Homemade Soft Pretzels

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2007

Prep Time: 30 min

Inactive Prep Time: 1 hr 0 min

Cook Time:

25 min

Level: Intermediate

Serves: 8 pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for pan
• 10 cups water
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Pretzel salt

Directions

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Printed from FoodNetwork.com on Sat Jan 30 2010

© 2010 Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Hats Off to January

I finally got a pic of my hat, and finalized the WIP~
Ta-DA!


This was so easy, I’m already thinking I’ll make the girls each one. I’ve started a 2nd one tonight, while Hunters blanket is drying, and will send his Birthday Blanket out when the first of 3 hats is completed.


I feel like I’m running the gauntlet,  as each time I begin a Gift project, my time is already run short~ I’ll keep plurking along until they are done,  and we’ll begin all over again.  The hourglass keeps spinning…

back to knittin~check ya laters!

SUSTAINABLE YOUTH GIVEAWAY « Gorgeously Green

There’s a Giveaway at Gorgeously Green, and I thought, “why not give it a go?” Can’t hurt to try, and I could use a boost to make me feel good about being a responsible Greenie, while striving to use products that are GOOD for you, not just convenient.

SUSTAINABLE YOUTH GIVEAWAY « Gorgeously Green.
via SUSTAINABLE YOUTH GIVEAWAY « Gorgeously Green.

Now, if I can just get Sophie to find safe dog care products, so our Igor can go “green”


Updates on the rain in California:

~Sis says they closed down I-80 yesterday, a 20-car pileup in the snow at Cisco Grove…the Sierras are getting pounded, which is good for the Ski resorts, and means more water for the usually parched Valley.

~Jessica Watson weathers another storm on her way to becoming the youngest person to sail around the world~

Jessicawatson.com.au


Time to call it a day~ my weekend lineup includes much knitting time, and hopefully wrapping up the Mary Jane’s Hat~

Super Bowl Recipe Blitz Continues : Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

• 1 can Artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup chopped frozen spinach, thawed
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, to taste

Place the spinach and artichoke hearts in a saucepan, with enough liquid to just cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain.

In a separate saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil until the garlic is just translucent. Add the cream cheese and stir to a paste. Add the spinach, artichoke and seasonings, mixing well.

Pour dip into a serving bowl in the middle of a serving tray, then arrange corn chips, toasted garlic rye cocktail slices  and crackers around.  Then step away from the platter before you are flattened by the stampede!

Planning Ahead for the Super Bowl.... Sausage-Cheese Balls

DH and I began thinking about what we'll be serving this year for Super Bowl Sunday.
Here's the line-up:

Sausage Cheese Balls
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Antipasto deli tray
Assorted cocktail toasts, crackers and chips

Sausage Cheese Balls

Betty Crocker and Bisquick® present:
Sausage-Cheese Balls

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 45 min
Makes: About 8 1/2 dozen cheese balls

3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 pound bulk pork sausage
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley or 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease bottom and sides of  cake pan or cookie sheet.

2. Stir together all ingredients, using hands or spoon. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Place in pan.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until brown. Immediately remove from pan. Serve warm with sauce for dipping.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Heat oven to 375ºF. Decrease Bisquick to 2 1/2 cups; stir in 1/2 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.

Do-Ahead Tip

Want to make these Yummy cheese balls ahead? You can:

~ Cover and refrigerate unbaked balls up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
~ Cover and freeze unbaked balls up to 1 month. Heat oven to 350ºF. Place frozen balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brown.

~ Bake as directed; cover and freeze up to 1 month. Heat oven to 350ºF. Place frozen balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.

~Bake as directed; cover and freeze up to 1 month. Place 6 frozen balls on microwavable plate. Loosely cover with waxed paper. Microwave on High 45 seconds to 1 minute or until heated through.

The best part, you don't need to cook the sausage before using it when making this recipe!

Enjoy!

Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush

Adapted from David Lebovitz

3 medium-sized eggplants

1/2 cup tahini (roasted sesame paste)

1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1/8 teaspoon chile powder

a pinch or two of cummin

1 tablespoon olive oil

a half bunch picked flat-leaf parsley or cilantro leave

Directions:

- Preheat the oven to 375F.

- Prick each eggplant a few times, then char the outside of the eggplants by placing them directly on the flame of a gas burner and as the skin chars, turn them until the eggplants are uniformly-charred on the outside. (If you don’t have a gas stove, you can char them under the broiler. If not, skip to the next step.)

- Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until they’re completely soft; you should be able to easily poke a paring knife into them and meet no resistance.

- Remove from oven and let cool.

- Split the eggplant and scrape out the pulp. Puree the pulp in a blender or food processor with the other ingredients until smooth.

- Taste, and season with additional salt and lemon juice, if necessary. Chill for a few hours before serving. Serve with crackers, veggies or toasted pita chips.

Storage: Baba Ganoush can be made and refrigerated for up to five days prior to serving.

Please visit A Dash of Sass for more great recipes! 

Lentil Soup with Spinach and Sausage

I found this recipe while searching for Baba Ganoush

Progresso makes a good Lentil soup, in a pinch. We're definitely going to try this!

Lentil Soup with Spinach and Sausage
1 pound light (reduced-fat) polish kielbasa
1 medium white onion, diced
1 package (8 oz.) white button mushrooms, sliced
1 package (8 oz.) cremini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 pound dried lentils, picked over and rinsed
2 8 oz. bags of fresh baby spinach
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme (or a few sprigs of fresh thyme)
2-3 bay leaves
Coarse salt and pepper
Olive oil
Directions:
- Heat a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Slice the kielbasa in 1/2 inch thick slices and then quarter the slices to end up with small cubes.
- Add sausage to the hot pan. Cook until slightly browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and rest on a plate covered with paper towels. Pat off any excess fat with paper towels.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan. Add the onions and mushrooms, saute until soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and saute for another minute.
- Add the thyme and bay leaves. Stir until spices are thoroughly combined.
- Add the lentils. Stir together with the onion/mushroom mixture until fully mixed.
- Slowly add the chicken broth. Stir to combine. Increase heat to bring the soup to a boil. Once it begins boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and partially cover the pot. Let simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the lentils have become soft, puffed up and absorbed a good amount of the liquid.
- Once the lentils have puffed up, add the spinach in several small batches, stirring to combine.
- Stir in the browned sausage.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm and enjoy!

Please visit A Dash of Sass for more great recipes!

Book Giveaway - Counting the Cost by Liz Adair

I'm entering a book giveaway and wanted to share!

Book Giveaway - Counting the Cost by Liz Adair


Set in Depression-era southwest, award-winning novel Counting the Cost is about Heck Benham, a handsome, hard-riding cowboy, who sees his life turned upside down when Mrs. Ruth Reynolds moves from back east into Heck’s homeland. Ruth and Heck challenge the social rules of provincial New Mexico as they fall in love. That love is challenged as she faces the reality of living as a cowboy’s wife and he finds he must choose between her and the life he loves. This riveting story of choices, consequences, and the cost of redemption rings true because it’s based on the lives of Liz Adair’s ancestors. In fact, the pictures on the cover are of the people whose lives are shadowed in the book.


Book Trailer - Counting the Cost
www.sezlizadair.blogspot.com
www.lizadair.net

Go here to see the book!
via Cami’s Books: Book Giveaway – Counting the Cost by Liz Adair.

Knitting Techniques : The I-Cord

The Knitted I-cord: “I” is for “Ingenious”
The venerable Elizabeth Zimmerman rediscovered and named the I-cord (the I-cord, called a “stay lace,” was mentioned in Victorian needlework manuals). The “I” stands for “idiot” because Ms. Zimmerman thought  the technique was so simple anyone could do it.

The I-cord is simply a tube knitted in the round with two double-pointed needles (I’ve done it with a long circular needle, too).
The I-cord is one of those things in knitting that is endlessly useful. The technique is somewhat idiot-proof, once you get the hang of it, and it’s also really mindless knitting—the I-cord is something to do in front of the TV or with a good audio book on board for sure!

Here’s a quickie tutorial:
With a double-pointed needle, cast on the desired number of stitches-I cast on 3, a good number. 
*Without turning the needle, slide the stitches to other end of the needle, pull the yarn around the back, and knit the stitches as usual; repeat from * for desired length.
(The illustration above shows knitting the stitches after you’ve slid the them to the other end of the needle.)


I saved this email reference, just in case I’d have need of it someday. That day isn’t here but it was time to clean out my emails and at the risk of losing the tutorial, I wanted to add it to my blog for future reference.

Here's a really easy Vickie Howell video tutorial (check out her way-cool tatt on her arm!): YouTube Video : Knitted I-Cord

I’ve worked a short I-Cord, as a real illustration. I’m a Lefty Knitter, so it’s going to be opposite of what the above illustration shows, but I tried to duplicate it as closely as possible; you get the idea.

