So, you might have noticed something new along the right-hand side of your screen, here: Twitter Updates.
Yeah, I got a Twitter account today. Feel free to follow my every move; I'm highly interesting. *chuckle*
So...can Facebook really be far behind? I've been resisting, but I'm starting to think resistance is futile... :)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Steamrolling to the end of the semester
I think I'm really about three or four different people: School Me, Work Me, Home Me (which could further split into Mom Me and Wife Me), Friend Me.
School Me is torn about class right now, because the end of the semester is barreling toward me. I am 99% sure I'm going to get an A in the class I like. I am 99% sure that getting the paper done for the class I don't like is going to be wicked torture. How can I like one class so much and hate the other one so much?
Anyway, after Thanksgiving I only have two classes left for one course (the one I hate) and three classes left for the other (the one I like). After my Tuesday "Oh my gosh school is almost over and I haven't even outlined the biggest paper I have to do" session, I am in okay shape on getting everything done. I'll be in better shape if I can grab a few hours over the Thanksgiving holiday to get some more work done, but that's usually challenging because we're with family, and they want to, you know, talk to me and stuff. *chuckle* Of course, I love being with them, too...but I also just want to get this stupid paper finished and out of my life forever and ever.
The thing is, I like being School Me. I love school. I forgot how much I loved school until I went back. So I wonder...will I miss School Me when this three-year odyssey is over? I think I probably will.
But then I think...if School Me goes away again, maybe I could get Reading for Fun Me back. I do miss her a bit. :)
School Me is torn about class right now, because the end of the semester is barreling toward me. I am 99% sure I'm going to get an A in the class I like. I am 99% sure that getting the paper done for the class I don't like is going to be wicked torture. How can I like one class so much and hate the other one so much?
Anyway, after Thanksgiving I only have two classes left for one course (the one I hate) and three classes left for the other (the one I like). After my Tuesday "Oh my gosh school is almost over and I haven't even outlined the biggest paper I have to do" session, I am in okay shape on getting everything done. I'll be in better shape if I can grab a few hours over the Thanksgiving holiday to get some more work done, but that's usually challenging because we're with family, and they want to, you know, talk to me and stuff. *chuckle* Of course, I love being with them, too...but I also just want to get this stupid paper finished and out of my life forever and ever.
The thing is, I like being School Me. I love school. I forgot how much I loved school until I went back. So I wonder...will I miss School Me when this three-year odyssey is over? I think I probably will.
But then I think...if School Me goes away again, maybe I could get Reading for Fun Me back. I do miss her a bit. :)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thanksgiving recipes
I've been meaning to post these for several days, and now that the holiday is practically upon us, I figured I'd better get it done! These are the two recipes I make every year for our family Thanksgiving dinner. People demand the Pumpkin Cake Roll, which is a recipe I got from my friend Lisa, who got it from her mom, in college. I admit I make the Ricotta Spinach Pie mostly for myself, because it is AWESOME, but other people do enjoy it. Even Hannah likes it - I just tell her it's "cheese pie," conveniently forget to mention that it has a vegetable in it, and she eats it up.
Pumpkin Cake Roll
3 eggs
1 c. white sugar
2/3 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 c. chopped pecans (optional, but definitely better with)
Filling:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. butter
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a jellyroll pan (large cookie sheet, with sides).
2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on medium to high for 5 minutes. Gradually add white sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice. Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and ginger. Spread batter evenly in pan. Sprinkle with pecans on top and press lightly into batter.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it springs back when touched. Loosen edges with a knife. Turn out onto a dishtowel that has been sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up cake and let cool for about 20 minutes.
4. To make filling: Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
5. When pumpkin roll is cool, unroll and add filling. Re-roll and wrap with foil. Refrigerate until serving.
Ricotta Spinach Pie
1 refrigerated pie crust (Pillsbury is my favorite)
Filling:
10-oz. pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 egg
16-oz container ricotta cheese
8 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp. butter
Stir all filling ingredients EXCEPT the butter together and put into the pie shell (a 9-in. pie pan works best). Sprinkle more parmesan over the top; cut up the 1 tbsp. butter into small pieces and dot the top of the pie with it. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 min. to 1 hr. until top is golden brown.
