long ago i spoke of my love of casseroles, how i think they are a wonderfully perfect food. they are easy to prepare, make ahead, throw them in the oven, and all ready for dinner. they almost stress-free to make, and personally i think they're delicious. unfortunately, my kids enjoy eating all their food separately, and therefore do not share my love of casseroles.
there is another style of food i love for dinner, one that is easy to make ahead, one that i can pull out of my freezer and heat up, one that helps keep supper time stress free. i am now talking about my new found love of crock pot meals.
i used to make food all the time in my crock pot. i even have a much loved, falling apart cook book filled with different crock pot recipes. and then, as my boys got older, i stopped. like i've mentioned, they like to eat all of their food separately, spread across their plate in neat piles, eating one kind of thing at a time before moving onto the next. crock pot meals cook everything together, so it's not always easy to separate into different components. and so, for the exact same reason as casseroles, my boys don't like them. and because i got tired of all the complaining, i stopped making them.
lately, though, i've seen all sorts of links and site and talk about crock pot meals. and not just regular crock pot meals, but make ahead meals. these are recipes that allow you to throw everything into one bag, pop it in the freezer, and pull it out at a later date to cook when things get really busy. some recipes are even complete meals, no need to make mashed potatoes or pasta or rice as a side.
i personally think that's a brilliant idea for a couple of reasons. using these make ahead and freeze for later meals means not only do i have dinner for a night where i don't have much time to make anything, it also means that i have something to cook when i don't really have any ideas of what to make, because it's already done for me. also, because these are crock pot meals, it means that i can start it in the late morning, go and be busy for awhile, and still have a yummy dinner all ready and waiting when we need it. the extra bonus of cooking it in the crock pot is that if we are running late, an extra hour cook time doesn't mean a ruined meal like it would if it was a dinner in the oven. an extra benefit i found when preparing these freezer meals is that i was able to make them now when the protein i was using was on sale, so it's even more economical than saving the recipe and making it later.
so yes, today i made 12 meals for future use, all bagged and tagged and stored in my deep freeze. i went through a couple of different sites, picking out the recipes that i thought my family would like best. still, i know i'm going to hear some complaints about how everything is all mixed together, but with three kids it's very rare that i don't have at least one complaining about something i'm forcing them to eat, so i'm not that worried about it. these crock pot meals might just turn out to be my new favorite thing.
right behind chocolate cake.
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
March 20, 2013
March 18, 2013
feeling tropical
i'm kind of sick of winter. actually, i don't mind winter, i'm just kind of sick of this time of year. it's still cold and crappy, but then the next day the sun comes out and it's nice and warm. or the sun comes out, but it's so windy it only seems warm, and then when you step outside you realize how bitterly cold it really is. i wish the weather would just make up its mind.
so because the weather has had me down lately, i decided to push past spring and think about summer. warm tropical breezes, the sand and the sea, fruity drinks with paper umbrellas, all of these were my inspiration for a delicious beachy feast.
ok, i'll be real here, a while back i bought a lime flavored cake mix. last year i found pink lemonade flavored cake mix and cookie mix and frosting in a tub, and this year it's back with all its friends in lime flavors. so i broke down and bought the lime cake mix to try. and i decided to use it as a starting point for my tropical meal.
yes, i know, lime isn't overly tropical. but pair it with coconut and pineapple and it is. or at least in my head it is. so when i baked the cake mix, i decided to do a pina colada sort of frosting. or rather it was exactly a pina colada frosting because when i made it, i used pina colada mix in place of the milk and vanilla called for in the recipe, and i mixed in some shredded coconut for good measure. to get some extra pineapple flavor going on, i mixed a bit of crushed pineapple with some of the frosting and used that as a filling inside the cake. with extra coconut sprinkled on the outside of it, it looked very tropical indeed.
after dessert was done, i turned my thoughts to what we were going to eat for the main meal. i decided to try an easy recipe for coconut shrimp that i had found, because i was again stretching the limits of the definition of tropical food. the coconut shrimp was simply peeled and deveined, dipped in egg and then dredged in a mix of coconut and shake'n bake, then baked at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. it was super easy, and it was a recipe for breaded shrimp that didn't involve frying, so i figured i'd give it a whirl.
to pair with the shrimp, i looked up a recipe that was a mock up for the red lobsters sauce that they pair with their coconut shrimp. turns out it was the perfect way to use up some of the pina colada mix and pineapple that was left over after making the cake.
the meal itself was a hit. the shrimp was amazing, and definitely something i'll make again. i was actually surprised how crispy it got in the oven, but i guess that's due to the magic of shake'n bake. the dipping sauce i made to go with it was kind of weird honestly. for whatever reason, it called for powdered sugar, which i used, but it made the sauce overly sweet. it also wasn't very thick like i would have preferred, but then i don't think i boiled it for the 20 minutes the recipe called for. if i make it again, i'll definitely be tweaking the recipe so it's more to my liking.
the cake was ok, which was actually rather disappointing to me. i used a different recipe for the frosting, one that called for a higher butter to sugar ratio than i'm used to, so i'm not sure why i was so surprised when the finished product was so buttery, more buttery than i like. also, the pina colada mix didn't flavor it as much as i hoped, so if i try it again i think i'll add some coconut extract also, to help bump up the flavor. still, i thought it was edible, and lumpy and fishie liked it well enough. neither my hubby nor bumble would even try it, because the lime cake part was green. very very green. and both of them said they don't eat green cake.
i can't say the whole evening transported me to the tropics, but it was definitely something different, and different can be good. because sometimes different is all it takes to get me out of my winter blues, which was the point of the meal in the first place.
so because the weather has had me down lately, i decided to push past spring and think about summer. warm tropical breezes, the sand and the sea, fruity drinks with paper umbrellas, all of these were my inspiration for a delicious beachy feast.
ok, i'll be real here, a while back i bought a lime flavored cake mix. last year i found pink lemonade flavored cake mix and cookie mix and frosting in a tub, and this year it's back with all its friends in lime flavors. so i broke down and bought the lime cake mix to try. and i decided to use it as a starting point for my tropical meal.
yes, i know, lime isn't overly tropical. but pair it with coconut and pineapple and it is. or at least in my head it is. so when i baked the cake mix, i decided to do a pina colada sort of frosting. or rather it was exactly a pina colada frosting because when i made it, i used pina colada mix in place of the milk and vanilla called for in the recipe, and i mixed in some shredded coconut for good measure. to get some extra pineapple flavor going on, i mixed a bit of crushed pineapple with some of the frosting and used that as a filling inside the cake. with extra coconut sprinkled on the outside of it, it looked very tropical indeed.
after dessert was done, i turned my thoughts to what we were going to eat for the main meal. i decided to try an easy recipe for coconut shrimp that i had found, because i was again stretching the limits of the definition of tropical food. the coconut shrimp was simply peeled and deveined, dipped in egg and then dredged in a mix of coconut and shake'n bake, then baked at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. it was super easy, and it was a recipe for breaded shrimp that didn't involve frying, so i figured i'd give it a whirl.
to pair with the shrimp, i looked up a recipe that was a mock up for the red lobsters sauce that they pair with their coconut shrimp. turns out it was the perfect way to use up some of the pina colada mix and pineapple that was left over after making the cake.
the meal itself was a hit. the shrimp was amazing, and definitely something i'll make again. i was actually surprised how crispy it got in the oven, but i guess that's due to the magic of shake'n bake. the dipping sauce i made to go with it was kind of weird honestly. for whatever reason, it called for powdered sugar, which i used, but it made the sauce overly sweet. it also wasn't very thick like i would have preferred, but then i don't think i boiled it for the 20 minutes the recipe called for. if i make it again, i'll definitely be tweaking the recipe so it's more to my liking.
the cake was ok, which was actually rather disappointing to me. i used a different recipe for the frosting, one that called for a higher butter to sugar ratio than i'm used to, so i'm not sure why i was so surprised when the finished product was so buttery, more buttery than i like. also, the pina colada mix didn't flavor it as much as i hoped, so if i try it again i think i'll add some coconut extract also, to help bump up the flavor. still, i thought it was edible, and lumpy and fishie liked it well enough. neither my hubby nor bumble would even try it, because the lime cake part was green. very very green. and both of them said they don't eat green cake.
i can't say the whole evening transported me to the tropics, but it was definitely something different, and different can be good. because sometimes different is all it takes to get me out of my winter blues, which was the point of the meal in the first place.
March 12, 2013
recipe collection
recipes have always been my things. they always make me smile. i read through them and imagine the smells that would be coming from my kitchen as i go through the steps, and of course i dream of what the finished dish might taste like.
for many many years now, i've been reading different cooking blogs. mostly the ones that focus on sugary treats. oddly enough, though i would page through my cookbooks at random, i was never into collecting books. but recipes from blog sites? totally different story.
maybe it's due to the fact that my digital recipe collection takes up no physical space. so there's no guilt about using up what precious little cabinet space i have now. also, cookbooks cost money, but copy-pasting text from various sites is free! and because i'm not using other peoples' amazing creations for profit or gain, i don't feel bad about collecting them for later.
well, i don't feel bad about using other peoples' recipes because i don't call them my own. but i did start to feel bad about the amount i have amassed. so many wonderful ideas for the kitchen, and so few i actually made. and yet i would continue to read blogs and click links and save files for later use.
finally, i realized it started bordering on the ridiculous. over 400 recipes taking up just over 8mb of space on my hard drive, i think i needed to slow down. and so i have. or at least i'm trying to.
now, though i still look every day, i've been more careful about what i save. there are so many recipes that look amazing to me, but i know i'd never make them. sometimes it's because my family would never eat it. sometimes it's because the ingredients are expensive or hard to find around here. or sometimes it's because the recipe is long and complicated. not to brag, but there aren't too many recipes that are above my skill set, it's just i don't have hours during the day to devote to making a particular dish.
unless it's a cake. i've spread super complicated cake recipes out over days, because i don't have the six hours it would have taken to make it all in one shot. but then, in my mind, some cake is just worth it.
for many many years now, i've been reading different cooking blogs. mostly the ones that focus on sugary treats. oddly enough, though i would page through my cookbooks at random, i was never into collecting books. but recipes from blog sites? totally different story.
maybe it's due to the fact that my digital recipe collection takes up no physical space. so there's no guilt about using up what precious little cabinet space i have now. also, cookbooks cost money, but copy-pasting text from various sites is free! and because i'm not using other peoples' amazing creations for profit or gain, i don't feel bad about collecting them for later.
well, i don't feel bad about using other peoples' recipes because i don't call them my own. but i did start to feel bad about the amount i have amassed. so many wonderful ideas for the kitchen, and so few i actually made. and yet i would continue to read blogs and click links and save files for later use.
finally, i realized it started bordering on the ridiculous. over 400 recipes taking up just over 8mb of space on my hard drive, i think i needed to slow down. and so i have. or at least i'm trying to.
now, though i still look every day, i've been more careful about what i save. there are so many recipes that look amazing to me, but i know i'd never make them. sometimes it's because my family would never eat it. sometimes it's because the ingredients are expensive or hard to find around here. or sometimes it's because the recipe is long and complicated. not to brag, but there aren't too many recipes that are above my skill set, it's just i don't have hours during the day to devote to making a particular dish.
unless it's a cake. i've spread super complicated cake recipes out over days, because i don't have the six hours it would have taken to make it all in one shot. but then, in my mind, some cake is just worth it.
