When serious snow comes to our part of the Northwest, the world pretty much stops. Roads that need to be traveled by family are either back country sorts or killer freeways. Most towns and cities are under equipped to enable life to go on smoothly. So adjustment is required and this year that means dinner plans.
Of course we are all proceeding as though our family gathering will take place. Big Bird will be picked up today. Baking is going on in the different homes. The forecast predicts warming, rains and such. But forecasts have been known to be wrong. Often.
For today, there is a bright sky overhead, the world's activities quieted to a whisper and the garden is blanketed. And for today there is a recipe and a prayer.
Recipe first - for a cranberry chutney. The original recipe appears in the holiday Taste of Home magazine. But as is my habit, I tinkered a bit with this and that. What turned out is yumalicious if I do say so myself. My thought was to have it for the cheese and bread board on Thanksgiving day. However, I've been eating in on my yogurt, and even just with a spoon from a bowl. It is that tasty.
This is the tinkered version:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup water
In saucepan, bring these to a boil and then simmer for about three minutes to dissolve sugars.
Remove from heat and stir in the following:
12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
2 large tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 smallish onion chopped
1/2 cup raisins
another 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 teas ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
Return to heat, simmer uncovered 20 or so minutes or until desired thickness. Remembering that cranberries continue to thicken as they cool. Yield: 4 cups
Now from food for the body, food for the soul.
"...We thank Thee for a faith with wings
to lift us above evil and wrong
and to seek the truth.
We thank Thee for the prayer
that builds bridges over the impossible
and gives us visions that all things work together for good
for those who love Thy name.
At this Thanksgiving season we stand in awe
of Thy majesty and whisper,
How great Thou art!"
Prayer written by Thyra Ferre Bjorn in her book The Home Has A Heart,
Holt Rinehart Winston pub.
Traditional candies made, box of Sparkling Cider by the front door,found a jar of pickled beets, hopes of getting down the hill to the store to get components for sour cream potaotes. That will be an interesting meal if we can't make it over the meadow and through the woods to grandmothers house...
ReplyDeleteLove Thyra. A friend from way back!