The Pantry

A convenient place for storing and displaying your kitchen goods. 

To most people, a traditional pantry means a cool, dark room near the kitchen, a room stocked with fresh foods and canned goods and filled with the scents of herbs and spices.  Before home refrigeration became common in the late 1800's, this versatile storage and work room-usually fitted with a stone or wood sink-could be found in most homes.  Shelves held seasonings, meal, and sugar, dairy products were kept on a stone or dirt floor.                                                                                                                                  

Today many homeowners don't have the space in their houses to devote a whole room to pantry storage.  But, with a little imagination, it is still possible to create the effect of a pantry in almost any kitchen.  You might try using an old pie safe to store kitchenware.  Or, fill a wall of open shelving with jars of preserves.  Even tabletops and corners can evoke a pantry feeling when set up to dry herbs and vegetables or to store wares and utensils.                                                                                                                                  

From: The Country Kitchen, Time Life Books 1988.
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I wanted to share this with you.  If you are lucky enough to have any space for a pantry, they can be so handy! 

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What a wonderful idea! Turn any corner into a Pantry!
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Or change a small closet!  Remove the doors and add shelves! 

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Happy Weekend!  Will post a new menu tomorrow!

Cia!

Dee Dee

Menu for the week of Jan 31st thru Feb 6th

Hello Chickadee's!  I am posting my menu a little earlier than usual, one, because I need to grocery shop tomorrow (Saturday) and two, well....I'm just prepared!  Remember, I only do a supper menu because I feel most women would like a little help with some ideas for supper!  I know I do!  And...makes your grocery shopping easier if you know what you're going to make!  Some of my menu's are for 2 people, but most fit a small family of 4 to 6 people.  So if you need to improvise for a large bunch, please do so.  These are just ideas to help out us cooks.  Whether you're a male or female cook in the family, to me doesn't really matter.  As long as you've got some good ideas and can plan. 

I must tell you where all this planning for meals came from.  In my earlier years of working, I worked for the Home Economics Department at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Tx.  The professors would have me type up a meal plan for a particular class for the week and this would be put into place in the kitchens of the department.  So, I've tried to continue these ideas that I have aquired from this experience.  So, I'm passing this idea on to you. So ... here's our menu.

Sunday, Jan 31st:  Chicken Fajitas with avacado and spanish rice  (Serves 6-8) depending on your meat pkg.

I purchase the chicken or beef fajita package from your local grocery store. Already prepared with the spices you need.  
1 pkg of Flour Tortillas
1 to 2 Ripe Avocados
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded cheese (sharp, colby, or mixture) whatever you like
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 lemon

Cook your fajita's on the stove until done. Slice your avocados into bite-size pieces. Cut up your lemon.
Heat the flour tortillas and put in a tortilla warmer if you have it. If not, place in a towel to keep warm.

Spanish Rice:  This recipe is from my grandmother (the orignal San Antonio Rose).

1 Cup Rice
1/2 chopped Tomato
2 cups water
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp oil (I use canola oil)

In a large skillet, add the oil and rice.  Heat over medium heat until rice is white to slightly browned.  Add your tomato and salt and saute a little.  Add water and heat until low boil, cover; cook for 20 minutes on low heat. 

Serve your fajitas with the warm tortillas, chicken or beef. Garnish with onion, cheese, avocado and top with juice of your lemon.  

Monday:  Feb 1st

Cream of Broccoli Soup with grilled Cheese Sandwiches  (soup makes 8 cups)

2 (10 oz) pkgs Frozen Chopped Broccoli
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans Creak of Mushroom Soup (undiluted)
2 2/3 c Milk
3 T Butter or Margarine
1/4 tsp Taggaron (chopped)
Dash of Pepper

Cook Broccoli; drain.  Add remaining ingredients and cook over low heat until thoroughly heated. 

Serve with your usual Grilled Cheese Sandwich or Panni

Tuesday: Feb 2nd and Wednesday Feb 3rd

Enchilada Casserole  (Serves 4) Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes

1 lb ground beef
12 corn tortillas
Monterrey jack and longhorn cheese (2 cups)
Enchilada Sauce (1 can)
1/2 c Onion
Brown meast, drain.  Heat oil in skillet, soften tortillas.  Please 4 tortillas in bottom of casserole dish.  Layer with meat, 1 c cheese and onion until all tortillas are used.  Cover with sauce and top with remaining 1/2 cheese. 

