How to stay warm on a blustery day

The snow had almost melted but the wind began to blow
Saturday night, Sunday night..no where did we go
It howled both nights,
The drifts! "What a sight"!
Five feet high!
Oh my my my!
The entrance blocked
Thank goodness the cupboards were stocked!
Today, the sun shining and everyone is dug out
Tomorrow, back to work, now that's a reason to pout!

How to stay warm on a blustery day

Suggestion 1: Make soup!

I used the recipe without measuring, used whatever steak we had, used egg noodles instead of fettuccine, veggie broth instead of beef and fresh ginger.

I sauteed the garlic, the orange rind and ginger in oil, then added the thin steak strips. When the steak strips were browned I added as much veggie broth as I wanted, then added fennel seeds, cinnamon and chili pepper. Dumped in some egg noodles, when the noodles were cooked I added the soy sauce, green onions and spinach. mmmm mmmm.

Beef and Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
1 tsp vegetable oil
12 oz top sirloin grilling steak
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp grated orange rind
1/4 tsp ground ginger
pinch cinnamon
pinch ground fennel
pinch hot pepper flakes
3 cups beef stock
2 tbsp soy sauce
4 oz fettuccine
4 cups spinach leaves
2 green onions

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat: brown beef, in batches, about 2 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate.
2. Add garlic, orange rind, ginger, cinnamon, fennel and hot pepper flakes; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute
3. Add stock, 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes. Skim off any foam. Stir in soy sauce.
4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until tender but firm, about 10 minutes. Drain
5. Divide fettuccine, beef and spinach among soup bowls. Add broth; sprinkle with onions.

Makes 4 servings.

Suggestion 2: Pretend it's summer!



Suggestion 3: Sit by the fire and read a book



Suggestion 4: Chili Hot Chocolate

The Mayans and the Aztecs mixed their hot chocolate with chilies. They knew a good thing when they tasted it.

Ingredients:
4 ounces Scharffen Berger 99% Unsweetened Chocolate, chopped
2 1/2 cups milk
1/3-1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground chili pepper

Directions:
1. Warm milk in a heavy saucepan until it is hot to the touch.
2. Add chopped chocolate and sugar, whisking until well blended.
3. Add cinnamon and chili powder, whisking thoroughly.
4. Heat thoroughly over low-medium heat without bringing to a boil and serve.

Makes about 5 servings.

Suggestion 5: cuddle and nap lots!