Giant Cassowaries

 Have you heard of giant Cassowaries?  This is an interesting 4 minute video about them.  They are 1.5m tall birds with dinosaur like claws.  They live in the Australian rain forest and are threatened by feral pigs that were introduced by farmers in the 1700s.  There are now 24 million of these pigs running around the rain forest.  The cassowaries are shy but dangerous when provoked.  They also support the rainforest ecologically.  Nothing is being done to stop these pigs from destroying the small cassowarie population remaining.  Here is a link with more information on them.

Red Kidney Bean Soup

Linking to Kathy's Food Wednesdays.

 I made this red kidney bean soup to go with dinner one night.  

340g can of ham diced

1 28 oz can of red kidney beans drained

3 small potatoes peeled and halved

900 ml low sodium chicken stock plus 2 cups of water

2 medium carrots diced

2 ribs of celery diced

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tbs olive oil

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp red pepper flakes 

Heat oil in soup pot.  Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, oregano, garlic, red pepper, black pepper.  Saute for a few minutes then add potatoes, broth, water and beans.  Simmer 30 minutes.

Fusili with bacon and parmesan

 We had nothing but leftovers on hand for dinner one night.  I decided to make a quick fusili with bacon and parmesan.  Anything with bacon cannot disappoint.  I only buy this ready crisp bacon now as it is so convenient.  You remove the bacon and place it between paper towels on a plate. Then microwave the contents for 30 seconds and it is ready.  There is no messy cleanup.

3 1/2 c fusili pasta

a packet of bacon

4 cloves garlic

3/4 tsp red pepper flakes

2 tbs olive oil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 c sliced olives (I had a jar of antipasto so I some of that)

2 handfuls of grated parmesan cheese

1 c water

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water and drain.  Prepare the bacon.

Saute garlic in olive oil in another pan.  Add red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, olives.  Add the pasta and parmesan and water.  Mix well until it becomes creamy.  Cut the bacon into bits and combine with the pasta.  Enjoy!  

And Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!

On bananas

 This is interesting information on when to eat a banana.  

Friday Art - Eagle

 I did an Eagle ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") for you today.  It is such a symbolic creature isn't it.  It speaks to me of soaring high to meet lofty goals how about you?

Linking to Gillena's Art for Fun Fridays.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Planting Seeds

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'May Flowers' month.  Her theme this week is 'planting seeds'.  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Meme Wednesday

 

I got the groceries one from Martha.