Saturday, September 20, 2008

My Wonderful Life

My life has not always been wonderful. But, that was my own doings. Thankfully, I have learned from my mistakes and right now I feel my life is pretty wonderful. No, it may not always be this way, but for now it is pretty good.

I have peace and contentment. While I may not have everything I want, I have everything I need and that is okay with me.

These are the halcyon days to bask in, to fling wide open the doors to your soul and drink in the vastness of beauty that is God. There is a freshness in my heart. A yearning for simplicity.

I have never been one to much care what anyone else thought of me, or of what I wore or of what I did. Who cares what anyone else thinks, they are not living my life, they are not in my same circumstances.

I know that this post is pretty random, just trying to get a few things out of my head!

As much as I love Chinese take-out, it is expensive. Last night we had family over for dinner. I made some sweet and sour pork (blushing here - from a mix), fried rice and this easy-peasy dish below.

Empress Beef
Serves 4-6

1/2 pound boneless sirloin steak (I think I used closer to a pound)
oil
1/4 pound fresh snow pea pods, trimmed (I used broccoli)
3 celery stalks, julieened
Fresh mushrooms, sliced - probably about half of an 8 ounce container - we like 'shrooms!
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 can water chestnuts
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
Hot cooked rice to serve

Slice steak in 1/4 inch strips. Pour oil in wok or heavy skillet. Heat. Add steak, stirfry for 5 minutes. Take steak out. Add veggies, stirfry until moderately tender, about 3-5 minutes. Combine water, soy sauce, cornstarch and sugar. Mix well. Remove veggies from pan. Pour cornstarch mixture into pan and whisk to deglaze the pan. Cook to thicken. Add beef and vegs back to pan, stir to coat with sauce.

I added some carrot, julieened and 1/2 can of bamboo shoots, julieened. I also added in 2 fat cloves of garlic, minced fine when I added the vegs.



My SIL could not believe how easy this was! It is even easier if you don't burn yourself like I did! I had the bowl with the beef and vegs behind my burner when making the sauce. Duh - it was getting hot! I grabbed it and ow, ow, ow, burned my thumb pretty good.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you! A new husband, a new house, and a new life filled with God. What more can a woman ask for?

This dish looks fabulous. I think my family would eat everything but the water chestnuts. Ironically the cildren would probably eat those, too, but Honey is not crazy about them.

I wish I was closer to you. I'd love to come help you shampoo your carpets and set your new house up.

Hugs and blessings!

Jan said...

Hope your thumb is okay!
Looks yummy Raquel!

Anonymous said...

Raquel, so happy you are in this wonderful time of your life! Such a breath of fresh air! The beef dish looks fab!

Anonymous said...

This dish looks like what I'm having for Sunday dinner tomorrow, Pepper Steak over rice, tossed salad, and strawberry pie. Wanna come?

I'm going to email you as soon as I have some time, this evening or tomorrow afternoon after church. Love your blog and I'm looking forward to trying some new recipes!

Love to you,
Ruth, PA

Linda said...

So glad you found the dress you wanted and at such a bargain too! You are right - Our God is an Awesome God! :)
Thank you for the recipe for the Empress Beef! I will have to try that! Looks scrumptious!
Linda

ikkinlala said...

This recipe looks great!

Marie Rayner said...

Raquel, you got it going girl! New home, new husband to be, and what a delish looking chinese meal!!!

Jan said...

You sound so happy, Raquel, that I am happy for you. A big hug coming your way.

I never much care what other people think of me either. I always find that they think what they want irrespective of what I say or do.

Your Empress Beef looks yumptious.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What a great attitude to have - it's a great way to start your next chapter in life!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

This looks wonderful too!!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding~ I'm sure it will be beautiful!