Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

June 5, 2010

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

Last weekend at the Farmer's Market we got some Texas Sweet Onions. I think there were 3 to a bunch and so tonight I made the best carmelized onion and mushroom pizza. It was really a good combination, Mamacita and I really enjoyed it so here's my recipe.

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

1 tube Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 sweet onions, sliced thin
salt & pepper
1 pkg. or 1 lb. baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 cups Italian mix cheese, or a mixture of mozzarella, pecorino, asiago, parmesan and fontina

In large saute pan, heat over medium low and add olive oil. Add sliced onions and toss to coat. Saute about 10 minutes and then add sliced mushrooms. Add salt and pepper. Saute until onions are carmelized, turning occassionally, probably about 30-40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425. Grease large baking sheet and stretch crust out to edges. Prebake alone for 5 minutes. Then add small amount of olive oil on crust, add cheese, sprinkled evenly, then add saute of onion and mushroom. Bake another 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

Happy 2010!

January 1, 2010

Happy 2010!

"End of the year, new day - Let the past, slip away - Open your heart and
you just may - Transcend troubles and find your way - Happy New Year everyone!
May we all find our way to greater joy, peace and love!" ~California College of Ayurveda

I saw this quote on my Facebook page and I really like it. My first day of the New Year is kind of slow. I was up early or at my normal time around 6 am. I went to bed before midnight last night because I just couldn't stay up. We had a quiet night, my brother wasn't home. He's not feeling well and wanted to stay at his care facility, so I made a homemade shrimp fettucine dinner for Mamacita. I used some Sauvignon Blanc in the dish so I had a glass while cooking too. It was from Robert Mondavi and it was really nice wine. Crisp and clean. I made shrimp stock with the shrimp shells and used that in the dish. It was exceptionally good, if I do say so myself. Some Italians I'm sure would think the dish was not right because I use cheese in the sauce and usually they do not use cheese with any fish/seafood dishes. Well, I do. Sorry. Here is my recipe.

Shrimp Fettucine

1 lb. fettucine, cook as directed
1 lb. large to extra large raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
2 shallots, small dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg. sliced button or baby bella mushrooms
zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tbsp. of zest
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup white wine, like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
1/2 cup (1 cube) butter
1 cup half and half or cream
3/4 c. grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese
5-7 fresh leaves of basil, stacked and rolled and cut (chiffonade)

Peel and devein shrimp, putting shells in a saucepan and add about 3 cups
water and boil for about 20 minutes. Add about 1 Tbsp. olive oil to shrimp, add
minced garlic and salt and pepper and coat shrimp. In large saute pan, add
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and 1 Tbsp. butter over medium high heat. Add 1/2
the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add shrimp and saute on each side just
until pink. Add zest and lemon juice. Turn over and by the time you turn all of them they are ready to be removed from the pan. Put in a pan and set aside (they are not fully cooked).

Then add mushrooms and saute, when liquid is almost gone, add about 1-2 shrimp
stock and reduce until liquid is almost gone.

In separate saucepan add butter and cream and heat but do not boil. Add
about 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. white pepper. When butter is melted add 1/2 cup
cheese. Keep warm.

In saute pan, when shrimp stock is reduced, add wine and again reduce by
half over high heat to remove alcohol. Then add cream/butter mixture,
add shrimp back to pan. Mix and cook a couple minutes. Add cooked fettucine,
fresh basil and fresh grape tomatoes if you like. Toss together. Remove from
heat. Serve in a bowl with some basil and cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

We also had peach pie and Vanilla Bean ice cream. Yum!

We watched the Rose Parade this morning. I am such a sap! The stories really get to me and I get the chills and even sometimes well up. Like the School for the Blind group and they had them marching. It was really cool. They had ice surfing bull dogs too. Way cool. It was 72 degrees during parade time they said. Sorry, don't hate us because we have nice weather almost all year long.

I finished another spiral hat. I really like it but not sure I'll keep it. I may put it in my Etsy shop. I'll try to post pics when I do. Now I need another project to do. I may start another mohair cowl. I really like and use my cowl in white so I got some black lace mohair.