March 5, 2013
i'm not dead yet
i know i know i know... i'm really bad at this writing thing.
or maybe i'm just bad with consistency and follow through.
or maybe i'm just at a loss of words that i want to share. over sharing is a problem, but then that leaves me with the "how much is too much" issue. so i err on the side of caution and don't say anything at all.
and then i'm silent for weeks at a time. which is honestly lame and pathetic.
i'm trying, i really am. i'm working through issues, i'm dealing with my problems, i'm tackling this crazy life thing head on.
i'm also going to work on my own time line. i'm not going to do things when i think i should, or how i'm supposed to. because seriously? i make the rules here. i don't know why i care so much what others think if i do things differently, or wrong, or strangely. as long as i stay true to me, what does it matter what others think?
well honestly, it matters tons what others think to me. my head is still back in high school with the worries over what the cool kids will say. it's what makes me bite my tongue and be overly careful what i say. the internet is forever, right?
i know this might not make sense to anyone but me, but this line of thinking is logical in my own head. it's something i'm working on changing, it's something i'm trying to fix. but it's hard. and a long process. and maybe baby steps is where it's at. and posting more here is the first step.
and the second step is no more beating myself up over the fact that i'm not posting often, or as much as i should, or as much as i think that i should.
no promises of posting this time. just that i will try to be better. because really, that's all anyone can do.
or maybe i'm just bad with consistency and follow through.
or maybe i'm just at a loss of words that i want to share. over sharing is a problem, but then that leaves me with the "how much is too much" issue. so i err on the side of caution and don't say anything at all.
and then i'm silent for weeks at a time. which is honestly lame and pathetic.
i'm trying, i really am. i'm working through issues, i'm dealing with my problems, i'm tackling this crazy life thing head on.
i'm also going to work on my own time line. i'm not going to do things when i think i should, or how i'm supposed to. because seriously? i make the rules here. i don't know why i care so much what others think if i do things differently, or wrong, or strangely. as long as i stay true to me, what does it matter what others think?
well honestly, it matters tons what others think to me. my head is still back in high school with the worries over what the cool kids will say. it's what makes me bite my tongue and be overly careful what i say. the internet is forever, right?
i know this might not make sense to anyone but me, but this line of thinking is logical in my own head. it's something i'm working on changing, it's something i'm trying to fix. but it's hard. and a long process. and maybe baby steps is where it's at. and posting more here is the first step.
and the second step is no more beating myself up over the fact that i'm not posting often, or as much as i should, or as much as i think that i should.
no promises of posting this time. just that i will try to be better. because really, that's all anyone can do.
November 10, 2012
my favorite holiday
it's almost thanksgiving! seriously i am so ridiculously excited. it is my most favorite holiday of the year. i love it so much i made a huge thanksgiving dinner for my birthday one year, and my birthday's in july. i can still remember the first time i tried to roast a turkey, i was only 12. it's like my christmas. in fact i think it's way better than christmas.
not that i have anything wrong with those that consider christmas their favorite holiday. i don't like it because for me it always gets awkward. the gift giving and the gift getting, why does it always seem required?
take away the presents and commercialism from christmas, and you're left with special traditions and spending quality time with family and friends, and that is everything i love about thanksgiving. that and of course the food!
i'm a huge foodie, just in case you haven't realized it yet. reading about it, researching it, making it, and of course eating it. food for me is way more than simple nourishment, it calms and comforts and brings people together. i love trying new things, whether it's eating them or making them.
unfortunately, it's been many years since i was able to host thanksgiving dinner. it doesn't stop me every year from looking forward to all the articles and sites dedicated to thanksgiving recipes. and the fancy table settings. and the cute kid crafts. and the new themes.
still, even though i might not be in charge of the whole meal, whenever we spend the holiday with my inlaws i am in charge of the desserts. and i kinda think that's the best part anyway. from making my grandmother's pumpkin pie recipe to trying new apple desserts, thanksgiving always gives me the chance to continue traditions and get creative with new favorites. for me, it really is the best time of the year.
not that i have anything wrong with those that consider christmas their favorite holiday. i don't like it because for me it always gets awkward. the gift giving and the gift getting, why does it always seem required?
take away the presents and commercialism from christmas, and you're left with special traditions and spending quality time with family and friends, and that is everything i love about thanksgiving. that and of course the food!
i'm a huge foodie, just in case you haven't realized it yet. reading about it, researching it, making it, and of course eating it. food for me is way more than simple nourishment, it calms and comforts and brings people together. i love trying new things, whether it's eating them or making them.
unfortunately, it's been many years since i was able to host thanksgiving dinner. it doesn't stop me every year from looking forward to all the articles and sites dedicated to thanksgiving recipes. and the fancy table settings. and the cute kid crafts. and the new themes.
still, even though i might not be in charge of the whole meal, whenever we spend the holiday with my inlaws i am in charge of the desserts. and i kinda think that's the best part anyway. from making my grandmother's pumpkin pie recipe to trying new apple desserts, thanksgiving always gives me the chance to continue traditions and get creative with new favorites. for me, it really is the best time of the year.
November 7, 2012
french toast casserole
i've talked here about my love of breakfast, especially for dinner. brunch is right up there close to the top of the list of things i enjoy stuffing in my face. i've also mentioned how my dear hubby is not a fan of breakfast for dinner. or breakfast in general. in fact, i have a feeling if he could eat fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy three times a day, he'd be a very happy man.
lucky for me, my kids share my affinity for breakfast for dinner. and it just so happens that my hubby has entered a few weeks of intense schooling. like he leaves at about 1145am, goes to school all day, then to work, and doesn't return home until 3 or 4am. it's a very long day for him, and at times it's trying for me because i am forced to deal with the little godzilla known as fish all by myself. but because he doesn't eat dinner with us, the kids and i are free to eat whatever we'd like. so of course that means breakfast.
when faced with the monumental task of making breakfast for dinner, i have a few simple recipes that are easy to whip up. i've made baked oatmeal a number of times, loaded with apples and raisins, and my kids all love it. i also have a few different french toast type casseroles that are easy to assemble and then pop in the oven. really, preparing things ahead and then baking them off is totally my style, though i have made pancakes in various flavors a time or two.
when they were younger, i used to make bacon to go along with our breakfast style treats, but, as crazy as it may seem, my kids are not fans anymore. in fact, lumpy has completely lost his love of bacon, and won't eat it even if you force him. i consider not including meat in our menu as marginally healthier, seeing that most breakfast meats, like bacon and sausage, are filled with fat. and less fat from meat mean more syrup without the guilt. according to my boys, of course.
so last night, my kids and i had breakfast for dinner. and i decided to keep it simple and make a french toast casserole. this time i decided to be brave and make one without using a recipe. i've made enough french toast in my day that i figured i was up to the challenge. i also kept in mind that i wasn't just making french toast, i was making a casserole, so instead of the standard mix of eggs and milk and sugar, i threw in some mashed overly ripe bananas. because of the bananas, i decided to add cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, to mirror my favorite banana bread recipe. i also switched out the plain sugar for brown, because i figured the richer flavor would work better, though i didn't use much because i knew my kids would be covering it with syrup. i also used whole wheat bread instead of white, because i'm trying to get my kids to eat healthier. with a splash of vanilla, i mixed everything together and let it sit overnight in the fridge. before i baked it off the next day, i mixed up a crumbly topping of brown sugar, flour, butter, and spices.
the casserole baked up beautifully, and all the kids loved it. even though i added four bananas, their flavor wasn't as pronounced as i would have liked. the casserole wasn't overly sweet on its own, which is exactly how i intended it to be, because like i knew would happen, my boys slathered their pieces with syrup. and of course, the crumbly topping was my favorite part. all in all, it was a dinner success, and so easy i can definitely repeat it for a more appropriate breakfast or brunch dish. or maybe i'll add some peanut butter and chocolate chips next time, and call it bread pudding for dessert.
lucky for me, my kids share my affinity for breakfast for dinner. and it just so happens that my hubby has entered a few weeks of intense schooling. like he leaves at about 1145am, goes to school all day, then to work, and doesn't return home until 3 or 4am. it's a very long day for him, and at times it's trying for me because i am forced to deal with the little godzilla known as fish all by myself. but because he doesn't eat dinner with us, the kids and i are free to eat whatever we'd like. so of course that means breakfast.
when faced with the monumental task of making breakfast for dinner, i have a few simple recipes that are easy to whip up. i've made baked oatmeal a number of times, loaded with apples and raisins, and my kids all love it. i also have a few different french toast type casseroles that are easy to assemble and then pop in the oven. really, preparing things ahead and then baking them off is totally my style, though i have made pancakes in various flavors a time or two.
when they were younger, i used to make bacon to go along with our breakfast style treats, but, as crazy as it may seem, my kids are not fans anymore. in fact, lumpy has completely lost his love of bacon, and won't eat it even if you force him. i consider not including meat in our menu as marginally healthier, seeing that most breakfast meats, like bacon and sausage, are filled with fat. and less fat from meat mean more syrup without the guilt. according to my boys, of course.
so last night, my kids and i had breakfast for dinner. and i decided to keep it simple and make a french toast casserole. this time i decided to be brave and make one without using a recipe. i've made enough french toast in my day that i figured i was up to the challenge. i also kept in mind that i wasn't just making french toast, i was making a casserole, so instead of the standard mix of eggs and milk and sugar, i threw in some mashed overly ripe bananas. because of the bananas, i decided to add cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, to mirror my favorite banana bread recipe. i also switched out the plain sugar for brown, because i figured the richer flavor would work better, though i didn't use much because i knew my kids would be covering it with syrup. i also used whole wheat bread instead of white, because i'm trying to get my kids to eat healthier. with a splash of vanilla, i mixed everything together and let it sit overnight in the fridge. before i baked it off the next day, i mixed up a crumbly topping of brown sugar, flour, butter, and spices.
the casserole baked up beautifully, and all the kids loved it. even though i added four bananas, their flavor wasn't as pronounced as i would have liked. the casserole wasn't overly sweet on its own, which is exactly how i intended it to be, because like i knew would happen, my boys slathered their pieces with syrup. and of course, the crumbly topping was my favorite part. all in all, it was a dinner success, and so easy i can definitely repeat it for a more appropriate breakfast or brunch dish. or maybe i'll add some peanut butter and chocolate chips next time, and call it bread pudding for dessert.
