We made it through Halloween with only 4 visitors. I love our trick or treaters make appointments. They were a small but delightful group. Madeleine even sang us a song. Now we just have to make it through the time change on Sunday. Back to feeling like we are moles.
Book club was here at my home, a good group. We reviewed Beneath A Scarlet Sky.
We will meet again on Monday Nov. 12th at Linda W’s home. We will talk about America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie.
Let Linda know if you are coming.
Traveling neighbors
- Cheri is back in Bakersfield visiting her parents.
Nov. Birthdays
- Preeti is our only birthday girl this month.
Recipes Du Jour– It is time for soups and braises
Instant Black Bean Soup
2 (15 oz) cans no-salt black beans
½ C Picante sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (16 oz) low salt chicken broth
Top with:
Low fat cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Green onions sliced
Cilantro chopped
Pour beans (undrained) into a sauce. Partial mash beans with a potato masher. Add salsa, chili powder and broth, bring to a boil then simmer.
Serve with your favorite toppings
Recipe from Cooking Light
Minestrone Soup
2 (16 oz.) cans white cannellini beans
1 # Italian sausage, I use bulk chicken sausage. Remove casings if you use sausages
1 med onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 carrots chopped
1 parsnip chopped
1 (28 oz) can Italian stewed tomatoes
5 cups chicken stock
2 T Balsamic vinegar
1 T fresh thyme
2 T. olive oil
1 T. fresh rosemary
3 fresh sage leaves
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup small pasta
Directions:
- Brown sausage in a Dutch oven, add onion, celery, carrots and parsnip sauté until vegetables soften about 5 minutes
- Add chopped herbs and bay leaf
- Partially drain beans and add to the pot along with the tomatoes and olive oil
- Pour enough chicken stock to cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 1 ½ hours
- Add pasta and chicken stock to make it as thick or thin as you like.
- Cook until pasta is al dente.
Tips Du Jour
- When preparing b butternut squash microwave for 2-3 minutes this makes it much easier to peel and cut up.
- When you need to cut cherry tomatoes for a salad this trick works well. Place tomatoes on a plate then another plate on top then slice through the tomatoes.
- This simple trick slows down apples from turning brown. Squeeze lemon or dip in 1-part honey to 2 parts water
- When cleaning your stainless sink mix vinegar and water together and spray the surface with the mixture then wipe, your sink will sparkle.
- When you are making meat loaf and want it to be a fast meal. Place the meat loaf mixture in muffin tins and bake at 450 F for 15 minutes.
- Plastic wrap will stretch more evenly and properly if you store it in the fridge.
- Saving fresh herbs. Preserve them by chopping them then putting them in ice trays with oil or water and freezing them. You then just take out what you want to use when making soups or a braise.
Restaurant Review
The Mar-Ket Fishmonger and Eatery
508 Main St.
Edmonds WA
425 967 5329
Daily until 9 PM
We finally ate at the Mar-Ket. We had fish and chips. You get a whole filet of cod and lots of fries. The fish and chips were good but not any better than Hills. There is limited space to eat inside, so be prepared to wait. Service was good. They have fresh seafood, wine and various food items, condiments and the like. I put a menu down on the bulletin board by the door to the garage.
Party time
It is time for the annual Christmas party here at Richmond Manor.
Sunday Dec. 2nd from 5 PM in the Book Nook
Bring your favorite appetizer or desert for everyone to enjoy.
There will be a sign-up sheet for you to list what you plan to bring.
It is always a fun event. A good way to kick off the Christmas season.