Can be served with a small side salad

Thursday; Feb 4th  and Friday; Feb 5th
Baked Ziti  (serves 8)

1 16 oz Pkg Ziti (Noodles)
2 tsp Olive Oil
1 28oz jar Pasta Sauce
1 can Italian tomatoes (pureed)
1 egg
1 c Ricotta Cheese or Small Curd cottage cheese
1/4 c Grated Parmesan Cheese
6 oz Mozarella Cheese (shredded)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook pasta according to pkg directions.  Combine pasta and oil in large bowl. Toss lightly.  Grease a large baking dish (9x13").  Add pasta sauce and Italian tomatos to pasta in bowl, mix well.  Spread 1/2 of pasta mixture in baking dish.  Mix egg in ricotta and parmesan together in a medium bowl; spread over pasta.  Sprinkle half of mozarella over top.  Spread remaining pasta over top; sprinkle with remaining mozarella.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Serve with small salad and garlic bread. 

Enjoy!

Until next week!  As Julia Childs would say...Bon Apetite!

Dee Dee Rose












 M

Howdy all you Texas bloggers!  I just came across a new blog called "Texas Blogging Gals".  This site is to get the word out about all us Texas bloggers and will become a site for us to have a condensed list of all us Texans who enjoy this type of thing.  Click on the button on my side bar to go to the site and grab one for your own!  Enjoy! 

PS.  I am feeling a lot better now that the darned old Mountain Cedar is going down.  Will post a new menu for next week! 

Ciao...
Dee Dee

No blog or menu for the week. Darn Texas Mountain Cedar has gotten the best of me! I'm feeling a little under the weather, allergies are acting up again! Ciao for now!

Dee Dee

Menu of the Week

Hello! I have my menu done for this next week. Remember, I do only Supper. Also, most of my recipes are for 2 to 4 people only.

SUNDAY

Pork Chops and Couscous: 3oz grilled pork chop
3/4 cup cooked couscous
1 cup zucchini, onions and peppers
tossed in 2 tsp olive oil and roasted

Serve with 1 cup mixed fruit salad

MONDAY

Shepherd's Pie: 1 lb grd beef
1/2 small onion
1 T Worcestershire Sauce

Brown beef in large skillet with onion. Add Worcestershire sauce
when browned.

1 pkg Instant potatoes
1 Can Veg-All
2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cook potatoes according to pkg directions.

In a 2qt Casserole dish add beef mixture to bottom. Layer with the
Veg-All, and the potatoes. Top with cheese.

Cook for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven.

TUESDAY: Left over Shepherd's Pie (if there is any)

WEDNESDAY: Brochette's.

1 Loaf of French Bread
1 Pkg Deli Meat
1 Pkg. Provolone Cheese
Spicy Brown Mustard
1 jar of Roasted Red Peppers

Layer bread slices mustard, meat, cheese and red peppers. Place on
cookie sheets and brown tops till cheese melts. Time will vary, so
watch your oven. Mine takes about 8 to 10 minutes, depending on
how many bread slices you have on a sheet. Salt and Pepper. Enjoy!

Thursday: Chicken Voila night.
This is in your frozen food section or your local grocery store. 1 pkg
will feed 2 people. They have several different varieties.

Friday: Blackened Chicken with Avocado Salsa

2 to 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 tsp blackened steak seasoning
1 T Olive Oil, and 2 T Olive Oil
1/2 tsp, grd Cumin
1/8 tsp Salt
1 Avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup chopped roasted red peppers
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly sprinkle both sides of chicken
with steak seasoning. In a large skillet heat the 1 T of olive oil
over medium heat. Add chicken; cook until browned, turning once. Bake
about 15 minutes or until checking is no longer pink.

Meanwhile, for salsa, in a lrg bowl, whisk for 2 T olive oil, cumin,
salt and pepper. Stir in avocado, red pepper, and chopped cilantro.
Serve with chicken.

SATURDAY: Pizza or Out to Eat....

Cheery Tuesday!!!

Happy Tuesday to everyone! I'm off for the afternoon, enjoying some me time with a nice class of wine and checking out my fellow bloggers. My favorites are posted on my site if you want to check them out. I found a new blog today called "Forever Cottage", go to http://forevercottage.blogspot.com to check it out.

I've decided to give my blog a purpose. I love to cook, as some of you know; and I am a busy working woman. I plan a menu for the week and shop by this also. My menu's are for Supper only. So, I thought I'd post my weekly menu's to share with you. I usually do only one week at a time. It's easier for me and we may change our mind about what we want to eat. We; being my hubby and I. He also likes to cook and help me plan. Also, we don't always cook on Tuesday what is on the menu. We may change it around and have the Fish Tacos on Wednesday! There is no set rule here! This is only to make it easier to figure out what to make. So, you have your list, you shop by the list, and it's all in your kitchen pantry to make for the week. Easy! So...here is our menu for the week. I realize it's Tuesday, but...hey...I'll try to post them on Sundays, when I make them up!

Monday: Roast with potatoes & carrots
Yorkshire Pudding
Ice Tea

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Meatloaf
Yellow Squash;steamed
Salad
Ice Tea

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Talapia (cooked on stove or in the oven)
Baked potatoes
Salad
Ice Tea

Saturday: Fish Tacos wtth all the trimmings
Avocado
Tomatoes
Cheese
Onion
Lemon (to squeeze on your tacos)


My recipes are basic from either Southern Living Cookbooks or Betty Crocker.

