ON THE MENU WEEK OF JULY 21, 2014

It took a little longer than usual, but tomato season has begun at StoneGable! I love seeing garden tomatoes on my weekly menu and I love eating them even more!

If you make one thing this week it should be the zucchini latkes! They are amazing with in season zucchini... and tomatoes on the side!

Now, here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU WEEK OF JULY 14, 2014

A very eventful week is now behind me! It started off with my son Christopher having a big surgery... then my birthday... and then the Haven Blogger's Conference.

Chris went through surgery well and is beginning a long healing process and I am sitting in the Atlanta Airport as I write this. The plane is delayed and am anxious to get home!

But, I've had lots of time to think about recipes and StoneGable and family and all I learn at Haven and next week's posts.

But for now...

 Here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU WEEK OF JULY 7, 2014

This is a busy and eventful week, here at StoneGable!

 My son, Christopher is having major surgery. It is called Periactebular Osteotomy or PAO.

I'm asking for lots and lots of prayers for him, his sweet wife Abby and for us too.

We expect all will go well and my son will be able to walk normally again. Please keep us in your prayers. I'll update you through my facebook page...https://www.facebook.com/StoneGableblog.

Thanks so much! Now here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2014

Are you ready for July 4th... fireworks... picnics... family... and a day to celebrate our great nation!
We are celebrating with all the above! StoneGable will host friends and family for a weekend of fun patriotic activities and lots of great food!

Remember to take a few minutes to thank God for America and to pray His blessing on our country!

ON THE MENU... WEEK OF JUNE 23, 2014

It's been an unusual summer so far... a little cool and not very humid.  The garden is taking it's good ol' time switching into growing-like-crazy mode. The weather has been perfect for lots of meals on the new patio! Dinner lingers so much longer outdoors and we are happy to let mealtime blur into watching the lightning bugs come out and the sun set.

Summer and I may have had our issues in the hot and humid past but this year... so far... we seem made-in-the-shade best buds!

Now here's what's on the menu this week...

ON THE MENU WEEK OF JUNE 16, 2014

There are some dishes I could eat almost every day... and quite a few I am sure to eat a couple times a week! Like cucumber salad and caprese salad and fried spinach and caesar salad! Oh yum! 

Of course, they are on the menu this week... I hope you will try my favorites too. Who knows... they might end up being your!

Here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU~ WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2014

I've been introduced to the wonderful world of SUSHI after resisting it for years. But at a recent outdoor party I tried my first California Roll and I was hooked!!! I don't know if I'll ever eat raw fish (it's a texture thing) but I sure love the beauty and taste of Sushi!

I'm trying my hand at making Sushi on Sunday... my kids are excited... my husband, not so much. He's such a meat and potato or pasta kinda guy. I hope he will at least try some!

I have all my sushi making equipment and most of the ingredients... and if all goes well I'll post about my adventure... this could be my new obsession!

Now here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF JUNE 2, 2014

Happy June! It's strawberry season in my part of the country... and that means I'll be busy making yummy strawberry jam! It makes my whole kitchen smell just heavenly!!!  You can find a scrumptious how-to-put-up-jam recipe on my sidebar. If you have never canned anything this is a great way to start! It's the perfect no fail recipe!

Make sure to stop back tomorrow... I have a real special recipe to share!
Now, here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU MONDAY

I hope you are all having a very happy Memorial Day!

We have my sister and her husband staying with us and lots of other's coming and going for meals and picnics. The weather this weekend has been PERFECT! No humidity... just lots of sunshine and a sweet breeze! It's can't get any better than that!

We've even gotten in a little yard work!!!

A big thank you to all of our service men and women, their families, or veterans and special prayers for our fallen heroes and their loved ones! We are blessed because of your love for this country and care for us!
You are best part of America!
xo

ON THE MENU WEEK OF MAY 4, 2014

As many of you know I am eating lo-carb these days. Or I should say.... eating lo-carb again. During my long illness, I ate whatever! I had too much going on and too little energy to worry about carb intake. But now that I am feeling pretty good again, I am back on track.

