Wrapping Up The New Year

I forgot to throw the bucket of water out the door so that may be why I'm back to finish the discussion of New Year's traditions. 

We had a little crisis here in my neighborhood on New Year's Eve that had me off kilter for a couple of days but this week I did pull off a family tech night dinner* that went well.  I had kept the ham bone from Christmas in the freezer so I pulled it out and boiled it most of the morning.  Sometime after lunch, I took it out of the broth and pulled off all the meat.  There was quite a bit since I had tired of eating ham long before it was clean.  I let the pot cool until the fat gathered on top and I skimmed that off.  I had picked up a package of 15 bean soup mix which I planned to use without the flavor packet.  My broth was fantastic without help.  Having forgotten to soak the beans overnight, I followed the directions on the package for a Quick Soak Method.  Wash the beans and place them in 6 - 8 cups of water, bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.  Drain and rinse. 

Then it was time for the marriage.  I brought the broth to a low boil and added the ham and beans and let it simmer for about two hours.  Sometime toward the end of the cooking time I added a few twists from the Himalayan pink salt grinder and some freshly ground pepper.  Both were placed on the table for those who wanted more.  I served the soup in pottery bowls.  There were chopped tomatoes and chopped purple onions on the table for a garnish. 

The 'piece de resistance' was that I made cornbread for the first time in probably twenty years.  It isn't that I haven't had cornbread.  A local restaurant made good homemade cornbread and if I needed it I picked it up there.  They closed recently after fifty plus years.  So I must master the skill again. 

I started reading a book before Christmas which I abandoned after a few chapters but a description of a female character hit home with me.  She was considered, by her friends, as the consummate hostess of takeout.  I haven't entertained much in recent years but when I do I know where the best cakes and pies are, where to get a fabulous quiche, great southern barbecue, pot roast for twelve...it's a good list.  Toss together a salad and open a bottle of wine.

*Family tech night is something we will do once a month.  My daughter is a degreed nerd.  She spends her working days in front of a computer maintaining the inventory of a manufacturing plant in Asheville.  Her father chooses not to try and master the skills necessary to manage his own electronic devices and is in constant need of her help.  To ease tension between them with his demands and her lack of free time, we will get together specifically once a month for tech night.  Regular readers will remember that this is my ex-husband for almost twenty years. 

So, was there anything worth reading here?  Maybe the shortcut on the bean soak. 

How is it going with the your resolutions?  I read over mine last night and four out of seven were good. 

                                                         HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

                                                                    ~Sami