I-Cord

These are great for making a tie for a poncho, eyelet closure for a knitted blouse or strings for a cap.

Reminds me of my elementary school days when I first learned how to make a Daisy Chain with dandelions :)

Quick Hair Pics and Color Updates

Just a quick hair update~
I colored again today. I think I was ready, sorty. Actually, I was getting used to it growing out au naturale~it gave me “charactor”, IMHO.
DH said he wasn’t ready for the gray, there is already enough gray between his hair and Igor’s!

8 months of Hair Lengths, July 09

Color of Choice: L’Oreal 5G Medium Golden Brown. It’s me, just without the gray.
I’ll start going back to Nature again when this fades out, in about another 2 months. That’s the beauty of this color; when it fades, it goes away, and leaves only my natural color.  There was about 4 inches of natural gray when I re-colored. My hair grows fast in winter. In summer, I won't care as it will be up in a do every day~

I feel fi-yi-ine~

Look out, Danica, there's a New Indy 500 Champ on the Horizon!

Just a quick update on Baby Girl, with a new picture to share~

The Kiddo is going to be 1 year old in about 4 weeks, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone since I last got to hold her, new from the hospital.That was the longest 2 months of my entire life, until they were able to release her and I could make the trip south to finally get to see and hold her.


Baby smells, there is nothing like it!

Zooom, Baby!

She is just about the cutest little thing, always has a smile on her face!

Watching the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Playoffs. I'm fannin the Colts,and they are charging ahead, 17- 3 in the 3rd quarter... OMG. RAVENS INTERCEPT A THROW, RUN FOR 40, TACKLED AND FUMBLE>>>COLTS POSSESSION!

I'm nearing the end of the 3rd Woodland Lace Doily-this time it's for D. I should just do the entire alphabet, LOL!
A few weeks ago, I ran out of the green just 9 dtb's from the last green row, and was lucky enough to get the last ball at WalMart yesterday-same dye lot even, and I bought the original ball back last Summer~

I love this color, and plan to make one for myself next.

Woodland Ferns and Lace Doily

Pattern from South Maid Book 364, Special Doilies For Special Times

Back to the Playoffs...
Laterz~

The Secret Window~

A fellow Blogger said:

Omigosh, is that the house on Watson Wy? :=) I know that house!!!

WOW, that was a surprise!  What were the chances this picture would get recognition?


Me and Mom, 2002

That was the last time I got to hold Mom.

I had just moved to Wisconsin, ready to pick up the pieces of my shattered life,  when I got the call. Dad was seriously ill and in the hospital, and I needed to go back home to take care of Mom~ and my world fell apart all over again.
You see, Mom had Alzheimer's and Dad had been caring for her for the last several years before anyone even knew what was happening. Oh, I'd get the "we don't want you to worry...",  but those words alone were enough to drive me crazy with worry. But I was a million miles away, raising 2 little ones, and 2 teenagers.

I had no idea how bad things were, or the things he'd had to resort to, to keep her out of trouble. He had to unplug the microwave every night, so when Mom got up in the morning for her routine muffin treat for breakfast, she wouldn't burn down the house. The last muffin Mom attempted to heat, was set for 4o minutes-about 39 too many. The smoldering remnants were tossed unceremoniously in the trash can out back.
I remember thinking how sketchy her letters had become, then they just stopped. She would tell me on the phone, she couldn't quite put things down to words, and I would tell her  it was ok, I'd rather talk with her anyway. Then dad told me about the time she insisted something was wrong with her Singer 2010 sewing machine. It was one of the first electronic sewing machines, and Mom loved her sewing, made all her own clothes for years.
Nothing was ever wrong with the sewing machine; Mom had simply forgotten how to operate it. How frustrating she must have become, especially when the repairman told her 3 times,  there was nothing he could do... so she quit sewing, altogether. She loved to read her romance novels, but those too, were gathering dust on the shelf.

Dad had taken all the knobs off the range top, too. They were put out of reach in the cabinet, alongside the remains of seasoning packets that had gone out-dated many years before.

Dad came home from the hospital just 3 days after I flew in. He spent his remaining 5 days in a hospital bed, in the living room. I stayed with him  and we watched the Giants almost win the Pennant that year. When they lost, I saw the light go out in his eyes, then he settled back to complete his final journey. We spent the next couple days in each other's company, neither of us speaking much, just happy to be together again. Most of the day, he just stared at the painting  of an Italian Villa on the wall above the T.V. Mom bought the painting when Dad was stationed in Germany, and although I don't remember where she bought it, I remember the Street Painter and the day she picked it out.

