16 years ago
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hot Hot Hot Jalapeno Cheese Bread!
This is James' new favorite, it is gone the same evening I make it. I add lots and lots of jalapenos to suit his taste, so you might want to scale back a bit - you've been warned! :-)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup water
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons seeded and chopped canned diced jalapeno peppers
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast, for all bread machines
Set your machine to 1 lb. loaf, light crust. I also sprinkle some extra cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup water
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons seeded and chopped canned diced jalapeno peppers
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast, for all bread machines
Set your machine to 1 lb. loaf, light crust. I also sprinkle some extra cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Raisin Bread - Bread Machine
I'm marking this great recipe on my blog, it seems to be the easiest place to store recipes these days while running around the kitchen with a baby in my arms!
For this recipe, I set the machine to Fruit and Nut, for a 1.5 lb loaf. Raisins were added at the beep (2.25 hours left). Delicious!
1 cup water
2 tablespoons margarine
3 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 cup raisins
For this recipe, I set the machine to Fruit and Nut, for a 1.5 lb loaf. Raisins were added at the beep (2.25 hours left). Delicious!
1 cup water
2 tablespoons margarine
3 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 cup raisins
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Handmade Earwires
From a great Etsian's blog...
Free Jewelry Making Tutorial #1: Handmade Earwires
I have been wanting to start making my own earwires for quite some time, but it's been one of those projects that just keeps falling to the bottom of the pile. I finally carved out some time to do it, and I was so pleased with the results that I thought I would put together this free tutorial. I'm hoping it will be the first of many jewelry making tutorials that I will post here, but we'll see how things go - I'm not making any promises.
You will need:
round-nosed pliers
flat-nosed pliers
wire cutters
20" of 20-gauge half-hard sterling silver wire (to make 10 earwires)
a Sharpie pen (fine point) or 1/2" wooden dowel
metal file (or a nail file will work) or deburring tool
silver polishing cloth
metal hammer and block (optional)
1. Cut a 20" length of wire from your spool.
2. Begin to wrap the wire around the Sharpie pen (or dowel), holding it tightly against the pen/dowel.
3. Continue wrapping until all of the wire is coiled, keeping coils neat and tight.
4. Remove coil from pen/dowel; it will spring open a bit (mine ended up being about 11/16" in diameter after I took them off the pen).
5. Using your wire cutters, snip off one end to get rid of any part that isn't perfectly round.
6. Continue snipping the coils, one at a time, to produce ten circles. (You may end up with one more or less, but 20" of wire produced 10 earwires for me.)
7. File both ends of each wire section to remove any rough edges.
8. Grasp one end of the circle with your round-nosed pliers, near the end of the wire.
9. Turn the pliers towards the inside of the earwire to form a small loop.
10. Grasp the other end of the circle with your flat-nosed pliers and bend slightly outward.
11. Polish and, if you wish, hammer the earwires. (Mine are un-hammered.)
Some people make these with the loop turned to the outside, but I like the clean look of this version best (at least today). Feel free to experiment and develop your own style!
These earwires are easy to make and comfortable to wear, and they give a more modern, distinctive look to your designs than commercially produced earwires. I hope you find this tutorial useful; if you have any questions or comments, please let me know!
Of course, if you would prefer to purchase some of these earwires from me, you can do so here.
Free Jewelry Making Tutorial #1: Handmade Earwires
I have been wanting to start making my own earwires for quite some time, but it's been one of those projects that just keeps falling to the bottom of the pile. I finally carved out some time to do it, and I was so pleased with the results that I thought I would put together this free tutorial. I'm hoping it will be the first of many jewelry making tutorials that I will post here, but we'll see how things go - I'm not making any promises.
You will need:
round-nosed pliers
flat-nosed pliers
wire cutters
20" of 20-gauge half-hard sterling silver wire (to make 10 earwires)
a Sharpie pen (fine point) or 1/2" wooden dowel
metal file (or a nail file will work) or deburring tool
silver polishing cloth
metal hammer and block (optional)
1. Cut a 20" length of wire from your spool.
2. Begin to wrap the wire around the Sharpie pen (or dowel), holding it tightly against the pen/dowel.
3. Continue wrapping until all of the wire is coiled, keeping coils neat and tight.
4. Remove coil from pen/dowel; it will spring open a bit (mine ended up being about 11/16" in diameter after I took them off the pen).
