Kielbasa Smothered in Peppers and Onions & Simmered in a Dark Beer

Father Time fools us , and slides away undetected

I couldn't help after reading the post written by our friend Cindy last week about the passing of the third Gibb brother, how time has seemed to cheat us, all the while leaving behind wonderful memories, laughter and delivering crushing blows along the way. Time fooled us as kids into thinking that it was this cavernous space that would just last forever. Nothing conjures up old memories the way a great song does. Sometimes I can recall what I was doing when the song came on my transistor radio. The predecessor to the IPod. Who of our generation doesn't see John Travolta with a paint can in his hand and walking as only he could to the background of the B-Gees

Father Time: The personification of Time and the more friendly version of the Grim Reaper. Typically pictured as an old man with a white beard donning a cloak and often times carrying a scythe and hourglass. In ancient times he was known as Chronus or Saturn.

He symbolizes the flow of time and its effects. His old body is a reminder that time is the devourer of all things and that, like the sand in the hourglass he often carries, his life will run out, as all good things come to an end.  A recent interview with the iconic actor and activist Kirk Douglas at 95 years old. He was asked how he does it, he keeps going strong even with essentially the loss of his voice. He said I don't look to the future but hold onto the past, it fuels me.

I remember as a kid, how a day could feel like eternity. If you were looking forward to something a week away well that just could never come fast enough. Things were really so simple but we created a full complement of complexities. I remember that first bike and the building excitement that came with knowing you might get it. The endless wait for Christmas morning to come. The ability to be a hero to your friends if you had your own quarter at the corner store where you could treat everybody at the penny candy tray. Or if really lucky, enough money to treat yourself to an ice cold Hires Root Beer. Things were pretty simple but how could we know how it would all change so fast.

The years are gone in a flash like melting ice on a hot summer day. Where did they go? The penny candy a thing of the past, our kids unable to comprehend it. Somewhere along the way came that first kiss, you know the one, the one all others would be judged by.

Before you know it your kids are in college or just gone. You have forgotten that first kiss and what along the way seemed like a broken heart now begins to take a little sprit with it. If time has spared you and you never have had a broken heart then you probably have never really loved and I feel sorry for you. We feel a sense that time has cheated us towards the end masking itself all the while, as an endless journey.

Truth is I wouldn't have missed a minute of it, for it is here where my senses grew keener, my heart and love grew stronger. Now each day when I wake there is a whole lot of people who count on me and that strength. It's now not about my destination or what lies ahead but it's about my journey. Yes the days seem to run into each other, weeks, months and years are like one big run on sentence and pass without as much as leaving an indelible mark. One door closes behind us and another opens ahead of us. Peace to you all.

One of Mrs. Tom's favorite grilling items is:

Kielbasa Smothered in Peppers and Onions & Simmered in a Dark Beer

6 Kielbasa

1large Vidalia onion or yellow onion

1/4 bulb fresh fennel

1 large red pepper/ seeded

1 large yellow pepper/seeded

1 jalapeño pepper/seeded

2 tablespoons of butter

1/4 cup olive oil

2 table spoons prepared brown mustard

1 bottle of good dark beer

S&P Taste

6 buns

Fire up two zones on your grill to a medium heat and place an iron skillet on one zone. If you don't have a skillet you can use whatever heavy pan you have. Make sure your grates are clean.

Cut the seeds and extra membrane from the bell peppers, thinly slice the peppers, onions and fennel. Chop the jalapeño small, Careful not to touch your eyes or better still wear a pair of rubber kitchen gloves.

Put the butter and oil in the skillet, get it hot and add the onions and let them caramelize and then add your peppers. Stir them about and let them soften and caramelize, close the lid on the grill.  Now pour 1/2 can of the beer add the mustard and stir in. S&P taste. Move the pan to an indirect heat.

Place the Kielbasa on the grill and c lose the lid and turn them slowly for about 10-15 minutes letting them char on the outside. When they are ready add them to the vegetables and stir them in closing the lid on the grill and leave them another 10 minutes on a low or indirect heat. If you need to you may add more beer if they are getting dry or too dark.  Otherwise drink the beer!

At Proctor Gas we specialize in all the grills and tools you need to become a backyard celebrity chef. So stop in and say hello to Mrs.Tom and share your favorite recipe with her.

Eat, prosper and be well

Mrs. Tom