It’s Sunday! I never know whether to think of it as the end or beginning of the week. Does it really matter if we’re relaxing and enjoying a beautiful day? Perhaps you’re attending worship services this morning, taking a walk on the beach or simply making a delicious breakfast and sharing time with family and friends. Whatever you are up to here’s a delightful work by Mozart to get you going and shining your light! Enjoy….peace!
I first tasted Kung Pao chicken while living in New York City. I loved the spicy flavors and the crunch of peanuts…..layers of deliciousness exploding on the taste buds. I found a recipe and have made it for years but it keeps evolving. This latest version that I came up with a couple of weeks ago is definitely the best yet! You can adjust the heat by using less red pepper flakes or omitting them entirely. My secret for making Asian cooking easier is to do the chopping, placing everything in small bowls beside the wok so each step of the recipe can be handled quickly and easily. Stir frying, at a high heat, requires being prepared. Please let me know if you try this recipe! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Kung Pao Chicken
2 whole, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, split and cut into half inch cubes
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
Place the cubed chicken breast into a medium sized bowl. Add the egg white and cornstarch or arrowroot powder and stir to coat the chicken well. Allow to stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes. This process is called “velveting” the chicken.
1/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup raw peanuts
4 scallions diced, including green ends
1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tablespoons fresh ginger root, minced
To Stir Fry:
In a large wok, heat the coconut oil until melted. Add the chicken, tossing in the oil. As it begins to brown add the peanuts, scallions, bell pepper, garlic and ginger root. Toss in the hot oil until the veggies are just tender…you want a bit of crunch. Add the sauce and cook until heated through and sauce has thickened. Serve over jasmine rice and enjoy an ice cold Tsing Tao beer!
Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine or sherry
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon monk fruit or coconut sweetener
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1 tablespoon red or green pepper jelly
Mix all ingredients, except the jelly, and pour over the chicken mixture as instructed above. When the sauce is thickening add the pepper jelly and stir well until the jelly has melted into the sauce.
NOTE: There are many brands of pepper jelly on the market. The one I used was actually made by a friend using my sister-in-law’s recipe…lucky me! I’ll see if I can get permission to share it with you!
This door opens into a place I find to be magical! I am a firm believer in self care, especially after having been a caregiver for three years. Taking time out for oneself is critically important! If you’re not in good shape, you can’t offer the care others need. Part of my self care routine has always been regular deep tissue massage therapy. Since moving to Covington, LA a little over three years ago I had not found anyone to work with. I say “with” because I believe effective massage and energy work has to involve both the therapist and the client. Being open to receive the healing the therapist offers is a huge part of relaxing and allowing the tension and stress to melt away.
I met Martie Dufour several months ago through a mutual friend. She left Denver, Colorado, returned to her roots here in Louisiana, opened her massage therapy practice and contacted me to introduce herself. I needed a massage and she offered the exact services I was looking for. Deep tissue work…Relaxation and Stress Relief…Reiki, a natural healing method through which the therapist moves healing energy through the clients body. In my opinion Martie is a healer…I say that with confidence since I have experienced her work. She offers therapeutic massage as well as specialized work such as cranial sacral, accupressure, reflexology and prenatal care.
One of Martie’s specialities is working with children who have autism, downs syndrome and other emotional issues. Her healing touch balances their emotions, helping them to cope with life more effectively. It is a proven fact that massage provides physical, mental and emotional benefits. Blood pressure lowers, metabolism balances, stress and anxiety are lessened and, over time, an over all feeling of well being is experienced by the client. I have been having massage therapy for over 30 years and Martie offers one of the best hour long treatments I have received. She is very flexible working with individual clients and their special needs. I love the fact that her last name “Dufour” plays such a clever part in the name of her business! Come to think of it…It’s time for me to schedule an appointment!
522 New Hampshire Street, Suite 7….Covington, LA 70433…985-789-5458
If you read my post on Wednesday you know I’m at Christ Episcopal Church attending the first “Beatles Mass”! I’m in my glory surrounded by the music and magic of this day. We are so blessed to have a church that promotes music of all kinds for the inspiration of all attending. In keeping with the event I am sharing one of my favorite Beatles songs…”Let It Be”. I love the message of this song since it hearkens to what I try to do in my own life…let go and let God. I spent years pushing and trying to make things happen, NO MORE! And the answers DO come so easily when one let’s things be.
Have a wonderful Sunday with your loved ones…even if you’re alone. I’m finding that self love is so very important! Peace…
I’m sharing one of my favorite weekend menus with you today. This is perfect to serve while watching college football or for a casual Sunday dinner. Just a bit spicy but oh so yummy! I think you’ll love it!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Guacamole with Blue Tortilla Chips
Mexican Chocolate Pie
Cold Cerveza
Chicken Tortilla Soup
So simple and delicious!
2 cups shredded roast chicken (perfect for leftover
rotisserie chicken)
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno peeled, seeded and chopped (Don’t forget to
wash your hands well after handling these!)
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
1 can mild Rotel tomatoes or other canned tomatoes with
mild peppers
2 tsps. Sangre de Cristo Mexican Seasoning
Sangre de Cristo Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
1 can hominy or posole, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp. Chiptole or Tabasco sauce
10 corn tortillas cut in strips
1 bunch scallions finely chopped
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
In a small stock pot place the olive oil, onion, garlic and
jalapeno and sauté until the onion is transparent. Add the
chicken broth, tomatoes, shredded chicken and the
Mexican Seasoning. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer
for 20 minutes. Add the posole and black beans with the
Tabasco sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes. Just before
serving, add the tortilla strips, otherwise they will
disintegrate. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and
garnish with chopped scallions and the cheeses. Serves 6.