Wine Cake

August 22, 2008

Wine Cake

Someone wanted to know what a wine cake is, because I mentioned that Mamacita was baking one and the smell of it was killing me. Killing me because it made me hungry and because she was taking it in to work today for her coworkers. Well, there was a little left over and so I got a small slice of it today. This smells like butter when it's baking and there is no butter in it. It is so simple to make and people enjoy it. Give it a try, and if you do, please let me know how you and others enjoyed it.

Wine Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 small vanilla instant pudding mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup dry Sherry
4 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all of the above in a mixer or with a portable mixer for 5 minutes and pour into a tube/bundt/angel food cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Cool for about 15 minutes in pan, use a knife on the inside and outside edges to loosen and flip onto a plate or serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when completely cool.

Salsa Recipe

July 12, 2008

Salsa Recipe

I just made this homemade Salsa and someone asked me for the recipe. I've made this several times, adapted from a recipe from my ex-SIL who was mexican and now I have my own version of it. It's changed from her boiling all the tomatoes and peppers to me broiling most of them. So here you go...

Mitchypoo's Salsa

2 pasilla peppers
1-2 jalapenos
1-2 serrano peppers
1-2 yellow peppers
1 anaheim pepper
6-8 tomatillos
2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 tsp. salt
3-4 tomatoes

Wash all the peppers and tomatoes, de-skin the garlic gloves. Roast the pasilla peppers over an open flame until they char and blacken. Roast on a dry skillet the other peppers, tomatillos and whole cloves of garlic or broil all of them for about 10 minutes, checking often.

Cool peppers. De-seed and de-vein the pasilla, jalapeno and serrano peppers. I do not remove the char from the pasilla peppers, it gives it a smoky taste. Cut all peppers and tomatillos and tomatoes into large chunks and put in blender or food processor. Add salt, chopped cilantro and pulse or mix until slightly chunky. Will seem a little watery at first.

Makes about a quart. Serve with chips, eggs or with your favorite items. Enjoy!

June 3, 2008

It's been a while since I've posted, over a week which is a long time for me. I just haven't been feeling it lately. Not sure why. It's almost my 3 year blogiversary and I'm now questioning the time I devote to this. It does take some time to program certain things, and to download and upload pics, to write a post and edit. And maybe what I'm questioning is the value I place on posting. I've found myself dissapointed when it feels like no one is reading. And then I say that I'm not doing this for readers (although I love you, my online friends) I'm doing this for me.

So anyway... this is what we did Memorial Day weekend.

I have to give you the recipe because these ribs were so great and simple to make! And the credit for the recipe goes to Mrs. Koretoff, my best bud's Mamacita. This is a keeper.

BBQ Ribs

Par boil the ribs in a large pot of boiling water. When they come back to a boil, boil for 10-15 minutes. Take out and drain.

In a bowl, mix 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce and 1/2 bottle of teriyaki Baste and Glaze, not teriyaki sauce.

Preheat oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil, put a little oil on the foil. Then baste ribs with the teriyaki/bbq sauce mix. Cook covered for 1 hour. The last 15 minutes, baste again and take off tin foil cover.

Very simple and fall off the bone tender.

We also made great new potatoes...here's the recipe that we got from Giada Di Laurentiis and Everyday Italian. Click here for the recipe.

Are these not beautiful roses?! They are from Mamacita's garden, she very much loves her roses and when my Aunt Angie was out she helped her prune and feed all the roses and they are now just exploding with roses. It's so fun to come home and see what is blooming, what has changed.

And now for some knitting...

This is a clapotis shawl I made using Francis Patrick Worsted in the Red Rocks color way. I love the color variations. I still have to weave the ends in and now it's too warm to wear, but I have put it on at night while veging, it's like a soft comfy blanket that comforts you.This is a pair of socks I did for the Spring Saucy Swap and will be getting in the mail today to my partner. I hope she likes them and I hope they fit, she seems to have a small foot.

And this is another clapotis, but in a smaller version. It's between a scarf and a shawl. I used Malabrigo Worsted in the Cuarzo colorway. I had been given 2 skeins in a swap about 2 years ago and wanted to find the perfect project for it, and this was it but then I really needed another skein so I found it online and these great people found a skein that matched really really well. I wish I could remember where I got it because they were great.

