The Proof is in the...(OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

I was reminded of a nursery rhyme a few days ago.

Pease pudding hot, pease porridge cold,

Pease pudding in the pot, nine days old;

Some like it hot, some like it cold,

Some like it in the pot, nine days old

Many cultures around the globe eat pudding. Pudding can be either a dessert or a savory dish. And yes, some like pudding hot or cold. But unlike in the 1700s, nothing tastes that grand to eat safely after 9 days. I would call that CDC Warning Pudding. In America, pudding is usually a rich creamy dessert similar to custard or mousse. And we eat it warm or cool.

If you love Banana Pudding and came here because you just knew I was going to have a kick-butt recipe, yeah that's not going happen. I'm not a fan of banana or anything that taste like it. Over a decade ago at an event for my friend, Pink Red, her mom served Cookie Pudding and I liked it. I never knew anyone care so much about the people who don't like bananas. Well, because most people only serve it with bananas. Recently, I wanted to make some so I went on a search and found a nice recipe.

Cookie Pudding

Ingredients

• 2-3/4 cups cold milk
• 1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 15 whole vanilla wafers

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes
2. Fold in condensed milk. 
3. Set aside 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Fold remaining whipped topping into pudding.
4. In a 3-qt. serving bowl, layer wafer crumbs and pudding mixture. 
5. Repeat layers twice. 
6. Top with whole wafers. 
7. Refrigerate until serving.

The first time I had ever heard of Rice Pudding was while watching the movie, Heartburn as a child. In the movie Heartburn, Meryl Streep’s character was in the hospital and someone smuggled in a bowl and she swooned at the sight of it. I understand the swooning. It is delicious, but the calories in it are high. 142 Kcals are in a half of cup of the dessert. So over the years, I've learned to lighten it with Brown Rice Pudding recipe with only 59 Kcals in a 1/2 cup.

Brown Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups long grain brown rice
• 1 ½ cups almond milk
• ¼ cup honey
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
  

Directions

1. Bring water to boil and add rice. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Stir occasionally and allow all of the water to be absorbed roughly 25 minutes.
2. Stir in milk and other ingredients. Simmer for another 5 minutes and stir continuously. The rice pudding should become thick.
3. Serve the pudding warm or cold depending on your preference. 
4. Add cinnamon, nuts, etc. right before you eat it!
5. Store remaining contents in the fridge.

Like the proverb, the only way to find out if these puddings please your palate is to taste them. Let me know in the comments.

Oh before you ask, Pease Pudding is made with yellow peas and served with ham. If you like that dish, leave your "proof" in the comment also. Now, I want some rice pudding. Might make one.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

I Will be Calling Them Recycles

I'll be quick. My annoyance started when I saw Love Don't Cost a Thing on cable and instantly knew it was a black & trendier version of Can't Buy Me Love from the 80s. Reboots, remakes, revivals are things I am "overly-woke" about. I'm only 85% against them. I really The Wiz, but The Wizard of Oz gets on my nerves. (I can't wait for Wicked to come to the big screen. Because I've always known Wizard of Oz was a lie.) And the most beloved Imitation of Life that has Mahalia Jackson singing at the funeral is the 2nd version of the Fannie Hurst novel. But it is like every old movie or TV show needs a makeover these days. That is irritating. Do we not deserve original content?

I know my problem is because I watch so many great original independent films & web shows that need funding. I am a fan of many content creatives that just need the right eye to see their vision.

Some have been seen and their dreams are coming into fruition. Some are still working within the indie realm. And they can't be seen because Hollywood would rather literally tell the same story over & over. That is unfortunate.

So until Hollywood stops with the remakes, reboots, and revivals, I'll just deeply sigh alone when another one is announced and released. I don't want to, but my little matinee money, Neilson ratings, and name changes on Twitter to "No More Reboots" haven't swayed opinions of those in charge. I'll just save my dollars & viewership for the new original stuff I want to see.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

The Right Manchild Podcast

Yes, I know boringnest is not a word. But I use it a lot in life. And yes, I know UTA is not in Dallas. Heck, I was a student there at one time. It is in Arlington.

Why am I telling y'all this?

Because I was on The Right Manchild Podcast having fun with my sweet friend and host DeeDee Sweets. And I said those goofs. *blushing* DeeDee is wrapping up their solo show(has two other great shows with co-hosts) soon and I was one of the guests on episode 159, Reboots Are Still Unnecessary.

