Blue Passion

I could eat blue cheese by the crumble, by the chunk or by the wheel. I am telling you it is genetic my entire family magnetizes to blue cheese. I love stinky strong cheeses, to me the so called stink just speaks to the high level of flavor.

The other night I made a big batch of blue cheese dip/dressing which can be used for just about anything. That night it was used as a dip for homemade Buffalo wings . It was so delicious, more so because I added probably triple the amount of blue cheese one would normally use....what I can say. I am the same way with garlic as I pointed out in the previous post. Some may say that I have severe issues with certain foods; I like to think of it more as having tremendous passion about certain foods.

I am also passionate about soup one of life's most perfect dishes and by adding blue cheese  this dish is way over the top!

ONION AND BLUE CHEESE SOUP

4 lg. onions, sliced thin
3/4 stick (6 tbsp.) butter
4 c. canned beef broth
1 c. dry white wine
1/4 lb. blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 c.)

1 baguette, for croutons. (Just slice, butter or drizzle a little olive oil on each slice and put in 400 degree oven for 5 to 8 minutes). Spreading with blue cheese is optional but really, really good!

In a large saucepan, cook the onions in the butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until they are softened. Sprinkle the onions with salt and pepper, stir in the broth and the wine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer the soup, covered, for 1 hour.
Remove the pan from the heat and add 3/4 cup of the cheese and stir the soup until the cheese is melted. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish it with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese and the croutons.

Gone But Not Forgotten....Happy Birthday Mom

       

         "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." ~ Thomas Campbell

                                                           Are there birthdays in Heaven?

Does the Angel blow his horn

announcing to everybody

this is the day that you were born?

Can the stars be your balloons?

or an angel food your cake?

Presents wrapped in moonbeams

that the Angels helped to make?

Your birthdays have meant so much to us;

they were always a very big deal.

Birthday presents, your favorite treats,

and perhaps a special meal.

So we'll whisper a little prayer today

asking everyone here and  above

to sing you a Happy Birthday song

and with it all our love.

I wasn't sure what recipe to post in honor of my Mother's Birthday she loved to eat and had a great many favorites. Then it dawned on me the one food item that was always on the top of her list was......onions! Without exaggeration I can honestly say that my mother went through at least five pounds of onions a week if not more.

I'd like to say that I am about to wow you here with some fancy schmancy recipe using onions but my mother was a purist and enjoyed them in their simpler form......sliced thick between two slices of bread.......it's enough to make you cry!

Happy Birthday Mom, you are greatly missed, fondly remembered, spoke of often, your Harriet-izms still fill us with laughter and bring smiles to our faces...we thank you for the joy that you have given us and still give us.

Harriet's Favorite Sandwich

1 Onion (red, white, Vidalia, Spanish...it just needs to be an onion).
2 slices of bread (she didn't care; it could have been wonder bread or rye)!
1 Tablespoon of either miracle whip or mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste.

Spread the mayonnaise/miracle whip on one or both slices of bread. Cut onion into 1/2 inch to 1 inch slice, place slice on bread add salt and pepper, cover with remaining slice of bread and enjoy.

Yucky Sprouts

I know that I have said this before and I am about to say it again, I absolutely love brussel sprouts. I am actually surprised that I do not post about them more often. I am sure my grandmother could care less if I ever posted about them again…..she is not a big fan. My grandmother puts it quite nicely; she merely states that she has never developed a taste for them unlike those who cannot resist shouting out a big “Yuck” at the mere mention.
Well for those of us who happen to love the little green gems here is another way to prepare them that I am sure most of us will gladly enjoy.

Brussel Sprouts in Sour Cream Onion Sauce

1/2 lbs. Brussels sprouts (leave whole or cut length wise)
1 Large Onion (any) chopped
1 pint of sour cream
2 Tablespoons of butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam or boil brussel sprouts for 15 minutes or until tender. Sauté onion in butter until rich brown, add in sour cream, stirring constantly. Add brussel sprouts and mix well, leave on heat for 2 more minutes then serve.