Category Archives: cooking

Jan29

Homemade-but semi that is

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I wanted to mention the cookbook I used yesterday-by Better Homes and Gardens-Homemade in No Time-400 great-tasting recipes from convenience foods. (The above link takes you to Amazon where you can get the cookbook for as low as $3.00! )Does that remind you of a pretty host on Food Network at all? Ms. Sandra Lee maybe? I watch Sandra all the time, but am concerned that some of the ‘convenient’ foods she uses have too much salt or other nasties in them. The cookbook I used has a ‘pantry’ checklist and most are pretty common items that make sense like canned tomatoes, tuna, Worchestershire sauce, you get the idea. One recipe, i.e. Fiesta Burgers used half a bottle of salsa and 1/3 cup mayo or sour cream-you can get the light versions.

Off to the dentist late this afternoon for my new crown.

Update-no new crown-the dentist’s office reception kept leaving messages on the voice mail and nothing came up on our answering machine. I have to wait until next Tuesday!

It’s a cold one out there, so better bundle up. We got a little snow, but it’s mainly on the ground. It always seems to happen on Sunday nights lately.

Jan25

Giada’s recipe

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Between 10-1 most days, I ‘fish’ around in the freezer looking for something for dinner. I just happen to find a package of tilapia which is a tasty white fish. If you haven’t tried it and aren’t crazy about fishy, fish, this is a good choice. I pulled down a few cookbooks as I am trying to utilize my vast library a bit more and neither Rocco or Martha had tilapia recipes. Then I remembered that Giada (ja-da) DeLaurentiis did in the cookbook that I just received as a Christmas gift. So I’m trying it tonight. It calls for chopped up sardines (Bri happened to have a can-I’m still up in the air about if I really want to use some, maybe a smidgen). The rest of the ingredients are citrusy.

Update-Couldn’t do the anchovies-too weird looking. They were for the sauce. Giada also wanted you to fry the fish. I baked it and poured the sauce over top. I think next time I would reserve some of the sauce for serving. Also had baby carrots and Couscous.

We’re looking to have snow squalls or showers in a few hours. Just when my fellas are headed home. I wanted to go look at vacuums for mom (I’m taking stock in the Bissell company as she seems to blow one out every two years). I also wanted to pop a few items up for sale on eBay as it’s been over a month since I’ve done so. I found a few things in the ‘storage’ that Sean received at gifts that he never opened. I will give him the money toward his loan payment. Seems that he (or us) have to start paying it back before he’s not even out of college. Doesn’t seem fair, but there’s that new twist-just paying on the interest of the loan. Not that it’s new I guess-we are doing the same thing with our H.E.L. (abbrev so appropriate).

Below is our dessert tonight-Raspberry Chocolate Mousse from a package (bought at a store called World Market which is online too).
Raspberry Chocolate Mousse

Jan24

Artichokes and Persimmons

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I am learning so much from the Rachael Ray show! Yesterday a doctor was on and talked of the benefits of the above foods for your cholesterol. I like artichoke hearts the best. My dinner last night had a few in it. I have a triglycerides issue and fish oil repeats on me. Now I don’t think I’ve ever had persimmons. I bet there is persimmons jam? Do you believe the average American eats 156 pounds of sugar a year! Wow-that is terrible. It’s hidden in so many foods.

I changed my blog style as I was looking for one with tabs at the top for addition pages. I think this style is even more organized. Wish my house was that way-everything where it should be or in see-through plastic boxes stacked alphabetically and labeled. I was in ‘the room’ that I want to craft in-OMG what a disaster. I have so much to go through. I have to sanitize the room as it’s the one that gets water in it when we have too much rain. I think I’ll get Brian to the Home Depot to get a new light fixture to start off with. At the same time he can get a new toilet to replace the 47 yr old ‘water waster’ we have upstairs. Wish me luck!
PersimmonsArtichokes

Jan22

The white stuff

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Snow is on the ground-like a coating. Sean is hoping to miss classes-Sean just went back to classes last Tuesday! He acts like he’s in 5th grade again. : ) I think he may be worried about driving on bad roads-that I don’t blame him for one iota.

I ruined my roast last night. I took it out of the oven too soon and it was still red in the middle. I sliced it up and stuck it back in as my potatoes and parsnips were done. Why I cooked the veggies so soon is beyond me. I should have waited a hour or so. I like my roast beef when it’s really brown and almost getting a ‘fall apart’ texture to it.

I guess I was preoccupied with cleaning off my bedroom bookcase of lotions, etc and dusting it. I found a plastic shoebox of nail polish under my jewelry cabinet that was as old as the hills. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the middle of a project, I just hate stopping it to do something else like cook.

