The ol' homestead

Good mornin' to you all. I have already been bread making this morning and while it was rising I thought I would do a little gathering in the garden. I picked a big bowl of tomatoes, a few cucumbers and some peppers. So glad the tomatoes are still makin', and looks like they are still puttin' on more too. I finally harvested my coriander seeds as I have almost put it off too long since they have gone to seed a while back. Now I just have to clean them and grind them, they sure smell aromatic. I love cilantro too though (coriander is cilantro that has gone to seed). I harvest as much cilantro as I can use fresh and then I dry the extra so that I have some dried when it is not making much. Here is some of my herbs just starting out...

I thought I would share with you my favorite spanish rice recipe just because I love it so much. Most the time I cook with brown rice because it is so much healthier than white but there are exceptions and this is one. Now I am kinda picky when it comes to spanish rice as I love a good flavorful one and I have been in a lot of mexican food places that their rice is just bland (and most the time, dry as well) Well, here is my recipe and it is guaranteed to be yummy! I love it so much that sometimes I put some in a salad for lunch or just put a huge decent sized scoop on a warm tortilla with sour cream...

 Mexican Rice

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth

Directions:

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden. While rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and cumin.

Stir in onions and cook until tender. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Note: I add about 1/2 cup diced tomatoes to this as well. 

One day several months ago my honey brought home a grand ol' stove in several pieces that was just sitting and falling apart. He put it all back together although it cannot actually be used to cook in (or I would have it in my kitchen right now) but it is a lovely piece on my porch.

Here is the stove -Isn't it grand?!