Don't Blink

Well, I have been invited to go see Kenny Chesney in concert in May.  So, it's time for me to get familiar with some of his tunes.  I started searching and this is the first tune I came upon.  Meaningful lyrics to the MAX!

Time to cook

It feels great to have time to cook and I guess that's what slowing down our social life is doing for me...a gift.  I made 2 new recipes for supper tonight.  Since Bob's not that hungry these days anyway, I chose them because they sounded fabulous to me!

Slow Tomato Soup
One 46-oz can tomato juice
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
3 vegetable or beef bouillon cubes
1/2 cup boiling water
3 peppercorns
1/2 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/2 small onion thinly sliced
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 whole cloves
1 Tablespoon chopped celery leaves

I followed the recipe to a T.  
Stir all ingredients together in slow cooker container.  Cover and cook on low for five to 10 hours.  For thicker soup, remove cover, set on high and cook one more hour.  (Mine was the perfect thickness, so I didn't do that.)  Strain before serving.  Makes about six cups.

Bob is not a lover of tomato soup in general, but he was a good sport and tried some.  We put oyster crackers on top.  It would also be good with some crunchy Cheetos on top (learned this tip from my friend Pat G.)

Then, since it's a Friday in Lent, I made a new tuna casserole.  

Nutty Tuna Casserole
One 7-oz can chunky light tuna, drained
One 14-oz can cream of chicken soup (oops, a little meat in there)
1 cup finely diced celery
1 Tablespoon lemon juice (I used a real lemon for the juice this time) 
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
Barbecue flavored potato chips

Heat oven to 450.  Lightly butter a 1-quart baking dish.  Combine all ingredients except chips; pour into baking dish.  Top with lightly crushed chips.  Bake at 450 for 15 to 20 minutes.  Serves 6.
NOTE:  All steps except the chips can be done the night before or early in the day.  Then bring dish to room temp, and add chips just before placing dish into preheated oven.

OK, so I loved this casserole.  The sliced eggs made it interesting and the bbq chips so yummy.  No pasta in this one either.

Tomorrow I will make my first corned beef meal using Boar's Head corned beef brisket.  wish me luck.

Now it's time to attack the dishes.