After several attempts to make this, and having Mark say peanut butter soup does not sound good, I finally just made it and didn't tell him that was what I was making. Turns out peanut butter soup is really, really good! It was easy to make gluten free as well...I used rice four instead of regular flour.
FYI - this is a very thick soup and is filling enough to be a stand alone meal.
African Peanut Soup
1 med onion, chopped
1 lg carrot, pared and diced
1 rib celery, chopped
1 green or red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
2 cloves garlic
3 tbsp flour
5 cups chicken stock
2/3 cup creamy or chunk style peanut butter (more if you like peanut butter) Jen's note - We both really like peanut butter so I used a whole cup.
2 lg tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced (or a 28 oz can tomatoes, cut up)
2 or more cups cooked chicken meat, diced (I use 3-4 chicken breasts cooked in a pressure cooker) Jen's note - I steamed 4 chicken breasts and shredded it using two forks.
1 cup milk
1 cup rice
white pepper
cayenne pepper
hopped roasted peanuts - Jen's note-used regular planters peanuts in a can.
Heat oil in a 3 quart saucepan. Saute onion, carrot, celery, garlic and pepper for 10 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes and chicken breasts. Simmer until chicken is done. (Jen's note - If you steam it like did the chicken will already be done, so I simmered for a few minutes so the chicken could absorb some of the flavors.)
Remove chicken, cut it up or shred it and add back to the pot. (Jen's note - I shredded right after steaming and skipped this step.)
Return to boil and stir in 1 cup rice, reduce heat to low then cover pot and simmer until rice is done. (Jen's note - I gave it 20 to 30 minutes and then checked the rice.)
Mix flour in milk and slowly stir into the soup; bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
Add peanut butter, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Season to taste with white and cayenne pepper and simmer 30 additional minutes before serving.
Garnish with a handful of chopped roasted peanuts on each portion.
The best part about this meal is that it goes a long way. We froze portions of it and have gotten 3 dinners and 2 lunches out of it!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Fun Sunday
Mark and I spent time with Kiera (6 months) and Grace (3 years) on Sunday so that our friends, Bob and Michelle could work on painting, sanding, and replacing carpet without little ones underfoot.
I picked the girls up around 10:30 and we took them home around 4. We had a great day. Not a single tear from either on all day. Grace spent most of her time outside digging in the dirt "helping" Mark as he worked in the yard. Kiera took a nap, had a bottle and played with toys. (It is really nice to have a full nursery...make is way easy to babysit little ones!)
My favorite part of the day was when Grace opened the door that goes from the deck to the living room and sticks her head in and says, "um Jen, um, um, I love you" and shut the door and went back to digging in the dirt.
So cute!
I picked the girls up around 10:30 and we took them home around 4. We had a great day. Not a single tear from either on all day. Grace spent most of her time outside digging in the dirt "helping" Mark as he worked in the yard. Kiera took a nap, had a bottle and played with toys. (It is really nice to have a full nursery...make is way easy to babysit little ones!)
My favorite part of the day was when Grace opened the door that goes from the deck to the living room and sticks her head in and says, "um Jen, um, um, I love you" and shut the door and went back to digging in the dirt.
So cute!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Being Patient
Being patient is not my strong point...just ask Mark. The adoption process is a test of my patients every day. Every day I walk past the nursery and think about how much I want our new family member living in there and enjoying all the work and love we have put into it.
Every time I check my email to see if the agency has emailed it tests my patients. Every time I check to see if I missed a call only to find that I have not missed "the" call it tests my patients.
Up until now it has been a bit easier waiting as we had rooms to paint, carpet to replace, and a nursery to put together. We, or rather I, had a shower to look forward to, and honestly the thought of getting a baby before the shower scared me. I really wanted to make sure we had everything we needed first.
Now we have all the necessities, the house projects and nursery are done, and the thank you cards have been sent from the shower. I'm ready for our baby!
All this waiting gives me more time to think than is probably good. I think it is possible to read too much, and think too much, and question too many things. I am 100% confident in our decision to welcome another person into our family and 100% confident that the decision to adopt was the right one for us. But I will admit every time I read about how hard it is for even a new born to adjust to not hearing it's mom's voice and the noises it heard for 9 months, and how we need to put extra effort into bonding, and that babies grieve the lose of their birth mother I feel a little twinge. A twinge of are we being selfish in our desire for a baby? Are we really a better option than the birth mother would be?
In my heart and mind I know we are a good option for someones baby. I know we are going to love her and do everything in our power to make the transition from birth mom to us as smooth as possible. And I know that my worries and not wanting to be patient are pretty normal feelings for someone waiting to adopt.
Every once in a while something will happen that makes all of the emotions, doubts, and worries go away. Today was one of those days. I met two wonderful people today, Vee and Sarah. They had wonderful words of advice, enthusiasm, and prayers for our adoption. Their enthusiasm that we will find the right baby soon gave me hope! When others tell me that we are doing a good thing and they are excited for us it makes all the worry and doubt fly right out the window.
Thank you Vee and Sarah...we met just when I needed to meet you. I look forward to our paths crossing again soon!
In the meantime I'm going to remind myself to cherish the time Mark and I have left just being Mark and I. Soon enough a wonderful new person will be in our life and things will forever change.
Every time I check my email to see if the agency has emailed it tests my patients. Every time I check to see if I missed a call only to find that I have not missed "the" call it tests my patients.
Up until now it has been a bit easier waiting as we had rooms to paint, carpet to replace, and a nursery to put together. We, or rather I, had a shower to look forward to, and honestly the thought of getting a baby before the shower scared me. I really wanted to make sure we had everything we needed first.
Now we have all the necessities, the house projects and nursery are done, and the thank you cards have been sent from the shower. I'm ready for our baby!
All this waiting gives me more time to think than is probably good. I think it is possible to read too much, and think too much, and question too many things. I am 100% confident in our decision to welcome another person into our family and 100% confident that the decision to adopt was the right one for us. But I will admit every time I read about how hard it is for even a new born to adjust to not hearing it's mom's voice and the noises it heard for 9 months, and how we need to put extra effort into bonding, and that babies grieve the lose of their birth mother I feel a little twinge. A twinge of are we being selfish in our desire for a baby? Are we really a better option than the birth mother would be?
In my heart and mind I know we are a good option for someones baby. I know we are going to love her and do everything in our power to make the transition from birth mom to us as smooth as possible. And I know that my worries and not wanting to be patient are pretty normal feelings for someone waiting to adopt.
Every once in a while something will happen that makes all of the emotions, doubts, and worries go away. Today was one of those days. I met two wonderful people today, Vee and Sarah. They had wonderful words of advice, enthusiasm, and prayers for our adoption. Their enthusiasm that we will find the right baby soon gave me hope! When others tell me that we are doing a good thing and they are excited for us it makes all the worry and doubt fly right out the window.
Thank you Vee and Sarah...we met just when I needed to meet you. I look forward to our paths crossing again soon!
In the meantime I'm going to remind myself to cherish the time Mark and I have left just being Mark and I. Soon enough a wonderful new person will be in our life and things will forever change.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Long Weekend
I love having a long weekend with Mark! Friday night we chilled at home and watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
A little known thing about me is how much I love the Olympics. Mark and I got married during the Summer Olympics, during monsoon season in Sedona, AZ. When it rains during monsoon season you don't go outside (unlike here in WA...if we wait to go out when it's not raining you will never go outside!) so during the storms we would curl up in the condo and watch CBC's coverage of the Olympics. By-the-way CBC's coverage is better than anyone elses! Anyway, ever since then I love watching the Olympics with Mark because it reminds me of our wedding/honeymoon!
Saturday was the Baby Shower, and Michelle did a great job of pulling together a very nice shower for us. We got some really cute stuff and some useful stuff. (Pictures to follow once I get them from my Mother-in-Law.) After the shower Mark and I were able to go and get some of the things we needed, but had not received. Just so the universe is aware...we are totally ready for a baby. Bring on the baby any time...the sooner the better!
Sunday we ran a few errands, made a quick visit to Nolan, Michelle, and Koltan and then instead of going out for V-Day, we watched a movie and I tried out a new recipe.
Today - Monday we Letterboxed at the park with Bob and Devin. Davin and his Dad Josh set up the letterbox clues we were following and Devin wanted to tag along to see the outcome of their hard work. We had fun, got a little dirty, slipped into a hole (Bob), but we followed all the clues and found everything we were suppose to. It was nice to get out of the house for a while. I'm thankful we did not get rained on. After letterboxing Devin came over for some X-box time and caught up on Modern Family...that is a funny show!
Now we are watching the evening coverage of the Olympics until we go to bed.
A little known thing about me is how much I love the Olympics. Mark and I got married during the Summer Olympics, during monsoon season in Sedona, AZ. When it rains during monsoon season you don't go outside (unlike here in WA...if we wait to go out when it's not raining you will never go outside!) so during the storms we would curl up in the condo and watch CBC's coverage of the Olympics. By-the-way CBC's coverage is better than anyone elses! Anyway, ever since then I love watching the Olympics with Mark because it reminds me of our wedding/honeymoon!
Saturday was the Baby Shower, and Michelle did a great job of pulling together a very nice shower for us. We got some really cute stuff and some useful stuff. (Pictures to follow once I get them from my Mother-in-Law.) After the shower Mark and I were able to go and get some of the things we needed, but had not received. Just so the universe is aware...we are totally ready for a baby. Bring on the baby any time...the sooner the better!
Sunday we ran a few errands, made a quick visit to Nolan, Michelle, and Koltan and then instead of going out for V-Day, we watched a movie and I tried out a new recipe.
Today - Monday we Letterboxed at the park with Bob and Devin. Davin and his Dad Josh set up the letterbox clues we were following and Devin wanted to tag along to see the outcome of their hard work. We had fun, got a little dirty, slipped into a hole (Bob), but we followed all the clues and found everything we were suppose to. It was nice to get out of the house for a while. I'm thankful we did not get rained on. After letterboxing Devin came over for some X-box time and caught up on Modern Family...that is a funny show!
Now we are watching the evening coverage of the Olympics until we go to bed.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Recipe of the Week
I am loving trying out new recipes and having time to cook. I notice I am paying way more attention to quality ingredients and buying locally as much as possible. I love the local produce stand and building an impressive supply of spices. I'm even thinking about an herb garden, but we will see.
My favorite recipe from this week is:
Spaghetti Carbonara
Note: The heat from the hot pasta partly cooks the eggs. If you are concerned about eating raw or undercooked eggs, use 1/2 cup pasteurized eggs in lieu of fresh.
2 eggs
3 oz parmesan cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for garnish
1/4 lb pancetta or thin-cut bacon
2 cloves garlic
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tbsp salt
1 lb spaghetti or spaghettini
Put a large pot of water on to boil. Meanwhile crack eggs into a large bowl and beat lightly. Finely shred or grate cheese, add 1/2 cup to eggs, and set the rest aside. Finely chop parsley and add to eggs. Add pepper and whisk to combine well. Set aside.
Cut pancetta or bacon into 1/4 in thick slices, peel and chop garlic, and set both aside. Heat olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by about half. Remove from heat and set aside.
When water boils, add salt and spaghetti. Boil pasta until it is tender to the bite. Drain well and immediately pour pasta into bowl with egg mixture (the heat from the pasta will partly cook the egg and melt the cheese). Pour pancetta mixture on top of pasta and toss to combine thoroughly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
My favorite recipe from this week is:
Spaghetti Carbonara
Note: The heat from the hot pasta partly cooks the eggs. If you are concerned about eating raw or undercooked eggs, use 1/2 cup pasteurized eggs in lieu of fresh.
2 eggs
3 oz parmesan cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for garnish
1/4 lb pancetta or thin-cut bacon
2 cloves garlic
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tbsp salt
1 lb spaghetti or spaghettini
Put a large pot of water on to boil. Meanwhile crack eggs into a large bowl and beat lightly. Finely shred or grate cheese, add 1/2 cup to eggs, and set the rest aside. Finely chop parsley and add to eggs. Add pepper and whisk to combine well. Set aside.
Cut pancetta or bacon into 1/4 in thick slices, peel and chop garlic, and set both aside. Heat olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by about half. Remove from heat and set aside.
When water boils, add salt and spaghetti. Boil pasta until it is tender to the bite. Drain well and immediately pour pasta into bowl with egg mixture (the heat from the pasta will partly cook the egg and melt the cheese). Pour pancetta mixture on top of pasta and toss to combine thoroughly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Dodgeball Playoffs
Dodgeball playoffs were last Thursday. We went into the playoffs in 7th place (there are 8 teams). We faced the number 2 or 3 (Can't remember) team in our first game and annihilated them. We were a little worried about that game because we never win our first game. It's almost like we need a game to warm up and then our second game is our best game. But not this time. We worked well together as a team and stuck to our strategy really well.
