Sunday, December 8, 2024

Sunday morning and a recipe

 I slept pretty well last night, for me.  

Spotty came in the house after I got up around 6, meowing loudly.  I've found in cold or wet weather he likes some fussing when he comes home..  I had my tiny space heater pointed at my lap as I sit at the computer so I picked him up, put him in my lap, lots of petting, some kisses, and fussing.  

The other cats are more forward in asking for attention, they demand it more than ask.  So their needs are being met but I have felt (and discussed here) Spotty was not.  So I think it's important to take time for him when I can.  He also had that nice warm heater blowing at his paws, which he appreciated (his paws get cold when he goes out in the winter).  He spent about 5 minutes and jumped down.  Good.  

3 cats are about my speed right now, with my hours worked and time available.  I really do feel it is vital to spend my free time with them.  

Biscuit got in my bed last night which was nice, he slept by my feet.  Very old cats like to sleep by my head, which I love, but I've learned when they start doing that they don't have long.  I don't want to think about that.  

For some reason Dad thinks I should just have 2 cats.  I don't know how he arrived at that number.  He's not asking me to get rid of anyone but he wasn't sorry when Mama Cat moved out, 

Last night I suggested, in one of my groups, that Walmart radio play "We're not going to take it" right before close on Christmas Eve.  It has almost 300 likes about 12 hours later.  Maybe they'll do it!  

Between us, I don't work until close on Christmas Eve; at least not now I don't (they may ask me to stay).  I probably could, though.  I like to see myself as a team player and I don't have plans until Christmas day.  

There goes Cleo walking down the hall.  

I got some lentils soaking, I'm going to do the maple and mustard ones, it's very good.  I use dry mustard and real maple syrup, a little splash of liquid smoke as well.  I love how lentils expand when I cook them, I get a lot of food for one cup of dry beans.  

Here's what I did: 

I decided to resurrect an old favorite. Ron was a very, very, picky eater and this was one of the few bean recipes he liked. I forget what bean I used to make it with, I used brown lentils.

Some talking points:
* Needs a couple hours soak time
* Not long to cook
* Vegetarian if that matters.
* I made rice as a side but cornbread or biscuits would be fantastic.

Soak:
1 cup lentils
1/2 t salt
1/4 t dry ground mustard
Soak 2 hours or so, drain, and rinse. This prevents gas issues when you eat it and also makes them cook faster.


Cook:
Indian cuisine has you melt butter or oil in the pot, add onions and garlic, herbs, and saute a while. That's what I did; about 1/2 chopped onions and 1/2 t dry mustard. If you don't have issues with garlic, like I do, mince a clove and throw that in there too. Saute until the onion edges are getting brown.

Add 2 cups water, 1/2 t salt, cover and simmer for about half an hour, stirring every 5-10 minutes. After 15 minutes you want to add the secret ingredient: real maple syrup. I didn't measure it but it was about 2 T. If you don't have *real* maple syrup use dark brown sugar. Stir and cover again.

When the beans are tender add 1/4 t dry mustard and another shot of maple syrup, stir, and serve!


I made some rice to go with but I also have a can of biscuits in the fridge. I might do that for dinner, some biscuits and the lentils. I thought this would also go with the pork roast which I need to package and get in the freezer, lunch pail.

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