Saturday, August 23, 2008

Sunday Dinner, August 24, 2008

It's after 9 pm Central time and I've already decided on the menu for my Sunday Dinner this week. I had to put a little more forethought into it this week because Lamar and I went with my sister Cecil and some more of the family to Jonesboro for supper tonight, so I had to do some of my preparations before we left, then pick up where I left off when I got home.

Now, my menu: Homemade chicken and rice, garden fresh purple hull peas, and since I have an abundance of garden fresh okra and homegrown tomatoes, homemade stewed okra and tomatoes. I'll probably make some homemade buttermilk cornbread to round out the meal.

The chicken is stewing as I type this and as soon as I get this published I'll go make my okra and tomatoes. When the chicken gets done I'll take it out of the broth to cool, then pick the meat off the bones when it's cool enough to handle.

I'll refrigerate the broth, chicken and the okra and tomatoes overnight, then when I get home from church tomorrow afternoon I'll heat the broth, then cook my rice in the broth. I'll stir the chicken into the rice about 5 minutes before it's done so that the chicken has time to get hot and the flavors can blend. I'll also simmer the okra and tomatoes for a little while.

The peas are frozen so I'll put them on to cook when I get home from church and they should get done about the same time as the rest of dinner.

What's on the menu at your place for Sunday Dinner? Going out to eat? Goin' to Grandma's house? Share your menu/plans in the comments if you'd like to participate this week.Some of you have asked about purple hull peas when I've mentioned them here on my Sunday Dinner posts. Here's a couple of pictures of them.

On the left is a picture of the fresh peas still in the hulls. As the peas mature the green pods with a purple tinge turn to a deeper purple shade.

I'm not making this up: some people make purple pea hull jelly. I've seen it and it makes a beautiful purple-tinted jelly.

Notice I said, "seen it", not "tasted it". Just sounds icky to me, but it might be good stuff. I'll probably never know.

On the right are some shelled peas in the pot, just about to come to a boil. As they cook they turn sort of a khaki or tan color.

Sometimes I cook them with a bit of bacon, smoked ham hocks or ham, most times I just simmer them about 30 minutes, season them with some salt and bacon grease or oil and call it good.

If you cook the bacon, ham or ham hocks with the peas you have to precook the meat until it's almost tender before you add the peas. Since the peas only take about 30 minutes to cook if you put the peas in with the meat at the beginning, by the time the meat gets done the peas would be mush.
For those who may have missed it on my last post, I finally got MY RECIPE FOR MEXICAN CORNBREAD posted on MY RECIPE BLOG.

CLICK HERE or on the picture or on the bold purple links to go to the recipe.

If you decide to try this recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.Cecil's hubby B. was gracious enough to invite us all out to supper at a local Japanese/Thai steakhouse, the kind where they put on a show with their knives and spatulas and flames, all that jazz.

I took the picture there to the left while the chef was preparing our veggies, salmon, chicken breast, shrimp and scallops. He did the steaks last.

B. is job training in a town about 2 hours away and won't even be able to be with us. He is paying for the whole gang's supper tonight and he won't even be able to be there with us. I'm sad that he can't join us, and we'll toast him with Dr*Pepper and iced tea as we eat our supper, I'm sure.

Emmy was fascinated by the whole show, but she was in awe when the chef flamed the oil. She was hilarious, and so much fun to watch. She put on a better show than the chef, but I could be a just a teeny bit biased.

There were 9 of us in all: Cecil, Jessica, Jason and Emmy, Lamar and I, my sisters Susie and Ducky, and Ducky's granddaughter, Genna.

If you happen to read this, THANK YOU, B. for paying for our supper tonight! I got the steak and shrimp and it was delicious! :o)

Here's some more pictures from various times during our evening out.Jessica was gussied up to go to a wedding as soon as she left the restaurant. I thought she looked really nice tonight.

I didn't notice until I got home and downloaded these pictures that there's a lovely brush pile behind Jessica, me and Emmy in some of these photos. Just more proof that none of us are professional photographers I suppose.As I mentioned earlier in this post, it's nearly 9:30 pm and I still have to make stewed okra and tomatoes for Sunday Dinner, so I'm going to get this posted and get after it.

I pray God will meet all your needs, and may you have enough to share.

Y'all have a blessed Sunday.

27 comments:

Dawn said...

I can't believe I'm so far behind this week! I've missed two of everybody's posts, it seems.

Tomorrow's dinner sounds delish - and your weather sounds wonderful - we've been having a cool wave, too, and I LOVE it!

The Japanese restaurant experience is always such fun - glad Emmy had such a good time. LOVE the pictures of her with the beans all over her face. What a hoot!

Have a wonderful Sunday. We're just having meat loaf, corn on the cob, fresh green beans - that's about it. Nothing nearly as labor intensive as yours.