And I'm also working on socks again, a pair of Firestarters using Francis Patrick sock yarn and I love this yarn so much but had trouble finding the gauge, so this 3rd attempt is really working out.

I easily flow with change. I am always going in the best direction.

May 19, 2008

I easily flow with change. I am always going in the best direction.

I made this salad yesterday because I've read about how great quinoa is as a whole grain. It's pronounced 'Keen Wa' in case you are wondering and I have to say that my first attempt with this recipe was a resounding success! I love it, it's nutty and flavorful. I can't wait to have some for lunch. Along with my tabbouleh that I made yesterday and some feta cheese. I think I must be Greek and nobody told my family. I like the Mediterranean diet and I'm finding that I do not need a lot of meat in my diet to be satisfied. I found some lovely orange and yellow tomatoes yesterday and they are in the tabbouleh, plus a couple diced Persian cucumbers. Yum! I can't wait for lunch!

I'm feeling better and so my appetite seems to be back which is great I guess except I'd really like to keep off the weight I lost while being sick. I think I am, as long as I keep it healthy and balanced. So here is the recipe for the quinoa salad and please try it even if you aren't watching your weight. It's really good and I think you'll like it.

Quinoa Salad with Corn and Peppers
POINTS: 3 per serving (Weight Watchers)

INSTRUCTIONS
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 piece corn on the cob, steamed, cooled and kernels removed (I used 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed)
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), diced
1/2 medium yellow pepper(s), diced
1 1/2 Tbsp orange zest
1/3 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp canola oil
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp chopped almonds, toasted

Boil 2 cups of water over medium-high heat. Add quinoa and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes; cool to room temperature.

Stir lemon juice, corn, peppers, orange zest and juice, oil, salt and pepper into quinoa. Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with almonds and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

I went shopping yesterday and got a pair of shorts, bought them a size smaller than usual but I hate to try stuff on at the store, so I came home and tried them on and they not only fit, they were almost....almost too big!! So happy!

I didn't do that much this weekend, I really wanted to get out, was going to take my friend and her girls to a movie, but decided I needed to stay home and recuperate and I really do feel better today. The CT scan was normal, nothing major showed but the Dr. was going to send me to a pulmonologist. But now that the congestion and cough are going away I won't go.

I got a lot of knitting done on my clapotis, it'll be done tonight and then I'll take pics. I love the colors but it's definitely for cooler weather so it'll be a while before I can actually use it. It's wool and mohair and it's warm!

Friday's Feast

February 22, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

I'm sure I have, probably to one of my family members, but I can't remember the last time.

Soup
What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

We have Princess House S&P Shakers that are older than dirt, you cannot even buy them anymore. The ones they have now have a different odd shape.

Salad
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

My best friend and I are thinking of going to the East Coast this Fall. To Maine and Vermont, but now we have a friend moving to VA, so we may go there too.

Main Course
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

I am constantly putting lotion on my hands at work. I have L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream, Badger Foot Balm which I use on my cuticles, Vera Wang Silkening Hand Creme, Avon Vita Moist, Time & Again Shea Butter in Pink Poinsettia and Johnson's baby oil gel. That's just on my work desk!

Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

Mitchypoo's Dessert

2 whole graham crackers, any flavor such as cinnamon sugar or chocolate or honey

1 tbsp. butter, spread over the graham crackers

cinnamon sugar, sprinkle on the butter

Enjoy!

It's a favorite snack of mine.

By loving others, I help improve the quality of their lives.

January 21, 2008

By loving others, I help improve the quality of their lives.

No good reason for me not blogging this weekend. I seem to be taking the weekends off without intending too. Perhaps that is a good thing so that I can actually accomplish something over the weekend.

Had a weird thing happen at work last Friday. When I was leaving work there was a group of good looking men in the parking lot, I looked around and here was a section of our parking lot sectioned off with yellow crime scene tape. I called my boss to tell him what was going on. There was maybe 5-8 police cars and some unmarked cars and a guy in a suit. There was definitely something weird going on. I thought about it Friday night and then I forgot about it. I asked my boss about it this morning and he heard that they found a car of a guy who is an ex-police officer and went missing from a local town, not this town, but he's been missing for 2-3 weeks and two of his cars are also missing and one of them turned up in our parking lot and had been there for about a week. Someone must have called about a car being parked. We are in a small industrial park and you tend to notice those things. I hadn't heard about this man missing, but something odd has happened I guess. Spooky that things like this go on all around you. You just never know. (***Edited before I posted. I just heard that they found the poor guys body in the back seat of that car. The Coroner's office was called out. How tragic. How scary.)

