Grindstone Trek

It was Sunday morning and Al and I decided to take a hike to the marina at Little Grindstone Harbour.  The sky was grey and it was snowing but this also meant the temperature was mild. Al packed his knapsack with soup and 25 lb of weights.  No he is not crazy, he is trying to get in shape for our trek in Peru this coming April.  Since this would be my first big hike of the season I went without the extra weight.

The hike took us a total of three hours return down the gravel roads and footpaths through the forest.  Once we got to the Marina we took a few minutes to have hot Red Pepper Soup I had made a day earlier.  It was delicious!

 The lake is still open,  soon it will freeze over.  I can't wait because then we can snowshoe across to Hecla Island.

In my estimation, there is no better way to spend the day, especially when there is a cold beer and a hot tub waiting at the end.

Oh and don't forget the good food!

The wine is from our personal supply compliments of Al.  Let me assure you, after years of practice he makes excellent quality wines.

This soup is one of my favorites, so I will share the recipe.  It comes from a 1999 Winnipeg Hydro Home Economists pamphlet.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP

• 2 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 red peppers, roasted, seeded, cut into chunks
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice or gin
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

In large saucepan, melt butter.  Cook onion and garlic in butter until soft.  Add red peppers.  Cook 2-3 minutes.  Add broth.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover.  Simmer 15 - 20 minutes.  Add lemon juice,  In blender or food processor, (I used a hand blender), puree mixture until smooth.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

I had some mandarine oranges in the fridge that weren't that great so I decided to use them to make these muffins.  They turned out beautifully so here is the recipe from a 1980 Heartwarming Recipes Cookbook.

ORANGE BRAN MUFFINS

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups natural bran
• 2 tbsp. wheat germ (optional)
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp.  salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
•  1 - 2 oranges, quartered (peel included)  I used three mandarins since they are smaller than naval oranges
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup raisins or nuts (optional)

Combine dry ingredients (1-7)  in large bowl.  Add ingredients 8-11 to blender ( I use a food processor).  Blend well.  Then combine wet ingredients with dry.  Mix in 4 tbsp vegetable oil.  Add 1 cup raisins (and nuts if desired).  Bake 350 F 20-30 minutes.  Yield: 1 1/2 - 2 dozen.

Hope you enjoy trying these tried and true recipes.  Until next time, cheers.