Charles expanded his international menu today..Chicken and steak Fajitas. After a relaxing morning snorkeling at Barton Springs we went home for an early dinner. The temperature outside was getting HOT(96 degree by 1PM). I suggested that Charles just go to the HEB and buy the ready made HEB seasoned fajitas meat in a package.
When Charles returned from his daily trip to HEB he told me that he decided to buy the spices and spice the chicken and steak himself. He said that the packaged stuff looked kind of unappetizing.
The grill was ready and the meats seasoned. Together we prepared all the sides to go on the fajitas. There were chopped onions, lite sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and sharp cheese.The black beans were flavored with onion.The green peppers and onions were grilled along with the meats.
Again, the dinner was yummy and not too spicy. After all was finished Charles decided that doing all the "fixing" was a lot of trouble. I told him that I was sure his seasoned meats were much better than the HEB packaged meats. At least we knew what the ingredients were and they did not have perservatives.
Unfortunately the liquor store was closed...so no margaritas.:-(..beer instead.
Desert was sugar free ice cream with a little mixed fruit on top....Ole!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Swedish chief visits Lost Creek
One of the funny characters on the Muppet Show was the Swedish Chief. When he would cook on the show he tossed food around and made a mess in the kitchen. The dinner Charles prepared was delicious, but the kitchen looked like the Swedish chief had stopped by to cook the meal.
After a relaxing afternoon sunning and swimming at Barton Springs we both headed home at different times. Charles stopped by the local HEB to find some crab. He had looked up sauted crab meat on google and wanted to try to make the dish with Halibut fish. I lingered at the springs until the thunder started. Everyone had to get out of the water and so I decided to head for home before the masses jammed the roads. The menu was planned and the Swedish chief made his appearance...
After a relaxing afternoon sunning and swimming at Barton Springs we both headed home at different times. Charles stopped by the local HEB to find some crab. He had looked up sauted crab meat on google and wanted to try to make the dish with Halibut fish. I lingered at the springs until the thunder started. Everyone had to get out of the water and so I decided to head for home before the masses jammed the roads. The menu was planned and the Swedish chief made his appearance...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pig Out
Charles prepared tonights fare and it was not the healthiest dinner. It sure was good. We had delicious baby back ribs grilled and slathered in honey mesquite sauce. It was so good that neither one of us had room for the side of black beans seasoned with cinnamon and chili powder. The homemade slaw balanced out the grease from the ribs...mmmmmm finger licking good.
Every once in awhile it is okay to take a break from healthy eating. Charles decided that next time we indulge in a"pigging out" dinner he would make sure the ribs were just a touch crispier off the grill, Poor Sar-Bear was drooling, but no ribs for her!
Menu:
Grilled baby back ribs full of meat
Fresh home made cabbage slaw
Black beans flavored with cinnamon and chili powder.
Too full for desert.
Every once in awhile it is okay to take a break from healthy eating. Charles decided that next time we indulge in a"pigging out" dinner he would make sure the ribs were just a touch crispier off the grill, Poor Sar-Bear was drooling, but no ribs for her!
Menu:
Grilled baby back ribs full of meat
Fresh home made cabbage slaw
Black beans flavored with cinnamon and chili powder.
Too full for desert.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tandoori Chicken
One of the birthday gifts that Charles received were some Indian spice mixes. He decided that he would try making the Indian dish that he really likes to eat.,Tandoori chicken.
We spent the afternoon swimming at Barton Springs while the chicken soaked in the mixture of spices and yogurt and lemon juice.. On the way home Charles had to stop to buy additional chicken because he didn't think he had enough to make the dish. A good portion of the mixture ended up in some bowls and on the counter. Actually he had whipped up so much marinade that he did need more chicken.
The chicken was cooked on the bar-b-que grill for 20 minutes and then finished in the oven. Fortunately Charles only used half of the spices that were called for in the recipe....it was spicy! This was his first try at Indian cooking,and it was pretty tasty. along with the chicken he served spinach and cheese and white rice. The menu for the Indian dinner:
Tandoori chicken breasts and onions
spinach creamed with cheese
white rice
mixed salad
fruit salad for desert/or ice cream.
beer or soda pop to drink
We spent the afternoon swimming at Barton Springs while the chicken soaked in the mixture of spices and yogurt and lemon juice.. On the way home Charles had to stop to buy additional chicken because he didn't think he had enough to make the dish. A good portion of the mixture ended up in some bowls and on the counter. Actually he had whipped up so much marinade that he did need more chicken.
