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Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

April 3, 2012 by pbenjay

This was truly a Tasty Tidbit Tuesday!  I made Split Pea soup for dinner tonight.  It was delicious and so simple. 

3 TBS olive oil

1 cup dry peas

1 medium onion – diced small

1-2 garlic cloves minced

2-3 carrots chopped into small pieces

1 large celery stalk cut into small pieces

6 cups of vegetable or low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup small pasta like orzo

Kosher salt

Parmigiano cheese

Heat the oil in large saucepan over MEDIUM heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots and celery.  Cook till onions begin to soften. 

Add broth, cover pot and simmer for about 40 minutes.

Bring soup to a boil and add the pasta.  Cook over MEDIUM HIGH heat till the orzo is al dente.

Season with salt to taste. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.

Recipe from Pasta Verde cookbook

Creamy and Tasty Pea Soup

Posted in Tasty Tidbits Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

MIA !! Oh Mama Where Have You Been?

April 3, 2012 by pbenjay

I’ve been Missing In Action for more days than I realized-I was shocked to see the date of my last post.  So what has been going on? I can’t say it’s any one thing that has kept me away from the keyboard, just sometimes life takes over.

There’s been much turmoil in my house lately.  Health issues (not mine) played a major role in keeping me otherwise occupied.   I’ve had some work commitments out-of-state, there was a death in the family, and it seems when the season changes, there’s never enough time to do what needs to be done.  Just life taking over as I said.

I had a couple of ideas about writing a blog and somehow could not sit down and write them.  One was about being superstitious and that idea is still floating around in my head.  Oh and the political circus of Republican primaries certainly is bloggy fodder.  I’m going to attempt to create my an Easter bonnet for the Easter Parade on Sunday – maybe I’ll get some photos.

There’s more of course,  but a promise made to my husband not to  write a lot about our private lives or more specifically his, is the reason this blog is so weird tonight!  I’m not trying to tease you dear readers, I just can’t go into “the gory details”.  I hope this period of emotional stressis over because as is my most neurotic habit, I have been eating and eating and eating and eating again.  So now, I have to get my head on straight about seriously dieting – oh yuck!

easter bonnet

Easter Bonnet (Photo credit: starsantiques)

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Tuscan Chicken – I Did It My Way

March 18, 2012 by pbenjay

This morning on CBS News , I happened to hear Tony Tantillo describe a dish I think he called Tuscan chicken.  I was interested but not paying full attention because I assumed I could get on their website.  WRONG!  For some reason today’s recipe is not on the site.  I tried to remember everything he said and found a similar recipe for Tuscan Chicken which would serve as the basis for this dish.

At trip to Fairway Market to get a few ingredients and I was ready to create this dish for dinner tonight.  Here’s what I did:

1 whole roasted chicken

2 oz olive oil

3-4 cloves of garlic sliced

4-5 small Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced

1 can of cannelini beans

1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)

1 med. can of diced tomatoes or 1 fresh tomato

3/4 cup chicken broth (or more if needed)

1/2 to 3/4 # of fettucine rigate

2=3 fresh sage leaves

pinch of red pepper flakes

fresh parsley

grated Italian cheese (I use whatever I have; Pecorino, Romano, Parmesan)

Large skillet or braising pan

Heat the olive oil, add the garlic and cook on MED for about 2 min.  Add the potatoes and cook another 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.   Add 1/4 cup of chicken broth.  Cook for a couple minutes.  Add the pieces of roasted chicken to the pan,and 1/4 cup of chicken broth.  Cook till liquid is slightly reduced.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.

Puree the beans, using their own liquid.  Add a few drops of olive oil to puree and  1/4 cup chicken broth and/or white wine.  This is where you need to judge for yourself whether the puree is too thick – it will be the sauce for the pasta.

Add the bean puree to the pan, cover and cook for about 3-4 minutes till all is heated through.  Add sage leaves .

I put the cooked pasta in the bottom of a large flat-bottomed bowl, removed the chicken from the pan, and poured 3/4 of the sauce over the fettucine.  Place the roasted chicken pieces on top of the pasta, pour the remainder of the bean puree over the chicken and add diced tomatoes across the top.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and red pepper flakes.

Tuscan chicken, cannelini beans, Yukon potatoes, diced tomatoes

Tuscan Chicken

Posted in Everyday Food, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Erin Go Braugh

March 18, 2012 by pbenjay

parade

It’s a grand day to be Irish for sure…however, if you live in New York City like I do, then even if you’re not Irish, it’s grand day after all.  The sun is shining, the City is full of green-clad, shamrock-adorned folks.  Kids are wearing Irish cable knit sweaters and green deely-boppers on their heads. Kilts in every tartan you can imagine, politicians sporting green carnation boutineers and tams.  The air has been filled all day with the wailing mournful sound of the bagpipes.

