Spicy Vegetarian Chili - 2013 Version

Seems like every year about this time my thoughts turn to making chili.  Chili with beans, chili with meat and chili with all kinds of vegetables.  Yesterday I made up a spicy vegetarian chili that could double as a decongestant.  It was really easy to do if you have the ingredients on hand.   There's a fairly long list of ingredients but it only takes a few minutes to put together. 

 

 

Chop peppers, onions, squash, zuchini and carrots and gather up the spices, tomatoes, sauce and beans.  I like the peppers, onions and carrots more finely chopped and the squash and zuchini coarsely chopped for bigger chunks.

 

 
 Saute onions and peppers in olive oil and then add the carrot, squash and zuchini to saute until barely soft.  Add the spices and stir to coat and then add everything else and simmer until ready to eat.

When ready to serve garnish with a little bit of sour cream, some grated cheese, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeno and a few chopped spring onions.   Yum.   Keep the tissues handy!

 

 

Jay, Devin, Anna, Katie and Tyra came over for dinner a few days ago.  It was fun to have a table full of girls for a change.  We had an unexpected visit from David that weekend and it's always good to have him home. 

 

GWU is in the full Big South Swing now and no surprise we have had a triple over time and a lot of games with scores like this.  Some times we win at the buzzer and sometimes we don't.  Like they say "live by the sword and die by the sword!"   

 

We did win this one at the buzzer and that was a really fun game AND the Bulldogs made the ESPN top plays of the day!

 

Since David IV came home for a visit we had a rare chance to get a pic of all seven of us - David IV, David III, Mr. Cat, me, Dingo, Jay and Simba!  It was a good weekend for some R and R and some heart to heart talks.  I also learned that red-eye reduction doesn't seem to work on animals! 

Spicy Vegetarian Chili - 2013 Version

1 red onion, chopped
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, minced
several rings of chopped banana peppers
about a Tbsp or more of fresh cilantro, chopped
1-2 Tbsps olive oil

2 yellow squash, coarsely chopped
2 zuchini, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, chopped small

I like for the onions, peppers and carrot to be chopped smaller than the squash and zuchini, but you can chop everything in whatever size you like.

Saute onion and peppers in a tablespoon of olive oil for a few minutes.  Add fresh cilantro.  Add a little more olive oil and saute squash, zuchini and carrot until soft but not mushy.

Add the following spices and stir to coat everything:

2 Tbsps Chili Powder
1/2 Tbsp Cumin
1 tsp minced garlic flakes
1 tsp salt (or a little more)
1 tsp ground black pepper (or more)
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp cider vinegar

Add the following and simmer until ready to eat:

About 1 1/2 cups broth or water (I used beef broth because I had some but vegetable would work)
1 26.5 oz can of tomato sauce (I used Hunt's traditional pasta sauce this time)
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilis
1 can each of black beans and kidney beans, drained

Garnish each bowl with a small drop of sour cream, some freshly chopped cilantro, some grated cheese, a few chopped spring onions and a little bit of minced fresh jalapeno. 

If you want meat add a pound of browned ground beef or any kind of meat instead of or in addition to the squash and zuchini.   This is best served with Mama's cornbread.  (cornbread recipe posted on April 25, 2010)

A Most Excellent Way

At Jackie and Hayes' wedding in Raleigh last weekend the minister read from I Corinthians 13.

"And now I will show you the most excellent way...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."

I'm amazed every time I hear these words about perfect Love because it always makes me realize how hard it is for humans to attain and how wonderful it is that we all keep trying.

We have had the pleasure of celebrating several family weddings in the last few months.  Each celebration has been unique and just right for each couple's personalities. 

I loved how Stu described Jackie and Hayes' celebration as a  "beautiful wedding followed by a beautiful reception.  Seeing two kids in love makes for a room full of happy hearts."

So true.

On the way home Dad noted that  "Jackie is a planner and Hayes a connoisseur." 

True again.

