Catfish and Wild Rice Soup

As a lifelong fisherman, my first memories are of catching bluegills and catfish. What a great fight those whisker bearing devils put on when my bobber disappeared. Of course sometimes a Red Eared Terrapin or a soft shelled snapper would surprise me, but the catfish were a great memory. Whether its channel, Opelousas, yellows or blues, catfish are fun to catch but are also great table fare. The list of ways to prepare catfish runs the gamut like a Bubba Gump Shrimp story, but when my wife’s parents started raising blue catfish we got busy trying out several ways to cook them. This version of Catfish and Wild Rice Soup originally came from The Catfish Institute website, and I simply made some changes to my liking. It is wonderful and we make it often, feel free to substitute with Tilapia, trout or your favorite type of fish.

Makes 6 servings

1 cup wild rice
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon of your favorite Hot Sauce
2 pounds U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets, blackened and then cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups light cream or milk (whole milk will work fine and has a few less calories)
1/4 cup dry sherry ( have a little bit left to drizzle in the top of each bowl when serving)
3 tablespoons of Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice
very thin lemon slices
3 tablespoons of freshly cut green onion chives

Preparation:

1. Place rice in a colander and rinse under running water; drain.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil; add rice. Return to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 45 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender. Drain.

3. In a large kettle or Dutch oven, cook onion, celery, and garlic in butter or margarine until tender. Stir in flour. Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

For the catfish, brush the filets with melted butter, then dust the filets with Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice on both sides. In a seasoned black iron or heavy skillet with med. high heat , cook the filets turning them carefully so they don’t get torn apart (or as little as possible) after they are cooked through and have a good rich color remove them from the pan and allow them to sit for a couple minutes to cool slightly. Now, cut them into bite sized pieces and place them in the pot with the other ingredients. Return to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

4. Stir in cooked wild rice, light cream or milk, and dry sherry. Heat through.

5. Garnish each serving with a slice of lemon and a tablespoon of chopped green onion chive ,(then I like a dash of Sherry on top. )

Bon Appetit!
Bryan Slaven, The Texas Gourmet

* Texas Gourmet products available online at: www.texasgourmet.com

St. Patrick Church Annual Fund Raiser

St. Patrick Church in Seadrift will hold its annual Turkey Dinner and Fund Raiser on Sunday, October 27th at 11:00 am. There will be a raffle, bake sale, egg rolls and rummage sale. The plates will be $8 with turkey, homemade dressing, sweet potatoes & green beans with all the trimmings.

The rummage sale will start on Saturday, October 26th at 8:00 am.

The Seadrift Lady Pirates played Stroman Lady Vipers on September 19th 2013 at Seadrift School. The 7th grade Lady Pirates beat the Lady Vipers in three. The scores were 25-20, 19-25, and 15-12. Peper Jennings, Karley Gregory and Cierra Harper each scored one point. Karsen Pittman and Haley Bales scored 2 points each. Gillian Vasquez scored 4. Anna Sachtleben scored a total of 8 with one ace. High scorer was Rebecca Barrerra with 14 points and 2 aces. The 8th grade Lady Pirates also beat Stroman in two scoring 25-19 and 25-21. Abby Morgan and Krislyn Key scored one point each. Abbi Luna scored 4 points. Torri Mikolas scored 7 points with one ace. The high scorer was Kellie Blevins with a total of 16 points with two aces.

The Seadrift Lady Pirates played the Patti Welder Lady Panthers at Patti Welder on September 26, 2013. Seventh grade Lady Pirates beat the Lady Panthers in two scoring 25-20 and 25-14. Karley Gregory and Karsen Pittman scored two points each, Rebecca Barrera scored four, Gillian Vasquez scored six. High scorer was Anna Sachtleben with fifteen points and three aces. The eighth grade Lady Pirates suffered their first loss in three. Scores were 25-18, 23-25, and 14-25. Victoria Gilliand scored three points,Torri Mikolas scored four, Abby Morgan scored five, Krislyn Key scored six, Abbi Luna scored eight points with two aces. High scorer was Kellie Blevins with thirteen points and one ace.

The Seadrift Lady Pirates played Cade Lady Bulldogs October 10,2013 at Cade. The Lady Pirates had a good showing against the Cade A teams. Seventh Grade scores were 12-25 and 8-25. Gillian Vasquez and Rebecca Barrera scored one point, Heather Glover two, and high scorer for the match was Haley Bales with four points. Eighth grade scores were 12-25 and 8-25. Kellie Blevins scored two points, Layne Blevins scored three, and high scorer for the match was Abbi Luna with five points.

Lady Pirates Volleyball Schedule

Oct. 17 Howell A Home
(Parent Night)

Oct. 21 Stroman A Away

Oct. 24/26 District Tournament Away
7th Grade at Travis
8th Grade at Stroman

How often do we say the wrong thing? We are trying to be helpful, but the words that come out of our mouths are not the ones we thought we were formulating in our brains! I pray continually that the Lord will put a watchman at the door of my lips so I do not embarrass myself or damage His kingdom!

Often we say the wrong thing because we simply do not know what we should say. We never truly understand exactly how others feel about any situation, no matter how similar our experiences. Sometimes we say things that are out of bounds because we are thoughtless or insensitive with whom we are talking.

Even we who are Christians blunder through relationships. We often act like bulls in a china shop – though unintentionally – we can barge through our connections with others, leaving broken pieces in our wake. And often, we never even know what we have done!

Damaging words can be unintentional or even misinterpreted, but they also can be exactly what we intended to say. The Bible translators of The Message render Colossians 4:6 thusly: “Be gracious in our speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down.” It pays to be aware of this. Humor is usually a good thing, but it can also sting!

As I ponder this article, my thoughts are on our friend, Bro. Bill Reeves, who we have just celebrated his “home going”. If one couple simply follow Bro. Bill and listen to how he interacted with people, we would learn – first hand – how to speak healing words. It made no difference to Bro. Bill, whether he was taking to a “down and outer” or an “up and got it all together-er”, he could always find a way to help them feel good about themselves. He complimented the little things that most of us never notice and lifted the spirits of those most of us would simply have allowed to pass us by without giving them even a glance. I have learned that one of his High School nicknames was “Smiley”, and Bro. Bill truly gave special meaning to that thought!

Here are a few ideas that can keep us from being clueless perpetrators of verbal offense:

Be loving. Care about everyone you interact with. Remember, care is what you give innocent babies or infirm grandmas. Think about how what you are going to say will affect that other person. We have been taught that love is what we share with our enemies; how much more should it be shown with those we dialogue.

Be considerate. This means to consider your words before speaking, and put their feelings above yours. Speaking hastily or thoughtlessly will often be the words that we wish we could eat and now speak. Consider the other person’s situation and their feelings before you speak.

Be informed. This does not mean to get in on all the gossip. Some pride themselves with knowing as much about others’ business as they do their own. Instead, we should have a genuine interest in people. Are they having a rough time; then share tenderly and casually. Are they angry; then a soft answer will defuse them. This will barricade against many clueless insults.

Be humble. When exalting or benefiting yourself is not your first goal, the other people in your life should thrive from their contact with you. When most of your sentences began with “I”, an attitude adjustment is probably in order. The smallest package in the world, I have always been told, is when we wrap ourselves in ourselves! Allow your interaction with others to be “the other person” centered. Truly, life is much better when you allow those around you to shine – and it takes a lot of pressure off of your having to carry the “lime-light”!

But, what should be our reaction when we are on the receiving side of a potentially hurtful message or the “butt” of other’s jokes?

Give the benefit of the doubt. Simply refuse to be insulted! No matter what is said, refuse to “build a fence” or take offence! Take what is said or done in the most positive way possible. God’s Word teaches that nothing that another does to us personally will offend us. When we attempt to “defend ourselves” we give the other person the idea that we are somehow guilty! When we refuse to strike back with the similar spirit, we defuse their insults. Even when the meaning is crystal clear and there is no way to take it positively, return a soft answer and defuse sting – speak truth back to them with a heart filled with love.

When we take the time and effort to build positive, Godly, loving relationships with the people in our lives, the outcome will always be exemplary of our Lord, Who always spoke words that healed!

Left to right: HD 30 Rep. Geanie Morrison, SREC Committeeman Ben Zeller, Russell, Sd 18 Senator Glenn Hegar and SREC Committeewoman and Candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner Becky Berger.

Russell Cain of Port Lavaca was named as Volunteer of the Year from Senate District 18 by the State Republican Executive Committee, and was honored at a special event in Austin on September 27, 2013.

A longtime resident of Calhoun County, Russell is an alumnus of Texas A&I University – Kingsville. His career is as a real estate broker and operator of Russell Cain Real Estate, He has been involved with the Republican Party in Calhoun County for many years, working on behalf of Republican candidates.

Additionally, Russell has helped with Tea Party rallies and organized the Calhoun High School Republican Club, which provides GOP voting clerks, conducts school elections and holds political awareness programs. He also organized a recent trip to Austin for these students to observe elected officials in action, and is planning another trip this year. Russell holds over twenty-five local civic volunteer awards.

Our State Representative Geanie Morrison:

State Representative Geanie W. Morrison, R-District 30, is currently serving her eighth term in the Texas Legislature. The south Texas district includes Aransas, Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Refugio, and Victoria counties.

For the 83rd Legislative Session, Representative Morrison was appointed to chair the House Committee on Elections, and serve as a member of the House Committee on Insurance. During the 82nd Legislative Session, Representative Morrison was appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. She also served as the vice-chair of the House Committee on Human Services. Representative Morrison served as the chair of the House Committee on Higher Education for the 78th, 79th and 80th Legislative Sessions.

During her service on the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, Representative Morrison authored the Country’s first Baby Moses legislation, which provides desperate mothers a responsible alternative to newborn abandonment. Since its passage in 1990, all 50 states have implemented similar measures, and hundreds of newborns have been saved nationwide – over 100 in the state of Texas.

Representative Morrison has received numerous awards and has been recognized by many organizations for her service to her community, and the State of Texas. (Rep. Morrison pictured in photo above, left.)