~ Odds and Ends ~

Rake leaves for 60 minutes and you'll burn approximately 281 calories!

My Mom makes a great Pineapple Rhubarb jam !

Here's her recipe:

5 cups rhubarb, chopped

3 1/2 cups sugar

1- large can crushed pineapple

1-3 oz. box strawberry jello

Mix all ingredients in large pot. Cook until rhubarb is soft. Keep stirring mixture. Remove from heat and add box of uncooked strawberry jello.

Mix well and pour into scalded jars.

Yield: 7 small jars. ~ keep refrigerated.

******************

Here's my favorite recipe for chicken from a local restaurant chain:

Max & Irma's Tuscan Chicken

4 fresh Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

4 Tablespoons olive oil

8 oz. medium mushrooms, quartered

1 (8 oz. can) artichokes, drained and quartered

4 oz. onion, cut into thin strips

4 teaspoons fresh garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

3 teaspoons black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup white wine or chicken broth

12 oz. roma tomatoes, quartered lengthwise

2 oz. butter, cut into small pieces

In a small bowl, combine chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to coat chicken.

Wash and quarter mushrooms.

Cut onions into strips. Chop garlic and cut tomatoes. Drain artichokes and measure out other ingredients.

Place chicken in broiler or on grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, prepare the topping for chicken in a large saute pan.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until it is hot and add onion and garlic and saute until softened. Add the mushrooms and artichokes and 2 teaspoons of pepper, Italian seasoning and salt.

Continue cooking for 2 or 3 minutes. Turn the chicken over to continue cooking. Add your white wine (or broth) to the mushrooms and artichokes and cook to reduce to 1/2 volume.

Toss in tomatoes and heat until just warm. Just before serving, add the butter just until melted.

Place the chicken breasts on a platter and top with the tuscan vegetables from pan. Serve immediately and enjoy!

**************

" Old people shouldn't eat health foods; they need all the preservatives they can get "

Robert Orben