After a long, difficult 3 day drive, we finally reached our home. I already miss the lake, the calm and peaceful surroundings. The leaves were changing quickly, so beautiful. Day two of the trip we started to have car problems. After only an hour into the 8 hour trip, three lights came on. We pulledContinue reading “Road Trip”
Author Archives: @cjsthought
Lake, Moon Views
This is the last week up at the lake for this summer. Summer is winding down. Up north, the nights have been cold and the leaves are starting to change. This weekend, we are back to some very warm temperatures but it comes with strong winds. Disappointing as I would like to kayak and floatContinue reading “Lake, Moon Views”
Serenity
I made it to my lake house this summer. I had to miss it last year due to shoulder surgery and recovery. It gives me such peace and is a world away from life in the city. No traffic except for the squirrels’ frenzy to stow away food for the long winter. They are alwaysContinue reading “Serenity”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken (Vegetarian Options)
This is a mixed Asian-Polynesian fusion style dish. It’s quick to assemble in the slow cooker and comes out very tasty. Serve it over Ramen or Udon noodles or rice. I used Ramen noodles this time. Serve with some reduced sauce on the side. Add additional soy, teriyaki and/or hoisin on top when serving ifContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Slow Cooker Ribs
I always loved having a good baby back rib when we ate out. I had been very hesitant to try making them at home. I saw a tutorial a few years ago on how to make it in the Slow Cooker on PBS once and decided to give it a try. I was really impressedContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Slow Cooker Ribs”
Spring and Rose Blooms
Every Spring I wait for the spring blooms. First flowers in my tiny garden are the hyacinths, then the daffodils. I used to get the tulips but now I only get their leaves. I have a few perennial plants that bloom early as well- sweet william, azaleas and the irises. The purple irises are firstContinue reading “Spring and Rose Blooms”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Fresh Corn, Wild Rice Chowder
This week I made an order for a grocery delivery. It had asked for 4 ears of corn. They were out of the individual ears so she asked if I wanted a pack of corn. She said they were 4-5 to a pack. I said 4 is fine. She misinterpreted it and gave me 5Continue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Fresh Corn, Wild Rice Chowder”
Mexican Stuffed Peppers (Vegetarian Options)
After receiving two giant red peppers in my grocery order, I decided to make stuffed peppers. I went a little different from a usual stuffed peppers recipe and made it more like a taco style stuffed peppers. It can be made with lean ground beef or vegetarian with ground meat substitute or just beans. I’veContinue reading “Mexican Stuffed Peppers (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Sloppy Joe’s (Vegetarian Options)
One of my Mother’s staples in her dinner rotation was Sloppy Joe’s. Sloppy Joe’s was a common dish in the Midwest. There are a couple of different ways of making it. A common denominator is ground meat (or plant based meat) with chopped onions and celery. What changed is what kind of soup is usedContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Sloppy Joe’s (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Leftover Taco/Enchiladas Bake (Vegetarian Options)
Sometimes when I make a Taco Bar or Fajitas, I have a little left over. Usually, we get two nights of dinners for two or one for four if my kids are home. There will often be a bit left of the meat (or meat substitute) and vegetables. Making a baked enchilada type of tacoContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Leftover Taco/Enchiladas Bake (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Vegetarian Shepherds Pie
This is one of our recipe favorites. It’s comfort food, hearty on a cold day. I make it vegetarian, but it could also be made with ground beef or lamb. You won’t miss the meat in my version. I use vegetarian ground crumbles as the main protein mixed with chopped vegetables and cheese. You couldContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Vegetarian Shepherds Pie”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Taco Bar- Vegetarian Options
As I’ve said in other posts, we often travel to Mexico. I love the culture and the food. I try to make some easy dishes that I’ve eaten there and here. Every night can be taco night in my house. I love a taco any way I make them. Sometimes I want a quick mealContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Taco Bar- Vegetarian Options”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Salisbury Steak (Meat Options)
An easy comfort food dinner is Salisbury Steak. I made this version vegetarian. I used Impossible Burger patties which cut some of the prep time. It comes together quickly. Serve it with a tossed salad, mashed potatoes and a side of steamed veggies. It’s a warm stress free meal like a big hug. Ingredients 6-ImpossibleContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Salisbury Steak (Meat Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Cajun Spiced Pasta Bake (Vegetarian Options)
The weather turned very cold for a couple of days last week so I wanted to spice things up. An easy dinner to make is a baked penne dish. I decided to make a Cajun Spiced Baked Penne. It can be made with or without a sausage. Options are a chicken sausage, Andouille sausage, hotContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Cajun Spiced Pasta Bake (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience: Easy Dinners-Vegetarian Pasties
As I’ve mentioned, I grew up in Northern Minnesota on the Iron Range. This area is known for its open pit mines. One of the big local cuisines is a Pasty. A pasty is a meat and vegetable filled large hand/type pie. The miners would take it hot into their lunchboxes and it would beContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience: Easy Dinners-Vegetarian Pasties”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Soup Weather: Mushroom Lentil Soup (Vegetarian Options)
This week’s soup is a hearty soup with a lot of spice to warm you up. I had an abundance of mushrooms as well as a larger cans of tomatoes in my last grocery order. I decided to try a lentil soup using these ingredients. I added more vegetables as well. Lentils are not myContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Soup Weather: Mushroom Lentil Soup (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Vegetarian Chili 🌶️
Chili is a hearty, spicy cross of stew and soup. It can be made many different ways-with or without beans, vegetarian or meat, (chili con carne) spicy or mild. It varies from region to region. Great for a Game Day or a winter meal. Exploring the origins of chili unveiled a big controversy to itsContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Vegetarian Chili 🌶️”
Traveling for a Cultural Experience-Mexican Winter Escape
We are on a winter escape in Cancun Mexico. After 6 months of recovering from rotator cuff, bicep and clavicle surgery, I needed a stress free escape. The last half of the year was very painful and difficult. One of the most trying times I’ve experienced. Fortunately I see the light at the end ofContinue reading “Traveling for a Cultural Experience-Mexican Winter Escape”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience- Easy Dinner: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
Lasagna is an Italian layered casserole full of cheesy goodness. Surprisingly, when I looked up it’s history, I discovered it derived from Ancient Greece. where according to Mi’Talia, a dish called laganon was popular. Laganon, as it happens, was the first pasta, made from sheets of dough cut into thin strips. https://www.tastingtable.com/820872/the-origin-of-lasagna-isnt-what-you-think/ It made itsContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience- Easy Dinner: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Soup Weather: Sausage Gumbo Style Soup -(Vegetarian Options)
Traditional Gumbo gets its roots from West Africa and Louisiana. It dates back over 300 years. It’s a hearty Creole stew which can be made with many different ingredients. A traditional Gumbo is made with a deep roux and okra. It can include chicken, sausage and seafood, game or be strictly vegetarian. It molds toContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Soup Weather: Sausage Gumbo Style Soup -(Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Chicken Gyro Sandwich (Vegetarian Options)
Gyros are an interesting Mediterranean sandwich. They are full of flavor and spice, tangy and tender. Usually a gyro is made with a combination of beef and lamb cooked on a spit. It is sliced thin and placed in a pita or flatbread pita. Top it with tzatziki sauce (a garlic, cucumber, yogurt sauce), cucumbers,Continue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience-Easy Dinners: Chicken Gyro Sandwich (Vegetarian Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience—Quick Steak Fajitas (Vegetarian and Chicken Options)
It’s always taco/fajita night in our house. Often I make lean ground beef or vegetarian chorizo or vegetarian crumbles and make a taco bar. Sometimes I want a quicker meal ready. This recipe uses steak for the fajitas. I prefer a good cut if I’m using steak. I use a rib eye, t-bone or stripContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience—Quick Steak Fajitas (Vegetarian and Chicken Options)”
Recipes for a Cultural Experience—Soup Weather: Tortilla Soup (Vegetarian and Chicken versions)
Tortilla Soup is a favorite soup in our house. It’s light and full of flavor. It can be made vegetarian or with chicken. I’ll give you both options below. The flavors come out light and refreshing either way. It’s a great first course for taco night or with any main course. Serve it with aContinue reading “Recipes for a Cultural Experience—Soup Weather: Tortilla Soup (Vegetarian and Chicken versions)”
Gardening Thoughts and Photos
I love gardening but have a very small yard. I know Spring is coming as soon as the forsythia bloom. Next to bloom are the irises. My former neighbor gave me the purple plants many years ago and they always bloom. They give great hope to the Spring. I planted the yellow irises They alwaysContinue reading “Gardening Thoughts and Photos”
The Best Laid Plans—Isolation Thoughts…
After two years of more or less isolation from Covid, we were starting to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Since I don’t have any problems being home a lot, it didn’t bother me to self isolate as much as it bothered some people. Now after two years, masks, vaccines andContinue reading “The Best Laid Plans—Isolation Thoughts…”