Surviving Wednesday

[altivo]

To paraphrase Arthur Dent, "I just can't seem to get the hang of Wednesdays."

This one was no different. Too much to do, not enough time or energy to get it done. Work late, which I really, really hate. (I'd rather come in at 5 AM than work past 5:30 PM or so.)

Did finish the woven scarf, didn't get photos yet, but I will. Did barn chores and took Tess out for a while because Gary has classes all day on Weds. now. Dropped off a fleece at Toni's, around the corner, for pick-up by someone who wanted to buy it, since I was going to be at work. The buyer did show, paid, and took the fleece, which is good.

Went to work, dealt with various things, and as always when I have to work late, the day just seemed to drag on forever.

Explaining a bit about NaNoWriMo to an online friend who is thinking of trying it. Just one month more, folks. Sharpen up your word processor or whatever, it's almost upon us.

Got home, thought the kitchen smelled good but a bit odd. As if Gary had made sauerbraten or something, which is rather beyond the range of his usual culinary efforts. Turned out he had picked a recipe from my files for pork chops. He read it hurriedly, and used apple cider vinegar to steam the rice and the chops, rather than the sweet apple cider that was called for. The result was just fine though, and we're making a note to try it again with slight modification.

Comments

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

I dislike working late also. It's part of my shift pattern now though. I doubt they will get away with changing our contract without renumeration again though, so this is probably the last chnage for a while.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Most of my life I've been an early morning person. We seem to be rare, yet rather than take advantage of that it seems that everyone wants to force us into their own late-rising behaviors.

I should have been a baker or something. ;p

[flamekist.livejournal.com]

I'm among a small handful of early risers in my office. One of them gets in as early as 4:30am so he can have the afternoon off.

The sweet apple cider rice sounds good! Do you simply replace all the water with cider, or just add a small amount while steaming?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I'll give you the entire recipe when I get home. It's really good, and works with either pork or chicken.

Recipe

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Here's how it goes, from my step-mother Joan:

Joan's California Pork Chops

1 Tbsp. shortening
4-6 pork chops
1 c. uncooked long grain rice
3/4 c. raisins
3/4 c. sliced onion
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. water
1 c. sweet apple cider
1 firm tart apple (Spy, Cortland, Empire, Granny Smith, etc.)

Melt shortening in skillet. Add chops and brown both sides. Season to taste. Combine rice, raisins, onion, sugar, nutmeg, and salt, and place in the bottom of an oven safe dish. Mix water and cider, and heat to boiling, then pour over rice mixture. Place browned chops on top. Peel and slice apple and spread slices over the top of all. Cover with casserole lid or aluminum foil and bake about an hour at 350°F. Uncover for last 5 minutes to brown.

New variation: Increase water to 2 cups, brown sugar to 1/3 cup. Substitute 1/2 c. apple cider vinegar for the sweet cider. Good for when cider is out of season.

Old variation: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets for the pork chops.

Re: Recipe

[flamekist.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sounds really good! I can already tell this one is a keeper. I'll try it as-is the first time (probably tonight), but I have a feeling the raisins might have to go. I've never been a big fan of them.

Re: Recipe

[altivo.livejournal.com]

The raisins get plump and tasty. I wouldn't think of doing it without them, but you could try golden raisins instead. Or dried apricots, diced up, maybe.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Many an interesting receipe has been caused by mistakes :)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

And many a disaster, I'm sure. This one has possibilities though and we'll experiment with it a bit I think.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Well you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs :)