PRONTO SOUP
Drain and rinse the beans.
Put everything but the spinach in a large pot and
bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes.
While soup simmers, chop or slice the spinach.
When onion is tender, soup is ready. Add spinach and
serve.
Note: You can
alter any way you wish. Use chicken broth or summer sausage, add cooked rice or tomatoes, add some pepper or garlic powder. Don’t add salt until you
taste.
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
In a large saucepan, combine the chicken broth, lemon pepper and cumin seed, and bring to a boil.
Cook garlic in oil one minute. Add to chicken. Sauté onions in same oil and add.
Add corn, chiles, ground cumin, and lime juice and bring to a boil.
Add beans and simmer until heated.
Put crushed tortilla chips in each person’s bowl and pour in soup. Top with cheese.
Return to heat, and dump in sausage and mixed vegetables.
Return to boiling, reduce heat and cover.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5 minutes.
Mix flour and milk and stir to combine well.
Add milk to saucepan and cook and stir over medium heat until the soup is slightly thickened and ready to boil.
Continue cooking and stirring for one minute.
Add cheese and stir until completely melted into the soup.
For a heartier soup, stir in cooked chicken, ham, or shrimp.
Combine all but the beets in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for five minutes.
Add beets and let stand at room temperature for one hour.
Cover and chill six hours or overnight.
Note: Sliver
beet slices, if desired.
If you wish, add onions after the beets are cold.
TARTAR SAUCE
Put the strawberries in a large bowl.
Stir in lemon juice.
Stir pectin into strawberries. Mix thoroughly.
Let strawberries sit 30 minutes, stirring every five minutes.
Slowly add sugar, mixing thoroughly. Continue stirring until dissolved.
Pour into glass jars or plastic containers with lids.
Leave on counter for 24 hours.
Refrigerate for up to three weeks, or freeze up to one year. Thaw in refrigerator.
Note: For a lower sugar version, buy the low sugar
pectin. Each box of pectin also comes with instructions.
This is also good on pancakes or vanilla ice cream.
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I also had a couple of misses.  |
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And I actually went out to lunch one day when I had an errand at the mall - fish and chips at London Calling. I love the way it looks, the condiments are well stocked, everything is very clean, nice seating area, service is prompt, but I had too many French fries (I mean a lot too many), skimpy portions of fish, and paid $2.19 for a very small Cole slaw with too much dressing.   I should have had a pasty instead. Or maybe I should have gone to Appleby's. They have great fish and chips.  Thank Yous: To Friend Jean for the cutest, cleverest 4th of July card ever. She always makes creative cards, but this is one of her really superb creations.  And the last time I bought gas in 2020, it was $1.699; last week I paid $2.769. I've been working on downsizing, so to all who voted for Biden, thank you for helping me downsize my money. Things to Enjoy: Of course, every day is wonderful, but my days right now are not as much fun as I usually enjoy. I'm too busy and too tired to go out, so my fun things are on the computer or in a book. I told you about Dean and Nala, but he hasn't had any new YouTube posts lately, and I don't do Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Here's his latest update Click and some very cute Nala photos. So right now I'm spending time with Nicolas on his blog and on YouTube. I did, however, pick at his lastest vlog on Afternoon Tea Click and when Niece Leslie asked me why, this was my reply: The sandwiches: Cutting the bread first is
more time consuming, and if you prepare the sandwiches and then cut off the
crusts, the filling goes all the way to the edge. Chilling them first would
probably solve the problem of messy edges when you cut the fingers. I usually
don't cut fingers with salad fillings for that reason. I did, however, decide
that I'll experiment with cutting only two fingers from each sandwich instead
of three after seeing his presentation. And I forgot to tell her that he should have buttered the bread so the fillings don't seep in and make it soggy. And I'm not sure I agree with assembling them a day ahead. Scones were fine, except that he said that he
didn't have clotted cream, so he should have substituted butter. Only jam just
seems weird.