The chicken was cooked on the bar-b-que grill for 20 minutes and then finished in the oven. Fortunately Charles only used half of the spices that were called for in the recipe....it was spicy! This was his first try at Indian cooking,and it was pretty tasty. along with the chicken he served spinach and cheese and white rice. The menu for the Indian dinner:
Tandoori chicken breasts and onions
spinach creamed with cheese
white rice
mixed salad
fruit salad for desert/or ice cream.
beer or soda pop to drink
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
Mother's day was a complete day of relaxing and chilling out. The weekend had been very stressful because on Friday Sa-Bear woke up extremely sick with a high fever. The entire day on Friday was spent being upset and waiting to hear from the vet. When Mother'Day ,Sunday, arrived Sar-Bear had improved to about 95% health. Sari's health improving and having Emily, Sasha and Ranger drive up from San Antonio made the day especially nice.
Charles and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood before Emily and Sasha and Ranger arrived. Charles decided that instead of going out to eat he would cook a special dinner. It had been a long time since he had grilled shishka bob and veggies. His special marinade for the steak made the bobs tastey.
Ranger and Sar-Bear were happy to see each other again, and both got their whipped cream treats and treats at dinner. Sar felt well enough to beg for brocolli, Ranger got a small piece of steak.
After dinner there was a lively discussion on time and relativity..all of which was beyond my grey matter...
Thank you (all ) for a lovely Mother's Day!
Charles and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood before Emily and Sasha and Ranger arrived. Charles decided that instead of going out to eat he would cook a special dinner. It had been a long time since he had grilled shishka bob and veggies. His special marinade for the steak made the bobs tastey.
Ranger and Sar-Bear were happy to see each other again, and both got their whipped cream treats and treats at dinner. Sar felt well enough to beg for brocolli, Ranger got a small piece of steak.
After dinner there was a lively discussion on time and relativity..all of which was beyond my grey matter...
Thank you (all ) for a lovely Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Conjunto and Lamb chops
The yearly Squeezebox Conjunto competition/festival took place at the Bullock Museum today. Charles volunteered walking around and I enjoyed sitting and listening to the young talented competitors and performers. It was amazing to watch the youth that were under 19 play a variety of styles of music including, Conjunto, and Zydeco. The Grammy winners Texmanics also played several hits.
About half way though listening and dancing to the music I asked Charles what we were going to do for dinner. He had already planned out the menu in advance and had defrosted Lamb chops. Growing up I had never had lamb chop prepared by my mother. Lamb was associated with World War II. My father and mother had to eat Mutton when beef was not easily affordable. When I would ask for Lamb they both told me they hated the smell of Lamb/Mutton cooking.Charles' mother prepared Lamb chops along with beef. Now I love Lamb and look forward to the dinner and the mint jelly.
After the festival was over we went home and Charles lite the bar-b-que.
Menu for dinner:
Bar-b-que Lamb chops
Mint jelly
Mixed wild rice
Baked asparagrus
Lemon jello with fruit cockltail
About half way though listening and dancing to the music I asked Charles what we were going to do for dinner. He had already planned out the menu in advance and had defrosted Lamb chops. Growing up I had never had lamb chop prepared by my mother. Lamb was associated with World War II. My father and mother had to eat Mutton when beef was not easily affordable. When I would ask for Lamb they both told me they hated the smell of Lamb/Mutton cooking.Charles' mother prepared Lamb chops along with beef. Now I love Lamb and look forward to the dinner and the mint jelly.
After the festival was over we went home and Charles lite the bar-b-que.
Menu for dinner:
Bar-b-que Lamb chops
Mint jelly
Mixed wild rice
Baked asparagrus
Lemon jello with fruit cockltail
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Rough dinner
Charles took a long hike in the morning and a nap in the afternoon. As a result we had to make a trip to HEB to get something for dinner ingredients. On the way we took the dogs down to the low trail to enjoy a nice evening walk with a great amount dog sniffing. Charles announced his menu for dinner while we were walking the dog. Both dogs enjoyed the healthy scraps...the veggies.
