I had the most excellent Beltane. Wade and I spent the weekend at Lake Anna, what used to be our home away from home. We haven’t been there in over a year, with both of us being hospitalized. It was so nice to see so many old friends, be back on the boat and play cornhole.
We went down armed with a ton of gardening and cleaning gear. With the help of our friends, we got the boat and trailer cleaned and new plants in the yard.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Standing time: 20 to 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 to 25 minutes Servings: Makes 1 1/2 dozen rolls
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package hot roll mix plus ingredients to prepare mix
1/3 cup raisins
4 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (9-inch) baked pie-crust
1 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1 package (4-serving size) instant French vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
5 peanut butter candy cups, divided
1/3 cup whipping cream
Preparation:
Combine the confectioners’ sugar and peanut butter with a fork in medium bowl until blended. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of pie-crust.
What was supposed to be a week off, turned out to be 2. I planned on playing catch up and starting a few new projects, but it didn’t happen. Turns out, I really needed to get my head together.
I didn’t realize being unemployed would be so difficult. Wade told me I do more now than I did when I had a job. Since coming out of the hospital I’ve managed to get involved in so many projects, sometimes I wish I had a job. No, not really. The one thing I did was drive for the first time in over a year. Kind of scary when you can’t feel your feet. I think I’ll be back on the road this summer, so if you live in the DC area, you may want to be on the look out.
Botanical Name: Thymus Vulgaris
Thyme is a perennial shrub, and a member of the mint family. With over a hundred varieties, the most common being garden and lemon thyme. It’s an aromatic herb that enhances flavor, stimulates digestion and improves appetite. Other than it’s culinary value, it has many properties for medicinal use. The main ingredient helps inhibit the growth of fungus and bacteria. Thyme is useful for treating respiratory congestion, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and sore throats.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 3 to 4 hours (in the slow cooker)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
4 large baking apples, such as Rome Beauty or Jonathan
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Preparation:
Scoop out core of each apple, leaving a 11/2-inch-wide cavity about 1/2 inch from bottom. Peel top of apple down about 1 inch. Brush peeled edges evenly with lemon juice.
Native to Asia, Spelt is a grain and distant cousin to wheat. It is high in just about any nutrient, Vitamins B1, B2, B3,B6, E, iron, potassium, calcium as well as amino acids. It’s also highly water soluble and much easier to digest than wheat.
Spelt is is useful for feebleness, brittle hair and nails, connective tissue weakness, general weakness, sluggish bowels, rheumatic illness and vitamin-B deficiency. (Spelt can be purchased in whole food stores)
Prep Time: 25 minutes (+ 2 hours marinating)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
3 teaspoons Szechwan pepper
1 lb chicken thigh fillets, cut into strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon cornflour
3 1/2 oz. dried thin egg noodles (oil for cooking)
1 onion , sliced
1 yellow capsicum, cut into thin strips
1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips
Bergamot Oil
The Bergamot Tree is native to the Canary Islands and grows to a height of 12 feet. It is an inedible bitter green fruit with a pale green color that gives off a lemon orange scent.
Bergamot oil plays an important role in aromatherapy. The aroma is excellent for stress, relaxes frayed nerves, depression, anxiety, fear and anger. Add the oil to a sitz bath to help with urinary-tract infections. It can be applied topically for irritated skin, such as acne, insect bites, cold sores and eczema.
The weather is getting warmer and I’m ready to fire up the grill, not that I ever stopped. Enjoy the recipe and have a great weekend!
Chili-Lime Grilled Salmon with Veggie Stir-Fry
Grilled Salmon
Prep Time:30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons lime juice
4 (6 oz) salmon filets
4 Lime wedges
Preparation:
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except salmon & lime wedges. Mix well, spread over salmon.