Cold, snow moving in and two great recipes

Good morning Augusta

This morning we have sunshine and a few clouds. High will be 26 ºF with winds West at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight we'll have clouds with periods of snow after midnight. Low 19 ºF. Winds from the ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 100% with snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.

The readings from my weather instruments in the North field are:

Humidity is 81%, the dew point is 6ºF, outside it's -10.3ºC and 14.0ºF.

The wind direction is South Southwest between 2.7 MPH and  4.5 MPH, generating a wind chill of 14.0ºF.

The Barometric pressure is 30.53 / HPA 1033.8 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun.

The UV rating is 0.0 out of 16, Sunrise is at 7:05 a.m. Sunset is 3:59 P.M. Moon rise is at 2:37 p.m., Moon set is 3:46 p.m. and the moon phase is waxing gibbous.  

The RAW METAR reading from the airport in Augusta, Maine is:

AR METAR KAUG 111253Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR M12/M14 A3046 RMK AO2 SLP324 T1117114

Visibility is 10.0 miles / 16.1 Kilometers with clear skies so far, but it's coming folks.

We didn't receive any new snowfall here over the past 24 hours.

Here is another, healthier Chicken Pot pie recipe and a great holiday drink to make.

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI POT PIE     

Serves:  8

Nonstick cooking spray

1 bunch fresh broccoli, broken into florets

1 cup cooked diced chicken or turkey

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

4 oz reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

1 1/3 cups skim milk

¾ cup egg substitute

¾ cup reduced-fat baking mix (such as Bisquick Light)

¼ tsp salt

¼ pepper

½ curry powder

Optional garnish:  red pepper flakes

1.                  Preheat oven to 400degrees.

2.                  Spray a 10-inch pie pan with cooking spray.  Layer first four ingredients in the pan.

3.                  In a blender container, combine remaining ingredients.  Blend on medium speed for 30 seconds or until mixture is smooth.  Pour egg mixture into pan.  If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes on the egg mixture.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until firm.  Allow pie to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing.  This recipe may be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated overnight.  Increase baking time to 35 minutes for chilled mixture.

Exchanges:  1 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 very lean meat.

Calories:  226; fat:  6 gm; protein:  21 gm; carbohydrate:  cholesterol:  27 mg; sodium:  570

And for a great Holiday dessert drink:

Holiday MOCHA-SPICED COFFEE (Spike to taste)

½ cup ground coffee (like a French Roast, unflavored)

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

5 cups water

1 cup fat-free milk

¼ cup packed brown sugar

⅓ cup chocolate syrup (like Hershey's)

1 tsp vanilla

Whipped cream (optional, but why wouldn't you?)

1.         Place first 3 ingredients in a coffee filter or filter basket of a coffeemaker.  Add 5 cups water to coffeemaker, brew according to manufacturer's instructions.

2.         Combine milk, sugar, and syrup in a heavy saucepan.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.  Stir in brewed coffee and vanilla.  Serve immediately with whipped cream. 

6 servings, 1 cup each.