Menu for the night
Orange Roughy fillet baked with drawn butter and sliced almonds.
Boiled finger potatoes then topped with a little olive oil and dill
Mixed steamed vegetables, cauliflower,carrots, broccoli
Left-over birthday cake..
Menu for the night
Orange Roughy fillet baked with drawn butter and sliced almonds.
Boiled finger potatoes then topped with a little olive oil and dill
Mixed steamed vegetables, cauliflower,carrots, broccoli
Left-over birthday cake..
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Birthday Dinner
Charles celebrated his 65 birthday today. I offered to cook his dinner,but he had already planned the menu. The day was filled with free birthday car washes, free Starbucks latte, and a nice walk in the county park with the dogs.
On the menu for the night:
Grilled baby back pork ribs, seasoned with bar-b-que sauce.
Green and red cabbage slaw
Black beans seasoned with cinnamon and chili powder
Birthday cake, Fudge Tuxedo cake.
After stuffing ourselves with ribs we took an evening full moon walk in the neighborhood. For the third time we saw the local resident Great Horned Owl perched and hooting on the neighbors roof top. I called to the owl and he answered back, raising his tail feathers up with each hoot.
The birthday cake was so rich and full of fudge that we each had a small sliver and froze the rest of it.
Happy Birthday Charles..and welcome to Medicare!
On the menu for the night:
Grilled baby back pork ribs, seasoned with bar-b-que sauce.
Green and red cabbage slaw
Black beans seasoned with cinnamon and chili powder
Birthday cake, Fudge Tuxedo cake.
After stuffing ourselves with ribs we took an evening full moon walk in the neighborhood. For the third time we saw the local resident Great Horned Owl perched and hooting on the neighbors roof top. I called to the owl and he answered back, raising his tail feathers up with each hoot.
The birthday cake was so rich and full of fudge that we each had a small sliver and froze the rest of it.
Happy Birthday Charles..and welcome to Medicare!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Cooks day off
After a beautiful day in Austin we decided "cooks day off". Late afternoon we headed for La Ferria and shared a kickass top shelf margarita. The split drink was so strong we had to send it back for more margarita mix to be added! Time for some Mexican food served on the outside deck. No cooking, no dishes, just relaxing Austin Style!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tilapia Varacruz
Menu for the night:
Appetizer: Basil pesto on water crackers with a light white wine.
Tilapia based in olive oil and lemon. Crushed tomatoes sliced green pimento olives, and cilantro added at the last few minutes of baking the fish..
Fresh asparagus spears with olive oil and salt and pepper
Mixed wild rice
This is one of my favorite fish dinners that Charles makes. At any restaurant this dinner would be listed for at least $20 for the dinner, and I am sure it would not be as delicious as his receipe.
Charles returned from an afternoon of relaxing at Barton Springs pool. He told me that on the way home he stopped at the store and passed up the chocolate chip cookies ….so guess we will continue our quest of healthy eating……although he did suggest we go out for hot fudge Sundays after dinner….oh to be 20 years old again and not have to worry about gaining weight.
A note about the Tilapia purchase. I acutualy purchased it after shopping at two different store. The first store had Tilapia from China. After traveling in China and seeing the rivers I absolutely refuse to buy any produce exported from their rivers. The second store had Tilapia from farms in Honduras. The second choice probably was a little better choice. It may have had more fertilizer than mercury in the fish fillets.
Appetizer: Basil pesto on water crackers with a light white wine.
Tilapia based in olive oil and lemon. Crushed tomatoes sliced green pimento olives, and cilantro added at the last few minutes of baking the fish..
Fresh asparagus spears with olive oil and salt and pepper
Mixed wild rice
This is one of my favorite fish dinners that Charles makes. At any restaurant this dinner would be listed for at least $20 for the dinner, and I am sure it would not be as delicious as his receipe.
