Post your favorite winter time stew or soup (Bonus points if it's easy)

[2LaneCruzer]

Kids coming home for the holidays does give an incentive to cook up a feast. Cooking and the cleaning up takes work. Luckily, I do enjoy cooking and somewhat of a gourmet. So, whipping up dinner for myself alone or with a friend is not a chore to me. If your wife likes food, then there is something for her and you to look forward to every day if you play chef with your recipes.

You did ask before about my background. I got distracted and did not get back to you. I apologize. My only farm experience was as a kid visiting with family in upstate New York. They had a chicken farm. I was an engineer by trade and worked in the heavy construction field. I did not like the profession and took early retirement. Yes, I would have been happier doing research in engineering science.

Research is fun; I spent nearly 20 years as a Microbiology tech and Research Chemist, but it got old, and became a dead end. Law school, and a state Environmental lawyer was much more rewarding emotionally, financially not so much.

 

[sree251]

Research is fun; I spent nearly 20 years as a Microbiology tech and Research Chemist, but it got old, and became a dead end. Law school, and a state Environmental lawyer was much more rewarding emotionally, financially not so much.

I thought I was the only non-rural type here and everyone is a tractor-riding farmer living on the land. You have a ton of book learning under your belt. Me, not so much; and yet, I have never ventured living outside the city. You have a John Deere for lawn mowing? How far away from the city do you live?

 

[sree251]

sree251 . . . you are welcomed here.

Thank you. I am looking forward to reaching everyone's heart through their bellies.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I thought I was the only non-rural type here and everyone is a tractor-riding farmer living on the land. You have a ton of book learning under your belt. Me, not so much; and yet, I have never ventured living outside the city. You have a John Deere for lawn mowing? How far away from the city do you live?

I have had the best of both worlds; I live on a suburban acreage and have a John Deer X350. Lived in the city only as long as I had to; had our house built in the 70's when it was rural and not in the city limits.

Are you North or South of the Mason-Dixon line?

 

[fishdrivel]

Meatball Stew.
Make meatballs out of 100% beef and use in your regular beef stew recipe. Takes very little time and effort and you don't have to stew your meat for 6 hours.

Mine has carrots, potatoes, parsnips, onions, garlic, celery and spices.

 

[sree251]

Are you North or South of the Mason-Dixon line?

North. Born and raised in NYC. But my heart has always been in the South. Not too far south, though. Just the states hugging the Mason-Dixie line from where you are at to West Virginia. I plan to move to West Virginia; hopefully, some time soon. I will be needing more than an LX172.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

North. Born and raised in NYC. But my heart has always been in the South. Not too far south, though. Just the states hugging the Mason-Dixie line from where you are at to West Virginia. I plan to move to West Virginia; hopefully, some time soon. I will be needing more than an LX172.

Although I don't know your situation, I will make this one observation: depending where you are thinking about moving, sometimes rural areas are very, very provincial. If you haven't already done it already, I suggest you spend a couple months in the exact area you are looking at; should tell you if you will be comfortable and accepted, or viewed always as an outsider...and if you can tolerate the cultural shock.

 

[sree251]

Although I don't know your situation, I will make this one observation: depending where you are thinking about moving, sometimes rural areas are very, very provincial. If you haven't already done it already, I suggest you spend a couple months in the exact area you are looking at; should tell you if you will be comfortable and accepted, or viewed always as an outsider...and if you can tolerate the cultural shock.

Thanks for the warning. I know I will be as acceptable as a bobcat or coyote on a farm. I will have to be invisible.

I managed to access that GTT cookbook. Thanks again.

 

[3Ts]

I thought I was the only non-rural type here and everyone is a tractor-riding farmer living on the land. ....

I think you'll find many of us are "conversions". My Aunts and Uncles ran farms, but my parents did not.

Although I don't know your situation, I will make this one observation: depending where you are thinking about moving, sometimes rural areas are very, very provincial. If you haven't already done it already, I suggest you spend a couple months in the exact area you are looking at; should tell you if you will be comfortable and accepted, or viewed always as an outsider...and if you can tolerate the cultural shock.

