Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Snow and Birds, School,

We have had yet another big dollop of snow overnight and it is still snowing off and on today. The temps are supposed to drop to 25°C tonight, so not the best weather to be out and about. On the TV this morning they were talking about how to avoid frost bite and how to recognise it when you got it. Not something you want to risk. A comment from our son-in-law made me think about Scott of the Antarctic as he used to be known in the UK. He and his fellow explorers certainly knew what frostbite was all about. He was a hero when I was a child and growing up, but according to the Wikipedia Article I just read his hero status was later called into question. I remember having a lecture at school by some of his team members who survived the expedition. I must have been around 9 at the time. Yes a loooooong time ago. Talking of school lectures, I also remember some falconers coming to talk to us and I had the opportunity of holding an eagle on my arm. Obviously they gloved me and helped hold my arm up, this bird was extremely heavy. I am pretty sure it was a Golden Eagle I held, but at this point in time I cannot be certain. Being so young I could well have got it wrong. I know they had several birds with them and I was disappointed not to hold one of the others which looked prettier to me. Both of these lectures took place at Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk which I have talked about on this blog before. It was a converted stately home and is still a school today. Princess Di was there for a while too. Somewhat after my time of course. I think it was probably the only time in my childhood when I used to climb trees. We used to have meeting places there and formed clubs and things. You know how kids are. The grounds were absolutely beautiful although I didn't appreciate that at the time. These days the school has become or is becoming co-ed. Who'da thunk it!!! I think some of the teachers who were there when I was would turn in their graves, if that's where they are these days. I remember three of them, the headmistress, Miss Ridsdale, Nurse Luhrs and Miss Martin who was the music teacher - not sure she wasn't my house mistress too. The one I liked best was Miss Ridsdale who was a very young woman (not to me of course) and full of life. My parents used to socialise with her when they came up to visit me. I was thinking a chocolate recipe would be a good idea as I haven't talked chocolate in a long time. I went to Hershey's website to see what they had to offer and came across a chocolate chili. This sounds delicious to me and I will be trying it forthwith. Chili con Cocoa Ingredients: * 1/4 cup canola oil * 1-1/2 cups chopped yellow onion * 2 lbs. ground turkey * 2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa * 2 tablespoons chili powder * 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper * 3/4 teaspoon salt * 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 7 cups canned whole tomatoes, undrained, unsalted * 1-1/3 cups tomato paste, unsalted * 1 cup water * 3 oz. HERSHEY'S EXTRA DARK Dark Chocolate * 3 cups dark red kidney beans, undrained Directions: 1. Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan; add onion. Cook, stirring frequently, 3 minutes or until tender. Add meat, cook until brown. Drain. 2. Stir in cocoa, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, allspice, cinnamon, tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste and water; heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Add chocolate pieces and beans; simmer 30 minutes. 3. Ladle chili (about 1 cup) into bowl; garnish as desired. 14 servings. Have a great day.

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