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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Amazing Pecan Brittle
Here is the not-so-secret-recipe for my pecan brittle. You can use any type of nut, but pecans really do taste the best.
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 cups plain nuts (I use pecan halves)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. baking soda
Heat and stir sugar, syrup and water in a heavy 3-quart saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Cook over medium heat and stir often. Add nuts at 250 degrees. Cook to hard crack stage (290 degrees), stirring often. Remove from heat.
Quickly, stir in butter and soda. Beat to a froth for a few seconds. Pour at once onto 2 well-buttered 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch pans, spreading with spatula. Break up when cold.
Yield: About 1-1/2 pounds of nut brittle.
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 cups plain nuts (I use pecan halves)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. baking soda
Heat and stir sugar, syrup and water in a heavy 3-quart saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Cook over medium heat and stir often. Add nuts at 250 degrees. Cook to hard crack stage (290 degrees), stirring often. Remove from heat.
Quickly, stir in butter and soda. Beat to a froth for a few seconds. Pour at once onto 2 well-buttered 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch pans, spreading with spatula. Break up when cold.
Yield: About 1-1/2 pounds of nut brittle.
What the Heck is JuJu??
Last night, while watching Grey's Anatomy I heard them use the word juju for at least the second time. The first time I heard it was it was used when someone bought hot chocolate for everyone at the hospital. When they used it then, it seemed to mean "something that comforts." Last night Callie used the term "bad juju" to sort of mean bad karma or bad mojo. Today, I set out on a quest to find out what "juju" actually means.
Before Grey's, I had never heard this term before. I figured that since Shonda Rhimes (the force behind Grey's) is African American, and since I grew up in an all white school and had never come across this term before, that the term might have an Af/Am origins. I was correct in that it is an African American slang term. Clarence Major's Juba to Jive: A Dictionary of African-American Slang says that ju ju, is from the Bantu word njiu, which means both 'danger' and a 'fetish against harm'. Most every other site that spoke about juju or ju ju say the word is of African origin as well.
Here is the Wiki definition/explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juju
Before Grey's, I had never heard this term before. I figured that since Shonda Rhimes (the force behind Grey's) is African American, and since I grew up in an all white school and had never come across this term before, that the term might have an Af/Am origins. I was correct in that it is an African American slang term. Clarence Major's Juba to Jive: A Dictionary of African-American Slang says that ju ju, is from the Bantu word njiu, which means both 'danger' and a 'fetish against harm'. Most every other site that spoke about juju or ju ju say the word is of African origin as well.
Here is the Wiki definition/explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juju
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Yummy Frozen Food
I have recently been seeking easier ways to put dinner on the table. I ran into Barilla frozen meals at Super Target. They are in large pouches and are enough for two. They cost $5.99. You cook them in a skillet and take about 10 minutes. They are AWESOME. We had the penne in vodka sauce. They have a chicken pasta parmesan and several other flavors. I cooked up some broccoli and we had a great meal.
I also highly recommend California Pizza Kitchen's frozen pizza. We eat one that has spinach, cheese, garlic, and white sauce. It is spectacular for frozen pizza.
Today, I popped a Marie Callendar crockpot meal in the crock pot. I got it at Target for $6.99. It looks like it could serve four even though the package says it contains 8 servings. I can't wait to see how it tastes!! I got a chicken noodle dinner. They have tons of different kinds though. I plan on trying them all at some point.
I also highly recommend California Pizza Kitchen's frozen pizza. We eat one that has spinach, cheese, garlic, and white sauce. It is spectacular for frozen pizza.
Today, I popped a Marie Callendar crockpot meal in the crock pot. I got it at Target for $6.99. It looks like it could serve four even though the package says it contains 8 servings. I can't wait to see how it tastes!! I got a chicken noodle dinner. They have tons of different kinds though. I plan on trying them all at some point.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Speaking of Faking it...
I went to Super Suppers (meal assembly chain) and while the concept is nice, the food was pretty bland. The best thing was the braided bread. Everything else was pretty plain and boring. But, it is a great concept and it is nice to have a few dinners in the freezer for when I don't want to cook. The food doesn't come close to comparing to what I make from scratch, but as I said, it's about portion control and convenience.
In the Spirit of Faking it...
Here's a rerun from my early blogging days-
What's for Dinner?-Sort of Homemade Chicken Noodle SoupTonight, I made sort-of-homeade chicken noodle soup. It isn't my favorite, but DH LOVES it. I occasionally make him what he really wants, if only to get some nookie. Here is the recipe. It isn't exact. You can really add more or less of any of it and it will turn out great-
Chicken Noodle Soup
-5 cans Swanson Chicken Broth
-3 meduim carrots, peeled and sliced
-3-4 celery stalks diced
-1 small chopped onion
-1 lb. boneless chicken meat
-1 small pkg. medium or broad egg noodles
-1 tsp salt-pepper to taste
-1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove chopped garlic
-1/2 tsp onion powder
Combine all ingredients in a large pan on medium heat. Bring to a boil. Simmer 15-20 minutes until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken. Add noodles and cook in soup according to time on noodle pkg. Shred chicken using two forks and add back to pot. When the noodles are done, it's ready!!!
What's for Dinner?-Sort of Homemade Chicken Noodle SoupTonight, I made sort-of-homeade chicken noodle soup. It isn't my favorite, but DH LOVES it. I occasionally make him what he really wants, if only to get some nookie. Here is the recipe. It isn't exact. You can really add more or less of any of it and it will turn out great-
Chicken Noodle Soup
-5 cans Swanson Chicken Broth
-3 meduim carrots, peeled and sliced
-3-4 celery stalks diced
-1 small chopped onion
-1 lb. boneless chicken meat
-1 small pkg. medium or broad egg noodles
-1 tsp salt-pepper to taste
-1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove chopped garlic
-1/2 tsp onion powder
Combine all ingredients in a large pan on medium heat. Bring to a boil. Simmer 15-20 minutes until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken. Add noodles and cook in soup according to time on noodle pkg. Shred chicken using two forks and add back to pot. When the noodles are done, it's ready!!!
Faking It
Women need to l earn to fake it--with cooking that is. I don't know any women my age who can cook or even attempt to pretend they can cook. I think most women don't realize how much men LOVE a good cook. The thing is, you don't really have to know how to cook to LOOK like you kind of know how to cook. You can fake it.
For a nice summer meal- Buy fresh cut up fruit at your local grocery (Whole Foods has terrific fruit) slice a nice french baguette, and put out a wedge of brie and another nice cheese with some Triscut roasted garlic crackers. Enjoy with a nice chardonnay. Even better? Take it to the lake or park for a nice romantic picnic.
Slice and bake cookies- Next time he comes over, have some slice and bake chocolate chip cookies in the oven. Smile and say, "I baked you some cookies." Bat your eyelashes while your at it.
Marie Calendar's frozen fettucini alfredo (cook it first) served along side some rotisseri chicken and a nice salad makes for a nice meal. For a salad try bagged mixed greens, chopped pecans (found on the baking aisle), crumbled bleu cheese (try idaho bleu or gorgonzola), grape tomatoes, and Marie's brand rasberry vinagerette or balsamic vinagerette.
How about a salad for dinner? Go to your local organic or fancy grocer. Buy a bag of mixed baby greens or a bag of italian style salad. Add a nice handful of sliced pepperoni (which you can buy pre-sliced in the lunch meat section) buy a ball of fresh mozzerella or a package of mini mozzerella balls. Chop into bite sized pieces and add to salad. Chop one can of artichoke hearts packed in water (drain them first) add some chopped olives from the olive bar (or buy canned.) You can even add some sundreid tomatoes. Serve with Marie's brand creamy italian or a good balsamic vinagarette. For bread, Peperidge farms frozen garlic toast is great. Cook according to pkg. directions. You could also do this salad as a cold pasta salad. Cook a pkg. of rotini (1 lb) according to pkg directions. Add everything minus the lettuce. Toss in some dressing until it reaches a nice consistancy. Salt and pepper to taste.
Kraft makes a great bacon ranch pasta salad in a box. You could add some shredded or cubed chicken and have a meal from that. Some cubed ham might be good as well.
These are all pretty much cold meals. Those are the easiest to fake. For hot meals You can buy all kinds of pre-marinated chicken and fish these days in the meat section, pop it on the George Forman, add a veggie or two and there you have it. I see bagged raw veggies in my produce section all of the time. You just peal off a sticker from the bag and put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and a tbsp. of butter and you have an easy veggie side. The frozen versions of these veggies are good too. I use them all of the time.
For another hot meal, try nachos. Buy on the Border or another good brand of tortilla chips. Transfer a can of drained black beans or refried beans to a bowl and heat in microwave. Put your chips on a foil l ined baking sheet. Top with beans. Slice a block of colby jack cheese into slices appropriate for nachos. Bake the nachos for 10-15 minutes on 350 until cheese is melted. Serve with a good campfire roased salsa, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, and avo guacamole. If you want to really kick it up, add some fajita meat. You can buy it frozen or precooked in the meat section. I buy it raw and just pop it on the grill for 7 minutes on each side. I let it rest and slice it. YUMMY!!!!