Then we played the number 1 team in our next game and were up on them 3 to 1, but they came back and beat us in the end. The great thing is we improved so much from our first game to our last, we had a great time, and next season we have a head start, because now we know what we are doing.
We ended up placing 4th overall. Right in the middle. Next season I predict we will be 2nd or 3rd easy.
Me retrieving a ball and giving it to Mark so he can throw it. What teamwork we have!
Celebrating a convincing win!
During the game...see Mark on the right...he just threw a ball.
Talking strategy just before the game starts.Thursday, February 4, 2010
Labels
Fair warning…I am getting up on my soap box today. I follow several blogs most of them having to do with having a happy and successful marriage, being a good parent and having a happy healthy family life. I also have a lot of friends on Facebook that tend to make deep meaningful comments that I find value in.
However I have noticed on some of the blogs and FB posts a tendency to qualify statements with labels. For example the latest one that tipped me over was, “strong Catholic husbands deserve wives that love and value them for the contribution they make to the church and society”. (No I am not trying to pick on Catholic’s, I believe everyone has the right to choose their own belief system regardless of what my own personal beliefs are!) If a person is going to talk about having stronger marriages on their blog why limit it to Catholic husbands being the only ones that deserve love?
My issue what that statement is that in my mind any husband, regardless of their religious beliefs, deserves to be loved and valued. It should not have anything to do with being Catholic. My husband is not Catholic, nor am I, yet he gives his time and money to our community, he is a wonderful husband, great friend, is always there for his family and he deserved to be loved and valued just as much as anyone else.
It’s is not just religious titles I take issue with. Just because someone is a CEO, Model, Actor, Sports Star, amazing volunteer in the community, PTA president, the best stay-at-home mom ever, great cook, feel free to insert any label you can think of here…does not mean they deserve special treatment. Or rather that they are more entitled to basic things like love, feeling valued, or being appreciated.
There is one title that fits everyone and that is Human. We are all humans who live in this world together and regardless of religion, money, sex, ethnicity etc…we all deserve to feel loved, valued, appreciated, and cared for.
Can we please stop qualifying ourselves and those around us with labels and all just be part of the human race and appreciate each other for that one basic sameness?
However I have noticed on some of the blogs and FB posts a tendency to qualify statements with labels. For example the latest one that tipped me over was, “strong Catholic husbands deserve wives that love and value them for the contribution they make to the church and society”. (No I am not trying to pick on Catholic’s, I believe everyone has the right to choose their own belief system regardless of what my own personal beliefs are!) If a person is going to talk about having stronger marriages on their blog why limit it to Catholic husbands being the only ones that deserve love?
My issue what that statement is that in my mind any husband, regardless of their religious beliefs, deserves to be loved and valued. It should not have anything to do with being Catholic. My husband is not Catholic, nor am I, yet he gives his time and money to our community, he is a wonderful husband, great friend, is always there for his family and he deserved to be loved and valued just as much as anyone else.
It’s is not just religious titles I take issue with. Just because someone is a CEO, Model, Actor, Sports Star, amazing volunteer in the community, PTA president, the best stay-at-home mom ever, great cook, feel free to insert any label you can think of here…does not mean they deserve special treatment. Or rather that they are more entitled to basic things like love, feeling valued, or being appreciated.
There is one title that fits everyone and that is Human. We are all humans who live in this world together and regardless of religion, money, sex, ethnicity etc…we all deserve to feel loved, valued, appreciated, and cared for.
Can we please stop qualifying ourselves and those around us with labels and all just be part of the human race and appreciate each other for that one basic sameness?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Goal Update
I finished reading The 5 Love Languages. I liked it a lot. Will it help me be more patient and not get irritated as easily with certain types of comments, maybe…maybe not. What it did help with was reminding me of why I love my husband so much and the importance of letting him know that I love him and think he is wonderful.
I’m still not certain what his primary love language is, I have an idea, but for now will work on being better at all of them. I hope that once he is done reading the book I can tell me what it is!
