Tan Tan Udon

The other day I really wanted to cook something with bok choy in it. So after searching the interweb, I came across this recipe that looked super good. 

Besides the bok choy it has udon noodles, which is another item I had been wanting to cook, sausage, sesame oil, and broth. 

Turns out, it was a winner! 

Everyone loved it and asked for seconds and thirds. We had to cut them off when they asked for fourths. Looks like there is only one serving left in the fridge. 

I'll have to distract them with something else when it's time to eat :)

Tan Tan Udon

adapted from taste with the eyes

1 lb all natural sausage (as spicy as you like it)

2 T sesame oil

1 t chili paste (i used a red curry paste)

1 T garlic, minced

1/2 c chives, chopped

32 oz chicken broth

1 c cream

1 c milk

udon noodles

bok choy

trim off the stalks from the bok choy and cut into ribbons. these will really cook down, so you will want a lot. I probably had about 5 cups cut up.

place in boiling water until tender (about 5 min).

drain and place in an ice water bath to shock. once cooled, drain again and set aside.

meanwhile, brown sausage and once cooked through add sesame oil, chili paste, garlic, and chives.

cook for one minute.

next add broth, cream, and milk. bring to a boil then simmer.

cook udon noodles according to package. everyone loves the noodles, so cook a lot!

now you are ready to assemble:

scoop some noodles into a bowl

add some bok choy on top

ladle the hot soup over and dig in!

Homeschooling - Year 1

 Well, as you may have noticed, I have had time to get back to posting on my blog and the reason is that our school year is done! Yeah! We survived our first year homeschooling! And let me say that God was so good to us this year in so many ways!

 First of all, He was good to us in moving us towards homeschooling last year. Our past school underwent some changes and caused us to look for other options which led us to discovering Classical Conversations which is a homeschooling co-op that meets once a week and uses classical education methods (more on that later). We have had a great year at our co-op. The families involved are all amazing and kind. The kids made many new friends. And the weekly classroom experience and accountability is what we needed especially during this transitional year for us.

Also, God was good in having us home school this year because next year Tony is going to seminary! We will be going through many changes this upcoming year - including leaving our current church :( - and it is nice to have a year of home school behind us and new friends made so something will be consistent for the kids this next year.

Another kindness God has given us this past year is to teach us about classical education. I had never heard of classical education before and I am still learning, but what I have experienced and seen in the kids this past year is truly amazing! The short version on classical education is that it is broken down into three stages of learning:

   1. grammar -  memorizing facts of each subject. The subjects we studied this year were U.S History, anatomy and chemistry for science, U.S. geography, English, Latin, math, Bible, art, and music.

   2. dialect - discovering how the facts relate. In this stage Evan studied english grammar, sentence diagramming, and writing. 

  3. rhetoric - applying the facts. here the students learn how to express their findings in clear, persuasive, eloquent ways to others.

For those interested in a more thorough explanation of classical education, I would recommend this article.

Finally, I am so thankful for all of the knowledge we have learned this year. And by we, I mean me as well! The kids truly are sponges at this age and not only learned, but retained so much information through classical education.  And I am enjoying re-learning along with them. Who knew sentence diagramming and Latin could be so fun?!

Thanks to all who prayed for us this year. Please continue to pray as we head into a new chapter of life next fall with all of us in school.

Loaded Chicken

So you know how there is loaded baked potatoes, right? 

Well, same idea here....just chicken!

Simply grill some chicken breasts and top them with whatever you want. 

I used cheese, bacon, and chives. But you could add tomatoes, peppers, etc.

A simple way to change up your chicken this week!

your mom wants soap for Mothers Day...

 ...and you should always obey your mother!

And don't forget about the lotion and lip balms.

Now go check out my etsy shop before your mom finds out!

Rice Pudding

I haven't made rice pudding in years....I guess I forgot about it. 

But, I had a craving the other day and this totally satisfied it!

It was even preferred over Dairy Queen ;)

Rice Pudding

1 c rice or brown rice*

1 c cream

1 c milk

1-15 oz can coconut milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 c sugar

2 t vanilla

cinnamon

Combine all ingredients except the vanilla and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil

lower to a simmer and stir occasionally until liquid is mostly absorbed (about 20 min)

remove from heat and stir in vanilla

garnish with cinnamon

tastes great warm or cold!

*cooking time will be longer with brown rice

Cold Pea Pods

 these are par-cooked pea pods that are seasoned with 

sesame seed oil and salt and pepper. 

that's it! 

very tasty. 

perfect for summertime!

 first you boil the pea pods until just tender...5-10 min. 

then shock them in ice water to stop the cooking.

 next, dry them on a towel and toss them with 2 tsp sesame oil and some salt and pepper.

yum!