Mary said...

Diane,

Your Sunday dinner sounds delicious. The buttermilk cornbread sound great. I used to make all kinds of breads and biscuits but haven't done so in years.

The outing looks like it was a lot of fun. Too bad B. couldn't have been there to enjoy it with you, but wasn't it wonderful that he paid for everyone to get together.

Emmy is growing. I can't believe how she's changed.

Have a great Sunday, my friend.
Blessings,
Mary

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

bless Cecil's hubby B.
I think I would have been as fascinated as Emmy was

Jess looks nice I especially like her top and necklace/bracelet set

have a nice up coming week Diane

Jen

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, the Sunday dinner sounds good. I am going to try that cornbread as soon as I get some buttermilk. I think I will be cooking a chicken in the crockpot for dinner tomorrow. I need to get it out of the freezer and let it thaw. Not sure what I'll cook with it but it will be good.

TF has gone to bed, Bonnie is out at the movies with a friend and I am up studing for a talk I am giving at church tomorrow. I need to go turn that TV off so I can concentrate.

Bonnie and JJ start school again on Monday and I have been busy buying "lunch" stuff at the stores. Bonnie, likes applesauce, pudding, fruit in the cups and peanut butter and jelly. JJ is glad that school is starting again and he can't wait for Monday morning.....He will be in the second grade and he is totally ready......lol Have a great week and give Miss Emily a kiss for me. Email me with the results of your test....

Hootin Anni said...

First off Diane....I JUST LOVE the very last photo you shared. That is just priceless!!!

And the Japanese evening out looks like a lot of fun. I'll have some of that iced tea y'all had too.

Your comment about "seen it" on the purple hull pea jelly reminds me of the jelly they make from saguaro cactus [the huge cactus with arms you see in westerns] fruit. It looks really pretty and tasty, but the whole concept of eating cactus doesn't appeal to me at all. So, I can 'feel' what you mean by your statement.

Our Sundays consist of two meals only...always we go out for Sunday Brunch, and usually it's at Golden Corral. They have everything under the sun from fresh fruit and juices of all kinds to even a dessert cart! But then, I cook for Sunday Dinner which for us it's the evening meal. [My mom always called the midday meal dinner too, and the evening meal supper as you do!]

Anyway, I plan on having Cajun Kippered salmon with waffle potatoes and cole slaw with biscuits. And dessert...just Snickers and milk about 9PM then.

Have a glorious Sunday!!!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! Brush pile and all! LOL!

I'd love to have some of that cornbread, but all that talk about ham hocks made me slightly nervous...

Anonymous said...

Great pictures, your meals always make me hungry!
Diane

Dick said...

You have given me an idea as to where to go for our Sunday dinner. There is a Japanese restaurant that is fairly new & we have heard good things about nearby. Maybe today we will try it out. Pat had some dental work done at weeks end & her gums are a bit tender so it will depend if she thinks she is up to it or not.

You were right on the B&W photo. I thought some might think it was the closeup but if you look closely at it you can see a bit of yellow to their beaks.

Susie said...

Hi Diane,
Sounds like a fun evening and delicious food at the Japanese restaurant. I enjoyed reading about your stewed okra and tomatoes. I've never thought of fixing it that way.
I've seen the purple beans at the produce stand, but have never tried them. Our Sunday dinner is at C's. I'm not sure what's on the menu, but I know it will be good. She's turned into a real good cook!
Have a great week..
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Your chicken looks and sounds divine - one can almost smell and taste it - my mouth is watering of course.

Great to see you had such a great time - Good to see Jessica too (we've been blog friends now too you know :-)

Btw: We had macaroni and cheese today - not typical Norwegian, but I'm married to an American you know.

Love and hugs and have a great week ahead!

someone else said...

Hi Diane! I was stopping by for my picture-of-Emmy fix and was not disappointed. I love that last picture of the two of you.

Mountain Mama said...

What a lovely time you all had. And it really was sweet of your B.I.L to pay for it. He must be a darling.
Your pictures are precious. Emmy is as cute as can be and yes, Jessica does look especially nice. Aren't we blessed to have such beautiful kids?
Thanks for posting your Mexican Cornbread recipe. I definitely want to try that.
I just ate Chicken Veggie soup and have a loaf of bread baking in the bread machine. I hope it tastes as good as it smells!
Bless you Diane.

Brenda said...

What I had for Sunday dinner...hmmmm...I wish I could've been at your place for dinner! But, alas, we settled for leftovers. At least it was quick to put together.
Jess' dress is very cute and becoming on her! You have 2 cute chicks there, Diane!
Have a great week.
Brenda :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sister Friend

I have been reading all along just not posting much lately :(

I love your new pics andI know you havent been feeling great lately but your looking great Diane , and Jessica looks so wonderful in her dress, so pretty !
Please give Emmy Truck loads of candy kisses, hugs and love from me ,Miss the lovin!;-)

So how sweet are ya lately?? email me when you get the chance , I am thinkin about you , hope to catch you soon .
BSH love too ,
miss G

Girl Raised in the South said...