5. Using your wire cutters, snip off one end to get rid of any part that isn't perfectly round.
6. Continue snipping the coils, one at a time, to produce ten circles. (You may end up with one more or less, but 20" of wire produced 10 earwires for me.)
7. File both ends of each wire section to remove any rough edges.
8. Grasp one end of the circle with your round-nosed pliers, near the end of the wire.
9. Turn the pliers towards the inside of the earwire to form a small loop.
10. Grasp the other end of the circle with your flat-nosed pliers and bend slightly outward.
11. Polish and, if you wish, hammer the earwires. (Mine are un-hammered.)
Some people make these with the loop turned to the outside, but I like the clean look of this version best (at least today). Feel free to experiment and develop your own style!
These earwires are easy to make and comfortable to wear, and they give a more modern, distinctive look to your designs than commercially produced earwires. I hope you find this tutorial useful; if you have any questions or comments, please let me know!
Of course, if you would prefer to purchase some of these earwires from me, you can do so here.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday Weigh In!
Hmph! Not happy, not happy at all. BUT, slow and steady wins the race I suppose. I lost 2 lbs. this week. I was hoping for more since I have given up ice cream and am on a temporary alcohol detox.
The "OMG This Is So Good" bread recipe
This is in my Breadman baking away right now and WOW my house smells amazing! I've tried a version of this before, but decided it needed more apples and more spice, so here's my OMGTISG bread :)
Cinnamon Apple Raisin Bread
* 2 large Eggs lightly beaten
* 0.25 cup Milk
* 1.5 cups All purpose flour
* 3 teaspoons Baking powder
* 1/3 cup Butter melted
* 1/3 cup Sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon Salt
* 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
* 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
When beep sounds, add:
* 1 small Apple peeled and roughly chopped
* 0.25 cup Raisins
* 0.25 cup Walnuts chopped
Preparation:
Add ingredients in the order recommended by your machine, although I mixed all the wet ingredients together, and all the dry together. I then put the wet at the bottom, and the dry on top, and that worked well.
Bake in the machine, using the cake or light crust cycle, for a 1.5 pound loaf.
I also recommend adding 1 tablespoon of flour to the apple, raisin, nut mixture, to keep them from clumping together, and to absorb some of the moisture from the apple.
Cinnamon Apple Raisin Bread
* 2 large Eggs lightly beaten
* 0.25 cup Milk
* 1.5 cups All purpose flour
* 3 teaspoons Baking powder
* 1/3 cup Butter melted
* 1/3 cup Sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon Salt
* 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
* 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
When beep sounds, add:
* 1 small Apple peeled and roughly chopped
* 0.25 cup Raisins
* 0.25 cup Walnuts chopped
Preparation:
Add ingredients in the order recommended by your machine, although I mixed all the wet ingredients together, and all the dry together. I then put the wet at the bottom, and the dry on top, and that worked well.
Bake in the machine, using the cake or light crust cycle, for a 1.5 pound loaf.
I also recommend adding 1 tablespoon of flour to the apple, raisin, nut mixture, to keep them from clumping together, and to absorb some of the moisture from the apple.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
So I went crazy the other night
...crazy with the lucite that arrived from Beads4all...LOVE them. She included a free gift with my order and I just couldn't stop pairing various textures and colors together. I think in the end I produced a pretty good lot of earrings, and next up: necklaces. The photos of them turned out nicely; getting used to my Nikon D40 and jewelry close-ups.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
3 in a row
Rarely do I get a chance to capture the rugrats together, free of tears or blurred faces!
