Pondering

Pondering


Simple Definition: (To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care.
To think or think about carefully and at length: chew on (or over
think out, think over, think through, turn over.)



I often sit and ponder about many topics, and with Spring so far away, I push thoughts of gardening away.. Our growing season is very short and nobody ( real gardeners ) don’t start planting until June 10th. I do have a few seed catalogs laying around, but I havent really read them or drooled over what herbs & veggies I plan to grow. But,

I did contact a landscape company Saturday, and will call on another this week….Hoping to have an ambitious talented person come check out my yard, pond and driveway to give me some ideas about what my endless possibilities are.. I am sure it will be costly but hey, a few  free professional  suggestions can’t hurt. Right? 
We know we want to get some major curb appeal going here. Trees, shrubs, flowers and to enhance the pond feature as well, and to beautify the entrance to Blue Sky Farm…Clay wants a hot tub added to  the back deck *which  we need one first* and I want lots of color… So Pondering we are doing, you may even call it dreaming… and hoping the budget can handle any new purchases.. Sadly some wont be visible, like underground water system and more good garden soil.. Why is it our fabulous ideas outweigh the pocket book? I suppose we will just do a bit now & add more as feel comfortable. In the meantime I shall make my list of wants and sit with the wishbook.

Doesn't Chicken Curry sounds good?

With winter still lurking here in Klamath Falls and I am sure Spring is still sleeping. My thoughts turn to soups, stews and curry dishes. I made a chicken curry last night and it was quite good. Usually my preference for chicken is breast meat, but I had thighs thawing , those are Clay's favorite. I know you are thinking.. "Are they eating their own  hens"? Absolutely NOT.

We could never eat them, Only their eggs...

The "seasoning part" can be tricky, too much pepper and its over the top..  too little and its bland. If you like med hot spicy food this recipe may need to be altered. Taste as you cook. Always a good Chef rule.

Chicken Curry

4 chicken thighs

1 can chicken stock

3 T tomato paste

1 can diced canned tomatoes

3 carrots cut in 1” chunks

½ Gr. Pepper cut in 1” chunks

½ med. yellow onion cut in large chunks

3 ribs celery cut in 1” chunks

2 cubes S&B Golden Curry sauce mix ( found in Asian section of grocery store) I use Med-Hot

1 cup chopped cilantro

½ cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Sprinkle top of dish with Coconut to garnish & serve.


Sprinkle chicken thighs with generous seasonings by a coating of curry powder, ground chili pepper, paprika, black pepper. Fry in ¼ cup vegetable oil. Drain when browned. Set aside ( heat of dish depends on amount of hot peppers added) adjust to preference.

Place vegetable in Dutch-oven in 2 T butter. Cook all vegetables 4 minutes. Add chicken stock , tomato paste, tomatoes and 1 cup water. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat, to simmer, Stir in 2 cubes of Golden Curry sauce mix until cubes are melted. Toss in cilantro & basil and stir. Let all ingredients rest on low heat until ready to serve over cooked jasmine rice.

Coconut gives the dish just the right bit of sweetness balancing the spicy hot.

Bon Appetite!