Captain's Log
Long time no see!
Memories of a Bridal Shower edition
My bridal shower was about (/exactly) ten days ago and I have to say: I was so honored to have so many amazing women present. Showers are such a strange thing, in a lot of ways... I can't help but wonder "What did I do to deserve all this praise and attention beyond saying yes to an incredible man?". Alas, as I sort my way through the wedding process, I am learning and appreciating the role that weddings and wedding-related events have in uniting families, in solidifying old (and new) relationships, and in expressing support for what we certainly feel is a strong and happy match just bursting with potential.
It's awesome (awe-some) to look around a room and imagine a similar lineup at Christmases and Thanksgivings and Birthdays and Reunions to come in five, ten, twenty years from now. So much love!
Which brings me back around to the blog: It turns out most of the shower attendees are readers of OBC (Okra's Book Club) and I can't wait to continually express my gratitude to them by using the gifts I was given for new posts. I am pretty sure I am not supposed to be using any wedding-related gifts before the wedding, so today's post will circle around a gift and only partially use a different one. The recipe? Slow-cooker Chicken Cacciatore, as adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes, by Phyllis Pellman Good. This mammajamma was a gift. I was also given a new slow-cooker, but that one will have to wait until after the wedding.
Here's the recipe, as printed in the book:
Low-Fat Chicken Cacciatore
- 2lbs uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1/2lb fresh mushrooms
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 12oz can low-sodium chopped tomatoes
- 6-oz can low-sodium tomato paste
- 12-oz can low-sodium tomato sauce
- 1/2tsp dried oregano
- 1/2tsp dried basil
- 1/2tsp garlic powder
- 1/2tsp salt
- 1/2tsp black pepper
And here are the directions, as printed in the book:
1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours.
3. Serve over rice or whole wheat pasta.
