Something is always cooking!

I am sure there are people in the world who would find my wanting to live in the kitchen strange, offensive, maybe even repugnant. For me, it is my perfect place. If I could build my dream home, it would be a 2 story house with a porch that wrapped completely around the it, with a vineyard and a creek, lots of trees, and by all means,a big lovable dog named Luciano. As for that kitchen I want to live in....that is what the first floor would be, my kitchen. There would be Viking equipment and Italian tile everywhere you looked! I'd have antique tables and chairs, enough for 24 guests to sit down comfortably, plenty of elbow room. All with a great view of the business end of the kitchen. I would have "open kitchen" as opposed to "open house" every weekend. I would expect everyone to have at least 4 hours to come and enjoy a dinner I make myself, drink wine from the family vineyard, Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery, http://www.somersetridge.com/, listen to a great music (maybe live piano music by Kansas City's own David McCubbin), and enjoy wonderful conversation. My guests will feel free to stroll through the vineyard and along the creek in nice weather. In the winter (Kansas does get cold and windy) they can enjoy the art work on the walls, sit by the giant fireplace, have another glass of wine, maybe even dance to the music. And I'm sure someone will want to see close up what is happening on that Viking stove! In the summer there would always be a big crockery pitcher of sangria, in the winter, a pot of mulled wine. If there is no live music that evening, there might be Pavarotti for everyone to sing along with! Maybe some Mediterranean Guitar music, or how about some Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra? I suppose if I am serving Pork and Green Chilie Stew I'd better have some Country Western we can all two step to! Maybe a little Willie Nelson......

Food, wine, music and friends, what more could you ask for!

Now for the second floor, my space, my office, computer, 750 cookbooks. There will be a big spacious comfortable bedroom, a giant jacuzi tub, plenty of closet space, flat screen tv visible of every part of the 2nd floor.

That's it, that is all I want....except I want to cook a big pot of Green Chile Stew.
This recipe is from my nephew , who lives in Denver. It has become a family favorite.


Green Chile Stew

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 pounds lean, boneless pork butt, 3/4" cubes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 16 oz can tomatoes, undrained

2 7 oz cans whole green chiles, cut 1" wide strips

1 medium potato, peeled and grated

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste

Heat oil in a 5 quart pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and minced jalapeno. Cover and cook until onion is soft but not brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add pork and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until evenly blended. Coarsely chop tomatoes and add to pan with juice.

Add green chiles, potato, water, cumin and oregano, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, until meat is tender. Add salt to taste, starting with 1/2 teaspoon. Continue to simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, or until stew is thickened to your liking.