A Funny from David

This is from my brother. It's a label on a toy bought from a Japanese store in CA. These are always pretty funny! See below if you cannot read it.

-- Be attention to avoid child eating.
-- For security, don't use damaged or transformed goods.
-- Do not use for other purpose.
-- Dispose of properly if you want.

And here are a few more I dug up from an email he sent once (also from a toy from the Japanese store):

1. Keep in dried places after clean it well.
2. Don't wind up too much, it causes broken.
3. Please understanding the natural wood likely to have the status of distortion, cracks, rot, rust, and other phenomena if the wood with water and wet.

LOL!

Taco Casserole

Mom made this for dinner at their house last weekend. It was so quick and easy, and good too.

I think this would also be real good inside hard taco shells, although a little less healthy.

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (recipe called for Taco Bell brand)
1 box macaroni and cheese dinner (Kraft, etc.)
1 cup mild salsa (recipe called for Taco Bell brand)

Cook ground beef with taco seasoning. Prepare mac and cheese dinner according to box directions. In an 8 x 8 baking dish, layer meat, mac and cheese, and salsa. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Hearty Bean and Pasta Soup

This is from my "Cooking for Less: Pasta" cookbook. It happens to have many non-meat recipes, probably since it's geared towards recipes that cost less. The meatless recipes naturally attracted me. Mary liked the cookbook too, and bought the same one a few weeks ago while in Toledo. :) Do you mind me talking about your goings-on in my blog, Mare?

Next time I will double the beans (I love beans) and double the balsamic vinegar. Love that stuff too, and this recipe was an excuse to buy a bottle. That was partly why I chose it!

Less spinach would be fine too. I used only a 10 oz bag, not a pound, and it was plenty. Maybe Popeye wouldn't agree.

I had never bought marinara sauce before. Asked Mary about it and she mentioned the brand Newman's Own. That is what I ended up picking up, since it was right in front of me and I had no opinion/favorite. I got Newman's Own Cabernet Marinara and the slight wine flavor seemed to work out great! I loved this soup.

PS -- I still plan to get my mitts on a digital camera soon so pics can be included with these postings!

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups water
2 cans, about 14 oz each, chicken broth
1 jar, 26 oz, marinara sauce
1 can (about 15 oz) Great Northern or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 lb spinach, stemmed and chopped (see note above about using less)
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is tender.

3. Stir in water, broth, marinara sauce and beans; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in spinach, vinegar, and pasta; cook 5 minutes.

4. Ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Lull in the Cooking Action

Well, I haven't cooked in a few weeks. There have been good reasons though. Mary came to visit a couple weekends ago. We had so much fun. Here are some things we did, in about the right order: Picked up Schlotzkey's, watched college b-ball, ate at Grape Leaf Diner, shopped at Libbey Outlet and Barnes and Noble, ate at Abuelo's, poked around at Meijer and got wine, drank wine while watching more college b-ball (hey it was tournament time, why not?), lunch at my house, Bed Bath and Beyond, picked up Subway. It was a fun time!

I am picking out the next recipe out of a recently-acquired pasta cookbook bought from B and N after a rehearsal. Mary liked the cookbook and bought the same one during our B and N visit. Now we have a couple of the same cookbooks. :)

Soon I plan to get a digital camera. I'll be spicing up this blog with some pics. Much more entertaining to look at.