Hanson Girl

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

2011-11-02T20:13:00.002-05:00

One of our favorite places to eat pizza in Bemidji is at Giovanni's, and one of their best pizzas is the Garlic Chicken Alfredo. They start with a hand tossed crust which is thicker than their regular crust, then top it with Alfredo sauce, chicken, red peppers, and lots of cheese. I'm sure there must be some other magic ingredient they sprinkle over it that they don't tell you about, because it tastes SOOOOOO good.

Being on a budget, eating out is only for special occasions, or when Mom has had a really busy day at work and the only thing she wants to do is give Riley some money for the delivery guy at the door. So I decided to come up with a version of our favorite pizza, only without having to take the time to make a crust. You see, I only like homemade crust; none of the mixes or refrigerated premade crusts have quite cut it around here. And homemade crust takes a while, the mixing, the rising of the dough, etc., etc. Around here it's usually a weekend thing.

So to get the same taste, I decided to make Chicken Alfredo Lasagna. Riley used to hate lasagna. I tried to explain to him that since he loved spaghetti that lasagna was the very same thing, only with different noodles and in layers. For years he refused to eat it, which made me very sad, as it's one of Mom's favorite things, and if we both don't like something I usually don't make it very often. As he is getting older he's coming around to more food choices. Thank Heavens.

As the noodles boiled I mixed together the filling ingredients. Some people would spread out some sauce, then some meat, then some cheese, but I like to just mix it all together and layer away. It's all going to end up melted together anyway, right? If my method is too "hotdishy" for you, go ahead and layer it all individually. Knock yourself out.

I mixed together a jar of Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and chicken (I always make up a big batch of boiled chicken breasts to have on hand throughout the week and store in a plastic container in the fridge). I used about two whole chicken breasts for this dish, but you can use more if you like.

Then I diced up a red pepper and added it to the bowl. This is the point where you tell yourself you should have used a bigger bowl. But we can make it work.

The way I dice peppers may be different from all the pros, but it works. First cut off the top and scoop out the innards, then rinse out the inside to get rid of all the seeds.

Cut around the stem so you don't waste any...

then quarter the rest of the pepper and remove any of the white membrane remaining.

I'm picky 'bout my peppers.

Slice and dice. Done.

When the noodles are done drain them in a colander in the sink and let them cool slightly so you don't burn your fingers while layering them in the pan. Coat a glass baking dish with cooking spray, then add some of the sauce mixture to the bottom, just enough to keep the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Layer on three noodles and more of the sauce mixture.

Repeat twice until you have three layers, ending with sauce.

Sprinkle with more mozzarella and Parmesan.

Pull off a sheet of aluminum foil and lay it on your counter. Spray with cooking spray; this will keep the top layer of cheese from sticking to it.

Cover the baking dish and pop it in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes or so to brown the cheese a bit.

Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes to allow it to set up so it's easier to cut. After cutting a big piece I like to sprinkle it with a bit more Parmesan. Because really, at this point, my fat grams are a bust.

I love you Giovanni's, but I think this lasagna might have your pizza beat. Until I'm too pooped to cook, that is.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

(PRINTABLE VERSION)

Pumpkin Carvin'

2011-10-31T17:29:00.000-05:00

Every year before Halloween my dad asks if I've gotten a pumpkin to carve yet. If not, he will get one for me. It needs to be just the right size, with one side perfectly ready to be cut into. Nowadays I need to get one for me and Riley, and this year we found some awesome ones. And last night we commenced to carvin'.

The fillet knives and newspaper were brought out to the kitchen table, as well as Sharpies for marking faces and such. Grandma pulled out all her October magazines that featured ideas for carving, but none of them seemed quite right. The Hanson family likes to do things on our own when it comes to being creative.

I chose to make a statement this year, rather than cutting the traditional triangle shaped eyes and crooked tooth-filled mouth. Riley frittered away on paper with ideas until he came up with the perfect compliment to what I was doing. And after completely freehanding the design onto his pumpkin,

we were ready to take out the guts and get to work.

My pumpkin says "BOO!",

and Riley's is a scaredy cat.

He spent much time on the details, knicking in little whiskers atop it's ears, trying to make it look like his own cat, Lewi. I tried not to have a heart attack as he wielded Grandpa's extra sharp knife, having his hand way too close to the blade for my liking.

But there was no blood, and no trip to the emergency room. Whew. Grandpa guided him on how to wiggle the knife through the tough flesh, make the corners, and be careful when he got to the points where he could completely destroy his design if he wasn't extra careful.

Next year I'm going to find us one of those cool carving kits that all the professionals use. For a family project that we enjoy doing every year it will be worth every penny. And it will allow us to get even more carried away with our ideas.

Since we don't get any trick-or-treaters at our house, we will head back over to Grandma and Grandpa's tonight for a cozy dinner of chili and cornbread with honey, followed by a round of Rummy and way too many Kit Kats and M&M's, I imagine. I suggested staying home in our dark house and watching the "Poltergeist" trilogy, but I couldn't quite convince Riley that it was a good idea. Scaredy cat.

Red Flag S'mores

2011-10-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

It seems as though the outdoor fire pit will need to be retired until next year. Our area has been under "Red Flag" warnings for the last few weeks, with burning restrictions on everything. No more sitting 'round the fire, sharing stories and sipping cold drinks. And the worst of it, no more S'mores.

At the beginning of Summer I had high hopes for many bonfires, but with the hot weather and wind we only had a few. Which means I have more than a few bags of marshmallows leftover. I even bought those GIANT ones they now sell, which don't really work well on a stick over an open fire anyway. The outside gets burned before the middle is cooked. Darn.

I know nothing better to make with marshmallows than Rice Krispie bars. They take 10 minutes, they are warm and ooey-gooey, and lowfat to boot. I always add more marshmallows than the recipe calls for, and sometimes I add a layer of melted chocolate to the top for a little extra fancy. You could also crush up some of your leftover graham crackers and stir into the mix, to make them more like S'mores, but graham crackers in our house are usually eaten by the kid, crumbled up like cereal and topped with cold milk. My sister has a version that includes caramel, and how can that be wrong? I've also seen versions that mix in peanut butter or a bit of cake mix and some sprinkles. But when it's late at night, or a lazy weekend afternoon, and you just want a little something sweet, the basic version will do just fine.

You can find the traditional bar recipe on the side of your cereal box or HERE, and when I say "cereal box", I mean the ORIGINAL Kellogg's Rice Krispies. Don't try to get away with using a generic brand, they just won't taste the same. When I find a good deal on the real stuff I always grab a couple of boxes to have on hand.

Have you had a Rice Krispie bar lately?

Hanging On To Summer

2011-10-07T21:16:00.003-05:00

How do they survive? The flowers that come back, the bugs that continue to hop and chirp about the yard. Some things die with the very first frost, but others hang on, well past their time.

Most of my plant beds, containers, and garden have been crispy brown and sad for a few weeks now, but as I walked around the yard tonight, watching the welcome purple clouds roll in carrying a much needed quenching rain, I found bits and pieces of summer still left over. I picked the last of the miniature pumpkins and corraled the squashes back into the dirt so I can mow and tidy up one more time around the garden.

I found one silly little cucumber hanging out amongst his yellow and sickly companions, they who had been hiding under once green leaves I failed to peek under. I think one more batch of Ina Garten's Roasted Shrimp and Orzo is on the menu for this weekend. Perhaps with a loaf of homemade bread, fresh from the oven and slathered in a bit of butter.

I found a small gaggle of stunning purple wildflowers that had decided to give one more show, and just a few black eyed susans interspersed with the weeds that have popped up here and there amidst my lack of desire for any more yardwork this year.

My dianthus is reblooming for the third time, and I've found that although it is classified as an annual, it keeps on coming back every year. I like that.

And wouldn't you know, this little green fellow was hanging on for dear life. He almost seemed to be asking me, with a tilt to his head, "Excuse me Miss, but why does it have to end"?

Sorry, Mr. Grasshopper. Summer has to end some time. It will be back again with fresh green grass and warm breezes soon enough. Now jump away and find a warm place to hide. I smell snow coming.

First Freeze

2011-09-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

I trudged through what was left of it all as the chilly air rustled the vines. A green tomato here, a few cucumbers there. The last of the zucchini. Glads just starting to show color were picked, and zinnias and sunflowers cut and plopped in vases. All that remains are the cold hardy carrots and squash.

The first freeze of the Fall season seems to come earlier each year. But this year I was ready for it to happen. I took on some huge canning and preserving projects this year, and I'm almost out of jars and Ziploc freezer bags. It's time to get out the slow cooker for chili and the pie pans for apple pie. Warm oatmeal cookies will now be dunked in hot cocoa rather than cold milk, and the finest of the red wines will be poured with dinner.

Living in Northern Minnesota grants us four seasons of change, and Fall is the one I look forward to most of all. Fuzzy blankets come out of closets, slippers are coaxed from under the bed, and cozy sweatshirts are folded neatly in the closet, ready to be worn while I cuddle up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee on the couch. I will miss porch sitting, watching the sun set with a cold glass of iced tea in hand, but the warmth of the beauty of Fall will suit me just fine.

I Can Can!

2011-08-17T13:41:00.003-05:00

It was inevitable that when I started a garden I would need to learn how to can. When the size of your garden matches the square footage of your house (and your dad lets the tiller get away from him a bit more each year), it really is a necessity. I suppose if I hadn't planted three varieties of every vegetable available it would be a different story. But what fun would that be?

I am currently being outnumbered by cucumbers. This called for digging out my parent's old canner from their larder room and giving it a good scrub. Jars were cleaned, vinegar and a multitude of spices were purchased (although I thought I owned pretty much every spice made), and cukes were picked and scrubbed 'til shiny. I planted burpless, Chicago pickling, and a hybrid variety that could be used for either.

The day began with my mom knocking on my front door, a bit earlier than I had expected. She and my dad had already been out in the garden and picked all the cukes that were ready, as evidenced by the buckets full on my back porch. My sister reminded me that back in the day when she was little they usually drug her out of bed at 6 AM to help; thankfully I missed out on that era.

We sliced, salted, and iced the cukes and waited three hours for them to soften. Then we simmered it all together and stuffed the jars. Fourteen pints later I had completed my first lesson in canning and had lots of bread and butter pickles to eat. Just smelling the batch simmering on the stove made me feel like a kid again, enjoying Mom's homemade spaghetti, French bread with real butter, and the same pickles we were in the process of making sitting along the side of all of it.

It's amazing how many things they know about canning, things I had never read in any of the five books I had been perusing over the last year. Did you know that if you cut the cukes off the vine with a knife, leaving about a quarter inch of vine attached, that it promotes growth to the rest of the fruits? (rather than just twisting them off, which I had been doing).

Next we put up two gallons of what is supposed to be a knock-off of "those dill pickles you can buy in the refrigerated section of your grocery store". As I packed the spears into the jars my dad pointed out that I should make sure that none of the raw edges of the pickles were set against each other, for this would cause somewhat of a seal, and the vinegar and spices wouldn't soak into the pickles as well. I had Riley watch us and take pictures along the way, so he will at least have an inkling of this whole process when he gets old enough to be interested.

There are so many things in our garden that I would like to pickle this year; beets, carrots, onions, dilly beans. Now that I've been handed down the basics I feel much better about journeying into this previously unknown canning world on my own. I'm so thankful that my dad had family who shared all their recipes and tips with him so that he could pass it on to all of us. Canning is somewhat of a lost art that is coming back "in style". I've never been concerned about being hip, I just love to be in the kitchen, especially when it's with family.

Lettuce Talk About July

2011-07-26T15:42:00.004-05:00

I've been absent from blogging because I've been too darn busy with...

the three stooges,

sunsets on the hill,

hidden treasures in the woods,

fishin' in the rain,

fishin' in the sun,

topping my mom's birthday cheesecake with fresh strawberries from our local farmer's market,

a celebration luncheon for my Granny's 90th birthday

and enjoying frites and wine, all with ladies I love,

listening to endless "Halo" matches,

eating cheese curds in Wisconsin,

visiting my sister's favorite gardening center, Stockholm Gardens,

admiring the crops at the St. Paul Farmer's Market,

pickin' wildflowers,

and TONS of lettuce. And spinach, radishes, and turnips. And weeds.

What a wonderful life I live.

I am NOT a Gopher Fan

2011-07-10T00:10:00.002-05:00

The only way to get rid of them is with a pellet gun. Or a shot gun. Or a large arsenal of explosives, apparently. If you know a better way, help me out. I don't want to go the poison route, but any ideas are more than welcome.

The summer started out with one adorable little gopher trying to outrun me to the ditch before I could run him over with the lawnmower. Oh the fun I had watching him weave back and forth through the tall grass, looking for a safe refuge. I tapped the brake to give him a head start. Now I wish I had kicked it in gear and cruised right on over him.

They're eating my peas, the beautiful fresh shoots that came from the seeds I so lovingly planted. They have dug holes all over the yard, one of which I just discovered in my freshly manicured perennial beds, dirt flung all over the sidewalk. WRETCHED gophers! (For lack of a better word).

Tonight while mowing I was actually looking for one to run over. Bring it on gopher-man. I didn't see even one. Until I approached the open garage door to drive the mower in. There sat one of the little brats, and I'm pretty sure he was telling me he was Number One. He ran into the garage, and after ten minutes of trying to shoosh him out I gave up. I walked around to the back of the house and propped the pellet gun (thanks, Dad) on the patio. Then remembering I had forgotten to grab the hoe that I needed to weed the garden, I proceeded back around the corner, all the while telling myself "I bet that damn gopher will be just sittin' there". And he was. Right outside the door, giving me the other finger.

I got him though.

Heather, 3; Gophers, 0. (Insert evil cackle).

Could It Be?

2011-06-21T12:09:00.000-05:00

Second installment of grass seed spread and watered in. Check.

Trees that didn't make it through the harsh winter cut down and ready to burn on the bonfire. Check.

Brick patio in. Check.

Brick sidewalk in. Check.

Annuals and perennials planted into pots and beds. Check.

Everything covered in fresh bark. Check.

Garden planted and new little green plants peeking out daily. Check.

Could it be that we are finally caught up with yard work? After putting in all these new things for the last two summers I think we are at a point where we can actually enjoy it. My chair cushions are at hand and my feet are ready to put up and watch the birds come to the feeders we installed throughout it all.

Family will be coming for another big 4th of July celebration at our house, as well as partying it up for my parent's 50th anniversary in August. S'mores will be toasted and hot dogs roasted. I best go chill the beverages!

What He Taught Me

2011-06-19T00:01:00.007-05:00

It's okay for a girl to play with Barbie dolls AND leeches.

Always get back in the driver's seat, no matter how many times you crash.

Some things require a lot of hard work, sweat, and tears. But the bounty is always worth it.

Winning isn't everything, but it sure is fun.

Take time for a glass of wine...

and to cuddle up with a good book.

Spending time in the kitchen with family nourishes your body AND your soul.

Having a child is the greatest feeling you will ever have. Until you have a grandchild.

There will always be a man in my life (and my mom's) I can count on...no matter what.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you so.

The Graduate

2011-06-03T09:51:00.002-05:00

It seems like just yesterday your Grandma got the call that you had arrived. We all jumped in the car and raced to the hospital to meet you. I brought you a giant teddy bear and some flowers for your mom and probably a great big balloon. Being the first grandchild in the Hanson family, this was beyond a special occasion.

I can't explain to you how proud I am of the young man you have become. Always ready with a hug for your aunt, and everyone else, though most kids grew out of that phase years ago and wouldn't be caught dead showing affection in front of their friends. You are smart, and generous, and kind to your cousins. You work hard with your dad building houses (including mine) and excel at school and sports. You watch out for your little sister, even though at times you fight. I went through it all with your dad, I can relate.

Tomorrow you will graduate from high school. Forgive me in advance if I cry and embarrass you a little, I'm just so happy that you have done so well, and beyond proud to have you as my nephew.

Love you, Kaleb.

Catching Our Limit

2011-05-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

After two weeks of pretty constant yard work, a day on the lake with my dad was just what I needed.

The day was gorgeous, the water was calm, and the fish were biting. Four hours later we had caught our limit of perch...

and some pretty nice walleyes.

After putting away the rods, securing the net, and getting ready to head back into shore, we looked at each other with giant smiles on our faces. As Dad gunned his giant motor and steered us across the lake, I thought about how lucky I am to have him for my dad. I can't imagine a day when he won't be around to take me fishing, when I won't get to watch his big strong hands at the steering wheel and see the look of pure contentment on his face. Since I was a little girl fishing with my dad was always such a big deal, and it still is. And though the boats and motors and equipment have changed over the years, the fishing protocol is always the same.

The way he backs the boat into the water and seems to make you wait while holding it next to the dock before jumping in just a few extra minutes to see if you can do it. How he giggles when you get splashed with water on the way out to one of our "spots", though we all know he hit that wave on purpose. Taking out the old bait bucket, the shiny orange minnow net, and putting the cooler full of snacks and Mom's awesome sandwiches that have been baggied and labeled for each of us out of the way until later. Inevitably if the fish aren't biting as good as we like one of us will crack open a can of pop or take out a candy bar and not be able to even get to it because the fish have taken that opportunity to start to nibble for themselves.

A day on the lake with my dad is never about how big the fish were, or how many we caught, or if the weather was nice or not. It's about just being able to simply FISH together, without having to tell each other how much it means to us. It's about continuing a legacy that started decades ago when my grandpa and great-grandpa taught my dad how to fish. Not only did these men pass on their fishing talent, but they taught patience, respect, and how to get by with what little you might have in your boat that day. And that's a lesson we can all stand to learn.

Another Project Complete

2011-05-25T21:07:00.000-05:00

Oy vay am I tired. Two weeks of playing in the sand and flinging bricks around is a lot of work. But I foresee a lot of hours spent sitting here enjoying a warm breeze, good conversation, and just a few glasses of wine.

I have yet to add black dirt around the perimeter and plant some more perennials that will create a cozy little hideaway for us. The garage is already full of what I've bought so far, and there's no room for more until I can put some plants into the ground permanently.

My trusty helper is pretty tired too, but having another place for us to hang out together still puts a smile on his face. I couldn't have done it without him.

Happy Birthday, Sister!

2011-05-23T11:47:00.000-05:00

Today is my dear, sweet sister's birthday!

If I was there with you today I would make you a cake...

Then take you to "Snuffy's" for chocolate Cokes...

Buy you some pretty flowers...

And share a birthday toast to you in your beautfiul backyard...

Love you, sister!

I Just Couldn't Stand It Any More

2011-05-11T20:24:00.000-05:00

I don't care if I have to bring things in and out, and in and out again, every single day for the next month. Or two. I don't care if my garage is crowded with plants and there's water and a little dirt on the floor. I don't even care if it snows again, because we all know, it probably will.

It was time to get the plants. My skin was starting to itch and every time I had to just "drive past" a greenhouse I started to shake a little. Seriously.

This afternoon I bribed Riley into coming with me to my favorite greenhouse south of town, Nature's Edge, by having a nice cold pop ready for him when I picked him up from school, and reminding him that he would get to visit with the resident Basset Hounds. Score.

Upon walking into their massive greenhouse I stood with my mouth hanging open at the beauty of it all, bombarded by the smell of dirt and sweet alyssum and fragrant pansies in tons of fun colors. Oh how would I ever decide?

I went with an old favorite, Calibrachoa (otherwise known as Million Bells), which shows up in new colors every year. I got my favorite, pink with yellow centers, which Lewi seemed to like too, even if it's only through the porch window...

My signature color, red...next to the chair cushions my sweet sister gave me for our new patio furniture, they look perfect.

And one with a mixture of yellow, orange and red calibrachoa.

Of course I had to get a flat of assorted goodies. I laughed at the owner when he said, "Here's A FLAT for you". Like one is ever enough. I did hold back a bit though, since I wanted to spend the bulk of my allowance on giant baskets. And because I will probably be making at least 3 or 8 more trips out there this year.

Assorted pansies, white alyssum, spearmint, yellow pear tomatoes, and chocolate peppers. Yep, CHOCOLATE. I attempted to start a bunch of different varieties of tomato plants this year, but none of them seemed to like me. I bought my dad some chocolate cherry tomato plants last week, so we are all set. There's also a pot of black cat petunias with yellow centers in there that Riley picked out, sorry you can't see them, they are totally cool. Or so he said when he told me we needed to get them. That's my boy.

It's amazing to see the new varieties of plants they come out with each year. It almost makes me wish I would have studied to be a horticulturist, instead of an accountant.

Please stop laughing...

I always buy tried and true favorites and add a few crazy things into the mix, because how will you know if you like something until you try it? Kind of like my experience with brussel sprouts at Easter. (P.S. I love them).

And I finally bought myself a giant pink Bleeding Heart plant. The one at my sister's is so amazing every Summer, I needed one in my yard too.

Riley also found this rooster, on a shtick, to shtick in the yard. Somehow he's even funner because he's on a shtick, don't you think?

He will be hidden in the back of my closet until it's time to wrap him up and give him to Grandma Diane for her birthday in a couple of months. She digs roosters.

I hope you are having as much fun this Spring as I am, even if it has been slow to get here.

Cock-a-doodle-do!

Easter With My Seaster

2011-04-21T11:17:00.000-05:00

This year we will get to celebrate Easter with my sister and her family. Last year was pretty much a let down; I didn't have Riley that day and my sister and brother weren't in town, so I decided to take my parents out for brunch to the local Country Club. Let's just say it's not our scene, although the Mimosas were pretty good. The hardest part was no leftovers for ham sandwiches later on. We had to settle for deviled eggs and some chocolate dipped strawberries that I whipped up for a yummy dessert. Not quite the same as our traditional leftover feast.

But we will have all the fixins this year; ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh asparagus, I'm even going to be brave and try brussel sprouts, which are about the only veggie my mom wouldn't cook and MAKE us eat when we were kids, because she hated them. I bet they will be yummy if my sister cooks them though.

I will be getting pies from our favorite pie place (which of course I can't tell you) so we don't have to mess with dessert. There will be some shopping, and much drinking of wine, and I'm sure a nap at some point. My idea of the perfect holiday.

Happy Easter to you all!

If You Put Your Patio Furniture Out in April...

2011-04-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

It will snow at least 6 inches.

If you get out your rake and think about cleaning up your yard as you admire the fresh green shoots of grass that just appeared, you will wake up to this outside your bedroom window.

If you think about watering anything that might have started growing in your yard in the last two weeks when it got up to almost 70 degrees, the snow will pile up on top of this.

Really?

I'm going back to bed.

It's a Giveaway!

2011-04-14T11:44:00.001-05:00

One of my very favorite bloggers, Sellabit Mum, is having a giveaway on her blog that features my incredible sister's Etsy site, May Baby. Get on over there and enter to win a $30 store credit!

If you haven't checked out May Baby yet, you need to get there, right now! Everything she makes is completely one of a kind, and it all sells fast. I promise that if you pick something out today, and decide to "think about it", it will probably be gone tomorrow. I know, I've had it happen to me!

I am so lucky to have such a talented and creative sister!

Nestled All Snug In Their Beds

2011-04-13T21:52:00.001-05:00

Five kinds of tomatoes. Three kinds of sweet peppers. Tiny cantaloupes that will be just big enough to hold one scoop of cool vanilla ice cream. Baby watermelons that Riley and Grandpa will fight over. Cilantro and parsley and basil to sprinkle over everything. And we even planted popcorn.

Now all we can do is wait for the magic to happen. In a few weeks when I walk into my "greenhouse" I will see tiny green leaves peeking out from the potting mix made especially for them. They will continue to get spritzed from the water bottle when they need it, and their lighting will be adjusted as they grow taller and taller. The days will get warm enough that they can be brought outside for just a bit to turn their leaves to the sun and get strong enough to be transplanted into the garden and survive on their own.

But for now, I still have three seed starting trays that I didn't use. And two bags of dirt.

Whatever shall I do?

At Least My MIND is in the Kitchen

2011-04-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

I have no time to cook. Nor do I have the energy. After a day at the office during tax season I am totally wiped. But I am always thinking about cooking, about sitting down to a real meal, and not falling asleep five minutes after filling the dishwasher. My mom has been an angel, seeming to know exactly what nights I'm completely out of time to even melt some cheese on a plate of chips, and calls me "quick" at work to invite us over for a ham dinner or some homemade soup my dad decided to whip up that day.

The busiest time of the year at work is almost over, and soon I will actually get home in time to not only make a meal, but fix a yummy dessert to enjoy later on in the evening, and still be awake to enjoy it. I will be able to get back to work on "the cookbook", and have time to get my camera out to take pictures of what I'm making.

I really don't think you want to see pictures of the doctored up frozen pizzas I've been making for the last three months.

See you soon!

It Just Figures

2011-03-22T10:36:00.000-05:00

I didn't want to do it. I knew it would be a TON of work. I encouraged my sister not to do it too. But now I'm doing it.

Starting plants from seed can really be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. Over the years I have made some feeble attempts at starting trays of tomatoes and peppers and wildflowers, only to see them grow too fast and get spindly, or be left out in a sudden and completely unexpected snow storm as I was attempting to harden them off. Last year I did have some success with a few things, but the inevitable frost took most of what I had labored so hard to produce fruit. I was SO close.

This year after much deliberation, and much complaining over prices of vegetables in the grocery store, I decided to bite the bullet and establish a good growing system that I could use year after year. I already had some metal shelving that would work perfectly for holding my seed trays, now all I needed was the appropriate lighting and temperature control. I ordered two sets of grow lights with special T5 bulbs from Amazon.com, and they came equipped with frames and adjustable pullies for adjusting the light levels as my plants grow. The seeds I ordered from catalogs have all arrived, and a few more packets I picked up at local stores are ready to be planted.

I've found much useful information about gardening from the University of Minnesota extension website, as well as information on becoming a Master Gardener, if I ever find an extra 10-20 hours in my day. For now I'm just gonna stick with being a master at my own home garden.

I'm so looking forward to buying planting mix and getting my hands dirty. Until then, I'll just keep shoveling snow, as we are supposed to get a bunch today. It just figures.

Totally Worth the Effort

2011-03-06T22:29:00.005-06:00

She was known for her donuts. Raised donuts, most of the time glazed, but also coated with regular white sugar.

Unfortunately I don't remember what they tasted like; I was just a little girl when she last made them in her own kitchen. We had them often when we visited, but none of us were fortunate enough to get her recipe, so the task began to find one just like it. During the process of collecting family recipes I printed off many donut recipes that I vowed to try and have my dad taste test to see if I was on track. He remembered the donuts, and the fresh bread, baked almost daily, and ready for him when he visited his Grandma Ethel from the time he was a little boy.

After spending a day on this venture, I appreciate even more the effort that my ancestors put into their cooking and baking, and am in awe of what they were able to make without fancy appliances and special tools. They made homemade bread and rolls, canned and pickled vegetables and jams, smoked and cured fish and meat. There were no boxed mixes of anything, no frozen meals you could have to the table in 20 minutes, and no microwaves.

After comparing all the recipes I had printed to some really old ones my sister had found in a recipe box purchased at a rummage sale, we decided to stop trying to figure out what "5 cents of yeast" would be, decided against buying lard, and went with a recipe that I actually had all the ingredients for. Or so I thought. Halfway into it I ran out of flour, but went to my trusty pantry knowing I always had an extra bag. Unfortunately this time it was self-rising flour. So I made a quick trip to Mom's to borrow a cup of all-purpose.

Next I assembled the new deep fat fryer I had purchased for a song before Christmas. I hadn't used a fryer since I was 16 and had a horrible incident where just one drop of water caused an explosion that left me with third degree burns on my hand. I had since abandoned frying, but knew it was time to face my fear. Fortunately I had found one with a lid this time, and I was prepared for anything. Except the fact that I didn't have enough oil. A quick trip to the store, and I was back on track.

The dough took twice as long to rise as the recipe said, but I had time to wait. After letting it double in size, I punched it down, cut it out with my new cutter I had just ordered, and let them rise again. While the oil heated up, I prepared a bowl of cinnamon-sugar and a powdered sugar glaze. I thought about making some jelly filled donuts, but decided I better stick to the basics on my first run.

Fry, flip, and roll in cinnamon-sugar, some in glaze. I could barely let them cool long enough before I had to try one. After a day of mixing and kneading and waiting, it was all worth the effort. I gave Riley his very own warm donut, and he confessed it was the best donut he had ever had. And he was right. We called Grandpa to let him know we were on our way, wrapped up both varieties in foil and dishtowels to keep them toasty warm, and made our way down the hill to share.

Grandpa didn't really say if they tasted at all like his Grandma Ethel's, but he asked for another one right after dinner. After sharing my donut-making story with him, he explained to me why it was probably easier for Grandma than it had been for me. She had a big cook stove in her kitchen that kept it warm all the time, so it didn't take as long for her baked goods to rise. There was always a large pot on the stove for frying. And baking was a necessity. You did it every day, or you didn't have it to eat. What a thought; that even though I had an oven with a temperature gauge, a new fancy cutter, and a new deep fat fryer, I had a tougher time of it than she had.

Part of the magic of baking for me is trying to recreate what people have enjoyed in the past, sometimes made by people who are no longer with us, so they can bite into that donut, or cookie, or cake, and it takes them back in time. They remember the first time they had it, what occasion it was, and it tastes even better after rediscovering it. To adapt old recipes for the kitchens we have today, to add my own twist to things and be able to make things that everyone raves over, this is why I love being in the kitchen.

Even though it took all day, I'm pretty sure I'll be making homemade donuts again soon. But next time, there WILL be jelly.

Battle of the Tater Tots

2011-02-25T11:46:00.000-06:00

My sister and I are writing a cookbook. Yes we are. Yes, we are. It's been a 10 year process, but we are finally at the stage where we are ready to commit. Or be committed, that remains to be seen. I currently have lost count of what we want to include in it, and am hoping that my typing speed will be an asset to the project.

Our cookbook will feature family recipes handed down for at least 100 years, from great-grandparents and great-great aunts, from friends and spouses and spouse's parents, things our kids have come up with, recipes we have clipped from cookbooks and magazines, with our own little spin on everything.

One of the dishes that all of us seem to make a little bit differently is Tater Tot Hotdish. Today my sister featured her version on her blog "Oh Fer Cute", and that inspired me to spark a little battle and share my own version.

Our mother would tell us both that we were doing it wrong, but that's what makes cooking fun. You can add or take away whatever you like, and make things to suit your own taste. Not including the lima beans that my mom adds to her recipe was a truly inspired and appreciated change.

Let us know if you prefer one over the other. The winner may just get a bottle of wine.

Here's my version:

https://sites.google.com/site/hansongirlrecipes/tater-tot-hotdish

I'm Sure My Neighbors Think I'm Crazy

2011-02-22T12:51:00.001-06:00

The last time I jumped up and down at my mailbox and let out a little shriek was when the final signed copies of my divorce papers arrived. I then danced all the way back into the house.

Most recently, my neighbors could hear me squealing at the sight of a giant envelope from "Gurney's", full of garden seeds I had ordered the week before. Riley thought I was nuts. That's why he gets to do all the weeding this summer.

I was so excited to open it and see all the brightly colored packages, to lay them out on my table and make a plan for all the fresh veggies we would have very soon and all the flower arrangements I could make to decorate our house.

All the packages were white. Just like the ones my dad insisted on buying at the old "Northern Seed" store. I would wander through the store for at least an hour, picking out pretty envelopes full of cosmos and marigolds and sunflowers, and when he was ready to go I would have to put them all back where I had found them, because they were never on "the list".

But at least I'm still single!

There's Still Time to Simmer

2011-02-15T21:05:00.004-06:00

Many times on the weekend you will find me in my kitchen, sometimes for most of the day. I don't have time to cook much during the week, so when Saturday gets here I may start the morning by making some warm muffins and end the night with a big batch of buttered popcorn.

The winter months are for comfort food, for cooking in the crock pot and enjoying the aroma all day long, for roasting things that get slathered with gravy and baking things that get topped with freshly whipped cream. The big pots have their own home on the cook top, and they get used often. With Spring in the air, I feel the urgency to do the last of my "big cooking" before my menus are dominated by warm weather food.

I've been wanting to come up with my own signature spaghetti sauce for some time now. My mom always used to make homemade sauce, and just recently we dug up her original recipe, cast aside with the onslaught of jarred sauces. It came from a cook who used to run the kitchen at a local resort where our dad's grandparents worked for many years. I have to admit as a kid I didn't look forward to it. The sauce was usually made from either tomatoes out of the garden or cans of whole tomatoes, and the big chunks were not my favorite.

Perusing my freezer to see what I had left of my summer bounty, I decided that a bag of roasted tomatoes would do the trick, as well as diced white onions I had processed. I adapted a few different recipes I had clipped over the years, and came up with a hearty, thick, meaty sauce with just a touch of sweetness. I layered it into a lasagna, whipped up a large loaf of cheesy Italian bread, tossed a romaine salad with seasoned croutons, and invited my parents over for dinner. The wine was pretty good too.

You probably won't use all the sauce if you make a lasagna; I had about two cups leftover that I plan to use on top of spaghetti or to make some French bread pizzas. But for those of you who like a saucy lasagna, it might be just the right amount.

Some tips before you start that I have learned along the way.

1. Brown the meat well. Giving a light crust to the meat adds tons of flavor.

2. Don't burn the garlic! Your sauce can be ruined if you put this in too soon; I add mine after the meat and onions are browned and let it cook off just a bit before adding the rest of the ingredients.

3. By all means use whatever you have roasted or frozen from your own garden. I substituted my own roasted tomatoes for one can of the crushed, but you can use all canned if that's all you have. I'll feel a bit sorry for you though.

4. A FRESH ball of mozzarella never hurts, if you can find one.

5. Let your lasagna rest on the counter for at least 15 minutes; this will give the cheese time to settle and make it easier to cut. You also won't burn your tongue.

I look forward to making this in the summer, with fresh picked herbs, tomatoes and onions from my very own backyard.

Hanson Girl Spaghetti Sauce/Lasagna