Corn...thingys or hoogies (as mom would say)

Okay so we tried some new corn cob holders, pokers, knobs. I don't know that they actually have a name, but Pampered Chef calls them knobs. When we were married 10 years ago, we received the yellow corn ear holders as a gag gift. Yes, it was suppose to be the worse gift or lamest gift received. Unfortunately for the slightly creepy couple that gave us the vibrating thing, it wasn't the worst. It was one of the most awesome, still used gift that we received. We tried the green corn knobs from Pampered Chef for $3.50. We have found that the dollar store version (that are shaped like real corn :) ) are still the best.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Peel and Cut 2 into fry sized pieces. Put into a gallon sized Ziploc bag.

*Add:

2 TBS Brown Sugar (this caramelized the fries)

2 TBS Olive Oil

2 cloves of Fresh Garlic or 1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Freshly ground Pepper

Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes on a Pizza stone or grease cookie sheet. We cooked them for 30 and they were just starting to crisp up.

*This is what we added spice wise, in our cooking class she suggested Italian seasoning, jerk seasoning, or you could go the sweet way with cinnamon and nutmeg rather than savory. Be creative and I think you will like them regardless. 2 sweet potatoes (not yams, apparently Yams are pretty rare and about the size of two watermelons...who knew) would feed a family of 4 or 5 for a great side dish.

We made these with Fresh corn, which we cooked wrapped in parchment and microwaved for 2 minutes per ear. If you lightly butter it, you don't have to add more after it is cooked.

Veggie Tales

In order to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, Spencer and I have decided to incorporate one or two meatless meals into our weekly menu.

I went to All Recipes for some inspiration and found some really great dishes:

Black Bean Lasagna - This was delicious! Spencer had no idea it didn't have any meat in it until I told him. I nixed the bell peppers, cause I'm not a fan and only used about 1 and 1/3 avocados. I hope you try it.

Zucchini Casserole - There are many variations of this casserole but I chose this one. I actually did add a little bit of chicken (it was far outweighed by the veggies) because it felt a little too side-dishy. Spencer really loved this one too!


Others on our waiting-to-try list:

Eggplant Rollatini - The recipe calls for prosciutto but I plan to leave it out.

Eggplant Parmesan - Another meal with many different variations. Use this one or other favorite.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche - I can't wait to try this one! It sounds so good to me.

All Recipes has tons of tasty looking meatless dishes to try. I hope you find some you enjoy! Here's to your health!

Easy Summer BBQ Class

So Chad and I went to a Thanksgiving Point BBQ class this last Saturday. They gave us several great ideas (more to come) one of them being Bulgogi or Korean Beef. (Sounds like Bull- ga- gi) But we call it Bulldoggy ;). We made it on Monday night over sticky rice and with Butternut squash and corn and it was wonderful.

Bulgogi (Korean Beef)

6 Green Onions, rough chop
5 cloves Garlic chopped
½ cup Soy Sauce
2 TBS Olive Oil
2 TBS Brown Sugar
2 TBS Dry Sherry (I used cooking wine)
2 TBS Toasted Sesame Seeds
2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
2 lbs Boneless Sirloin Cut into 2x3x1/4

Combine all ingredients except the meat in a Ziploc bag and mix well. Add the meat, turning to coat completely. Let marinate for at least 1 hour. (Can marinate for several hours) Load on to skewers and grill for several minutes on each side until medium rare or to desired doneness. Serve with steamed rice.

Breakfast In Bed

Because of low funds, I decided to take the creative route with Mother's Day gifts this year. I racked my brain for something cute and fun and finally came up with this:

Using fabric scraps and fiberfill I made a "bed" in the bottom of a box. I tried to make it as realistic as possible with the top section fuller than the rest, as if pillows were underneath the bedspread. I then sewed tiny little throw pillows to complete the look.

I purchased a tasty buttermilk pancake mix at Trader Joe's and doctored it up adding cocoa and milk chocolate chips. So as not to send an undesirable gift, I tried some of my concoction and the resulting pancakes were deeelish!

I put the mix in ziploc bags (not very cute but shipping proof) and attached a homemade card with a cute ribbon. The card read: Mom, This Mother's Day we hope you enjoy breakfast in bed!

Thanfully, the result came out just as good as it was in my brain!

Erin Goes To Cooking School

A few weeks back, our ward held a "funny money" service auction. Many different services were donated including a private 2 hour cooking class. The provider was a man in our ward who once owned a restaurant and went to culinary school in Tuscany. Luckily, I was the winner of such a fabulous service!

On Saturday I went over to his home with his professionally equipped kitchen and received my lesson. We made three dishes: Spaghetti Bolognese, Risotto with Sausage and Leeks and Pastry Cream. They were all extremely delicious! I thought I would share the recipe for the bolognese sauce.

Olive Oil
3 stalks Celery
3 medium Carrots
1 large Onion
3 cloves Garlic
1 cup Red Wine (yes, you have to use the real thing...no cooking wine. It makes all the difference)
1 pound Sweet Italian Sausage
1 pound Ground Beef
1 large can (28 oz.) Tomato Sauce
1/2 can Water
Rosemary
Oregano
Salt
Pepper

Chop celery, carrots and onion in food processor. You want the pieces to be the size of small pebbles. Cover bottom of large, shallow pan with olive oil. Heat oil on medium high heat. Once hot (it will start to small fruity), turn down and add vegetables. Slowly saute until veggies begin to soften. Press garlic into mixture and continue cooking for up to 15 minutes. Turn up heat and pour in wine. Stir to de-glaze pan. Add sausage and beef, breaking up into small pieces with wooden spoon. Once meat is mostly cooked, stir in tomatoes, water and spices. Your taste buds will now be your best tool. Add as much spices to reach desired flavor, keeping in mind that as the sauce cooks, the flavors will blend and change. Turn heat down and simmer. The longer, the better. If the sauce is too tart, add about 1 tablespoon of sugar.

This recipe makes a large pot full of sauce. Enough for at least 4-6 adults. You can increase it and place into quarts size bags and freeze for a quick meal.

Baby Shower

This Saturday I threw one of our good friends a Baby Shower and thank goodness for my amazing Christmas gift from Tara! With the recipes and pan I was able to make Key Lime Tarts, Pumpkin chocolate Chip cupcakes, Crab Dip, Guacamole, and Sandwich wraps. And then used my good friend Costco for a large Veggie tray and Cream Puffs. It went very well and Tara they all think you're Amazing!

My Oh My, What A Pie!

I got this pizza crust recipe from my friend Shasta. It's fabulous and always turns out perfectly. This recipe makes two average sized pizzas.

4 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
2 Packages Dry Yeast
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
2 tsp Light Brown Sugar

Proof yeast in 1/2 cup warm water and brown sugar for at least 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir together 4 cups flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a depression in the middle of the flour and add 3 Tbsp olive oil and 1 cup warm water. When the yeast is proofed, add it to the flour. Mix and gather all ingredients together with hands. Knead on a floured board for 8 to 10 minutes.

Let dough rise in oiled bowl (with a little more oil on top) covered with a towel for 1 1/2 hours. I usually put mine in the oven. When risen, divide in two and roll out to fit the size of your stone.

Place stone in oven and preheat to 500 degrees.

Once hot, remove stone from oven and sprinkle with cornmeal. Working quickly, place dough on stone, rolling at edges to form crust. Layer on desired toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Although she can't yet enjoy whole slices of pizza, Anna sure loves the crust! We hope you like it too!