The sweets were nice, but he didn't mention purchased items, yet the serving plate had items he didn't make. Flowers: Someone must have mentioned that you cut stems on the angle, because he didn't before, and he even mentioned that he was cutting on the angle. However, you do not cut stems with scissors. That pinches the stem closed, resulting in difficulty in getting water to the flowers. You cut the stems (yes, on the angle), but with a knife, preferably a floral knife. When he put only two flowers in the vase, I cringed. You always do an uneven number. His natural instinct must have kicked in, because he added a third to each vase. He ended up putting the scones and sweets together on one serving plate. They're separate courses and normally you serve sandwiches on the bottom, scones in the middle, and sweets on top of a three-tiered server. You eat from bottom to top. Arranging the table with a three-tier server can be difficult because sometimes guests would be looking around it to talk. If you use a two-tier, serve the scones separately. With the small table he used, I would have shown tea for two, thereby freeing up more room for the food. I don't know what is proper, but I only use dessert plates for afternoon tea. You really don't need a large dinner plate - it makes the food look skimpy. And I don't like dinner knives for spreading scones. I use only spreaders (which are difficult to find, by the way). I think a proper tea uses only a dessert plate, a spoon for the tea, and a spreader for the scones. I don't always serve a "proper" tea, and I have tiny forks and spoons for trifle shooters or little tarts you wouldn't want to pick up. That sort of thing. I'm not an expert, but these are the Aunt
Patsy ways of doing a tea, and I still enjoyed his presentation. I shouldn't be so critical. I'm no expert and I certainly couldn't do what he's doing, but you know how bossy I can be. And here's his blog - Click My other fun time is with Jennifer Scott. Here's her book:  Jennifer was an exchange student, and while she was in Paris, she observed the French way from Madame Chic (not her real name, of course), and put her lessons in a very entertaining book. I was recapping some of them for Friend Linda E: I'm really enjoying her book. Younger women should read this book; I'm a little late finding it though some things are worthwhile. For instance, I've cut out snacking altogether, except yesterday when I dragged the mango bread out of the freezer, nuked it and slathered it with butter. I haven't really missed snacking. I think I felt I needed to do something to celebrate the birthday of our nation, but didn't want to run out for fireworks. From Madame Chic's lessons: No snacking No eating on the run (guess I can remove the salt packets from my car) Drink lots of water throughout the day Eat only quality food Shop often so your fruits and veggies are fresh Make the presentation attractive Be mindful of what you're eating-enjoy it Incorporate exercise into your daily life; i.e. park far away
from the building when shopping Explore your neighborhood on foot or on a bicycle (Not you Jean - the way you bike, the neighborhood isn't large enough) Laziness is not chic
Be brutal and clear out your closets. Assemble a ten-item wardrobe (not including outerwear, occasion
wear, accessories, shoes, and layering shirts). Round it out with scarves,
jewelry, etc.
I was shocked when our tour guide in Paris wore the same
clothes two days in a row. After reading this book, I understand the
French way. Only wear things you love, look great on you, and reflect who you are. Think of how you want to present yourself to the world every
time you get dressed.
When shopping, Madame Chic looked at Jennifer and said, "That sweater does not look good on you." Jennifer was surprised, and said, "But it's a silk and cashmere blend." MC: "Don't be upset. It's just an observation. As a woman you must know what colors look the best on you. How are you to know if no one tells you?" MC: "You must pay very close attention to what enhances
your beauty and what detracts from it. It is a must for every woman." (Even at my age? Naw!) Make-up: Have a low-maintenance routine for everyday and always look
your best. Don't be shy about consulting professionals to see which shades
are best for you.
Now would be a good time for this. I was in Macy's the other day, and there were few shoppers. I think we've adopted online shopping, and it will remain long after the virus is history. Use a finishing spray to keep your makeup in place. Showing my ignorance. I've never even heard of a finishing spray. Skin Care: Drink lots of water and limit caffeine and alcohol. Get regular massages (Ain't happenin'). Get regular facials or do them at home. Always wear sunscreen. (Too late). She's very sweet and always throws in things like this: Most
important, no matter what state your skin is in, strive to be
comfortable in it. Doing so will make you most attractive. Dressing: Dress presentably on a daily basis to honor yourself and
those around you. Oops! Dress beautifully when you travel to receive the best and
friendliest service. Never save your best clothes for "later." Enjoy them.
What are you waiting for? Art of Femininity Cultivate good posture. Oops again! Choose a signature perfume or a capsule perfume wardrobe.
I used to wear perfume every day. Always Estee Lauder: Beautiful in spring; White Linen in summer; Estee (not the original) in fall; and Cinnabar in winter. I stopped because some people are allergic, AND I hate being next to someone whose chosen perfume is too heavy. I think most women have given up perfume. Am I correct? Have well-groomed nails and hair. So if I haven't put you to sleep yet - SPEND SOME TIME ON YOUTUBE - THERE ARE EVEN MOVIES GO TO THE LAKE - WATER SOOTHES GROW SOMETHING WHILE SUMMER IS HERE DO SOME JUST-FOR-FUN SUMMER READING CLEAR OUT YOUR CLOSET BUY A NEW FLASHY GARMENT MAYBE ADD SOME BLING TO YOUR WARDROBE THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE |
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