimented me on those beans!
The other "regular" item on the menu was some green onion sausage from Winn Dixie. Sid had gotten some yesterday, but I didn't think there was enough, so he picked up another pack today. We probably could have made it only the one pack, but it would have been close--and besides, this way, we have some for tomorrow. Yummy!
Now for the experiment: For years I have wanted to get a wok for my kitchen--didn't know what to do with it, didn't know what to cook in it, didn't really know anything about it; but I wanted one! While we were visiting with Josh, Joey, Leah, and the kids, I saw one in one of the stores we were in, and I decided to get one, getting Josh's opinion on this (he and Leah both use one in their cooking). I figured this would be one of those pots that would be stuck in my cabinet and never used--I WAS WRONG!
Since I got this wok, I've been cooking more veggies than I think we've ever eaten before, even veggies that I didn't like at one time. Mostly, I've used the wok to cook beef strips with onions, but I've also cooked onions, peppers, green and yellow squash, and whatever I happened to have in the house. Tonight, I decided to add diced potatoes to the mix. Hmmmmm--how would that work?
Because I know how long it usually takes to cook potatoes, I decided to get all the ingredients ready but to cook the potatoes first, so that's what I did. As the potatoes began to get tender, I added the onions; a little later, I added the squash, continuing to cook on a lower fire, stirring often. By the time the sausage was cooked and the beans were ready again (we thought we'd have to re-heat them, but we didn't), the veggies were done. Whew! I am glad I tried that--Randi wouldn't even try them, of course, but Sid and I REALLY enjoyed them. I ate them with a little bit of Ranch dressing as a dip; really, really, good stuff--and we have more for tomorrow. It was a worthwhile experiment--and that gives me another dish for future reference.
The weather here has been extremely cold for this time of the year--below freezing most of the day. It's supposed to warm up a little by the weekend, though, so I suppose we can look forward to more rain. Sid and Randi went on the porch for a while, but they didn't last long--both of them came in within minutes complaining of the coldness. I, on the other hand, had decided NOT to attempt to sit out there today--and I guess I made the right decision.
Today was relatively quiet, as you can tell, so I don't have much to write about today. I know that Sid has done most of his school work and is almost ready for next week's classes. I think he only has lesson plans to make, but all of his grades are done and recorded, so getting them onto report cards will be a breeze.
Hope you had a good day and that this evening is relaxing for you.
"No life can be barren which hears the whisper of the wind in the branches, or the voice of the sea as it breaks upon the shore; and no soul can lack happiness looking up to the midnight stars." --William Winter