September 19, 2012
breakfast for dinner
my kids love breakfast for dinner. in fact, most people i know love breakfast for dinner. it's quick, cheap, and easy. really, we'd do it once a week if my hubby didn't hate it so much. and the crazy thing about him hating breakfast for dinner is that, working nights, he gets up and eats dinner as his breakfast. try and wrap your head around his dislike of such an awesome concept given the facts, because it boggles my mind.
lucky for the kids and i, with hubby working nights and going to school in the afternoon, there are sometimes days where i pack him food to take because he doesn't have time to eat dinner at home with us. ok, it's not lucky, honestly it sucks not having him home, but i make it up to them with food that gets covered in syrup, and then they're ok with it.
my favorite go-to is a french toast casserole. basically, it's layers of bread lined in a greased pan, covered with a mix of eggs and milk and sugar, all of which can be assembled in advance. it's so much easy to bake in the oven, instead of dredging each individual piece of bread through the custard mix and then frying or grilling on a griddle. i have recipes that are labeled as "over night french toast," but it works to just do it a few hours before and let it sit. sometimes i mix in nuts or raisins, and sometimes, if i'm feeling crazy, i cover it with a crunchy crumble topping.
the kids also like baked oatmeal. it's like eating a bowl of oatmeal with a fork. or eating a warm and mushy granola bar. i think it's strange they like it so much, because lumpy and fish aren't really fans of a regular bowl of oatmeal, but baked up and cut into squares make it taste better i guess.
the great thing about those dishes, besides being easy and make-ahead, is that they are endlessly adaptable. i can throw all sorts of random bits in and my kids will eat it up. it's especially nice because not only can i use up what i have laying around, i can change it for the season. and it's fall now, so that means apples! still, my absolute favorite breakfast/apple creation has to be pancakes, because it's ridiculously easy.
i start with complete pancake mix, the kind that you only have to add water to. but instead of just water, i also add applesauce and cinnamon. and if i'm feeling really crazy, i'll add a little bit of molasses, ground ginger, and ground cloves, because then it tastes like a cross between apple pie and gingerbread. and if my kids have been especially good, or they're having an especially alexander type day, i'll mix some apple juice and cinnamon and powder sugar together, and let them use that instead of plain old maple syrup.
honestly, those pancakes are so quick and easy, i'll even consider making them for breakfast. though eating them for dinner is much more fun.
lucky for the kids and i, with hubby working nights and going to school in the afternoon, there are sometimes days where i pack him food to take because he doesn't have time to eat dinner at home with us. ok, it's not lucky, honestly it sucks not having him home, but i make it up to them with food that gets covered in syrup, and then they're ok with it.
my favorite go-to is a french toast casserole. basically, it's layers of bread lined in a greased pan, covered with a mix of eggs and milk and sugar, all of which can be assembled in advance. it's so much easy to bake in the oven, instead of dredging each individual piece of bread through the custard mix and then frying or grilling on a griddle. i have recipes that are labeled as "over night french toast," but it works to just do it a few hours before and let it sit. sometimes i mix in nuts or raisins, and sometimes, if i'm feeling crazy, i cover it with a crunchy crumble topping.
the kids also like baked oatmeal. it's like eating a bowl of oatmeal with a fork. or eating a warm and mushy granola bar. i think it's strange they like it so much, because lumpy and fish aren't really fans of a regular bowl of oatmeal, but baked up and cut into squares make it taste better i guess.
the great thing about those dishes, besides being easy and make-ahead, is that they are endlessly adaptable. i can throw all sorts of random bits in and my kids will eat it up. it's especially nice because not only can i use up what i have laying around, i can change it for the season. and it's fall now, so that means apples! still, my absolute favorite breakfast/apple creation has to be pancakes, because it's ridiculously easy.
i start with complete pancake mix, the kind that you only have to add water to. but instead of just water, i also add applesauce and cinnamon. and if i'm feeling really crazy, i'll add a little bit of molasses, ground ginger, and ground cloves, because then it tastes like a cross between apple pie and gingerbread. and if my kids have been especially good, or they're having an especially alexander type day, i'll mix some apple juice and cinnamon and powder sugar together, and let them use that instead of plain old maple syrup.
honestly, those pancakes are so quick and easy, i'll even consider making them for breakfast. though eating them for dinner is much more fun.
September 18, 2012
my life at the moment
so much is going on in my life right now, and all of it is boring. or rather, not boring to me, just boring to write about. and so, i've been at a loss of words for this space, which makes me feel bad and neglectful. and so here is a run down of my life at the moment, until i think of something more clever to share.
i've been carting kids to random doctors for things. last night i got to stay with fish for her sleep study. she had one done last summer, and then because she stopped breathing for minutes at a time, which is supposedly really bad or something (sarcasm!), they took her tonsils and adenoids when they put the tubes in her ears. the tubes weren't because she was sleeping poorly, it was because when she got an ear infection, it swelled and burst through her ear drum. so pussy, bloody drainage made me think something might be a little off. and then to go through hearing tests and fail them all and be considered clinically deaf, that was super fun too. but now, after getting tubes, she can hear, and better than her doctors thought. you know, because it's super awesome when you take your kid in for a follow-up visit and the doctor is so surprised that there was no permanent damage or deafness, not that they told you it was a possibility. anyway, now we get to wait a month before we go back to hear the results of this latest sleep study. because i'm not really sure what the plan of action will be, but sleeping beside her last night made me realize how many times she stops breathing again.
so, to tide us over until we can go back to the doctor for dear fish, tomorrow i get to take my clan to bumble's nine year check up. there, i get to hear all about how he's off the chart for his height and his weight from a brand new doctor, because the guy we had been seeing decided to leave the practice and go teach pediatric medicine at the hospital where lumpy and fish see their specialists. i keep hoping to run into him so i can say hi. and beg him to come back. and also, because it's fall, it can only mean one special thing. that's right, flu shots for all! here's hoping for no adverse reaction.
besides getting good use out of our health insurance, i've also been thinking fun fall recipes. because it's apple time again. and pumpkin time. and i love fall so much. it's my favorite food season of all. fresh in summer is nice, and cozy in winter is good, and the delicate flavors of spring are ok, but i live for cinnamon and cloves and sage, roast chickens and pies and caramel. thinking about everything just makes me smile.
what's even better this year is that i'm thinking fall cookies. my lovely sister is getting married, and she asked me to make cookies for the reception, because she knows i'm kind of into that sort of thing. i have about six weeks to figure it all out, but already i've got a list of recipes i want to try. thankfully, i know enough willing test tasters who will give me their honest opinions.
so yeah, that's what i've got going on. plus all three of my boys are back in school. and cub scouts started back up. and then there's always the normal cooking and cleaning and laundry to be done. so while it's all exciting (or necessary) to me, it's not much to talk about. i promise, though, i'll try harder to find topics to fill this space.
i've been carting kids to random doctors for things. last night i got to stay with fish for her sleep study. she had one done last summer, and then because she stopped breathing for minutes at a time, which is supposedly really bad or something (sarcasm!), they took her tonsils and adenoids when they put the tubes in her ears. the tubes weren't because she was sleeping poorly, it was because when she got an ear infection, it swelled and burst through her ear drum. so pussy, bloody drainage made me think something might be a little off. and then to go through hearing tests and fail them all and be considered clinically deaf, that was super fun too. but now, after getting tubes, she can hear, and better than her doctors thought. you know, because it's super awesome when you take your kid in for a follow-up visit and the doctor is so surprised that there was no permanent damage or deafness, not that they told you it was a possibility. anyway, now we get to wait a month before we go back to hear the results of this latest sleep study. because i'm not really sure what the plan of action will be, but sleeping beside her last night made me realize how many times she stops breathing again.
so, to tide us over until we can go back to the doctor for dear fish, tomorrow i get to take my clan to bumble's nine year check up. there, i get to hear all about how he's off the chart for his height and his weight from a brand new doctor, because the guy we had been seeing decided to leave the practice and go teach pediatric medicine at the hospital where lumpy and fish see their specialists. i keep hoping to run into him so i can say hi. and beg him to come back. and also, because it's fall, it can only mean one special thing. that's right, flu shots for all! here's hoping for no adverse reaction.
besides getting good use out of our health insurance, i've also been thinking fun fall recipes. because it's apple time again. and pumpkin time. and i love fall so much. it's my favorite food season of all. fresh in summer is nice, and cozy in winter is good, and the delicate flavors of spring are ok, but i live for cinnamon and cloves and sage, roast chickens and pies and caramel. thinking about everything just makes me smile.
what's even better this year is that i'm thinking fall cookies. my lovely sister is getting married, and she asked me to make cookies for the reception, because she knows i'm kind of into that sort of thing. i have about six weeks to figure it all out, but already i've got a list of recipes i want to try. thankfully, i know enough willing test tasters who will give me their honest opinions.
so yeah, that's what i've got going on. plus all three of my boys are back in school. and cub scouts started back up. and then there's always the normal cooking and cleaning and laundry to be done. so while it's all exciting (or necessary) to me, it's not much to talk about. i promise, though, i'll try harder to find topics to fill this space.