The Right Manchild is one of my favorite podcasts. The host gives their listeners an honest view of life through their unapologetically non-binary, fat, black, pansexual eyes. They're a cool writer, photographer, and a U.S. veteran.

And on episode 159, we talk about how I found their show, reboot culture, music, a little politics and more. Also on the show is Frankie from the What About Your Friends Podcast. Frankie has been on 3 times before & DeeDee & he catch up on life, current & future photography projects, and more.

It is a very fun episode! Listen to it on either(click on your preferred site)
Spotify
Apple Podcast
Anchor.
Oh, it is for Mature Audiences Only. I mean if your little one starts using the term 45 like me, stay out my inbox. You were warned!

And you if want to follow DeeDee Sweets on social media and/or listen to their other shows, Casually Sarcastic with Keisha & DeeDee & Keep It Mad Simple along with other episodes of The Right Manchild, the info is below.
Twitter / IG: HeyDeeDeeSweets
Snapchat: DeeDee-Sweets
Show IG / Twitter: 2people2pods

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

So Much...

How often do you complain? Seems we've done it a lot all our lives. Interesting enough, I don't think anyone is first taught about being thankful as an older person. We're taught over and over about gratitude, yet life & its issues somehow make us forget.

I don't remember not knowing this song. It's like I have heard it all my life. And actually, it has been around most of my life.

It came out the same year I started school. And kindergarten is my earliest memory of learning about Thanksgiving. I was even in the school's PTA play as a pilgrim.

And I lie here thinking about all many sacred and secular songs about being thankful & grateful I have been exposed to. I keep going back to that five-year-old and that song. All that is going on we STILL have So Much to be appreciative.

Ever have a bout with insomnia. I see the social media timelines, I'm not alone. I know sleep is the objective, but have ever thought you could be suffering in a coma? We avoid the emails in our junk mail folders because our uncles didn't leave us a castle and many riches. Yet, we should be thankful scammers didn't fool us and steal what money we do have. And no matter the political climate, the USA still has the 1st Amendment in the constitution. There are many countries that never had those freedoms.

Dear Me in Kindergarten,
There is always an opportunity to be grateful. It is never a reason to complain your life away. That would be a waste.

One day before you form a gripe, take a breath and think about the flip side. I bet you could find a blessing (big, minut, and every size in between) in every event in life.

I just realize I used some very big vocabulary words for very young Me. LoL I won't fret. Muh Diva back then will explain that to me. After asking what I was reading, but she'll break it down.

I just want that little one and all of the younger us to remember the lessons about being thankful we learned. Truly listen to all the songs of appreciation we've been introduced to and learned from them. Because sometimes finding something to be grateful for may be the joyful feel your soul may need to make everything feel alright.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

I Like It Slow! (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

Shout out to the 90's group, H-Town for inspiring this post's title. I might even body roll while typing this one about my favorite recipe made in a slow cooker.

I'm a novice in the world of slow cooking. It is not shocking because my grandmother dislikes them & my mother is a casserole maker. But in the summer, I don't use the oven. And after a diet of fried, grill, and pan-seared proteins one summer 3 years ago, I decided to make the investment and learn how to use a slow cooker. I think anything I have put in an oven except baked goods, I have made in the slow cooker. But beans are my favorite things to make in it.

I didn't like beans until I lived in Beaumont. Growing up(before they became over-priced delicacies) beans, neck bones, pig feet, & oxtails were made on Tuesdays. I thought of them as heavy meals. But once I learned different cooking techniques at Lamar, I started lightening up beans to please my palate. And well, the bean soup that I throw lots of love in is White Bean-Turkey.

Slow Cooker White Bean-Turkey Soup

Ingredients

• 16 oz bag of Great Nothern beans
• 6 cups vegetable stock or water
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 Tblsp poultry seasoning
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 smoked turkey wing**
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 large carrots chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Directions

1. Soak the beans for 4-6 hours in water covering the beans by 1 inch.
2. Drain the water from the beans and rinse 
3. Add the stock or water and dry herbs & seasonings to beans in a slow cooker.
4. Add the turkey, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker or until beans are soft, but not mushy.
6. Let Stand for 15 minutes. Serve Hot!

**Noted Suggestion: Can be made meat-less by adding one more teaspoon of smoked paprika

This recipe is protein-rich. Good for anyone who wants to increase their protein intake, like bodybuilders & those going through chemo. It's also good for cold & chilly days.

Well, my body is saying to stop all the gyrating. I hope you can't wait to make this low and slow dish. And like any recipe shared, let me know if you make it.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!