Blenda-Happy at 58!

This was new for me.  I took round steak and cut it into chunks.  I lined the slow cooker.  By the way…slow cooker liners are a great idea!!  I added the following:

One package fresh slices mushrooms, a cup of mini carrots, three cut celery ribs, one cut green pepper, one half cut onion, one cup sugar snap pea pods, spices and a can of beef broth.  When it’s cooked I’ll add a cup of sour cream.  We’re going to have it over mashed potatoes.  I’ll keep you posted, but it’s all smelling really good now.

On Thanksgiving I mentioned the Waldorf salad I was making and that I had apples left over.  They were put to good use today.

I had about 2 1/2 cups of sliced apples (Granny Smith and red delicious).  In a bowl I mixed the apples with 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 cup granulated Splenda, two tablespoons Sugar Twin Brown, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.  After blending I put the mix in a “sprayed” 1 1/2 quart casserole.   I then mixed one cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup granulated Splenda and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.  I put 1 tablespoon of melted butter in the oatmeal mix and blended until crumbly.  I then put it over the apples.

I baked it at  350 degrees for 50 minutes.  We’re getting ready to enjoy it now.  It made the house smell wonderful.  Easy and very good! 

Most of us have to grocery shop.  Some don’t like it and some enjoy it.  I’m one of the latter.  I especially enjoy shopping by myself.  I have the patience to look at new things and take my time.  When I go with my husband I always feel rushed..even if he’s not rushing me.  I often send him on “missions” to get things from the other side of the store.  ..Sneaky..

Today he stayed home to watch the Michigan/Ohio State game.  Football’s not for me.   I went shopping by myself and enjoyed it.  It’s a good thing I had the patience today because the store was a pre-Thanksgiving, early “black Friday” mess!  It made me realize that we’re just beginning the holiday season. 

Hold on to your patience everyone.  It’s only begun. 

As I said a day or so ago, I’m really trying to watch salt intake, strictly due to health concerns.  Looking for something for lunch I came across a soup mix I’d purchased some time ago.  I checked the sodium content and considered tossing it, but my sainted grandmother’s “depression era mind” wouldn’t let me.   I made it and was very surprised that it wasn’t as good as some soup I’d made a month or so using NO salt.

For several years now I’ve grown a small herb garden.  I’m finding more and more that with my herbs and the right ingredients, I do at least as good a job if not better where flavor is concerned.  It takes a little longer to put together but it’s always worth it. 

My husband used to be a “add salt before taking the first bite” person, but that’s changing too.  It makes me feel pretty good.

It was GREAT, very possibly the best pasta sauce I’ve ever had, and so easy.  The slow cooker really does a great job.  I was able to package and freeze two quarts of sauce and we had plenty for dinner last night.  I like being able to take things out of the freezer that I know are good as well as good for you. 

My husband and I walked this morning outside.  It was only 34 degrees but almost no wind so it didn’t seem very cold at all.  It made it to the low 60’s and has just been a beautiful day.  Walking in or walking out, we were just glad to be able to do it.  It’s a good way to start our day.

I’m using a recipe!!  My daughter sent me one for pasta sauce.  I put all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and it’s been simmering for nearly three hours.  The aroma is filling the house and it smells great.  We’ll have it for dinner tonight with angel hair pasta.  Thanks again, Cassie!

I’ll share one secret with you.  Most recipes say to drain the ground beef after cooking it.  I try to use lean beef to begin with and in addition to draining it I “wash” it, putting it in a   colander and running hot water over it to get rid of even more of the fat.  I’ve done it for years and it does nothing negative to the flavor. You might want to give it a try sometime.   

It’s nearing the end of Sunday, almost into a new week.  I didn’t do much cooking this weekend.  We did some Christmas shopping and a few extra things around the house so we had an antipasto from a favorite restaurant one day and a pizza from another restaurant the next.  We went out for breakfast this morning and had an easy dinner tonight.   …Back to the kitchen tomorrow.

I’m doing something different with salad dressing.  We all know that the worst part of most any salad is how much dressing you use.  I’ve gotten into the habit of diluting my dressing. If it’s a ranch or cheese dressing I add milk and if it’s an Italian or red dressing I add water.  I usually dilute it nearly half and mix it well.  I have all the flavor  but it’s thinner and covers the salad better.  I may not be what some people would call a real gourmet, but it really works for me.  You might want to give it a try.