 ; (

The potatoes and veggies were good. Used the ricer (and am using the ricer-thanks to Von’s recommendation). I think I’ll make the chicken fingers that both Carole and Zoey made for their Sunday night din dins tonight.

Dec19

Playing with the Rebel

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Our new camera was on the front door step this morning! We hope it wasn’t there all night, but I think it arrived first thing. It’s like an old-fashioned camera, but it’s digital. I was putting the battery and CF card in place (we have to use a CF card we have already-silly me thought the company forgot to send it). I did take some photos, but we don’t have the software on the computer yet. I have to figure out why it works ‘some of the time’ on the auto and all of the time on ‘P’, meaning, it shows the image on the LED screen on the back.
I’m really bushed from baking yesterday. I may get out in the kitchen sooner or later. I know what I’m making for dinner though. It was from Martha Stewart’s Food magazine-cauliflower and pasta. I just happen to buy a big head of it the other day.
I may tidy up the boxes of Christmas things I pulled out over a week ago. I didn’t get all the ornaments I like on the tree-like Mister Winking gold moon, but I think I better wrap gifts soon!
Watch for some photos soon!

Dec18

Camera phone capture

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There’s actually a lot more going on here, but I had my little camera phone and that’s it. Sean also took a photo with his phone and if it’s better, I’ll switch. This was a few days before I got sick and I just got around to sending it to myself tonight. It’s not my house, but a house in the next town. I made chocolate chips and 7 layer cookies this afternoon. I am not use to an efficient oven and I had to watch the cookies better than I had in the past (I had a system where I would turn the cookie sheet around so they would evenly brown-no worry now). My first batch ran a bit, so the next batch had more flour in it. Did I say it was close to 70 degrees outside today-it’s the 18th of Dec!! So my kitchen was very, very warm. It’s great having a dual oven. Tomorrow or the next day I have about 3 more kinds lined up to do.

My cooking duties for Christmas eve aren’t too bad-Caesar Salad and Apple cake with rum icing (as requested by my brother). Now that one seemed too dense when I made it, so I’ll have to watch the batter this time. I may add a little shrimp to the salad and I’m looking for a nice dressing recipe.

Nov23

Thanksgiving 2006

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Care for some wine? I didn’t have any, but Sean and I designed a concoction of Sprite and cranberry juice-yummy! I had gold charger plates with my good china. I added a tea candle (gift from my sister-in-law along with an apple for a decoration.
The table again with a surprise ‘guest’-that’s Cosmo the kitty!
Hit dessert! Pumpkin gingerbread trifle-Paula Deen’s recipe (I also made her cranberry and cream cheese slices).

I also had mincemeat pie for Bri’s dad.
Mom and I relaxing after cleaning up the kitchen
A roaring fire courtesy of Brian.

I realized I didn’t post dinner food photos-I was just too busy in the kitchen. The food turned out great! I have to applaud my oven for helping out. I used a Reynold’s cooking bag and placed the turkey without stuffing in it (along with carrots, onions and celery). I seasoned the turkey with salt, pepper and sage and used a little butter on top. Along with the cooking bag, I cooked it ‘breast side down’ for the first 2 hours and then flipped it over in the last hour or so. It really makes all the difference!

I had Yukon gold mashed potatoes, green beans and bacon, brussel sprouts with garlic and bacon, yams, cole slaw and cornbread stuffing.

Oct30

Buy a truck-get a shotgun!

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What’s that all about you may ask? Well, it’s an ad that Brian got for the local paper that made the news (that’s his job anyway)! Brian said that NBC 10 news reporter Deana Durante was in his office today to get a copy of the ad which he gave to her. What happened was that a resident thinks it’s unappropriate, especially with the Nickel Mine Amish shootings of less than a month ago (only 15 miles away). People who read the paper live in a very rural area and hunt. I am all for gun control! It’s kind of a weird promotion. Why not give them a gift card for dinner or something that won’t kill anyone?
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I got outside late in the afternoon to dig up the roses. Sean said he would help, but he went to the gym instead. The ground was soft, but digging up the 5 roses was hard. My 19 yr old Queen Elizabeth rose had a long tap root and I had to cut into that. I also dug up about 15 gladiolus, but chopped into two of them, so I have 13 now. I need to put them in a better spot next year or at least keep them supported so they don’t fall over.
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I made caramel apples-so easy, but mine are too sticky! I may have kept them in the microwave too long. We’ll eat them anyway. I was thinking about making brittle like Giada DeLorentis made on her show-with dried apricots, toasted almonds and chocolate chips. Does that sound good or what?