September 1, 2012
chocolate and peanut butter and pretzels, oh my
everybody has different ways of coping with stress. if you've read this blog for any length of time, you'd know that how i cope is with sugar. candy and cookies and cakes are all great stress relievers for me. and i don't just mean eating, though that helps. for me, it's more the process of making that helps me get back in a more stable frame of mind.
the problem, at the moment, is that my family and i are trying to eat healthier. and it's hard to be healthy with tempting treats hanging around. so to help make things easier on everybody, i haven't been making many sweets. but sometimes i feel like i just have to. because my mind gets whirling and worried, and i just don't know what to do with myself. and even though most of what worries me is stuff that most more stable people wouldn't be bothered by, i just can't help it. i'm told to just stop freaking out, but that's definitely easier said than done.
and so, i've decided to get more creative with the sweets and treats i make. some recipes are easier to adapt than others. like the one i made yesterday.
i started by making a pretzel crust, which is exactly like a graham cracker crust, only using pretzels instead of crackers. so i mixed crushed pretzels, melted butter, and a little sugar, then baked and cooled it completely. then came the filling. the first layer was a mix of chocolate pudding (i used the sugar free kind), peanut butter, a little milk, and cool whip (which was fat free). the next layer was a little more peanut butter and the rest of the cool whip tub. the layers were spread over the crust, and then the pan went into the fridge to set.
it tasted really nice, with the salty crunch of the crust complimenting the sweet smoothness of the filling. and i'm not sure if it was the peanut butter or that i used so little milk, but the pudding layer held together so well that i was able to cut nice, clean squares, something that usually doesn't happen when i make pudding desserts. my hubby especially loved it, and was super thrilled to find that it wasn't too bad for him, with the butter in the crust being the worst component. if i make it again, i'll probably omit the sugar, because everything was so sweet, i don't think i needed it.
so everyone in the family was happy. they all got something yummy to eat, and i got a bit of stress relief. after this weekend it over, i know we'll be closer to a set schedule, and things will be more normal around here. and i know i just need to hold on and make it through the next couple of days without a major freak-out. if nothing else, i'll go back to my old ways and make some caramel and burn my tongue by licking the spoon. i am contant if nothing else.
the problem, at the moment, is that my family and i are trying to eat healthier. and it's hard to be healthy with tempting treats hanging around. so to help make things easier on everybody, i haven't been making many sweets. but sometimes i feel like i just have to. because my mind gets whirling and worried, and i just don't know what to do with myself. and even though most of what worries me is stuff that most more stable people wouldn't be bothered by, i just can't help it. i'm told to just stop freaking out, but that's definitely easier said than done.
and so, i've decided to get more creative with the sweets and treats i make. some recipes are easier to adapt than others. like the one i made yesterday.
i started by making a pretzel crust, which is exactly like a graham cracker crust, only using pretzels instead of crackers. so i mixed crushed pretzels, melted butter, and a little sugar, then baked and cooled it completely. then came the filling. the first layer was a mix of chocolate pudding (i used the sugar free kind), peanut butter, a little milk, and cool whip (which was fat free). the next layer was a little more peanut butter and the rest of the cool whip tub. the layers were spread over the crust, and then the pan went into the fridge to set.
it tasted really nice, with the salty crunch of the crust complimenting the sweet smoothness of the filling. and i'm not sure if it was the peanut butter or that i used so little milk, but the pudding layer held together so well that i was able to cut nice, clean squares, something that usually doesn't happen when i make pudding desserts. my hubby especially loved it, and was super thrilled to find that it wasn't too bad for him, with the butter in the crust being the worst component. if i make it again, i'll probably omit the sugar, because everything was so sweet, i don't think i needed it.
so everyone in the family was happy. they all got something yummy to eat, and i got a bit of stress relief. after this weekend it over, i know we'll be closer to a set schedule, and things will be more normal around here. and i know i just need to hold on and make it through the next couple of days without a major freak-out. if nothing else, i'll go back to my old ways and make some caramel and burn my tongue by licking the spoon. i am contant if nothing else.
June 25, 2012
happy mother's day from around the world!
yes, i know the real mother's day was a while ago. but my sisters and i always do a big dinner event, and it always ends up happening during the last week of june. all of us leave very different, yet super busy, lives, and it's when we can all get together to make the magic happen. even though it's always late, all of our mothers always feel super special, which they should. we all have multiple moms, and every one of them is very important to us.
so every year, we pick a place from around the world, and have a special dinner based on that theme. the food, the music, the decorations, all of it is made by us, by hand, and based on one specific location. most have been places we've been, but some have just been places we enjoy or wish we could go.
it all started many years ago, like back in 1999 or so, with a high tea. we served little sandwiches and assorted teas and little cakes. it was such a huge success, we've repeated the event almost every year, inviting more moms as they've joined our large and nontraditional family.
after the high tea, we did hawaii, with fish dishes and lots of pineapple. then there was new orleans, where we had a crayfish boil and beignets and lots of zydeco music. we did a carnival theme, where we played games like ring toss, ate corn dogs and homemade funnel cake, and even had a pie eating contest. after that was a carribean theme, with jerk chicken, fried plantains, and tropical flavors ices. next was a kentucky derby theme, because the party fell on the day of the race. we ate mashed potatoes and fried chicken, drank sweet mint tea, and had strawberry pie for dessert, and everybody got a fancy hat to wear. then we did greece, and decorated with grapes and lots of white and blue. we ate olives and feta, spanakopita and dolmadakia, and of course, baklava. after greece, we had a spanish theme, with many tapas and a huge paella. then we did germany, and had pretzels with various mustards, good dark breads, and spatzle and schnitzel. and, with my love of baking, i made a huge german chocolate cake. that brings us to last year, where we made french food. appetizers includes a cheese platter, then french onion soup, coq au reisling, and homemade salted caramels for a take-home snack.
this year, i decided to challenge myself. my sister suggested india, a cuisine and culture i am not really familiar with, but i still agreed. and yesterday, we transported all of the mothers to india. we danced, my sister gave henna tatoos, and we ate. i helped to make so many things i've never had before, like aloo tikki (a fried potato patty), pakora (a deep fried vegitable fritter), chicken tikka masala, chana masala (a chickpea dish), and chapati (a flat bread). for dessert i made kheer (a very loose rice pudding) and kulfi (an ice cream). everyone said it was a great success. even though i've never had most of the dishes, so i didn't know if they turned out how they were supposed to, i can still say i thought everything was delicious.
now i'm already thinking about "where" we should go next year.
so every year, we pick a place from around the world, and have a special dinner based on that theme. the food, the music, the decorations, all of it is made by us, by hand, and based on one specific location. most have been places we've been, but some have just been places we enjoy or wish we could go.
it all started many years ago, like back in 1999 or so, with a high tea. we served little sandwiches and assorted teas and little cakes. it was such a huge success, we've repeated the event almost every year, inviting more moms as they've joined our large and nontraditional family.
after the high tea, we did hawaii, with fish dishes and lots of pineapple. then there was new orleans, where we had a crayfish boil and beignets and lots of zydeco music. we did a carnival theme, where we played games like ring toss, ate corn dogs and homemade funnel cake, and even had a pie eating contest. after that was a carribean theme, with jerk chicken, fried plantains, and tropical flavors ices. next was a kentucky derby theme, because the party fell on the day of the race. we ate mashed potatoes and fried chicken, drank sweet mint tea, and had strawberry pie for dessert, and everybody got a fancy hat to wear. then we did greece, and decorated with grapes and lots of white and blue. we ate olives and feta, spanakopita and dolmadakia, and of course, baklava. after greece, we had a spanish theme, with many tapas and a huge paella. then we did germany, and had pretzels with various mustards, good dark breads, and spatzle and schnitzel. and, with my love of baking, i made a huge german chocolate cake. that brings us to last year, where we made french food. appetizers includes a cheese platter, then french onion soup, coq au reisling, and homemade salted caramels for a take-home snack.
this year, i decided to challenge myself. my sister suggested india, a cuisine and culture i am not really familiar with, but i still agreed. and yesterday, we transported all of the mothers to india. we danced, my sister gave henna tatoos, and we ate. i helped to make so many things i've never had before, like aloo tikki (a fried potato patty), pakora (a deep fried vegitable fritter), chicken tikka masala, chana masala (a chickpea dish), and chapati (a flat bread). for dessert i made kheer (a very loose rice pudding) and kulfi (an ice cream). everyone said it was a great success. even though i've never had most of the dishes, so i didn't know if they turned out how they were supposed to, i can still say i thought everything was delicious.
now i'm already thinking about "where" we should go next year.
April 25, 2012
frou frou juice
this post, i fear, will be filled with non-sequester craziness, based around a theme. but then, if you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that's exactly what to expect from me. if not, welcome, hold on, and enjoy the ride.
first, a word on the title. frou frou juice is fancy coffee creamer, which is something i love deeply and have very strong opinions on. i call it that because my dad calls it that. and i'm not really sure why he calls it that, other than it's a cheap way to make fancy tasting coffee, and i think frou frou things are fancy things, if wiki hasn't lead me astray.
for many years now, i have loved coffee creamer. it always saved me from having to buy expensive, flavored coffees. in fact, because i felt i was dumping enough sugary milk product into coffee, it saved me from feeling guilty about buying the stuff that is pre-ground in a can. i wouldn't buy the cheapest coffee out there, because it was too dark, to the point of being burnt, for my liking. that's also why i refused to drink at starbucks for many years, but that's a different rant.
anyway, i do know the best way to make a cup of coffee, which i will quickly share. first, you need to buy fresh beans, which means purchasing from a reputable retailer that doesn't let their product sit on shelves for too long or in direct light. which means most of the self-serve stuff from the grocery stores is out. also, when brewing, you should used filtered water. bottled is ok, because most bottled water is just filtered tap water with a huge mark-up. don't used distilled though, because that takes everything out of the water, making it pure water but a very poor flavor delivery system. then, right before you brew, you need to measure and grind your beans. the amount of coffee you use is personal preference, but when they say a tablespoon per cup, that's not really far off. however you brew, though, you need to make sure your machine is perfectly clean. the flavor from coffee comes from the oil in the beans, and oil can become rancid or carry other flavors easily, so cleanliness is next to a godly cup of coffee. auto-drip pots aren't bad, though there are some that say the paper filters also filter out some of the subtle flavors, which is why aficionados invest in metal filters. if i want a really good cup, i have a french press pot, which is as simple as it gets, but it does make excellent coffee. lastly, if you're brewing a whole pot and will be drinking it over the course of a few hours, put it in something insulated. keeping a pot on the heat for too long will burn it, hence the distinctive flavor of convenience store coffee at three in the morning. and those are all my tips for a perfect cup of coffee.
