Monday, May 3, 2010

Raspberry Rolls


This is just going to be a pictorial...follow the photos for the steps in the recipe...

Raspberry Rolls

1 pkg. Hot Roll mix

1 can raspberry filling

1/2 pkg. (about 1 cup, I think) frozen raspberries, thawed
and drained
1/2 c. sugar

2 T. butter, melted





















Make some ganache using chocolate and whipping cream; serve rolls with ganache poured over them...



Messy...but good!



Thursday, April 29, 2010

random amusements



My new favorite website!

The Texas Beef Council's list of recipes...


http://www.txbeef.org/recipe_book

Just found this site with some wonderful recipes, so I thought I'd share.



I'm sorry I don't have time to elaborate, but I'm supposed to be working right now, so I have to get back to it. Things should ease up this weekend, and I hope to post some more recipes of the things I've been cooking...

~Goldie



Monday, April 26, 2010

Bisquick Tuna Quiche Pie


I've made several of the different versions of Bisquick's "Impossible" Pies, but this is the only one I've photographed for a post. While it may seem a little generic, it is a very easy and tasty dinner.

"Impossible Seafood Pie"

1 can tuna (I think this was only one can, but it may have been 2 cans)
1 c. shredded cheese (I used Monterrey Jack)
1 t. dried minced onion
2 oz. cream cheese
2 c. milk
1 c. Bisquick
4 eggs
1 t. salt

Heat oven to 400˚. Prepare a pie plate with non-stick cooking spray; place on a cookie sheet.


Mix tuna, shredded cheese and onion...


...layer evenly in pie plate. Dab with cream cheese—you can use more or less than the two ounces listed, depending on personal taste preference.


In blender, mix milk, Bisquick, eggs and salt.


Pour mixture over ingredients in pie plate. Carefully move to oven (this is partially why you put it on a cookie sheet—so it wouldn't spill or run over in the oven.)


Bake at 400˚ for 35-40 minutes, or until set in the center. Top should be lightly browned, but don't let it get over-done or it will be tough. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

random amusements



What should I do with my puff pastry?

It has been in the freezer for a few weeks, and although I had plenty of ideas and good intentions when I bought it, I forget now why it hopped into my cart.

Sure, I could look through my cookbooks and find a few recipe ideas, but I've done enough reading lately....

What do YOU think I should make with the puff pastry sheets?




...I'm waiting.....

Friday, April 23, 2010

German Chocolate Cake


I made this for Casey as his "welcome home" treat, after he was out of town for several days. I missed him terribly...and he missed my cooking!!! LOL!

German Chocolate Cake with Coconut Frosting

1 bar (4 oz.) German chocolate
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter, softened (2 sticks)
4 large eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla

Heat oven to 350˚. Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
(or you can use 2 round cake pans; bake for 35-45 minutes)

Melt chocolate in microwave; stir until smooth.

In large mixing bowl, blend sugars with butter using an electric mixer; beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing continuously. Mix in melted chocolate; then add the rest of the ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pan(s).

Bake at 350˚ for 40-50 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cake will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and look crusty. Allow to cool in pan for 30 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely before frosting.


Gooey Coconut Frosting

1 c. sugar
1 c. evaporated milk
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
3 eggs, beaten (at room temp)
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flaked coconut

Mix evaporated milk with sugar and butter in a medium sauce pan; add beaten eggs and cook over medium-low heat until it is thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and vanilla. Allow to cool, away from stove, for about 30 minutes before frosting cake.



I baked it in my heart-shaped Bundt pan!



Mmmmmm....cake.....

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Garden Party


2nd Annual Garden Party/Plant Swap
Saturday the 24th 1:00pm

Okay, I'm trying this again. Last year the weather did not cooperate because of an unusually cold Spring, and I'm hoping it will turn out to be a nicer day this time around. (although rain is predicted! ARG!)

Sometimes people need a little gentle shove to get them active in the yard, and I'm even using this event to inspire myself along with others, because we've basically been hibernating all winter. Visiting with friends and neighbors is something I'm really looking forward to, the sharing of plants is an added bonus.

Casey & I have several landscaping projects in mind, including a vegetable garden which will most likely require the construction of raised beds. This is something that needs to be done, too. I'm tired of "mooching" off of our very generous neighbors without being able to offer something back!

Daffodils blooming in the yard:


Below is the text I used in my email and flyers—feel free to borrow it for your own garden party plan:

I'm planning to have a garden party & plant swap on [date] . The basic premise is to share different types of plants among all the attendees.