I get e-mails asking how I can eat lo-carb when my recipes have carbs in them. I cook for my family... or Bobby and me and not just myself.

Each daily dinner has lots of choices for me. It usually means cutting out pretty much all the starches, the desserts and some high carb fruits and veggies. But, believe me there is certainly enough for me to eat!

I'd like to drop the 30 pounds I put on white being laid up for 5 months!!! And do it in short order! I'm back in the pool and that really helps too!

Now here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU... WEEK OF APRIL 28, 2014

Hi friends! I have a super busy week this week! I'm fluffing and staging and decorating some room at StoneGAble for a very special event I'll tell you about later this month! I am over-the-moon excited to share it with you!

If you make one thing on the menu it has to be the SPICY OVEN BBQ RIBS. They are uber easy to make and everyone loves them!!! Don't forget to double the MAGIC RUB recipe in the menu. I use it on so much I grill and bake and I bet you will too!

Hope you all have a yummy week...

Now here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK AT STONEGABLE

Are you thinking Easter dinner yet? Well, here at StoneGable I am in full planning mode! This week I'll be making my list and checking it twice (opps, wrong holiday)... so I have everything in order for Easter weekend! It's all paper work right now, but after next weekend it will be all about shopping, cooking and getting the house ready for family and guests!

Even though my children are in their 20's I still give them Easter baskets.  This year they will all get their favorite chocolates and items they can use in their gardens. Each couple gets one big utilitarian basket all wrapped up just for them. So fun!

The weather is still unseasonably chilly so I am still in recipe transition! If you make one thing this week you should try the Asparagus Roll Ups with Cheese. So, so yummy!

Now here's what's on the menu...

ON THE MENU~ WEEK OF MARCH 31, 2014

Spring is slowly coming to StoneGable! And my menus will start to reflect all the great spring seasonal foods now available! I'm loading up on asparagus, artichokes, and salads... as well as tomatoes and basil!

Because we are big carnivores here at StoneGable, I won't be forgetting lots of great main dish recipes, too!

If you make one thing from this week's menu try OVEN BBQ RIBS. The are sooooo delicious and ridiculously easy to make!  It's all about the MAGIC BBQ RUB. You won't be disappointed!

Now, here's what's on this week's menu...

ON THE MENU~ WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2014

Oh NO!

 The forecasters have predicted more snow this week. We have over a foot of snow on the ground already!

The upside to being stuck inside is making soup! When it snows I'm all about soup! And my very favorite soup to make is the one my Nani taught me... Chicken Noodle! There are a few secrets to making the best Chicken Noodle and I've spilled the beans, so to speak, and shared them all...

ON THE MENU MONDAY ~WEEK OF JANUARY 26, 2014

I'm writing this from my hospital room with great hopes of going home tomorrow! What a wild 72 hours it has been! Since we are talking food I won't bother you with all the details... just know that I am fine and surgery went well.

You can read more about my saga on my FACEBOOK page.

Thank goodness for stocking food in the freezer. Monday and Tuesday's dinner will be coming from my freezer stash! And Sunday's soup will  be doubled and be added to the freezer.

Don't forget to have a few meals on hand for those unexpected days!

Now, here's what's ON THE MENU...

ON THE MENU

I think this is a hard time of year to be a blogger. Recently, I have read of a few bloggers that have posted about "taking a break", "giving up blogging" or  being "dry". I myself have taken two blogging breaks. The both did my a world of good and put into perspective this odd thing we bloggers do.

I have no intention of taking a break, or stopping my blog, let me state that strongly right now!  I'm only writing this to encourage my fellow bloggers to listen to their inner selves and do what is best for them. If taking a break is what you need... take it! Don't worry about losing an audience or someone replacing you. Life goes on... and fills in...

ON THE MENU~JANUARY 12, 2014

Nothing tastes better to me when the weather is cold and dreary than soup. So this wintry week starts and ends with... soup! One cooked on the stove top and one in a slow cooker. But both delicious and hardy and so so filling!