It's really better to make the Pumpkin Cake Roll the night before you plan to serve it, because it gives the filling plenty of time to set.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin Cake Roll
3 eggs
1 c. white sugar
2/3 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 c. chopped pecans (optional, but definitely better with)
Filling:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. butter
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a jellyroll pan (large cookie sheet, with sides).
2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on medium to high for 5 minutes. Gradually add white sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice. Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and ginger. Spread batter evenly in pan. Sprinkle with pecans on top and press lightly into batter.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it springs back when touched. Loosen edges with a knife. Turn out onto a dishtowel that has been sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up cake and let cool for about 20 minutes.
4. To make filling: Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
5. When pumpkin roll is cool, unroll and add filling. Re-roll and wrap with foil. Refrigerate until serving.
Ricotta Spinach Pie
1 refrigerated pie crust (Pillsbury is my favorite)
Filling:
10-oz. pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 egg
16-oz container ricotta cheese
8 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp. butter
Stir all filling ingredients EXCEPT the butter together and put into the pie shell (a 9-in. pie pan works best). Sprinkle more parmesan over the top; cut up the 1 tbsp. butter into small pieces and dot the top of the pie with it. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 min. to 1 hr. until top is golden brown.
It's really better to make the Pumpkin Cake Roll the night before you plan to serve it, because it gives the filling plenty of time to set.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The most un-vacationy vacation day
So, it's 1:07 p.m. on a Tuesday, and I'm at home...on a "vacation day" to do homework. On one hand, that's about the most pathetic thing ever. On the other hand, I am getting a lot done, and I think that if I could have Mythbusters running in the background at work I would get more done there, too. Also, it helps if no one calls you and you're not obligated to answer your emails.
I was inspired to schedule this unrelaxing day after realizing that I only have, like, two classes left before I have all these big projects due, and I have really turned into a slacker this semester so I haven't been paying a lot of attention to schoolwork. (Brock is quite proud of me for this, and gave me a high-five for finally acting "normal" about school.)
Anyway, I spent the morning combing through dozens of sources for my fabulous paper on launching Oreo cookies in India. The good news is that my greatest fear has not yet come true - I haven't found any evidence that Kraft already did this, thus making my paper completely irrelevant. So I think I'm okay. And I typed up my reference list already, so that part is done. AND my literature review is already done...so really I only have 13 more pages to crank out, plus a presentation, by Dec. 6. The bad news is that I do actually need to have a big idea about how to launch Oreo cookies in India, but that, so far, has not happened.
The afternoon is dedicated to the project for my other class, which is about revitalizing the Taster's Choice instant coffee brand. I think if I can get my backgrounder done this afternoon, I'll be pleased. I'm less worried about this project because all the assignments for class have fed into it, so I'm much further along than I am on the Oreo thing.
Perhaps I should eat some Oreos for inspiration. I'm not drinking Taster's Choice because I don't even like coffee. ;)
I did go to Taco Bell for lunch, one of my all-time favorite indulgences when I am stressed out, and I'm amazed at how good my mood is after three hard-shell Taco Supremes. I don't know why or how, but Taco Bell has the best sour cream anywhere, and it makes me happy.
Okay, clearly I am procrastinating...time to get back to homework. Besides, I have to call into work for a phone conference at 2:30 (I told you this was the most un-vacationy vacation day)...
I was inspired to schedule this unrelaxing day after realizing that I only have, like, two classes left before I have all these big projects due, and I have really turned into a slacker this semester so I haven't been paying a lot of attention to schoolwork. (Brock is quite proud of me for this, and gave me a high-five for finally acting "normal" about school.)
Anyway, I spent the morning combing through dozens of sources for my fabulous paper on launching Oreo cookies in India. The good news is that my greatest fear has not yet come true - I haven't found any evidence that Kraft already did this, thus making my paper completely irrelevant. So I think I'm okay. And I typed up my reference list already, so that part is done. AND my literature review is already done...so really I only have 13 more pages to crank out, plus a presentation, by Dec. 6. The bad news is that I do actually need to have a big idea about how to launch Oreo cookies in India, but that, so far, has not happened.
The afternoon is dedicated to the project for my other class, which is about revitalizing the Taster's Choice instant coffee brand. I think if I can get my backgrounder done this afternoon, I'll be pleased. I'm less worried about this project because all the assignments for class have fed into it, so I'm much further along than I am on the Oreo thing.
