I don't cook. At least I try not to. At best, I do what my friend Dennis describes as "heating." You know, throwing a steak on the grill or steaming some green beans or artichokes. That's not really "cooking" like you see of the Food Network. It's just heating.
Apologies to mom (and at least one grandmom, for that matter); the cooking gene just didn't come my way. But when dad took a liking to my chilli last week, I knew that I had a winner! Mind you, there's a recipe involved, but the process is really just an elaborate exercise in "heating."
Fairfield County--which is located in "New England" (please, where are the cows?) but disguises itself as a New York City suburb(closer...)--could arguably be labeled the eye of the Super Bowl hurricane that's about to pass through this weekend. So what better time to let the cat out of the bag on my "top secret" recipe? Sorry. Don't read anything into that...the recipe calls for beef, no feline.
One more disclaimer...I don't cook. I know I already mentioned that, but I don't want you to forget. This recipe comes from my dear, dear southern friend (Bud, where the heck are ya?) from Arkansas: Go Hogs! Sou-weeee! She first served it to us on 1.1.2000. We were at their house in Athens, Georgia watching the Rose Bowl after ringing in the new Millennium the night before. It's the best chili I've ever had. So here goes:
Award Winning Chili (I made that up)
from the Kitchen of Miss Amy Davis Parker...an excellent cook and my dear, dear friend
In a big ol' (her words) stock pot:
Brown 2 lb. of ground beef and drain
Then add to brown:
1 bag of frozen chopped onions (cheating, but who cares)
1 bag of frozen chopped green peppers
2 cans of pinto beans, drained (I only use 1 can, and pinto beans are better than kidney)
Dump in (a technical cooking term):
1 48 oz can Vegetable juice (I was thinking of trying the "spicy" kind, but haven't)
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes (do NOT use the kind with garlic, basil, or anything else)
1 4 oz. can chopped green chillies
4 Tablespoons of Chili Powder (I use more)
pepper, salt, garlic and cumin to taste (see, it's not technical)
and here's the kicker...
1 bottle of beer or ale (I've tried all different kinds and Bass or Sam Adams works best. The most recent batch, I used TWO bottles and just let it cook off a little longer to thicken up).
HA! That's all there is to it. Let it simmer for several hours (at least three), until it has thickened up. Stir occasionally.
This recipe makes a pretty good-sized batch, enough for about a dozen people.
We serve it with garnishes:
sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped red onion
Miss Amy served it with homemade corn bread, but that involved more than just heating...
What's your favorite Super Bowl recipe?
1.31.2008
1.29.2008
Feel Like 'Walking in Memphis'?
OK...here's your reward for faithfully logging into this continuing babel.
My thoughtful husband--with only the most sentimental and romantic intentions--gave me (er,us) two tickets for Marc Cohn (Feb.15th at Tarrytown) as a Christmas gift. We LOVE Marc Cohn (like the rest of the world, we played "True Companion" at our wedding) and have been to at least eight concerts in the last few years. This one is especially special (is that a word?) b.c. Marc FINALLY (after only about 4 years waiting) has a new album out...and it's brilliant. What a GREAT Christmas gift...and so thoughtful.
Here's the problem...I'm not as thoughtful, and I didn't know what to get Todd for Christmas. So, I checked his trial calendar at work and went ahead and booked a long weekend (Feb. 14 - 18th) in the Wine Country of California. There's the problem...we can't do both.
Since I'm unwilling to "give away" our trip, and Todd--when given a choice--picked the trip, then I'm very willing to GIVE AWAY the concert tickets. That's right, you don't have to go backwards and re-read ... it says GIVE AWAY. Quite frankly, the "cheapie" in me tried to sell them on line. I logged on the Marc Cohn fan site (where I've been a member for the last six years), and posted a notice that I'd be selling the tix on eBay. Then I posted a 7-day auction on eBay with narry a nibble.
Marc Cohn is a little bit obscure (many years ago he won the grammy as "best new artist," and "best song" with "Walking in Memphis;" otherwise, people know him because so many people in the 90s used "True Companion" as their wedding song) and we want to give them to someone who would really appreciate them. The concert is the day after Valentine's Day, so it will make a nice "date night" for whomever wants them. And I'll even throw in a "free" copy of the new CD, which comprises his set list for this tour. As a junkie, I've been following the posts on the fan site to see what he's been playing at other venues. At one venue, Bonnie Raitt showed up and sang along with one of his new songs... hmmm... cool. One bit of bad news...there's lots of grumbling on the posts that he's not been playing "True Companion" at these shows. So, as a consolation, I'll put it on the CD for you!!! In any case, I guarantee an amazing evening of soulful singer/songwriter stuff.
And I figure, if you're reading this blog, then you're a close enough friend to justify the FREE giveaway!!
Check your calendar and respond immediately...I'll get the tickets right to you!
BTW, the seats are "medium"...not front and center, but not the cheap seats, either. It's a real small venue, so no matter where you sit, it will be intimate.
