Just Taking Notes

Nov. 9, 2007 - Fun Friday

See, now aren't you ashamed of yourseves for thinking that I was depriving my children of warmth.  It is  in the 60's now and will be in the 70's on Sunday. Around here the "rule" is:  The logs go in when it is consistently below 60 during the day and below 40 at night or when everyone is in a wool sweater, parka, hat and gloves and still complaining of being cold, whichever comes first.  But when you come to me barefoot in a t-shirt and shorts and ask me to fire up the stove, it ain't happenin'.  OK? On Fridays we try to have some fun around here taking a break from the usual yelling and screaming "Stop hitting your brother and come to the table." "I don't care if the dog ate your pencil. Finish your math." "No snacks until you finish your first assignment." and use our Friday yelling and screaming "Do not chase your sister with that knife in your hand." "Stop splattering bacon grease at your brother." "NO! You may not watch a movie just because it is a fun day of school." So today we are having a fun day of making jalapeno poppers with DS#1 being in charge of the making, which means that everyone else is outside sword fighting while they wait their turns to make eggnog later. Here is a favorite recipe of mine for Jalapeno Poppers 12 large jalapenos, halved and seeded (for more heat, leave some of the veins intact) 16 oz cream cheese, softened 2 cups shredded co-jack cheese 1lb bacon, cooked and crumbled 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp worcestershire sauce salt and pepper to taste set peppers aside and mix together remaining ingredients in a med bowl. Stuff peppers with filling and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet Bake at 350 for 30-45 min The longer bake time will soften the peppers more, but do not overcook or the cheese begins  to ooze out and overcook.  Serve with ranch dressing for dipping. Wow! My lips are tingling.

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Nov. 7, 2007 - Spiced Rice Breakfast Custard

Nov. 6, 2007 - Spiced Nuts

It is time again for another recipe post.  I know with the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays coming up that many of you will be searching for some goodies to make up.  Whether for snacks, gifts, parties or simply indulgence, we all like to cook or bake during the winter holidays.  I am hoping to include many recipes here over the next few weeks, all of which could make for some great hands on homeschool Home economics lessons.  You will find many of my tried and true favorite recipes taste tested by at least 9 of us plus a few just making me drool.  So heat up your oven to 350 and get the ingredients out for these spiced nuts that you and yours are sure to love. Spiced Nuts Beat 3 egg whites 2Tbs water Add 6cups nuts total of your choice to the egg white mixture. Walnuts Almonds Pecans Beat with mixer until frothy, not quite to the soft peak stage Mix 2 cups sugar 2Tbs cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons grated orange peel 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (whole pods) 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon salt Grinding fresh spices when possible makes for a more fragrant mix and it tastes better too.  I added my spices to my spice grinder until ground and then added the whole spice mix plus sugar  and fresh orange zest into my blender to incorporate everything fully and to grind up those last little bits of spices. Add spice/sugar mixture to nuts and mix well. Bake Spread nuts onto 2 baking sheets (line with foil for easy clean up) and bake at 350 for 25-30 min stirring every 10 min. Cool completely before storing in air tight container.

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