if you didn't know, i was a barista many years ago. it was actually the job i held the longest (2 years), and i think the only reason i lasted there so long is because i have a passion and interest in good coffee. which also means i am a wealth of useless knowledge on the subject. the shortest job i ever held was at the waffle house, where i lasted 5 weeks. i have just realized that my social anxiety has given me an "interesting" job history, 24 jobs in less than 10 years, and all but two i chose to leave for various reasons. and now i haven't had a paying job in more than five years. that's got to be some sort of record. or sign i need medication. or something.
anyway, back to the point of this post, which is that i made my own coffee creamer today. which is kind of funny considering i was ranting on facebook yesterday about how silly it seemed to make your own sprinkles. really, i know homemade sprinkles probably taste amazing, but i don't have the patience or piping skills to attempt such a thing. if there is something that is cheap and easy to acquire at the store, more often than not, i will buy it. i admit, though, i have made my own brown sugar and self rising flour and buttermilk substitute, but that was due to needing it for a recipe and not wanting to go to the store. though i am perfectly willing to de-bone a chicken if it means saving a couple of dollars over the price per pound. then too, i will make certain things from scratch that are much better then their premade counterparts. case in point is icing, because the stuff sold in tubs is just gross.
a few weeks ago, i stumbled across a recipe for homemade coffee creamer. it was simple enough, and included sweetened condensed milk, and we know how i feel about that. it also gave suggestions for customizing the flavor however you wanted. and because i ran out of coffee creamer, but just happened to have all the ingredients called for to make my own, i did. i'm not a fan of vanilla, so i used two cinnamon sticks and a bunch of whole cloves to get that spicy feeling. if i had really been planning ahead, i would have thrown in a chunk of the fresh ginger that is slowly dying in the crisper, then i would have had something similar to pumpkin pie spice. and nothing is better than pumpkin pie spices in coffee.
it turned out well, and makes a nice addition to my morning coffee. my version is much thinner then the stuff i would buy from the dairy section, but then i used 1% milk. if i make it again, i might try using heavy cream, or just half and half, to give it a richer feel. all in all, i am pleased, and will probably make it again. though i'm also the kind of person that always has sweetened condensed milk and regular milk in my house, so for me it's more convenient.
and i'm already thinking about all the different flavors i could add. i don't think melting chips in would work to get a chocolate flavor, but i had other ideas on what might. and i know i could burn some sugar for a caramel taste. it's interesting to think of coffee flavor pairing with certain desserts, like what wine goes with certain meats. even if i never make my own frou frou juice again, all of the possibilities are fun to think about.
first, a word on the title. frou frou juice is fancy coffee creamer, which is something i love deeply and have very strong opinions on. i call it that because my dad calls it that. and i'm not really sure why he calls it that, other than it's a cheap way to make fancy tasting coffee, and i think frou frou things are fancy things, if wiki hasn't lead me astray.
for many years now, i have loved coffee creamer. it always saved me from having to buy expensive, flavored coffees. in fact, because i felt i was dumping enough sugary milk product into coffee, it saved me from feeling guilty about buying the stuff that is pre-ground in a can. i wouldn't buy the cheapest coffee out there, because it was too dark, to the point of being burnt, for my liking. that's also why i refused to drink at starbucks for many years, but that's a different rant.
anyway, i do know the best way to make a cup of coffee, which i will quickly share. first, you need to buy fresh beans, which means purchasing from a reputable retailer that doesn't let their product sit on shelves for too long or in direct light. which means most of the self-serve stuff from the grocery stores is out. also, when brewing, you should used filtered water. bottled is ok, because most bottled water is just filtered tap water with a huge mark-up. don't used distilled though, because that takes everything out of the water, making it pure water but a very poor flavor delivery system. then, right before you brew, you need to measure and grind your beans. the amount of coffee you use is personal preference, but when they say a tablespoon per cup, that's not really far off. however you brew, though, you need to make sure your machine is perfectly clean. the flavor from coffee comes from the oil in the beans, and oil can become rancid or carry other flavors easily, so cleanliness is next to a godly cup of coffee. auto-drip pots aren't bad, though there are some that say the paper filters also filter out some of the subtle flavors, which is why aficionados invest in metal filters. if i want a really good cup, i have a french press pot, which is as simple as it gets, but it does make excellent coffee. lastly, if you're brewing a whole pot and will be drinking it over the course of a few hours, put it in something insulated. keeping a pot on the heat for too long will burn it, hence the distinctive flavor of convenience store coffee at three in the morning. and those are all my tips for a perfect cup of coffee.
if you didn't know, i was a barista many years ago. it was actually the job i held the longest (2 years), and i think the only reason i lasted there so long is because i have a passion and interest in good coffee. which also means i am a wealth of useless knowledge on the subject. the shortest job i ever held was at the waffle house, where i lasted 5 weeks. i have just realized that my social anxiety has given me an "interesting" job history, 24 jobs in less than 10 years, and all but two i chose to leave for various reasons. and now i haven't had a paying job in more than five years. that's got to be some sort of record. or sign i need medication. or something.
anyway, back to the point of this post, which is that i made my own coffee creamer today. which is kind of funny considering i was ranting on facebook yesterday about how silly it seemed to make your own sprinkles. really, i know homemade sprinkles probably taste amazing, but i don't have the patience or piping skills to attempt such a thing. if there is something that is cheap and easy to acquire at the store, more often than not, i will buy it. i admit, though, i have made my own brown sugar and self rising flour and buttermilk substitute, but that was due to needing it for a recipe and not wanting to go to the store. though i am perfectly willing to de-bone a chicken if it means saving a couple of dollars over the price per pound. then too, i will make certain things from scratch that are much better then their premade counterparts. case in point is icing, because the stuff sold in tubs is just gross.
a few weeks ago, i stumbled across a recipe for homemade coffee creamer. it was simple enough, and included sweetened condensed milk, and we know how i feel about that. it also gave suggestions for customizing the flavor however you wanted. and because i ran out of coffee creamer, but just happened to have all the ingredients called for to make my own, i did. i'm not a fan of vanilla, so i used two cinnamon sticks and a bunch of whole cloves to get that spicy feeling. if i had really been planning ahead, i would have thrown in a chunk of the fresh ginger that is slowly dying in the crisper, then i would have had something similar to pumpkin pie spice. and nothing is better than pumpkin pie spices in coffee.
it turned out well, and makes a nice addition to my morning coffee. my version is much thinner then the stuff i would buy from the dairy section, but then i used 1% milk. if i make it again, i might try using heavy cream, or just half and half, to give it a richer feel. all in all, i am pleased, and will probably make it again. though i'm also the kind of person that always has sweetened condensed milk and regular milk in my house, so for me it's more convenient.
and i'm already thinking about all the different flavors i could add. i don't think melting chips in would work to get a chocolate flavor, but i had other ideas on what might. and i know i could burn some sugar for a caramel taste. it's interesting to think of coffee flavor pairing with certain desserts, like what wine goes with certain meats. even if i never make my own frou frou juice again, all of the possibilities are fun to think about.
April 24, 2012
green marshmallow fluff
lately, things have been very strange. new and strange things happening, with no real explanation. the normal day to day seems to cause more stress than usual. people acting not like themselves. it's all thrown me for a loop.
and i don't like loops. i get motion-sick. like for real. hence why i will never see a 3-D movie, i have enough troubles with my tummy doing flip flops watching regular movies.
anyway, the point i was trying to get at is that there seems to be a new normal going on. and change is scary. and confusing. like, all of a sudden, i now like pineapple. i know, it's like the world's gone bonkers and somebody forgot to tell me.
pineapple and i have a long and storied past. not really, it's just i've never been a fan. and it's funny, because there is something common each of my sisters and i, who will eat almost anything, don't like. for me, it was always pineapple. for my youngest sister, it is the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. and for my middle sister, it is coconut. normal things we just don't like, even though we'll all happily the strangest ethnic cuisine.
since i've had kids, though, my dear hubby and i have a policy that we want the kids to at least try a food before they say they don't like. it's fine if they refuse after they've given it a go, but a flat out refusal is not acceptable. which also means, to set a good example, he and i have to eat a little bit of everything. and how i love him for trying some of my kitchen experiments. casseroles might not be pretty, but they can still taste good!
so yes, the point i was getting at was that i now like pineapple. sometimes. when it's mixed with or eaten with other things. and if it's cold, because just the smell of hot pineapple turns my stomach, so i don't care how awesome you tell me grilled pineapple or sweet and sour chicken is.
this new attitude toward pineapple really started a few weeks before easter. i was looking around at different dessert recipes, as i'm want to do, and i noticed one for watergate salad. easy and simple and just a few ingredients, one of which was a can of crushed pineapple. i'm not sure why it stuck in my head. maybe because it also has mini marshmallows, which i love. or maybe it's because it's green color comes from pistachio pudding, which i also love. plus it has cool whip and chopped pecans, both good things. and really, that's it, the whole recipe. measure everything out and mix it in one big bowl. store in the fridge and enjoy.
so, during easter, i made a pineapple upside down cake, which normally i wouldn't eat. but i tried a piece. and it was good. which got me thinking about watergate salad again. and so i finally broke down and made some. and it is good. very good. light and fluffy and creamy. and even though you can tell there's pineapple in it, it still makes me happy. i could probably eat the whole container myself, which isn't so bad considering i bought the sugar-free versions of all the ingredients.
i let the boys try it, and bumble thought it was good also. because of the marshmallows and the consistency, he called it green marshmallow fluff, which i think is a more descriptive name than watergate. i let lumpy try it also, but he couldn't get over the texture of it. dear fish wouldn't even try it, but i picked out some of the marshmallows to feed her, which she happily ate. my husband and my mother both said it reminds them of ambrosia, which i suppose is true.
so all in all, it's good. and i like it. even if it does have pineapple in it. i guess it's just a new normal for me.
and i don't like loops. i get motion-sick. like for real. hence why i will never see a 3-D movie, i have enough troubles with my tummy doing flip flops watching regular movies.
anyway, the point i was trying to get at is that there seems to be a new normal going on. and change is scary. and confusing. like, all of a sudden, i now like pineapple. i know, it's like the world's gone bonkers and somebody forgot to tell me.
