09.25.09
Posted in Uncategorized
at 7:02 pm
It was a typical Indian Summer day yesterday but it was also the first night of our county fair. I entered again this year as did Tim and Tracy. But I will talk more about that later on.
I first want to tell you about the fair. They have the usual carnival rides, the Merry Go Round, Ferris Wheel,Round Up , ect. It looked like fun but at our age the rides were out so we just hung out at the exhibits.
They had all sorts of exhibits from the Farm Bureau, Anti Abortion, Political, Emergency Safety, Sheriff Department, 4 – H, the public schools . As well as the usual fair exhibits. The Public School exhibit was quite interesting and it showed that we have quite a few very talent students here in old St. Mary’s County.
But now let me tell you about the competition exhibits. The Best in show in the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Building went to a 452 pound pumpkin. It was large but I think it was to mis-shapen to have won best in show but it did. Someone had made a decorative entry of a teddy bear made out of several different sized pumpkins. Others had made elephants out of gourds many talented ideas. It was fantastic to see so many entries. The Fair seems to be making a come back. There are far more entrants the last two years than when I first started entering the fair 3 years ago. The photography entries were great so many talented people it must have been hard to judge. I know I never would have been able to. The home arts and crafts exhibits and entries were just fantastic.So much talent in one very small county I just can not get over it.
Now finally my category the home canned baked goods exhibit. Tim entered his canned tomatoes and Tracy tried her hand at sugar free peach preserves. I entered my Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup. I honestly did not know what to expect this year. I had not seen so many entries so early during the drop off since I started entering the fair. But I told Tim and Tracy good luck in their respective categories and we all dropped of our items. We arrived at the Fair yesterday and they wanted to rush to the home building but I figured we might as well check out some other areas first seeing as I did not expect any of us to place this year but loll and behold my Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup did place. I received the 2nd place ribbon this year. I could not believe it. Tim look like the proud poppa of a new born son. Tim nor Tracy did not place but the had fun and that is the most important thing.
Here is my recipe for my second place winning soup. Hope ya’ll enjoy it.
CHICKEN VEGETABLE NOODLE SOUP:
6 cups of chicken stock
1 onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 medium carrots washed and peeled, sliced
2 medium potatoes washed,peeled and cut up into 1 inch cubes
1 cup lima beans
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup cooked peas
1 cup noodles cooked as per package directions
2 teaspoons sage
1 teaspoon garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
Place the chicken stock, onion, celery carrots ,potatoes and spices in a stock pot and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered till potatoes are tender. Mean while cook the noodles as directed on the package. Add the remaining vegetables continue cooking till all vegetables are heated through. Add cooked noodles and heat another 5 minutes or till noodles are heated.
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12.02.08
Posted in Uncategorized
at 4:07 pm
The long cold winter nights are almost upon us. With so few fresh vegetables and fruits available at this time of the year, wintertime calls for a different approach to the pantry and a new approach to cooking. Now is the time to look to your pantry for inspiration. So I have compiled a list of pantry staples to help me get through the winter that I thought I would share with ya’ll. I hope it will help you plan many a winters night meal.
Winter Pantry:
Dried and canned beans; navy,kidney, pinto,black beans ect.
Jasmine or Basmati rice
Sun-dried tomatoes
Olives
canned tomatoes; whole,diced.crushed,sauce,paste,ect.
olives; Greek,black,green ect
pimentos
noodles
artichoke hearts
Canned Stocks; Beef,Chicken,Vegetable
Flours; wheat,all purpose, cake,cornmeal,ect.
Olive oil
Corn oil
Salsas
This is just a basic idea to get you started in getting a winter pantry started. I hope ya’ll find this useful.
I have a pretty full freezer this year again. It is full of all of this summers best fruits and vegetables. Just waiting to be prepared for a winters meal.I have compiled a list of a few things that I feel are a must in a winter freezer.
The Winter Freezer:
Homemade stocks ; chicken,beef and vegetable
Homemade tomato sauces
Fresh corn
Fresh green beans
Brussel sprouts
carrots
onion
peppers
celery
Fresh herbs that had slightly begun to wilt
Rinds from hard cheese like Parmesan. They are great to toss into a pot of simmering soup or spaghetti sauce.
Scraps of smoked meats such as bacon,or smoked turkey or ham
I try to can or freeze as much as possible during the summer so that I will have plenty of farm fresh vegetables on hand all through the winter. This also helps me know that my family is eating the healthiest vegetables I can give them as there is no added salt or preservatives in my canning or freezing.
Ya’ll keep warm this winter and have a cup of piping hot chocolate and relax. Spring is right around the corner.
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07.02.08
Posted in Uncategorized
at 7:06 am
The fourth of July is just around the corner. So I decided to ask Tim what he wants to do this year. Last year we went to the boardwalk on Solomon’s Island to see the fireworks but they had moved the location. This year Solomon’s says they are moving the fireworks back to their original location due to public DEMAND. Last year you could not see the fire works from all points on the island.So hopefully they have moved them to the center of the river this year. So that is where Tim wants to go again this year. Hip Hip Hooray. There is not alot to do on Solomon’s Boardwalk. You have to get there about 10 or 11 in the morning to get a parking space and then all there is to do is people watch or shop in the over priced little tourist shops in town. Or watch the boats out on the water. I want a parade,picnic and then the fireworks. Not just sitting around all day long in the humid hot air. But I will go no complaints as this is what Tim has done almost every year for years. It is not easy to get this old tiger to change his stripes, so I just sit back and chill. One day I know it will change and I can not wait to do something else one year.
This year I am planning on bringing Fried Chicken Wings, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Tossed salad, and cold cuts. There will also be plenty of cold sodas, lemonade, bottled water and of course sweet Tea brought along. Along with watermelon, lopes and honeydew and any other fruits we can think of. For dessert I think a nice patriotic Red, White, and Blue cake or pie will be just grand.
Then on the fifth we will have a nice sized cook out. Everyone has to bring dish or something for the grill. Along with their own drinks. I have no idea as to what I am doing yet. I really wish we could just do everything here at home on the fourth and just chill the rest of the week end.
So I hope everyone has a TERRIFIC JULY 4TH. Enjoy the fireworks and most of all GOD BLESS THE USA. Remember don’t drive if you have been drinking. Lets keep the roads safe this holiday.
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