Perhaps I should eat some Oreos for inspiration. I'm not drinking Taster's Choice because I don't even like coffee. ;)
I did go to Taco Bell for lunch, one of my all-time favorite indulgences when I am stressed out, and I'm amazed at how good my mood is after three hard-shell Taco Supremes. I don't know why or how, but Taco Bell has the best sour cream anywhere, and it makes me happy.
Okay, clearly I am procrastinating...time to get back to homework. Besides, I have to call into work for a phone conference at 2:30 (I told you this was the most un-vacationy vacation day)...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Election excitement
Full disclosure: I have a minor in Political Science and did my college internship with the State of Indiana, so I am a bit of a political junkie. At least, more so than most people. Even though I find it harder to keep up with the big campaign stories as my life gets fuller and fuller of other things (work, school, husband, kid, Heroes, etc.), election night has always been a special night for me - and the upcoming election feels absolutely, once-in-a-lifetime historic.
I am planning on eating a lot of snacks, and not going to bed until I find out who the President-elect is. I understand this means I might not actually go to bed...and I also understand I might just have to give up and crash at some point. But I'm going to try! While the presidential election is obviously the big story for all of us, it's pretty much the only story here - Barack Obama is from Illinois, of course, and also the races for the other offices affecting our district are pretty uninteresting (I think both our state representative and Congressman will be re-elected fairly easily).
I'm planning to go vote at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The polls open at 6, so theoretically I could go earlier, but I don't think it's actually possible. Brock said he thought if I showed up to vote in my polka-dot pajamas, they might question my mental capacity to cast a ballot. *chuckle* So I'm going as early as I can and hoping for the best. I do think there will be lines (hooray - that means more people will be voting!), but hopefully not that long that early in the morning. Also, we vote at a school, and normally if I try to go before work, I get there during drop-off time and have to park a block away because you can't actually get anywhere near the door to the school...and the jam-up of cars is awful because a bunch of stressed-out moms are trying to get their kids to school and themselves to work.
Normally I would say, "I don't care who you vote for - just vote." But this time I don't really believe that. I feel like the outcome of this election is utterly essential for the righting of our country (and I don't mean "moving right"), and I am horribly nervous that too many people will vote the way I don't want them to vote. (If you read this blog at all, ever, you know I am totally voting for Obama.)
The thing that has disappointed me so much about this campaign is that, prior to it, I was something of a fan of John McCain. I thought he was a pretty cool guy, with an independent streak that seemed to take him in the right direction (campaign finance reform, anti-torture, etc.). He's a war hero, for pete's sake, so I thought he knew what he was talking about when it came to national defense. Also, he's funny, and in his several appearances on The Daily Show I always thought he came off smart, with a clever sense of humor. Four years ago, when I was so impressed with Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, Brock actually said to me, "What if he's running against McCain in 4 years? Who will you vote for?" And I said, first, "It'll never happen," and then, "I really don't know." So I was actually really looking forward to the showdown between him and Obama, as I thought it would be full of really stimulating discussions that would make us all better-informed and provide lots of food for thought.
So the thing I hate is that I feel like John McCain, who I used to think was a cool guy that I might have even considered voting for, totally sold out. First, he hired a bunch of the same doofuses who did such a hack job on him in the 2000 election (which, by the way, was horrible, and those people should be ashamed of themselves). Then, he started moving right on all kinds of stuff he'd previously had a different opinion about (stem-cell research, for example). Then, he picked a completely unqualified running mate, and in my opinion, he did it only because she's a woman and he wanted to attract those disgruntled Hillary voters - which is completely the wrong kind of affirmative action.
(Sidebar: if he was dead-set on picking a woman, I can't believe there weren't any better-qualified options than Sarah Palin. I mean, really. It's a bit insulting to me as a woman that this is the best we could do. What about Elizabeth Dole? She seems to have her act together, even though apparently her latest campaign ads for Senate are way out of line.)
