May Your House Smell Like Home

Evelyn is in her swing napping after hanging out in the kitchen with mommy, watching me cook from her counter topped Bumbo

Jordan is showering, getting 'centered' before the big OU game...

Ruz & Yahknee is simmering on the stove, filling the house with the inviting scent of hearty buttered braised beef, rich tomato juice, and warm cinnamon- a combination that, for me, smells like home.

The Christmas lights are wrapped tightly around the trunk of our hundred year old Oak... fifteen feet of bark covered in tiny clear lights, seizing to look like individual strands...giving our Oak her one month of the year to really shine, illuminating our quaint little street. Peter Pan Street, at that!

Life Is Good!

Last time I posted, Evelyn was still inhabiting my belly.  So much has changed since then... 3 months since her birth I think I'm getting the hang of things around here... juggling my roles: wife, homemaker, case-manager, and my newest & most important role: 
Mommy.

Evelyn is sleeping through the night... 11 hours! She began sleeping 9 hours at 6 weeks! God was gracious in inserting the "sleeping chip" when He created my Evelyn... He knew that, for this mommy, sleep & sanity are synonymous... That doesn't mean we haven't had our sleepless nights.  We have!! But they have been few & far between.  

(Early nights of colic & adjusting to new formula)

After my sabbatical of adjustment, I think I'm back to blogging 
(don't hold me to it...)

It's good to be back!

But, for your sake I'll stop blabbing & give you what you really want... 

Pictures of our Evelyn.

Oh!  And the much coveted recipe for Ruz-n-Yahknee!!! 

May your House smell like Home!

 First Day Home

2 Weeks Old

One Month

First Bath

3 Weeks

4 Weeks

6 weeks

First Halloween

Clowin' Around at 8 Weeks

(No, there are not wigs to fit infants on any market! Hence, Evie's homemade wig!!)

10 Weeks

3 Months Old!!

3 Months Old

In the layette I wore at her age!! 

Ruz & Yaknee

A Lebanese favorite that never fails to bring a family together!!

The important ingredient of this recipe is the dash of cinnamon!

Interpreted: Ruz (rice)

Yakhnee (Meat & Okra topping for rice)

Serves 6

Ingredients 

Ruz:
4 cups Uncle Ben's Original Rice (not instant)
1/2 cup vermicelli, broken into small pieces (1/4")
8 cups water
1/2 stick butter

Yakhnee:
2 lbs. whole frozen okra
1 large onion, slivered
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (to taste)
2 crushed cloves garlic
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato juice
1 can tomato paste
1 large can whole tomatoes
2 lbs. cubed extra lean beef, cut into 1" squares
1/2 cup butter
salt & pepper to taste

Preparation

Yahknee:


Saute onions in butter in large (5 quart pot). Place cubed beef in with sauteed onions. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Put enough water in pot just to cover the meat.
Cover & place on med-high heat until meat is braised & tender (most of water will be evaporated)

Add garlic, tomato sauce, tomato juice, tomato paste, whole tomatoes, & cinnamon.

Let cook on low until juice is thickened.

The longer this simmers, the more rich the flavors become. 
15 minutes prior to serving, add okra.

Ruz:

melt butter in bottom of large pot.
Add vermicelli and stir constantly until crispy and browned.
Add rice & water.
Cover & cook on medium-high for 15 minutes until all the water is evaporated. (do not overcook)

To Serve: Spoon Yaknee mixture on a mound of Ruz


Enjoy!! xoxo