We went to the parade early today and took Finley with us.  She enjoyed hanging onto the barricade at curbside and watched as bagpipers, horn-blowers and drummers marched by.  The flags were flying, the bands marching, majorettes twirling and thousands of people walking up Fifth Avenue following the famous green center line.

It was the perfect day for a parade, not too hot, not too cold and not raining  as it has in some past years.  However, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would hear the familiar “I have to pee”.  If you’ve been to a parade with a child, you know it’s inevitable and if you’re on Fifth Avenue in the middle of Manhattan, you know it’s impossible!

I gathered her up and we pushed our way through the crowds to get to a side street.  We were in the East mid-60’s so I figured if we got to Madison, perhaps I would find a restaurant or store where she could use the rest room.  As we were rushing past stores and shops, I was telling Finley, “no, not this one, no we can’t go in there, no bathroom”.   With that inimitable wisdom of a three and a half year old, Finley said, “Why not, every place has a bathroom”. As they say, out of the mouths of babes!  After a two block hike with little Finny repeating her needs to me in a plaintive voice, I spied Bar Italia and walked in and said to the hostess at the door that I needed to take her (Finley) to the bathroom.  She looked at me and smiled and said, “I’m sorry, the rest rooms are only for our customers”.  I was furious!  I looked at her and said in a loud voice, “That’s ridiculous and it’s illegal” and swept past her carrying Finley and walked right through the entire restaurant to the back, asked a bus boy where the ladies room was and carried Finny in.   I noticed someone had left a Dior compact on the vanity so on my way out, for a final coup de grace,  I slapped the compact down on the counter in front of her and muttered, “someone left this in your ladies room” and stormed out.

Boy did that feel good!  By the way, I don’t know whether it’s legal or not to restrict the use of a bathroom in a public restaurant and I certainly understand that  restaurants don’t want derelicts or homeless people coming in to use the facilities;  However, I’m a woman of a certain age carrying a toddler, really what horrible things  might we have done in that bathroom?

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“Make New Friends. Keep The Old…

March 15, 2012 by pbenjay

One is Silver and the other is Gold.”

Two nights ago the Empire State Building was lit totally in green to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America!  Some things you just never forget and I always remember that Girl Scout saying about silver and gold friends.

Tonight I had dinner with a Gold friend, Janet.  We worked together when we both lived in Connecticut and we played together when we were both divorced moms with young pre-teen girls!  Tonight was a night of reliving fond memories, catching up on spouses, kids and grandkids.  There’s song that New Found Glory recorded; Right Where We Left Off and dinner tonight with my old friend was just like that!

This blog is a virtual hug for you, Janet and also a big Thank You to Murray, Pbenjay’s staff photographer.  Now what does one have to do with other?  Tonight Janet asked me, “Who is Murray?” After I explained our relationship grown out of a life-long friendship between Murray and my husband, Janet exclaimed and extolled the merits of Murray’s photos!  Well you don’t have to convince me, that’s for sure.  She mentioned that through his beautiful, artistic, striking and personal photos of New York City, she feels like she lives here (which is about 3,000 miles away from where she resides).

So this one’s for you Janet through the lens of Murray’s camera.

Girl Scouts, 100th anniversary, Manhattan, NYC

Celebrating Girl Scouts of America 100th Anniversary

Central Park, March 2012

Pink Blossoms-Manhattan in March

Central Park, New York city, volley ball
Central Park, stone bridge, two ducks, mallard, New York City

Strolling Ducks in the Park

Red tractor trailer truck,

This is Manhattan in March

Red tail hawk

Yes, A Hawk in Manhattan

AAll photos courtesy of Murray Head

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Posted in BY THE WAY, Friends, New York Speaks, Only in New York | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Little Shavers with Noses Out of Joint

March 14, 2012 by pbenjay

Turner Classic Movies logo

The ONLY Channel

OBSCURE ORIGINS OF COMMON AND NOT SO COMMON PHRASES

Where do out of date, out of fashion phrases and old sayings go?  Why, they end up in Pbenjay’s blog!  How I happen to pick one to research its origin is often a function of watching an old movie.  Those of you who really know me, know that the other adult (male)in the house has control of the remote and although we have 400 channels, he only wants to watch whatever movie is on TCM.  So every now and then I hear a phrase that I heard growing up (and had forgotten).

Little Shaver – Refers to a young child or baby.  The origin is unknown, however this was a popular term used right up through the early ’50’s.  Usually the “little shaver” was a young boy and the term means he’s a little “chip” or “shaving” , as in “off the old block”. The Old Block being the parents.  Nice to be thought of as a block of wood!

