This and That Around the Ranch

I've got a deadline in my not-so-distant future, so meals here at the Obi house have been of the quick, throw together variety. Although, we did have a cool front roll through last week that dropped our high temperatures into the 70's. That's unheard of around these parts this time of year. So naturally, I had to do something to celebrate. And some homemade chicken soup sounded like just the ticket. (recipe here)

It was so yummy. As was this quick eggroll stir fry I made last week. 

This is what you do when you're craving Chinese food but don't want any carbs. And I was able to use things I had on hand. Actually, this recipe is one I found on the back of an eggroll wrapper package way back when my youngest daughter (now 31) was just a baby. We were living on Ellsworth Air Force Base outside of Rapid City, SD and had three little ones, so going out to eat was rare for more than one reason. So when I was craving Chinese, I'd make eggrolls at home.

For the filling, all you need is:

• 1 lb. breakfast sausage (regular or spicy)
• 2 cups shredded cabbage (or a bag of cole slaw blend, which was what I used here)
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts (I did not use them this time because who keeps bean sprouts on hand?)
• Shredded carrots (unless they're in the slaw mix)
• Green onions, chopped (to taste)
• 1/2 - 1 tsp ground ginger 
• 1/2 - 1 tsp granulated garlic (you can use fresh garlic, minced, if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Simply brown the sausage and then drain off the fat. Then add the veggies and stir fry for a couple of minutes. You decide how crunchy you want them. Add seasonings and stir to combine.

That's it! My craving got fulfilled without any carbs. 

So on a recent trip to the grocery store, I found these.

Yep, that strictly the "magical" marshmallows from Lucky Charms. I didn't buy them, but I took a picture and sent it to my daughters. One said, "It's about time!" Another said, "Obviously the idea of a millennial." Yes, these were the two that always picked out the marshmallows and left most of the cereal. Though I'm thinking these might be yummy mixed into some homemade Rice Krispie treats. What do you think? Maybe I'll have to pick up a bag.

I'm just gonna say it. I love Longhorn cattle. Regular cattle are okay, but Longhorns have flare. They have the right accessories to really compliment the outfit, right? This one belongs to one of our neighbors, but I want a Longhorn. I have made my wishes known. Doubt they'll carry any weight but, hey, a gal's gotta try. They don't know unless you tell them, right. 

So that's what's going on in Obi land. What's happening in your part of the world?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

 

Tasty Chicken Skillet

Jan here, with an easy recipe that is so good. Perfect for a quick supper!

AND perfect for summertime!

And if you're a vegetarian? Just leave out the chicken! Easy-peasy!

Tasty Chicken Skillet

ingredients for four servings:

4 boneless chicken breasts

2 Tablespoons oil, divided

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 - 2 cups chopped zucchini

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cups diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

Using one Tablespoon oil in a skillet, cook the chicken until done, browning on both sides. Remove the chicken to a plate and keep it warm...

Actually, since I cut the recipe in half, I just shoved the chicken to one side in my skillet and cooked the sauce on the other side!

Add the other tablespoon oil to the skillet and add the onions, garlic, zucchini and oregano. Cook and stir about two minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and beginning to brown. Stir in the tomatoes and rosemary. Cook for an additional two or three minutes.

Place the cooked chicken breasts in the sauce, turning once to cover in the sauce, and simmer for a few more minutes.

Serve with pasta (or spaghetti squash) of your choice and a nice salad.

We enjoyed this simple supper on our deck, complete with our view of Mt. Rushmore. *sigh* It is my happy place!

And speaking of Mt. Rushmore, things are getting interesting as we prepare for Independence Day around here. For the first time since 2009 there will be fireworks at Mt. Rushmore!

Why the gap? For a decade, the state, local, and federal powers that be were fighting the pine beetles. Large areas of the forest were devastated by this little creature.

I took this picture in 2011 - at the height of the pine beetle infestation. It was so sad to hike through an entire forest of dead trees!

But after years of work and mitigation, the forest is healthy again. A couple years ago the forest service announced that the pine beetle was under control!

So, with careful eyes watching out for possible problems, the fireworks are on again this year. President Trump is planning to attend, and I can't imagine how crowded the place will be!

We're planning to watch from our deck. The view won't be as good as it would be close up, but the traffic congestion will be nil!

Are you planning to watch the fireworks this year?

Jan Drexler is an author by day who is addicted to counted cross stitch and sauntering through the Hills with her dear husband and their puppies - goofy corgi Jack and growing-fast border collie Sam. You can find Jan's books and other fun things on her website: www.JanDrexler.com.

Skillet Bow-Ties

Jan here, in the sagging end of January. Smack dab in the middle, between Christmas and the Black Hills Stock Show. Nothing much going on except writing and cross-stitching. (Doesn't sound bad, does it?)

Actually, I love winter, so January is one of my favorite months. But this is also the time of year when friends and family start heading south, and my Facebook feed is filled with pictures of sunshine and beaches, while at our house, it looks like this:

And this:

Okay, so that last one wasn't really at our house...it's from Custer State Park a couple years ago. Those bison are munching on the super nutritious grass that makes the western prairies famous.

But on a cold, cloudy weekend like we just had, I'm longing for some color. Especially in my food.

That's where this recipe comes in. It's filled with delicious, colorful veggies, and has a light sauce that won't slow you down.

Skillet Bow-Ties
serves 2

ingredients:

1 cup uncooked bow tie pasta
1 cup diced, cooked chicken breast
1 small zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
3 Tablespoons butter, divided (I use coconut oil to make it dairy free)
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoon chicken broth
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional, if dairy free)
1 teaspoon dried basil, or 1 Tablespoon fresh

Cook the pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet (I use my Dutch oven), stir fry the chicken and veggies in 2 Tablespoons butter for 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the lemon juice and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cooking and stirring for about 2 minutes.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the skillet, tossing it with the remaining Tablespoon butter to combine the pasta and veggies. Add the Parmesan cheese and basil.

One thing I love about this recipe is that you can change it up to use the veggies you have in your fridge. Broccoli (fresh or frozen - I steam mine before adding it), carrots cut in matchsticks, green onion slices...you name it!

And if you want to make it a vegetarian dish, substitute tofu for the chicken, or use edamame for one of the veggies.

I also like to add diced greens to the chicken/veggie mixture. They cook down to almost nothing, but add a nutritional punch to the dish.

How about you? Do you love January, or hate it? Is it a time to cozy up by the fire, or a time to get through while you're waiting for spring?


And while you're waiting for spring, don't forget that "The Amish Nanny's Courtship" is coming in March!

Preorder your copy here!

Love in Plain Sight 

As nanny for her nephew, Judith Lapp’s finally part of a vibrant, joyful Amish community instead of living on the outskirts looking in. But teaching her neighbors’ Englischer farmworker to read Pennsylvania Dutch wasn’t part of her plan. And the more time she spends with Guy Hoover, the more he sparks longings for a home and family of Judith’s own.

Guy figured he would never be truly accepted by his Amish employers’ community—even though the Mast family treats him like a son. But Judith’s steadfast caring shows him that true belonging could be within his reach…if he and Judith can reconcile their very different hopes—and hearts.

Jan Drexler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and growing family. When she isn't writing, she loves hiking in the Hills or satisfying her cross stitch addiction.

You can find Jan on Facebook, Jan Drexler, author, or her website, Jan Drexler.com.