pineapple and i have a long and storied past. not really, it's just i've never been a fan. and it's funny, because there is something common each of my sisters and i, who will eat almost anything, don't like. for me, it was always pineapple. for my youngest sister, it is the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. and for my middle sister, it is coconut. normal things we just don't like, even though we'll all happily the strangest ethnic cuisine.
since i've had kids, though, my dear hubby and i have a policy that we want the kids to at least try a food before they say they don't like. it's fine if they refuse after they've given it a go, but a flat out refusal is not acceptable. which also means, to set a good example, he and i have to eat a little bit of everything. and how i love him for trying some of my kitchen experiments. casseroles might not be pretty, but they can still taste good!
so yes, the point i was getting at was that i now like pineapple. sometimes. when it's mixed with or eaten with other things. and if it's cold, because just the smell of hot pineapple turns my stomach, so i don't care how awesome you tell me grilled pineapple or sweet and sour chicken is.
this new attitude toward pineapple really started a few weeks before easter. i was looking around at different dessert recipes, as i'm want to do, and i noticed one for watergate salad. easy and simple and just a few ingredients, one of which was a can of crushed pineapple. i'm not sure why it stuck in my head. maybe because it also has mini marshmallows, which i love. or maybe it's because it's green color comes from pistachio pudding, which i also love. plus it has cool whip and chopped pecans, both good things. and really, that's it, the whole recipe. measure everything out and mix it in one big bowl. store in the fridge and enjoy.
so, during easter, i made a pineapple upside down cake, which normally i wouldn't eat. but i tried a piece. and it was good. which got me thinking about watergate salad again. and so i finally broke down and made some. and it is good. very good. light and fluffy and creamy. and even though you can tell there's pineapple in it, it still makes me happy. i could probably eat the whole container myself, which isn't so bad considering i bought the sugar-free versions of all the ingredients.
i let the boys try it, and bumble thought it was good also. because of the marshmallows and the consistency, he called it green marshmallow fluff, which i think is a more descriptive name than watergate. i let lumpy try it also, but he couldn't get over the texture of it. dear fish wouldn't even try it, but i picked out some of the marshmallows to feed her, which she happily ate. my husband and my mother both said it reminds them of ambrosia, which i suppose is true.
so all in all, it's good. and i like it. even if it does have pineapple in it. i guess it's just a new normal for me.
April 1, 2012
the spice of life
yesterday, for some family, we went to baltimore. the point of the trip was to go see the fresh beat band, the real people from a preschool-age tv show with a band that sings and dances and has fun. it's cute and fishie loves them, but they're musicians in the same way the monkees were real musicians.
because the show wasn't until later in the evening, we went early to have some more grown up type fun in the city. or at least older than a preschooler type fun. so we went to fort mchenry, which was neat to see, and i'd never been there before. they do special flag ceremonies at 9am and 420pm, so we made sure to be there in time for the later one. we just happened to be there on the day civil war reenactors were also there, in full uniform, so that was fun. what also made it extra special is that there was also a high school from washington state there, and their chorus sang the national anthem while they lowered the main flag and raised the storm flag. fun fact: fort mchenry was the first place approved by congress to fly a flag 24/7, which is why they take the huge main flag down at dusk and fly a storm flag at night. the storm flag is much smaller and will stand up to high winds better.
we also ended up driving around the city a bit, when trying to find fort mchenry, and then again when we were going from fort mchenry to the theater where the show was. we were on lombard street for a couple of blocks, and i have to say that dear hubby and i were kind of excited. the hotel we stayed at for otakon last year, and the one we're staying in this year, are both off of lombard street. we also went past one side of the convention center where the whole crazy thing is held. needless to say, it was great looking at all the places we were, where we ate and where we walked and where we hung out. we are both getting very excited for this summer.
the best thing about the whole day, in my mind at least, was actually what we had for dinner before the show. after finding parking, we decided it was time to find something to eat. lucky for us, there was a pizza place next to the garage and across the street from the theater. and it was the best pizza i had ever eaten!
some people thought it was too spicy (my poor mother), but i thought it was just tangy, not really spicy-hot. it had a familiar flavor that i couldn't quite put my finger on. then, after looking at the menu to read the descriptions, and also after realizing we were in maryland, i figured out that delicious, familiar flavor: old bay.
i love old bay. it's one of those random things i just adore, a standard in my kitchen, something i use in so many things. like the can says, i use it on eggs and pizza, in sauces and crunchy casserole toppings, and, of course, all sorts of seafood. there's no other spice mix quite like it, and i've never been able to replicate it at home. it is unique and all it's own, familiar to me and totally unforgettable.
it's a happy yellow can in my kitchen and on my table.
because the show wasn't until later in the evening, we went early to have some more grown up type fun in the city. or at least older than a preschooler type fun. so we went to fort mchenry, which was neat to see, and i'd never been there before. they do special flag ceremonies at 9am and 420pm, so we made sure to be there in time for the later one. we just happened to be there on the day civil war reenactors were also there, in full uniform, so that was fun. what also made it extra special is that there was also a high school from washington state there, and their chorus sang the national anthem while they lowered the main flag and raised the storm flag. fun fact: fort mchenry was the first place approved by congress to fly a flag 24/7, which is why they take the huge main flag down at dusk and fly a storm flag at night. the storm flag is much smaller and will stand up to high winds better.
we also ended up driving around the city a bit, when trying to find fort mchenry, and then again when we were going from fort mchenry to the theater where the show was. we were on lombard street for a couple of blocks, and i have to say that dear hubby and i were kind of excited. the hotel we stayed at for otakon last year, and the one we're staying in this year, are both off of lombard street. we also went past one side of the convention center where the whole crazy thing is held. needless to say, it was great looking at all the places we were, where we ate and where we walked and where we hung out. we are both getting very excited for this summer.
the best thing about the whole day, in my mind at least, was actually what we had for dinner before the show. after finding parking, we decided it was time to find something to eat. lucky for us, there was a pizza place next to the garage and across the street from the theater. and it was the best pizza i had ever eaten!
some people thought it was too spicy (my poor mother), but i thought it was just tangy, not really spicy-hot. it had a familiar flavor that i couldn't quite put my finger on. then, after looking at the menu to read the descriptions, and also after realizing we were in maryland, i figured out that delicious, familiar flavor: old bay.
i love old bay. it's one of those random things i just adore, a standard in my kitchen, something i use in so many things. like the can says, i use it on eggs and pizza, in sauces and crunchy casserole toppings, and, of course, all sorts of seafood. there's no other spice mix quite like it, and i've never been able to replicate it at home. it is unique and all it's own, familiar to me and totally unforgettable.
it's a happy yellow can in my kitchen and on my table.
March 22, 2012
a sunny spring in the form of sugary goodness
maybe it's just me, but in times of stress, i turn to sugar. it comforts me. and if it's a sugary treat that i'm making myself, the process of creating it is great therapy. baking is a science, and for things to go right you need to be exacting and orderly. when everything else goes wrong, i know i can turn to my recipe box, and as long as i follow the rules i'm guaranteed success. as opposed to the rest of my life where nothing is guaranteed to go right.
and so, after a panic inducing weekend, i came home and made rice crispy treats. but not just any rice crispy treats, i threw a bunch of m&ms in there, for their pretty colors. and for chocolate of course. and, because i kind of missed out on making fun st. patrick's day fun, i decided to really make the rice crispy treats look fun, festive, and rainbow colored by pressing sprinkles all over the top. cripsy, chewy, sweet, and colorful, these treats were just what i needed to perk myself up. in fact, until about 3pm, all i ate yesterday was small slices of rice crispy treats. honestly, that much marshmallow doesn't make for a happy tummy.
today, my thoughts are turning to fudge. but not just any fudge, i'm thinking lemon fudge. now, i know that probably sounds really strange to you, but i have a serious thing for lemons. and, around valentine's day, i found a recipe for strawberry fudge that only uses two ingredients. the strawberry flavor comes from strawberry frosting, which i despise with the power of a thousand suns (seriously, that stuff is so gross), but i was thinking the formula of a bag of chips and a tub of frosting could be adapted by using other flavors. of course, with my family, my first thought was peanut butter chips and chocolate frosting, which i have yet to try. but then, while walking through the store, i noticed the lemon frosting, which spoke to me. chocolate and peanut butter is a classic combination, but it's one i can make at home using other recipes. lemon fudge, on the other hand, is a recipe i don't have, one i've never seen. and so today, i have plans to make a sunny, lemon yellow fudge, with pretty yellow sanding sugar. it's going to be awesome.
the other thing i found in the store, which must have magically jumped in my cart because how else did it get back to my house, is pink lemonade frosting. it's actually a new product, or at least one i've never seen before. they even have a pink lemonade cake mix and a cookie mix. i thought the frosting and the cake together might be a bit much for those that don't love lemon like i do, and i thought all that baby pink might throw off the boys, so i just picked up the frosting to try on vanilla cake. still, i can't get those cookies and all their possibilities out of my head. think of using the cookie mix to make a cookie pizza, maybe spread with some of this and throw some sliced strawberries on top. that sounds like an easy easter dessert to me.
so yeah, i think i've got sugar on the brain. now that it really feels like spring, i'm imagining all the fun and sunny dessert possibilities, nothing too heavy, and everything in pretty pastel shades. they're not my favorite types of desserts (i'm way more of a cinnamon and apple and pumpkin type of girl), but after the strange winter we've had, it gives my mind a creative and happy direction to focus on.
and so, after a panic inducing weekend, i came home and made rice crispy treats. but not just any rice crispy treats, i threw a bunch of m&ms in there, for their pretty colors. and for chocolate of course. and, because i kind of missed out on making fun st. patrick's day fun, i decided to really make the rice crispy treats look fun, festive, and rainbow colored by pressing sprinkles all over the top. cripsy, chewy, sweet, and colorful, these treats were just what i needed to perk myself up. in fact, until about 3pm, all i ate yesterday was small slices of rice crispy treats. honestly, that much marshmallow doesn't make for a happy tummy.
today, my thoughts are turning to fudge. but not just any fudge, i'm thinking lemon fudge. now, i know that probably sounds really strange to you, but i have a serious thing for lemons. and, around valentine's day, i found a recipe for strawberry fudge that only uses two ingredients. the strawberry flavor comes from strawberry frosting, which i despise with the power of a thousand suns (seriously, that stuff is so gross), but i was thinking the formula of a bag of chips and a tub of frosting could be adapted by using other flavors. of course, with my family, my first thought was peanut butter chips and chocolate frosting, which i have yet to try. but then, while walking through the store, i noticed the lemon frosting, which spoke to me. chocolate and peanut butter is a classic combination, but it's one i can make at home using other recipes. lemon fudge, on the other hand, is a recipe i don't have, one i've never seen. and so today, i have plans to make a sunny, lemon yellow fudge, with pretty yellow sanding sugar. it's going to be awesome.
the other thing i found in the store, which must have magically jumped in my cart because how else did it get back to my house, is pink lemonade frosting. it's actually a new product, or at least one i've never seen before. they even have a pink lemonade cake mix and a cookie mix. i thought the frosting and the cake together might be a bit much for those that don't love lemon like i do, and i thought all that baby pink might throw off the boys, so i just picked up the frosting to try on vanilla cake. still, i can't get those cookies and all their possibilities out of my head. think of using the cookie mix to make a cookie pizza, maybe spread with some of this and throw some sliced strawberries on top. that sounds like an easy easter dessert to me.
so yeah, i think i've got sugar on the brain. now that it really feels like spring, i'm imagining all the fun and sunny dessert possibilities, nothing too heavy, and everything in pretty pastel shades. they're not my favorite types of desserts (i'm way more of a cinnamon and apple and pumpkin type of girl), but after the strange winter we've had, it gives my mind a creative and happy direction to focus on.
