Hot Tamales

Hot Tamales

Tamale recipes vary from place to place, person to person. No two people make hot tamales exactly the same. Pork is traditional. Some use beef, while others prefer chicken. Some boil their meat, while others simply brown it. Some people prefer corn meal, while some use masa. Most wrap in corn shucks, while a few have turned to the less expensive parchment paper. Some season the tamale in just one way, while many will season the meat and the meal, as well as the water used to simmer the rolled bundles. Some eat theirs straight out of the shuck, while others smother them in chili and cheese.  My favorite are made from pork, using either a pork shoulder or the pork butt. I use yellow corn meal for my tamales wrapped in real corn husk.  Makes 7 to 8 dozen MEAT FILLING 6 to 8 pounds boneless meat (pork shoulder or pork butt, chuck roast, or chicken breast) A variety of assorted chiles (dried peppers) 1/4 cup chili powder 2 Tablespoons paprika 2 Tablespoons salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 Tablespoon onion powder 1 Tablespoon garlic powder 2 teaspoon ground cumin Place the meat into a large, heavy pot. Cover with cold water. Add the chiles, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the meat is very tender, about 2 to 3 hours. Remove the meat and reserve all of the cooking liquid. When the meat is cool enough to handle, remove and discard any skin and large chunks of fat. Shred or dice the meat into small pieces. There should be about 14 to 16 cups of meat.  CORN HUSKS While the meat is cooking, soak the husks in a large bowl or sink of very warm water, until they are softened and pliable, at least 2 hours. Gently separate the husks into single leaves, trying not to tear them. Wash off any dust and discard any corn silks. Keep any shucks that split to the side, since two small pieces can be overlapped and used as one. CORN MEAL OR MASA DOUGH 8 cups yellow corn meal or masa (available in most grocery stores)  4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 1 2/3 cups vegetable shortening (preferable) or lard 6 to 8 cups warm meat broth (from reserved meat stock) Stir the corn meal or masa, baking powder, salt and lard together in a large bowl until well blended. Gradually stir in enough warm liquid to make soft, spongy dough that is the consistency of thick mashed potatoes. The dough should be quite moist, but not wet. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth. ASSEMBLING THE TAMALES Remove a corn husk from the water and pat it dry. Lay the husk on a work surface. Spread about 1/4 cup of the dough in an even layer across the wide end of the husk to within 1 inch of the edges. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture in a line down the center of the dough. Roll the husk so that the dough surrounds the filling and forms a cylinder or package. Fold the bottom under to close the bottom and complete the package. Place the completed tamales in a single layer on a baking sheet. Repeat until all dough and filling is used. Hot Tamales                                                                COOKING THE TAMALES To steam: Stand the tamales upright, closed side down, in a large steamer pot. Place enough tamales in the pot so that they do not fall over or come unrolled. Carefully fill the pot with enough water to come just to the bottom of the tamales, trying not to pour water directly into the tamales. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot with the lid or heavy duty foil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the dough is firm and pulls away from the husk easily and cleanly, about 1 to 1 1/4 hours. (Keep an eye on the water, for it will steam away, so add more water frequently and recover). Serve tamales warm, in their husks. Remove husks to eat. I keep Tabasco™ Sauce on hand for those who want more heat.  This is how I eat them. Hot & Spicy! ELB 2011                                                                   Pepe y Pocho                                                                               The tamal is a staple food along the Mississippi Delta, locally known as "hot tamales". It grew in popularity in the early 1900s when Mexican farm workers introduced it to black workers in the cotton fields in the deep South. Hot tamales in the Delta are more typically made with corn meal instead of masa. The Mississippi hot tamale features (possibly as sexual innuendo) in the well-known, cryptic song "They're Red Hot by early Delta blues singer Robert Johnson.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

The Nativity

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. A Christian would never X Christ from Christmas, for Christ is the Reason for the Season.  The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way...the only Way...for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Wise men still seek Him. ℰℒℬ        2011

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

A free bird leaps on the back Of the wind and floats downstream Till the current ends and dips his wing In the orange suns rays And dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage Can seldom see through his bars of rage His wings are clipped and his feet are tied So he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill Of things unknown but longed for still And his tune is heard on the distant hill for The caged bird sings of freedom. The free bird thinks of another breeze And the trade winds soft through The sighing trees And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright Lawn and he names the sky his own. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream His wings are clipped and his feet are tied So he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with A fearful trill of things unknown But longed for still and his Tune is heard on the distant hill For the caged bird sings of freedom. Maya Angelou

When God closes a door; He opens a window.

Conscience is the window of our spirit, evil is the curtain.                                                                                  If there is something in your life that you don’t like, in order to remove it from your experience you must first uproot it from within your soul or your mental attitude.  On the other hand, if there is something missing from your life, build it into your soul and mentality, and the law will maintain a perfect balance by making it manifest in your world. Once we accept this great Truth, once we free ourselves of the human weakness of trying to blame circumstances and people for our troubles, then and perhaps for the first time we’re ready to stand up to life with a new-found strength. The Law of Compensation is one of the most important and basic laws of life and has sometimes been described as “the great law.” The ancient enlightened ones called it the law of karma. The scientifically-minded may call it the law of cause and effect or the law of action and reaction. Ralph Waldo Emerson called it the law of compensation. When Jesus talked about it, He explained it as the principle of sowing and reaping, giving and receiving, and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Emerson referred to it as the "Law of Compensation." In some degree, the equilibrium of the universe if affected by all thought, desire, and action. At this point, the harmony of the universe has been disturbed, so it seeks to return to balance. Balance of the mind, body and spirit are the ideal, so working on your own truth helps you to get there. Did you hear what I said? Working on 'your own truth' will lead you there. When it comes to your life, why would you listen to anyone else whose life is as troubled as they are? Many times they are contradicting every quote they force onto others. They are living their lives by the words of another person, rather than being who they are. They deny they are as many sees them to be, but the signs prove otherwise. It reminds me of when Richard Nixon declared, "I am not a crook," But a crook he was.  As for quotes, here is one of my own: "When you start believing the lies of others, I stop believing in you."  Once I lose respect for an individual that is usually it. I do not think respect can be earned back. It is something I just let go of and learn from. From there I move into a new direction with greater possibilities. When God closes a door; He opens a window. ℰℒℬ        2011

Growing Up Girls

Many years have since passed, but I still have those memories.

As I was thinking over my past birthdays, I look at the porcelain bisque figurines I received each year for my birthday. The 'Growing Up Girls' collection was as much part of my birthday as the birthday cake. By the time I was six years old, I expected the next figurine from the collection. I was not allowed to play with them; they were only for looks. All except for the last one, at the age of sixteen. That one was musical and played "A Pretty Girl is like a Melody."  Growing Up Girls   I still have all seventeen that were given me, from 'newborn' to the 'Sweet Sixteen' musical version. I take care in cleaning them and try not to handle them frequently.  I suppose they mean so much to me, because they were gifted me by my Mom and they represent each birthday, up till the age of sixteen. I will cherish them always, and will try not to break them. So far, so good! Growing Up Girls   I do not collect a lot of things, but I do have a few other collections I will share with you in future. This is perhaps my first collection, but it was not started by me, but my Mom. We all have to start somewhere. One thing you may not detect from the two photographs, but these figurines are brunette. They came in 'blonde' as well, and since I was not a blonde, my Mom wanted them to represent me. With my Mexican ethnicity I could never be a natural blonde, anyway. ℰℒℬ        2011

Green

                                                                                 

Green is favored by well balanced people. Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force. It often symbolizes money. It was believed green was healing for the eyes. Egyptians wore green eyeliner. Green eye-shades are still used. You should eat raw green foods for good health. Friday is the day of green. Green jade is a sacred stone of Asia. Green Energy: Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green. Green gem stone properties: Green gemstones are used to attract money, prosperity and wealth. They are balancing stones that promote growth and fertility. Carry, wear or place green gemstones around your home or office to promote balance, change and growth. Wearing Green: Wear green when you want to overcome a sense of thwarted ambition. Green says growth - balance - harmony. It is a color of healthy relationships. Chakra associated with Green: Green is the color associated with the Heart Chakra. This chakra deals with higher consciousness and love. ℰℒℬ                                                                       2011

apricot nectar • lemon supreme cake

Apricot Nectar Cake 

                        
apricot nectar • lemon 
                                  
supreme cake  

Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix, 1 box

Wesson Oil, 1/2 cup

Sugar, 1/2 cup

Apricot Nectar, 1 cup

Eggs, 4

Confectioners Sugar, 1 cup

Lemons, 2

1. Prepare the pan: 

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°. Spray Pam in a 10-inch Bundt pan.

2. Prepare the batter: 

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the cake mix, oil, sugar, and apricot nectar until creamy. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. 

3. Bake the cake: 

Bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 - 50 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto the rack and lift off the pan. Place the confectioner sugar into a small bowl and squeeze the juice from the lemons into the bowl. Mix by hand and drizzle over the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely.

'A light and elegant summertime dessert' 

This cake recipe was my Grandmother Burnside's. She was given this recipe by a friend of hers, so it is not original to our family, but one that was passed onto me. My Grandmother made it twice a month and every year for my Aunt Debbie's Birthday Day. It was Aunt Debbie's favorite cake, since she was not fond of traditional Birthday Cake, this cake became her tradition, to this day. It became a favorite cake for many in my family, and one I now make for dessert, a church potluck or like today, an office gathering. I love sharing recipes and trying new recipes. 

ℰℒℬ                                                                      
2011