Lucky Dog

Still suffering from the awful sinus infection!  Can you believe that?  It is true, although for the last two days I can actually say it feels a tad better (but only a tad).  Christmas was such a bust and I feel awful about it.  No one even received a card this year.  I think I have a way to remedy that though.

Last Friday, feeling defeated by the sinus infection and wanting to give it the big "up yours", I decided to make dog treats for my dog Kane. 

I used a recipe from the book, "Real Food for Dogs", called Great Gravy Cookies.

Ingredients I used:

(slightly modified from book and amounts have been doubled)

5 cups whole wheat flour

4 small jars beef-flavored baby food

1 cup rolled oats

2 eggs

1 cup nonfat dry milk

1 cup water

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 package bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Lightly pat your hands with flour and shape the mix into a big ball. Flatten the ball using a floured rolling pin. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into shapes. Place the cookies on a greased cookie sheet (I did not grease the baking sheets and did not have a problem with sticking). Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool before serving and store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Kane says they are delicious!



Counting Down to Thanksgiving...Day 2

When preparing for a dinner party the first thing you have to decide on is of course the meal.  I have learned the hard way, that when you live on an island, you must buy the holiday food essentials early!  Last year, my family made last minute plans.  This meant that the day before Thanksgiving, I was at the store searching for pumpkin pie mix, pie shells and cool whip.  In the real world this would be ok, not here.  Of the two stores to shop on the island, one was completely sold out of pumpkin pie mix, and whipped cream.  The other store had pumpkin pie mix, but I had to buy whipped cream in the aerosol can.  In the end, we were able to enjoy pumpkin pie, but the shopping trip was not fun.

This year, I made sure to get everyone to make a plan.

The menu......

A Very Traditional Thanksgiving Feast

Turkey
A basic roasted Turkey, smothered in butter and herbs,
cooked on a bed of onions, carrots and celery.

Simple Stuffing

 Prepared inside the turkey and in a casserole pan.

Gravy

Party Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Root Vegetables

This is because vegetarians, like me,

need something more than just side dishes.

Pumpkin Pie

 

Summers Over

They say that when the fireweed flowers bloom to the top of their stalk, summer is over.  About two weeks or so ago, there was an article in the local paper about fireweed honey, including a simple recipe.  At the time there were tons of fireweed blooming all over the place, even some in my neighbors back yard.  I procrastinated and didn't go out in search for fireweed till yesterday.

I buy my dog and cat food from a feed store out the road, it is 10 miles out of city limits.  I am sure this seems like nothing to folks that live in big cities, but for me this is a little bit of a drive.  So yesterday, I load up my dog, Kane, some baggies, my camera and head out to get pet food.  The goal was to look for a patch of fireweed that would yield at least two cups of lightly packed flowers.

I drive and drive and drive and it appears that I have missed the mark.  All the fireweed patches are void of any flowers, or only have a few left on them.  After an hour or so of driving I give up and take Kane home.  My husband calls, from work, asking if I will take him some cold medicine.  I agree, and too my delight on the way there I see a small patch of fireweed.

I picked every flower I could get my hands on.  After plucking all the flower off, I had 4 lightly packed cups of flowers!  Enough for 2 batches.

Single Recipe:  (makes 2 pints)
from www.wildsalmonkitchen.com/blog/

1 1/4 cup of water
5 cups of sugar
1/2 tsp alum
1/4 cup of light Karo syrup
2 cups of lightly packed fireweed blossoms

On the stove, stir water, sugar and alum until it comes to a boil.  Watch until the liquid changes from cloudy to white.  After the syrup turns from cloudy to clear, remove from heat.  Add the washed blossoms to the hot syrup.  Stir and let steep for 10 minutes.  Strain out the flowers.  Bring to a boil again.  Pour into sterilized jars.  If not sealing jars, store in refrigerator.

This is really, really easy to make!  I have yet to taste the honey, but if I approve, some lucky people will be getting some for Christmas.



Finger Food Friday....oh, um Tuesday?

The weekly "Finger Food Friday", has not been very consistent...but at least I am still doing them right?  I had a feeling when I started "Finger Food Friday", that it would be a little challenging for me to post the recipes every Friday.  That was one of the reasons I was intrigued to do it.  I wanted to challenge myself, have a weekly feature and most of all just share these great recipes.  Friday...that is where the problem lays.  Work is usually busy that day, my lunch break is spent planning for that night, after work is filled with grocery shopping and cooking and cleaning.  Leaving little time or energy to take pictures, and post to the blog.  I just might start "Finger Food Thursday"?


