T prep

I'm having second thoughts about spending Christmas in OR with my friend PJ.

I got hi speed Internet yesterday but had to call them to come back this morning because I couldn't get on. Looks like 3 of my neighbors are also on wifi.
I couldn't tale dial up any longer.

I was also blocked because I had gone over my mo. min. limit.

holiday

I’m thinking of going to Salem, OR for Christmas. Bear in mind I’ve known him a long time and 3 days is about my limit’ like fish. One time he came down to help replace my desk, read that so it, and retile my shower and I had to leave town and go to Utah. He is a hood handyman, engineer and environmental engineer. He did a good job pulling out the old deck. You never realize what a difference it makes until it’s gone and you have a drop of a foot when you open the patio door,

Today was a teacher’s parent conference day.

I made some butternut squash soup with my homemade chicken stock. It needed help not just salt and pepper. We are so used to the large amount of salt in the commercial broth that the pure stuff takes strange. Today I added, garlic another ½ onion, carrot, celery and garlic, the holy trinity, according to Chef Paul Prudome of LA. Hope that will help pick it up and I can add yogurt or sour cream too.. Last night I cooked some too but fell asleep and it dried out. Tonight I added the soup to it.

I need to make an apple cake and some oatmeal raisin cookies to sell at Caro’s boutique on Sat. I may do a coffee cake too. A carrot cake, I think, takes more effort. Then there is the crème cheese icing. I’ll keep that for my birthday or a more special occasion.

I forfeited a week’s unemployment because I worked ever day and made more than the $450. a week they allocate. I wonder if thar makes my claim extended for a week.

I applied for an 11th and 12th grade English teaching position at a Catholic Hugh School. There is also a position as a librarian f or 2nd semester in Berkeley.
Marilyn’s grandson is due in Dec. Since the cottage they live in had mold, she wants them to come live with me while they look fir a place or repair the cottage which is too small anyway. Then if I get the job in Berkeley I could rent an apartment and rent them a room. They have no money. Prices in Albany/Berkeley are high with the university and proximity to the city.

Marilyn would pay me. She is frail and in pain. She cannot take care of the baby.

This month marks the last of my house payments with the bank.

cold

3 hrs.s at the gym, a shower the farmer's market and breakfast.

trolling is much different at 55.

the heat came on this morning and i switched the sheets to flannel and the down comforter on.

I am hitting the garage sales in search of baby clothes. She also wants a swing.
Marilyn tells me Craig's list is a good place to look. time and mileage consuming.

Tex-Mex chicken and dumplings recipe

Is there a cuter word in the English language than dumpling? Nope, I didn’t think so. And when you pair it with chicken to make chicken and dumplings, you have one of my favorite belly-filling, spirit-warming, cold-weather dishes.

2nd date

My hair is in that in between my chin and shoulders making me crazy. It takes a lot of work. It is not wash and wear. Also dry and fly away and over processed.

I have been trying some heavy conditioners and finally may have found one that worked. It's so hard to wait it out the stage between the ears and the chin and now to my jaw growing to my shoulders.

I am garage hunting gor baby clothes. Marilyn's new grandson is due in Dec. My only experience is participated in 2 or 3. She emailed me a list.

Then I get to wash them all in ivory snow. Who knew they needed a fragrance free detergent with no.... Afterward I get to send it up to them. Her daughter in law and son are going up to Trinidad to have the baby 12/8. She delivered Jesse, her son at home from a friend and then adopted him.

I'm scoping out the ads this a.m. I was up at 5:20, then at 8 headed out to the rich parts of town.

Last night I had another date with Rudy. He says he has been calling but I have been on the computer. I heard a msh. the other night and thought it was Bob, a bit surprised cuz it would be late in IN. not.

I got pulled over last night because I had my lights off. I had pulled into a driveway and when I backed out forgot to turn them back on. That happened once before in Monterey after Caro and I left a restaurant there.

spectacular weather

Happy Birthday Mom you'd be 91 and I wish you were and here with us, I miss you a lot.

I was up at 5:30 waiting for a call and at 7 checked and realized the plug that always gets changed from the phone to the computer was slightly pulled out. No one called in that last hr. or so.

My connection is being dropped a lot.

I need a new TV and dsl carrier this phone thing is driving my nuts.

I met another sub yesterday at the supermarket both of us Language arts teachers and for the same district. Since we were talking about cooking he asked me to dinner.

Today I went to the Farmer's market downtown. Two of my favorite vendors were not there. It's a good thing I know how to make my own fish tacos now.

The other I didn't need anyway and brought a crepe instead.

This is the first time I have not read in a week.

I roasted a chicken and now that I have chicken stock w/o all that salt. Now to get all the schmaltz off and make some butternut squash coup with leeks.

The leaves are turning.

Gas is 2.85 a gal..

Tonight I am meeting a friend for happy hr. ay Chevies.

Veteran's day

Off to visit the VA hospital in Palo Alto, take some cookies and see if anyone needs a visitor.

What a sobering thing to see young bodies mamed. I don't do blood and wounds well.

Compasion though,I can do.

Back in 2002 one of my good food blogger friends, Lydia started a wonderful program called Drop in & Decorate. It’s a simple concept: bake some cookies, invite friends or family (or co-workers or neighbors) to drop by and help decorate, and donate your cookies to a local food pantry, emergency shelter, senior center, lunch program, or other nonprofit agencies meeting the basic human needs of people in your own communities.



This year if you’d like to host your own Drop In & Decorate® event, Pillsbury and Wilton would like to help.

Pillsbury has donated 50 VIP coupons, worth $3.00 each, off any Pillsbury product -- including sugar cookie mix and icing -- to be distributed, first come, first served, while supply lasts, to anyone who plans to host a Drop In & Decorate event (max. 5 coupons per person). And she iwll also include a Comfort Grip cookie cutter, donated by Wilton, to people who plan to host cookies-for-donation events.

There’s also a free downloadable guide with everything you need to know to host your own party, available on the Drop In & Decorate web site.

It’s a simple idea in a complicated world, and something anyone can do! If you’d like more information, you can visit the web site or contact Lydia directly at lydiaATdropinanddecorateDOTorg.

Check out Lydia’s site for more details .




Oven baked fish

The recipe: preheat the oven to 300, dredge the white fish in flour, then dip it in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs mixed with parsley and lemon zest. It´s much better with home made, coarsely grated breadcrumbs.
Lay the fish on an oiled tray or baking dish and bake until golden, about ten minutes, but do check. It´s usually ten minutes per inch of thickness, but ovens vary, etc. That´s it. Easy easy, and plenty of time while it bakes to dress a salad and doll up some bottled mayonaise with lemon juice and olive oil.

Vetran's day

Off to visit the VA hospital in Palo Alto, take some cookies and see if anyone needs a visitor. So sad to see all rhese hurt kids and bodies not to mention minds.
More pet therapy would help calm and keep the nightmares away and the love to snuggle up with. Pet's love unconditionally.

Rain 8 inches? school's closed?

I've been on a bridge marathon for 6 days 20 hrs a day.

another one

I got some stone ground wheat bread w flax seed at the farmer's market.

I need to sleep

Only 2.5 hrs yesterday.

Healthified" Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:1 hr 15 min
makes:8 servings

1 can (10 3/4 oz) 98% fat free 45% less sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
1 container (8 oz) fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
8 yellow corn tortillas (6 or 7 inch), torn into bite-size pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 large tomato, chopped (1 cup)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend (6 oz)
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix soup, chiles, sour cream, milk, chili powder and cumin until blended. Stir in chicken, tortillas and bell pepper. Stir in tomato and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon and spread mixture in baking dish.
2. Cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Heat oven to 375°F.



