Marry-Me White Bean, Spinach & Sundried Tomato Skillet

  This creamy, flavor-packed skillet is love at first bite! Velvety white beans simmer in a garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce, folded with wilted spinach and finished with a melt of grated Parmesan for irresistible richness. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s hearty, wholesome, and irresistibly delicious ... The kind of dish that just might inspire a proposal.

Satisfying on its own, it also pairs nicely with pork tenderloin or a delicate white fish for a more elevated meal.

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• ½ cup finely chopped green onions
• ½ cup drained, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 (5 oz) packages baby spinach
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed; navy beans can be used as a substitute.
• ½ cup unsalted chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tsp oregano
• Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

     1).  Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

     2).  Add onions and sun-dried tomatoes; cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened (5-10 min).

     3).  Add garlic, salt, chili flakes, and oregano; stir until fragrant (2-5 min).

     4).  Add wine and increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring often until the wine is almost fully reduced (5-7 min).

     5).  Add spinach; cook, stirring until wilted (3-5 min).

     6).  Add beans and broth; cook, stirring gently until heated through (5-7 min).

     7).  Remote the skillet from heat.

     8).  Stir in the cream and Parmesan cheese.

     9).  Serve with sprinkles of Parmesan and basil.

SERVES 6 

Chicken & Vegetable Korma

    I was introduced to Indian cuisine while studying abroad in England ('95-'96).  At that time, a decent meal in town was most certainly not British in origin, but to be found in the rich, flavorful curries of Indian restaurants.  

    This creamy, mildly-spiced curry is the diplomatic middle child of the Curry Kingdom:  it gets along with everyone, offends no one, and still manages to be a favorite ... Accompany with Basmati rice and/or warm Naan bread.

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz frozen peas
• 2 medium carrots, sliced in ½-inch pieces
• ½ lb golden potatoes, sliced in ½-inch pieces
• 8 oz cauliflower florets, cut in ½-inch pieces
• 8 oz chopped green beans
• 8 oz tomato puree
• 4 oz full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 4 oz heavy cream
• 3 tbsp cashew butter (almond butter can be substituted, if necessary)
• 1 tsp ginger paste or freshly grated ginger
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 red chilies, finely chopped (deseed for less heat)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp cayenne powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cardamom
• Salt & Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

     1). Pound the chicken to tenderize, then cut into ¾-inch cubes and set aside.

     2). Boil water in a pot; add carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, green beans; cover and bring to a boil; cook for 10-15 min, until potatoes and carrots are fork tender; drain and set aside.

     3). Heat oil in a large skillet.

     4). Add onions with a tsp salt until soft and golden brown (15-20 min).

     5). Add garlic, ginger, chilis, and cumin seeds; cook until fragrant (5 min).

     6). Stir in garam masala, coriander, cayenne, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom; cook until fragrant (5 min).

     7). Add tomato puree, cashew butter and ½ cup water, plus a tsp salt; cook until oil starts to bubble up and shimmer on top.

     8). Immersion blend the sauce to a puree.

     9). Stir in chicken; cook, covered until cooked through (10-15 min); add more water, if needed, to prevent scorching.

     10). Add the peas, carrots, cauliflower, and green beans; simmer on low-medium heat, stirring frequently.

     11). Stir in the yogurt and cream; simmer on low heat to meld the flavors (5-10 min).

     12). Add salt and garam masala to taste.

Accompany with basmati rice and/or warm Naan bread

SERVES 8 

Beef Bourguignon

     Winter is a season for indulging warm comforts.  This hearty French stew, hailing from the Burgundy region, is great for cuddling by the fire.  It combines fork-tender chunks of beef with the deep flavors of red wine, mushrooms, and herbs ... Takes a full afternoon of prep, so plan accordingly.  I like to accompany with warm bread and a bottle of Pinot or Cabernet ... Bon Appétit! 

INGREDIENTS 

• 3 lbs boneless chuck roast, trim the fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 oz / 6 slices thick bacon, chopped
• 16 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 2 yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 10 oz frozen pearl onions
• 15 oz reduced-sodium beef broth
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 bottle dry red wine (Pinot or Cab)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme (tied in a bundle)
• 2 whole bay leaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

     1).  Pat the beef dry and season with 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp black pepper.

     2).  Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned and beinning to turn crisp and the fat has rendered (about 15 minutes).  Remove the bacon to a plate and set aside.

     3).  Add the mushrooms and 2 tbsp butter to the pot.  Stir to combine.  Sauté over medium heat until the mushrooms are nicely browned and have given up their liquid (about 12 minutes).  Add a pinch of salt and stir to coat.  Remove the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside.

     4).  Increase the Dutch over to medium-high heat.  Add a layer of beef cubes (you'll need to work in batches) and sear until the beef is nicely browned on all side (about 5 minutes).  You do not need to cook all the way through.  Remove the beef to a plate and set aside.  Repeat with remaining beef.

     5).  Carefully pour in about 1/5 of the bottle of wine.  Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot (keep it in; that's flavor!).

     6).  Reduce the heat to medium.  Add the carrots, potatoes, onion, with 2 pinches of salt and 2 of pepper.  Sauté until the onions are lightly browned (about 15 minutes).