Hello Diane, Well we had a big birthday celebration for a two year old and his 29 year old Daddy, so we had pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, baked beans, fruit salad, and then birthday cake and ice cream to finish it off. Great fun was had by all. I always love reading about all the fresh vegetables you cook up this time of year - reminds me of eating at my grandmother's when I was a little girl. Hope you have a great week out there. xoxo

MightyMom said...

yummy! and Jess does look lovely, and you look like you've lost weight in your face darlin.

Betty said...

Hi Diane,

I like everything you served for dinner today. Yummy, yummy. It was nice of B. to buy everyone's dinner. And those places are expensive. I can see Emmy putting on a better show than the chef, ha, ha! She looks real excited in that one picture of you all sitting at the table.

I baked a smoked picnic ham today for us to have and served up green beans and corn on the cob. Doesn't take much as it is only the two of us to eat.

Have a wonderful week, Diane.

Aunt Jenny said...

Our Sunday dinner was Chicken breasts baked with italian dressing (a favorite of youngest daughter) and white rice, and tomatoes and cukes sliced fresh from the garden..and fresh yeast rolls. I really felt like cornbread, but everyone else wanted rolls. I was under the weather all day Saturday..some sort of flu I guess..and slept most all day..even missed going to the fair Saturday night with the rest of the family...but I am back to normal now and even taught my little sunday school class yesterday (3 and 4 year olds) of 7 kids. I always love to see what YOU have for Sunday dinner. You know, I have never had okra with tomatoes. The only way I ever fix okra (or anyone in my family ever did) was fried or pickled...I love okra either of those ways..will have to try it with tomatoes some time. It is nearly impossible to find fresh here though..bummer. I use the frozen for fried okra. I try growing it every year...this wasn't a good year ..didn't get any.

Sam said...

Hi Diane!

Great pictures! I love the last one of you and Emmy. So sweet! And the brush pile only adds to the ambiance! :-)

I love those restaurants where they cook the food right in front of you. They're so skilled with the utensils, it's mesmerizing. Glad you all had a good time!

Jess looks lovely all dressed up for the wedding!

Thanks for posting your recipe for bread and butter pickles. I'm definitely going to give them a try! YUM!!

I hope you're feeling okay these days!

Love,
Sammy

Barb said...

I've only been to a Japanese restaurant once, but it was fun and the food was wonderful. Rob can't even stand the smell of Oriental food, so that explains that.

Your dinner looks so good, Diane. I made meatloaf last night, and strawberry shortcake with my own homemade pound cake.

Hope you have a great new week!

Mim said...

Diane
Your food all sounds great.
Thanks for stopping by.. and yes when you rent... no worries about paying the bills. But you are right about the porch.
I will make sure and post before and after picture.
Hope you are feeling better!
Mim

Jess said...

First of all thank you and thanks to all who said I looked nice on Sat. night. Lunch was good..I'm behind on everyone's blogs....still....ugh.

Cecil said...

Hey... Missed the lunch yesterday but had to come on home.. by the time I got my pj's on, I was hurting pretty good.. I bet the okra and tomatoes was good. oh well, maybe next time or next year.. sigh... Talk to you tomorrow.. Head has been hurting again :( I'm hoping it doesn't get as bad as yest. or on Friday.. Toodles... Love, Cecil

Lib said...

Hi,
I'm trying to catch up on my visits.
We're getting much needed rain and lots of it.
Loved your pics. tha Emmy is so Precious!
Have a great wk!
L,H,B,Lib

Rachel said...

Diane, I'm sure your dinner was wonderful! I don't know as I've ever had those peas before. I'll bet they are yummy! I had company over the weekend. Sunday I had chicken salad and fresh tomatoes for my dinner, after the company had left.

I have always wanted to eat at one of those restaurants where they cook it in front of you but I never have. It sounds great. I'm sure Emmy did enjoy watching that!! She is so cute!

Hope you are having a great week!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy your Sunday dnner posts so much...actually, all your posts. Thanks for taking the time to explain about the purple hull peas. They sound interesting and I don't think we have them around here. I just made another quart of refrigerator pickles. Blessings...v from n. Idaho

Nancy said...

We have a Sho*guns here and also Kan*pai Tokyo, too. They are fun to watch, but I am just a plain ole meat and potatoes gal, so I don't care for the fancy foods. I've been just once and never went back. I love Outback Steakhouse, though...nothing fancy, just great steaks!

I said I wasn't going to comment on all the posts I've missed and here I am! LOL Hard to shut me up once I get started!

(((((( HUGS ))))))