by Kat | Jan 1, 2011 | General
Happy New Year, Gentle Reader!
I hope that 2011 eased in gently and that you are all feeling no ill effects from your festivities!
I had a quiet evening and was in bed long before the ball dropped. Such a wild life I lead here at Casa del KatKnits.
For years, I have wanted to make a “traditional” New Year’s Day meal, but that plan has never come to fruition, until this year.
It was worth the wait, and it will not be long before I make this again! It is hearty and delicious!
Black- eyed Peas with Ham
• 1 – 1 lb package of dried Black-eyed peas
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• About 2 C ham, cut up
• 1/2 large sweet onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Approximately 1 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
• 1 small can of tomato paste
You can soak the peas overnight in cold water, or you can put them in a pot, cover them with about 6-8 C water, bring to a boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes. Then remove from the heat, cover, and let them sit for an hour. With either preparation, drain the water, and rinse the peas well.
In the same pot – heat the olive oil. When hot, add the onions and sauté until they begin to turn translucent. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the ham and the peas. Add the Chicken broth, tomato paste, and enough water to cover completely. Stir to incorporate the tomato paste into the mixture.
Let simmer of low heat 2 and a half to 3 hours, until the peas are tender.
I served mine with wilted Swiss chard on top.
Mmm, mmm, good!
It might just be the perfect comfort food for New Years Day – especially since a bit of comfort was in order due to the trouncing, the U of M got at the Gator Bowl!
by Kat | Dec 31, 2010 | General
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
It hardly seems possible that one year has passed, and what a year it has been.
A year that found itself filled with some wonderful highs that were unfortunately book-ended with some devastating lows.
Nevertheless, as I stand on the precipice of my second half a century – I find myself not wanting to look at what has passed, but rather at what lies ahead.
So as the year 2011 unfolds before me I see a blank slate and unlimited possibilities.
My glass is more than half-full.
Happy New Year, Gentle Reader.
by Kat | Dec 21, 2010 | General
I have finished my Christmas knitting, what little there was of it this year. I have found that the desire to knit decreases exponentially to the increase in the number of hours I work in a day.
I will have my Christmas shopping done today.
I did my Christmas baking yesterday, and I thought I would share the recipe with you. These cookies are so incredibly delicious. I stumbled across them while searching for a molasses cookie recipe. The recipe is very simple – with just a few steps – but it makes a decadently rich and chewy cookie.
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by Kat | Dec 19, 2010 | General
I cannot believe that Christmas will be here in less than one week. I have been in desperate need of a little Christmas – or at least one of Santa’s elves to make an appearance in my home, and work a bit of Christmas Magic! Alas, no elves have appeared but last weekend Sam did go with me to get a tree.
Slowly, over the week, I placed ornaments on the tree. However, trimming a tree sans little children is just not quite the same.
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by Kat | Dec 17, 2010 | General
“Like a rose in winter, red on fallen snow; such a flow’r is blooming where no other would grow. When in the chill of wintertime, while all the world was sleeping, love came as a flower…”
After a long day of work, this amazing and glorious sunset greeted me as I traveled home.
I hurried home to get my camera and snap a couple of pictures.
It was worth standing outside in the bitter cold wind to bask in the rosy glow, even if it was only for a few brief moments.
While standing in the wintry silence, I could hear a song in my head – something I had sung in choir a very long time ago…
The words seemed most appropriate for this photo.
Have a wonderful weekend!
by Kat | Nov 28, 2010 | General
Happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call their favorite time of the year…
Things have been quiet around Casa del KatKnits recently because I have found gainful, and very rewarding, employment.
If you are still here, reading this post, I am thankful for you!
I spent the weekend trying to pull something Holiday-ish out to create a festive spirit.
And, I loaded my iPod with all my Christmas music.
It is doing the trick… I am getting in the holiday spirit.
I hope you are too!
