Meanwhile...Back at the Homestead - Dumplings are Delicious

Downtown Albuquerque Area

Welcome to Albuquerque, one of the friendliest cities in America, according to a new survey published by Travel + Leisure.
Albuquerque places ninth on the list, right after New Orleans and right before Austin, Texas.

WEATHER UPDATE:
Nice weather has been happening in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Some sunny days but mostly partly cloudy days with a bit of rain here and there over the city. The wind still kicks up and blows the Chinese Elm blossoms into the yard. 

Sandia Mountains on a cloudy day.

Rainy Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A common morning scene around town.

What Exactly Happens at the April 2015 -Gathering of the Nations Event?

A lot!  It was an amazing and spectacular event. More than 700 tribes from around the world are represented at the powwow, as well as more than 800 Native American vendors. Nearly 100,000 spectators attended the gathering and "The Gathering of Nations" which is considered the most prominent Native American powwow in North America.

All that Native American dancing reminded me of the
fun polka dancing that is very popular in the northern states.
I just love to watch traditional dancing.

That's Amusing:

I think my optometrist is evil. Not only does he look like an evil guy but he has prescribed me the wrong eye prescription twice. He also was convinced that I had a lazy left eye. Well, now, I have two lazy eyes because his prescriptions are not right. Oddly, a friend of mine had to take his glasses back because his glasses were wrong. Recently, I lost my fancy glasses and found a really old pair to use. Now, my two lazy eyes can see again. 

My optometrist probably is not evil but this guy did remind me of an old movie clip in Arabesque that featured an evil optometrist.  

PET UPDATE: 

Lately, Missy only comes into the house to eat and then she runs back outside to hang out with the other Ferrel cats. I put some little bowls of food and water on the porch for her but she does not eat from them. I guess she still likes to eat her meals in the house. 

Sharing Bookmarks 

50 States
Google Art Project

Dr. McDougall's Health & Medical Free Resources

Forks Over Knives

Just for Fun A Sci-Fi Video

 Barbie Sci-Fi

 

  DUMPLINGS ARE DELICIOUS

Dumpling Wrappers

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup hot water 

cornstarch for dusting

Mushroom Dumpling Filling

12 ounces mushrooms, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (with a Microplane grater)
1 tablespoon green onion (green part only), minced
1 tablespoon aka miso (red miso paste)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
40 dumpling wrappers - See more at: http://mushroominfo.com/mushroomchannel/2010/11/09/mushroom-pancetta-gyoza-from-la-fuji-mama/#sthash.ddiTNs91.dpuf

12 ounces mushrooms, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (with a Microplane grater)
1 tablespoon green onion (green part only), minced
1 tablespoon aka miso (red miso paste)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
40 dumpling wrappers - See more at: http://mushroominfo.com/mushroomchannel/2010/11/09/mushroom-pancetta-gyoza-from-la-fuji-mama/#sthash.ddiTNs91.dpuf

12 ounces mushrooms, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 tablespoon finely grated ginger
1 tablespoon green onion (green part only), minced
1 tablespoon miso paste
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
40 dumpling wrappers

Steam cook all of the ingredients in a non stick skillet on medium heat with a tablespoon of water to keep ingredients from sticking. Cook for 8 minutes. Let cool and drain off excess liquid. Fill dumpling wrappers and place on a cooking sheet with parchment paper. Bake at 350* for 10 minutes each side.

Dumpling Dipping Sauce

 

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 Tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh minced ginger
2 Tbsp sugar
A few dashes of chili oil
Green chives

 
Going Back in Time

 

Keeping Things Simple - Chicken Lady Video - Vegan Kabobs, Pasta Salad, Salsa and Chips and Low Fat Cake

 

Meanwhile...Back at the Homestead Update


WEATHER UPDATE:
SPRING Is Still Happening!
The wind has arrived. 