I was sure I was getting that cold finally Friday. I felt horrible, was sneezing and blowing all day, felt like I would lose my voice... and then Friday night it went away and I was fine all weekend. Frustrating. But I should not complain because of all the icky stuff going around and I'm doing good.

I did make a really good homemade chicken noodle soup Saturday in anticipation of feeling under the weather. I took a whole chicken, cut it up, seasoned with salt and pepper and browned it in a heavy duty dutch oven. Then in a stock pot I put in a chopped onion, about 3-4 carrots and 2 celery ribs. I added the chicken pieces and enough water to cover and brought that to a boil. Then I simmered covered for about 1 1/2 hours. I then removed the chicken, removed the vegetables and discarded. I added 3 carrots diced, 1 celery stalk diced and about a cup of fresh green beans. Shredded the chicken and discarded the skin and added 1/2 of the shredded chicken. Then I added 2 tsp. of Vegeta. I got this seasoning at a russian grocery store in MN and I forget to use it, but it is very flavorful. I would add more next time, 2 tsp. wasn't enough, but it did have a good natural tasting broth. I also added half a package of noodles. It hit the spot for me.

I also made lemon curd and a lemon tart with that lemon curd. We saw Barefoot Contessa making it this weekend and Mamacita asked me if I'd make a batch because we had a bunch of lemons to use up. I've made it before but not this recipe. It's pretty easy. You get the rind from about 3 lemons, put it in the food processor with sugar and pulse. In a mixer you cream butter and sugar and then add eggs, one at a time. Then you add fresh squeezed lemon juice. You take that custardy mixture and put it over low flame and stir until it thickens slightly. That's it. To make the lemon curd tart we took pre-packaged pie crust and put it in the bottom of a tart pan. I used both crusts, one of top of the other and formed it on the sides. Baked it for 5 minutes. Punctured the bottom and then baked another 5-10 minutes until browned. Cooled. Then add the lemon curd. Yum!

I had a piece of the lemon curd tart last night, but will have to watch it now. I'm down about 21 lbs. since I started Weight Watchers in September, and I love that I can still indulge but then I just watch myself and I watch my portions. Works for me.

Lazy Sunday...

December 30, 2007

Lazy Sunday...

My sleep schedule is all messed up and I'm feeling out of sorts because of it. Yesterday we got up late, I didn't get cleaned up and dressed until 2 p.m. I did the grocery shopping, it was good to get out for awhile. Then we made Beef Fiorino which I was hungry for (recipe to follow). After dinner I was so tired and wanted to nap for just 1 hour. But it ended up being a 3 hr. nap and I've decided I'm not a good napper. Not for the 20 minute power nap anyway. Or even an hour nap. So then I was up and couldn't get to bed.

Beef Fiorino

1 round steak or top round steak, trimmed of fat
bacon, about 3-4 slices, fried and crumbled
2 cups minute rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can mushroom pieces, with liquid
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley

Cook bacon in large pan, take out to cool and crumbled. Season round steak
with salt and pepper on both sides and over high heat, brown steak, about 2-3
minutes on each side. Place round steak on cookie sheet with large piece
of heavy duty foil on top. Mix rice with all other ingredients and place this
mixture on top of steak. If there is too much rice, put leftover in a separate
baking dish. Wrap steak around rice and seal not too tightly. Bake at 350 for 1
hour.

I've found podcasts and I'm loving them. I got an ipod Nano for Christmas and I guess I've heard about podcasts but really didn't get it until now. I've been downloading meditations and knitting podcasts and I have some guided meditations that I'm really enjoying. One is specifically for weight loss and emotional eating. So, if you know of any cool podcasts, please leave me a comment re: that, I'd love to know about it.

The plan for New Years Eve is to go to my best bud's house and we're going to have a Prime Rib dinner with her famous garlic bread and then we're going to sit in the jacuzzi with some champagne! Ohh, I can not wait.

