But for the Grace of God....

This is a picture of Sendai a bustling port town. A town completely taken out by the Tsunami.

I am deeply awed by the grace of the Japanese people in the wake of last weeks horrific disaster.....The humble consideration they show towards each other...their calmness and the orderly way they go about their trial...When Japan lost a large chunk of its electricity-generating capacity to the three punch of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.... one of the world’s most technologically advanced societies was turned overnight into one of a Third World.

Japan has 55 nuclear reactors....out of Japans 55 reactors...1/5 of them were knocked out, reducing their power...well over a million people  have none or limited power, water or shelter...The number of nuclear plants they have off line is far greater than the generating capacity of the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest single power generating plant in the (U.S.) Northwest.

The transportation and communications systems were largely stopped and large areas of the country remain   without safe drinking water...many of the population are scavenging the wreckage for food, and warm clothing as the temperatures are freezing at night...portable shelters are being made and everyone seems to be helping each other...there is report after report of the kindness and caring that has been demonstrated.

The rationing is causing discomfort in many places, along with residents accepting the generosity of others in a country that is accustomed to modern efficiency and self reliance.

I guess it is natural for everyone at a time like this to think about this happening to us, in our homes...We here in the Northwest live in a likely earthquake zone, we are located on top of the fault line. and then, there is the likelihood of our beloved mountain erupting. But wherever you live, there are also catastrophe's that can hit you...hurricane, tornado or floods. The US has 104 reactors..do we all know where they are located and how many are in your area?

I have been thinking what I would do if we were faced with such a tragedy. Would I have such grace? Would I be so considerate? Would I be willing to share my food supply with strangers? I am not sure, being faced with such adversity how I would re-act. But, if I prepare well...and have a plan...I hope to do just that.....

So the time is right to come up with a plan of action to take care of myself and my family....FEMA has suggested that we all have a 72 hour pack...one for each member in your family...One that you can pick up and take with you at a moments notice and live on... most help will be on its way with-in 3 days.....In my mind I have been packing my backpack...this could turn into a fun project! I know I would want a change of clothes, and a warm blanket and battery powered lamp...many candles, matches...food that doesn't require cooking...water, lots of water, and a hairbrush and rubber bands..and toothbrush and tennis shoes..and a wind up radio with a cell phone charger...and a book...(this reminds me of the Steve Martin movie, The Jerk, where he is picking up things as he is leaving, first saying he doesn't need anything except this paddle ball, then the ashtray, then the matches, then the lamp and finally the chair)....

 there is a great web site where you will find everything you need , including filled backpacks and other emergency supplies, They also have shelf stable foods that will keep for a very long time...

http://www.shelfreliance.com/addiesimper

 check out what Fema says, they know their stuff...they have great ideas for any terrible tragic disaster..
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

once you have your kit assembled, it is a great idea to stock your larder heavily...buy food you like and use on a regular basis..buy plenty to share, look into a portable cooking stove, and some long term survival items. If you add as you can, the expense won't be such a hardship. 

My heart is with Japan...

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup...

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

This is a great springtime dinner...it goes together very quickly and is so warm and creamy....perfect to make after working in the outdoors all day....

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
1 cup of cooked wild rice
2 cups of sliced mushrooms
3 cloves of garlic.minced
1 bunch of green onion, slice the bulb section, saving the sliced tops for garnish
1/4 cup of butter
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
Saute  onion, and minced garlic in butter..for approximately 1 minute then add mushrooms...saute for 3-4 minutes on medium heat, then add the rice, and chicken stock, (reserving 1/2 cup of the chicken stock...add the cornstarch to the reserved stock)...cook until boiling and then add the half and half....slowly add  reserved cornstarch mixture, while it is boiling and stirring until it is thickened...it turns very velvety...add salt and pepper and ladle into bowls...garnish as you like with chopped green onion tops, grated carrot or chopped bacon.....

get all your ingredients ready to go....this would be great with leeks instead of the scallions....

saute the mushrooms and onion and garlic in butter....

mix the cornstarch in the reserved chicken stock..

cook the mushrooms well...it is great if it has little brown bits....add the rice and then add the chicken stock and half and half...bring back to a boil..cook for a few minutes so it reduces just slightly..

then as it is simmering add the cornstarch slurry...and serve...

You have just made the creamiest handmade cream of mushroom soup money can buy!

Enjoy!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Weeding Glasses...

This is the coolest thing I have found out shopping lately! Weeding glasses...yes they are for weeding in the garden..I bought them at a garden center but they would be great for laying on the lawn swing in the garden reading....I have just worn sun glasses over my reading glasses...it is a real dilemma for a girl, seriously!

they come with a nice cover...

they have some embellishment...I picked pink flowers...

my cousin has some too and I swear she looks like Sophia Loren with them on!

http://thereaderstore.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=72
here is the link to purchase them on-line...they may be available in your local flower store too!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Boiled Raisin Cake...

This is my beautiful Aunt Mary...She is my father's sister and the most wonderful cook. She raised a large family and has a million grandchildren. She has cooked great homemade food all her life. She has some of the best recipes. Aunt Mary is an original 'Foodie'..She loves to feed people..all people. And laugh...I will always remember what I heard her say once...She loves to be' in the middle of the giggle'...isn't that the best?

Her Children made a cook book of her recipes.
This is not your ordinary aunts cookbook.

Yes it has pictures of her family and sections with dividers....

but check this out...there is her hand writing under each recipe! And she didn't write a word! How did they do that? Well...they sent a transcript and a sample of her handwriting and there is a magic program that does this for you! it is so cool!

two of her children got her on the phone and they talked to her about every recipe in the book and one of her children was typing out every word....uncensored....so unknown to her they added all her own words and stories about every recipe...it is a hoot to read!

so here we are at one of my very favorite recipes. It was made by her mother, my grandmother and is a family favorite..