Nutritional Information

1 Serving: Calories 270 (Calories from Fat 100); Total Fat 11g (Saturated Fat 5g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 60mg; Sodium 610mg; Total Carbohydrate 22g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g); Protein 22g % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 20%; Iron 8% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 2 1/2 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1 1/2 MyPyramid Servings: 1/2 c Dairy, 1 oz-equivalents Grains, 2 oz-equivalents Meat & Beans, 1/4 c Vegetables
*% Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

By adding a can of black beans, rinsed and drained and a 1/2 cup or so of thawed frozen corn, the taste and nutritional value skyrocket! Also use red bell pepper instead of green. Super yummy and super nutritious. I serve with avocado slices and a dollop of low fat sour cream on top.

Wjat is the deal on all these shootings?

Why can't we get a national health care plan?

The leaves are changing

That usually happens around Thanksgiving along with the rain. We ony have had 1 rain storm and that was early and unusually heavy for Oct.

I put a cat cushion out on the deck and the outside cat Diablo sleeps there at night.

I've been up for over 27 hrs. I sleep for 2 and I'm up for another 20.

I made a yellow cake with choc. icing. A rare occurrence.

I had a filet Mignon about 3 oz and 3 scallops for dinner on a bed on spinach with mushrooms.

I have been playing a lot of bridge online. I keep getting dropped and disconnected w msn games and cooper.net.

Lacy is snuggled up hip level and naps with me and keeps me company.

I can't believe that asshole Dr at Ft. Hood. You know that is going to invoke more anti Muslim prejudice. If he was called a rag head before and he and others were discriminated against and not trusted imagine it now. It's not only the name but then he was trained as a psychiatrist on the Army's dime. He was vocal about his difficulty with the war.

The FBI had him on a watch list what is up at that? Is anyone listening/watching, reading the web site?

Now 13 people are dead 30 injured and he is paralyzed. Far from the hero his existence will be HELL.
How could he equate a suicide bomber like a soldier who throes himself on a grenade?

Heads will roll.

What is the vaccine H1M1 shortage? What a up surd thing. Give the contract to China.

I went to the Farmer's Market. There are apples, Asian veggies, tomatoes, and strawberries still. The tomatoes and strawberries are at there end.

Spiced Pumpkin, Lentil, and Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

3/4 cup French green lentils
6 cups 1-inch pieces peeled seeded sugar pumpkin or butternut squash (from about one 2-pound whole pumpkin)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 cups baby arugula
1 cup soft goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup thinly sliced mint leaves
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Instructions:

Place lentils in small bowl. Cover with cold water and soak 10 minutes; drain.


Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils. Rinse under cold water, then drain.


Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pumpkin in large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika, and sea salt. Arrange pumpkin in single layer on baking sheet; roast 20 minutes. Turn pumpkin over. Roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.


Combine lentils, pumpkin, and oil from baking sheet with arugula, half of goat cheese, mint, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates; sprinkle remaining goat cheese over.


Notes:
Peeling pumpkin is not fun. I would use butternut squash next time. This was a nice weekend lunch.

Cod Provençal

Ingredients:

4 cod fillets (6 ounces each), skinned
1 lemon, halved
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
freshly ground pepper
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, chopped (2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
4 medium-ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 t fresh thyme, plus 3 sprigs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F. Place cod filets in a nonreactive dish, and squeeze lemon on top. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper.
Heat 1 T oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions; cook until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Top with half the zucchini, tomatoes, and thyme. Drizzle with 1.5 t oil, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper. Add cod and remaining zucchini, tomatoes, thyme, oil, and salt. Season with pepper.
Bake, covered, for 10 minutes. Baste with the juices, and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes more.

Nutritional Information (per 1/4th recipe):
317 calories, 2g saturated fat, 8g unsaturated fat, 80mg cholesterol, 8g carbohydrate, 465mg sodium, 46g protein, 2g fiber


Notes:

Caramelizing the onions properly is very important. You want a deep golden brown, not burned. The delicious flavor is the base of the entire dish.