The invitations, rehearsal dinner, church ceremony, the wedding party, reception venue and menu, cake, flowers, music - every detail was a perfect reflection of Jackie and Hayes' quiet, sweet and elegant style.

A most excellent way.

Jackie and Hayes relaxed in their favorite neighborhood restaurant on Thursday night before the festivites began.

David and I enjoyed the amazing rehearsal dinner at the Umstead.   The menu and the service were outstanding in every way.  A little bit of Lattimore came out when they served  creme brulee and I felt compelled to sop the brulee with tiny shortbread cookies.   Delicious!

As elegant as the evening was there was plenty of room for comfort and diversity.  It was a chilly rainy night and Dad wanted to wear his Uggs while Judy sported these pretty sparkly shoes. 

I thought this fit well with the theme of Corinthians because Paul did encourage Unity in Diversity.

 

The Kohlers - Judy, John, Dyna and Hanse with long time friend Jimmy at the Umstead for the rehearsal dinner.

The Wilson's provided a wonderful rehearsal dinner which included a harpist.  It was fascinating to see and hear her play such an angelic instrument.  I had never heard Stairway to Heaven played on a Harp but it is a very fitting selection! 

 

Dad and I managed a quick breakfast with some of the Sarazen family while we were in Raleigh.   We sure missed seeing Rachel this trip.

David and I managed a quick breakfast with Will and Will before NC State BEAT Duke on Saturday!

We missed seeing the rest of the Roach family and we missed being with our own boys too.  With a family as big as ours it is really tough to get everyone together at one time.

After marriage vows at Hayes Barton Methodist Church everyone gathered for the  reception. The monogrammed wedding cake was simple and elegant and was just about the best wedding cake I have ever eaten.  Perfection.

The creative menu at the reception included Shrimp and Grits served in a martini glass, Sweet potato biscuits with country ham, and many other Southern style goodies with a contemporary flair.  I didn't get a good picture of the presentation of a wonderful crab salad in a wrap that looked like an ice cream cone.  It was fantastic and the presentation was fun.

David's favorite things were the grilled cheese sandwich sticks dipped in a steaming hot tomato bisque shooter! 

This was a hit and such an elegant way to serve most everyone's favorite down home dish.

Dan, Elizabeth, Amy, Paul and Stu at the reception.   Elizabeth was her Phase I cousin's bridesmaid. 

Penny, Palma, Heidi, Hunter, Stu and Will at the reception.   I couldn't find Jim when this picture was snapped but I think he was somewhere near the grilled cheese!

The Martin family all dressed up with Mom and Dad.   

Hayes' niece and nephew and Jackie's goddaughter added even more sweetness to the wedding party.  They were adorable and did their jobs exceptionally well.

Virginia, matron of honor, is Jackie's best friend.  Virginia's brother is Hayes' best friend.  So we can thank all of those special relationships for helping to create such a celebratory weekend!

       The Martin girls made sure Dad knew he is loved.  As if he didn't already.

Mom and Dad dancing to the music.  This picture brought to mind one of my favorite sayings -  "to love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides".

Judy and Hanse hosted the wonderful reception with style. 

The Wilsons - Hayes, Sherry, Kirk and Jackie. 

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Back to Basics - Smoke on the Square Spinach Salad

 

 

 

 

 Happy 12th day of Christmas!  As a little girl at Lattimore Baptist Church I don't remember studying the Liturgical Calendar but I have enjoyed learning more about this calendar in recent years.  

 

In fact, I enjoy calendars of all kinds.  Calendars keep things moving while keeping things on track. I started this blog in 2010 to capture how our family experiences a calendar year in terms of what is growing in the yard and what sports are in season and how we celebrate it all with food, family and friends.  Because that's what keeps us together.  

 

Sometimes the places and people change.  Sometimes the food changes.  But by celebrating certain things at certain times of year we can help keep ourselves on track through the good times and the hard times.   Through both kinds of times Mama has always said, "Just keep putting one foot in front of the other."   It helps to have a good calendar so you know in which direction to plant that foot.

 

I was talking with Mary Beth the other day about taking down Christmas decorations and I mentioned that I was not in that big of a hurry as long as I got them down by January 6th - the 12th Day of Christmas - the day of Epiphany.   It's fascinating how all over the world people with different traditions and who speak different languages have continued to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.  The details are different but the main point is the same.  Some think of  Epiphany as the day the magi appeared in Bethlehem, some as the day John the Baptist dunked Jesus in the Jordan River, some as the day of miracles like turning water into wine at the wedding. 

 

I like that not everyone sees these details exactly the same.  I remember Daddy saying, "so many people can't see the forest for the trees.  They argue about whether the garden of Eden had an apple tree or a pear tree and while they are arguing about that they completely miss the big picture."

 

Missing the big picture was heavily on my mind before Christmas.  I was watching the Newtown Connecticut tragedy unfold and it was unbearable and paralyzing.   

 

And then President Obama and leaders from many faiths came together for a televised service to try and bring comfort to Newtown, and the US, and the World.  It was sad and heartwrenching but at the same time it was comforting and refreshing.  No one was arguing about whose faith was more important or whose God was more awesome.  Everyone was focused on words of Peace and Comfort.  A true Spirit of Love and Unity.  And Grace.  The big picture of Epiphany. 

 

Happy New Year!  2013 - the Year of Grace.

 

 

"The most desirable of all blessings is repose, seclusion, a little spot we can call our own." LaBruyere

 

Dad has always loved sitting in his den and seeing the cows in his pasture with the mountains in the background.  He hasn't gotten just the right picture yet but he took this one with his new iPad and I thought that was pretty darned impressive.

 

 

Mom and Dad both love sitting in the den beside a roaring fire.  Dad called the other night to say he had taken a picture with his iPad and wanted to email it to me.  I talked him through it and then forwarded the email to the rest of the family.  It was hilarious to read the replies - "have we created a monster?"  - "Whee!!" - and - "whoa can he already do that?!"

 

Jackson and Mary Beth invited all kinds of family to their house for the traditional New Year's Day Lunch.  The renovation of their house is amazing and it's a fun place for a crowd to gather. We had black-eyed peas, collards, cornbread and of course hog jowl.  Here Dad and Mom show they are eating for Good Luck, Health, Prosperity and Progress. 

 

David's car celebrated a milestone at the end of 2012.  It now has over 300,000 miles.  No discussion of putting it out to pasture. 

 

 

Fresh lettuce in the garden in January.  This is a first for me.  Back in the fall I blogged about an event in Shelby called Seeds to Silverware where a party favor was an envelope of lettuce seeds.  I really didn't think they would grow but planted them anyway.  Boy was I wrong.  With their ability to withstand some cold weather and with our unusually warm winter we have quite the stand of lettuce.  Great for those New Year's diet resolutions! 

 

Salads, Salads and More Salads 

 

Each year I make New Year's Resolutions and usually I keep a copy.  Over the years they are mostly the same:  do more of some things and less of other things. 

 

One resolution this year is to be more creative with salads by adding more different types of fruits, nuts, herbs, spices and proteins.  With lettuce in the garden I should have plenty of opportunity to experiment. If I hit on a good one, I promise to blog it.

 

My favorite salad recently has been from a restaurant in Shelby called Smoke on the Square.  Angie gets it when it comes to being a great waitress and many times she'll make this one herself to make sure it is right. It's crunchy, sweet, salty and savory.  Healthy, colorful and small enough to be low cal!

 

Smoke on the Square Spinach Salad

 

Arrange baby spinach leaves on a salad plate and top with:

 

A few thinly sliced red onion strips

3 or 4 halved fresh strawberries

3 or 4 sections of mandarin oranges

a few candied pecans

a small scattering of blue cheese

 

They serve it with poppyseed dressing on the side but it would be good with most any dressing.