 Soup is comfort food I love to cook... and eat! When the weather turns nasty in your neck of the woods I hope you will try one of these yummy soups too!

Before we get into this week's menu I want to remind you of the

CREATING A COZY HOME

going on now!

25 of your favorite bloggers with lots of ideas for making your home cozy this winter...

HOW TO EAT AN ARTICHOKE

This funny, beautiful, prickly vegetable is a culinary marvel. I wonder, who on earth was the first one to try to eat it?  I just don't know what kind of person would have thought to eat an Artichoke! Just look at it! It's sorta like eating a pine cone! But bless the pioneer's heart for being the first to try!

I adore artichokes! I have been happily eating the marinaded kind in a jar for years! And if an item on a menu had artichokes in it, it would be my first choice to order. But it was only several years ago I braved making my own steamed artichokes at home. Why did I wait so long?

Making artichokes... and eating them for that matter, is not a difficult procedure. All that is needed is a couple of fresh artichokes and the right technique.

If you have never eaten artichokes, seize the moment and try one! New experiences help us to grow and live adventuresome lives! Not to mention Artichokes are elegant vegetables who's taste and eating experience is sublime!

StoneGable's Guide To:

 Eating An Artichoke

Ingredients:

2 large, heavy artichokes that are plump for their size

3 fresh lemons

1/3 cup mayonnaise

Proceedure:

Wash the artichokes with cool water. Shake off excess water. 

Lay the artichoke on a cutting board and cut off the stem and any tiny petals. This allows the artichoke to sit upright.

Starting at the bottom of the artichoke, snip the tips off of each petal with kitchen shears. The petals have a little thorn at the end that must be snipped off. There is no need to snip the tips of the top 1/5 of the petals as they will be cut off later.

It is easy if you hold the artichoke on it's side in the palm of your hand and snip.

Cut the top 1/5 of the artichole off with a SHARP knife. Be very careful, it is a little tough to cut.

Cut a lemon in half and rub the lemon liberally all over the artichoke, paying special attention to the cut off ends. This will keep it from discoloring.

Put the artichokes in a heavy saucepan filled with a couple of inches of water and cut lemons.

Simmer on medium low heat, covered, for 30 minutes. I don't undercook the artichoke because the center does not get done.

Meanwhile, make a lemon mayonnaise dipping sauce.

In a bowl, mix mayonnaise with the juice of a half to one whole lemon and set aside. There are many recipes for dipping sauce, but it am a purist! The flavors of the artichoke and lemon are just perfect!

When the artichokes have been steamed, remove them from the water with tongs.

Place artichokes on a plate along with the dipping sauce and extra lemons.

How To Eat An Artichoke: Technique

Starting at the bottom of the artichoke, pull the petals off 1 at a time.

The end closest to the artichoke has a little plump area of pulpy "flesh". It it the end that is dipped into the sauce. The other end of the petal is not edible. Hold on to that end.

Dip the "good stuff" end in the dipping sauce and turn the dip side of the artichoke over and place the end in your mouth. Make sure you are firmly gripping the petal. Gently bite down on the petal, but do not break the flesh. Pull the petal through your teeth squeezing out the delicious pulpy material inside. Enjoy the luscious  flavor of the artichoke mingled with the dipping sauce.

Discard the petal. I keep a "discard" bowl on hand.

Continue to pull off the petals and eat them until you get to the very inner petals of the artichoke and the petals have no more pulp in them.

At this point peel off the rest of the petals until you get to the "choke" a fiberous, fuzzy looking disc.

Using the edge of a spoon or a knife scrape off the choke and discard. This will expose "heart", the culinary prize of the artichoke.

The heart can then be cut up, dipped in the lemon mayonnaise and eaten. Double YUM! The heart may not look as pretty as the rest of the artichoke, but it is so very delicious and worth the trouble to get to them.

Eating an artichoke is an EVENT! Fun and exotic, wouldn't this be fun to eat with your Valentine?