Kickin' it with the Broccoli Squash Casserole

The venerable Tribe Called Quest...


(initially I looked up, "It's Like Butter" but couldn't find a video...look it up. Dig the song. Eat some butter)

Everyone likes their casserole a certain way--and lord knows as a midwestern gal, I can make a casserole worth my weight in Velveeta. I also know that each casserole maker is extremely opinionated on 1. Level of cookedness for veg 2. Amount of cheese 3. Saucy vs. Not Saucy

So, mine is perfect. But chances are that if you didn't grow up with it, you wouldn't like it the way I make it. Dig? This is a little broccoli, squash, onion, butter, flour, milk, egg, and a whole lotta cheese. Can I kick it? Yes I can!

Rock and Roll, Sourdough and Christmas!

Making ornaments to trim the tree




This picture isn't that impressive--but I guarantee this is the absolute best loaf of sourdough I have ever made!






And though seemingly unrelated, vegetable stew and grilled cheese on sourdough is an excellent hangover cure ;)

almost the weekend!!

Well, things haven't changed too much...

Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread

It's that super, duper busy time of year. I've barely cooked at all the last two weeks--just made an enormous vat of stew for Tavo and a vat of chili for me and we've eaten off those. The first time I made this for Tavo, a few years ago, he was concerned about the use of fake meat...but he quickly got over worrying about that.

Here's some Red Hot Chili Peppers to get us in a chili eating mood.

Also--the quintessential cheddar corn bread (sans jalapeños--I forgot to buy them!)

Kroger's was out of the 'grillers' fake burger, so I got the fake sausage. Verdict? Honestly, I really enjoy this. I very, very rarely buy fake meat stuff--but in chili, it somehow just makes it for me. (and yes, there is chili splattered on the bag. Set the spatula on it)
Other than substituting fake meat--its my variation of the family recipe. We have one base chili recipe created by my grandmother, but everyone of us--Mom, Aunts, Sister and myself--we each make it slightly differently. AND my grandmother also told all of us that she made it slightly different than the recipe, herself. She wouldn't tell us what was different, though. She was very, very secretive about her recipes. So, I can't tell you what's in it either. Just know--it's mad delicious.

quick post from the CRAZY grocery

You can't catch Lini, she is way too fast

Remains of Detroit

Time Magazine Photo Essay of Detroit
Click above for hyperlink

Really neat photos--I lived on the east side and Cass Corridor area of Detroit for years. When I delivered newspapers on the Woodward ave route from downtown through Highland Park, I really got to know the city. This essay shows some places not too many people get to see.

Thanksgiving in Detroit

Arriving Wednesday night around midnight in Flint...and checking the news.
On Thanksgiving, post race, post dinner--hanging with Lini's best friends! Pat from high school and Em from college. They fell in love and have been together more than 10 years now.

(Notice my Detroit 10K Turkey Trot shirt--stylish!)
Cheers with my Aunt, Mom...
Pat, Em, Cousin, Sister
And cheers to the camera man, Tavo! (of course, he's taking my picture)

The whole gang
Em and Pat's twin sons, making crazy snowballs

and their daughter, who luckily doesn't have as good of aim as her brothers (..yet!)
Crab!

Butter!
Salad!
Roasted Veggies!



Oh no!! Let go of Tavo!
Chardonnay, Champagne, and Cabernet--the essential C's
(and Mom, Sister and I are all the type who throw ice in their wine)


Tavo prefers his beer snow chilled

Happy Thanksgiving