We'll speak of this chicken no more

You remember the chicken that just went on and on?Well my family couldn't take that much chicken in a row either,so,I put the last of the meat in the freezer to be eaten later. This is actually a casserole that they will eat repeatedly but it make enough to feed 6-8 people without skimping on the servings so I wanted to be sure to serve when it wasn't going to be just hubby and I.

My good friend Betty gave me this casserole along with the recipe when I was laid -up a few years ago. The family loves it and I even make it at work for the food case. A few weeks ago Betty asked for the recipe. "HELLO" I got it from you sweety.As you can see I like to do my prep ahead and just be ready to add when ready. Before doing my prep I cooked up 1/2 lb of pasta.I used mini ziti this time but, I have even used broken spaghetti in this.Remember go to your closet and check what's there before shopping.I have a stack of aluminum pie plates that I use to hold my ingredients till ready.Pie plate #1 hold chopped onion and mushrooms. These are the first to be sauteed in butter (1/4 cup)I'm sure you can use EVOO however you're making a gravy in the end so you really need that fat. Pie plate #2 has green veggies.Yup that's what they ask for I used asparagus because it was in season and peas because I had them frozen .Also suggested was broccoli baby spinach or green beans. I haven't tried any of these because, my family likes it the way it was given and, if it ain't broke don't fix it. as they say.Once the onion and mushroom is cooked down add the greens and just heat them then sprinkle with about 1/4 cup of flour allowing it to brown. We like our gravy thick so I use about 1/3 of a cup. Now stir in 3 cup of chicken broth,1cup of 1/2&1/2 and 1 cup sour cream. I do this slowly kinda stirring as I go along. Spices used are s/p, cayenne and Emeril spice. I am not one to run out and buy mixed spices for one recipe .I had some Cajun seasoning in my rack and that's what I used.

Ok now add your cut up chicken to this.I had at least 4 cups but if your running light on the meat the gravy is so rich that no one seems to notice. I poured all this into a casserole in which I had put my pasta gave it a good mix and sprinkled with cheddar and monteray jack heated at 350 for about 25-30 minutes and was ready to feed an army.

I had to take a picture of one end of the casserole because by the time I got the camera someone had helped themselves to a serving. Now you have heard the last of the chicken.............said the hobbit

Eggplant,What do you do with it??

Hey everyone how are things going in your world?Things are just crazy crazy here and we are all making an effort to keep up with the pace.Can't believe I thought summer would be a time to relax. I'm already gathering my recipes for fall crops.Although I love eggplant Parmesan,I keep looking for recipes that feature this great veggie.


One that I've grown to love is veggie provincial.You start by chopping 2 fennel bulbs and 4 leeks.Saute them in butter (1/2 a stick)give or take.This could take up to 30 min. They need to cook down as noted in the 2nd picture

While that's going on I slice tomatoes zucchini and eggplant into thin slices.Once the leek/fennel is sauteed stir in about a teas.of chopped garlic.

Place this at the bottom of your casserole dish sprinkle with fresh thyme and Parmesan cheese then cover with the sliced veggies.I used about 3 zucchini 4 tomatoes and 2 eggplant for this one .It all depends on the size of your dish and how thick or thin you like to slice your veggies.This one was on the thin side.I like to line up the veggies and then pile them in my hand till they are ready to tip over then I lay them over the leek/fennel blend.I start with eggplant,tomato and zucchini but I don't think it really matters where you start.

Paint this with olive oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan before baking at 350 till tender About 1/2 hr. I could live on this recipe. It's truly one of my favorites.............said the hobbit

happenings on the farm

This is part of the field that I can see when I'm working at the farm

You can just barely see the tractor turning over the soil.Rye had been planted as nourishment and now it was time to work it into the field. I love seeing that shade of green pop up before anything else has come to life.It almost seems disappointing to see the dark soil brought to the surface but it's a necessary thing.

Just where the green meets the brown soil I spotted someone standing and could not figure out what he would be doing out there.When I got back to the barn I was informed that 3 men from the Civil War society had asked for permission to follow the tractor in hopes of finding bullets or button artifacts from battles that they have documented as being on this property. They spent the better part of the afternoon following the tractors with metal detectors in hand. We kind of chuckled at their efforts.The Tuttles have been Quakers and the thought of them going to war was out of the question. However,it seems someone was out there doing battle because they located 3 bullets and as soon as they are authenticated one will be giving to the children as part of their heritage.I guess you just never know.

On to my brothers farm.Remember this sheep.I told you I was sure it had a name but, couldn't remember.Well would you believe that there are 2 just like this and they were called "the hobbits".My sister-in-law named them this because every time she let them out,they took off to the furthest meadow and out of sight.At the end of the day she would have to send the dog to fetch them back. After going to the edge of the field and saying "go get em"on more then one day,she soon realized that when she said this they would poke their heads up and start the walk home.One day she didn't send the dog but, called out "go get em".They came running home on their own,and,will be forever known as the "go get em" sisters. And that is the tale of my namesakes........................said the hobbit

Tuesday night Stitch&Bitch

Well thank goodness stitch&bitch is still alive and well.The pace has been so busy ,busy around here that we need it to keep our sanity. When we started meeting almost two years ago, the main reason was that Donna wanted to learn to knit. We taught her the basic knit and purl stitches and she went to town on scarves. Two maybe three of them and she kept them four to five inches wide.Since then we have talked of moving on to a more difficult project.This is her perusing a knitting book,looking for the just right hat as her next project.In her defense I must say she has had a few interruptions. There have been surgeries ,storms,family celebrations not to mention the family cat that was determined to eat every ball of really good yarn she invested in.

Donna would like to do a hat because she has watched us knit on four and five needles while doing our socks and she feels she is ready for this.Here she is casting on her stitches on a pair of #four circular needles.This is another first for her.The pattern asked for 91 stitches which I thought sounded a little tight for circulars.Sooo while she was casting I checked the pattern and
discovered that it was written for 2 straight needles. Donna always says "that's ok honey we'll work around it".I explained there would no longer be a ws as she was now working rs only.She said I can remember that. Then asked "What is ws and rs.?"Once past that lesson we took a break for a well deserved scone with butter mmm.She left for home and told me she'd have progress to show next time we met. I love her,such a positive attitude.I think I'll put a pair of #four straight needles in my bag.Just in case she might need them.One should always be prepared to help a friend.

Here is Sharlene's latest sock.A few of the girls have been using the self designing yarns.I just love this color combination,it always amazes me to see how varied the patterns are.This pale pink ,off white and forest green is one of my favorites.

Sarah is getting ready for a move so she has taken up the jumbo needles and is making soft comfy scarves with all the leftover yarns that would not otherwise be used.Waste not want not.Way to go girls.................................said the hobbit.

Keep this in the fridge

With summer coming soon(I think)I like to find a few recipes that can be fixed ahead,last a few days and will be better for me that a hot fudge sundae.Broccoli Salad is one that fits the bill.

This is a staple at the barn and one I think you will enjoy.First bake1/2 a lb of bacon till crisp.While that's baking mix the dressing.
Use 1 cup of 1/2&1/2,1/2 cup of mayo,1/4 cup of superfine sugar and 1/8 cup of white vinegar.Let this sit while you chop 3 stalks of celery

and toss that into the dressing along with 1/2 cup thompson raisins (dark not golden)and the crumbled bacon.

Chop about 3 small heads of broccoli keeping the pieces just right to put in your mouth.You don't cook the broccoli so make sure not to use too much of the stem.Toss this together and let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours.I know this will hit the spot after those long workouts in the garden.If not ,there's always the hot fudge sundae................said the hobbit