Pea Casserole

 I was intrigued to try a new pea recipe, but did not want to use the canned condensed soup it required.  In the end, I think I did too much over thinking with this dish.

I did a little research, and whipped up my own condensed soup in it's place.  I will be tweaking it as we try my homemade condensed golden mushroom soup.  I basically used the directions for homemade condensed mushroom soup, but changed the broth from chicken to beef and added other ingredients, still using the shallots and mushrooms.

As for the pea casserole, here are the 3 ingredients to make it...

2 - 12 oz bags of organic (or home grown) frozen peas, cooked

1 can of golden mushroom soup (hence the homemade "can")

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Once the peas are cooked, mix in other ingredients, pour into a baking dish and bake at 350°F

My opinion?  I didn't think it was absolutely out of this world good, but it wasn't bad either.  It lacked flavor.  I think I need to continue to add a few more ingredients, but we will be looking for more ways to dress up peas from now on.  Maybe more organic soy sauce or possibly add Braggs Liquid Aminos.  Maybe more onion, and some garlic?

I have researched most recipes online for ingredients for "Golden Mushroom Soup."  What would you add for flavor?  I honestly think you could just use the homemade mushroom soup and maybe add some organic beef bouillon or homemade beef bouillon. 

Do you have a favorite way to dress up peas?  I wonder if just sprinkling some parmesan cheese on it would be tasty?  I googled for recipes, and most have a breaded topping.  

Pea Casserole © Nov 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Measure Twice

 We know that what you read for measurements at the hardware stores are not actually the real measurement when buying lumber.  We were so consumed in just getting what we needed and getting back home, neither of us realized what he was basing the coop door on.

He bought 10 inch wide boards, and the actual width is smaller.  Always shop with a measuring tape.  We knew this, and like I said, I think the stress of just getting it done was upon our brains.

When they built the door, it came short of what we intended it to be.  Another eye roller moment, and another set back to get it all just right.

Measure and measure twice when buying materials while building something.  

Any who, the door was taken back down to paint, and I spent almost 4 hours painting the coop.  I ran out of paint, but the only areas left to paint are the very top front and back, where I need a partner present to climb our tallest ladder.

I took advantage of our 60°F day, and will continue to this week, as the weather returns to the 40's next week.  

In hindsight, we should have painted the upper pieces before attaching them.  Live and learn.

As you can see we still need to "button" this coop up with a roof.  The run will mostly get built (all depends on the weather) next spring, but we can finagle a fence for the winter.

We are making progress, but there still is a lot to finish (indoor sliding door, outside trim on the entire coop and such).  Once the roof is on, we can work on the inside, get the run door cut, ramp built etc.  

We will recycle perch posts from the old coop, as well as the roosts we installed in there.  We may recycle a roost from the barn, but recycling what we have in any way helps.  I'm just hoping and praying for some good weather days to paint the trim before it's too cold (and get it installed).

Measure Twice © Nov 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart