Adventure 251: Rod and Karen Franz/Manhattan, KS/Post D

Pork Chile Verde anyone

Another lovely day in Franz Land. In the early morning, I got Frac's oil changed and the tires rotated. He's ready for the run home. We decided to bring the Pork Chile Verde back for a try at impressing the Kansas folk. It's a dish we first had at the St. Francis Cafe in Phoenix. This is the second time we've recreated (Successfully) the recipe. It's more work than I usually like for my food, but it's worth it. The most time consuming thing is trimming the pork butt (In today's case). It takes about eight pounds of pork to get a little less than four pounds of meat to eat after the bones, fat, sinew and silver skin is removed. Judy set off the smoke alarm in the trailer as she roasted the peppers, but no fires were reported. The dish turned out to be just delightful. This batch had just the right amount of heat, and the flavors of the peppers, onions, and tomatillos is just delicious. In the early afternoon, we played a card game called Hollywood Gin. Rodney was the big winner today. After the game and before dinner we took a walk around the neighborhood. The evening turned out to be one of the best Kansas can offer, although the mantra around here is wait five minutes and the weather will change. Now we're watching the Duke/Wisconsin game, which is tied at half. It is quite a spectacle, and as an avid fan I'll be sad after tomorrow when the women's championship game ends the season. But not to worry, we'll find some other activity to fill our days. A retiree hardly ever rests, and as for that, life is good, especially today.

 Coco started the day with a bath. Then he ran around like a whirlwind to blow himself dry.

 My sous chef, Judy, roasted the peppers. Here she is readying the puree of Poblanos, Anaheim's, Jalapeños, Garlic, and Tomatillos. 

 Once the pork is cubed, dusted with flower, and seasoned, it is browned in batches.

 The onions and green pepper are sautéed right on top of the pork drippings, and then the liquid is added. Cook for three and half hours at a low simmer.

 Remnants of Rodney's victory in the Hollywood Gin game.

 Our walk started through Karen's garden.

 Just like inside, the garden is filled with bucolic dioramas.

 Judy and Karen checking the early blooms.

 Who's walking whom?

There go the sisters.