Nose out of joint – This dated saying is used to describe someone who is upset, possibly offended.  It’s origin is its use in a book  by Barnaby Rich, who wrote His Farewell to Militarie Profession in 1581.  The line is: “It could bee no other then his owne manne, that has thrust his nose so farre out of ioynte.”  I never really thought of my nose as having a joint.  If it does, could you get arthritis in your nose?  MMmmmm…..


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2 Cats and 2 Sock Monkeys Just Hangin’ Out

March 13, 2012 by pbenjay

Sometimes it’s just fun to hang out with your friends…Nicky drops by the guest room to visit with Quilty Cat and Sam and Serena Sock Monkey.  From the looks on everybody’s faces, a good time was had by all!

Nick, cat, vintage sock monkeys, quilted cat

"A Good Time Was Had By All"

Posted in BY THE WAY, Ha-P 2 B in OG, Nick & Nora and Flora & Fauna | Tagged , , | 4 Comments »

Leaping Leopards -L’Odyssee de Cartier

March 11, 2012 by pbenjay

SURREAL may be an understatement for this exquisite commercial!  Can you imagine using that adjective to describe a TV ad?  I can hardly believe I’m writing a blog about it, but I am. 

Cartier has produced a spectacular commercial aptly titled L’Odyssée de Cartier.  Their signature leopard leads the viewer through the evolution of the brand.  Amazingly clever, beautifully executed and besides the captivating images, the soundtrack is an absolutely perfect complement to the film. 

I first saw L’Odyssée as a Youtube video and I’ve embedded that link for your viewing pleasure!  Cartier is running an abbreviated version on a couple of major network shows, but it’s nothing compared to the original. You won’t believe the beauty, the cinematography, the music, the woman, the dress!! And we thought Budweiser made clever Super Bowl ads – yeah right!

I was very disappointed when I saw it on TV.  It was like seeing a movie adapted from a book with half the chapters left out.  See for yourself!

L’Odyssée de Cartier

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

You KNOW It’s Spring WHEN…

March 10, 2012 by pbenjay

Robin redbreast

Ms. Robin Redbreast makes her season debut

turtle, Central Park pond

A turtle comes out to sun himself

3 Mallards, two lovers

Feathered and footed friends gather in the Park

You come across a field of purple crocuses

You come across a field of purple crocuses

The Forsythia starts to bud

Lunch time lovers kiss

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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Where in the World is Pbenjay?

March 9, 2012 by pbenjay

NO word from me for the last six days! What’s going on? Lots and nothing which all adds up to some random ramblings from the insane asylum of my mind:

Let me first go on record about my ridiculous computer – this laptop should be in the trash!  I am slowly being driven crazy by the constant Error Script messages, the slow as molasses reaction time and the worst of  all, is  the incessant freezing up.  It must have a virus because it’s making me sick.

So I have been avoiding trying to do much of anything on it.  Spent some time on Consumer Reports looking at their recommendations for purchasing  a new computer  – none of which I can afford right now!

Francesca has strep throat and the poor baby only wants to be comforted by her Mommy.  Why should she be different than all of the rest of us?  Chiara has been running to the doctor’s, dealing with Finley and the Nanny had to go home early yesterday.  I’ll be back in the City on Sunday and will help out with the girls

The sun suffered from a couple of storms and the activity caused some unbelievable displays of the Northern Lights.  I looked at the photos and I’m at the point where it makes me sad to do so.  I REALLY REALLY want to see the Aurora in person.  Every time I look into how to go, when to go, it always amounts to more money than I can manage.  I’m getting old, soon to be an official senior and I WANT to see the Aurora Borealis!

I’ve been trying to stock-up the larder at the tea room because I can’t stand all the shopping that is necessary for the menu.  I hope to deal with that issue in a month or two.

We were invited to our friend, Michele’s house this evening to have drinks and homemade foccacia and it was SO GOOD.  It was lovely visiting with Michele and Peter and their home is delightfully comfortable.  Should I mention that I had to drive home?  I’ll bet you can figure out why – I hope he has a brutal hangover tomorrow.

It’s been a busy week of restoration around here.  Peter retrieved some valuable pieces he had in storage and has been stripping, cleaning, varnishing, inspecting, and refurbishing the items for resale.  He’s been doing a bang-up job and I am upset with myself for forgetting to take the Before photo before he started the refinishing of a certain fireplace mantle.  It looks terrific!

Oh, I made scones this week; first time I ever made them all by myself.  I made 41 and thought I would have enough to get through the month…but NO, so today I made 14 more and once again after consulting the calendar, I’m still short…but I’m getting better at whipping them up.

Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska — The Aurora Bo...

Aurora Borealis

This is so boring, I should at least end it now!  Ok dear readers good night!

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