Reviewing trip to SW US in March 2011

This is the Tonto monument in Arizona, the cliff dwellers habitat.  The photos on this post are from our trip to the South West US last March.  I have many more of them the best of which will eventually appear on web page.  Some of them will be added to my Megashot page as the spirit moves me to do.

We had a light covering of snow, that soon melted.  We are promised more for tomorrow.  Other places around us are getting much more of the white stuff. 

I have spent the a few hours after lunch cooking a double batch of ratatouille, and a big bowl of cole slaw.  Today, for lunch we finished the Curried Shrimp bisque which was delicious.
       Curried Shrimp Bisque

3   Tbsp. butter              1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1   Tbsp. curry powder        1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 tspn paprika              1 garlic clove finely chopped
1   Tbsp tomato pase          3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup light cream                  or vegetable stock
3   Tbsp. Flour                  Salt and pepper to taste               
200 grams cooked shrimp (1/2 lb.)
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 oz. brandy (.5 oz per serving)

Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat.
Add the onion, celery and garlic; and cook until tender,
3 to 4 minutes.
Mix in the flour, curry, paprika and tomato paste and
blend well.  While stirring gradually add the stock.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 15 minutes.
Add the shrimp, saving a few to garnish the top.
I blenderize it and put it back in the pot.
Add the cream (I use 2% milk) Cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
Divide the brandy among 4 heated bowls.  Pour in the soup.
Sprinkle with green onions and saved shrimp, and serve.
Makes 4 servings.

Note:  I had some fish stock with chunks of salmon to use
and about 1/3 of the stock was chicken and the other third
was vegetable.
I used OLD BAY SEASONING (1 tbsp) instead of paprika and
salt and pepper. I used extra tomato paste, also.
It turned out very well.
Note 2:  Irene left me a big can of the OLD BAY SEASONING
that she bought when they were down East on their long trip

I have been reading Magnus Magnusson's  'Scotland - The Story of a Nation'.  It doesn't exactly move along.  You have to really want to know this history of Scotland to get through this 700 page volume.  It has its moments though.