Caramelizing onions . . .

Caramelized onions add great taste and depth to many casseroles and dishes. Onions slowed cooked like this are the basis of a good French Onion Soup. The problem is, however, that it takes a good 40 minutes to get the onions properly made and there are no short cuts. I just found a method I hadn't thought of before . . . use the crock pot! It takes the time at the stove and freqent stirring off your chore list and you won't take a chance on scorching them. Just slice up as many onions as you need. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup butter, salt, and a teaspoon of sugar. Set it for the 8-10 mark and go to bed. Granted, it will be interesting to awaken to the smell of onions but it will be nice to know they are done and ready for whatever your cooking day brings.

Now, I'm craving some French Onion Soup!

Thought I'd share that tip with you. caramelized onions are also good on hamburgers, in meatloaf, a few tablespoons or more in macaroni and cheese, in vegetable soup . . .

Lemony Cookies

I like lemon and get to enjoy it even more with our faithful lemon tree in our backyard. Whenever I find a recipe that calls for lemon, it is a must-try for me. This one is relatively easy.

Lemony  Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Either use vegetable oil spray or line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat to blend thoroughly. Don't over beat. Scoop dough into approximately walnut-sized balls. Place about an inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Press done just a bit with a glass dipped in sugar. You don't want them thin. Bake about ten minkutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely on baking sheet to avoid breaking them.

Lemon Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
Enough fresh lemon juice to form spreadable icing

Combine the first three ingredients and gradually add in the lemon juice until you have the consistency you want. Mix in the extract and zest. Frost the cookies and sprinkle some colorful sugar or decorations if you have them on hand.

The Orange Cat . . .

Now this cat showed up one night and seem to think that we forgot that he belongs here. He haunts our doorstep and sleeps on the window sill. He is a pretty old cat with missing teeth and old man coughs and wheezing. He is, however, very loveable. He was sleeping on the window sill when we left for morning Mass and was in the same place napping when we returned home an hour later. Even my snapping his picture didn't wake him up.

Breakfast in the cat world . . .

We are still trying to befriend these two cats for pets. Although they enjoy the food we offer, only one will let us pet her. They seem to be a team and prefer to have their breakfast on top of the hose reel box. The eat and don't show up until either the evening or the next morning. I have a feeling we aren't the only ones interested i them as family pets and the two of them are just hedging their bets right now and eating extremely well . . . at more than one home.

Aptly named . . .

"The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or fight its enemies is lunch."
-- Michael Friedman