I have to work tomorrow and I'll be alone which is fine with me. It will be very quiet I am sure.

I finished the possum merino foliage hat on Friday evening but I haven't taken pics yet. It's a tad big, but that is OK with me because I don't particularly like hats that are binding. I'll post pics later.

I've been thinking about what I want in the year 2008. I really do not want to make resolutions, they don't work, but there are goals and things I am still working on.

The biggest being my weightloss, that is an ongoing thing for me. Another thing I decided is that any socks that I make are going to be for ME! Yep, I've decided to be a selfish knitter. I have one pair of my own handknitted socks and they have seen better days. So this is going to be the year of socks for Mitchypoo! I may work on hats or scarfs or other small items for others, but the socks are mine! I'll have to start a log I think.

It's also going to be a year of decluttering and I'm going to start going thru my boxes in the garage from my move over 2 years ago. Time to decide what stays and what goes.

I also have some business ventures that I want to work on and start. It's going to be a great 2008! I just feel it!

Happy New Year to all of you! I wish you a happy and blessed 2008!

My gift to you!

December 8, 2007

My gift to you!

Mamacita made a yummy cookie today! We call them Monster Cookies and the recipe is from my Aunt Angie in Minnesota. Aren't they pretty?!

So my gift to you today is the recipe! And if you are a Weight Watcher, they are 4 points each! But worth it if you can fit it in.

Monster Cookies

POINTS® Value: 4 Servings: 74

Ingredients
6 large egg(s)

2 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, with salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup unsalted butter, (OK to use salted butter)

2 cup sugar

2 cup unpacked brown sugar

1 Tbsp light corn syrup

4 tsp baking soda

9 cup Quaker Oats Quick Oats Cereal
1 bag M&M's Plain M&M's, Use Red & Green for the Holidays!
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients in the order given. Drop on ungreased cookie sheets with a 2" ice cream scoop. Take a flat bottom glass and flatten them down before baking. Bake for 11-12 minutes at 350. Do not over bake. Makes 6 dozen large cookies. They like to burn easily, so watch after 10 minutes and adjust accordingly. Remove from oven, let them sit for a couple minutes before removing them.

Looky what the mailman brought me today! This is my black walnut yarn and I think I'll have to rename it as the phantom yarn. Because in this pic you see beautiful shades of maroon and red, right? But in real life it is browns and blacks and I do not see any red, wine, maroon, etc. It's still really beautiful yarn and I am trying to control myself and not start another pair of socks. I have so many projects on the needles and I'm working on my own sock pattern that I'm hoping to submit to someone who is starting an online mag. I let you know the details as soon as I do. She asked if I'd contribute and I'm so honored and excited to do so. And I can't wait to show you my pattern! There's so many good things going on right now!And here's my cow Tom in his cat bed. The life of a cat. If I had a choice, I'd love to come back in life as a pampered cat. I mean really, you just eat and sleep all day!

Cats and food, socks and stamps.

December 3, 2007

Cats and food, socks and stamps.

The kitty cuteness, I just can't stand it. Maybe I'll ask for captions on the ravelry group.
Dinner last night! It was yummy. I took a steak and seasoned it. Cooked stovetop in a pan sprayed with Pam and heated to medium high. Cooked 5 minutes on 1 side, 4 on the other, than we took it out and let it rest for 10 minutes. It was medium rare and perfect for us. Then I took field greens and took a prepared raspberry vinaigrette and added about 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard to it. Tossed it along with grape tomatoes. Then added some crumbled bleu cheese and the sliced steak slices.
I hope you can see this. One of the holiday stamp collections is called "Holiday Knits"! So exciting to see knit stamps. So cool!
Here's my first Fancy Sock made with the Peppermint Mocha sock yarn. So yummy. I'm not sure I like the pointy toe, it's a different toe I tried from Vintage Socks. I'm going to try it on first.

Happy Sunday!

May 27, 2007

Happy Sunday!

I hope you are having a good Memorial Day weekend. We here are having a nice and uneventful weekend, sometimes just the kind I like. Yesterday I did some cleaning and laundry, some napping and knitting. I love the feeling that tomorrow is not a work day for me.