Charles returned from an afternoon of relaxing at Barton Springs pool. He told me that on the way home he stopped at the store and passed up the chocolate chip cookies ….so guess we will continue our quest of healthy eating……although he did suggest we go out for hot fudge Sundays after dinner….oh to be 20 years old again and not have to worry about gaining weight.
A note about the Tilapia purchase. I acutualy purchased it after shopping at two different store. The first store had Tilapia from China. After traveling in China and seeing the rivers I absolutely refuse to buy any produce exported from their rivers. The second store had Tilapia from farms in Honduras. The second choice probably was a little better choice. It may have had more fertilizer than mercury in the fish fillets.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Giving up the kitchen chores
Relinquishing the kitchen chores was not a hard decision. Charles retired two years ago in 2008. Unlike many people who think "What will I do when I retire?",Charles has been busy and enjoying retirement. Some days he volunteers at the Bob Bullock History Museum,or he golfs, or takes off fly fishing, or he works on the Sierra Club programming. To add to his activities he takes yoga classes and he works out with his trainer at the gym. Every once in a while he will announce "I am going to take a nap,because I am retired and I can take a nap when ever I want to!"
To my surprise Charles has added taking over the daily preparations for our dinners. When I asked Charles what he "thought" about taking over the cooking he said "Well, I have to eat don't I!" In any case he has prepared some delicious dinners,and the presentation of each meal is always nice and the meal is tasty.
One of the best parts of the "friendly takeover" of the kitchen is that Charles likes a clean kitchen. He likes the counter tops to be clean, and the stove to shine. And he likes to shop for the ingredients for his meals.
Today I came home from running around doing "other chores." I found the menu for the evening meal on the kitchen counter dry board. The dry board has become our communication source where we leave a written message to each other. Most often the message is if the dog has been taken out or fed. In the afternoon the menu for the evenings dinner usually appears with main entry, sides and desert. We do not have text messaging or a Iphone or any of the technical stuff. We write to each other so that we know what the other person is doing if we can't reach them by phone.
Charles prepared a wonderful mixed fruit desert for tonights dinner. We just returned from a 40th anniversary trip to Costa Rica. While shopping for food he found a huge pineapple in the local HEB store from Costa Rica. The fruit was wonderful on our trip, so fresh and sweet. His mixed fruit desert sure looked good in our blue bowl.
Every day is turning into a surprise for dinner. Occasionally I make a suggestion for the main course;but Charles decides and does the preparing .What follow in this blog are some comments and photos of dinners prepared by Charles.
Charles spent most of the day fly fishing on Barton Creek. When I arrived home I saw the evidence of a day of fishing and falling into the water which usually always happens when he wades in the creek...
Tonight's dinner Menu
To my surprise Charles has added taking over the daily preparations for our dinners. When I asked Charles what he "thought" about taking over the cooking he said "Well, I have to eat don't I!" In any case he has prepared some delicious dinners,and the presentation of each meal is always nice and the meal is tasty.
One of the best parts of the "friendly takeover" of the kitchen is that Charles likes a clean kitchen. He likes the counter tops to be clean, and the stove to shine. And he likes to shop for the ingredients for his meals.
Today I came home from running around doing "other chores." I found the menu for the evening meal on the kitchen counter dry board. The dry board has become our communication source where we leave a written message to each other. Most often the message is if the dog has been taken out or fed. In the afternoon the menu for the evenings dinner usually appears with main entry, sides and desert. We do not have text messaging or a Iphone or any of the technical stuff. We write to each other so that we know what the other person is doing if we can't reach them by phone.
Charles prepared a wonderful mixed fruit desert for tonights dinner. We just returned from a 40th anniversary trip to Costa Rica. While shopping for food he found a huge pineapple in the local HEB store from Costa Rica. The fruit was wonderful on our trip, so fresh and sweet. His mixed fruit desert sure looked good in our blue bowl.
Every day is turning into a surprise for dinner. Occasionally I make a suggestion for the main course;but Charles decides and does the preparing .What follow in this blog are some comments and photos of dinners prepared by Charles.
Charles spent most of the day fly fishing on Barton Creek. When I arrived home I saw the evidence of a day of fishing and falling into the water which usually always happens when he wades in the creek...
Tonight's dinner Menu
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