Pot & Cover

follow the directions on the box of Ghiradelli double chocolate brownies ( I usually do half the box at a time)...but seperate the eggs, whipping the whites, then folding them in...butter and sugar the ramekins...and bake!...YUM.

 Time to make Christmas toffee...the first true sign that Santa's elves are at work.   It is no small miracle if these photos get posted in order...so I'll stop while I'm ahead...and let them speak for themselves...amazing what can happen with butter, sugar, chocolate & almonds.  

Sushi rice, mixed with a little vinegar & sugar  My friend Wendy lived in Japan for many years and brought this dish to my mom's bday yesterday...her's was made with more authentic sushi grade raw fish...but here is our re-creation...it was so delicious we craved it the very next day! Her's was in a beautiful steaming basket...we used a baking dish. eggs, with a pinch of sugar, ready to be whisked into submission and made into egg "noodles" not bad for a newbie...my egg "noodle" crepes the sauce for the fish cutting the egg into ribbons roasted salmon, flaked, imitation crab and steamed shrimp with cucumber all to be mixed with the sauce  a thing of beauty...topped with sliced avocado, egg ribbons and sesame seeds this was enough for about 6 servings...great for lunch the next day! Sushi Rice: 2 Cups Sushi rice 2 Cups water 2 tbs rice venegar (or regular) 2 tbs sugar  1 tbs kosher salt Direct: rinse rice ( ...

Okay...see the Olive Oil bottle?  Well it's full of salad dressing I made for Chinese Chix salad for mom's bday lunch...we had delicious sushi, but also needed a non-fish dish...so salad it was...well I was making the dressing in mom's super duper blender (think industrial)...and was wanting to mix it a little further...asked my bro to retrieve the lid and proceeded to shift the blender a little closer to the edge of counter...well, the blender has little "light switch" type buttons, and as I leaned my more than ample bosom on it, the blender turned on while the lid was en route...(a little off kilter too) and "WHEEEEEEEE"....dressing (this one has quite a bit of sugar in it..think STICKY!) shot straight up and all over me, and the kitchen...I was dripping, drenched in dressing...all thanks to my big boobie.  Well, needless to say, we all had a great laugh and I (& the kitchen) smelled of vinegar for a while.  Happy Birthday Momma...the salad was ...

It's hard to beat soups and sammies, especially in the winter and made by my hubby. Turkey/Ham/Raspberry Jelly...Cheese (I'm sure)...grilled homemade croutons... tomato soup YUM :)

Okay, I took pictures...but no clue what we made...here are the components...maybe baked taters?

Exciting week...asked to interview for a job..a "God thing"...thus Champagne Tuesday!

It is a chilly sunday evening in the works home...scott's watching ball and getting the kitchen prepped for burgers & fries.  I'm writing with Alice in Wonderland on the tv...love this movie and the theme of Alice losing her "muchness", being the "wrong" Alice, and then finding her "muchness" and becoming her true self again.  Inspires me..."...I often think of six impossible things before breakfast" I've already peeled, cut and soaked the potatoes (which were "golden potatoes", but looked a bit green).  And then formed and seasoned the patties with Scott...he seasoned, I "rubbed the meat" as Paula Deen would say..."gotta rub your meat!"...and as Emeril reminds us..."my meat doesn't come seasoned, does yours?"...s&p and garlic powder...each a 1/3lb burger (ground chuck) Tonight it will be avocado, roma tomato, carmelized onion & mushrooms (left over from pizza palooza), and but...

a pic while the porch was in progress, with Tex standing watch. Last night we were invited to eat with some of our favorite people...a favorite couple...from a favorite family.  Sammy & Judy Mc...and sweet Tex-a-poo.  Sammy has been hard at work the last month putting on a gorgeous deck and other remodeling upgrades to the ranch.  We were greeted in the drive by our favorite PitBull...our favorite dog period (since our precious ones have gone to heaven).  Tex doesn't wag his tail...he wags his whole entire body and actually smiles...I'll have to take a picture of his smile.  It would scare you to death if you didn't know he was smiling (and if he doesn't know you, he won't be smiling).  He is a most precious and special dog...somehow more than just a dog...but the embodiment of "man's best friend". Judy had yummy bits ready for picking...green olives (my fav), crackers, cheese, deli meat & spicy mustard...with some red wine.  Mine wa...

John & Kim's gorgeous (& FUN) gourmet kitchen Gorgeously decorated for Christmas...got us in the spirit for sure! Spent last evening making our own pizzas with our sweet friends, John & Kim...it was like our own little "test kitchen" as John put it.  It was indeed.  (don't think one pic was taken...cause we were too busy having fun!)I made pizza dough (same one from day after Thanksgiving w/Madi) and we all pooled together our favorite ingredients....John is a Chef, but also a friend for many years, so I know we'll always have fun while we banter about food, recipes and I always learn something new. He and Kim are such a joyful couple and have the most charming young son...a pleasure to be in there home always.  I apologize in advance for no photos from this evening...we were having too much fun cooking to bother with a camera. We had such a wonderful evening!  One of those great evenings that you cherish, knowing they are special....

I know, I know...it looks like a crime scene!  we had a pomegranite that needed using and was so perfect for this salad...it "bled" everywhere. Bone in Ribeye blue cheese salad with slivered tomato and pomegranites and almonds I think...so great with the steak. there were mushrooms in this pan...seared then a garlic cloved minced added, deglazed with wine...OH MY...those are my finger marks from getting every last bit out of the pan.