Are you feeling the freeze?

Tip #1-  Brown sugar stored in the freezer doesn't clump over time.
Tip #2-  Cloves become stronger in taste if they are frozen.

Tip #3-  Do not freeze filled crepes; they become soggy.  Unfilled crepes freeze well for 3-4 weeks.

Tip #4-  If you want a pitcher of lemonade that doesn't dilute over time, make your ice cubes out of lemonade!

No Bun Burgers

I'm in bed with my leg elevated and poor Trent comes to me and says, "What are we going to have for dinner? All we have is some burger and no buns."  This sounded like a challenge and so with some effort I was soon up to the kitchen bar.  Here's the recipe:

No Bun Burgers

Slice two onions and saute in butter until caramelized.  Once caramelized add a pinch of salt.
Sour dough bread- Brown both sides in butter and fresh garlic.  Once toasted brush with Balsamic vinegar.
Cook hamburger patties, we patted ours out so they would be thicker than normal, about 1/2 inch.
Garnish- Blue cheese crumbles, fresh tomatoes and avocado slices.

Plating- 1 slice of toasted bread, burger, onions, garnish...Very easy and very tasty!

Mr. Mower comes through and is FULL of surprises!

A few weeks ago, Utah was hit hard with a blizzard.  We tried to crank up our snow blower but all it did was leak gas out of the top.  We knew exactly who to call...MR. MOWER!  Remember the man who fixed our lawn mower after the wind storm?

Mr. Mower's service includes pick up so all we had to do was dial the phone.  Within a few hours of picking up the snow blower he called with a quote.  Mr. Mower told us it would be ready in 4 days, the cost would be $175.00 and would include a new carburetor among a list of other things.

Four days later, our snow blower was repaired and was purring like a kitten and retaining it's gasoline.  When it was time to pay the bill I thought there had been a mistake; the bill was only $105.00!  I pointed out the billing mistake and he reassured me that my bill was correct because once he got into it he found he could rebuild it and saved us some money.

You can imagine my surprise or perhaps shock would be a more appropriate word.  Fair pricing, quick service, and quality work, that's what we have experienced by calling Mr. Mower.

If you need any small engine repair consider Mr. Mower 801-678-0303. 

Watercress Salad

Better days when we could cook together

Being on bed rest is bad enough but not being able to cook can make a girl down right sad!  My beloved Trent made me a wonderful salad for lunch that tasted like a little bit of spring in every bite.

Watercress Salad

1 bunch water crest, washed and trimmed
1/2 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 6 oz. can Mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup fresh sliced strawberries

     Drizzle with a light poppy seed dressing.

 

                                                          Watercress is a wonderful veggie.  It contains vitamin A, C, iron, calcium, folic acid, and iodine!  In fact, watercress has so much vitamin C that English sailors would eat it on long voyages in an effort to prevent scurvy!

Michelle's Cherry Almond Cupcakes

A lot of friends have been calling and saying they are feeling a little blue.  I can't say I blame them with the dreary gray skies and the horrible inversion we are experiencing here in Utah.  It got me thinking about foods that are cheerful.  Immediately, I thought of a recipe I developed, a few months ago just as my latest book, Quality Cooking At A Fraction Of The Cost: Mastering The Art of Loss Leader Menu Planning was going to press.  Unfortunately, we were over page count and so it couldn't be added.

Hope you enjoy this yummy recipe; but, more importantly I hope you have a bright and "cherry" day!

Cherry Almond Cupcakes

2 c. cake flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

1/3 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. almond extract

2 tbsp. Maraschino cherry juice (From bottle of cherries)

2/3 c. milk

½ c. chopped almonds

½ c. chopped maraschino cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and eggs.  Add extracts, juice and milk.  Add dry ingredients.  Next add cherries and nuts.  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

1 c. softened butter

3 cups powder sugar

1 tbsp.  Milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine all ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Tip:  To make these delightful cupcakes even more attractive, I frost, sprinkle with chopped almonds, and top with a maraschino cherry. 

SPYING 101 for Children

 

Spying 101

 

June 12th

10:30-11:30

 

Your children will learn how to:

 

 

• make invisible ink
• make a secret book
• make a personal cipher
• make a secret message egg
• Civil War secret message facts

 

 

Whitmore library

2197 Fort Union Blvd., SLC, UT

Phone:(801) 943-4636 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

What removes hairspray from bathroom walls?

I received an email from a reader who struggles with removing hair spray from her shower door, bathroom door and wall.  Haven't we all struggled with getting over spray off ? 

I use plain rubbing alcohol and a cloth.  The hairspray dissolves instantly!

Why is hairspray easily removed with rubbing alcohol? If you think back to your high school chemistry class you will remember that likes dissolve likes.  Hairspray contains alcohols.

I want you to win $1,000,000!

It's time for the 65th Annual Pillsbury Bake Off!

 

Go to www.bakeoff.com to enter

and

while you are there, be sure to register for their free coupons and other great deal

 

Here's a recipe I entered many many years ago.  

I make this dish from left-over Easter dinner ham.

 

Delicious, quick, and economical!

Ham Cream Cheese Rolls

 

1 small onion                                                                  1 (8oz.) can water chestnuts, chopped

2 celery stalks, sliced                                                      1 1/2 cup ham, chopped

1 Tbsp. oil                                                                       2 (8-count) tubes cresent toll dough

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese

 

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a skillet, cook onion and celery in oil until tender.  Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.  Once cooled, add cream cheese, water chestnuts, and ham.  Stir until mixed.  Place a heaping spoonful of ham mixture on the wide end of the cresent toll dough triangle and roll up.  Bake for 15-20 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

 

 

 



 

Mark your calendars for the South Towne Mall

 

BARNES & NOBLE 

AUTHOR PALOOZA!

10180 S. State Street Sandy, UT

 

March 2nd  from 1 pm - 4 pm

 

 

Hope to see you there!

In this book you will learn:

 

• What loss leaders are
• Why grocery stores use loss leaders
• How to make loss leaders work to your advantage
• Eighteen must know grocery shopping rules
• How to build a weekly menu using loss leaders
• How to create an all inclusive, menu driven grocery list
• How to create meals from leftover ingredients and meals
• Many delicious and simple recipes made from comon ingredients!

How would you like to serve your family King crab legs, shrimp, and mussels in the half shell for only $19.49!  That's $19.49 for four adult servings and have enough shrimp left over for another meal!

 

 I can't tell you the joy I experience when I  serve my family a gourmet meal for the cost of 4- number ones at McDonalds.

 

Would you believe that by using loss leader menu planning I was able to serve my family a Christmas dinner consisting of 5 slices of 1 inch thick prime rib, baked potato, green salad and an Italian pinenut torta for only $33.98. 

 

It's true!  I also used the 5th slice of prime rib to make 4 gigantic servings of Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup!  Cost of the soup $4.29 for the entire family.

 

If you would like to eat like a king and save money, you need to learn how to shop and cook the loss leader way!