The lilac tree is in full bloom. It looks beautiful and smells delightful. When I walk by this gorgeous tree, I take in a big whiff. Compared to the skunk smell we had a while back this fresh flower smell is wonderful and very welcomed. This month's weather has been great. Sunny and warm. My kind of weather.

One more picture. I know, how boring. But I really enjoy this blooming lilac! LOL. 







The Chinese Elm Seed Invasion
Once again, the Chinese elm seeds have made their way onto the property. They are every where. Oh well, what can you do but wait it out for these little elm seeds to blow away.

Green is in this year!
Finally, the bare front yard has some grass. Its sort of looking like a green lawn. Its probably crab grass. Who cares. As long as its green and covers the dirt. Im happy.

That's Amusing:

 
Sorry, I do not have any amusing things or incidents to tell you about this week. Last week, I posted about the neighbor's roosters running amok. I love chickens and roosters but cant have any because I know that I live in the city and not on a farm. Also, I know what it would lead to and I was reminded of this very funny video. I laugh every time I watch it. She is so right and amusing.

The Grands - Eve and Raven

The Grands get mad when I try to take their picture when they are at Nana's. I snuck this picture in, last week on a school break.  This was early morning before breakfast. They are sure enjoying their computer time.







Trouble in Paradise
No back yard BBQ's or sitting around the fire pit this summer. Sad face. It will be noisy, due to the new dog clan. My neighbors, on the back side of the house, have a new crazy dog clan. This is the daddy doggy. He is very mean and attacks his puppies, biting them. There are about 6 puppies back there.They are cute but very noisy.How funny, the mommy is a big dog and has black fur and the daddy is a tiny dog with cream fur. All of the puppies are tiny and have black fur. They are cute little yappers.

Oh, click on it. Its only 10 seconds long. Mad Daddy Dog.

PET UPDATE:

Missy has a new name, the biter. Last night, Missy was on my bed, laying next to me as she often does and I looked at her and saw she had crazy eyes and then she bit me. LOL. I said to her, Dont bite me, I love you. And, she bit me again. I guess she is mad at me because the neighbor's cat, Oreo has been visiting the front porch and hanging around the yard. Well, Missy saw me talking nice to him on the porch. I dont think Missy likes him because she growls at him. Actually, I dont think Missy likes any of the cats around here. LOL.

Oreo hanging out by the garage door.

Housekeeping Made Easy:

Cleaning the Bathroom Shower

                                              Shower Cleaner for Tough Stains

Sharing Bookmarks 

Shut Up and Take My Money
Sci-Fi Craziness

Home and Style
Maybe because it summer, for some reason, I have been looking at shabby chic decor.
I feel a painting project coming on.

The Best 8 Secrets to Having the Ultimate "Shabby Chic" Style for Your Home

Just for Fun A Sci-Fi Video

                          Slim Whitman - Indian Love Song

What would a vegan serve at a BBQ?

Deliciousness!

As Ive stated before, New Mexicans eat a lot of salsa. We love it. Also, many of us make salsa in our own kitchens. Some people think their salsa recipes are even good enough to enter into salsa contests. Im willing to share mine because its just a simple recipe that tastes great. My salsa recipe is easy and the best tomato salsa that Ive ever tasted. P. S. Ive never had an interest to enter it into a salsa contest. You are most welcomed use this recipe for salsa contest. LOL.

This past weekend, I managed to get some tomato salsa jarred. This fun project took a little under two hours to complete with chopping, blending, cooking and processing.

Nana's Perfect Salsa
10 c. chopped, cored, peeled tomatoes (if blending ingredients no need to peel)
1 c. chopped green chile peppers, mild or medium heat chile is best
8 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c. white vinegar
2 tsp. salt
A light dash of cumin
12 half pint canning jars, lids and rings

I put the ingredients into the blender and blend on low before cooking because I like a non chunky tomato salsa. This salsa recipe is very good chunky too.

1. In a large stainless steel stockpot, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
2. Reduce heat and boil gently until thickened, about 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
3. Prepare canner, jars, and lids. How to prepare for canning link.
4. Ladle hot salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe rim and attach lids.
5. Place jars in canner, covering by at least 1-inch and bring to a boil. Process for 20 minutes, remove canner lid and let sit for 5 minutes, then remove jars to cool before storing.

Makes 12 half pint jars of salsa.

Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Set out eight corn tortillas. Dip each tortilla into a bowl of salted water to moisten.

Stack the tortillas in piles of eight (8) tortillas. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut through the pile of tortillas, cutting into 4 equal triangles.



Arrange tortilla triangles in a single layer on baking sheets. Bake for approximately 6 to 7 minutes until crisp and the edges start to curl and turn lightly brown. Watch the chips carefully after 5 minutes, as they can burn easily. Once the chips are done, remove from the oven to cool. Chips will continue to crisp as they cool.

Its BBQ season! What goes great with that vegetarian patty is a vegan kabob, marinated in soy sauce and spices! Delicious. Happy face.

Low Fat Vegan Pasta Salad

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste

Prepare your pasta, after its been cooked, drained and cooled, add it into a large bowl with the diced onions, green peppers, tomato and black olives and whatever other vegetables you choose. Drizzle in the dressing and mix well. Chill before serving.

Vegan Stuffed Baked Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked rice
4 large firm tomatoes
1 tablespoon finely chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Slice off the top of each tomato and scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch thick shell. Reserve 3     tablespoons of pulp, chopped. Invert the tomatoes to drain.
In a medium bowl combine rice, tomato pulp, green pepper, onion, parsley, salt, garlic; mix well. Spoon filling into tomato shells.
Top each tomato with vegan non cheese sauce.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Let Them Eat Cake...Delicious Fat Free Cake!

Get skinny eating low fat cake or low fat brownies.
When making a cake or brownies, you can get rid of fat and some calories in your batter by replacing the eggs, oil and milk with pumpkin puree. The pumpkin puree cannot be tasted in the cake. You can use it in chocolate, vanilla and many flavored cakes and your favorite brownie recipe. Using a box of cake mix or brownie mix? Just pour it in a bowl and add the pumpkin puree. Its that easy. Have a piece of low fat cake.

Going Back in Time

Flour, Sugar, Legumes, Rice, Dried Fruit, etc. 

Figure out what you like to eat and 

what you cook the most and save money. Buy in bulk.

Whats Cooking? Vegan Fajitas!

Dont forget the green lettuce for your fajitas!

Fajita Seasoning

Ingredients:
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp fine ground sea salt
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1 Tbs corn starch

From Epicurean Vegan

Vegan Fajitas

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a small container with a lid.  Place the lid on the container and shake to mix ingredients. The amount that this recipes makes is equivalent to one store-bought fajita seasoning packet.

Fresh salsa is easy to make at home.

Fat Free Tortillas, Salsa and Vegan Faux Cheese Sauce recipes located at Nana's Top Recipes.

Save even more calories and use lettuce wraps for your fajitas.

 Cumin Rice



1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1 dash of cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt

Toast the rice in a non stick skillet for about 10 minutes to a golden brown. Add the other ingredients and cook over medium high heat, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until cooked.

Want something different for your special fajita meal?

Try this amazing soup recipe from Mavis Butterfield.

Unfried Black Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked black beans
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 3/4 tsp salt (optional)
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup water (only as needed)

1. Put beans and spices in food processor. Process 15 to 20 seconds.
2. Scrape down the sides as needed and process until beans are smooth, add water as needed.

How to Make A Basic Guacamole

 Foods101withDeronda

Basic Guacamole Dip

4 medium ripened avocados
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
Juice of 1 fresh lemon

Remove peel and seed pod from avocados. Add fresh lemon juice and mash the avocados with a fork. Add minced garlic and mix well. Serve with tortilla chips or whatever you fancy.

I hope you will try these recipes and make a special fajita meal. Its sure to bring a smile.