My fish, I cook in a skillet with olive oil, or butter and lemon juice. I salt and pepper them and also use a little garlic powder, and chili powder (small amount).
Just cook until they are flakey. Usually about 10-15 minutes each side should do depending on the size.

If you have never tried fish tacos, they are absolutely delicious!

Enjoy!

Dee Dee

Have and Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Time to put everything back in order and clear out the decorations. It's amazing how your home feels so good and so much bigger after you get all the decorations put away and the house cleaned! Makes you just feel like the new year will be getting off to a good start! We had a very quiet new year at my little casa. Just hubby and I. Watched TV and went to bed after the news....boy, are we getting old or what! That's OK. We liked it. My daughter and son-in-law were off to Santa Fe, New Mexico for some snow skiing, and my son and daughter-in-law and my 3 precious grandchildren stayed at their home. The youngest, Samuel, had bronchitis and an ear infection. Poor little angel! But, he is doing better now.

We celebrated Christmas eve at my parents, and of course, we have Christmas morning at our home with all the kids and grandkiddos. Ashley looked extra lovely in her red Christmas dress. We all enjoyed watching the little ones open their gifts!

Happy New Year too All!!!

Happy Christmas!

I've been so busy with decorating, baking cookies, and shopping, wrapping gifts, I haven't had time to post anything! Here are a few of my decorations for Christmas. I won't be posting anything for the rest of the year. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to All!

Snow Flakes!!!

Snow Flakes are no where in sight in little ole La Vernia, Texas, but we can still create our own. Click on the link below to create your own snowflake.

Pretty Pink Vintage Christmas

I found these pretty pink vintage scenes to share. Too cute!

Fall Decorations

Ok, last blog for the day! Just wanted to post some pictures of may fall garden and porch.

The Booth is Up!

We are in our new booth at Craftique Mall! Debbie and I got our booth decorated over the weekend and the Mall opened for business on Tuesday! Can't wait to see how we do. Here's a few pictures.

A Fall Festival

What would Halloween be without a Fall Festival! We attended the Annual Fall Festival at my granddaughters school, Salem Sayers. Quite a few little ones all dresses up for the occasion of games and fun!

Deja Vue

I'm still visiting the sights for Vanessa's Halloween Bash-Blog Party, when what do I see, but a blog from "Anything Goes Here" titled "The Florist Estate Sale"! Of course, this gave me deja vue of my own little flower shop that I recently closed due to the economy. The Estate sale was from a gentleman who was a florist for 75 years in Elgin, Illinois. Scrolling through the photos brought deja vue of my own little shop. Glassware, containers, florist supplies, christmas decorations, baskets, the list goes on and on! Florists must be a collector of anything they think they can use! Here are some photos from my shop who I was co-owner with my twin sister. Just a few photos.

Happy Blogging Again....

Well, I am finally able to post a blog today. My laptop has been out of commission for over a week! I wasn't able to post anything for Vanessa's Halloween Blog Party! I was out that day with hubby to a "Fall Extravaganza" at Burns Nursery, our local landscaper and plant place. He has wonderful landscape ideas in the nursery, and it is all setup for Halloween, with his own maze of hay bails and pumpkins by the tons! He also has little areas setup for you to photograph your little spooks. I will post pictures later. I've been visiting all the other blogs on Vanessa's site and enjoying their Halloween posts. So, I'm off to visit more and will post more to my blog later in the week!

Halloween and The San Antonio Rose

Wow, another month is gone! Where has the time gone? October is one of my favorite months. Not only is it the month my daughter was born, but it is the month my grandmother was born also. She was actually born on Halloween! The year was 1908 though. She is no longer with us, but her spirit lives on. She was the original "San Antonio Rose". My grandfather wrote the words to the famous song which was about my grandmother. She loved roses! Happy Birthday Jennifer and my sweet little "Nana".

Hello Fall

Finally the end of one of the hottest summers on record here in Texas. We are all glad to see it end and are looking forward to cooler weather. Time to bring out the fall pumpkins and scarecrows! Happy Fall!

Beach Bound

First week back to work is almost done! It's so hard to get back into the swing when you've been off work for 2 weeks! It was wonderful and I find myself wishing for more free time. Some day I will have it! These are photos of our short trip to Port "A". A quick get-away weekend. This weekend I will be attending another baby shower. This one is for my daughter-in-laws cousin and his wife. They are expecting a baby boy. Hubby and I did manage to get away for a few days at Port Aransas. Here are a few photos I took. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

I am a Sunflower What Flower Are You?

Shouldn't I be a rose? Description of the sunflower does fit me!