Golabkis! (Cabbage Rolls)

Golabkis! These little rolls of goodness were the icon of my youth in a Polish family. I never made them on my own because, well, watching my mom and grand-mom struggle with wilted cabbage leaves just did not induce a deep desire to give it a go. Well, as it turns out, I should have shown them all. I am pretty sure I can attribute my mad golabki rolling skills to making far too many tedious Asian foods, but so be it. That is just how I roll. 

If you do give this recipe a try and find rolling slimy cabbage leaves not to be among your skill sets, there is a means to cheat. Layering the cabbage and meat mixture with tomato sauce into a crockpot serves the same flavor, without the presentation.

Cabbage Rolls

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 9 hours

3 lbs. ground beef

2 cups cooked rice

1 large head of cabbage

1 can condensed tomato sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Scald cabbage just enough to separate leaves. Remove leaves from head of cabbage gently, trying to keep whole. Set leaves on paper towels to cool. Prepare meat in a large bowl; add rice, salt and pepper; mix well. Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over meat. Place in Crock Pot. Pour tomato sauce over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

Nomday Max's Tacos

So, JD is off on the adventure of a lifetime to Upstate New York for a year! Thirteen and leaving the nest already. But, he did want one last Arizona specialty meal before jaunting off.

Tacos (Max Style)

2 tblsp Cumin

3 cloves garlic, crushed

½ cup water

2 lbs ground turkey or beef

Sour cream

Salsa

Lettuce

Tomato

Shredded cheese

Soft tortillas

Mix cumin and garlic in water while meat browns in skillet. Add season mixture to meat and simmer until cooked. Create your amazing taco!

Tovrea Castle Summer Hours

There was little time for a Castle related excursion this week due to holidays, pirates and writing adventures, but I cannot go without mentioning the change in tour hours and summer plans without feeling as though I am shirking my duties on this subject.

Tovrea Castle tours will not cease even in the summer heat! July through September Tovrea Cararro Society docents remind visitors to wear lightweight clothing, apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water on the outdoor tours but please do not let the desert heat keep you from experiencing this amazing site. In fact, the early bird 7:00 AM tour time might be an even better reason to schedule during the summer. What could be a more inspiring start to the day than a sunrise view of the spectacular castle and grounds? We dare you to have a bad day at work after that.

So, please, do not forget our humble castle this summer!

Tovrea Carraro Society
5025 East Van Buren Street
Phoenix Arizona

www.tovreacastletours.com/

602-256-3221

Nomday: Tomato Soup and Egg Salad

It is way too hot in Arizona for soup! But, some of us work in frigid office buildings. Soups are cheap to make and easy for the body to burn. They are also a great way to get some veggies when grabbing a bag of chips or a hot dog seems so much easier. And, if you are really not into soup, well there is always a simple sandwich.

Easy Tomato Soup

2 14 ounce cans crushed tomatoes

1 packet onion soup mix

½ cup beef broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and simmer, stirring frequently. This is just as great served cold after cooked.

Egg Salad

6 hard boil eggs

¼ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons deli mustard

¼ red onion chopped

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Peel and chop eggs. Blend all ingredients in a large bowl.