SNOW! GREEN CHILI AND 1 BILLION $ JACKPOT

Opened the blinds this morning to a dark, gloomy day. Okay, you can either choose to go into depression and slink around all day in your pj's or you can make green chili and go buy lottery tickets! I chose the latter. For those that know me, you know I am a gambler but I only allow myself one lottery ticket a week. Well, that just went out the window! The jackpot is at 900 million as I write.........wow.......I know, I know the odds but someone has to win and it could be me! So, I loaded up all the dogs, warmed up the car, drove through blinding snow (just kidding, we only got a dusting) into town to buy my tickets. Now back home and green chili.
Every time I make green chili, it is different. Everyone seems to make it a little different. My son, Dustin, the Chef, uses tomitillos in his, its delicious. I tend to use what I have on hand. Remember, it is called green chili for a reason....its made with green chilis.
I had 1/2 of a pork loin in my freezer, thawed it, cut it into cubes and browned it in a tiny bit of oil. Loins don't have much fat. Remember to be patient when browning meat, the meat will turn loose from the pan, when it is browned.
Chopped about a cup of onions, white and purple, and dumped those in. Sitr
Then added the spices: 1 tsp cumin, New Mexico Chili Powder, a sprinkling of Mexican oregano, salt and pepper Stir and sprinkler with a couple Tablespoons of flour
Now, add a couple cups of chicken broth and stir to bring all together. Now, in real life, I would char, peel and seed a bunch of Pablano chilis but I don't have any. So, I am adding canned chilis. Its okay, people, you do what you have to do!
Add a cut up and cubed tomato
And again, in real life, I would add a can of beer but again, I don't have any beer, so I added 1 cup of white wine. Perfect. Taste test. Perfect.
Chopped a bunch of cilantro and added. You can always add more water as you go. Just before serving I mix a couple Tblsp of flour with a couple Tblsp of soft butter and stir in as a thickener.
I have some tamales in the freezer so will thaw a couple, warm them and add to chili in my bowl. Is there anything better on a cold day than chili? Sorry, Vegetarians. I know, I know, you are healthy.
Enjoy. Good luck tonight with the lottery draw! Wouldn't it be fun if someone we know would win?!
Oh, as soon as I figure out how to move the pictures from my phone to my PC I will be publishing pictures of my food!

HERE I AM AGAIN! AND POTATO SOUP

Okay, I have decided I must do something constructive every day, so I am going to pursue my blog. I just checked into my Blogger.com and saw that I have had over 12,000 views! Wow, I am excited about that, I always thought only family and friends looked at this. This blog will be a bit about growing older and a bit about eating. Whom is not excited about both of those subjects!?!
For those that don't know me........a little info.......I will be 73 in March.  I am a widow. I live alone with my 3 dogs.  I am the Mother of four, I lost my oldest son to cancer when he was 48 yrs old in 2011.  I have 8 grand children.  I lived in Mexico for 21 years.  I lost the love of my life, my husband Bob, in April of 2014.  I love to cook and even though I am only cooking for myself now........I still love to read recipe books, watch cooking shows and cook up a storm in my little kitchen.
I am afraid that as we grow older we tend to get in a routine or a rut. Doing the same things everyday in a certain order. It feels comfortable but oh, dear, very destructive to our lifestyle and our adventurous senses. So, I decided to shake things up a bit. Dr. Oz says to try brushing out teeth with our left hand......I tried.....I ended up missing my mouth and brushing tooth paste over the side of my face!  Then, I decided to really shake things up and vacuum my carpet starting at the end of the carpet that I have always vacuumed last. That was a real adventure. Okay, I won't watch the regular TV shows that I like, instead I will read. I spent an hour looking at my library of books, trying to decide on one. I have many that I have started and not finished........is my mind loosing interest too soon? Is this common for the elderly? I decided against Fifty Shades of Grey (a friend gave me) probably not a good idea.........zeroed in on David and Goliath (underdogs, misfits and the art of battling giants) a book my brother gave me long ago, I thought I had read but after thumbing through, I realize I hadn't. So, today I will read and make potato soup.
Now I know that most of you know how to make potato soup but sometimes, its just seeing the suggestion that refreshes your taste buds to give it a try. Since most of us in the US are experiencing some cold weather, any home made soup is wonderful. We usually have all the ingredients for potato soup on hand, always good for a last minute meal.
First brown about 4-6 slices of bacon.........I like mine crispy
While that is cooking......cut up and dice a couple potato's 
Put the diced potato's in a pot with water, bring to boil and boil and cook just til a bit soft but still a little crispy
In your soup pot put a little of the bacon drippings and saute a diced onion until soft. At this point you can add chopped celery if you like that flavor in your soup. Sprinkle the onion and/or celery with a little flour and stir
Now pour in your milk, about 3 to 4 cups depending on how much you are making
You can use 1/2 n 1/2 for part of the milk if you like it a little richer
Sprinkle in salt and pepper and Tabasco.
Do not boil........just simmer until almost a boil and add your diced potato and chopped bacon. Love this with crispy French bread. Enjoy
I WILL BE POSTING THIS TO FACE BOOK BUT YOU CAN ALSO GOOGLE MY BLOG AT "COOKING FOR BOB".........I WOULD LOVE COMMENTS ON ANYTHING........GOOD OR BAD! THANKS!

LETS TALK DOGS.....AND CHOCOLATE SPICEY SYRUP

Okay, lets talk dogs. Everyone I know has at least one dog if not two. Living in Cabo, all my friends either adopted a street dog or adopted one from the Shelter. The dogs, of course, were so grateful for this new life, they made wonderful companions. I knew all of my friends' dogs names and discussed them as part of a family discussion. In Cabo, when there weren't any telephones, everyone communicated with hand held radios and everyone had a handle, or radio name. Many people went by their dogs names or Two Dog Bob, Three Dog Bob, etc. I didn't even know some of these friends last names but when I addressed them it would be, "Hi, Two Dog, how are you doing?" So, of course, all my life I have had at least one dog. I now have four! Yes, four, two are my sons that I am caring for, PiPi and Poncho. I have my dog Molly, came from the Shelter in Cabo and I now have a stay Pitbull I have named Oreo. Now, if I was to pick a new dog from 100 dogs, Oreo would have been number 100, but I didn't pick him, he picked me. Wandered in as an uncared for, hungry, thirsty big guy looking for a home. He now has one. Being alone, I have grand conversations with my dogs, some listened intently and some have  more interesting things to do, like sniffing the garbage or scratching or looking out the window for squirrels. What would life be without our dogs?

Now, food. I have always felt that I made the best Hot Fudge Sauce in the world and have shared the recipe in the past on this blog but believe me........I have found a new one that is even better. This one has some kick......just enough to make you wanting more. This recipe make quite a bit, you can half it or fill a quart jar and keep in the frig for later. Will last a long time. Just heat enough for your bowl of ice cream and enjoy!
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
6 Tblsp butter
Mix this tog in a saucepan and whisk til the sugar is dissolved......3-4 min.
Then add:
1/2 cup plus 1 Tblsp of cocoa
dash of cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chipotle  chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne
3 oz semi sweet chocolate
Stir well til all is blended and the chocolate has melted
That's it.........give it a try......You will be so surprised at how good it is!

"ELDERLY"....???? AND SUMMER SALAD DRESSING

Okay, have given this some thought. It has been so hot here in Oklahoma this last month, almost unbearable. With all of the weeks and weeks of rain we had and then suddenly in the high 90's everyday, our heat index has been 118, 116, etc! The air is so heavy its hard to even breath outside. The Government issued warnings that the elderly should stay inside. I thought,  "Yes, of course they should" and then........suddenly......I thought, "Oh, I am an elderly!" Wow, that is hard to except. Elderly have always been those old people with grey hair, canes, old lady black shoes and polyester pants. Is that me? How did this happen? Well, first of all......its not me.......If I ever wear polyester pants please someone put me out to pasture. I still live in my levis, flip flops and t shirts. But, I realize I do have some of those "elderly" tendencies. Now, some people may call this a rut, I call it a routine. I wake up very early, doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I'm up usually before the sun. I have exactly two cups of coffee on the patio while I look through my tablet. First I look at the weather, then local news, then national news, then my emails and last Face Book. I then feed the dogs and I have a bowl of oatmeal, that I have done for 20 years, no sugar just oatmeal and whole milk. My Mexican Doctor told me to do that and I'd never have high cholesterol, he was right.
I then survey my yard, front and back and finally get cleaned up and ready for the day. Do you think this is "elderly"? I guess it is. Do you feel elderly? Do you have a routine? Okay now on to this delightful salad dressing. In the summer, well, actually most of the time I prefer a vinegar/lemon dressing but now and then I get hungry for a creamy dressing. I just love this one.........make enough to store in the frig for awhile.
Not sure if it has a name or if I made it up or where it really came from.
1 cup of Mayo
2 Tblsp Chili Sauce ( I use Sriracha)
1 Tblsp Ketchup
1 Tblsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tblsp A-1
So good......also excellent on Corn on the Cob and Fruit Salads
Enjoy! AND if I stay inside.........whose going to mow this acre?
Oh, and if you like my blog enough to share, please do. Thanks.