Mama Mia Ravioli Bites
Recipe from Pillsbury. Changed a little.

Ingredients:

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

1 Container Whole Milk Ricotta (15oz)

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

2 TBSP Chopped Basil

Salt and Pepper

Thinly Sliced Salami, Finely Chopped (2 1/2oz)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 Degrees.

Unroll Dough, press together seams.  Using rolling pin, flatten out slightly.  Cut into Squares about 2 1/2" big.  Place one square in the bottom of muffin cups.  In a medium bowl mix remaining ingredients.  Spoon mixture into each cup.  Place second square on top of mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes (or until golden brown).  Serve with warm spaghetti sauce. 

My review...these are so delicious!  They are a great blend of cheese and spices and the salami fits really well. (or so I am told, I am a vegetarian and tried it without the meat)  They were also easy to put together.  As with anything the first time I made them it took some time, but now that I know what I am doing they take no time at all.  As you can see in the picture I also poked a hole in the top, part for aesthetics and part for ventilation. 

* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Peace Offering

A peace offering for my laziness....Three Friday night reciepes.



 #1:  Grilled Cheese Biscuitwiches

Ingredients:
Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits
Butter or Margarine
American Cheese Slices
Thin slices cooked ham

Separate dough into 10 biscuits, press each biscuit into a 4 inch circle.  In a large non-stick skillet, melt margarine on medium heat.  Fry biscuits in margarine for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Place cheese and ham slices on 5 of the biscuits; top with remaining biscuits.  Cook 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is melted, turning once.


#2:  Easy Meatballs
(You will notice I deviate from the directions in the picture.)

Ingredients:
Frozen cooked Italian meatballs.
Barbecue Sauce
Sweet and sour sauce

Cook meatballs according to package.  In a medium sauce pan combine BBQ Sauce, and Sweet and Sour sauce, heat thoroughly on medium heat.  Once meatballs are cooked in a large bowl combine sauce with meatballs.

I like to put the meatballs in a crockpot when ready to serve, so I can keep them warm on low heat.  I also serve them with Hawaiian bread rolls.

#3:  Aussie Sausage Rolls

Ingredients:
Ground Pork Sausage
Onion, finely chopped
Chives
Basil
Garlic Cloves
Paprika
Pepper
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

In a bowl, combine cooked sausage, onion, chives, basil, garlic, 3/4 of paprika, salt and pepper.  Roll out pastry in to about a 11" x 10 1/2" rectangle.  Cut into 3 1/2" strips.  Spread 1/2 cup of mixture down center of each strip.  Fold pastry over and press edges together to seal.  Cut each roll into six pieces.  Place seam side down on a shallow baking pan.  Sprinkle with remaining paprika.  Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

*I would suggest adding a cheese to the sausage mixture.

Finger Food Friday...er Saturday...

Pepperoni Pizza Biscuits

Ingredients:

Biscuits

Dry Basil

Pepperoni Slices

Pizza Sauce

Green Bell Pepper

Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut all biscuits in half.  Press biscuits into muffin cups.  Layer three slices of cooked pepperoni, one spoonful of pizza sauce, chopped green peppers, shredded mozzarella cheese in each muffin cup.  Sprinkle basil over each.  Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Again another really easy recipe to make.  The only time consuming step is the pre-cooking of the peperoni's.  I believe this is an important step though because it helps create less grease in the final product.

* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Finger Food Friday

As promised another recipe from the Poker Night Recipe Book.


Sloppy Joe Biscuits

I give these 5 stars!!!!  Using only 4 ingredients, they are quick to put together.  (and very yummy)

Ingredients:
Ground Beef
Sloppy Joe Sauce
Biscuits
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Brown Ground Beef, drain grease.  Add Sloppy Joe sauce.  Cut all biscuits in half, flatten and press into muffin pan.  The silicone muffin pans work the best to prevent sticking.  Spoon beef mixture on top of each biscuit and top with a pinch of cheese.  The amount is up to you.

Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or until biscuit is a nice golden brown.  Serve warm.




* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

It's Still Friday

This post has been on my mind all day.  Unfortunately, it is tax season and as you know I work for tax accountants.  As promised though it is still Friday and the first page of my recipe book.......

