First I can't believe that it IS 2012 and second that we are well into the third week of the month! Time does fly when you are having fun! So this is the time of year we all think about our resolutions - goals - intentions. Our local newspaper recently filled a whole page of the paper with some good ones, so I thought I would share. It INSPI(RED) me and I've already done a few things on this list ~
Get 10 things out of your closet and take them to Goodwill~Frame a piece of art~Adopt a dog or cat from a rescue organization~Go 24 hours without the Internet~Find a new recipe, no a NEW one~ Throw out all the old ketchup packets from your desk drawer~When a friend or co-worker loses a loved one, mark it on your calendar and ask how they are doing in six months~See a late movie~Do one thing you keep putting off~Laugh out loud~Download music in another language~Take your child out of school one day and go play~Leave a wildly inappropriate tip~Change the radio station in your car~Get a physical~Eat somewhere across town~Notice someone and pay them a compliment, it will make their day~Pay anonymously for the person behind you in the drive-through or at the coffee shop~Pick up a rock that catches your eye and carry it around in your pocket all day~Spend one day by yourself~Make an appointment with yourself at 3 pm each day to walk around the block, YES, while you are at work~Stop for a donut, just one~Are you a birthday slacker; try not to miss one all year~Buy something in a new color~If you're in a rut, get out~Take a different way to work~Put an old leash and dog treats in your car in case you see a lost dog~Make a list of your 10 favorite books and re-read them~Watch cartoons on Saturday Morning.
This list inspired me...how about you?
I can help YOU with one thing on this list, "Find a new recipe" ~ how about two! When it's colder outside I love STEW so I will share my new favorite stew recipe. I also love Banana Bread, but I love this recipe with a twist; blueberries! I would love to give credit for where I found these recipes but I tear recipes out of magazines all the time and I always seem to change the recipe just a bit.
White Bean and Mushroom Stew
Serves 4-6
2 TBSP. olive oil, more for drizzling
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, diced
1 lb. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 c. white wine (optional - I used pear wine)
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 c. cooked white beans, rinsed (cannelli, great northern,etc.)
1 sprig fresh rosemary (love the flavor this adds)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese to garnish each bowl
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion, celery and carrots until tender, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add mushrooms cooking until tender 5-7 minutes. Deglaze pan by adding wine and scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add veggie/wine mixture to a large crock pot. Add the tomatoes, beans, salt and pepper. Stir together and place the rosemary sprig on top. Cook covered for 3-4 hours on low. Remove the rosemary sprig (it's fine if it falls apart, just remove the stem and whatever is left). When ready to serve drizzle with a little olive oil and grate some fresh Parmesan cheese into each serving bowl. You can also make this stew on your stove top, but I love using my crock pot. Great vegetarian or meatless Monday recipe.
Blueberry Banana Bread
Makes 2 loaves or 1 loaf and 12 muffins
1 pt fresh or frozen blueberries (about 2 cups) - I prefer fresh
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided (see note below)
1 c. butter or margarine, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
5 med ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp. vanilla
1 TBSP. ground allspice (could substitute cinnamon)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Use two bread pans or one bread pan and a muffin pan (my preference). Spray pans with cooking spray; line muffin pan with muffin liners. Toss blueberries with 2 TBSP. of flour and set aside.
In large mixing bowl, using electric mixer at medium speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, bananas and vanilla; beat at low speed until blended. Add remaining flour, allspice and next three ingredients; beat at low speed just until well blended. Using a spoon, fold in the blueberries. If making muffins, fill each muffin cup 2/3 full. Pour remaining batter in bread pan. If making two loaves of bread, divide batter evenly. Place both pans in the oven. Muffins will take about 22-25 minutes, bread will take about 45-50 minutes. Test using a wooden toothpick; if when inserted in the center it comes out clean they are done cooking. Cool in pans for about 10-20 minutes. Serve warm (yummy with butter) or let cool to serve later. Enjoy!
Until next time...wishes to all for an amazing year! Oh, and watch your mail - I never seem to be able to send out Christmas cards like everyone else, last year I sent a Valentine's card, who knows when you'll get a card this year!
