dirt

I was playing in the dirt earlier - got some broccoli and cauliflower planted.  Does anyone need spring onions?  They seem to thrive in my flower beds!!! 

Good news:  I can work both knees 'normally' again!!!

Back to the dirt - I'll be clearing a bed today for cantalope and cucumbers (and possibly squash and pumpkin).  I may have to get trestles of some sort and pantyhose.  (maybe support-hose, I know, sad joke)  The strawberry is spreading!!!  I also got some ground cover stuff to plant under the apple and oak trees where grass rarely grows - too little sun. 

Oh yeah, when I wrote earlier about my aloe having a 'baby,' well I was close.  My mom said it's called a 'pup!' 

Obama apparently has a habit of calling people 'sweetie' and it's caused an uproar in some 'news' circles.  Sheesh! 

As Son reminded me, I can't go to TX as I would miss Companion's birthday!!!  Guess what he's getting?!?  He likes golf and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader."

Time to go play in the dirt again, I have to finish turning the bed so Jumby can borrow my tools! 

due to popular demand!

Clam and Fish Chowders!  All amounts will be guesses.  (Suggested substitutions at the bottom.)  I'm used to cooking for several people, or planning for leftovers!  (I wouldn't recomment freezing chowders because the milk doesn't like it!) 

Clam Chowder

3 or 4 slices of bacon

med. to large onion, chopped

2 or 3 ribs of celery, chopped

butter

3 or 4 potatoes cut in bite size pieces

chicken broth (or fish broth)  maybe 3 cups

can or two of baby clams

salt, pepper, thyme

Cream

Cook bacon in soup pot.  Remove bacon and save.  Add onion and celery to bacon grease.  Sauté for a few minutes.  Add potatoes, pepper, and some thyme.  Add butter if there is not enough fat to coat all the ingredients.  Sauté for a few minutes.  Add enough broth to cover the ingredients.  Simmer for about 20 minutes – until potatoes are tender.  Add clams and broth from cans (you can chop the clams if you want).  Simmer about 5 minutes.  Turn off heat.  Add cream – as much or as little as you want.  Taste for seasonings.  Add salt if necessary (can and box broths can be quite salty).  Cover and let flavors marry for about 15 minutes.  Crumble bacon into pot, stir, serve.

Fish Chowder

3 or 4 slices of bacon

med. to large onion, chopped

2 or 3 ribs of celery, chopped

2 or 3 carrots, chopped

butter

1 or 2 cloves elephant garlic, chopped

3 or 4 potatoes,  cut in bite size pieces

salt, pepper, thyme

bok choy, chopped

chicken broth (or fish broth)

1 lb to 1 ½ lb total various fish  (I used mahi-mahi, cod, bay scallops, clams,  and snow crab)

cream

Cook bacon in soup pot.  Remove bacon and save.  Sauté onion, celery, and carrots for a few minutes.  Add potatoes and some butter so all ingredients are coated.  Add seasoning and garlic.  Sauté a few more minutes.  Add bok choy and a few cups of broth.  Simmer for about 20 minutes.  Cut up and add fish, the slowest cooking first.  When fish is almost done.  Turn off heat.  Add cream and check seasonings.  Cover and let marry for about 15 minutes.  Crumble bacon on top and serve. 

Fat-back can be used instead of bacon (or no pig at all, but fat is needed).  I like my vegies recognizable, so I tend to keep them on the biggish side.  I prefer thyme with fish, but any herb or spice you like will probably be good.  I added the carrots and (light) greens to the fish chowder because it is 'stronger' due to the fish variety.  I chose med. to light fish.  I don't think salmon or catfish would work well.  Instead of all butter, pinot grigio can be added (the alcohol burns off), but it will change the taste a bit.  Cauliflower can be substituted for potatoes - sounds weird, but it's not bad!  As for the cream, I have only used real cow milk or cream in these recipes.  I have used soy milk in tomato/lobster bisque - it seemed a touch sweeter to me, but I had no complaints.  I haven't tried coconut milk, but I understand it can also be a good substitute. 

Another interesting chowder I have made - cabbage and mushroom - for you vegetarians out there.  Savoy (?) cabbage and a variety of mushrooms with veg. broth. 

Chicken/corn chowder.  Cook chicken instead of bacon.  Add corn with broth.  Half sweet potato, half white potato. 

As for today, I have a beef stew-like substance going in the kitchen.  Beef, celery, onion, and garlic.  Maderia (or was it Marsala?).  Beef broth, bay leaves, basil, salt and pepper.  Will add whatever is on the counter and in the fridge later! 

As my 'expertise' section says, I'm the mama, and can make soup out of almost anything.  Is chowder really soup?!?   I say chowder is soup base with potatoes and cream.  (But that doesn't explain "Manhattan Clam Chowder or Oyster Stew.) 

I hope everyone is hungry now!!!  Cooking is fun (sorry butshebites!)  Play with your food - if it had the chance, I'm sure it would play with you!!!

Currently Reading The Secret History of the War on Cancer By Devra Davis see related

Book!!!

"Many of the basic causes of cancer were identified hundreds of years ago."  Devra Davis gives us yet more reasons to be distrustful of the health care industry, big business, and the government in her book, The Secret History of the War on Cancer. 

The health care industry, she asserts, only treats the symptoms of a disease.  Some of these treatments are as harmful as the disease itself.  Most of them are continued only because 'that's the way it's always been done.'  They don't look for ways to avoid the disease.  Even the American Cancer Society, alleged to be searching for 'the cure,' only spends 10% of the money they receive on research!!! 

Big business (Davis uses examples from Dow, Monsanto, US Steel, etc) hires doctors to research any potential problems with the chemicals they use, suppressing anything that goes against the company's positive image.  The negative effects of their industries are considered 'trade secrets.'  Anyone divulging them can be fined, sent to prison, and basically have their lives ruined.  It's cheaper in the short run to continue to kill people . 

The government's role in all this.  Well, Rumsfeld got aspartame on the market - a product known for several and often severe health complications.  Think about it, who contributes most to politicians from either of the major political parties? 

Davis writes well and from experience.  She has seen many sides of the cancer issue.  She has worked in the medical research field for more than a dozen years.  She has buried her parents due to cancers.  

The book is not all gloom and doom. Davis shows examples of how individuals (some with money like Theresa Heinz Kerry - think Pittsburg 15 years ago as compared with today) are working for the greater good.

Davis goes into great detail about various studies and methods of research.  The book is not easy to read.  Sometimes it's almost like a chemistry textbook.  But she does well explaining what the research means in laymen's terms.  Good book if you're interested in the cancer issue.

This review is abbreviated.  If I wrote all I had to say, I'd be better off writing a doctoral thesis.  (Said thesis would probably be rejected because of the above mentioned industries.)

Currently Reading Jew Girl By EminemsRevenge see related

Book!!!

Review of Jew Girl

            Love it or hate it, Jew Girl by EminemsRevenge is an unforgettable semi-autobiographical novel about the struggle of surviving another day in the post 9/11 New York City area.  The first 50 pages are confusing at times, as is the city to a newcomer.  Things fall into place, and the reader is drawn into the lives of the characters, who come to life in this vulgar, multi-ethnic, Dantesque tale. 

            Reuven, ‘the chosen one’ journeys across the evil city in search of ‘the Hamlet of Harlem,’ hoping this man can somehow perform a miracle.  All of the subsequent characters know these two people in some way and while some are entranced by the unusual rainbow that appears that day, others know that the day is ‘unlike any other day.’ 

            “…There was something seriously amiss in the universe TODAY, something more nefarious than the discovery the ethereal lord she once so devotedly placed all her hope on might not be the omnipotent force that kept her from drowning in the sorrow that was her life…”

            Eileen, the long-suffering mother; Mauverneen, the siren of the Road Kill Diner; Ian Odamench, the revered teacher with the fading blue tattoo on his left forearm; the triumvirate of Darla, Dora, and Darla; and a host of memorable characters all act their part in this modern day drama.  EminemsRevenge plays his characters as Dante did some 600 years ago, incorporating well known figures with people from his own life. 

Often vulgar, this book is written in the vernacular of the city streets.  How the races and religions interact is an integral part of the novel. 

            “…It did not enter his mind that an innocuous anti-Semitic comment made by her might cause Luke umbrage.  As far as Ryan was concerned, all schwartzes considered the creed of his people a gutter religion…”

            The wording in Jew Girl is often difficult to comprehend.  Foreign and religious words and phrases are interjected into the novel in a new and exciting, often arduous to comprehend way.  (There is a glossary in the back for the reader.)  EminemsRevenge seems to create new words to suit his purpose, and they often enhance this dramatic saga of  players in this one day of their ordinary lives. 

            The ending is abrupt and seemingly unfinished, but many things in life end that way.

            Love it or hate it, Jew Girl should be required reading for all who wish to know the mindset of many in modern New York.  The struggle to digest the book is well worth the effort!

travelerblue

(originally posted March 10, 2007)

Currently Reading Momma's House (Kara's Eyes) By LueWana Bankston see related

Books!

I picked up this book because it's by a local artist - wanted to see what she had to say.  (I probably said that a few days ago.)  It's a really good book.  Very odd - and I hope not too autobiographical.  It's about how a young girl survives in an insane family and how she grows into womanhood.  She is abused physically and emotionally by her mother.  Forced to take charge of the house.  'Appearances' she keeps writing.  Life looks good from the outside, but it's not on the inside.  Her mother 'loses her' along the highway, 'sells' her to a man for profit...  I would highly recomment this book - and I still have about 30 pages to go.  Be warned - you may need a box of kleenex or a punching bag within close range!!!  

I finished 'The Witch of Cologne' by Tobsha Learner a couple of days ago.  Also a good book.  A Jewish midwife is caught up in the Inquisition in 1665.  The Inquisitor is obsessed with her because he was 'in love' with her mother.  The church Canon saves her, helps her, and falls in love with her.  They are friends with Spinoza.  Historical fiction. How does it end - kind of like a Russian novel.  It's about 400 pages, longer than 'Momma's House' (about 350, but bigger printing).  The second is a slower read than the first, but they are both good.

I'll start 'The Sunday List of Dreams' by Kris Radish later today.  I love her stuff!  (Chick-lit)  I'll probably have a review of sorts in a few days.

Maybe I'll write a review of 'Jew Girl' some day - but I think I'll have to read it again before I do that!!!  (Blatant plug for the book!!!)

What are you reading now?  Why?  (I usually peruse the shelves for a while and wind up with an armload of books - just keep picking up what looks good to me at the time)  Would you recommend what you are reading? 

Good cheer and much merriment!!!