Bacon Quesadillas

This is always a hit.  I would definitely rate this one a 10!  The guys love these when I make them and my husband request this one a lot.  I found the recipe here.   They take a little time to make because you can only make one at a time, but it is well worth it.  With only a few ingredients, they are simple to put together.


...and how about another recipe.

Philly Cheese Bites

Ingredients:

Deli Style Roast Beef

Onion

Spices

Swiss Cheese Slices

Biscuits

Directions:

Chop Roast Beef, cook with onion and spices.  Cut all biscuits in half and press flat.  Layer, 1/4 piece of cheese...Roast Beef...1/4 piece of cheese.  Fold over, seal edges.  Bake at 375 for 13 to 16 minutes.

Another "10" recipe.  Easy to make, but as with the Bacon Quesadillas, when you are making lots of them it takes some time (only so many you can fit in the oven at one time).

If you have any questions about these recipes, feel free to email me.

(I am not getting paid to promote any website or product mentioned in this post.)

Keeping Them Fed

Every Friday night for the last five years my husband and his buddies get together and play cards...and every Friday night for the last five years I slave away in the kitchen and make them finger food.  For the longest time the recipes for Friday night were disorganized and shoved into a pile.  The plan:  To make a recipe book with all the recipes, that will be a constant work in progress.

So far I have around 20 recipes added to the book and this weekend I put together the cover.

The journal is handmade by me.  It has a duct tape cover and drawing paper for the pages.  The cover was designed using stamps, old playing cards, and stickers.  To keep things from staying on the cover, I glued everything together and sealed them using a laminating plastic.  Using E6000 Glue, I adhered the plastic to the cover with a few dots, then stitched around the edges to keep it from peeling up later.  This book will get a lot of use and handling, so I want things to stay put.

Visit this blog on Fridays, where you will find the recipe pages inside the book.  Included will be the recipe artwork, the recipe and the guys reviews.

Harvest

Beautiful, beautiful herbs!  For Christmas I received an AeroGarden and two different seed packets, an herb assortment and tomatoes.  I decided to start the herbs first, as I figured they would be easier to maintain than the tomatoes...and boy was I right!!!!  With very little work, I have managed to grow some large, beautiful, healthy plants.  Today I decided to harvest the crop since there is no way I could use them as quickly as they are growing.  I now have 7 plates drying on my counter with three different Basil's, Oregano, Thyme, Mint and Dill.

I am in no way getting paid for promoting the AeroGarden, but I feel compelled to give my opinion on this product, so here it is.  If you are like me and live in a place where it is hard to grow outdoors, this is a great product (so far, we will have to see how well the tomatoes grow).  It is very easy to maintain.  It tells you when to add water and nutrients.  The lights are on an automatic timer, as well as the hydroponics.  It doesn't take up too much space on your counter and doesn't make a difference on your electric bill.  It is just wonderful!!

Below is my AeroGarden after the "harvest".  I will be interested to see how long it takes for the plants to grow as full as they were.

Jelly

The Salmonberries were not as abundant this year, as they have been. It seems that the effects of the non-existent summer, two years ago, when we barely reached 50 degrees and hardly saw the sun, is still showing. I miss seeing berries the size of walnuts, over taking the bushes. At least there were some berries, compared to the non-existent summer, where there were no berries, no flowers, and no sun.


Yesterday I took the day off, a much needed 3 day weekend.  (The last tax deadline, October 15th, has past and I have survived...barely)  Sunday I pulled out my three small bags of berries to de-thaw.  I was able to get about 2 gallons of berries, a small amount for me.

Thru smashing and adding a small amount of water I was able to squeeze enough juice for two batches.  Not a lot but at least some. 

I Survived!!!!!

I have officially survived my first tax season, working at the accounting agency!! Oh big deal you may say...but there were days I did not think I would make it. Stress makes people crazy! I have learned though, I am not a stressful person. And in this world of accounting, it helps not to be just another crazy log on the fire.

Here are some goodies from this last week...

Finger food...This is a grilled ham and cheese biscuit sandwich.













Because everything deserves their own sweater...I hand knit a cozy for my external hard-drive.














And my new favorite dish, Bob's Red Mill Vegi Soup. Add carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, onion and spices...throw in the crock pot for 8 hours on low heat...dinner is served!