Hello my friends. Welcome to another edition of the Depression Kitchen where I try my best to feed a family of four on $100 a week employing my collection of old cookbooks dating as far back as 1916, and of course Grandma Kettle, a bona fide child of the Great Depression.
I have been MIA for a few weeks I know. Truly, the situation at the Kettle house has required my full attention. First I had to deal with my own deteriorating mental attitude. Turns out that little lecture on torture I gave to my college class did indeed cost me most of what was left of my second job: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Boy, was I distraught.
Sigh Oh well, it had to be said, and those kids had to hear it. So Ma's name made it to the lips of the college president, and now I do not teach there anymore. They stuffed me into a reading lab with drastically reduced pay and hours. I had to go find other work to tread water, so now I am teaching for 2 online schools, running a reading lab, and oh don't forget teaching high school history and working on my doctoral degree. I have had to undergo training out the wazoo. Would former President Bush call me "industrious" I wonder?
I think it was Samuel Clemens who said that history doesn't repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes. There has been a lot of rhyming lately, ya think?
The news these last few weeks has been just crazy. The situation in Iran is untenable, the situation in Honduras is also very scary. This kinda reminds me of 1989-1991. Remember all of the important crazy stuff that happened then? Mark Sanford has given us some levity, but has stirred controversy on this site for sure. A whole bunch of celebrities died too, only one, (make that two) of which were unexpected.
So come on in, I'll put the coffee on, we'll talk about the big news and have a bite together.
Too hot for coffee? I have some sun tea that I made on the back porch. I rinsed out a clear juice container and ripped off the label. I filled it with cold water and put 4 black tea bags and one herbal, (I like orange). Let this sit in the sun for a few hours and the tea is ready. Be sure you let the tea come to room temperature before you put it in the fridge, or it will get cloudy, but still good to drink. Let's have a quesadilla for starters. In some stores you can purchase partially cooked tortillas. These are as close as you can come to home made without visiting a mercado.
Your Quesadilla
Tortillas
1/4 cup cheese per person
onions, tomatoes, jalapenos or ortegas, avocado,
whatever meat or meat substitute you prefer
Put the tortilla on a grill plate or large wide pan, no need to oil, over medium heat. Sprinkle with cheese and your choice of toppings, and wait for the meltdown. Either cover with another tortilla, which requires flipping, or fold over like an omelette. Cool just a minute, slice and serve with salsa.
Let's talk about Iran for a moment. I see so many things going on there. Young people and women of all ages filling the streets. The violence perpetrated upon them for wanting an honest election. The ability of the people to adapt to the new restrictions and find ways to protest anyway. I have been riveted.
A young population; those who do not remember the Revolution, have just realized exactly what kind of government they have. They will not forget, and their movement will be repressed into nonexistence or go into deep hiding. It kinda reminds me of the Tianemen Square. The government has lost the respect of the people and thus it's legitamacy. Consent of the governed and all that entails. My heart is with them.
What really gets my goat are those insane Republicans shouting that we should do something. Like what I wonder. Haven't we done enough to those poor folks? Bombing Iran ala McCain would help the situation how? Moving in with the military would promote the US in whose eyes? Christ, if there ever was a moment in history when the US should butt out, this is it! Iranian protestors are sowing the seeds of democracy without us. When they want our help they will ask, until then we are doing exactly what we should be doing. mumble, grumble, "damn Republicans" grumble
What I do like is the media coverage, for the most part. Until 3 weeks ago some less informed Americans thought all Iranians were "terrists." This news coverage showed Iranians in a new light which challenged American perceptions.
Do you guys like lamb chops?
Terryaki Lamb on the grill
1/2 cup sugar
3 cloves of garlic crushed
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce (optional)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2tsp ground ginger
lamb chops
You could use your own favorite terryaki marinade instead. I never seem to have any store bought. Pute everything in a ziploc and let marinade in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Heat your coals to medium high, and grill until medium. Lamb is no good as shoe leather.
Add to this some plain white rice and any green veggie or fruit and the family is happy. I never have left overs.
What the hell is going on in Hunduras? Hardly anybody knows. I would also like to know if we are going to invoke the Roosevelt Corollary and go in to "keep peace." Probably only if we can prove some external force is causing this uprising. Good gravy the US sucks at peacekeeping. Pa spent a year down there during his stint in the army in the 80's. He has some horror stories, but the folks were pretty nice. He even delivered a baby there. If anyone has any more news besides the diary on the rec list please fill me in! All I know is that the president was forced out of the country in his PJ's. Pa says that this could be a good thing. He said that when he was down there he could sense a strong popular distaste for those governing the country and that the memory of Che Guevara was still strong. It made him sad to see the rain forest being destroyed for banana plantations. This could be the result of a slow process of conflicting political and societal forces. Or it could just be a plain old coup.
Speaking of slow processes, here is something that is cheap, will not heat up the kitchen, and needs NO attention. Kind of like Republican talking points.
Ma's All Day French Dip
In a crockpot place a chuck, or any kind of beef really, roast. Add diced onion if you like. Cover with water, add one packet of au jus. Slap that puppy on high and go about your day. When you get hungry, about 8 hours later, pull apart the meat and place on a bun (any kind). Serve with the broth on the side for dipping. Pa does not like his buns toasted (but I do). I make some slaw, or tater salad, and fruit to go with it.
Ok ya'll, I have GOT to weigh in on the whole Sanford thing. The guy is a tard, truly. I agree that privacy is important, the thing about the emails is that it proves his illicit activities, and unless I am mistaken, HE allowed them to escape his possession. You know why I never kept a diary? Because I was not an only child, thats why. I have no desire to have my private shit distributed all over hell's half acre. I have not read the messages or heard them read to me. I don't care about the attributes of his mistress. Oh, and hooray for sex, let me throw that in. I also recall saying ALL OF THIS during the Lewinski shit. I also believe turn around is fair play, and that somebody should try to impeach his ass, just like he tried to do to Clinton. That would be one helluva deja vu. So, it's his fault that his letters are now public fodder. The man has disappeared without leaving someone else in charge of his state, used public funds to carry on this behavior, all while trying to deny his state the funds it desperately needs. We are worried about this guy's letters because why again? Oh ya, do unto others, (although he didn't) . . .his privacy means my privacy, (although he is a public official and I am a private citizen) . . . we are better than that, (by whose standards?). Whatever, the guy is a stooge. Too bad I don't have a recipe for crow.
Here is a recipe that I found in a Clabber Girl Baking Book of 1934. This is crazy sweet, cut the slice small, top with whipped cream instead of the meringue if you like.
Butterscotch Pie
1 baked pie crust
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
4 tbs flour
1 1/2 cup milk
4 tbs butter
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbs sugar
Combine yolks, brown sugar, salt, flour, milk and butter in a double boiler, cook until the mixture thickens, then cover, and cook another 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Cool, add vanilla, pour into shell. Make a meringue of the two egg whites and the 4 tbs sugar. Bake in 300 oven until meringue turns lightly brown.
Grandma Kettle says that celebreties die in threes, but I just heard Billy Mays just died. Oh well. I imagine the three fates playing celebrity death match bingo on Mount Olympus. Clothos shouts "BINGO!"
It's good to see you all, and have a chance to catch up. Be sure to try the pie.