Buddy's Favorite Seafood Dinner

I had scallops in the freezer.  I had never before even eaten scallops - ever.  I had, therefore, never cooked them either.  I had them in my freezer for awhile.  They intimidated me, to be honest....  One night, I was feeling particularly creative, so after assessing the contents of fridge and pantry, I had an idea....

All I can say is that everyone had seconds, would have had thirds if gluttony was in vogue ;)

Buddy, aka Mr Picky, said he wants this for his birthday dinner.  THAT makes a mom feel good....

Best thing about it, it was S-I-M-P-L-E, and yet with the right sides, elegant enough to serve guests....

All I did was to make rice - 3 cups uncooked.  While cooking it, I added a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, about 2 pinches (maybe 10-15 threads) of saffron, and about 1/4 c fresh chives (might not add them until AFTER cooking next time, the color will look better then)

While the rice was cooking, I just put the scallops (thawed and rinsed) in a deep skillet with about 2T butter.  As the scallops cooked, they release water...  Once they looked cooked (more white, not opaque-think like cooking fish), I drained a lot of the water and put in just a tad of butter and browned them just a little (careful not to go too long, or they start to stick to the pan and not come out so pretty)

To serve:

Put rice in bowl on bottom.
Cover rice with FRESHLY grated romano cheese
Top with scaallops
Add another layer of FRESHLY grated romano cheese

Serve with asparagus or artichoke for a meal that is truly inspired!

Obedience Salad - and Ranch Dip

Right now we are living in a small hotel room while we await, with eager anticipation, the completion of our new domicile - that makes setting up the food to look pretty enough to photograph rather difficult...  So...

Ranch Dressing/Dip

1 c Mayo (REAL mayo, not the fake stuff!)
1/2 c sour cream (for a thinner, dressing-type consistency, use buttermilk)
1/2 t each: dried Chives, dried parsley, and dried dillweed
1/4 t each: garlic powder, onion podwer

Mix ingredients.  The longer they are chilled before serving, the more the flavors meld.

Obedience Salad

This salad is phenominal!!  There is something with the sunflower seed/cheddar combo, and the pretzel/ranch combo that is just a dance of pleasure on the tastebuds!

I do not really specify amounts for salads, generally.  The more salad you want to make, add more lettuce.  The flavors will work together in almost any amounts...

Romaine lettuce
Extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded or VERY small cubes)
craisins
sunflower seeds
protein (I usually use chicken breast)
Ranch dressing
Combine ingredients and eat.

If you are NOT eating gluten free- get pretzels - the thicker stick/log ones, and break them apart for croutons.  Trust me - it makes the salad.....   I REALLY need to find a gluten free equivalent.

Why I Love Confession

I love Confession.  Let me say that again, I LOVE CONFESSION!!!!

It isn't the act of telling all my faults to someone, like there is some intangible 'thing' in just talking about how sinful I am.  It is the knowledge that my sins are truly and completely forgiven, by Christ through His minister in apostolic succession.  And, most of all - It is the GRACE!  The beautiful, wonderful, immeasurable GRACE that God gives us through the Sacrament of Penance.  I am addicted to it.  When I get it, I feel amazing and I know it and I want to keep it and always feel like that.  When I lose it, (because hey, I am a sinful human with a willing spirit and a (very) weak flesh and mind)  I feel down and angry and prone to self-pity and irrationally negative emotions.  YUCK!

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1496 The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:
- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
- reconciliation with the Church;
- remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

THIS is why I LOVE the Sacrament.  I went to Confession this past weekend.  Got the ick out, and feel SO MUCH BETTER.  Since then, I have been to Mass and received Christ - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.  

Now I am ready for whatever lies ahead.  Here go I by the Grace of God.