There are some terrific family sized frozen lasagnas out there. Stoffer's is a classic. Marie Calendars is good too. Serve with a bagged salad and frozen garlic bread and there you go!!!
I've heard the New Bertolli frozen meals are good (pricey but good.) One of those served with a salad would make a nice gormet style meal.
For a nice summer meal- Buy fresh cut up fruit at your local grocery (Whole Foods has terrific fruit) slice a nice french baguette, and put out a wedge of brie and another nice cheese with some Triscut roasted garlic crackers. Enjoy with a nice chardonnay. Even better? Take it to the lake or park for a nice romantic picnic.
Slice and bake cookies- Next time he comes over, have some slice and bake chocolate chip cookies in the oven. Smile and say, "I baked you some cookies." Bat your eyelashes while your at it.
Marie Calendar's frozen fettucini alfredo (cook it first) served along side some rotisseri chicken and a nice salad makes for a nice meal. For a salad try bagged mixed greens, chopped pecans (found on the baking aisle), crumbled bleu cheese (try idaho bleu or gorgonzola), grape tomatoes, and Marie's brand rasberry vinagerette or balsamic vinagerette.
How about a salad for dinner? Go to your local organic or fancy grocer. Buy a bag of mixed baby greens or a bag of italian style salad. Add a nice handful of sliced pepperoni (which you can buy pre-sliced in the lunch meat section) buy a ball of fresh mozzerella or a package of mini mozzerella balls. Chop into bite sized pieces and add to salad. Chop one can of artichoke hearts packed in water (drain them first) add some chopped olives from the olive bar (or buy canned.) You can even add some sundreid tomatoes. Serve with Marie's brand creamy italian or a good balsamic vinagarette. For bread, Peperidge farms frozen garlic toast is great. Cook according to pkg. directions. You could also do this salad as a cold pasta salad. Cook a pkg. of rotini (1 lb) according to pkg directions. Add everything minus the lettuce. Toss in some dressing until it reaches a nice consistancy. Salt and pepper to taste.
Kraft makes a great bacon ranch pasta salad in a box. You could add some shredded or cubed chicken and have a meal from that. Some cubed ham might be good as well.
These are all pretty much cold meals. Those are the easiest to fake. For hot meals You can buy all kinds of pre-marinated chicken and fish these days in the meat section, pop it on the George Forman, add a veggie or two and there you have it. I see bagged raw veggies in my produce section all of the time. You just peal off a sticker from the bag and put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and a tbsp. of butter and you have an easy veggie side. The frozen versions of these veggies are good too. I use them all of the time.
For another hot meal, try nachos. Buy on the Border or another good brand of tortilla chips. Transfer a can of drained black beans or refried beans to a bowl and heat in microwave. Put your chips on a foil l ined baking sheet. Top with beans. Slice a block of colby jack cheese into slices appropriate for nachos. Bake the nachos for 10-15 minutes on 350 until cheese is melted. Serve with a good campfire roased salsa, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, and avo guacamole. If you want to really kick it up, add some fajita meat. You can buy it frozen or precooked in the meat section. I buy it raw and just pop it on the grill for 7 minutes on each side. I let it rest and slice it. YUMMY!!!!
There are some terrific family sized frozen lasagnas out there. Stoffer's is a classic. Marie Calendars is good too. Serve with a bagged salad and frozen garlic bread and there you go!!!
I've heard the New Bertolli frozen meals are good (pricey but good.) One of those served with a salad would make a nice gormet style meal.
Germs on Cell phones-From GMA
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=2273311
When people in New York City were asked which they thought was dirtier — the sole of your shoe, a toilet seat or a cell phone — the answer was overwhelmingly the toilet seat.
But they were wrong — your cell phone is filthier.
New research out of the United Kingdom found mobile phones are a technological petri dish for tens of thousands of germs.
Why? Germs multiply in warm places. Between the heat the phones generate and the germs on faces and hands, you've got a bacterial breeding ground.
When people in New York City were asked which they thought was dirtier — the sole of your shoe, a toilet seat or a cell phone — the answer was overwhelmingly the toilet seat.
But they were wrong — your cell phone is filthier.
New research out of the United Kingdom found mobile phones are a technological petri dish for tens of thousands of germs.
Why? Germs multiply in warm places. Between the heat the phones generate and the germs on faces and hands, you've got a bacterial breeding ground.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Blog-O-The Day
This is a great blog!!! She has her finger on the pulse of mommy boards. I especially LOVE her list of daycare names-
A Little Pregnant
A Little Pregnant
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