100_0153, originally uploaded by As Kat Knits.
Winter is wreaking havoc here in my little corner of the world. When I woke up this morning, the air temperature was about 10 below.
It has managed to inch its way up to 16 out, not quite a heat wave, but at least it is working in the right direction!
Up next, a big bowl of homemade split pea soup and some fresh, hot, homemade crusty bread.
If it cannot be warm outside, at least I will be warm inside.
100_0117, originally uploaded by As Kat Knits.
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!
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.
Canned Summer…, originally uploaded by As Kat Knits.
As the temperatures climb back into the 90’s with a heat index to match, I am longing for some cooler weather.
However, I know that will not always be the case. Come about January 1 when it is cold and grey, summer will be a long forgotten memory.
Until I open some of this jam, that is. The warmth of summer will all come flooding back.
My idea of heaven is a great big baked potato and someone to share it with. ~ Oprah Winfrey
It has been an amazing week here at Casa del KatKnits and while there were not any baked potatoes, much was shared; from the quaintness of Saugatuck to the grandeur of Lake Michigan to my favorite food spots and having my best friend experience them all with me truly did make this week heaven.
Yesterday we headed north to visit Grand Haven and the day was perfect. You can see some of my pictures on Flickr of the sights from the day.
I even managed to squeeze in some baking so I could send some cookies home with Steve.
It was a lazy Sunday here at Casa del KatKnits, it was a rare day off and I caught up on some laundry and a very tiny bit of housework.
And, I baked… yes, that is right, I baked.
I had some bananas that were nicely ripe and found this recipe on the internet, which fit the bill perfectly.
The result was this lovely loaf.
Up next, a wee bit of knitting on my latest project that I cast on today… Knitty’s Summer Surprise, Annis.