WAAAAAY TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS AND PINEAPPLE ICE CREAM

A friend said to me, after I posted my recipe for dog biscuits, I think you have too much time on your hands. Okay, she's right, so I decided to start my blog again. Like I said before, I am no longer Cooking for Bob but Blogger won't let me change the title  so I guess it still works. I know, even though I am down to one... me...I still love to cook and try new recipes.  I amazed how many people actually read this thing, according to Blogger I have had over 11,000 views! So I guess someone is reading my gab.  Visiting with an old friend from Cabo this morning, doing a little reminiscing of Cabo life. We agreed it was the best years of our lives. I was in the prime of my life, in my 50's and 60's, about 10 years older than most of my friends, damn. Transitioning from my 60's to my 70's has been a tough road. Of course, during this time I have lost my dear husband, my son and my beautiful daughter-in-law, this has changed my life but I guess the theme of my blog is life goes on. My glass has always been half full, not half empty and always will be. So, when I roll out of bed in the morning and every bone in my body aches because yesterday I mowed my acre of grass, I know it will be a good day, because I can still walk! At this moment I still know what town I am in, my name, my dogs names and the day of the week. With that being said, I want to make this blog fun and something you might look forward to reading. Do write comments if you want to discuss something specific. So, now on to food.
This time of the year I tend to make a lot of ice cream. I have one of those ice cream makers where you freeze the canister, add the ice cream and crank like mad for 20 minutes, pour in a container and freeze for an hour or so. Its always perfect and so much better than even Ben and Jerrys, well maybe that's going a little too far but its always good. This is the basic recipe.........so easy.
2 cups cream
1 cup Half and Half
1 cup of sugar
2 cups of what ever fresh fruit you choose
Mix well and pour into your ice cream maker
Now, my favorites are peach and/or raspberry. If you don't want the seeds in the berry ice creams just mash up and put through a sieve for 2 cups of juice. I like my peach a little chunky and if you want fresh pineapple I suggest you simmer it with just 1/4 cup sugar to get it a little mushy......of course cool before adding to the creams. Other suggestions are blackberry, cherry, chocolate chips, toffee, Anything you care to add.
ENJOY!! All these fresh fruits will be gone soon..........now is the time!

