We tell a lot of jokes at dinner. Most of them are made up by our children and therefore totally dumb and don't make any sense. Every once in a while, E or L will repeat a joke they read in a book that is actually kind of funny. But tonight:
L: Why did the chicken cross the road?
The rest of us: [wait expectantly for the answer]
L: Because he wanted to mate with the hen!
Me and A: [make eye contact and then quickly look away while attempting to control our laughter]
A few minutes later, E asks me, "Why is your face so red?"
C chose Christmas music for the car the other day and the next thing I know, L is asking, "What's a virgin?" I have plans to read this book with them on Thanksgiving vacation and it obviously can't come a moment too soon!
I made this Pork and Lentil soup for dinner tonight and it turned out as more of a stew. E ate FOUR helpings and asked if she could have it for breakfast tomorrow. A and I liked it a lot, L ate her helping without complaint, and C ate a bit, but concentrated more on her salad.
I made it in the crockpot because I think lentils ALWAYS need more time than the recipes say. I guess I like them on the mushy side. I didn't brown anything, so I didn't use the oil, and I threw everything but the pork into my crockpot and then stirred it well. I nestled the boneless pork chops in there and set it on low for six hours. I checked the pork then and it wasn't easy to shred with a fork, so I put it back in and went to pick up E and L and go to karate. Two hours later, it shredded easily with a fork. I left out the chili flakes (because I don't have any) and ginger (don't care for it). Very, very good! This will be a great winter crockpot meal.
A hint about red pepper flakes (if you actually ever WANT to use them)...ask for some extras next time you get pizza. The little packets are usually a 1/2 teaspoon. I never buy it anymore since recipes call for so little it always goes stale.
Posted by: Beth | October 26, 2011 at 05:50 PM