I imagine Dad was taking his mind back to the home of his father and family, back to Italy.
Sometimes I can almost see him there in the painting,  now hanging in the Guest bedroom. I feel I'm still close to him in that way.

Think I'll go upstairs and sit a while~
G'night.

a doily I made for Mom, in her favorite colors~

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

I’m watching the most odd movie, but a classic!

Current Mood: Organize (pattern books) NOW!

I want to get all my knit and crochet patterns together in a file cabinet, in hanging folders. Maybe there will be room in the bottom drawer for WIPS, and sock yarn.

Currently, I am using a file cabinet as a mouse table next to my computer, it sits between my chair and Mikes~ since I always bring my knitting to work with me, I would love to have everything right here at my fingertips~ when I print off a pattern, I can just pop it in a clear page protector, and drop in the top drawer. Most of my patterns are in flat plastic storage boxes, but the lids are getting brittle from age, and they are all collapsing in on themselves…

I’m always searching through volumes of booklets, printouts, leaflets, and books, for this or that doily, sock or whatever.
Like just now. I had to find a sock pattern for a fellow knitter, and after tearing the Guest Bedroom apart, I finally found it,  in a binder beside my side of the sofa where I knit on Sunday’s. I almost forgot that was there!

Yes, Virginia, it’s time to ORGANIZE!

Back to my movie, blog ya latrz!

S~

Memories are made at The Pontiac Plant ~

I have a tendency to look back more often, these days. The holidays will do that to you.  We miss the people who are no longer with us, and wish we could share our joys and sorrows with them.

They probably would prefer we didn’t~ raising kids is a hair-raising experience. They make your hair turn gray, furrowed brows, crows-feet and lipstick bleed lines.

That’s why I don’t wear lipstick-that, and it’s so pretentious, and messy.

I used to do lot’s of things I don’t do anymore. Like wear skirts, and hairspray. Both of those things went flying out the window about 15 years ago. I let my hair down and like it that way. Sorry, Mom, but yes, it’s long now and going to get longer before it’s over. I still love you and I miss you bunches…

my Graduation present : '60 Pontiac Tempest

I can almost feel the heat coming off the stucco walls~Look! an open window-maybe I can peek inside and things will be just like they were back then...let's go have a  look!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this little bit of History again. There’s more where this came from, it just takes me a while to get a Round Tuit…
Laterz~
Me

HAITI RELIEF LINKS

More than 100K feared dead in Haiti quake

You can make a difference.
On Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capitol, affecting millions of people.
Here are a few ways you can support the recovery efforts and help victims rebuild their lives and communities:

You can make cash and in-kind donations on the following sites:

Doctors Without Borders
Red Cross, UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF)
Direct Relief, Yele Haiti
Partners in Health
World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900)
Save the Children
Lambi Fund
The International Rescue Committee
Care


The following organizations are accepting SMS text message donations in the US only (which will be added to your phone bill):

• In your SMS text, type message "HAITI" and send to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• In your SMS text, type message "YELE" and send to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts

If you would like to donate more, please visit one of the above sites.

Our prayers go out to every single Soul who is affected by this tragedy.

Hinááh bee atiingóó éí naashá
On the Trail of Life, I walk in beauty
Nizhóní naashá
In Harmony I exist, I walk in beauty

ATTENTION ALL RAVELERS: NEW DISCOUNT CODE IS LIVE!

If you are a member of Ravelry.com, then we have a special treat for you!

Come visit our store, purchase any Shawl Pin from here or here and you are entitled to a Special Discount.

If you're a first-time Visitor, come see all that Ravelry has to offer, and sign up today! Then look for me under People: ManyHorsesMane and drop me a line~ I'll send you the code in a message. How easy is that!

Hope to see you in Ravelry, and Happy Knittin/Hookin!

Sandra

Pizza Weasel Strikes Again...

Some things just need to be blogged.
DD18.99999 and I were sitting at the breakfast bar, just talking about life choices in general. Well, it got a little more than just general. It started out with what-if's, then when-did's, to why-for's.

We had a good talk, things needed to be said. This is the second time in as many weeks. Just last weekend, her older sister called and we had a good heart-to-heart. Things needed to come out, it was a good talk.
We wrapped things up when Igor had to go potty. Plain and simple, it was his turn. After he did his thing, DD18.99999 and I got to talking about pet antics again, and Pizza Weasle came up. I thought I'd blogged it, so we came down to look up the post. Nope,  didn't happen. That's why we're here now :)

DH and I were in Garage World, as we were often found, solving the problems of the world. We had just polished off a Jack's frozen pizza and there was a piece I had left sitting on the pizza peel.