March 8, 2012
just a few of my favorite things: food edition
there are a lot of times where things go wrong. it's a fact of everyone's life. unexpected badness or the worst possible outcome or impossibly awful choices. life sucks sometimes.
and when that happens to me, i have to still deal. with crazy little monkeys to look after, hiding in my room listening to angsty music so loud that my ears bleed while living in my pjs for days on end isn't exactly an option anymore. oh to be young and stupid again.
instead, if i'm in a real funk and can't get out, i turn my mind to happy thoughts. and more often than not, those happy thoughts are food related. today, i'd thought i'd share some of the food that makes my mouth smile and water.
chocolate
cinnamon
lemons
brown sugar
chocolate cake
caramel
onions
garlic
cumin
thyme
balsamic vinegar
rare steak
sea salt
coffee
milk
bacon
eggs
fresh baked bread
couscous
rice
coconuts
bananas
cinnamon rolls
sour cream
hash browns
nachos
cheese steaks
lemonade
soft pretzels
flavored cream cheese
i know this is kind of a random list. and most of them are just ingredients, but then my happy thoughts also include creating new recipes in my imagination. they might be simple things, but they make me happy with all of their possibilities and unlocked potentials. and that's definitely a happy thought that helps get me through the day.
and when that happens to me, i have to still deal. with crazy little monkeys to look after, hiding in my room listening to angsty music so loud that my ears bleed while living in my pjs for days on end isn't exactly an option anymore. oh to be young and stupid again.
instead, if i'm in a real funk and can't get out, i turn my mind to happy thoughts. and more often than not, those happy thoughts are food related. today, i'd thought i'd share some of the food that makes my mouth smile and water.
chocolate
cinnamon
lemons
brown sugar
chocolate cake
caramel
onions
garlic
cumin
thyme
balsamic vinegar
rare steak
sea salt
coffee
milk
bacon
eggs
fresh baked bread
couscous
rice
coconuts
bananas
cinnamon rolls
sour cream
hash browns
nachos
cheese steaks
lemonade
soft pretzels
flavored cream cheese
i know this is kind of a random list. and most of them are just ingredients, but then my happy thoughts also include creating new recipes in my imagination. they might be simple things, but they make me happy with all of their possibilities and unlocked potentials. and that's definitely a happy thought that helps get me through the day.
March 1, 2012
warming houses with a party!
it's probably way too early to be thinking about a housewarming party. mostly because that kind of party takes having a house. which we don't. not yet. but we will! eventually.
and i like parties. and having people over. and showing off my culinary skills. and sugar and baking and fun.
so i figure, what better way to warm a house then with an oven? like housewarming while baking treats, not like redneck heating by leaving the oven door open. which is totally dangerous and stupid. not that i've ever seen it done in real life or anything.
anyway, something else i like to do is plan parties. usually just in my head because i don't like to talk to people, and if i were to have a party, i would be required to tell people about it and invite them over. and then probably talk to them while they're here.
have i mentioned that i might have a few issues?
so yeah, i've been planning the housewarming party i will eventually have. and because i can't imagine how i'll set it up or what things will look like, i've just been envisioning the menu. because the whole point is to have people over so they can wander around and look at our new house and marvel at our mismatched furniture and random "decorations" shoved on bookshelves and generally wonder why we have half the crap we do, i've been planning an appetizer style menu. little bits and bites perfect for carrying and munching.
so there will be meatballs and shrimp, because all three of my boys like meatballs and shrimp. but not together, because that would be kind of gross. veggies and chips and dip of course. and a cheese tray, because i like to pretend i'm a fancy lady, and fancy ladies totally love cheese, like nice melty brie or goat's milk cheese on crackers. maybe i'll even make some of my spiced mixed nuts, because i haven't done that in a long while.
i'm sure i'll have other savory foods, but mostly, in my head, i've been planning the dessert side of the snacks. like various brownies and cookies. and fancy cupcakes perhaps. and maybe a parfait, because "you know what everybody likes? everybody likes parfaits!" (if i could find a good clip of that scene, i'd totally be linking it)
anyway, i know it's really early to think about such things, but planning this party gives me something happy to think about. a direction to send my rambling thoughts when i lay awake at night and my brain just won't turn off. most of this might not even happen, if things go the way they usually do. best laid plans always falling through and such. and some might think i'm jinxing myself, like counting chickens when all i have are eggs. still, i'm happy in my delusions, and i like to think i'm not hurting anybody, so where's the harm?
and i like parties. and having people over. and showing off my culinary skills. and sugar and baking and fun.
so i figure, what better way to warm a house then with an oven? like housewarming while baking treats, not like redneck heating by leaving the oven door open. which is totally dangerous and stupid. not that i've ever seen it done in real life or anything.
anyway, something else i like to do is plan parties. usually just in my head because i don't like to talk to people, and if i were to have a party, i would be required to tell people about it and invite them over. and then probably talk to them while they're here.
have i mentioned that i might have a few issues?
so yeah, i've been planning the housewarming party i will eventually have. and because i can't imagine how i'll set it up or what things will look like, i've just been envisioning the menu. because the whole point is to have people over so they can wander around and look at our new house and marvel at our mismatched furniture and random "decorations" shoved on bookshelves and generally wonder why we have half the crap we do, i've been planning an appetizer style menu. little bits and bites perfect for carrying and munching.
so there will be meatballs and shrimp, because all three of my boys like meatballs and shrimp. but not together, because that would be kind of gross. veggies and chips and dip of course. and a cheese tray, because i like to pretend i'm a fancy lady, and fancy ladies totally love cheese, like nice melty brie or goat's milk cheese on crackers. maybe i'll even make some of my spiced mixed nuts, because i haven't done that in a long while.
i'm sure i'll have other savory foods, but mostly, in my head, i've been planning the dessert side of the snacks. like various brownies and cookies. and fancy cupcakes perhaps. and maybe a parfait, because "you know what everybody likes? everybody likes parfaits!" (if i could find a good clip of that scene, i'd totally be linking it)
anyway, i know it's really early to think about such things, but planning this party gives me something happy to think about. a direction to send my rambling thoughts when i lay awake at night and my brain just won't turn off. most of this might not even happen, if things go the way they usually do. best laid plans always falling through and such. and some might think i'm jinxing myself, like counting chickens when all i have are eggs. still, i'm happy in my delusions, and i like to think i'm not hurting anybody, so where's the harm?
February 27, 2012
my random hot dog rant
lately i've been seeing lots of recipes on various blogs and sites and such that i go to all talking about eating healthier. it's always this way on the interwebs the first few months after the new year. everybody is talking about how they want to eat healthy and lose weight and do better for their kids and live forever. or something.
i don't know, i just don't really get it i guess. not that i'm not one for eating healthy. or having my kids eat healthy. or watching what junk i put in my and my family's mouths. it's just i'm not really one for trends. and they way it comes around every year always makes me think that this eating healthy thing is a trend for most. like it's just something to do while everybody's talking about it or thinking about it, and it's not really something to stick to.
so yeah, i usually ignore most of this craziness. unless there's fun recipes about random ways to sneak veggies to unsuspecting family members. not that my kids have a problem with veggies, it's more for my hubby. my favorite trick is to cook vegan and not tell him, and 9 times out of 10 he never even notices.
lately, though, i've been seeing lots of people making not healthy recipes much healthier. not that i have a great problem with that, but it's usually recipes directed at kids. my kids don't have much of a problem eating healthy, the problem is more quantity than quality. but i guess that's not the case for most people's kids. so healthy kids' recipes, good for them.
but it's stuff that i don't see any point in making healthy. like hot dogs. hot dogs are inherently unhealthy, mostly because they're hot dogs! unless you are making your own from scratch, like stuffing your own casing, there's going to be crazy random stuff in them. of course, you could always be buying the ridiculously expensive kind, but then if a pack of hot dogs costs more than a steak, why wouldn't you buy the steak?
maybe, if all your kids eat are hot dogs, instead of taking the time to make hot dogs healthier, you take the time to find something else to feed your kids. there's so much out there, just look!
i don't know, i just don't really get it i guess. not that i'm not one for eating healthy. or having my kids eat healthy. or watching what junk i put in my and my family's mouths. it's just i'm not really one for trends. and they way it comes around every year always makes me think that this eating healthy thing is a trend for most. like it's just something to do while everybody's talking about it or thinking about it, and it's not really something to stick to.
so yeah, i usually ignore most of this craziness. unless there's fun recipes about random ways to sneak veggies to unsuspecting family members. not that my kids have a problem with veggies, it's more for my hubby. my favorite trick is to cook vegan and not tell him, and 9 times out of 10 he never even notices.
lately, though, i've been seeing lots of people making not healthy recipes much healthier. not that i have a great problem with that, but it's usually recipes directed at kids. my kids don't have much of a problem eating healthy, the problem is more quantity than quality. but i guess that's not the case for most people's kids. so healthy kids' recipes, good for them.
but it's stuff that i don't see any point in making healthy. like hot dogs. hot dogs are inherently unhealthy, mostly because they're hot dogs! unless you are making your own from scratch, like stuffing your own casing, there's going to be crazy random stuff in them. of course, you could always be buying the ridiculously expensive kind, but then if a pack of hot dogs costs more than a steak, why wouldn't you buy the steak?
maybe, if all your kids eat are hot dogs, instead of taking the time to make hot dogs healthier, you take the time to find something else to feed your kids. there's so much out there, just look!