I just feel like, at some point, John McCain just decided that darn it, he really wanted to win, and he would do whatever it took to win, and screw everything else (like principles). That really disappoints me, because one of the things I've always liked about him is that I felt like he said what he really thought about things. I don't think he's been doing that in this campaign - which makes me nervous, because I think one of two things could happen IF he wins. One is that he'll get into office and turn into the old John McCain, which would make me feel somewhat better (though still completely depressed), but would probably cheese off all the right-wingers who voted for him. The other is that he'll keep taking advice and guidance from these dorks who are running his mess of a campaign, and we'll be even worse off than we already are. Neither of those is very good - one says he's completely unpredictable and the other says he's under the influence of bad advisors.
That's why I'm not voting for him. I know that if Barack Obama wins, he won't be able to do all the stuff he says he's going to do (no President can ever do all the stuff he says he's going to do while he's campaigning, but he has to say it...I mean, who would vote for a guy who said, "You know, I'd love to solve the health care crisis in this country, but frankly, folks, I don't think it can be done in four years"?). He'll probably disappoint me somehow. But I truly believe that, overall, he's a steadier presence in a time that calls for a steady presence, and that he's still idealistic enough to believe things can be better and he can help make them that way.
So really, go vote. If there's a line, wait through it. And think really, really hard about whom you're supporting, because in this election, more than any other in my lifetime at least, it really, really matters.
I am planning on eating a lot of snacks, and not going to bed until I find out who the President-elect is. I understand this means I might not actually go to bed...and I also understand I might just have to give up and crash at some point. But I'm going to try! While the presidential election is obviously the big story for all of us, it's pretty much the only story here - Barack Obama is from Illinois, of course, and also the races for the other offices affecting our district are pretty uninteresting (I think both our state representative and Congressman will be re-elected fairly easily).
I'm planning to go vote at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The polls open at 6, so theoretically I could go earlier, but I don't think it's actually possible. Brock said he thought if I showed up to vote in my polka-dot pajamas, they might question my mental capacity to cast a ballot. *chuckle* So I'm going as early as I can and hoping for the best. I do think there will be lines (hooray - that means more people will be voting!), but hopefully not that long that early in the morning. Also, we vote at a school, and normally if I try to go before work, I get there during drop-off time and have to park a block away because you can't actually get anywhere near the door to the school...and the jam-up of cars is awful because a bunch of stressed-out moms are trying to get their kids to school and themselves to work.
Normally I would say, "I don't care who you vote for - just vote." But this time I don't really believe that. I feel like the outcome of this election is utterly essential for the righting of our country (and I don't mean "moving right"), and I am horribly nervous that too many people will vote the way I don't want them to vote. (If you read this blog at all, ever, you know I am totally voting for Obama.)
The thing that has disappointed me so much about this campaign is that, prior to it, I was something of a fan of John McCain. I thought he was a pretty cool guy, with an independent streak that seemed to take him in the right direction (campaign finance reform, anti-torture, etc.). He's a war hero, for pete's sake, so I thought he knew what he was talking about when it came to national defense. Also, he's funny, and in his several appearances on The Daily Show I always thought he came off smart, with a clever sense of humor. Four years ago, when I was so impressed with Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, Brock actually said to me, "What if he's running against McCain in 4 years? Who will you vote for?" And I said, first, "It'll never happen," and then, "I really don't know." So I was actually really looking forward to the showdown between him and Obama, as I thought it would be full of really stimulating discussions that would make us all better-informed and provide lots of food for thought.
So the thing I hate is that I feel like John McCain, who I used to think was a cool guy that I might have even considered voting for, totally sold out. First, he hired a bunch of the same doofuses who did such a hack job on him in the 2000 election (which, by the way, was horrible, and those people should be ashamed of themselves). Then, he started moving right on all kinds of stuff he'd previously had a different opinion about (stem-cell research, for example). Then, he picked a completely unqualified running mate, and in my opinion, he did it only because she's a woman and he wanted to attract those disgruntled Hillary voters - which is completely the wrong kind of affirmative action.
(Sidebar: if he was dead-set on picking a woman, I can't believe there weren't any better-qualified options than Sarah Palin. I mean, really. It's a bit insulting to me as a woman that this is the best we could do. What about Elizabeth Dole? She seems to have her act together, even though apparently her latest campaign ads for Senate are way out of line.)
