Darkness Falls

My wife is basically able to go to bed any time after we have finished eating dinner.  I cannot go to bed until it is dark out.  At this time of the year that means I too can go to bed any time after we have finished eating dinner.  However my bedtime is much, much later in the summer.

I think this stems back to my childhood.  When I was I am going to say somewhere between 8 and 10, I had a paper route (actually I had 4 they rolled into 1).  Every Wednesday, that meant that my mom and I were up and out of the house by 5:30 AM to deliver papers.

This was not that big of a deal in the winter when I was in bed early and it was already dark out.  But it was not that much fun in the summer when I was in bed not only when it was still light out, but when I could hear my friends still outside playing.  I guess that I can't go to sleep until it is dark out now because I feel like I might be missing out on something.

Shrimp & Steak Fried Rice

When I was a kid, Chinese food was a rare thing in our house.  My father did not like it and now it is one of his preferred meals out.  My wife and I do a lot of variations of fried rice, so this just adds to the options.

This was found on Facebook and originally comes from Home Made Recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ribeye, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12-15 raw shrimp, tail off and deveined
• 4 cups day-old cold cooked rice
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 tbsp soy sauce, divided
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar, divided
• 4 tbsp oil, divided

Directions:

• Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 tbsp brown sugar to the steak.
• Put aside.
• Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 tbsp brown sugar to the shrimp.
• Put aside.
• In a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp oil and cook steak for 1 minute per side until browned.
• Remove from the pan.
• Add shrimp to the same pan and cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes until they form a nice C shape.
• Remove from the pan.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan.
• Add carrots and onions, cooking for 3-4 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Scoot the mixture to one side of the pan.
• On the empty side of the pan, add the beaten eggs and scramble them.
• Once the eggs are cooked, add in the day-old cold rice.
• Use a spatula to break up the rice and add in the remaining soy sauce and sugar.
• Return the shrimp and steak to the pan, then add the green onions.
• Stir everything together and enjoy.

Turkey Vegetable Soup

On December 15th, our social committee is offering a turkey soup supper.  So I needed a turkey soup recipe.  I already had a turkey and wild rice recipe here but my wife said that turkey vegetable would be better.  

I found this recipe via google search and it comes from food fanatic.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion (peeled and diced)
• 1 large carrot (peeled and chopped)
• 2 stalks celery (chopped)
• 6 cups turkey broth (chicken can be substituted)
• 1 large potato (peeled and chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups turkey 
• 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. 
• Add the onions, carrots and celery.
• Sauté on medium heat for a few minutes or until vegetables are wilted.
• Add broth and potatoes to the pot. 
• Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low.
• Add thyme, tomato paste and turkey. 
• Cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add frozen vegetables and cook another 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Answering The Question

I do not remember where or when I heard this statement first.  It may have been Facebook, Tik Tok, or somewhere else.  If you replace the "W" with a "T" in what, where, and when, you get the answer (that, there, and then).

The Difference A Year Makes

Last year, on New Year's Day, my wife and I left for an 8 day trip to Victoria to bring my mother-in-law home with us.  It was cool enough that you needed to wear a light jacket.  Today, our high was -16.

Bacon Macaroni Cheeseburger Tacos

While I have made cheeseburger macaroni, I would have never thought of putting it in taco form.  These recipe is from Facebook and originally from Crenn Recipes. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup macaroni and cheese, prepared
• 6 small taco shells
• 6 slices bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Lettuce, chopped

* I would also add chopped tomato, but I like tomatoes *

Directions:

• Brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. 
• Drain and set aside.
• Spoon the macaroni and cheese into the taco shells, followed by a portion of the seasoned beef, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar.
• Top with chopped lettuce.
• Serve immediately for a fun, fusion-inspired taco night.

Heavenly Birthday

Today would have been my mother's 82 birthday.  She is loved and missed.  Happy birthday mama!