I’m sitting here thinking what a great week it has been and drinking a cup of good
coffee. Doesn’t get much better in my book of life. I got a bit older this week,
which is not as exciting as you watch the clock tick by. However I have no
complaints let’s see if I can give you a quick re-cap of the day.
First I slept until 8am which is great! Jilly, our dog, alerted me to someone at our
front door. When I answered it there was a ‘big’ sippy cup full of ‘hippy juice’,
and a great daily reading book. As I looked around there was one of my co-
workers, Rosie, pulling away from my drive. I stood in my nightgown and waved
goodbye. She thought she would sneak up and I wouldn’t know she had been
there, but Jilly gave her away.
At 10am I proceeded to the salon for a pedicure. I got an OK one, but as it turned
out I had to return 2 more times before lunch! The first time it was because too
much polish was used and it messed up. I turned around, went back,got it fixed
and came home to pull a few weeds around my Japanese iris. I look down and
notice that my toenail doesn’t match all the rest. About this time my friend,
Linda, arrived with a ‘big’ birthday surprise. She brought me a beautiful designer
handbag. (What woman doesn’t like that?) I asked her if my toes matched and
she agreed, so back to the salon I went again! One would think this was the
pedicure that shouldn’t have been?
The day progressed with a trip to the lake for some playtime with Jilly, our Welsh
corgi. The UPS person came with a delivery and a unique piece of jewelry I had
selected for my birthday had arrived. (This was really from my husband, Ervin.)
Then around 5pm the gals from work returned to sip a bit of ‘hippy juice’ with me.
A photo shoot for my new cookbook was to happen at 6pm, but due to weather it
was cancelled. This presented a good excuse to go out to a great Mexican Dinner.
I got cards from family and friends and it was just the most fabulous day!
Chipotle Sauce: Oh yes, the sauce. You are ‘so’ going to enjoy this sauce. I wrote
it to brush on pork ribs. The reaction to the sauce has been spectacular! It will
work on just about anything from pork to poultry. Think about a few simple steps
to change the sauce out to one of your favorites. Originally I was going to do
Mango Chipotle Sauce, but I couldn’t find any pre-made Mango jam. What I
found was in the oriental division of one of our stores and when I tasted it; well, it
didn’t meet my standards. My assistant and I intend to make our own mango jam
this summer so I don’t run into this issue again. Pineapple and lots of different
marmalades would also be good change outs.
As the activities of summer draw near remember to savor the flavors of summer
by visiting local farmer’s markets or growing your own fresh vegetables. Don’t tie
yourself to the kitchen instead get movin’ and take part in more physical
activities. (I’m preaching to myself here as much as anyone else!) Choose foods
that provide generous leftovers. Consider using pressure cookers and crock-pots
so you still have time for ‘fun’. Did you know that you can cook a 4 pound chuck
roast in an hour in your stovetop pressure cookers? Just imagine a meal of pot
roast, potatoes and carrots. Follow that up with pulled beef sandwiches, beef
enchiladas, or a rich beef pot pie.
It takes planning and organization, but we can eat well and play and have fun!
Take each day and savor the beauty. Special Thanks to all my friends who made
my birthday so special this year. Simply yours, The Covered Dish.
www.thecovereddish.com
Apricot Chipotle Grilling Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion
2 teaspoons adobo chilies (chipotle)
1 teaspoon adobo chili pepper sauce
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
In a small food processor finely chop the sweet onion. Using a saucepan, sauté
the onion in the tablespoon of butter. The adobo chili pepper will need to be
chopped by hand; once chopped add to the onion mixture along with the chili
pepper sauce. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and heated
thoroughly in the saucepan. Brush over ribs, chicken or pork and grill. Yields
approximately one cup of sauce.