I just feel like, at some point, John McCain just decided that darn it, he really wanted to win, and he would do whatever it took to win, and screw everything else (like principles). That really disappoints me, because one of the things I've always liked about him is that I felt like he said what he really thought about things. I don't think he's been doing that in this campaign - which makes me nervous, because I think one of two things could happen IF he wins. One is that he'll get into office and turn into the old John McCain, which would make me feel somewhat better (though still completely depressed), but would probably cheese off all the right-wingers who voted for him. The other is that he'll keep taking advice and guidance from these dorks who are running his mess of a campaign, and we'll be even worse off than we already are. Neither of those is very good - one says he's completely unpredictable and the other says he's under the influence of bad advisors.
That's why I'm not voting for him. I know that if Barack Obama wins, he won't be able to do all the stuff he says he's going to do (no President can ever do all the stuff he says he's going to do while he's campaigning, but he has to say it...I mean, who would vote for a guy who said, "You know, I'd love to solve the health care crisis in this country, but frankly, folks, I don't think it can be done in four years"?). He'll probably disappoint me somehow. But I truly believe that, overall, he's a steadier presence in a time that calls for a steady presence, and that he's still idealistic enough to believe things can be better and he can help make them that way.
So really, go vote. If there's a line, wait through it. And think really, really hard about whom you're supporting, because in this election, more than any other in my lifetime at least, it really, really matters.
Baby shower recipes
I've been meaning to post these for a few days, but it's been rather busy to say the least. And Friday night, I was so tired from the week that I fell asleep at 8:30. *chuckle*
Anyway, the baby shower menu seemed to be a great success, so I thought I would share the recipes I used. I'm sharing the recipes in their original quantities; I multiplied the amounts several times over to feed the big crowd we had here on Tuesday!
Tomato Basil Sauce
This is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe. The only difference is that she uses 20 leaves of fresh basil and I only had dried. I made three times this amount for the shower, but I think this recipe would easily serve 6 to 8.
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (28-0z.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
Salt and pepper
About 1 1/2 tablespoons dried basil
Heat a medium pot on the stove over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and onion. Let onions cook with garlic slowly over 15 minutes. Be careful not to brown the onions; just keep an eye on the heat and stir the onions frequently. After 15 minutes, stir in tomatoes and raise heat to medium-high. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and heat through. Serve over pasta.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
This is adapted from an Emeril recipe. If you want the original, go here. Supposedly it serves 4, but I have doubts; it's not that much sauce. I made 6 times this much for the shower, but I did have a lot of leftovers.
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (I only doubled this for the huge amount I made; it's a lot of butter)
1 shallot, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (although I think it would probably work okay with fresh grated regular parmesan...)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sautee until tender. Add cream and bring to a boil. Cool until sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted and well-blended. Serve over pasta.
Pasta Bar
Tomato Basil Sauce
Parmesan Cream Sauce
Grilled chicken, sliced
Cooked shrimp
Sauteed veggies: green, red and yellow peppers; mushrooms; red onion
Bow-tie pasta
Whole grain penne pasta
Parmesan cheese
Mixed green salad with croutons and various dressings
Dinner rolls
Dutch Apple Pie
I have had this recipe since approximately 9th grade, when I learned it in Mrs. Stephen's Foods class. I made it the first time Brock came to my house for dinner when we were 15. We weren't far enough in our relationship yet for him to tell me he didn't like apple pie, so I just assumed he didn't like MY apple pie. *chuckle* But Hannah likes this one.
Pie crust (I use Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts)
4 c. sliced Granny Smith apples
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. soft butter
1/2 c. sugar
Place pie crust in 9-in. pie pan and flute the edges. Heap apples in crust. Mix 1/2 c. sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Make a crumb mixture of the sugar, flour and butter. Sprinkle evenly over the sugar-cinnamon mixture, covering the apples completely. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 min. or until bubbly and brown. (Extra-good when served warm with ice cream, but tastes good cold, too.)
Punch
Brock's mom introduced me to this. I have no idea what to call it, but it was a very big hit at the party. Double it for a crowd.
2 liter bottle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Country Time Lemonade Mix (measured to the top line in the cap)
Be careful when you mix it together, because the reaction is rather explosive. :)
I also made Garlic Onion Cheese Dip with crackers.
And finally, I had a LOT of leftover dinner rolls. I just baked the Pillsbury frozen dinner rolls, and after a couple of days we still had several left and they were starting to go stale. So yesterday I made bread pudding with them - and they made GREAT bread pudding. So here's that recipe.