My thoughtful husband--with only the most sentimental and romantic intentions--gave me (er,us) two tickets for Marc Cohn (Feb.15th at Tarrytown) as a Christmas gift. We LOVE Marc Cohn (like the rest of the world, we played "True Companion" at our wedding) and have been to at least eight concerts in the last few years. This one is especially special (is that a word?) b.c. Marc FINALLY (after only about 4 years waiting) has a new album out...and it's brilliant. What a GREAT Christmas gift...and so thoughtful.
Here's the problem...I'm not as thoughtful, and I didn't know what to get Todd for Christmas. So, I checked his trial calendar at work and went ahead and booked a long weekend (Feb. 14 - 18th) in the Wine Country of California. There's the problem...we can't do both.
Since I'm unwilling to "give away" our trip, and Todd--when given a choice--picked the trip, then I'm very willing to GIVE AWAY the concert tickets. That's right, you don't have to go backwards and re-read ... it says GIVE AWAY. Quite frankly, the "cheapie" in me tried to sell them on line. I logged on the Marc Cohn fan site (where I've been a member for the last six years), and posted a notice that I'd be selling the tix on eBay. Then I posted a 7-day auction on eBay with narry a nibble.
Marc Cohn is a little bit obscure (many years ago he won the grammy as "best new artist," and "best song" with "Walking in Memphis;" otherwise, people know him because so many people in the 90s used "True Companion" as their wedding song) and we want to give them to someone who would really appreciate them. The concert is the day after Valentine's Day, so it will make a nice "date night" for whomever wants them. And I'll even throw in a "free" copy of the new CD, which comprises his set list for this tour. As a junkie, I've been following the posts on the fan site to see what he's been playing at other venues. At one venue, Bonnie Raitt showed up and sang along with one of his new songs... hmmm... cool. One bit of bad news...there's lots of grumbling on the posts that he's not been playing "True Companion" at these shows. So, as a consolation, I'll put it on the CD for you!!! In any case, I guarantee an amazing evening of soulful singer/songwriter stuff.
And I figure, if you're reading this blog, then you're a close enough friend to justify the FREE giveaway!!
Check your calendar and respond immediately...I'll get the tickets right to you!
BTW, the seats are "medium"...not front and center, but not the cheap seats, either. It's a real small venue, so no matter where you sit, it will be intimate.
1.28.2008
FOR SALE
1.27.2008
Why I Don't Complain
I thought I’d suck you in with that headline. It’s not completely true. But I didn’t know if anyone would read a post that says, Sometimes I Complain, and I Really Shouldn’t. Okay, I complain, but I really try not to. And here’s why…
Earlier today, I decided to get out of the house for a couple hours before the Orange come on the tube. I committed to take it easy for several days--this has been incredibly difficult--and I just couldn’t take the "relaxing" anymore. So I went to get a manicure.
I have a pretty good sized bruise on the back of my right hand. If you’ve been reading all along, you’ll recall that I had issues with the IV in the hospital. Jee, the adorable manicurist, noticed it right away and let out a little squeal. Not being sure how much she’d understand, I said…”hospital” and “I had surgery.” The woman next to me perked up from her fill-job and said, “Wow! They really did a number on you!” then said, “I hope you’re okay now.” I gave a brief overview of my last few days, trying to keep my phrases short and take breaths between sentences. This is how the therapist wants me to talk. Then the fill-job lady says…
now pay attention, because this is the reason that I try not to complain
“I had thyroid cancer and had surgery on my throat, too.” She continued by telling me how long it took her to recuperate and how difficult it is to move when you can’t use the muscles in your neck. She said her voice changed for several weeks (it’s back to normal now), and she showed me the pencil-sized zipper scar on her neck.
I can’t complain. And I’m going to continue to try not to.
Earlier today, I decided to get out of the house for a couple hours before the Orange come on the tube. I committed to take it easy for several days--this has been incredibly difficult--and I just couldn’t take the "relaxing" anymore. So I went to get a manicure.
I have a pretty good sized bruise on the back of my right hand. If you’ve been reading all along, you’ll recall that I had issues with the IV in the hospital. Jee, the adorable manicurist, noticed it right away and let out a little squeal. Not being sure how much she’d understand, I said…”hospital” and “I had surgery.” The woman next to me perked up from her fill-job and said, “Wow! They really did a number on you!” then said, “I hope you’re okay now.” I gave a brief overview of my last few days, trying to keep my phrases short and take breaths between sentences. This is how the therapist wants me to talk. Then the fill-job lady says…
now pay attention, because this is the reason that I try not to complain
“I had thyroid cancer and had surgery on my throat, too.” She continued by telling me how long it took her to recuperate and how difficult it is to move when you can’t use the muscles in your neck. She said her voice changed for several weeks (it’s back to normal now), and she showed me the pencil-sized zipper scar on her neck.
I can’t complain. And I’m going to continue to try not to.
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