What you should bring:

  1. Two flats of plants from any of the local garden centers or home stores. If each person does this, there will be a nice variety available in the swap. I will separate them by type (annual, perennial, bulbs, etc.) and then we can divvy them up. You aren't obligated to take one of each—take only what you want.
  2. Optional: Bring any plants from your yard that need to be thinned out or divided. You are not required to purchase extra plants—this part is strictly voluntary, for those who have the resources in their yard, and want to do the digging!
  3. Optional: Extra seeds or seed packets that you'd like to share.

If you plan to attend, let me know what you intend to bring, so that we can coordinate colors and not get too many duplicates in the swap. Please let me know if you are not interested, or have other plans.



**Snacks and drinks will be provided, so you only need to bring plants and not food.** 





RSVP: ___________________




One of my favorites, violas, are taking over the front flower beds:


hybrid tulips with multiple flowers on each stem:



I will check back in, probably with photos, and report on how the day goes....but right now I have to go clean up the garage...





Bacon-Cheddar Chicken


This was dinner on another one of my lazy, lonely nights while Casey was out of town...

Bacon-Cheddar Chicken


1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 slices turkey bacon

some cheddar cheese

dash of: garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder


Microwave the bacon until crispy—about 2 to 3 minutes—on a piece of paper towel. Put another one on top to keep it from splattering. (I saved 2 pieces for breakfast the next day)


Saute the chicken, cut into pieces, in a little dab of olive oil. Add seasonings...it looks like I put a dash of marjoram in there, too...


Put the chicken on a plate and top with cheese and bacon. Sit in front of the tv while you eat, and try not to miss your husband....oops!...having flashbacks, sorry!


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Chicken Taco Salad


While Casey was out of town, I got kinda lazy in the kitchen, so one night I just made myself a quick salad...

Chicken Taco Salad

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 T. butter
dash of: garlic salt, cumin, paprika

salad: mixed greens, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced onion, black olives, fat-free sour cream

I just diced up the chicken and cooked it in a frying pan with the butter, then seasoned it until it tasted right and made it into a salad. No real epic culinary experience this time....just making a salad. It tasted soooo good! (I had an avocado, but was too lazy to cut it up for the salad...)





Tuesday, April 20, 2010

random amusements


Game 3 - Blackhawks VS. Predators

Pekka Rinne voodoo doll...

Rinne needs to feel some added pressure tonight...

Be a shame if that famous "toe save" suddenly became ineffective for some unknown reason...


NOTE:

This is entirely comical with no real or imagined links to actual "voodoo" practices. It is intended only for the purpose of entertainment.



...much like the real Pekka Rinne, he is fabricated from paper towel,
glued together, and stuffed with Kleenex.


But, on the serious side, in the last game, the Chicago Blackhawks shut out the Nashville Predators (2-0) simply by being the better team.

I thought both teams played hard and played well, with Nashville failing to get anything going on the power play. I like the Hawks' PK and think that Colin Fraser in particular is an extremely effective penalty killer. However, the Hawks need to stay out of the box tonight, and not let Nastyville bait them into taking bad penalties.

I'm a little anxious because I know the "Preds" will come out hitting, and if the Hawks can return the favor and hold off the initial onslaught, they can out-skill and out-play Nashville. .....and if not, I'll keep the "voodoo doll" handy!!! LOL!!!!

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!!
LET'S GO HAWKS!!!!
LET'S GO HAWKS!!!!





Chorizo Burgers


I had a taste for chorizo and eggs (no photos, sorry!), and then I didn't know what to do with the second half of the chorizo package. It turned into some FANTASTIC burgers!

Chorizo Burgers

1/2 pkg. (1/2 lb.) chorizo sausage
1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 egg


Use one section of the chorizo:


Mix ground turkey with some garlic powder and one egg:


I decided to pre-cook the chorizo:


And then added it to the turkey mixture:


Mix well and shape into patties:

Cook until well done, and slightly browned on the surface, if you like it that way (it's good!!!)

The chorizo is spicy, so I served it with some (homemade) cole slaw to cool things down in my mouth in between burger bites. Also, I did not put ketchup directly on the burger, I used it on the side as a dip, in case it didn't go well. Ketchup was a good addition. I think the taco sauce I was considering would have been too much. A side of sour cream for dipping might have been another good idea, but I don't think we had any in the fridge.



burgers topped with:
thinly sliced onion, tomatoes, and Monterrey-Jack cheese:





NOTE: I think these could also be made on the grill, although the meat is a little gushy, so you might have to partially freeze the burgers before grilling, so they don't fall apart.