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Weight Loss After Baby: Version 3.0
Now that our family is a party of 5, and we're through the baby-making years, it's time to stop being clinically overweight! My high school friend Beth invited me to join her little weight loss challenge, consisting of members from all over the country, friends of hers old and new. Money is at stake, and that would be nice to take the pool, but really my motivation is in pictures. We had to submit our 'before' pictures, as well as pictures of our scale and the harsh reality it read! So far, since joining in on the "fun" (3 weeks ago), I've lost almost 8 pounds!!! I managed to lose all the baby weight and then some after each boy by following the Weight Watchers Core program, but I've now switched to ttp://www.sparkpeople.com/. Hey folks, free beats $17/month any day! The SP website is very comprehensive, full of the same tools that WW offers and more in my opinion. That, along with the encouragement of the challenge folks is incredible.
Weigh-in's are each Monday....stay tuned! Here is the before pic I submitted and although I think it's a great picture of me and James, there is room for change.
Weigh-in's are each Monday....stay tuned! Here is the before pic I submitted and although I think it's a great picture of me and James, there is room for change.
Friday, January 8, 2010
What a better way to celebrate a snow day than with fantastic aromas coming from our kitchen! Today I'm making this, from CheapHealthyGood's Blog:
Slow Cooker Chops, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes
Serves 3 or 4
Adapted from Alton Brown and All Recipes.
For the brine
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
3 tablespoons cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons light brown sugar, lightly packed
2 teaspoons black peppercorns, slightly crushed
1/2 pound ice
4 (1 to 1 1/2-inch thick) boneless center cut pork chops (4-oz each)
For the slow cooker
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges (DO NOT PEEL)
2 medium large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
Optional
Cinnamon or nutmeg
Dried cranberries
NOTE: To save some cash, buy bone-in center cut pork chops and debone them yourself. Once you remove all the visible fat, each piece of meat should come to a little over 4 ounces.
1) Mix the broth, 3 tablespoons kosher salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and peppercorns in a medium pan. Heat over medium-high and cook until the sugar and salt is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, add ice, and stir until ice is melted. Place pork chops in a gallon bag or 1-quart dish, add the brine, and refrigerate overnight (but not too much longer).
2) Remove pork from brine. (Discard brine.) Rinse the chops and pat them as dry as possible. Set aside. In a medium-large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. When oil is hot, brown chops, about 5 or 6 minutes on each side.
3) While pork is cooking, combine brown sugar in a bowl with apples, and stir until apples are coated. (There will be sugar left over, but we’ll use that later.)
4) Place sweet potatoes in bottom of slow cooker, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Then, layer as follows: ½ the onion, ½ the apples, pork, the remaining onion, the remaining apples. Sprinkle with leftover brown sugar and cook on HIGH for 4-1/2 hours. Stir gently before serving, and be sure to spoon some of the sauce on top of each dish.
Approximate Calories, Fat, Fiber, and Price Per Serving
Three servings: 515 calories, 10.2 g fat, 7.7 g fiber, $2.73
Four servings: 387 calories, 7.7 g fat, 5.8 g fiber, $2.05
Slow Cooker Chops, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes
Serves 3 or 4
Adapted from Alton Brown and All Recipes.
For the brine
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
3 tablespoons cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons light brown sugar, lightly packed
2 teaspoons black peppercorns, slightly crushed
1/2 pound ice
4 (1 to 1 1/2-inch thick) boneless center cut pork chops (4-oz each)
For the slow cooker
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges (DO NOT PEEL)
2 medium large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
Optional
Cinnamon or nutmeg
Dried cranberries
NOTE: To save some cash, buy bone-in center cut pork chops and debone them yourself. Once you remove all the visible fat, each piece of meat should come to a little over 4 ounces.
1) Mix the broth, 3 tablespoons kosher salt, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and peppercorns in a medium pan. Heat over medium-high and cook until the sugar and salt is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, add ice, and stir until ice is melted. Place pork chops in a gallon bag or 1-quart dish, add the brine, and refrigerate overnight (but not too much longer).
2) Remove pork from brine. (Discard brine.) Rinse the chops and pat them as dry as possible. Set aside. In a medium-large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. When oil is hot, brown chops, about 5 or 6 minutes on each side.
