Ice Cream Sandwhich Cake

So easy, so good, and kids love it

12-14 Ice Cream Sandwich Bars unwrapped
2 Tub LG Cook Whip
I bottle chocolate sauce

Spread Cool Whip on bottom of dish. Layer horizontal row of bars then spread a layer cool whip and drizzle with sauce, continue process alternating vertical and horizontal rows for bars, Top of with layer cool whip and drizzle chocolate sauce on top.

Cooking Catastrophe!

Okay, so stuffing was in glass dish, breast on top.  Sitting on top stove, waiting for legs and to be put in over.  When, suddenly, a loud pop and the glass dish shattered!  Why, I have no clue! This dish I have had for years.  I jumped into action, saved the turkey, it was glass free, still rinsed it well.  However, the stuffing was a goner full of glass shards.  The kitchen was a mess, stuffing and glass everywhere.  I swept, mopped, cleaned range and counters and had to race off to grocery for more stuffing ingredients.  Oh MY GAWD!

All is well, redid stuffing in flash,  but what baking dish to use. I had to separate it into 2 smaller metal roasting pans.  What a disaster! I was to far into it to just chuck it and say it is pizza.  I thought this never happened to Julia, then said, nope, I bet it has!

All is well that ends well, kitchen is shiny, bird and dressing in oven, I am minus one really great baking dish, and still have no clue why this happened.

Recipe says turn oven up to 425 for 30 mins then down to 350 for 40 mins.  I need it to cook slower, so it is 425 for 30 mins, then 275 for a few hours.  Time to take a break and get kids to peel potatoes.

Cut this bird up...whew

Okay, so let me say, it is not as easy as it looks! Hahahaha.

You cut the legs and thighs of the turkey, then remove the thigh bones, then remove the backbone (saving for gravy).

This was a monumental task.....but I got 'er done! Removed thigh bones and filled the thigh with sage, pepper, and salt then trussed it up.  Lathered the breast with butter, salt and peppered then did the same to t he legs.  Returned legs to fridge, and the breast is about to go into oven 345 degrees breast down for 30 minutes.

I have to say, unless this is absolutely fabulous, it is the last turkey I will be deboning and cutting up!

My kitchen shears were priceless in this venture!

Julia Child's deconstructed turkey and dressing

Ok, so today is the day I tackle Julia!  I am taking on Julia Child's deconstructed turkey and dressing.  So far, not going as well as I would like, I ran out of pepper...have to make a run, and my turkey which has been thawing for 3 days in fridge, is not thawed, so he sits in cold water as I type.  I can do this....I know I can!

Onions and celery being sautéed, french bread is chunked and toasting in oven, and turkey is thawing .

America's Test Kitchen did a piece on this recipe, however Julia would have gasped; they used vegetable oil rather then butter!  FOR SHAME ATK!

The next challenge deboning and cutting up this huge bird

My son's cooking debute...:)

I am heat a Hearth & Home Witch

Homemade Play Dough

I taught preschool and kindergarten as well as autism developmental school for years.  This is my super easy play dough recipe.

	I am making Kool Aid Playdough... Easey Peasey 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup salt 2 (4 g) packages unsweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix 2 cups boiling water 3 tablespoons oil Directions: Mix flour, salt, Kool-Aid until blended. Add oil to boiling water, mix with spoon until cool enough to knead. Continue kneading until color is blended. Store in air tight bag or container.

Homemade Doggie treats

These easy and fun to make, have the kids help they will have a great time.

1/2 cup of peanut butter (I used the creamy kind)
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon of  olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix peanut butter, honey, oil,  ad broth together, Microwave this mixture for 15 secs until it is a smooth liquid.

Mix oats and flours together then cream in the peanut butter mixture.  Mix thouroughly and knead the dough.  Have childdre break off small pices roll into balls then press with thumb as to leave a porint.

Bake on 350 degrees abut 15 minutes.  Let cool, and have fun with the pooch!

Meet Luca

My daughters  new puppy, he is such a cutie!  My dog, is  bit insecure at the moment, with the pup wondering the house.

New utensils on a budget!

So, I am in need of several new utensils ect.  With a tight budget, I am heading to The Dollar Tree!  They have some fantastic deals for us ugly kitcheners!

I understand they may not be highest of quality, however I did learn that  Dollar Tree carries a Betty Crocker line of utensils, sturdy and far more then $1 anywhere else. As with most dollar store good finds, it is about timing!

 

budget cooking, ugly kitchen, cheap kitchen

My kids made me do it!

So, this morning I got a guilt trip from the kiddos and made banana cinnamon french toast!

Draft for cover

So this is a draft, image is free rights usage, however I may change this to display my own image.

Mediterranean Minute Chicken

I been playing around with software!

Greek Style Oatmeal

Playing in the kitchen!

Trip to the World Market Grocery Store

We had a field trip to Baiz, a local World Market, I purchased from authentic from Middle East olive and flats breads.  Kids had fun looking at all the different.  Oh, yes , and we also got some Turkish Delights! And my favoriite Zatar! (thyme mix for olive oil dip)

Mother Day 2011

I treated my mom to a brunch at Mimi's Cafe, we even had the Champagne Flight. The spinach quiche was fabulous and a great was had, it was a very nice day.