Broccoli Cheese Soup

Though it is beginning to warm up here, it is still soup weather.  I will just start making more Springlike soups.  Broccoli cheese soup is one of our favorites and you can whip it up in no time at all.

 Melt a stick of butter in a heavy pan.  Add 1 diced large onion and sprinkle with some salt and pepper.

 Once the onion begins to soften, sprinkle it with 1/3 cup of flour.  Stir and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.

Then add 6 cups of milk.  You can use whole milk, skim, half and half or a combo of all of them.

Grate in some fresh nutmeg, about 1/4 tsp..

Add 2 heads of diced broccoli and 2 shredded carrots.

Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes until the broccoli is cooked.

Add some chicken seasoning.  I used a tub of Knorr. Taste it for seasoning and adjust.

Add 3 cups of shredded cheese.  I used Colby Jack and a bit of Velveeta for smoothness. If the soup is too thick, thin it with some chicken stock.

Mmmmmm....

This recipe makes about 8 quarts and it freezes well.

Banana Nut Bread and Healthy Banana Splits

I am baking rolls and breads to learn how to use my new ovens.  I made these banana breads early this morning.  My house smells very good right now.  Here is the recipe: 

• 3-4 ripe mashed bananas
• 1/2 C.softened butter
• 3/4 C. brown sugar
• 3/4 C. white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 C. buttermilk
• 2 C. flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2C. chopped walnuts

1. Place all of the wet ingredients into the bowl of your mixer and beat until blended.
2. Beat in the salt and baking soda.
3. Change to your paddle attachment and add the flour mixing until just blended. Mix in the nuts.
4. Pour into two greased loaf pans.
5. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Let cool before removing from the pans.

 

 Okay, so here are the healthy banana splits I've been making for my family.  Slice a banana, place it in a bowl and top with yogurt.  I used vanilla flavored Greek yogurt.

 Top with lots of berries.  I diced up strawberries and used blueberries and blackberries.

 Drizzle with your favorite honey.

Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans.  My gang loves these.

Ovens

Finally, the new ovens are in.   

 Out with the old......

 In with the new.

 A real clock.  I didn't realize how much I don't like digital until I saw this clock.

 Lots of room.

 Nice lights.

 Lots of settings.  There is even a Sabbath mode in case I convert to Judaism.

There is a proof setting on the lower oven only, go figure.  I baked bread and rolls yesterday and was not thrilled with how they browned.  The installers are coming back today to check them out. I sure hope I don't have trouble with these.  I haven't cooked for the shelter in 3 weeks.  If you are thinking about a new oven, hold off if you are considering a Thermador.  I'll let you know what I think.

Korentovanje Festival Part 3

 A pretty Slovenian girl walking through her neighborhood to join the parade.

 And stopping to talk to Captain and Mrs. Hook.

A mock up of Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia and the preeminent symbol of the country.

Neighborhood children dressed up to walk in the parade.

Some Poles sneaked in to be part of the parade.  Maybe I can slip in there next year.  This group was from the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio....who knew?

A lady with candy.

The local High School band took part in the parade too.

They followed the Kurents as if they had been doing this their entire lives.

And here comes the pretty princess.

Guarded by two more Kurents.

A jolly Slovenian accordion player. Maybe he was trying out for the Polish Hall of Fame.

This group made their headgear out of recycled items.

And here come the Ukrainian dancers.

In very pretty costumes.

Sterle's Country House was the place to go later in the day to party.  We didn't stay long enough to go there.

The Black Devil Kurent.  He has a skull and crossbones on his back.  He was chasing people with his pitchfork.

More locals dressed in costume.

Police lead the parade down the main avenue.

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing the 2nd annual Korentovenja Festival.  I know we will be going back next year.

Korentovanje Festival Part ll

 The Blog Tech and I walked down the street to find the beginning of the parade.

 As we approached, we saw a horse drawn carriage coming down the main street. (Click on the pics to enlarge.) It appeared  that the horse and carriage were supposed to be part of the parade.

 But then the horse continued down the main street.

 We were not quite sure if it was part of the parade or not.

 As we got closer we could see the horse picking up speed to run down the main street to the dismay of it's two handlers.

 Then we turned the corner and saw what the horse had just seen......Kurents!

 Lots of Kurents.  That horse has seen a lot over the years being a city horse and all but it had never seen a Kurent before and it had no intentions of getting anywhere near them.  Seriously, the Kurents are scary.  They carry big clubs and run straight towards you screaming and grunting.  They are, after all, trying to scare winter away. Everywhere I looked, I saw small children crying. I think The Blog Tech might have cried a little bit. Not really, he is a big bad Blog Tech and would never cry. I just watched the March forecast for this year and I think we all might need a band of Kurents.

 The festival had a princess (think of the movie, Polish Wedding).

 Every few minutes the Kurents shake violently to play their bells.

 Hi there friendly waving Korentovanje character. 

 And then we saw something really interesting happen.  Look way down the street.

 Dancers in costume came walking to the start of the parade from all the side streets.

 They were coming from their homes.

 It looked like a Sunday with people walking to the neighborhood church.

 But they were all coming to march in the parade and dance.

 It made me want to be Slovenian.

 There were lots of ladies dressed in traditional Slovenian attire, carrying baskets filled with candy which they passed out to the children.  Apparently trying to sooth the small ones traumatized by the Kurents.

 If anyone out there is Slovenian and can enlighten me on the Korentovanje traditions, I would greatly appreciate it.  I would really like to know why Captain Hook and his wife are part of this parade.

 Get ready to shake and ring.

 The small red guy is the Korentovanje devil.  He carries a pitchfork and shakes it in your face. I kept telling them I was not a winter spirit, though you know I actually am.  Those Kurents had my number.

 The only thing scarier than a Kurent is a Cleveland Browns fan.

 Go away creepy Kurent.

 Stop shaking that bat at everyone.

 Leave that poor woman alone.

If you want to see a Korent charge The Blog Tech and hear the bells, watch the video.

Here comes the Bear Kurent.  The parade is about to start.  More tomorrow if you can stand it.