Sunday, January 28, 2007
Another Recipe
Just another recipe, but it's the best chicken ever!
Brine chicken tenderloins (I made 8, they're kinda small) in a quart of water, 1/4 cup of salt and a few cracked garlic cloves for at least an hour. Dredge in a mixture of 1 part flour, 1 part grated parmesan, paprika, salt and pepper. Press chicken into the mixture well so it really adheres. Fry in 1/4" canola oil (pre-heated, medium high) for 3-4 minutes on each side. Don't forget to make a sacrificial piece to test for doneness!
My mini-me broke his hand. They were playing "HORSE" at basketball practice and he was the first one out. In an attempted show of machismo, he punched the cement wall. He will not be playing basketball for 6-8 weeks now! Nor will he be playing saxophone or video games! I also think he won't act on thoughtless impulse again for a while! He actually didn't even cry until the doctor started wrapping his hand and he realized exactly what he'd done and what he wouldn't be able to do for a while. I didn't think it was broken at first, so we made a pit stop at the grocery store and a lazy trip home to grab a snack before heading off to the emergency room!
I'm going to try to add a picture of the Thomas cake I made for my sons' half-brother's 3rd birthday party. I still need a little practice getting the fondant smooth on a 3D cake, you can see the lumps (if I get the pic in!), but a pretty good attempt!
Brine chicken tenderloins (I made 8, they're kinda small) in a quart of water, 1/4 cup of salt and a few cracked garlic cloves for at least an hour. Dredge in a mixture of 1 part flour, 1 part grated parmesan, paprika, salt and pepper. Press chicken into the mixture well so it really adheres. Fry in 1/4" canola oil (pre-heated, medium high) for 3-4 minutes on each side. Don't forget to make a sacrificial piece to test for doneness!
My mini-me broke his hand. They were playing "HORSE" at basketball practice and he was the first one out. In an attempted show of machismo, he punched the cement wall. He will not be playing basketball for 6-8 weeks now! Nor will he be playing saxophone or video games! I also think he won't act on thoughtless impulse again for a while! He actually didn't even cry until the doctor started wrapping his hand and he realized exactly what he'd done and what he wouldn't be able to do for a while. I didn't think it was broken at first, so we made a pit stop at the grocery store and a lazy trip home to grab a snack before heading off to the emergency room!
I'm going to try to add a picture of the Thomas cake I made for my sons' half-brother's 3rd birthday party. I still need a little practice getting the fondant smooth on a 3D cake, you can see the lumps (if I get the pic in!), but a pretty good attempt!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Gettin' Fit
In my ongoing attemt to improve mine and my sons' health, I have discovered a wionderful new recipe and that I love basketball.
First, the recipe-Bello-Burgers
In a food processor, grate/chop 1/4 of an 8 oz. brick extra sharp cheddar.
Add 1/2 lb. portabello mushrooms, 1/2 lb. lean ground beef, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. Worcertershire sauce and salt & pepper. Process until completely incorporated. Shape into hot-dog shaped forms and grill on a hot skillet.
Wrap each slightly cooled form in a whole romaine leaf then wrap in a sun-dried tomato deli wrap. Yum! high protein, low fat, and a veggie snuck in! And the kids loved salsa instead of ketchup. Did you know a serving of salsa is considered another serving of veggies?!?!?!
Now, why I love basketball. I'm encourageing my children to be more active by signing them up for community sponsored sports (they're too young to join school teams). In the early summer, they played Lacrosse. It was exciting to watch, especially from the metal bleachers that had soaked up all the heat from the sun all day long before us parents arrived to watch the game. It often rained. They didn't cancel a game unless there was lightning.
In the late summer/early fall, the played soccer. I watched my youngest son win every game he played from the comfort of a mosquito infested, permamently damp swamp-land they called the "observation area".
Now, it is basketball season. I've watched my youngest son practice in the instructional league and my oldest win (so far) every game in a gym. A climate controlled, completely enclosed, always dry seating area. Yes, it smells like my brother's socks after a track meet. But it's warm, dry, and pest free (except for the teammates younger siblings).
First, the recipe-Bello-Burgers
In a food processor, grate/chop 1/4 of an 8 oz. brick extra sharp cheddar.
Add 1/2 lb. portabello mushrooms, 1/2 lb. lean ground beef, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. Worcertershire sauce and salt & pepper. Process until completely incorporated. Shape into hot-dog shaped forms and grill on a hot skillet.
Wrap each slightly cooled form in a whole romaine leaf then wrap in a sun-dried tomato deli wrap. Yum! high protein, low fat, and a veggie snuck in! And the kids loved salsa instead of ketchup. Did you know a serving of salsa is considered another serving of veggies?!?!?!
Now, why I love basketball. I'm encourageing my children to be more active by signing them up for community sponsored sports (they're too young to join school teams). In the early summer, they played Lacrosse. It was exciting to watch, especially from the metal bleachers that had soaked up all the heat from the sun all day long before us parents arrived to watch the game. It often rained. They didn't cancel a game unless there was lightning.
In the late summer/early fall, the played soccer. I watched my youngest son win every game he played from the comfort of a mosquito infested, permamently damp swamp-land they called the "observation area".
Now, it is basketball season. I've watched my youngest son practice in the instructional league and my oldest win (so far) every game in a gym. A climate controlled, completely enclosed, always dry seating area. Yes, it smells like my brother's socks after a track meet. But it's warm, dry, and pest free (except for the teammates younger siblings).
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Still a rookie
Someone wanna tell me how to add links? If there are any here, it's 'cuz my sister added them.
Anyhow, in approximately 36 hours, I will turn 30.
Ouch!