This is very true but can be managed. You will need to adjust to the culture and not expect everyone adjust to the way you did things.

Thanks for the warning. I know I will be as acceptable as a bobcat or coyote on a farm. I will have to be invisible.

I managed to access that GTT cookbook. Thanks again.

That is one way, but then you will always be an outsider. I suggest you become very visible and be active in your community. Do some volunteer work. Keep in mind that in rural areas the church is also the community center. Find one and participate in the events. We started off by volunteering at the local church in the kitchen Wednesday nights. Look for the men's organizations such as Masons, Elks, etc. and there are various charities that can always use help. Look for ways where you can help your neighbors and especially be tolerant of them doing things differently, you're in a different area and there may be a good reason for the difference. You will always be the newcomer, but you'll also be part of the community and accepted and included.

 

[Molalla1]

Very good 3Ts . . .

 

[buckeyefarmer]

All the canning books and USDA now says that this method is unsafe. But people did it and survived. We do use the pressure canner though. Not taking a chance.

We still can with hot water bath.

 

[jyoutz]

We still can with hot water bath.

We only use water bath for things that the USDA website says to can with water bath: pickles, salsa, jam, and other things. We have a good pressure canner for vegetables.

 

[sree251]

I think you'll find many of us are "conversions". My Aunts and Uncles ran farms, but my parents did not.

I appreciate your encouragement. What do you mean by "conversion"? Did you move from the city and buy yourself a farm in East Texas?

I know it isn't as cold where you are at but what's your favorite winter stew?

 

[3Ts]

Yes. We lived just outside the Kennedy Space Center for about 30 years on 2.5 acres and 10 minutes to town with all the big box stores across from each other. Restaurants, auto shops, hardware stores, etc. I was a software engineer and retired in 2007. We travelled some and sold our place and bought 49 acres of vacant land here in East Texas. We lived in a travel trailer for a couple years before we got utilities installed and a cabin built. We built the cabin ourselves and it was visible from the main road so people would stop by just to see what we were up to. We always stopped what we were doing and visited with them. They would provide some history of our place and told us what used to be and about where. When we got to a major point in the cabin, we'd invite folks over to help celebrate. Most times we'd put on cheap hamburgers & hotdogs, but the neighbors appreciated the gesture and we appreciated their information and help. (They helped us raise a 36' long beam.) We wanted to get the cabin done ASAP, but when we got invited to various events we always accepted even if it meant it would delay the cabin. Or, if we declined, we always explained why and asked to be included the next time.

We've lived in the south long enough we really don't have a meal actually set for the winter time. But, my wife makes a really great pot roast that we take to folks when the church takes meals to a family. I'll see if I can get it from her.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Yes. We lived just outside the Kennedy Space Center for about 30 years on 2.5 acres and 10 minutes to town with all the big box stores across from each other. Restaurants, auto shops, hardware stores, etc. I was a software engineer and retired in 2007. We travelled some and sold our place and bought 49 acres of vacant land here in East Texas. We lived in a travel trailer for a couple years before we got utilities installed and a cabin built. We built the cabin ourselves and it was visible from the main road so people would stop by just to see what we were up to. We always stopped what we were doing and visited with them. They would provide some history of our place and told us what used to be and about where. When we got to a major point in the cabin, we'd invite folks over to help celebrate. Most times we'd put on cheap hamburgers & hotdogs, but the neighbors appreciated the gesture and we appreciated their information and help. (They helped us raise a 36' long beam.) We wanted to get the cabin done ASAP, but when we got invited to various events we always accepted even if it meant it would delay the cabin. Or, if we declined, we always explained why and asked to be included the next time.

We've lived in the south long enough we really don't have a meal actually set for the winter time. But, my wife makes a really great pot roast that we take to folks when the church takes meals to a family. I'll see if I can get it from her.

I love East Texas; have a lot of friends and relatives there; my wife is from there. Great folks, beautiful country, but August is a bit rough. I never go through Pittsburg without picking up a case of Pittsburg hot links.

I will add this one thing; I have known folks who moved to a isolated, rural area and the culture shock was too much for them. The residents considered anyone who was even from the next town as being foreigners. The area is near a lake, and a lot of city folks have settled there now, but their culture is separate.

Just a thought.

 

[sree251]

We travelled some and sold our place and bought 49 acres of vacant land here in East Texas. We lived in a travel trailer for a couple years before we got utilities installed and a cabin built. We built the cabin ourselves and it was visible from the main road so people would stop by just to see what we were up to. We always stopped what we were doing and visited with them. They would provide some history of our place and told us what used to be and about where. When we got to a major point in the cabin, we'd invite folks over to help celebrate. Most times we'd put on cheap hamburgers & hotdogs, but the neighbors appreciated the gesture and we appreciated their information and help. (They helped us raise a 36' long beam.)

You are a popular guy. People are drawn to you naturally. This is a gift from God. It is a blessing and your way cannot be aped. Texans are friendly people. It's their self-confidence, I think. One time, a couple of rangy guys in blue jeans, cowboy hats and boots came into a restaurant in Paris where I was dining at. I cringed because the French are not particularly receptive to Americans. To my surprise, everyone smiled spontaneously at the sight of the "Texans" in their midst and applauded.

What made you go "rural"? From software engineer to a farmer with 49 acres is a big leap. What are you growing on your land? Where did your wife get her recipe for her pot roast? Is it a Texan version handed down to her or something she created herself? Please share it with us.

 

[sree251]

I love East Texas; have a lot of friends and relatives there; my wife is from there. Great folks, beautiful country, but August is a bit rough. I never go through Pittsburg without picking up a case of Pittsburg hot links.

Do you like it spicy, then? Texas cuisine is another twist to southern cooking, in my opinion. I met a woman in a departure lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in December 2019 just before the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. She had just been taken off a cruise ship to help get a friend to the hospital. She reached out to me, introduced herself, and told me she was from Texas and had a ranch there. She said she couldn't wait to get back home and eat some American food. "And what is that," I asked. She replied: "Tacos!"

Provincialism is a universal cultural phenomenon, not just in rural America. I was given dirty looks when stepping into a small town bar in southern Illinois, as well as, in a basement eatery off the beaten path in Tokyo.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Spicy? Not really. Pittsburg hot links are not hot, but they are good. I Love good BBQ and make the best...but I do not like it sweet, too hot or too salty...so I make my own dry BBQ rubb, the recipe for baby backs and the rubb is somewhere on this forum, posted once or twice earlier.

 

[Otto Syracuse]

I will venture a guess that NO ONE has ever had this soup. My Mother would make this for my Dad often, especially on a day when she had made Homemade Bread. My wife will make it for me only when she is cooking for me alone, as I am the only one that will eat it!

Peas with Eggs

Dice a small onion, sautee in olive oil until translucent
Add a can of baby peas including the liquid along a small can of (Hunts) tomato sauce
Heat to a low boil
Crack 2 eggs into the mixture, cover and cook until whites are set, leave the yolks soft.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with a crusty bread, dipped into the yolk as you eat.
Sometimes I will add some red pepper flake or Tabasco sauce or sprinkle Parmesan cheese over it all before eating.

It goes together in less than 15 minutes and is quite tasty, especially if you like peas!

 

[sree251]

I will venture a guess that NO ONE has ever had this soup. My Mother would make this for my Dad often, especially on a day when she had made Homemade Bread. My wife will make it for me only when she is cooking for me alone, as I am the only one that will eat it!

Peas with Eggs

Dice a small onion, sautee in olive oil until translucent
Add a can of baby peas including the liquid along a small can of (Hunts) tomato sauce
Heat to a low boil
Crack 2 eggs into the mixture, cover and cook until whites are set, leave the yolks soft.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with a crusty bread, dipped into the yolk as you eat.
Sometimes I will add some red pepper flake or Tabasco sauce or sprinkle Parmesan cheese over it all before eating.

It goes together in less than 15 minutes and is quite tasty, especially if you like peas!

Sounds delicious. You know what? I am going to try that out tomorrow morning. Sunday brunch.

Home-made bread. You have a good wife. Not many men get to eat home-made bread these days.