Well, I mentioned that I had a wake up call when I went to the Dr's on Wednesday and so since then I've resolved to just do better. No real rules but I am not having any alcohol, no glass of wine with dinner or a casual drink on the weekend. I'm just leaving it alone for now. And I'm very conscious of what I'm eating and I'm also making sure I drink my water. The good news is that since Wednesday I've lost 4 lbs! It's amazing how making a few changes can make a huge difference. And I've made a few goals for myself and one is that I'm going to tackle this 5 lbs at a time. It's too overwhelming to think of it any other way for me, so 5 lbs at a time I can deal with. And I've decided that for every 5 lbs. I will reward myself by being able to buy yarn only after losing 5 lbs. I think it's a good incentive for me because I've been buying a lot of my favorite sock yarn and now I have to think about it. And I also have a larger goal down the road and when I hit that I'm buying a pendant for myself at Tiffany and Co. This too is a great incentive for me because I really want this necklace. I also still need to incorporate walking and other forms of exercise into my life. I set my alarm this Saturday to get up and go walking, but I didn't. But I'm not going to get down on myself, I'll just try again. I'm also reading You on a Diet and like the attitude so far. I'm taking care of myself and that feels good.

I'm going to get some organic and healthy food today and tomorrow I will put in containers salads for the week. I think I have to try and plan ahead whatever I can do because it just doesn't get done last minute before I go to work.

While Mamacita was in Minnesota she had a visit with an old friend and she served this yummy salad to her. I've made my own and this is what's in it.

Romaine lettuce, and or any greens you like
1 or 2 dates, chopped
seasoned goat cheese, crumbled or spooned on top
small tomatoes, cut in quarters
vinaigrette dressing or
drizzle lightly with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a little Balsamic Vinegar

The contrast between the dates and the cheese with the vinaigrette dressing is amazing. Try it!

Thursday Thirteen Edition #11

May 2, 2007

Thursday Thirteen Edition #11

Thirteen Super Easy Recipes from Mitchypoo! Crab Rangoon~ Soften 1 8 oz. of cream cheese, add 1 drained can of crab meat, add about 2 or 3 finely chopped green onions. Mix well. Take won ton wrappers, add about 1 large tsp. of the mixture to the center, use water to seal the edges or gather the ends up to purse the filling. Fry in oil until golden. Serve with sweet and hot sauce or just hot sauce. These are my brothers favorite! Zucchini and Corn~ In a bowl put about 3/4 to 1 cup of frozen white or yellow corn, take 1 or 2 zucchini and slice over the corn, add 1 1/4 inch slice Velveeta and put on top. HEY! I like Velveeta, but you can use any cheese that you like that melts. Then cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high about 3 minutes, add for 1 minute intervals until the zucchini is slightly cooked, stir, salt and pepper to taste. Sounds weird, but try it, it's yummy. Easy Cheese Dip~ If you can find canned Chili Laredo without beans, use that. Otherwise use your favorite canned chili without beans, add 2 8 oz cream cheese packages and put in the crock pot. Stir and serve with tortilla chips. Men seem to love this at parties. Cream Cheese Log~ a definite crowd pleaser. Soften 2 pkg. of 8 oz. cream cheese, add 1 small can of crushed pineapple and drain very well, add about 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper and about 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion. Mix. Put about 2 cups of chopped pecans or walnuts on wax paper. Then take the mixture and either divide into 2 balls or form into 1 large log. Put on the nuts and roll to cover. Put it in the fridge for awhile. Serve with ritz crackers or wheat thins. Bacon and Peanut Butter Toast~ this is just comfort food, but you have to try this. Do the bacon and while still warm, put on top of the peanut butter. It gets all oozy and it's so good. Tomato and Onion Salad~ cut about 5 or 6 tomatoes into wedges, add about 1/2 a med. red onion, sliced into thin slices or minced, add fresh basil or about 1 tsp. dried, drizzle about 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over it, enough to coat. Add about 1/4 tsp. salt. Mix it up and let it sit in the fridge. It'll create some juices and this is very refreshing. Aunt Reen's Crab Dip~ spread 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese on a platter, add cocktail sauce over that, add 1 can drained crab meat over that, add about 1/2 cup of finely chopped green onion over that. Serve with crackers. Super Easy Brownies~ This is so easy and so good. Make chocolate instant pudding with milk as directed, mix that into a box of any kind of chocolate or fudge dry cake mix. Add 1 bag of mini or regular size chocolate chips. Mix it all together, add nuts if you like. Put in a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for about 40 minutes or until the center is not gooey. Let them cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar or just cut and enjoy. They are moist and scrumptious. Chopped Salad~It takes some prep time but it's easy. Take iceberg lettuce and chop kind of small, add about 1/4 jicama, chopped small, add about 3 pieces of fried bacon, crumbled, add 1/2 or a whole avocado diced, add 1/2 small red onion diced, add 1 or 2 tomatoes chopped, add about 1/4 cup ranch dressing or your favorite dressing, toss and serve with fried onions on top. Pineapple Boats~Take a fresh pineapple, leave the top on and cut in half lengthwise, then quarter. Cut the hard center core off. Cut the pineapple by cutting near the skin and then cut down the center and into chunks but leave on the skin or "boat" Then sprinkle with chili powder~yes--chili powder! Don't argue, just try it! Sprinkle with salt and then drizzle fresh lemon juice over. Serve with toothpicks or individually on plates and enjoy! Egg-in-a-Hole~ This is what I want when I don't feel good or have an upset tummy. Take a piece of bread and with a glass, cut a hole in the middle, butter the bread and put in a pan over medium heat. Put a little butter in the hole and when melted, add an egg, salt and pepper to taste. When the first side is browned, flip over, when egg white is cooked, but center still runny, take out and eat. Easy Pea Hors d'oeuvres~ Make your favorite tuna salad, not too runny, get pea pods and wash and pull the strings and open on one side, add tuna salad and serve. Easy Chunky Guacamole~ Smash half the avocado and cut in pieces on the other half, use about 4 or 5 avocados, add about 1 tsp. seasoning salt, lemon pepper and dashes of your favorite hot sauce like Tabasco or Tapatio. Serve with tortilla chips. Are you hungry yet? If you try any will you let me know?!