I think I will put all of the zucchini under the fish next time I make this. The zucchini cooked in the amazing broth was tastier than the zucchini that cooked on top of the fish.
I think this will be a recipe in our regular rotation-- fast, healthy, delicious.
Taking photos when it gets dark so early is difficult-- this tasted better than it looks here!

Sausage and Lentils with Spinach

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound kielbasa sausage, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 large onion, chopped
2 6-ounce packages sliced crimini (baby bella) mushrooms
3 garlic cloves, pressed
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 pound dried brown lentils, rinsed
2 bay leaves
6 cups (or more) low-salt chicken or vegetable broth
10 oz fresh baby spinach leaves

Instructions:

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate.

Add onion and mushrooms to pot; sprinkle with salt and sauté until mushrooms are soft, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; stir 1 minute. Add lentils and bay leaves; stir to coat. Add 6 cups broth; bring to boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid slightly ajar, and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. Return sausage to pot. Add spinach in 2 batches, stirring until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe Notes: A complete, one-pot meal. Total time: 50 minutes

My Notes:

Local Twin Citians must try the Hardwood Smoked Country-Style Sausage from Prairie Pride Farm (available at the Saint Paul Farmers Market). I am obsessed with it and look for any excuse to use it! I don't see it for sale on their website, but they always have it at the market.
Vegetarians/Vegans can try to substitute veggie sausage.
Chicken sausage could be substituted for those who do not eat pork. Trader Joe's makes a great smoked chicken apple sausage that would be delicious in this.

Art Smith's Goat Cheese Drop Biscuits

Inspiration:
My friend Carli recently treated me to dinner at Art Smith's Chicago restaurant Table 52. We were able to secure seats at the 5-seat bar which overlooks the wood-fired oven. One of the many highlights of our meal were the goat cheese biscuits served to all guests in lieu of the traditional bread basket. We observed the line cook make a number of cast iron pans full of biscuits as we raved about how delicious they were. Upon returning home from Chicago, I immediately searched for a recipe, and thankfully, it wasn't hard to find. You must make these.
Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups King Arthur self-rising flour
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp cold butter (2 oz)

4 tbsp goat cheese (2 oz)

1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
butter to grease pan and top biscuits

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Place one 10 inch cast iron pan into the oven while it is preheating. Place flour and salt into a medium sized bowl. Cut in the butter and goat cheese. Make a well in the middle of the ingredients and pour in the milk. Stir until the mix is moistened, adding an extra tablespoon of milk if needed.
Remove the hot skillet from the oven and place a tablespoon of butter into it. When the butter has melted, drop 1/4 cupfuls of batter into the pan, (use a muffin scoop to drop the batter if you have one). Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter. Bake from 14-16 minutes until browned on the top and bottom. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the grated cheese. Enjoy warm!


Tim's Rating: 9.5/10 "They don't even taste goat-y." (He thinks he doesn't like goat cheese.)
Liz's Rating: 10/10
Posted by Liz at Friday, October 23, 2009 13 comments
Labels: Baking, Liz's favorites, Snacks, Vegetarian
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Taco Cornbread Bake

Inspiration:
Adventures in my Freezer
adapted due to ingredients I had available


Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1/2 c. water

1 can black beans, drained

1 cup pureed salsa

1 batch corn bread batter (see below)
2 fresh jalapenos, sliced thinly

1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
Cornbread Batter:

1 cup corn meal

1 cup flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 egg

1/4 cup vegetable oil


Instructions:


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Brown meat; drain. Stir in next 4 ingredients. Pour into 8x12 baking dish.

Prepare corn bread batter:
Mix dry ingredients, add milk egg and oil, mix just enough to moisten dry ingredients.
Spread over meat. Top with jalapeños if desired. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Top corn bread with cheese. Bake 5-7 minutes.