Thursday, November 27, 2008

A NON-TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING

This year I'll be spending Thanksgiving in Clovis, NM with 3 dogs, 5 cats and several houseplants. We're having roast chicken with stuffing (can you stuff a chicken? I'm gonna try and see how much I can fit inside), mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, candied yams, broccoli, zuccini and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Yumm! Seconds? Yes please. Next day thirds? Yes please. Next day fourths? Yes please. BUTTER IN AND ON EVERYTHING! YAY!







STEAMED BROCCOLI: WITH FINELY CHOPPED ALMONDS TOASTED IN BUTTER

ZUCCINI: GRATED AND SAUTEED WITH FRESH PARSLEY (AND BUTTER OF COURSE)

CANDIED YAMS:
GARNET YAMS
BUTTER
BROWN SUGAR
MAPLE SYRUP
WHIFF OF CINNAMON

CRANBERRY RELISH:
FRESH CHOPPED CRANBERRIES
ORANGE MARMALADE
CHOPPED CLEMENTINE TANGERINE
GRATED LEMON PEEL

ROAST CHICKEN WITH STUFFING:
BUTTERMILK/MILK
EGGS
DRIED BREAD CUBES (THIS YEAR I'VE STOLEN SOME OF MY SISTER'S HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH FROM HER FREEZER)
FRESH-ROASTED CHOPPED CHESTNUTS (IF I CAN FIND THEM)
CHOPPED WATER CHESTNUTS
CHOPPED DRIED APRICOTS OR GOLDEN RAISINS

SAUTEED IN BUTTER:
CELERY
TART APPLE
ONION
COARSELY CHOPPED TOASTED PECANS

BELL'S SEASONING - I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT COMES IN A NOSTALGIC LITTLE BOX
FRESH CHOPPED PARSLEY
FRESH CHOPPED ROSEMARY
DRIED SAGE AND THYME
S&P

MASHED POTATOES:
POTATOES
BUTTER
MILK
S&P

GRAVY:
WHOLE MILK
FLOUR
BUTTER
CHICKEN DRIPPINGS
SALT

PUNKIN PIE:
THE USUAL PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE
WHIPPED CREAM

This is a day to give thanks for health (I can still walk and talk on my own), prosperity (I have a roof over my head), family and food!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Gyros On The Cheap

If you've ever had a Greek gyro sandwich, you'll know that the lamb is sliced off a big gigantic chunk of meat on a stake. You'll also know that the sandwich is mega-expensive. There are a gazillion different recipes for the meat and the cucumber sauce. Here's my version:

The meat:

Ground beef
Fresh garlic (crushed in a garlic press)
Cumin and coriander seeds (crushed in a mortar and pestle)
Dried peppermint (fresh is too strong for my taste, so I just open a peppermint teabag and sprinkle some in)
S & P
Olive oil

Mix together, refrigerate for a couple of hours, mixing now and then.

Tzatziki (cucumber sauce)

Peeled grated cucumber (grate onto a paper towel and let sit for a few minutes to soak up the watery stuff)
Fresh chopped parsley
Fresh chopped chives
Cumin seed (crushed)
Dried peppermint
Dried dill (fresh is too strong)
S & P
Feta cheese, crumbled
Yogurt

Mix in a bowl, refrigerate and let sit for a few hours, mixing now and then. Pour off any liquid that forms.

Form the meat into halfmoon patties and grill, broil or panfry. Serve in halved (warmed or toasted) pita bread with some cucumber sauce and whatever else you happen to like - I'm happy with some fresh sliced tomatoes and fresh greens.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

They're not the ones who should be apologizing.....









Heretical Factions!!!

If you're a church-goer, this article from about.com might interest you:

Gay Friendly Churches
Religion and Homosexuality
By Ramon Johnson
About.com

Most of the oppression against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning people (such as same-sex marriage and sodomy laws)comes from the church or religious organizations. This is a very difficult situation for religious glbtq people who find themselves either continuing their spiritual life with churches that preach against their inclusion or having no home at all to nurture their spiritual needs.

Gays seeking fellowship with their higher power don't have to journey alone. There are several religious organizations and churches within major denominations that are dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for all people, including queers. Find an organization that best fits your religious needs.

Find a Gay-Friendly Faith:

BaptistAssociation of Welcoming & Affirming BaptistsWelcomes and affirms all persons without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity, and who have joined together to advocate for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within Baptist communities of faith.

BuddhistGay Buddhist FellowshipSupports Buddhist practices in the gay community and brings together the diverse Buddhist traditions to address the spiritual concerns of gay men.

CatholicDignityUSAWorks for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples AllianceOrganization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and affirming members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with a prophetic voice calling for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Church.

EpiscopalIntegrityFostering the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Episcopal Church, using integrity as the leading grass roots voice.

EvangelicalEvangelicals ConcernedEncourages and affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Christians in their faith.

Hindu (Vaishnavas)The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association educates Vaishnavas, Hindus and the public in general about the "third sex" as described in Vedic literatures.

JewishWorld Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews: Keshet Ga’avahThe worldwide voice of LGBT Jews seeking to support, inspire, and strengthen local groups; foster a sense of community among diverse individuals and organizations; and achieve equality and security for LGBT Jews worldwide.

LutheranLutherans Concernedembody, inspire, and support the acceptance and full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, their families, friends and allies, within the Lutheran communion and its ecumenical and global partners.

Metropolitan Community ChurchMetropolitan Community ChurchFounded in and reaching beyond the gay and lesbian communities and seeking the integration of spirituality and sexuality.

MuslimAl-Fatiha FoundationDedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their allies, families and friends. Al-Fatiha promotes the progressive Islamic notions of peace, equality and justice.

PresbyterianMore Light PresbyteriansFollowing the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Quaker (Religious Society of Friends)Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer ConcernsA North American Quaker faith community that affirms God in all people; learning that radical inclusion and radical love bring further light to Quaker testimony and life.

Seventh-day AdventistSeventh-day Adventist KinshipDevoted to the spiritual, emotional, social and physical well-being of current and former Seventh-day Adventists who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.

UnitarianUnitarian UniversalismOffice of the Unitarian Universalist Association dedicated to fighting oppression against bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people.

United Church of ChristThe UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Provides support and sanctuary to all our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers, their families and friends; advocates for their full inclusion in church and society; and brings Christ's affirming message of love and justice for all people.

United MethodistAffirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender ConcernsPursues full inclusion in the Church through respect, love, justice and mercy for all.

UnityAssociation of Unity ChurchesTeaches the practical application in everyday life of the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ, leading to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace of mind.

Emerald Bisque

Sounds fancy doesn't it? It's not, it's cheap and easy.

steam 1 package or one bunch of fresh spinach (you can use frozen if you want but it's not as good)

blend with a couple of cups milk and a can of cream of potato soup

put back in cooking pot, heat up, add some grated sharp cheddar cheese and let it melt in

add some fresh-squeezed lemon juice and some fresh-grated nutmeg

Very pretty and very yummy.