2013 So Far

Well, so far it’s been calm waters for the first two days of the year.  I made the traditional New Year meal with pork roast, cabbage and black eyed peas, along with cornbread.  The kids ate until they were ready to burst, and then I brought out the pecan pie I made while they slept the night before.  Then they ate some more.

Brian asked last night if I knew how to cook lamb.  No, I do not. Lamb is not a popular meat in most of the U. S., I’ve never even seen it on the shelf in the local grocery markets.  I’m sure we have specialty stores or butcher shops where it could be gotten, but I’ve never tried.  I don’t think I’ve ever eaten lamb.  Beef, pork, chicken, and fish are what usually grace our table. Apparently he saw a cooking program serving lamb with mint sauce.  I may have to see about that one day and give it a try.

As a backup plan, he asked for mexican food today, so I woke up early to go to the store and get everything I didn’t have on hand.  His "Aunt Judy" which is my ex-wife, is mexican.  She taught me how to cook, but only from scratch like they did back home in Mexico.  So I had to buy a few things such as a couple cloves of garlic and seasonings to make the fajita marinade.  Our menu is kind of extensive today with tacos, chicken fajitas, spanish rice and guacamole.  I’m making chicken stock now for the rice…it’s a full morning cooking, but it’s fun.  They love the rice especially.  Naturally, the least healthy option on the table, lol.  I’m also making banana nut bread for this evening. I’ve turned into a regular housewife lately with all the cooking and cleaning.  It will drop dramatically in a few weeks when I am able to get back to work I’m sure.

It’s cold inside today, we didn’t turn on the heat last night and the temperature dropped.  Our weather is crazy, it can be 70 when you go to bed, and then wake up to ice on the ground the next morning.  In fact, that happened just last week.  You never know if you’re going to wake up and wear shorts and sandles or winter coats around here.  It’s a bit dreary looking outside, but I have the dinner cooking and a pot of coffee brewing.  Going to put some music on and read a good book while I cook today.

UPDATE: 4 hours later:  The rice turned out perfect.  If you want the recipe, here it is, it’s simple.

1 small chicken

2 cans tomatoe paste

salt

2-3 cloves of garlic

1 medium onion

2 cups uncooked white rice

Boil chicken and debone, saving the chicken stock.

In a skillet saute onion and garlic until translucent.   Stir in the uncooked rice and saute in oil until a light golden brown.  

Stir in the tomatoe sauce to taste

Using skimmed chicken stock, cook the rice.  Fluff when done.

I usually add in the chicken, but the chicken can also be seasoned separately after boiling and used as chicken tacos.  My wifes grandmother taught her this recipe.  She tried to teach me, but she didn’t speak english, and I didn’t speak spanish, so Judy had to translate!   We call this Abwelah’s Rice for her grandmother.