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I deserve inner peace, and I accept it now.

February 18, 2007

I deserve inner peace, and I accept it now.

Having a lazy Sunday and that is my favorite kind of Sunday. I do plan to get cleaned up and dressed today...but not yet, it's only a little after noon! Still have coffee to drink and a paper to read.

We had Sausage Gravy and Biscuits this a.m. Yum yum! Here's the recipe for the sausage gravy, it's so easy to make and very satisfying.

Sausage Gravy

1 tube Jimmy Dean Sausage w/Sage (gold label)
1/4 cup flour
2 to 2.5 cups milk (whole milk or lowfat w/some half and half)
1/4 tsp. pepper
Biscuits

This is a one pot meal. Brown the sausage in a heavy duty, high side dutch oven, breaking it up and browning over medium to medium high heat. Then add 1/4 cup flour and let the flour brown, about 3-4 minutes. Then add milk and lower flame to low. Stir and get some of the goodies off the bottom of pan. It will thicken, add pepper. The sausage has enough salt or salt to taste.

Make your favorite homemade or canned biscuits, split in half and spoon over. Enjoy!

I got some Noro Garden Silk Lite yarn from ebay and I made another Argosy scarf. Pics to follow, i'm going to try and block today. I have a mental block about blocking, it seems so difficult, but i'm sure it is not. Must learn to block, I have many projects I need to block.

We may get another cat! Mom and I talked about it and we think Tom needs a pal and she'd like another one so I found a place that adopts cats and I called and asked if they had any polydactyls (extra toes)like Tom because mom wants one and she thinks they are more laid back and they do have that reputation, they didn't have any polys at the time, but she called me yesterday and they will have 1, maybe 2 available. So we are going to the beach on Sat. morning to go look at them. One is a red tabby and the other is a white siamese mix with lilac ears, interesting. We'll see what happens. The only concern I have is that they will eat together and it'll be harder to regulate Tom's food while I'm trying to get him to lose 3-4 lbs. But maybe he'll get more activity and it won't be an issue.

I allow change to occur without resistance or fear. I am free.

December 18, 2006

I allow change to occur without resistance or fear. I am free.

Pretty good weekend. It rained. I love it! I got some more bead and wire knitting done and we finally got our tree up! What a feat. Something like that should be so simple, but no.... We have to put the tree on a table and the base was about 1 inch too big, so Mamacita went to an unnamed home center to get a square cut of wood. So voila, we got the tree up. She asked me if I knew where my ornaments were and I knew they were in the garage with all my other stuff, but it was destined to be because I went in the garage and the box was right there and i didn't even have to move anything to get it out! So we have an all pink and silver tree and it's simply gorgeous. I took pics and will post tonight. We needed a little change on our tree and Mamacita absolutely loves the tree. I think the other colors and ornaments made her miss my dear Dad too much. Now she wants to get all pink and silver paper for next year...I say why not!

I also made 2 batches of peanut brittle, which set up just fine. And I made caramels that I will cut and wrap tonight. Still have to make those marshmallows.

As a gift to all of you I'm posting our Peanut Brittle recipe. This is a tried and true recipe and in our family it is not Christmas until a batch of this perfumes the house. You need a really good and sturdy pot to make it in. We use the bottom of a small pressure cooker. Enjoy and if you make it, tell me how it comes out, k?

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peanut brittle

2 cups sugar
1 cup corn syrup (white Karo)
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups raw peanuts, no skin
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda

In heavy pot put sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Over high heat, heat until hard ball stage , stirring almost constantly with long handled wooden spoon. Use candy thermometer to check when at hard ball stage or get a cup of ice water and drop some in, if ball is hard, proceed.

Add peanuts and butter and continue stirring. Peanuts will roast. When they are light brown and you can smell them, it is done. Take off the heat. Be quick on the next 2 steps. Add in vanilla, stir well. Add baking soda, it will foam up, stirring. Pour into a buttered sheet pan. Let sit until set, break into small pieces and enjoy. Happy Holidays!
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Promise I'll post pics of the tree tonight!...

Boring? No, thank you...

December 16, 2006

Boring? No, thank you...

I don't know if I should be thoroughly insulted or just consider the source, but evidently being an insurance agent is considered being the most boring thing ever according to Snow. I read that and I said....I'm not boring! Am I? I don't think so nor do I think the job is boring. I think there is a stereotype of that field being like that, but I don't think it applies to me. I actually like my job. Good thing too because I'll be busier at work, my coworker had her last day this last Friday. My bosses have a place up in the mountains so Monday I'll be all alone. But I actually kind of like that. I'm fine if you just leave me alone and let me do my job.

I made beer cheese soup today! That's not boring! Au contraire! I saw the recipe in a Williams Sonoma catalog and it made me homesick for Minnesota. We had a place to get eats next door where I worked and he made beer cheese soup. I made it according to the directions and it was yummy! I add buttered popcorn as a garnish and a dash of cayenne. Next time I will adjust the recipe with a pale ale instead of a dark ale and I'll not use sharp cheddar, it had a bit of a bite. A plain aged cheddar or Colby would do fine. It was a nice excuse to drink dark ale, like I need one.

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cheddar-ale soup

4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1 3/4 cups chicken stock (I used low-sodium organic)
1 bottle (12 fl. oz.) ale
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 1/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated (I'd suggest using un-sharp!)
salt, to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
Buttered popcorn, (I used microwave popcorn)

In stockpot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onion, celery and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 10-15 minutes. Stir in flour; cook 3-5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; whisk in milk and stock. Bring to simmer; cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Using immersion blender, puree until smooth; strain through fine-mesh sieve. (I pureed, but did not strain it, I wanted all the fiber).

Return mixture to pot; set over medium heat. Add ale, Worcestershire and mustard; simmer 5 minutes. Whisk in cheese 1/2 cup at a time, letting each addition melt before adding more; do not allow soup to boil. Season with salt and cayenne. Ladle into warmed bowls. Serves 4-6.
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We're getting rain. Started last night and on and off all day. I love it! Worked around the house, wash, cleaning, wrapping and we're doing the tree. Still intend to get a batch of marshmallows made tonight and maybe some peanut brittle, although we usually don't make peanut brittle when it's raining, it doesn't seem to set right, but I'll still try.