3) While pork is cooking, combine brown sugar in a bowl with apples, and stir until apples are coated. (There will be sugar left over, but we’ll use that later.)
4) Place sweet potatoes in bottom of slow cooker, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Then, layer as follows: ½ the onion, ½ the apples, pork, the remaining onion, the remaining apples. Sprinkle with leftover brown sugar and cook on HIGH for 4-1/2 hours. Stir gently before serving, and be sure to spoon some of the sauce on top of each dish.
Approximate Calories, Fat, Fiber, and Price Per Serving
Three servings: 515 calories, 10.2 g fat, 7.7 g fiber, $2.73
Four servings: 387 calories, 7.7 g fat, 5.8 g fiber, $2.05
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
It's Brunch Time!
Mmmm....
Apple Barley Pilaf
2 Tbsp. margarine
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 large Fuji apples, cored and finely chopped
1/2 cup uncooked barley
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup golden raisins
In large skillet with tight-fitting lid, melt margarine over medium heat. Add onion and barley; cook, stirring until golden. Add broth, raisins and thyme to barley mixture. Heat to boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 40 to 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fold apples and parsley into barley mixture; cook 5 minutes and serve. Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: Calories, 241; Fat, 7 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Fiber, 6 g; Sodium, 87 mg; Percent calories from Fat, 25%.
_________________________________________________
Alton Brown's Frittatta (YUM!!!, my personal substitutions in parentheses)
Ingredients
6 eggs, beaten (egg substitute)
1-ounce Parmesan, grated (soy parm)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon butter (evoo or margarine)
1/2 cup chopped roasted asparagus
1/2 cup chopped country ham (canadian bacon)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to broil setting.
In medium size bowl, using a fork, blend together eggs, Parmesan, pepper, and salt. Heat 12-inch non-stick, oven safe saute pan over medium high heat. Add butter to pan and melt. Add asparagus and ham to pan and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour egg mixture into pan and stir with rubber spatula. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the egg mixture has set on the bottom and begins to set up on top. Sprinkle with parsley.
Place pan into oven and broil for 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly browned and fluffy. Remove from pan and cut into 6 servings. Serve immediately.
Apple Barley Pilaf
2 Tbsp. margarine
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 large Fuji apples, cored and finely chopped
1/2 cup uncooked barley
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup golden raisins
In large skillet with tight-fitting lid, melt margarine over medium heat. Add onion and barley; cook, stirring until golden. Add broth, raisins and thyme to barley mixture. Heat to boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 40 to 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fold apples and parsley into barley mixture; cook 5 minutes and serve. Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: Calories, 241; Fat, 7 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Fiber, 6 g; Sodium, 87 mg; Percent calories from Fat, 25%.
_________________________________________________
Alton Brown's Frittatta (YUM!!!, my personal substitutions in parentheses)
Ingredients
6 eggs, beaten (egg substitute)
1-ounce Parmesan, grated (soy parm)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon butter (evoo or margarine)
1/2 cup chopped roasted asparagus
1/2 cup chopped country ham (canadian bacon)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to broil setting.
In medium size bowl, using a fork, blend together eggs, Parmesan, pepper, and salt. Heat 12-inch non-stick, oven safe saute pan over medium high heat. Add butter to pan and melt. Add asparagus and ham to pan and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour egg mixture into pan and stir with rubber spatula. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the egg mixture has set on the bottom and begins to set up on top. Sprinkle with parsley.
Place pan into oven and broil for 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly browned and fluffy. Remove from pan and cut into 6 servings. Serve immediately.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Praying for Holly
James and I received the news today that our friend, Holly Rasmovich, has been diagnosed with signet cell adenocarcinoma, a rare and difficult to treat form of cancer. Since Thanksgiving, she has been diagnosed and has already undergone surgery to remove half of her colon, and is facing aggressive chemo. She is our age, she and her husband Jeffrey have 2 adorable children, and are in shock of this news. I ask that you please include her in your prayers as she faces the upcoming challenges. We love you, Holly.
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