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Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Trip to Minnesota


The cherry tree off my deck...taken right before I left. Note the netting (done by great loves Steve and AJ) to save the cherries from the robins. Friends will pick the fruit come the first week in July and hopefully save me some so we'll have cherry pie come Thanksgiving.
Dear Friends: The blog is somewhat on hold temporarily; isn't that what hold means?

I made it to Minnesota with two cars, a husband, a daughter and a puppy and without a working printer, computer or much in the way of kitchen equipment.

Two days of driving, one night in a hotel and ... then... school for the first time since 1976. Not only school, graduate school. Well, there's not much time to eat, much less cook. Maybe that ten pounds will finally come off. Ok, twenty. I've been here almost five days and have yet to unpack my suitcase or do any grocery shopping beyond already-roasted chicken and pre-grilled vegetables. God is, indeed, the love of my life as he placed a Whole Foods store 1 block from the apartment, on the way home from organ practice and the class on Choral Scores Analysis. More on this another day. How I love it all; how badly I'm doing and ok with that, too. Some days. (Do you know the fifty types of French Chanson?)

Anywho, I'll be studying for a couple of months and know that the blog will be up in a more intelligible way in a little over a week--please!-- when cameras, computers, etc. are all in working order and grades are posted for the first class. Meantime, enjoy a short article from the cookbook on what to do with... you guessed it... chicken. Go back and make Moroccan Chicken (first May blog) if you are desperate for a recipe.


Chicken Salads, Sandwiches, etc.
a few ideas for the roasted chicken you stored in the frig last night

-I think my family is most happy I’ve roasted a chicken the next day. There are chunky chicken sandwiches (with salt and mayonnaise) for lunch or even dinner.

-Salad? Put some on top of your favorite Caesar (check out my recipe for Caesar Salad to Call Your Own) or tear onto top of mixed greens. If you choose the mixed greens version, add some grated cheddar and top with salsa and crushed tortilla chips.

-Easy pedestrian chicken salads for toast, crackers or greens:

Mix into chopped chicken a small amount of onion, double that of celery and add a little poultry seasoning and pepper. Stir in mayonnaise and add salt, if needed.
Or:
Mix into chopped chicken some green grapes, pecans, pineapple, onion and curry powder to taste. Add mayonnaise to moisten. Sprinkle with salt and pepper after tasting. Mix well; serve on bed of greens or as is.

-How about chicken tacos? Roll up chicken and chopped green peppers in tortillas and add salsa to satisfy.

-Do you love frittatas? Use potatoes, chicken, onions and basil in this one.

-What about fast soup? In a small kettle, sauté one cup each chopped onions, celery and carrots. Add 2 quarts of chicken broth. Bring to a boil and add some fresh vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, cabbage, zucchini (or all). Turn down heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are done. If you have fresh spinach and basil, add them now. Stir in 1T chopped garlic. A little chopped leftover pasta or rice would serve to make the soup heartier. Potatoes? Why not? Stir for a minute and add chopped chicken. Check for seasoning. Serve w/ grated parmesan.

- Call it anything but leftovers; you’ve got a meal!


Sing a new song, loved ones,

Alyce

2 comments:

  1. Hi Alyce,

    So glad you made it safely to MN. What an adventure you will have!!!I love the ideas with chicken. Is a Fritatta an egg dish? Forgive my inexperience. Will you give us the cherry pie recipe? Praying for you and your ability to learn and retain what you need to.

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  2. Glad you enjoyed it! A frittata is the Spanish equivalent of an omelette, generally made for 2-8 people in a large skillet first on top of the stove and finished in the oven. Experiment by frying up some potatoes and onions in a large skillet, adding some herbs and then 8 eggs beaten with salt and pepper to taste. Add about 1/2 c grated sharp cheese of some sort. Cook on top of the stove until about half-way set and then finish in a 350 oven until well-set and lightly browned. (Add cooked sausage or bacon if you'd like; I like turkey Italian sausage). Add a salad or fresh fruit and you have brunch. Tyler has a great basic frittata recipe on Food Network; check out the website. Includes ham, though you could use whatever.
    Cherry pie: That recipe is at home; you'll have to wait.
    I'm knee-deep in Handel, so will say Handel hugs, love across the miles. How I adore these organ practices!
    Alyce

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I can't wait to hear from you!

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