And Aunt Mary has a great story that went along with it......(but dont tell Edith)

Boiled Raisin Cake
2+C. Raisins
3 1/2 cups of water
2 cubes of butter, 1/2 pound or 1 cup
2 C sugar
4 C flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs unbeaten
Boil raisins and water together for 10 minutes. While it is hot, add the butter and then sugar. Stir and cool. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together, then add to raisin mixture and stir up. Add vanilla and eggs and stir again. Pour into large baking pan, that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes, or until done. While cake is cooling make the glaze.
Glaze
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup of butter
3 T cream or milk
heat glaze ingredients on the stove top on medium heat until bubbling, then simmer until dissolved and smooth..Pour over warm cake and serve...

I used golden raisins..because I only had golden on hand...but would certainly use regular raisins if I had them..boil  them for 10 minutes and then take off the burner...

put in 2 cubes of butter and 2 cups of sugar, dissolve....it takes about a half hour to cool ...

it turns into this buttery thick syrup...smells great!...

this is how I sift ingredients...if I had a sifter I probably wouldn't get it out to use..this handy strainer works great....

pour the raisiny mixture into the dry ingredients and stir well...add the vanilla and eggs and stir again...

pour into a large pan...I used my over sized 9x13 inch pan...

bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees...gosh don't look at my messy oven...

while it is finishing up baking cook the glaze...add the sugar, butter and cream..cook over medium heat until bubbling, cook until smooth....about 5 minutes or so....

I considered mine done...but I like it a little gritty...it tastes like penuche to me...

put the glaze over the hot cake...cool the cake until it is just warm ....doesn't this picture make the cake look long?

cut, and enjoy every single

crumb...hmmmm....it is so moist and buttery and brown sugary..

Cheers to Happy Aunt Mary!!!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches...with Root Beer...

This is my nephew Eric's favorite, wildly famous recipe....he is a HUGE Seattle Sounders soccer fan....he goes to every single game! Here he is with Drew Carey at one of the games....how cool would that be going to the game with Drew Carey? Well anyway, Eric is not in the kitchen often...but when he is making his pulled pork recipe everyone steps aside and lets him create! I was sceptical when I heard of this recipe...Pork cooked in root beer, really? But after many family members said it was delicious and the best pulled pork they had ever eaten...I had to try this! Wow, am I glad I did!!! Thanks, Eric!

Root Beer Pulled Pork

Root Beer Pulled Pork

any size piece of boneless lean pork roast

meat rub of your choosing

favorite root beer to cover

favorite barbecue sauce

favorite buns

I cooked a 1 1/2 pound roast and it made 6 meaty sandwiches...total time spent on these great sandwiches was maybe 20 minutes.....these would be great with coleslaw added to the sandwich....you can't go wrong with this recipe...whether for a backyard treat, a tail gate party or just barbecue in the middle of winter it is a huge winner!

the previous night, rub your seasoning all over the roast and place in the refrigerator, the next day place in your crock pot and ...

take out your favorite root beer, mine is Thomas Kemper made here locally....but the big 2 liter bottles will work just fine....

cover pork with the root beer...place the lid on and turn the slow cooker on low....go about your day...wait 8 hours....

here is the slow cooked pork.....the house smell great! Seriously like pork roast and root beer...

take the meat out and place on a platter...the meat is moist and fall apart tender....

shred in chunks with two forks.....and place back in the crock pot...put a bottle (or two) of your favorite barbecue sauce on top and gently toss....toast your buns and you are ready to assemble!

You may want some extra barbecue sauce to drizzle on the top...time to enjoy heaven on a plate!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Chinese Beef and Broccoli...

chinese beef and broccoli

This is a great and fast way to make Chinese stir-fry instead of running to the take-out restaurant...there is nothing like coming home and staying...... not going back out for something to eat....this is a great recipe...it can be changed up so easy! Chicken instead of beef, pea pods instead of broccoli, adding mushrooms or scallions or both...but just these few ingredients are super great!

Chinese Beef and Broccoli...

4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
1 pound spaghetti noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, crushed and finely chopped
1.25 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 pound broccoli
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon each soy sauce, fish sauce and rice wine. Add the sugar and continue to whisk until completely dissolved. Stir in the corn starch and continue stirring until smooth. Add the sesame oil and beef, and mix well. Marinate for 20 minutes. Drain and discard the excess marinade.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles until just shy of done and drain. (We'll finish cooking the noodles at the end)
Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over high heat and stir-fry the garlic until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the beef and stir-fry until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and when hot, add the broccoli, stir frying so that the oil coats the broccoli. Pour in the 1/4 cup of the stock, turn the heat to medium-low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook the broccoli until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a plate
Add the remaining cup of stock and the remaining 2 tablespoons each of soy sauce, fish sauce, and white wine vinegar to the same skillet and bring to a boil over high heat.
Add the noodles and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, leaving the noodles lightly moistened,2 to 3 minutes. Return the beef and broccoli to the skillet and toss to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Season with pepper to taste and serve.

cut your beef up in thin bite size pieces.....

mix the sauce and add...gently stirring and let rest for 20 minutes...

fry in hot oil in a hot pan.....

when done take out and add.....

broccoli and cook until tender crisp...

when done take out and next.....

add the rest of chicken stock and sauces....

bring to a boil and then add the broccoli and beef...when all the liquid is absorbed it is finished!

get your chop sticks ready and enjoy!

Cheers to Happy  !!