Oct29

Ms Fix-it

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Honestly, what would these guys do without me? The phone was dead and the internet was down-so something with the computer modem had a problem (I think it was weather or daylight savings related). We tried the standby button on the front of the modem and it didn’t do anything. I got the idea to open up the Outlook Express email account and it went right to ‘desktop doctor’ and said ‘no internet connection’-no kidding. It then told us to reset the button on the back of the modem and wait 2 minutes. Bingo! The light on the front of the modem for the phone was lit again, but not the online light. So it said to restart the computer. Still no online connection. I was all set to call Comcast and then I decided to try the standby button again-and it worked. *Bowing*.
I slept like a charm last night and am pretty much my old self today. After some bad take-outs, I promised the guys a spaghetti and meatball dinner tonight (they had the choice of pot roast too). So in a few hours, I’ll whip that up for them.
The wind is wicked today. Brian is out cutting the grass. I wanted so much for him to get an attachment for the new mower to pick up the leaves. He stalls all the time. Look how long I longed for my kitchen (19.5 yrs for new readers). I told him I can’t handle all the raking in the springtime because he misses so many places just using the mower to clean up with. He does rake, but he could rake more.
Hopefully tomorrow I’ll get the roses moved. I can’t wait to see my niece and nephew on Tuesday for Halloween. : )
BTW-my mammogram was fine. I think I need to call about the ultrasound.

Could you keep my friend Warren in your prayers please? He had a mini-stroke last week and just wrote to his pals about it. Said his right side was numb and it was hard to read things. It’s hard to know what to say, but I told him I was pulling for him.

Oct2

Holiday Cooking Blogger style

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Recipe exchange hosted by Overwhelmed.
Take a gander!
Sean’s favorite:
SEVEN LAYER COOKIES

1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups graham crackers
1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup butterscotch chips (can be omitted)

Melt butter in a cake pan. Sprinkle crumbs over butter and pour
Eagle brand condensed milk over the crumbs.
Top with remaining ingredients in the order given and press down firmly.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly brown at 350 degrees.
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*Cookies*

BACARDI RUM CAKE

1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1 (18 1/2 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix
1 (3 3/4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1/2 c. cold water
1/2 c. Wesson oil
1/2 c. Bacardi dark rum (80 proof)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 10 inch tube pan or 12 cup
Bundt cake pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan.
Mix all ingredients together and pour over nuts.
Bake 1 hour. Cool. Invert on serving plate.
Prick top. Drizzle smooth glaze evenly over top and sides.
Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat until all glaze is used.

GLAZE:

1/4 lb. butter
1/4 c. water
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. Bacardi dark rum

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar.
Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in rum.
Optional: Decorate with whole maraschino cherries and
border of sugar frosting or whipped cream. Serve with seedless grapes dusted with powdered sugar.
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*Desserts*

My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe
Crisco Butter Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie
Preparation time: 30 to 35 minutes
Baking time: 8 to 13 minutes/baking sheet
About 3 dozen cookies

1-1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup Butter Flavor CRISCO all-vegetable shortening
or 3/4 Butter Flavor Crisco stick
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (6-ounce package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup pecan pieces (optional)*

Heat oven to 375ºF. Combine brown sugar, Butter Flavor
Crisco Shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl.
Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture.
Combine flour, salt and baking soda.
Mix into creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if used.
Drop rounded measuring tablespoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375ºF for
8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies
(they will look light and moist), or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies.
DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack;
remove cookies to rack to cool completely.

* If nuts are omitted, add an additional 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Bar Cookies
Prepare dough according to directions in recipe.
Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan with Butter Flavor Crisco. Spread dough evenly in pan.
Bake 19 to 21 minutes or until top is golden brown
and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
and center feels slightly firm to the touch. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Large Rounds
Prepare dough according to directions in recipe.
Grease small area in center of baking sheet.
Cover with 12 inch square of foil. Place one-fourth of the dough in the center of the foil.
Round into a small circle with spatula or rubber scraper.
Grease 12-inch square of waxed paper.
Place greased side down on top of dough.
Flatten with round cake pan or pie pan to form a 7-inch circle.
Remove wax paper. Bake at 375ºF for
9 to 10 minutes or until light golden color
overall with slightly darker edge.
remove to rack to cool completely
Repeat with remaining cookie dough or use to make standard size cookies.

CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE OR DIP – Melt 1 cup semi-sweet or
white chocolate pieces with 1 teaspoon Butter Flavor
Crisco Shortening on VERY LOW heat. Stir well.
If too thick to drizzle, add 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon
more shortening to thin. Drizzle from end of spoon back and
forth over cookie. Sprinkle with nuts before chocolate hardens,
if desired. (To harden chocolate quickly, place in refrigerator for a few minutes)
or spoon melted chocolate into custard cup.
Dip one end of cooled cookie halfway up in chocolate.
Sprinkle with finely chopped nuts before chocolate
hardens, or drizzle with contrasting white or dark chocolate. Place on waxed paper.
*Cookies*