     7).  Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minutes or two until fragrant.

     8).  Return the beef and bacon to the pot, along with any juices that have collected on the plate.

     9).  Add the remaining wine and broth.  Add the thyme and bay leaves.  Increase the heat to bring the liquid to a simmer.

     10).  Cover, then carefully transfer the pot to the oven.  Bake the beef bourguignon for 1.5 hours at 370 degrees until the meat and vegetables are fork tender.

     11).  In a small bowl, mash 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour together, then stir into the stew.

     12).  Stir in the pearl onions and mushrooms.  Bring the stew to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove the thyme bundle and bay leaves before serving.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Accompany with warm bread and a bottle of Pinot or Cab.

SERVES 8 

Two Step

The man on the streetcorner huffs and puffs

and blows an angry wind at the passersby.

The passersby recoil from his bloodshot eyes,

his blistered neck and forearms,

his indignant, wire-brush hair.

He argues aloud with himself.

Only the crimson-faced woman who swears

that Elvis speaks to her through the commode

will challenge him.

They shout conspiracies in each other's direction

while anxious pedestrians hurry past,

eager to avoid eye contact.

The pedestrians also carry on a conversation

with themselves,

one which, if audible, would showcase

all of the terror and rage and neuroticism

that mixes into our human predicament.

Vehicle traffic passes by with indifference.

Drivers hurl terrible indignities

at their fellow motorists.

A couple stumbles into the road and is nearly

taken out by a tour bus.

The bus collides with an SUV,

underscoring the razor-thin margin

that separates the fortunate from the forsaken.

Each of us is one medical catastrophe,

one financial devastation,

two tragic steps from tripping into the abyss.

So, hold grace for the man on the streetcorner,

grace for the crimson-faced sister,

grace for the pedestrians and motorists

and all whose fate balances on the knife's edge.

For you and me, 

hold grace.

Iyla Grace 12.0

   Iyla Grace 12.0 is a Tween!  Just look at this young lady:  she wears makeup; she has attitude; she converses endlessly with her friends; is obessessed with Taylor ("Tay Tay") Swift and similiar artists.

   This was the first Halloween I did not take Iyla Trick-or-Treating.  It hurt my Papa heart to hear her say, "I'm sorry, Papa, but I want to go with my friends."  She is growing up, and I must let her.

   For Iyla's birthday, she will receive an iWatch so that we may communicate with her and know her location at all times ... She wanted a phone, but, we are not ready for that.

   Art and Theater remain passions.  Iyla is enrolled in Choir and Musical Theater at Middle School and participates in a private theater conservatory on weekends.

   I love her so much ... Happy Birthday, my Darling Iyla Grace!

Tongues

Brothers and Sisters,

raise your hands to the Lord.

Invite his Holy Spirit to fill your vessel

with his wonderous love.

 

Hallelujah!  Can I get an 'Amen'?

 

Ah-shah-la-la Me-kah-show-nah-teh,

Oh-nah-tah-shah Me-kah-tah-neh

Key-lo-mah-tah-tah-weh.

Speaking in Tounges, they called it.

Most merely stood in the pew

uttering concatenations,

our Old Man among them.

I studied his cadence and learned

to mimic the routine

so as not to be singled out for unbelief.

The grander the display the brighter

the accolades from church elders.

Some danced in the aisles.

Others launched into convulsive fits.

The best of them was Sister Mary Hoagarten,

a lowly widow from East Kansas City

with a silver bird's nest of hair

and bellowing, staccato delivery.

Mary committed to her performance.

She was method,

drawing from a boundless well

of resentment and betrayal

to deliver her weekly self-exorcism.

Mary writhed and howled,

trembled and flailed about,

always ending her number with a flurry

of guttural yawps that climaxed

in an abrupt silence which

centered the congratation

in solemn reflection.

Mary enjoyed a long and storied run

as the High Priestess of Spectacle,

until Lester Hollinger joined the congregation.

Brother Lester was a towering, erudite man,

always in the same charcoal undertaker's suit.

He never missed an opportunity

to promote his biblical memorization.

One Sunday morning,

Lester descended from the foyer

and assisted Mary off the carpet.

He ushered her to her seat,

shuffled to the microphone,

cleared his throat,

and delivered an 

Interpretation of Tongues:

Brothers, Sisters, our Lord and Savior

has revealed to me, his humble servant,
the message within Sister Mary's utterance.

 

Indeed, it is a passage from the Holy Book: 

I Corinthians 14:27-28.

 

'Let her keep silent in the church, 

and let her speak only to herself and to God.'

A thundering chorus of Amens went up

to the heavens.

Eloise Jane 8.0

     Eloise Jane version 8.0 drops today.  This release is packed with curiosity and affection for animals and insects.  Eloise consumes endless video content about the animal world.  She desires an army of pets.  She scolds me for killing hornets and scorpions in the house, pleading with their executioner to show mercy.

     For her birthday, Eloise is receiving the gift of (and responsibility for) chickens.  Let's hope that, come v9.0 release, those chickens are still clucking.

     Happy Birthday, Miss Eloise Jane Lambert.  You make my heart oh so very happy!