I know this is embellishing the blog to the max, but would you still be here if I just posted the pictures haphazardly, with no embellishment, probably not. So I embellish. Done.

Let the pictures speak for themselves:

Stalking teh Pizza.......

The Plan....

The Execution.

Gotcha!

Did we come away with anything of value here-not that you can see, on the surface.

The important thing is to talk with your kids. Sometimes you can’t say everything you need or want to say, right now, today. But eventually, yes  you can. If you care at all about what they think, and are not trying to be their “friend”, then talk now. Talk a lot, spill it out. You’ll know  when the curtain falls, when their eyes gloss over and the cellphone they have discreetly tucked away, comes back out, when the next text message comes in.

Then let them go, and you can finish your pizza~

Have a beautiful day!
Me~

Mary Jane’s Hat, Part Deux

I’m working my way around Mary Jane’s Hat, getting the feel for the pattern.

Worked in Peaches & Cream cotton #132 Earthtone, it’s loose and will be comfortably floppy~ The only problem I’m having is the stitches keep slipping off the ends of  the needles. I’m using #8  Clover Takumi bamboo-they aren’t long enough at only 7 inches. I need either 8 inch dpns or a pair of bamboo circulars. I’ll be looking to get some HiyaHiya bamboo circulars at The Yarn and Fiber Company soon.

Mary Jane's Hat

...already, the stitches on the left slipped again whist scanning for a picture~ arrrrrrrrrgh~

Listening to Quiet Riot, “Cum on  Feel the Noize”, in between sporadic DSL interruptions plaguing us all day-our ISP  is gonna hear my noise come Monday morning~

It's a Birthday Party at JL Yarnworks!

I just ran across the most KEWL online Yarn Shop- JL Yarnworks. They have the most ADOREABLE  Scrabble Tile Pendants, and I'm going to order one right now~

New Project:

Mary Jane’s Hat  as a test for a new stitch technique; I’m helping out a fellow knitter with this one.
I started out with #5 aluminum dpn’s but they keep sliding off, so I am going to order a set of  bamboo dpn’s in size 5 from JL Yarnworks; their shipping starts at only $3, can’t beat that!

I have the MJ Hat border done and am ready to change to Peaches & Cream 132 Earthtone ombre now :

Mary Jane's Hat - border

I’ll post updates as I get further along~

niters!
Me~

Lace Rib Bath Set

The snow began to fall well after we went to bed.  Weather alerts kept my cellphone constantly tweeting as new incoming text alerts arrived.  What did we do before there were cellphones?
I got a message from a fellow Ravelry knitter, inquiring about a stitch I hadn't yet heard of or tried. I did a search and found a cute Lace Rib Bath Set by Maile Mauch.

I started on the washcloth last night, as a demo for her, and to see if it was the stitch in question she was needing help with.

The pattern went fast, but I had to rippit 3 times, once for a dropped stitch  in the middle of a decrease, and the other 2 times because I was distracted and missed a decrease, thereby throwing the pattern off. Easy to fix though, I had them reworked before lights-out.

Lace Rib Washcloth

I found a neat free Bernat long cable vest pattern I'm going to need yarn for, just what I've been looking for. I'll look at Joann's for the Fern color and add to my Never-ending Wish List.


The snow seems to have slowed down, the storm has moved across the lake.

Good News! DH finally got both monitors working together at once! I got him a new 21" Dell Widescreen LCD Monitor for Christmas, and he was blown away! Eager to get back working on his Wacom and get some art projects going, it took on a whole new meaning to the phrase, "sleepless nights"...

Igor and I are content to just hang out~

Pickles as Comfort Food? YEPPERS!

The following recipe is one that caught me by surprise. Pickles in cooking? I never would have dreamed, but this was amazing! My DMIL made it for us for dinner one night, and it changed my whole concept of German Cuisine altogether-I was hooked!

I’m in Comfort Food Mode now, even after the holidays. I think it’s a primal instinct to eat anything that will stick to one’s ribs. I’m all for it, especially when we are too busy in the summer months to stop and take time to eat a balanced meal.

