I was about to grab some potatoes and peel them for dinner when I remembered I had about a cup of leftover mashed potatoes from a day or so ago. What could one do with that little when it had to feed three people and provide two work lunches for my husband?
I decided to break up the potatoes and mix in a couple of eggs. Since the potatoes had been salted and spiced for the original meal, all I added was a quarter cup of finely grated Romano cheese. In the frying pan of choice, I braised some diced onion with a bit of olive oil. When the onions were almost tender, I threw in some diced bacon. When the onions and bacon had cooked together nicely, I spread out the potato mixture, mixed it into the onion/bacon and then spread it into a semblance of a pancake. I turned it on low to cook until I finished the rest of the meal cooking. We had steak for dinner (which doesn't happen too often) but all my husband talked about were the potatoes. Just thought I'd share that idea with you.
An almost-Fall today here in Southern California. I think it headed towards 85-plus by afternoon but it was very pleasant after the triple-digit temperatures of a few weeks ago. I could actually bake in the oven without a protest from the family.
After a week without her cellphone, my daughter is back into the social phone circle. Things are back to normal. We call her cell phone and she doesn't answer either because a.) she isn't in the same room as the phone or b.) she has it turned off. Sigh . . . The world goes on, things change . . . but some things never do! :-)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Makes you think . . .
"A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together. So the doctor said: 'OK, and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.' The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.' The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!' 'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.' The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
Sharing some poetry!
Thinking
When you want to think,
Don't stand in the midst
of human confusion
Trying on dreams for size.
People will only laugh
And leave.
And you'll wonder
Whether they don't understand
Because they have no feelings
Or if your dreams
Tread on feelings
They don't want understood.
by B. Munsell 1973
When you want to think,
Don't stand in the midst
of human confusion
Trying on dreams for size.
People will only laugh
And leave.
And you'll wonder
Whether they don't understand
Because they have no feelings
Or if your dreams
Tread on feelings
They don't want understood.
by B. Munsell 1973
Mint Candy Christmas Treats
Although the majority of my Christmas food preparations centers around cookies, I do like to take a day and make candy. This is a very easy one that looks like you went to a huge amount of trouble.
Mint Candy
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips or pieces
1 pound of vanilla candy coating
3/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candy
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Place the chocolate in a microwave-proof bowl and melt. Be careful as it will burn unless you take care.
In a larger bowl, melt the candy coating according to the directions on the package. This stuff will brown on you if you don't mind the microwave or pot. Stir in the crushed peppermint candy.
Spread the vanilla coating mix on the prepared baking sheet to an even thickness, not too thin but not chunky, either.
Drizzle over the chocolate and quickly pull a knife through to form a marbled pattern. Refrigerate until firm, remove from foil, and break into pieces. Will store well in a closed container for about two weeks . . . if it lasts that long.
*You can usually find the candy coating in the baking section around the holiday season.
*Candy canes or the red and white, hard mint candies work well for this.
Ideas . . .
The candy coating also comes in chocolate flavor so you could do a brown with white chocolate chip swirls.
Mixing in 1 cup of chopped, toasted almonds into just the vanilla coating (melted) produces a very good almond bark.
Mint Candy
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips or pieces
1 pound of vanilla candy coating
3/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candy
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Place the chocolate in a microwave-proof bowl and melt. Be careful as it will burn unless you take care.
In a larger bowl, melt the candy coating according to the directions on the package. This stuff will brown on you if you don't mind the microwave or pot. Stir in the crushed peppermint candy.
Spread the vanilla coating mix on the prepared baking sheet to an even thickness, not too thin but not chunky, either.
Drizzle over the chocolate and quickly pull a knife through to form a marbled pattern. Refrigerate until firm, remove from foil, and break into pieces. Will store well in a closed container for about two weeks . . . if it lasts that long.
*You can usually find the candy coating in the baking section around the holiday season.
*Candy canes or the red and white, hard mint candies work well for this.
Ideas . . .
The candy coating also comes in chocolate flavor so you could do a brown with white chocolate chip swirls.
Mixing in 1 cup of chopped, toasted almonds into just the vanilla coating (melted) produces a very good almond bark.
Banana Bread - Baking Battle?
My family is always happy to see the last of the bananas growing old and brown on the counter because they know my frugal nature goes into effect and soon the scent of baking banana bread will grace our environment. Such happened this morning only I found myself with a hesitation . . . which recipe to use! I got jump started on baking when I read a new recipe for banana bread, last night. Today, I remembered by old standby version and compared them. The major difference was using butter or oil. Today, I went by the oil version as I didn't have time to soften the butter but, as I type, I'm wondering if it makes a difference or is it just a personal choice.
Here goes the recipe that is currently baking in the oven.
My Favorite Banana Bread (always subject to change!)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
3 pureed bananas
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grated zest of one lemon
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
Vegetable spray the bottom and about one inch up the sides of a loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, put in all the ingredients. Beat on low for about two minutes until everything is well incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 45-55 minutes.
Banana Walnut Bread (the new one!)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3 pureed bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray one loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs, beating well. Add the bananas. Put in the rest of the ingredients and beat to just mix. Spread batter in prepared baking pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Here goes the recipe that is currently baking in the oven.
My Favorite Banana Bread (always subject to change!)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
3 pureed bananas
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grated zest of one lemon
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
Vegetable spray the bottom and about one inch up the sides of a loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, put in all the ingredients. Beat on low for about two minutes until everything is well incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 45-55 minutes.
Banana Walnut Bread (the new one!)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3 pureed bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray one loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs, beating well. Add the bananas. Put in the rest of the ingredients and beat to just mix. Spread batter in prepared baking pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Oh, such a hopeful thought! :-)
Every woman should marry an archaeologist because she grows increasingly
attractive to him as she grows increasingly to resemble a ruin.
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