Category Archives: Life

Jun26

Picnic Baskets and Wooden/Bamboo Wares

Posted on by
Standard

My Favorite:

http://www.picnicmart.com/4-person-eco-picnic-basket.htm

Inside:

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=88&um=1&hl=en&biw=1077&bih=547&tbm=isch&tbnid=F_k89blcf4Xs1M:&imgrefurl=http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/style/tag/plaid-pony-vintage/&docid=h9Hk0Z9d1h8rQM&imgurl=http://winepicnicbaskets.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/eco.jpg&w=500&h=414&ei=YfzpT8bjKoa09QTesYztDQ&zoom=1

 

Second Favorite:

http://www.giftblooms.com/Gift-Baskets-Delivery-to-UK  (last one on page: ‘Luxury Picnic Hamper’)

 

Spoons:

http://www.bioandchic.com/category/89/Mini-Dishes.html

 

Restaurant Ware:

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=16&num=10&um=1&hl=en&biw=1077&bih=547&tbm=isch&tbnid=SrZn73K8SwcV4M:&imgrefurl=http://blog.restaurantware.com/category/bamboo-dinnerware/&docid=cOUIRTjIKedojM&imgurl=http://blog.restaurantware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/BAMBOO-FLATWARE-AND-FLATWARE-AND-SKEWERS.jpg&w=540&h=364&ei=u_3pT6rKJ4j-9QScz4zLDQ&zoom=1

 

PacknWood: (spoons? etc.)

http://www.packnwood.com/product/209MBRAMBOL/Clear-Lid-For-%22Rambo%22-Silver-Mini-Dish.html

Jun10

Citrus Encrusted Chicken

Posted on by
Standard

http://everydaycookin.com/?p=181

 

Citrus Encrusted Chicken
– Zest of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit – about 1 cup total
– 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
– 1 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper
– 1/2 cup of flour
– 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
– 1/4 cup of olive oil
– 2 chicken breast cut cross wise to produce 4 cutlets

Combine zest, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes together. Rub the chicken with the mixture and allow to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Coat and dust with flour. Preheat oil until it’s almost wafting. Cook chicken on one side until golden brown, turning once, complete the other side until golden brown. If chicken is too thick – after browning, place in a 400 degree oven until the internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Parm Buttermilk Root Veggies
– 1 cup of diced celery root, potatoes, and carrots
– 1/4 cup of buttermilk
– 1 tablespoon of butter
– 3 tablespoons of fresh grated Parmesan cheese
– salt and pepper to taste

Boil vegetables until fork tender in shockingly salty water. Drain properly and mix with buttermilk, butter, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Smash until desired consistency.

Citrus Pan Sauce
– 2 cups of fresh citrus juice (your choice)
– 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
– 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
– salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients into a saucepan and allow to reduce until a thick glaze – about 15 minutes on high heat. Remove from heat and use immediately.

Jun10

Breakfast Potatoes

Posted on by
Standard

http://veganizeeverything.blogspot.com/2011/12/crispy-breakfast-potatoes.html

Ingredients:

2 medium russet potatoes, cut into small 1/4” pieces
2 TBL olive oil or light oil
oil spray for parchment
to taste, salt and pepper
to taste, any and all spices of your preference
Method:
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  • spray bottom of baking sheet, place parchment, and spray again
  • work fast, cut the potatoes, place in mixing bowl and toss with the oil and spices, until well coated
  • spread potatoes on baking tray and place in oven at 425, until brown and crispy, (approx 30 – 45 minutes) carefully flip with a spatula if you would like even brown color

 

http://theteacherlearnstocook.blogspot.com/2009/02/oven-roasted-breakfast-potatoes.html


______________________________

Oven Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
about 50 minutes – serves 4

  • 3 medium russet potatoes, washed well and dried
  • 3 teaspoons vegetable oil (I use canola)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Cut potatoes into 3/4 inch cubes
  3. In large bowl, mix potatoes with salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and oil until well coated
  4. Generously coat a non-stick sheet pan (1/2 sheet size) with cooking spray
  5. Spread the potatoes evenly on the sheet pan and place the pan on the center rack of the oven
  6. Roast for 20 minutes, flip the potatoes over, roast another 20 minutes until the potatoes are brown and crispy (roasting time may be extended 5 to 10 minutes for darker, crisper potatoes), serve immediately

 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/04/basic-breakfast-potatoes/

Ingredients

  • 4 whole (to 5) Large Red Potatoes
  • 1 whole Onion
  • 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Or Canola Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Bacon Fat
  • Salt And Pepper, to taste
  • Red And Green Bell Peppers, Diced (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover entirely with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender. When they are ready, place the potatoes on a cutting board and dice them into 1-inch pieces.

Next cut up an onion into a large, rough dice.

In a large skillet heat oil and bacon fat over medium-low heat. Put the onions in the skillet and sauté until they start to turn brown. (You can also use red and green bell peppers diced up. If you do, throw them in at this point).

Next, throw in the diced potatoes. Stir well and then slightly press/pack then. Now you will cook them without stirring for several minutes. You want the pan to be hot enough to crisp the potatoes but not hot enough to char them. (Optional step: sprinkle a bit of flour over potatoes as they cook). Cook for several minutes and then flip them with a spatula. Salt and Pepper them as they cook. Cook until desired brownness.

Enjoy them! Spoon them into your breakfast burritos or place a fried egg on top or serve them alongside Eggs Benedict if you’re feeling especially saucy.

Jun10

Cooking for Groups of People Meal Ideas

Posted on by
Standard

I have never had the opportunity to cook for a mass of people but it looks like God might be moving me and my family in that direction. We are unclear that this moment in time as to whether we will be the cooks for a while or if we will have one until we can hire one in the near future. But here are some ideas!

 

Breakfasts: Quiches, breakfast potatoes, pancakes, eggs (1 way), bacon and sausage, biscuits and gravy, toast and jelly, cereal…

 

Lunch: sandwiches/wraps with an assortment of meats and sides, salads, grilled sandwiches, soup?

 

Dinner: soup, bread, ribs, chicken, deer, casseroles, pizza, etc????

 

 

May27

May 27, 2012

Posted on by
Standard

Diary,

I confess that this is the first time I have ever yearned for a specific location in any state. Honestly, I have not ever searched for a place before or even had the longing to ‘see the sights’… before I met my husband. I guess I was too occupied trying to survive and get through the days of high school and life. My home life wasn’t the best and there were many times that were… in a word, ‘dark.’

When I first came to my college I only knew that I was supposed to be there. God had basically TOLD me to be there and I knew that I didn’t want to miss out on what He saw was coming. Little did I know that that would mean a few friends, lots of counsel, several classes, no degree (because I don’t need one), a husband, child, house, dog, a horse and an amazing church and church family! As time has slowly past though and as my husband, and our friends, tell me of their adventures in Colorado the longing to experience the mountains, snow, seasons, and life have grown. The DESIRE and yearning for that life has taken hold of me and I can almost taste the sunsets.

I am puzzled, probably like you are, that I feel this way. Truthfully, I have not ever truly wanted to be somewhere else. I truthfully didn’t want to be here where I am now, either. Yet I know so little about the rest of the U.S.A. that my thoughts never rested on a place to go. I know now, after marrying my husband, that I would like to go and see the world (places such as Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, etc.). I want to experience other cultures and languages. I want to learn to speak Italian. I think the language is lovely and romantic to its core. But just recently, with in the last week, I have fallen in love with Pagosa, Colorado. I cannot put into words how much I desperately want to go there. All the pictures and videos have simply added in my falling more in love with the place. And the distance from my family doesn’t bother me any more.

If the chance arose to pack tonight and move, I would be in the car now! Haha! I am overtaken by excitement, joy, a sense of adventure and anticipation! It is almost unbearable! Yet, I do not know when my little family and I will be heading that way. It could be years before we make it out there. Truthfully, I have prayed and asked God to soothe this longing if it is not His will because it is almost so unbearable for me. See, I have been struggling with what I, personally, want to be when I grow up. I have not had an easy time of settling in places and I am beginning to want a place to call home for the rest of my days. A place that speaks to my heart and soul. A place that is “me.” I want to rest and put down roots. And now that I have finally found a place that is basically crying out to me and calling my name I want to go! I think, ‘think’ being the key word, that I would love to have a resort/dude ranch that is always bustling with activity, and a little stable where I can train several horses as a hobby. I THINK that is what I truly want.

In a way, I think I want to be my own version of The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. I am beginning to respect her more and more as I come to know her through her website. I respect those people who are clinging to our Lord and the ‘old way of life’, meaning making what you eat with your own hands and buying organic foods that are grow locally. I love art and photography. I love colors, books, hymns, folksy/acapella/instrumental/African/etc. music, the wind, the water, and adventure. I love animals in all shapes and sizes. And I yearn to be free.

There is so much culture in the world, and so much that we can learn from culture. It is sad that this next generation does not have a hunger for those cultures and disregards them as useless. We could learn a lot if we just opened our eyes and looked around. If we took the time to sit at a local’s feet and listen to them and allow them to impress upon us/brush off on us just a little of their knowledge, we as a country would be more rich as a nation than we are now.