German Rouladen

German Rouladen by Gracey, allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
• German stone ground mustard, to taste
• 1/2 pound thick sliced bacon
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 (16 ounce) jar dill pickle slices
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cube beef bouillon

Directions

1. Cut the flank steak into thin filets; about 1/4 inch thick and 3 inches wide.
2. Generously spread one side of each filet with mustard to taste. Place bacon, onions and pickle slices on each filet and form into a roll. Use string or toothpicks to hold the roll together.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Place the rolls in the butter and saute until browned.
4. Pour in 2 1/2 cups of water and add the bouillon cube; stirring to dissolve the bouillon cube. Simmer the rolls for about an hour.

Serve with mashed potatoes.
*nutritional information and recipe at  AllRecipes.com

I like rice dishes, so when this one crossed my Plurk path, I had to investigate. I like Mediterranean foods-heck I like just about anything- I should have chosen culinary school back when Mom kept pushing me to join the Army; cooking is one thing I love to do!

Rice Salad

posted January 5, 6:00 PM Atlanta Ethnic Foods Examiner Beth Robinette

Rice Salad by Beth Robinette

1 cup rice
2 ¼ cup water, roughly
½ teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons canola oil
¼ teaspoon black pepper (or more if you prefer)
1 small bunch of fresh green onions, chopped fine
1 small bunch fresh dill, or parsley, or dried parsley
1 cup dill pickles, diced finely or dill pickle relish
1 can, 15 oz, corn, or frozen corn Boil the water in a large pot and add salt. Add rice and oil. Cover lightly and cool on low heat just until the rice soaks up the water. Don’t overcook. Let the rice cool to room temperature. Add pepper, dill, pickles and corn. Mix gently. Serve cold or at room temperature.

*recipe at examiner.com

Diagonal Owl, Watch Over Us~

Now that the holidays are behind us, we can take a moment to reflect, breathe a sigh of relief. Or just breathe............

I learned today, a dear friend lost her home on Christmas day. They were notified they had just 4 days to vacate.  On Day 1 of their Exodus, a blizzard hit, the streets were clogged with cars stuck in snow-drifts and the movers couldn't get to the house. They are temporarily staying at a motel until they can get their bearings and make other arrangements...

I feel so powerless and at a loss for words. I have a difficult time being able to say how lucky we are, when there are others who's lives have been disrupted by hardship.
We are the lucky ones, but for how long, I cannot say. One's luck can change in an instant, unforeseen circumstances that lurk in the shadows, may suddenly rear their ugly heads to the light and lay waste to years of planning, dreaming and hoping for a better day.

I whipped out a cute little dish/facecloth as part of a cooling-down project, just to do something mindless. It gave me a chance to wind down from the gift projects I had been been working on for the past 2 months, and a way to try something easy.

It turned out cute, if not a little lost in the variegation, but it was just for fun.

Owl Facecloth

Pattern: Diagonal Owl Dishcloth by Janelle Schlossman.

I’m on to another project, a “coat” for Igor. It’s going to be a simple cape style, nothing fancy.
Hopefully, it will look more fashionable than one of several bath towels he usually enjoys strutting around like a peacock in.

I'll continue to find comfort in the small things, and while I work, I'll say a prayer for those less fortunate, and for a better day.

Hinááh bee atiingóó éí naashá
On the Trail of Life, I walk in beauty
Nizhóní naashá
In Harmony I exist, I walk in beauty

JAPANESE PAN NOODLES

JAPANESE PAN NOODLES

Caramelized udon noodles in a sweet soy sauce with broccoli, carrots and shiitake mushrooms. Asian sprouts, black sesame and cilantro garnish. Recommended with Sautéed Beef.
Ingredients:
3 cups hot cooked udon noodles (Japanese wheat noodles)
flank steak, thinly sliced (optional)
cornstarch
salt to taste
2-3 drops, toasted sesame oil
4 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 large cloves minced garlic cloves
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 cup shiitake mushrooms (stems removed), sliced
1 cup Asian sprouts
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup (2-inch) julienne-cut carrot
1 tbsp blk sesame seeds
1 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves

In a mixing bowl, add the beef strips and mix with a little cornstarch.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Flash fry the beef strips and remove quickly.
To the wok, add the carrots and then broccoli. Stir fry 2-3 minutes and then remove.
Add a little oil, the saute the ginger & garlic. After a minute or so, add the well drained noodles and let caramelize. Add the red chili flakes. Add the sesame oil, teriyaki sauce and rice wine vinegar. Add all of the other ingredients and toss to coat well. Serve warm.

via Similar to Japanese pan noodes and Noodles & Co? – Yahoo! Answers.