Not that 30 is old to me. I'm just not 20-something anymore, and my kids really got a kick out of that. My oldest would often come home and excalim that so-and-so's parents are in their 40's and you-know-who's mom is 38! It's so cool that his mom is only 29. I can do STUFF with him! Now, I'll be 30. Old.
So, why am I still a rookie? I have no idea how to be a parent to a teenager, and my children are fast approaching that stage. They're getting more and more independant, and it ssems like the less they need me, the more I need them! (I digress-that's another post) How do I react to a crush? A date? A fistfight? A night out on the town, without my supervision? I'm clueless! I have a friend with a teenage daughter, but she is such a mature, responsible young lady, that I can't possibly compare her mother's trials to what I'm sure I'll go through. There are so many books out there that instruct on the care of infants and toddlers. I know, I read them all the moment I discovered I was expecting, almost 11 years ago. I still have yet to find more than a little blurb hidden in the middle of Woman's Day dedicated to parenting a tween or teen.
So, I'm not afraid of getting old myself, I'm afraid of my children getting older!
I've also decided to use this blog to record my progress as a cook. Last night, under the guidance of Alton Brown (OK, I tivo and take notes on ALL of the "Good Eat's" episodes), I made the perfect meatballs. How do I judge perfection? My nephew, the pickiest eater in recorded history, ate 8 of them. Oh, how I wish I could make that 8 bold! I served them over roasted garlic and parmesan spaghetti. Tonight, I'm going to make another orange angle food cake, with a berry glaze. Yum (and fat free!)
Anyhow, in approximately 36 hours, I will turn 30.
Ouch!
Not that 30 is old to me. I'm just not 20-something anymore, and my kids really got a kick out of that. My oldest would often come home and excalim that so-and-so's parents are in their 40's and you-know-who's mom is 38! It's so cool that his mom is only 29. I can do STUFF with him! Now, I'll be 30. Old.
So, why am I still a rookie? I have no idea how to be a parent to a teenager, and my children are fast approaching that stage. They're getting more and more independant, and it ssems like the less they need me, the more I need them! (I digress-that's another post) How do I react to a crush? A date? A fistfight? A night out on the town, without my supervision? I'm clueless! I have a friend with a teenage daughter, but she is such a mature, responsible young lady, that I can't possibly compare her mother's trials to what I'm sure I'll go through. There are so many books out there that instruct on the care of infants and toddlers. I know, I read them all the moment I discovered I was expecting, almost 11 years ago. I still have yet to find more than a little blurb hidden in the middle of Woman's Day dedicated to parenting a tween or teen.
So, I'm not afraid of getting old myself, I'm afraid of my children getting older!
I've also decided to use this blog to record my progress as a cook. Last night, under the guidance of Alton Brown (OK, I tivo and take notes on ALL of the "Good Eat's" episodes), I made the perfect meatballs. How do I judge perfection? My nephew, the pickiest eater in recorded history, ate 8 of them. Oh, how I wish I could make that 8 bold! I served them over roasted garlic and parmesan spaghetti. Tonight, I'm going to make another orange angle food cake, with a berry glaze. Yum (and fat free!)
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Hobbies and such
I am currently without internet service, so the only time I can post is when I'm visiting my sister or father. Thanks for your posts and I hope you come back soon!
Actually, Sonya stole all the creative writing talent from the gene pool before I came along. I got the cooking gene, and it runs rampant in my children. For anyone whose ever watched the food network, my 10 year old's first complete sentence when he was 2 was "BAM! Kick it up a notch!" I have already taught him everything I know about cooking and baking and am on a quest to learn more. That makes it kinda hard to stick to my diet, though!
I made a cake for SW's husband's birthday. I've recently discovered rolled fondant and made a chocolate cake in the shape of a broken open piggy bank with coins spilling from the crack.
OK, pretty boring blog, but it's fun for me and I'm working on my typing skills.
About the whole gene pool thing, I may not write as entertainingly as my sister, but I do read as much as she, perhaps even more! How more? Cuz in addition to all the authors she enjoys, I get to read her books too! Actually, I'm about to walk out the door with the books she's just finished reading. Her house is my favorite free library. No late fees!
Actually, Sonya stole all the creative writing talent from the gene pool before I came along. I got the cooking gene, and it runs rampant in my children. For anyone whose ever watched the food network, my 10 year old's first complete sentence when he was 2 was "BAM! Kick it up a notch!" I have already taught him everything I know about cooking and baking and am on a quest to learn more. That makes it kinda hard to stick to my diet, though!
I made a cake for SW's husband's birthday. I've recently discovered rolled fondant and made a chocolate cake in the shape of a broken open piggy bank with coins spilling from the crack.
OK, pretty boring blog, but it's fun for me and I'm working on my typing skills.
About the whole gene pool thing, I may not write as entertainingly as my sister, but I do read as much as she, perhaps even more! How more? Cuz in addition to all the authors she enjoys, I get to read her books too! Actually, I'm about to walk out the door with the books she's just finished reading. Her house is my favorite free library. No late fees!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
My First Blog
Hello!
I finally have a blog!
I have so much to say. It's New Years Eve, and I hope I remember my password in the morning! I guess I'll just start with a brief intro.
I am not married.
I have been engaged for a gran total of 7 years, to 2 different men.
I have 2 sons, ages 8 and 10, both going on 16.
I hate my job.
All for now. I'll think of something a bit more interesting when the Tequila wears off.
I finally have a blog!
I have so much to say. It's New Years Eve, and I hope I remember my password in the morning! I guess I'll just start with a brief intro.
I am not married.
I have been engaged for a gran total of 7 years, to 2 different men.
I have 2 sons, ages 8 and 10, both going on 16.
I hate my job.
All for now. I'll think of something a bit more interesting when the Tequila wears off.
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