I think this is a book that every married couple should read hopefully before they are having issues. I would rather prevent issues then try to fix them. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were things I could be doing better, but they are not things that have become an issue yet, or at least we have not talked about them being an issue.
I am a big fan of constant self evaluation and growth and think that The 5 Love Languages is a great book to help with both. It is also a book that should probably be read over and over...it is good to have reminders!
I’m still not certain what his primary love language is, I have an idea, but for now will work on being better at all of them. I hope that once he is done reading the book I can tell me what it is!
I think this is a book that every married couple should read hopefully before they are having issues. I would rather prevent issues then try to fix them. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were things I could be doing better, but they are not things that have become an issue yet, or at least we have not talked about them being an issue.
I am a big fan of constant self evaluation and growth and think that The 5 Love Languages is a great book to help with both. It is also a book that should probably be read over and over...it is good to have reminders!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Wii Wackers and Another Package for Sky
I have been kind of out of it the last few days not feeling well, but am back to normal today!
I so wanted to have photos to go with the post today, but for some reason the computer will not read the memory card from the camera, so the photos will have to follow at some point (I hope!).
We had a nice weekend, aside from me not feeling well Sunday.
Friday - My car was in the shop and I had a headache all day, but I came home to find two boxes addressed to Miss Sky Yeatman from Grandma! Mark and I had a lot of fun opening the gifts she sent. Mom made two beautiful blankets, two hats, found some adorable onesies, leggings, and receiving blankets that all match, and got us started with a great book collection for Sky. It is so fun seeing all this baby stuff...now we just need the baby!
Saturday - We went to Nolan and Michelle's for dinner and a little Wii time. I think Koltan is finally getting used to us because after a 1/2 hour or so he was all smiles and crawling over to Mark and I. He is so cute! Michelle and I teamed up for a Wii bowling battle with the guys. We were so good we decided we needed a team name and came up with Wii Wackers. We beat them both games and then moved on to some carnival type games. The food was good, the watermelon martini's were great, and we had a lot of fun playing some entertaining Wii games.
Sunday - Spent the day on the couch sick, no not from the watermelon martini's! Watched the Pro Bowl and some other random TV and that was about it.
I did discover a new favorite recipe - Mark and I both loved it and ate all the leftovers!
Spaghetti with Sweet Potatoes and Ricotta
12 oz spaghetti (3/4 box)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 shallots, sliced
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 oz)
1/3 cup ricotta
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the shallots and rosemary and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
Toss the pasta with the potato mixture, Parmesan, and the reserved cooking water. Dollop with the ricotta before serving.
Very simple, but very yummy and a good quick work night dinner.
I so wanted to have photos to go with the post today, but for some reason the computer will not read the memory card from the camera, so the photos will have to follow at some point (I hope!).
We had a nice weekend, aside from me not feeling well Sunday.
Friday - My car was in the shop and I had a headache all day, but I came home to find two boxes addressed to Miss Sky Yeatman from Grandma! Mark and I had a lot of fun opening the gifts she sent. Mom made two beautiful blankets, two hats, found some adorable onesies, leggings, and receiving blankets that all match, and got us started with a great book collection for Sky. It is so fun seeing all this baby stuff...now we just need the baby!
Saturday - We went to Nolan and Michelle's for dinner and a little Wii time. I think Koltan is finally getting used to us because after a 1/2 hour or so he was all smiles and crawling over to Mark and I. He is so cute! Michelle and I teamed up for a Wii bowling battle with the guys. We were so good we decided we needed a team name and came up with Wii Wackers. We beat them both games and then moved on to some carnival type games. The food was good, the watermelon martini's were great, and we had a lot of fun playing some entertaining Wii games.
Sunday - Spent the day on the couch sick, no not from the watermelon martini's! Watched the Pro Bowl and some other random TV and that was about it.
I did discover a new favorite recipe - Mark and I both loved it and ate all the leftovers!
Spaghetti with Sweet Potatoes and Ricotta
12 oz spaghetti (3/4 box)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 shallots, sliced
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 oz)
1/3 cup ricotta
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the shallots and rosemary and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
Toss the pasta with the potato mixture, Parmesan, and the reserved cooking water. Dollop with the ricotta before serving.
Very simple, but very yummy and a good quick work night dinner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)