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Snow Day Number 3

January 27th, 2014 at 08:53 pm

School was called today due to the extreme temps. Although not a true "snow day", we are out.

My day has been spent getting caught up on all those little projects I have put off. We have to make up these days so it really isn't a "free" day.

I read a murder mystery that had some recipes. One was called a "hot dish" and I take it they call casseroles that in Minnesota. Is that true? Anyway, I am going to copy it down and see if we like it. If so, I will share it.

Since I'm staying in, I thought I could use the ham pieces we have in the freezer from Christmas and make ham and beans. It is bubbling away and will make a hearty meal tomorrow night, not to mention a cheap one. I made chicken broth Saturday night using bits and pieces from some chicken we had and some vegetables and herbs.

I didn't care for ham and beans growing up. In hindsight, I think it was because my mom didn't add anything but beans, water, and ham. I decided to revisit ham and beans this year with the huge amount of ham we had left and worked up my own recipe. I do the whole bean soaking thing ahead of time. Then, I saute some onion in a pot with canola oil, and then add the beans, chicken broth, and ham and let it simmer until the beans are soft and the broth has cooked down to what sort of looks like a gravy. I add cumin and tumeric to the cooking as well. Served with cornbread, it makes a hearty and easy meal. I can say, the flavorings do make the difference.

9 Responses to “Snow Day Number 3”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1390856891

    Seasonings to make a big difference in so many foods. Enjoy!

    My girls are out of school today too because of the very cold air. I'm hoping the year doesn't get extended and the make up day will just take place of a scheduled day off. I'm also hoping for a minimum of a late start tomorrow...not another entire day off!

  2. littlegopher Says:
    1390862660

    Ya, sure, you betcha on that Minnesotan hotdish - often spelled with no space, because you don't want it confused with any old hot dish (warm vs cold temp of the food being served in the dish.) I mean a hotdish is its own entity here... and a casserole anywhere else Smile

    Day five has been called off for us tomorrow (all five days have been this month)- unbelievable winter!

    We've been in our district since 1996 when my oldest started kindergarten, and in all of those years, school was called off once (we're notorious for not closing!)

    Stay warm!!

  3. Buendia Says:
    1390864500

    I keep reading about the temps in the rest of the country! It's chilly here, but warmer than it should be. And we haven't had snow since around Christmas! It's not good! We need the water! Stay warm, everyone!

    Wanted to comment to say that is how my mother cooked - no spices, no seasoning. I used to douse everything in ketchup, and then when I started cooking, I was shocked at how good things could taste!

  4. just a thought Says:
    1390869114

    I love ham and beans. I always add a sprinkle of brown sugar and a splash of vinegar to mine. Yum! Sometimes I just add ketchup instead if I'm feeling lazy... Stay warm!

  5. rob62521 Says:
    1390869501

    Thanks for the info on the hotdish...good to know!

    Stay warm, everyone!

  6. Looking Forward Says:
    1390893028

    Beans and ham with cornbread on a cold night sounds wonderful.
    Yes, a bit of the right spices can turn ordinary into amazing. Smile

  7. CB in the City Says:
    1390923691

    What's the book? It's ringing a bell with me.

  8. rob62521 Says:
    1390935970

    CB, Joanne Fluke's Red Velvet Cupcake is the title or something like that.

  9. CB in the City Says:
    1391008290

    OK. I read about a "hotdish" in a book recently, but that wasn't it. Smile

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