SOMEBODY THROW ME A LIFE LINE! AND PEACH ICE CREAM

I know....that is the title of a book but it is so apropos I had to borrow it.  I want to thank all my friends and family that have responded to my blog.  I am amazed at the comments and emails.  I was especially pleased to see, according to blogger.com, my blog has had over 9,000 views! Wow, and I thought only a few friends and family would be it! So, thanks everyone!
Since I have been alone....I spend most of the time thinking or talking out loud to the dogs. I try hard to shut off the "thinking" but it just creeps right back in. Now the last thing I want in my life is depression.......so I take deep serious thoughts and try to turn them into something constructive. I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" but I feel this is an important subject for everyone and that is, communication with people that are alone. I know I am so guilty of this......so I am pointing my finger first at myself. I think of my own Mother and the years and years she was alone. I was living in Mexico so communication was difficult but I did call at least once a week. Not enough.  When Bob passed away I was barraged with love from friends and family, slowly it all but disappeared, and I am still alone. Okay, okay, this is a fine line in voicing my feelings but not wanting pity or guilt feelings.....I just want awareness. I am sure each of you have someone in your life that is alone. I know that it is hard sometimes to communicate with them but if you only knew what a phone call, a note, a message on FB, or an email means to that person you would do it. I have a friend from Canada that has called me almost every other day since Bobs death. My dear friends, Brenda and Mike from Cabo San Lucas called me everyday, after Bob died, for 22 days straight, before they moved to England. I'll remember that all my life....they cared.  I have several other friends that call almost as often. If you only knew what those calls mean to me. Sometimes, I can't even talk, I just cry, but it is such joy to me to know that someone cares and is thinking of me enough to call or write. Before the conversations ends......I am usually smiling or laughing. Its just a shot in the arm that a person alone needs. So, remember that one caring act can keep a lonely person from feeling sorry for themselves and start to smile and have a good day instead of a bad one.
Okay, enough of that........please understand...its just a message I want everyone to think about.
I know I have given you this recipe before but since it is peach season.....this one can't be beat. This is my Mothers Peach Ice Cream recipe....so simple.....its like eating peaches and cream but you can keep it in the freezer and dig it out anytime.
I will give you her measures for a large ice cream maker. I have a small, hand crank, so my measurements are in parenthesis.
2 quarts cream  (2 cups)
2 quarts mashed peaches (2 cups)
3-4 cups of sugar (1 cup)
Just stir it all tog..........put in your ice cream maker.......it takes mine exactly 20 min.
Scoop out into a freezer container and freeze.
I promise this is just delightful.  I have 3 peaches left so tomorrow will make a mini peach pie. Enjoy your peaches while the are fresh and wonderful. Its a sunshiny day and sunshine always makes me smile!

BITTER/SWEET

Everyday is different. I have some good days and I have some bad days. Yesterday was my Nascar race. Bob and I looked forward to it every week. I would plan special food to eat and all friends and family knew not to call or come by during a race. Our "man" was Dale Earnhardt and then after his death, of course, turned to Dale Earnhardt Junior. Junior has had a rough road to haul but suddenly is on the right course. He won yesterday, his third win of the year, and I was so excited but my heart ached as I could not share it with Bob. For 12 years we have cheered for Junior, wanting so badly for him to be a Champion like his Father. The irony of it.......I believe he is headed for the Championship this year and Bob will miss it. Oh,  I know, he won't "miss" it but it won't be the same for me. These are some of the things we just don't think about with the death of a loved one. No one is sitting in his chair.
Okay, so I spent the rest of the day trying to stay busy. I see the beautiful peaches in a basket on my bar. I'll make peach jam! Now, I am not sure why more people don't make fresh fruit jam or jelly any more. Its so easy and nothing to be afraid of. My daughter Robin has a crab apple tree in her back yard that would serve the entire city of Ft Collins crab apple jelly! Every branch was just weighted down with crab apples. I hope she finds the time to give it a try.
So for 6 pints of peach jam: First buy your pint jars, lids and screw tops. You will need 4 cups of peaches, I cut up my peaches, mash some and leave some of the small pieces whole. Put these peaches in a large pot and add 1 package of pectin. I use Sure Jell. Stir like mad on med/high heat. When comes to a full on boil.........add 5 1/2 cups of sugar. (I know that sounds like a lot but its not....AND it must be exact. Bring all of this to a full on boil.......boil 1 minute. Ladle into clean jars leaving about 1/4" from the top..........Nothing to it. Just follow the directions that come in your package of pectin.
Okay, here's the hints: Wash jars and make sure they are warm. Put the lids in a pan on the stove and bring to a boil, then simmer. As soon as you ladle the hot jam into the jar,
wipe the rim with a wet cloth, to remove any drops......any debris on the rim of the jar will keep the jar from sealing.......place the lid on the jar, then the screw lid and just set aside until you have done all six. You will hear them "pop" as they seal themselves.
I don't put mind through a water bath.......this is all that I do. If one or more doesn't seal....just put them in the frig......will last a long time. Please give it a try.......any fresh fruit is great.......you will be so proud! Okay, Brenda, not sure what kind of pectin you have in England but search around and give it a try.....I remember how much you love peach jam and homemade is the best!