Bread Pudding
Hannah really loved this.
4-5 c. soft bread crumbs (just tear up whatever bread you have)
2 c. milk, scalded with 1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. chopped apple (I usually use apple instead of raisins, but just use raisins if that's what you prefer)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread crumbs in 1 1/2 or 2-qt. baking dish. Blend in remaining ingredients - start with the milk, because it helps make room for the other things. Place baking dish in 9x13 pan of hot water, about 1 in. deep. Bake 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted 1 in. from the edge of the pan comes out clean. (If you have a good glaze recipe, feel free to use it.)
I love good food!
Anyway, the baby shower menu seemed to be a great success, so I thought I would share the recipes I used. I'm sharing the recipes in their original quantities; I multiplied the amounts several times over to feed the big crowd we had here on Tuesday!
Tomato Basil Sauce
This is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe. The only difference is that she uses 20 leaves of fresh basil and I only had dried. I made three times this amount for the shower, but I think this recipe would easily serve 6 to 8.
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (28-0z.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
Salt and pepper
About 1 1/2 tablespoons dried basil
Heat a medium pot on the stove over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and onion. Let onions cook with garlic slowly over 15 minutes. Be careful not to brown the onions; just keep an eye on the heat and stir the onions frequently. After 15 minutes, stir in tomatoes and raise heat to medium-high. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and heat through. Serve over pasta.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
This is adapted from an Emeril recipe. If you want the original, go here. Supposedly it serves 4, but I have doubts; it's not that much sauce. I made 6 times this much for the shower, but I did have a lot of leftovers.
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (I only doubled this for the huge amount I made; it's a lot of butter)
1 shallot, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (although I think it would probably work okay with fresh grated regular parmesan...)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sautee until tender. Add cream and bring to a boil. Cool until sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted and well-blended. Serve over pasta.
Pasta Bar
Tomato Basil Sauce
Parmesan Cream Sauce
Grilled chicken, sliced
Cooked shrimp
Sauteed veggies: green, red and yellow peppers; mushrooms; red onion
Bow-tie pasta
Whole grain penne pasta
Parmesan cheese
Mixed green salad with croutons and various dressings
Dinner rolls
Dutch Apple Pie
I have had this recipe since approximately 9th grade, when I learned it in Mrs. Stephen's Foods class. I made it the first time Brock came to my house for dinner when we were 15. We weren't far enough in our relationship yet for him to tell me he didn't like apple pie, so I just assumed he didn't like MY apple pie. *chuckle* But Hannah likes this one.
Pie crust (I use Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts)
4 c. sliced Granny Smith apples
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. soft butter
1/2 c. sugar
Place pie crust in 9-in. pie pan and flute the edges. Heap apples in crust. Mix 1/2 c. sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Make a crumb mixture of the sugar, flour and butter. Sprinkle evenly over the sugar-cinnamon mixture, covering the apples completely. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 min. or until bubbly and brown. (Extra-good when served warm with ice cream, but tastes good cold, too.)
Punch
Brock's mom introduced me to this. I have no idea what to call it, but it was a very big hit at the party. Double it for a crowd.
2 liter bottle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Country Time Lemonade Mix (measured to the top line in the cap)
Be careful when you mix it together, because the reaction is rather explosive. :)
I also made Garlic Onion Cheese Dip with crackers.
And finally, I had a LOT of leftover dinner rolls. I just baked the Pillsbury frozen dinner rolls, and after a couple of days we still had several left and they were starting to go stale. So yesterday I made bread pudding with them - and they made GREAT bread pudding. So here's that recipe.
Bread Pudding
Hannah really loved this.
4-5 c. soft bread crumbs (just tear up whatever bread you have)
2 c. milk, scalded with 1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. chopped apple (I usually use apple instead of raisins, but just use raisins if that's what you prefer)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread crumbs in 1 1/2 or 2-qt. baking dish. Blend in remaining ingredients - start with the milk, because it helps make room for the other things. Place baking dish in 9x13 pan of hot water, about 1 in. deep. Bake 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted 1 in. from the edge of the pan comes out clean. (If you have a good glaze recipe, feel free to use it.)
I love good food!
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