Vegetarian Hot Brown

Before going vegetarian, hot brown, made famous in Kentucky, by the The Brown Hotel in Louisville, was always an okay dish with me, but not to be listed among my favorites.  I had never thought that hot brown could possibly be vegetarian considering its main ingredients were ham, turkey, and bacon, but the vegetarian version is definitely one of my favorites.

A friend told me about a restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky, called Stella’s, and how the vegetarian hot brown was her favorite dish there.  So, I tried it.  It was great.  Therefore, as I usually do, I did my best to come up with my own version at home, down to making my own sprouts.  The hot brown pictured above is my own version.  It is always a little different depending on the veggies on hand.  The tomatoes in the picture came out of our garden.

Ingredients:

Various vegetables, chopped finely – Some good ones are squash, zucchini, broccoli, onions (the tops of green ones look pretty), red bell peppers, tomatoes.  I will stop here as these are my favorites, but use what you like.

Sprouts – optional, but they do had a health aspect to the dish, and personally I love sprouts on a variety of things.

Bread Slices – a good bread makes the difference

Oil

Mornay Sauce (recipe below)

You will find it on this site:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/mornay-sauce-recipe/index.html

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt
• Freshly ground white pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook, stirring constantly for 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the and whisk in the cheese. Serve hot

Note:  For my mornay sauce I use gruyere cheese, and I sometimes add more than called for.  My husband loves cheese.  Also, I grind mixed peppercorns, as I’ve never purchased just white.

Overall Directions

Saute chopped up veggies, except tomato, in high heat oil until tender.  I use safflower.  Use just enough oil to get the job done.  You could use a little water if you are trying to avoid oils.

While veggies are sauteing, make mornay sauce.  It doesn’t take long.  Next step, toast bread slices.  You could use either one or two per person.

Place toast on plates.  Spread veggies over toast. Pour mornay sauce on top of that.  Top with chopped tomatoes and sprouts.  Salt to taste (sea salt).

This is the dish from Stella’s that inspired it.

Irises

Illustration from the story, The Mermaids, from the the book, The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries (A collection of Short Stories) by J. Schlenker
#mermaids  #art  #iPad art

Forest Bathing in my Own Backyard

For the last couple of days I’ve renewed my interest in our trails. There was a time when I was out there religiously. I remember how excited I was to get out there each day, especially in the beginning, when I was creating the trails. I raked a path. Then my husband would join me, cutting through brush and already fallen trees. Cutting down a tree was a no no. 

But, in the last several years my interest has wained. Why does that happen? I don't know. Well, partially, I know. I began writing. Writing required me to be on my butt for extended periods of time. Yet, my creativity flowed when I was out in nature--a catch 22. Eventually, my bad habit of laziness became more and more. 

I was listening to a podcast on Mysterious Universe. A woman had written a book called The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. I couldn't agree more with the title. The Japanese call it forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku. It’s healing to be out in nature, to walk along forest trails, to observe and become one with the earth.

I do believe what they say, “Location, location, location is true.”  My location is nature. And, I am out in nature. I have no excuses. It’s what truly inspires me and activates all of my senses.

On my walk I was greeted by this turtle. He or she peeked out for a picture. I always think of longevity when I see a turtle. A good sign for my first day back on the trail. The turtle also symbolizes determination and is slow and steady–all good things to consider if I’m to make a habit of daily walks and overcome my laziness.

One of my final rewards on my 1.7 mile walk or hike (I do wear hiking boots and much of the walk involves steep hills and crossing creeks.) was in seeing this beautiful redbud. I think it is a redbud. Correct me if I'm wrong.  They are all over our hills.

Happy forest bathing to all!