Make Sure You Eat Your Peas

Happy New Year! 

Today would be my mother's 65th birthday.  It's hard to believe she's been gone 15 years.  In her memory I wanted to remind you to eat your blackeye peas.  I can't think of one New Year's day that we haven't eaten them.  Everytime I prepare them I think of her.  It's funny that I feel closest to her when I'm in the kitchen.  It was one of her most favorite places in the house, and our kitchen is the heart of our home. 

So make sure you eat your peas.  Praying God's blessings for you and your families!
Blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

New Recipe!!!

Hey everyone, I've posted a new recipe on my 'Year in the Life' blog.  I have six months left where I'll be blogging on it everyday.  So, if you haven't been over there to check it out, I hope you'll take the time to scoot on over.  :)

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be served as an appetizer, as a salad topper, or as part of a larger meal.  Very summery, very light, very yummy! 

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

Bring ON the Food

I love my annual Supper Club Christmas Party.  I have a fun crazy group of friends.  There are always gag gifts somewhere in the mix:  Mystique, the blown glass statue, and the farting Santa are some that have made their way into the mix over the past few years.  Stories from years past and the funny memories that go with them...AU/Georgia Tech game to you Ashley M.! 

The past few years my friend Lisa G. (who is a phenom in the kitchen!) and I have catered our CP.  It's cheaper and it's a chance to bring out our creative side and see if we can make a gourmet meal as inexpensive as possible.  I have to say that we aren't too shabby.  I like it too because we can eat off of fine china.  We only use it a few times every year anyway, so it's a chance to use it again!  Yea!

You know my obsession with Paul Prudhomme's different Magic products.  This summer we used them A LOT.  They are just so yummy, and well, I decided I wanted to break it out for one of the dishes I made for the dinner.

I did the sides this year.  We had:  Beef Tenderloin, Fresh Green Beans with Vinaigrette Dressing, Feta Mashed Potatoes, Baked Apricots, rolls, Red Velvet Cake, and Chocolate Cake.  Below is the finished plate.  Lisa made beef tenderloin, and it was divine!  You almost didn't need a knife to cut it.  It was beautiful.  I was tempted to pick-up my plate and lick it once all the food was gone.  (you'll be glad to know I didn't, it was just a fleeting thought...)



This is the centerpiece on the table.



 I hope the above recipes give you another idea of dishes you can make this Christmas season.  Bring on the food!!!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

One of These Things is NOT like the others...

One of these things just doesn't belong.  Can you tell me which thing is not like the other, all before I finish my song.  Love Sesame Street!  I grew up watching it, and when my children were old enough to watch it, I would watch it with them.  Happy memories!!!  Remember the Ladybug Picnic?  Classic!



The reason I thought about that song is because I have been craving Butternut Squash Bisque for YEARS!  Yes, I said years.  I had it at a local restaurant, and they haven't made it since the first time I had it, about 2 years ago, so I finally broke down & made it myself.  Can I tell you that I think if the boiler had been big enough I would have submerged myself in it.  Oh my it was good, and warm, and creamy, and even better as leftovers.  I had it for breakfast & lunch the next day. 





But I thought about the shape of a butternut squash and it reminded me of something else I used to watch with my children...VeggieTales!  Notice my little friend on the back right...I always thought he was a gourd, but he's a butternut squash!!!  Love me some VeggieTales.  :)  Now onto the soup...


 


It's not hard to make, just a little time consuming.  I've never peeled a butternut squash, but I learned a trick that made it so much easier because the skin is very tough.  After you cut off the top & bottom you microwave it for a few minutes to soften the skin & then it slides off like butter.  (It also smells yummy while it's cooking in your microwave!)  Next scoop the membrane out and cut it up into chunks.

As I was cutting the squash up I allowed the onions to cook.  I actually cut-up a fresh onion, and didn't use frozen ones.  Aren't you proud?  You should be, you know how lazy I can be.  If you don't like onions, don't use them.  The next batch of soup I make I think I'll try it without the onion to see what it tastes like.  I'll let you know...

Once the onion is done cooking add in your chicken broth and squash.  Cook until squash is tender.  Simmer it, don't boil it, the squash is fragile. 

Once the squash is done cooking, gently spoon it out and put it in a blender or food processor with a some broth.  Puree the mixture until it is creamy.  If your blender/processor is having a tough time pureeing the mixture, add a little bit more broth.  When it's finished processing, add it back to the liquid in the boiler and add heavy whipping cream and nutmeg. 

And here is the finished product! 

Isn't it beautiful?  And shiny?  And wonderfully delicious?

It's happiness in a bowl.  I think I'm going to have to make a grocery run today for another squash.  This soup makes me happy and warm.  I know my boiler is not pretty for this picture, but I didn't care, because I had a bowl right after I took the picture.  Let me know if you try to it & what you think.

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,

~ashley

A Jack of all Trades

I often have commented that Hopson (daddy Hopson), is a CPA who likes to pretend he's an:  attorney, electrician, plumber, farmer (he does this one quite well), yard boy, and bug man, just to name a few.  It is really impressive, I think the man can do and fix almost anything!  He's also very smart.  I've finally learned, after almost 18 years of marriage, how to verbally spar with him.  It's no easy task.  He's the calming force and logical thinker when I'm about to blow my lid.  (it's usually dealing with a child(ren), surprise...)  He'll talk me down and we'll logically talk it out.  My children should thank him on a daily basis for keeping them from not getting a beating or two.  (I don't really beat my children, but a few whacks with a wooden spoon, aka Mr. Do Right [thank you Cathy DeBard] have done wonders for my kids.)

My job is mommy.  That really means:  taxi, short order cook, nurse, rule enforcer, school homework monitor, fight referee, laundress, maid, pet caregiver, etc.  My main job this summer has been taxi & short order cook in that order.

The cooking part has been interesting.  Usually during the summer my children eat their weight in tuna and mac & cheese.  It was a staple of mine growing up & my kids have been addicted to it since they were old enough to eat solid food.  This summer has been the year of homemade pizzas.  I think I've finally nailed how to make a pretty good homemade pizza.  If I'm really feeling daring I'll even toss the dough in the air.  Of course everyone has to have a try & it usually gets dropped a time or two, but hey, it's fun. 

Today I made one cheese pizza and one 1/2 turkey pepperoni & 1/2 turkey pepperoni, onion & tomato.  So YUMMY and easy, just a little time consuming.  Needless to say, there was zero left.  I'm sure they'll ask for it again tomorrow...it's a good thing I have the car gassed up & ready to go.  :)

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley