Field of Dreamz From The Cheap Seatz

Rainy, missed blogaversary, and a Free Vacuum

2009-12-09T10:54:00.004-05:00

I know that's not a very creative title.. but I'm all out of creative, with this head cold, that came on/off for a week. I thought it wasn't a cold and then WHAM.

It told me.

My toes are freezing.. anytime they aren't under the electric blanket and its not that cold, all the time..

The rain just won't stop and there is a huge quicksand mud bath on the side of my house.

My family room has 5 cases of canning jars, in it. I've used a couple, already. In total, I have about 20 cases of jars floating around my house. Six, of them, are 1/2 gallons. I <3 me some jars. (and we don't drink out of them, yet!)

This afternoon's agenda includes playing with 5 pounds of pinto beans and @HeatherSolos pressure-canner. This morning, I managed to get a little crafty, after all my weeks of organizing and cleaning my kitchen.. while the table cloth is in the washer, here's a peek:

Home-Ec 101 is giving away a Free Vacuum. Mine died a week ago. Cleaning, organizing, and crafting are not fun without a vacuum cleaner. I really need that vacuum.. Can I have your old vacuum if you win?

Please?

Go over to Home-Ec101 and enter.

I missed my Blogaversary.. December 3rd. *sigh*

Up to my ears in dried beans..

2009-12-04T14:03:00.001-05:00

I didn't want another day to go by without sharing some of my daily nightmare.. besides the part that says we are considering wordpress because the comment spam, around here, is out of control..

Here's a little ditty from your dear crazy author.. enjoy!

Monday Menu - November 30, 2009

2009-11-30T10:18:00.002-05:00

Oh My its December already..

Monday - Quick Ground Meat Burritos for the general population (Kolokythokeftedes (Zucchini/Feta Balls) using ground fennel for the Ouzo flavor )

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday - (Saturday didn't happen, last week, right?) Roasted Poblano Pepper Chile Pepper Casserole, Cilantro Lime Basmati Rice, Serrano Pepper Pinto Beans

Wednesday - Crockpot Broccoli Beef, with red bell pepper, Shrimp Fried Rice

Thursday - Pepper Steak with red bell pepper (see a pattern here?) L/O Rices, above

Friday - Leftover

Saturday - Tonkatsu, Korroke, HM Tonkatsu Sauce

Crisp Panko Chicken Cutlets w/Tonkatsu Sauce - 48606 - Recipezaar via kwout

Sunday - Chicken Thai Soup

Cranberry Sauce

2009-11-29T10:17:00.002-05:00

Last year was the first time I realized that I could make cranberry sauce. I just never considered that it could be made HomeMade.

I made the simple full berry sauce, last year:

12 ounce bag cranberries
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Simmer, while berries pop, to break down. Only takes a few minutes. Refrigerate.

I was very interested to make Jelly sauce.. without the berries. I read that I could just strain the berries.. but I wasn't sure it would gel enough.

So, I added some Knox Unflavored Gelatin.

In 5 quart large pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, cooking down berries, while they pop and thicken.. (about 15-20 minutes):

3 pounds (1 large bag, or 4 - 12 ounce bags) fresh cranberries
3 cups of sugar
3 cups water

Pour onto cheesecloth covered colander, over a large bowl or pan. Drain about 30 minutes. You need 3 cups of juice. If you do not have 3 cups, squeeze slightly, scrape bottom of cheesecloth, and wait longer, for it to drain.

In a small bowl, dissolve .75 ounces (2 Tablespoons or three small packages) of unflavored Knox Gelatin into 1/3 cup cold water.

In small saucepan, bring 1 cup of juice to a simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin/water mixture and blend to mix. Mix this mixture into the remaining 2 cups of juice.

Pour into two 2-up pint jars. Refrigerate. Serve as Jellied Cranberry Sauce.

Delicata with a Twist of Lime

2009-11-28T21:30:00.003-05:00

Delicious Delicata Squash

1 Delicata Squash - Split and Scoop out center.
Bake 350 degrees, 30 minutes

Chili Lime Butter

3 Tablespoons Softened Butter
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
1 teaspoon chili powder

Blend together with a fork.
Spread on cooked squash, just as it comes out of the oven and serve.

Serves 2

Greek Japanese Fusion Scotch Eggz

2009-11-28T15:30:00.000-05:00

Scotch Eggs - Round One

I ran across a recipe for Scotch eggs, last month, and I thought that would be a special treat, for Thanksgiving.

About all I got accomplished, towards them, on Thanksgiving Day, though, was boiling the eggs.

I did not have sausage, but I had ground pork in the freezer. I defrosted two pounds and seasoned them, from a Zaar recipe for Italian Sausage, (using crushed fennel seeds) and this Scotch Eggs Zaar recipe (using 1/2 the amount in fresh chopped sage.)

After asking @Eyebe e questions, about thin or thicker meat, around the egg, we decided to double the recipe and wrap them according to this Zaar recipe for Scotch Eggs. I wanted to try the first recipe, for Scotch Eggs because I wanted to try "fabulous," as it states. :)

Eyebee also said he preferred them baked, over fried.

They were okay. Not great. Not my idea of fabulous. They were edible. The eggs were cooked a perfect softer yolk. (Boil 8 minutes after they started to boil.)

Faced with 14 more boiled eggs, I put on my batter's hat.

I thought the seasoning for my ground beef gryos, in ground pork would be tasty on a boiled egg.

@Katkimjac and I headed to Publix.

We picked up 1.25 pounds Italian Sausage (with parsley and cheese, as they did not have any plain out) and 2 pounds of ground pork.

Scotch Eggs - Round Two

Round two was two different recipes.

The baked Scotch Eggs, we used the pre-made sausage and bread crumbs. We double dipped the flour/egg batter, finishing in bread crumbs. (Thinking back, we, probably, should have seasoned them some more.. but it was the coating that we didn't really prefer.)

The other Scotch Eggs, we used the ground pork, seasoned with the gyros seasoning;

- 1 Tablespoon dried Italian Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder (not fine powder)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 2 teaspoons coarse restaurant ground pepper

When we wrapped up the Sausage Scotch Eggs, they stuck to our hands, and seemed more fatty than the ground pork. So, we added 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil, to the Ground Pork Scotch Eggs.

We rolled the meat covered eggs in flour, scrambled eggs, and Panko Crumbs.

And then we fried them!

OH MY.. These Gryos Seasoned Ground Pork Scoth Eggs are the hit of whole Scotch Egg Experiment.

Better-than-Pumpkin-Pie Cake

2009-11-28T14:34:00.003-05:00

Crust:
1 box Duncan Hines (don't read the label ;) ) Yellow Cake Mix
(set one cup aside)
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, softened
1 egg

Mix and press into greased 9 x 13 pan.

Custard:
1 - 29 ounce or 2 - 15 oz cans pumpkin puree
3 eggs
5 ounces evaporated milk
1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Mix together and pour over crust.

Topping:
Extra one cup Cake Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Mix and drop, by teaspoonful, over the top.

Bake 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes, until set and lightly browned

Serve with fresh whipping cream.

Stuffed Sweet Potato Balls are so EZPZ!

2009-11-28T12:41:00.002-05:00

This recipe is so easy.. that I'm not sure how to post it. I'll post photos when I get home.. I'm without a memory card reader, right now.

Day ahead:

Make the marshmallows a day before. They cut, easier, with a knife, when they've sat for 24 hours. (No refrigeration necessary.)
Toast a small bag of sweetened coconut (Spread onto a cookie sheet, bake, stirring every few minutes, at 350 degrees, until 1/2 of it looks evenly browned.) (You can do this the same day, but wait until they cool, so you can handle it.)

Cut marshmallows into one inch squares.

Bake sweet potatoes. Estimate 1/2 medium potato for each person you are serving.

Peel or scoop and add butter. (I use about a tablespoon per serving, or two tablespoons per medium sized potato.)

With your hands, mold potatoes around a marshmallow, and roll into toasted coconut.

Bake at 400 degrees, to heat through, about 20-25 minutes.

(photos coming)

Menu - November 23, 2009

2009-11-24T13:18:00.002-05:00

Monday - Fend for Yourself.. Sandwiches

Tuesday - Meat Loaf Sandwiches (from Freezer) on Sam's Hoagies (no Taco Tuesday This Week)

Thursday Prep: Make Marshmallows and Corn Bread

Wednesday - Sour Cream Bake (from Freezer), Butter Basil Green Beans

Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Ham, Varied Cornbread Stuffing, with my own Corn Bread, Stuffed Sweet Potato Balls, with HM Marshmallow, L/O Butter Basil Green Beans, Spinach Dip, Bread Machine French Bread

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Roasted Poblano Pepper Chile Pepper Casserole, Cilantro Lime Basmati Rice, Serrano Pepper Pinto Beans

Sunday - ChiliMac (from Freezer), Agave Wheat Bread Machine Bread

Pumpkin Cookies from a Cake Mix

2009-11-24T12:42:00.002-05:00

Confession:
I love Duncan Hines Cake Mix!

Don't read the label. Its like needing Vanilla Wafers to make Banana Pudding. Just don't read the label.

I'm really not a health fanatic. I can't even stop drinking Dr Pepper. (Did you know there is no period after Dr?)

Last night, Girlie was on the phone with Katie Lynne. Katie is in California, with my mommy. She told Morgan about her favorite cookies, after they discussed how Girlie needed to bring a treat, to her class, today. (Which I forgot about..)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, with 3 ingredients.

Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix
15 ounce Pure Pumpkin Puree
2 cups semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Mix together. That's it!

Bake 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes. I put mine in for 13 minutes, then set them on the stove, on the cookie sheet, for 2 or 3 minutes, until they set and didn't change shape as I tried to pick them up.

They are moist and dreamy.

To Do.. To Do..

2009-11-23T10:16:00.002-05:00

*big deep breath*

After losing a week, last week, I seem to have an overwhelming amount of things to do. I am so over-run with delicious yummies, that I've brought my electric cooler, inside, from the back garage. I'm going to take modern technology's help, to prolong the life of my fruits... to delay my labors.

In the cooler:

Limes
Poblano Peppers
Serrano Chilies
Apples
Clementines
Tomatoes (I have to refrigerate them or I'll lose them all.. )

In the fridge:

Jalapenos
Carrots
Scallions
Zucchini
Cabbage
Lemons
Cranberries
Strawberries

On the "counter:"

Avocados
Bananas
Butternut Squash
Pumpkins
Delicata Squash
Kabocha Squash (I bought this to try this Risotto)
Red Kuri Squash (Hubbard?? I wonder if this pie would work?)

This is all I know, at this moment, in relation to this food. I'm going to:

bake the Delicata, like this
bake muffins and quick breads, with the apples, zucchini, strawberries, and bananas. (Not all at the same time.)
consider these recipes for pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, and pumpkin scones.
make chipotle pumpkin seeds (for the Kabocha Risotto)
probably wait til next week to cook the squash. Because it will keep.

Now I need a nap and I'll post the menu. Haha.. I'll get right on that menu. :)

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Chews

2009-11-22T21:09:00.003-05:00

There were, always three certain foods, in the cafeteria, in high school..

potato cakes, ketchup, and peanut butter chews..

They had a simple powdered sugar glaze, on them. This frosting isn't so bad, though.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Mix in separate bowl:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

Add dry to wet. Mix together. Add 2 cups quick cooking oats.

Bake 30-35 minutes in 9x13 cake pan

Frost while warm and cool before eating.

Frosting:
1 pound confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
Few drops of milk to make spreading consistency

Directions:
Add dry to wet. Mix together. Add 2 cups quick cooking oats.

Bake 30-35 minutes in 9x13 cake pan

Frost while warm and cool before eating.

Frosting:
1 pound confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
Few drops of milk to make spreading consistency

We had this recipe, given to us, in JR High School Home-Ec. :)

Pile up on Aisle field of Dreamz.. Part Two.

2009-11-21T08:08:00.004-05:00

(click here for part one)

Naval Hospital Update:
The phone started ringing, silently, during the Ultrasound. I ignored it and when I, finally answered, it was the registered nurse, at the Naval Hospital. She took down our new information and told me all was well in Navy-land, basically. Disaster Averted? I don't really know, yet.

Trident Hospital - Some personal background..

I have had many experiences in several different hospitals. My least favorite, have been in Trident Hospital. My very least has been at Trident Hospital's Emergency room. I hope I NEVER have to go there, again. If you are post gastric bypass, and your stoma is blocked, even if you think you will die, go somewhere else. They won't treat you for what ails you, for hours, while they are so sure you are wrong. I've done it, there, three times. MUSC is where I want to go, if in that situation, again.

They lack the ability to "listen" and the "right hand never talks to the left hand." Miscommunication abounds there. No thank you, for me, again. Glenn's story was so real, for me.

I, also, have had surgery with two different surgeon's, at Trident Hospital. I have more faith in those attached to Trident, than to the administration of Trident Hospital, itself.

A surgeon is someone we need when we are faced with limited choices. My first surgeon, makes me starve, at the hospital. He has good intentions. But, I don't eat sugar substitutes or MSG, and that makes the trays he requires I be fed, post all surgeries, because I have had weight-loss surgery, toxic to me. There is more to MSG and aspartame than replacing my blue packet with a pink one. Sugar-Free Liquid Breakfast, Beef Broth, Sugar-Free Jello, and plain cream of wheat, aren't cutting it for this girl. I think I should be able to have sugar if I want sugar. Period. Especially, since I *can* tolerate sugar.

My second surgeon, at Trident hospital, doesn't do endoscopy. That's just plan lazy and ridiculous. I was released from my open gall bladder surgery +5 days, when I got a piece of meat stuck in my stoma. This new surgeon also does weight loss surgery, so we called him, from the Trident ER, to see if he could expedite the situation, to find out he doesn't do endo! What? The reason I needed him was because the ER doesn't listen and I was being treated as a "vomitting patient post open gall bladder surgery." I really was a "vomiting patient post gall bladder surgery, with a blocked stoma, because of a gastric bypass!" Hello, people.. sometimes you need to shut up and listen. While you dope me up with Morphine and Delauded, I just need an Endo!

So, there I was.. the non-patient.. wanting the best for my child.. and no surgeon to name.

I went with the suggestion of the Urgent Care Doctor. Jeffrey LaFond. He's great. He did my child the best service, with absolutely great bed-side manner. There is a reason he does thousands of these lap surgeries. He's great. Did I mention he's great? :)

Over the phone, from Summerville Medical Center, Emergency Waiting Room (out patient) he sends us to Trident, for pre-admit, because that is where he's scheduled for surgery, all day, "tomorrow."

I didn't blink. I just did what would help my daughter the fastest. I was worried about her morphine wearing off, through all of this, because as out-patient's, we didn't have a doctor to help, if she went back into full pain.

Trident Hospital - Arriving

When we arrived, at Trident Admitting, just inside the Emergency Room, Girlie's first name was wrong, on the admit order. We had to wait while they contacted the doctor to fix the error. They had her first initial right. haha (There was another patient with a mis-spelled name, too.)

Half an hour later, we were checking in. Half an hour later we were going upstairs, to a private room.

(I have checked the font issues.. and they are all set the same.. ugh ugh ugh.. sorry)
(to be continued..)

busy bees have no time to blog..

2009-11-20T14:53:00.002-05:00

poor little bees.. I know how they feel.. haha

I'm on my way out the door, after I figure out how to make myself decent.. but I wanted to let you know that I'm catching up..

These are off to the post office, for post crossing.

Want one? :)

Meet my two new friendz:

This is Molly..

This isn't a George..

What should I name it?

Pile up on Aisle Field of Dreamz.. Part One.

2009-11-19T14:53:00.005-05:00

We all want the best for our loved ones.. especially our children..

Monday, a routine trip to feed the troopz, turned into a couple day stay in the hospital.

Without my laptop, I, quickly, turned to the camera, on the phone, and a small notebook, to pen-blog my way through the chaos.

Some stomach cramping and then severe back pain, led us to Urgent Care. I was thinking a quick muscle relaxer shot.. ya know.. that must be it.. although I recognized the symptoms and had been paying attention, before this..

The few times this had happened before (never this severe) were so seldom, Girlie didn't even remember them.

The Urgent Care Doctor administered Morphine and sent us to Summerville Medical Center for a Stat Ultrasound.

But wait.. as we are walking out of the Urgent Care, the receptionist informs us that she has not had a moment to call for a referral, from the Naval Hospital. She hands me a phone number and tells me to call for the referral en route to get the UltraSound.

Umm.. ok..

The after-hours nurses station answers the phone and asks if I require the attention of a registered nurse.

Ummm.. I guess not??

They take down all of our information and then tell me, "Due to heavy call volume, it may take up to one hour for a registered nurse to return your call. Do not proceed until you have been advised by the nurse."

Ummm.. ok..

While sitting in the parking lot, outside where I'm supposed to be getting my child an emergency procedure/test, I'm waiting on the Government Medical to return my call??

The receptionist calls me, from the Urgent Care, to inquire about the phone call.. I'm starting to think this is about getting paid. Hmm. I tell her that the Naval Hospital has told me to wait for the call back..

The receptionist calls me, again, to tell me that the doctor said if this could wait, he would not have ordered it "stat" and to proceed inside. He says he's calling it an emergency.

We go inside and register. We are told that she can not have an ultrasound if she has eaten in the last eight hours. Dinner caused this. While waiting in the waiting room, I over-hear, the receptionist tell someone "the doctor says to do it anyway."

Go Doc!

Clearly, the x-ray tech has some underlying something going on.. we are told that the radiologist will only read films if there are gall stones. She does a 2 second check, before getting started, and says "okay. I'll be right back." Hmm

I watched as the x-ray tech (is that what they are called, because I would not want to offend anyone?) started measuring stones..

Overheard, "There is no denying *THAT.*"

In a whirlwind of information, we were off to be direct-admitted, to my least favorite place, in North Chuck.. Trident Medical Center! (Please know that I'm aware that Summerville Med Center is also Trident..)

(to be continued..)

This little piggy went to market hospital..

2009-11-18T15:07:00.004-05:00

10 Essentials all non-patient's (or parents) need for an multi-overnight Hospital Stay:

Single Dollar Bills. Vending Machines hate coins and eat them, at their own will. I put in four quarters, and it returned 2 quarters and two dimes. Umm?
Cell Phone. The doctor's ask for the number, and communicate via phone. Who knew? Four or five times I was needed, by phone.
Notepad. Jot down names. You need them. Create these type of lists, for blog. ;)
Colored Pens. Keep it fun! When you are too tired to be creative, color your world.
Change of socks. It really makes a difference when you are in limited living conditions.
Layered Comfy Clothes. Now is the time to have on your sneakers, sweat pants, and your barcamp t-shirt. I'm just sayin'! :)
A jacket. I was freezing, most of the time.
Crayons and Coloring Books. Two books, so you don't have to share. ;)
Phone Charger. Even if you have a spare battery, your teenager won't. (Girlie didn't even have her phone, at the beginning, and once on Morphine, tried to hijack my phone.)
Personal Phone Numbers. Don't forget to call anyone! *sigh*
If you drink coffee, bring sugar! This is a hospital feeding you chemicals. *grin*

Comment Moderation in Progress

2009-11-16T13:43:00.002-05:00

I do not speak nor read Chinese.

I'm experimenting with some comment moderation, in the next couple of days. If you have problems leaving a comment, please @ me.

Because the spam comments were coming in one-by-one, back-to-back, I went to complete moderation.. but I've had problems, here, before, with the word recognition.. so we'll see..

We may have to leave Blogger behind, completely? I hope not.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Monday Menu - November 16, 2009

2009-11-15T21:02:00.003-05:00

The Mock Coconut Pie was interesting. I still suck at pie crust. Next time, I'll cut the squash into smaller pieces, so it is easier to eat and resembled coconut, more. I don't like coconut. I'll make this pie, again, if I am going somewhere.. to share it. It wasn't bad.. but only I ate it. The kids wouldn't touch it, knowing what it was. They wouldn't, ordinarily, eat the spaghetti squash, either. bratz! :)

This week is going to be busy, as I run-run-run to finish up the house terrorism. (That's what TheBoy is calling NaHoCleMo.. "terrorizing the house.")

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: No tAcO Tuesday! Fend for Yourself.. Roast Beef Sandwiches

Wednesday: Meatless Minestrone Soup, Oat Bread Machine Bread (with Grapeseed Oil)

Thursday: Stuffed Red Peppers (with blue corn meal,) Basil Butter Green Beans, Green Salad with HM Ranch, and a variation of Black Bean Brownies :)

Friday - Snobby Joes, Wheat Bread Machine Rolls, Green Salad with HM Ranch

Saturday - Vegetable Lentil Soup, Dark Rye Bread

Sunday - Meatloaf (Freezer) Sandwiches on Dark Rye Bread

The week just disappeared on me..

2009-11-15T12:21:00.002-05:00

For a few years, now, since I've returned from my physically disabled life, there have been rooms, in my house, that we just ignore. Boxes, bags, stuff.. every where.. My garage resembled these rooms, too. (add inventory to a past business venture and well.. *sigh*)

For ten days, now, I've been over-doing my physical self, and getting it all back together.

Much of last weeks menu, has not been cooked, yet. I managed, though, to get a couple loaves of meatloaf, 5 pints of stuffed pepper soup, and some casserole that I can't recall, into the freezer. This should make this week's menu simpler, and allow me to finish up what I've started. Every room has gone through some type of transformation and no room is finished, yet. Its a little more difficult than moving!

My van is full of stuff to take up to Good Will. This will be our third run, in a week.

I'm going to run off, again, now, and work on my office/sewing/craft room. I'll post photos as it all comes together. I'll be back, tonight, to post the menu.

I'm banged and bruised and tripping on everything.. but, I can't wait to see it finished.

Have a great week..

Monday Menu - November 9, 2009

2009-11-08T22:25:00.007-05:00

After ruining the tomato bisque, I forgot about the menu. :) So, we'll bring Friday forward..

Somewhere, this week, I'm fitting in this Mock Coconut Pie! Its Spaghetti Squash! Love it. :)

Monday - Stuffed Red Peppers (with blue corn meal,) L/O Basil Butter Green Beans, Butternut Squash Bake, Green Salad with Feta and HM Ranch

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday - Tortilla Soup

Wednesday - Crockpot Broccoli Beef (with carrot and cooked yellow squash added at the end,) Lemon Rice, Green Salad with HM Ranch, Black Bean Brownies :)

Thursday - Stuffed Pepper Soup, Jim N Nicks CopyCat Cheddar Muffins

Friday - Agave and Black Pepper Steak, Shrimp Fried Rice, Green Salad with HM Ranch

Saturday - Meatloaf sandwiches on Hm Rollz, Carrot Souffle, Potato Salad

Sunday - Meatless Minestrone Soup, Oat Bread Machine Bread (with Grapeseed Oil)

Experiment 39764

2009-11-08T21:01:00.004-05:00

When you plan leftovers, for dinner, and there are no leftovers.. you scramble.. and when its late in the day, and your back is killing you.. you almost order pizza and feed the troops, so you can go to bed.

This pasta was so good, though, we didn't miss the meat.

1 pound Farfalle Bow-Tie Pasta, cooked al dente, in salted water (and still hot)
1 - 14.5 ounce petite diced tomatoes, with jalapenos
2 cups shredded cheese (I used about 6.5 oz Gabietou, because it needed to be used, but this would be good with Monterrey Jack, Cheddar, or co-jack, too.)
1/3 cup powdered parm
salt and pepper to taste

I drained the pasta and dumped the rest of the ingredients into the hot pot and mixed it up. That's it.

This was a complete experiment and a perfect Kitchen Miracle.

Mexican style tomatoes.. French cheese, only available, once a year, and parm!

Ode to Maize.. Sweet or Savory..

2009-11-07T16:59:00.009-05:00

My waiter, whom will remain nameless, for the protection of the guilty, told me, "since you are a cook.. I'll tell you how to make them" and then he proceeded to tell me to use Jiffy Cornbread mix! *gasp* haha

Bless him! Cheddar cheese and lots of butter.. that's my next experiment.. but I'll add fire roasted chilies, eh? and bacon.. :) Maybe I should just substitute 1/2 corn meal, for flour, in my Savory Muffins? Yes! Good idea.

Have you had the corn muffins at Jim N Nicks?

I was blog-hopping, while making Green Chili Sauce, for HM Breakfast Burritos, this afternoon.. Oooh haa haa!

what's new, right? *smile*

Have you met Laura?

Laura, of Real Mom Kitchen, shared Pumpkin Cornbread! I must try this, sans canola oil. Umm.. what is a Canola? I'll use butter. (I'm always looking for recipes, with pumpkin, but I still can't get into the idea of chocolate, with it. Maybe I'm afraid that I'll like it!)

In the name of Soup and Bread, Laura deserves a spot in Foodie Heaven on Earth!

Have you seen Heather's GF Corn Bread and Andouille Dressing? It is good!! I'm thinking blue corn meal and chorizo sausage, white corn.. red/white/blue for July. With the extra egg! *wink*

Speaking of Andouille sausage, Joan, and her Shrimp and Gritness, has my attention. I haven't liked any grits, I've ever made. Grits is not up there on the Southern Cali menu.

Oh! The pork is tender.. I'm off to make a Roux..

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad soup!

2009-11-06T19:00:00.004-05:00

Start by roasting the veggies, from the recipe. Puree.

Store, over night, in the refrigerator.

Make a roux, with a few tablespoons of butter and flour. (I didn't measure.)

Think that you should add 4 cups of heavy cream, but measure out 3.5 and realize you don't have four cups.. and convince yourself that you really only need 2 cups of cream... put rest of cream back in fridge.

Add four cups of water. Immediately "remember" that you only needed 2 cups.

Add puree'd veggies.

Taste.

Tastes like cold cream. Very little tomato flavor.

Panic.

Start yelling for someone to find some condensed tomato soup. Add family size can of condensed tomato soup.

Add a 6 ounce can of tomato paste and a 12 ounce can of reduced sodium V-8 juice, for good measure.

Taste again.

Add another 12 ounce can of reduced sodium V-8 juice.

Taste.

Soup now tastes like tomato juice. That raw, uncooked kind-of taste.

Give up and serve the toasted cheese sandwiches, made with Havarti Cheese, American Cheese, and One Whole Fire-Roasted Chile. (Be too tired to take a photo of your gunky sammich full of yum! :) )

30 minutes later.. remember you didn't add the better than bouillon.. and never needed the tomato paste or V-8 juice, and really did need four cups of cream..

*sigh*

Full of Yum Hummus

2009-11-05T18:35:00.000-05:00

Roasted Red Pepper Chipotle Hummus

(This recipe started as my basic hummus recipe.)

2 - 15.5 oz cans Chick Peas
2/3 cup Tahini
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large or 3 small limes, juiced
2 Tbsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp coarse ground pepper
1 jar roasted red peppers (7 oz?)
1 tsp chipotle pepper, in adobo sauce, blended

Add to the food processor and turn on.. drizzle in 2/3 cup olive oil.

Serve with Tzatziki Sauce and fresh chopped vegetables, of your choice and Whole Wheat Mediterranean Flat Bread.

Oh, the menu! smile

2009-11-03T20:47:00.004-05:00

Monday - I, finally, made the Potato Leek Soup. I had to do some major adjustments, so I'll post the recipe, soon.

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday - Fajita Burritos, with LeftOver (L/O) Ribeye's, sliced red bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and sliced onion.

Wednesday - Ground Beef Gyros, Mediterranean Bread, Hummus, Tzatziki

Thursday - Roasted Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese sandwiches made with Whole Roasted Chilies and Mexican Sunset Bread.

Friday - Crockpot Broccoli Beef, Lemon Rice, Black Bean Brownies :)

Saturday - Breakfast for Dinner

Sunday - Leftovers