February 23, 2012
baked goodness and kitchen tips
today there is much sickness in our house. and it all started last night, so needless to say i am very tired tired today. nobody warns you about this part of motherhood that makes you question everything in the wee hours of the night. but that's a post for another time.
instead i'm going to talk about how i decided to do something productive and useful. today i made banana bread.
i always buy bananas, which i think is a requirement to feed the under 3 set. but everybody here loves bananas. so we end up buying lots. sometimes too many. like last week there was one sad little banana left, and nobody wanted it. and then it got to brown for the boys to eat, because they're picky about that kind of thing. and then it got too brown for me to eat, because i'm also picky about that kind of thing. and then it got so brown it kind of started oozing this brown juice all over the counter so i finally threw it away.
anyway, one overly ripe banana is hard to do things with. but a bunch of overly ripe bananas scream to be used in bread or cupcakes or cake or pancakes. or maybe i just look at overly ripe bananas and think cake. it's just how i am.
still, we had five bananas begging to be used, and i didn't think cake when it came time to do something with them. maybe it's because i wanted something different. or maybe it's because there are so many sick people here, and a nice, soft, comforting bread seemed more in order then a towering, sugary mess.
so i made banana bread, utilizing my favorite banana mashing technique: a potato masher. the truth is, unless my hand mixer is out of commission, i never use a potato masher to make mashed potatoes. we like our mash fluffy and smooth around here, and you just can't get that with a hand masher. but it makes perfectly mashed yet chunky bananas for baked goods. a hand potato masher also works really well if you need to cream butter and sugar, and the butter's not quite to room temperature. sure, you could warm the butter in the microwave, but i have yet to get that trick down quite right. i know there's a spot between rock hard butter and a melted golden pool, but i have yet to find it by using the microwave.
so even though i'm surrounded by sickness and suffering from lack of sleep, i can say i accomplished one awesome thing today. which is still better then other days where i don't have any good excuses for my laziness.
instead i'm going to talk about how i decided to do something productive and useful. today i made banana bread.
i always buy bananas, which i think is a requirement to feed the under 3 set. but everybody here loves bananas. so we end up buying lots. sometimes too many. like last week there was one sad little banana left, and nobody wanted it. and then it got to brown for the boys to eat, because they're picky about that kind of thing. and then it got too brown for me to eat, because i'm also picky about that kind of thing. and then it got so brown it kind of started oozing this brown juice all over the counter so i finally threw it away.
anyway, one overly ripe banana is hard to do things with. but a bunch of overly ripe bananas scream to be used in bread or cupcakes or cake or pancakes. or maybe i just look at overly ripe bananas and think cake. it's just how i am.
still, we had five bananas begging to be used, and i didn't think cake when it came time to do something with them. maybe it's because i wanted something different. or maybe it's because there are so many sick people here, and a nice, soft, comforting bread seemed more in order then a towering, sugary mess.
so i made banana bread, utilizing my favorite banana mashing technique: a potato masher. the truth is, unless my hand mixer is out of commission, i never use a potato masher to make mashed potatoes. we like our mash fluffy and smooth around here, and you just can't get that with a hand masher. but it makes perfectly mashed yet chunky bananas for baked goods. a hand potato masher also works really well if you need to cream butter and sugar, and the butter's not quite to room temperature. sure, you could warm the butter in the microwave, but i have yet to get that trick down quite right. i know there's a spot between rock hard butter and a melted golden pool, but i have yet to find it by using the microwave.
so even though i'm surrounded by sickness and suffering from lack of sleep, i can say i accomplished one awesome thing today. which is still better then other days where i don't have any good excuses for my laziness.
February 6, 2012
personal party philosophy
yesterday was the super bowl. and because the steelers didn't make it to "the big game," i didn't have to pretend i actually cared about who won. not that i don't get all excited rooting for a certain team. and it is nice to feel like part of a group with everybody yelling and cheering together. but i have better things to worry about.
like food.
anybody that's been reading this blog for awhile should remember my love of parties. especially planning parties. and most especially the food part of a party. and a party that deals with little bits and appetizers instead of huge, sit-down courses? oh man, i'm all over it.
so, being that i didn't have a vested interest in the game yesterday, i planned the menu instead. and it was a great party. even if it was just all of my moms, my hubby, and my kids. also of course, being that there were only five adults (including me) and three kids, there was tons of food left over. though fish did her best to get rid of it by feeding the dogs off her plate.
i have a personal philosophy that any great party where one eats lots of little things, there must be variations of crunchy things that get dipped into creamy things. if there was a party law, that would be it.
now, it could be something as simple as veggies and dip. chips and dip work also. nachos and queso dip counts too. and then there is the old summer party standby of fruit chunks and some sweet sauce, stranger variations i've had include marshmallow fluff mixed with yogurt.
for our mega awesome super bowl party, i decided to keep things simple. simple as in i made a bunch of stuff that could be prepped early and set out. so nothing overly complicated, just everything delicious.
i decided i wanted to make a spinach dip, because i had a very awesome one on new year's eve. mine was not nearly as good because i didn't bake it in a bread bowl, but it satisfied my cravings. i also made a pepper jelly and cream cheese dip, which is way better than it sounds. that and the spinach dip were perfect served with carrots and crackers. bumble helped by making a chili cheese dip, and mommom brought buffalo chicken dip, and both went well with tortilla chips. my mom smoked cheese. and my boys had picked out ring bologna.
all of that was served pregame. during half time i made pizza. and cupcakes.
so yeah, any excuse to have a party is a good excuse in my book. i'm already planning future events. like next comes my dear fishie's second birthday. i can promise that the food will be good, but the cake (for the party with my parents) will be epic. six layers and filled with caramel? oh yes.
like food.
anybody that's been reading this blog for awhile should remember my love of parties. especially planning parties. and most especially the food part of a party. and a party that deals with little bits and appetizers instead of huge, sit-down courses? oh man, i'm all over it.
so, being that i didn't have a vested interest in the game yesterday, i planned the menu instead. and it was a great party. even if it was just all of my moms, my hubby, and my kids. also of course, being that there were only five adults (including me) and three kids, there was tons of food left over. though fish did her best to get rid of it by feeding the dogs off her plate.
i have a personal philosophy that any great party where one eats lots of little things, there must be variations of crunchy things that get dipped into creamy things. if there was a party law, that would be it.
now, it could be something as simple as veggies and dip. chips and dip work also. nachos and queso dip counts too. and then there is the old summer party standby of fruit chunks and some sweet sauce, stranger variations i've had include marshmallow fluff mixed with yogurt.
for our mega awesome super bowl party, i decided to keep things simple. simple as in i made a bunch of stuff that could be prepped early and set out. so nothing overly complicated, just everything delicious.
i decided i wanted to make a spinach dip, because i had a very awesome one on new year's eve. mine was not nearly as good because i didn't bake it in a bread bowl, but it satisfied my cravings. i also made a pepper jelly and cream cheese dip, which is way better than it sounds. that and the spinach dip were perfect served with carrots and crackers. bumble helped by making a chili cheese dip, and mommom brought buffalo chicken dip, and both went well with tortilla chips. my mom smoked cheese. and my boys had picked out ring bologna.
all of that was served pregame. during half time i made pizza. and cupcakes.
so yeah, any excuse to have a party is a good excuse in my book. i'm already planning future events. like next comes my dear fishie's second birthday. i can promise that the food will be good, but the cake (for the party with my parents) will be epic. six layers and filled with caramel? oh yes.
January 30, 2012
one pan of happy
i've talked about a lot of random stuff here over the years, but i don't think i ever spoke of my love of casseroles. and so, today, i shall rectify that oversight.
casseroles are one of the perfect foods. in my mind at least. they're usually really easy to throw together, and they bake all in one pan. and you can assemble them days in advance, freeze them, and bake them off later. they use up all sorts of random fridge ingredients, which helps get rid of leftovers and all those odds and ends i'm sure everybody has.
now, i do have to admit that my kids are not really big fans of casseroles. unlike me, they like to eat everything separately, and heaven help us if the food on their plates touch. i, on the other hand, really like to eat everything mixed together. to be able to get one perfect bite, the contrasts of flavors and textures all mixed together in your mouth, i think that is perfect.
the other thing i love casseroles for is they are a blank canvas of experimentation. i have so many basic recipes filed away, but i know i can pull one out and use it how i want. i can add chicken, or use pork instead. if it calls for cheese, i can use whatever i have. and it's so easy to throw extra veggies in the mix to trick the kids into eating more. and if it calls for bread crumbs on top, i can add cheese or spices, or even use crushed chips if i want an especially fun and crunchy top. as long as you keep the ratios of liquids to solids close, you're free to throw in whatever you want.
basically, i know that i could eat casserole every night for the rest of my life, and there would still be endless variety. casseroles are the perfect food.
right after chocolate cake.
casseroles are one of the perfect foods. in my mind at least. they're usually really easy to throw together, and they bake all in one pan. and you can assemble them days in advance, freeze them, and bake them off later. they use up all sorts of random fridge ingredients, which helps get rid of leftovers and all those odds and ends i'm sure everybody has.
now, i do have to admit that my kids are not really big fans of casseroles. unlike me, they like to eat everything separately, and heaven help us if the food on their plates touch. i, on the other hand, really like to eat everything mixed together. to be able to get one perfect bite, the contrasts of flavors and textures all mixed together in your mouth, i think that is perfect.
the other thing i love casseroles for is they are a blank canvas of experimentation. i have so many basic recipes filed away, but i know i can pull one out and use it how i want. i can add chicken, or use pork instead. if it calls for cheese, i can use whatever i have. and it's so easy to throw extra veggies in the mix to trick the kids into eating more. and if it calls for bread crumbs on top, i can add cheese or spices, or even use crushed chips if i want an especially fun and crunchy top. as long as you keep the ratios of liquids to solids close, you're free to throw in whatever you want.
basically, i know that i could eat casserole every night for the rest of my life, and there would still be endless variety. casseroles are the perfect food.
right after chocolate cake.
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