Guacamole with Blue Tortilla Chips
3 ripe avocadoes
1 clove garlic, minced
juice of one lime
1 teaspoon olive oil
sea salt and pepper to taste
Mash the avocado and add remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with chopped, fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite blue tortilla chips.
Mexican Chocolate Pie
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Being a bonafide child of the 60’s gave me a huge appreciation for music that I still love. At any given time you might find me listening The Doors “Hello I Love You” or Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” full blast in my office here at home or in my car. But it must be said that my never ending favorite group has to be The Beatles. Yes, I saw them as they first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show that Sunday evening so long ago. I’m not sure I understood it all but I knew I loved the beat, even though I was a bit too young to join the screaming throngs of hysterical young woman practically tearing their hair out over the Fab Four. I think my favorite phase of this brilliant group’s career was when they began to explore what life is all about. They traveled to India, and sat at the feet of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the famous guru, who taught them the basis of his teaching, and, by the way, the basis of what Christ followers know as well…Love Is All There is. This message is at the foundation of everything authentic and real. Nobody put the power of love into music in the way The Beatles did.
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Many of you watched the historic wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a few months back. The Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church here in the USA, gave a powerful sermon based on love and how it can change the world. The whole world watched as Rev. Curry delivered words of hope and stated, “if it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” It’s a timely message for the complicated world we find ourselves in today.
Google Images
I am blessed to have a church community here, Christ Episcopal Church, in Covington, Louisiana. I made the decision to write this post today in light of the fact that our amazing Rector, Fr. William Miller, is offering something so unique for all to attend this coming Sunday, September 23 at both the 9 and 11:30 am services. I will be in music heaven as we enjoy a Beatles Mass featuring all of my favorites from”All You Need Is Love”, to “Hey Jude”, “Let It Be” and many more. Local musicians will play and share the tunes and lyrics that so many of us grew up with. I am sure Fr. Bill will offer words of inspiration and wisdom as the sanctuary fills with joy and happiness! This is a church community that walks its talk so, if you are nearby, or even far away, and you can make it to one of the services you will be very glad you did! Just imagine all the love filling each heart this coming Sunday morning and spreading out into the world! This promises to be a phenomenal day for all!
And now that I’ve got your attention on the Beatles…here’s a video to brighten your day!
Christ Episcopal Church…120 S. New Hampshire Street…Covington, LA 70433
Is there anything better than a bit of Mozart on a mellow Sunday morning? I think not! This lilting composition will have your spirits soaring in no time! I’m traveling this weekend and this music fits my mood. It’s so wonderful to see old friends and familiar places not seen in years.
Wishing you a beautiful day! Get outside if the weather is good and enjoy the fresh air! Peace.
I’m sharing a recipe today that is always a huge hit AND it’s gluten free! This recipe is for a quiche with a shredded sweet potato crust instead of the traditional crust made with flour. I served this delicious dish at a brunch I catered months back. It went so quickly I didn’t get a chance to photograph it so I am sharing a photo I found on Pinterest that is as close as I can come to what I created. I have a “return to blogging” goal that is all about remembering ALWAYS to take photographs. The recipe is all mine and I think you’ll love it!
Quiche with Shredded Sweet Potato Crust
Preheat oven to 425
1 large sweet potato, peeled and shredded
1 egg beaten
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste
Combine the ingredients and pat them into a glass pie dish or spring form pan that has been lightly greased. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat in the oven to 350 degrees.
For the filling:
2 cups shredded Swiss Cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups half ‘n’ half
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste
Place the shredded cheese in the prepared crust. Beat the eggs then add the half ‘n’ half and seasoning. Place the pan on a baking dish to prevent spilling. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until a knife, inserted in the middle of the quiche, comes out clean.
I know you probably wonder what the rest of the menu was so I’ll share that as well! Creme Brulee French Toast, Creole Mustard Ham and Hashbrowns with the Cajun Trinity. Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s were flowing and it was a wonderful time. Enjoy!
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I featured a post on the parishes of Louisiana shortly after we moved to Lousiana. As mentioned in the post parishes are what most states term “counties”. In researching I was particularly interested in the parish where we live, St. Tammany. Since all of the parishes I have read about are named after bonafide Christian saints, recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, I questioned the name never having heard of a saint with that name. What I found was very interesting.
Wikipedia
St. Tammany parish is named after Chief Tamanend. He lived in what is now known as the Philadelphia area and was chief of the Lenni-Lenape nation. He and other leaders of this group met with other leaders of the new Pennsylvania colony in the early 1680’s. William Penn and Chief Tamanend signed several agreements to protect both of their groups and insure peaceful coexistence. The chief is known for having said the settlers and his people would “live in peace as long as the waters run in the rivers and creeks and as long as the stars and moon endure.” These words can be found on the statue of Tamanend that still stands in Philadelphia.
Google Images
The chief became a folk legend after his death in 1701. He became known as “King Tammany”, “Saint Tammany”, and the “Patron Saint of America”. Tammany societies and festivals sprang up all over the area and spread throughout the land. Today this man of peace continues to be celebrated. I don’t think he ever traveled to the parish that bears his name, in fact, I am sure he didn’t. But I like to think that our area bears the name of a man so important to the beginning of our nation’s history. A man of peace and a place of peace….it just seems right.
Leo Delibes composted “The Flower Duet” from his work Lakme. It is one of my favorites! Raised in the world of opera by my mom, a beautiful soprano and performer, I have definite likes and dislikes when it comes to opera. The flowing beauty of this piece always takes me to a place of inner peace. I hope you’ll enjoy it as well as you begin a peaceful Sunday! There is so much beauty to enjoy as the seasons change. I’m searching for my favorite comfort food recipes and getting ready for a power packed week of scheduling and taping shows for The Permanent Tourist podcasts. Life is good here in beautiful Louisiana!
