More adventures in cooking with lethann! Yesterday I did this other dish that I saw in my "Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook". Everything in it is something both quu and I like, so I decided to give it a try. Very potato heavy. Anyway, this one I actually made a 'half batch' and there are quite a few changes I'd make it it next time i see it. What I'm going to do is give the original recipe first, then give my suggested recipe before some general notes.

10-Layer Slow-Cooker Dish
from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook by Good Books ISBN 1-56148-339-7
( Read more... )

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Leth's Adapted 10-Layer Crockpot Dish
Adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook by Good Books ISBN 1-56148-339-7
( Read more... )
I think that's all of it. Hopefully I'll be able to try this again before I fly up north and be able to add more to it, like what seasonings work, etc.

Awhile back, Pat and I were over at the folks for our delayed Christmas festivities. Waiting for dinner to be done, we found the show "Good Eats", hosted by Alton Brown, on Food Network and the whole episode was about Kabobs. Here's the recipe Alton shared in the show. I cooked this the other night and it was FABULOUS! Don't let the word "spicy" scare you. It has the perfect balance of tangy spiciness with very little actual heat. If Pat and I like it, even the most wimpiest of spicy eaters will be fine with it (cause that's what we are).

Spicy Beef Kebabs
from Good Eats with Alton Brown on Food Network ( Read more... )

Don't know if you guys remember, but I've got a cookbook section up on my website: The Silver Phoenix.

Well, while I was up in Michigan with my mom, I stole her cookbooks and copied down some of my favorite recipies. Mostly.. the cookie recipes!

Feel free to go check them out. If anyone would like to add a recipe or two, lemme know!

Also, in the MISC section I added the "Cooking ABCs" because I never remember which pot is what. So now there is a pictorial listing of all the basic pots and pans I use in the kitchen.

Gods I <3 my crockpot!

SOO simple to make a pot roast!

Today is the M&M "potluck" and since I wanted to make sure there was a good main dish for people to eat, decided on making a pot roast in the crock pot. Went to walmart and bought a 2.8 lbs rump roast and all the fixins I'd need. quu was a blessing and helped me with the veggies, cleaning and chopping the potatoes, green peppers, celery and onion. I broke out the organic garlic and sliced up a few cloves and seeded the roast with them as well as putting some cloves in it as well. Crushed up one small sliver to make sure the veggies had taste and added some Tony's and a smidge of black pepper. Also tossed in some organic beef broth and a can of stewed tomatoes. I just hope that the garlic isn't too much. Stole the idea of seeding it from rhast who, while quu and I were there, had some steaks maranating and seeded with garlic, then grilled to perfection.

So anyway.. the roast went in about midnight last night, it will cook for approx 12 hours on low, hope that will be enough.

I had wanted to cook two loaves of bread, but i was too tired to deal with it last night after fixing the roast. I started to put it all together then habe the delay function, but we don't have any dry milk anymore, and all liquides have to be on the bottom or the yeast starts to react and screws up everything. So i just set everything aside and woke up at 8am to add the milk and the rest of the ingeredants. I'm hoping the honey works well, slightly worried that it will not mix like it should and make it off. *sighs* Might bring a tub of spread and some of my grandpa's honey to the potluck.

I need to go over to my TSP website and keep posting my recipies.

Gah.. gotta run and get ready.

Yes.. you heard me right.. Play Dough.. made from peanut butter..

specifically.. equal parts creamy peanut butter and corn starch. Just mix it thourghly.

Stuff is clean, smells good, tastes good.. and is fun!

it even responds to your body heat and melts slightly.

I made a tablespoon full (half a tbsp peanutbutter and half corn starch) and it made a nice sized ball. ZOMG! I can't decide if i want to play with it or just eat it. >_<;;;;;

Little Hands Paperweight

Before you know it, your child will be all grown up and you'll hardly remember those soft little hands. But making a Little Hands Paperweight will help keep those precious memories.

Ages: Adults and kids 2 and up
Duration: Over One Hour

( Read more... )

Apple Nut Spread
( Recipe Here )

Graham Cracker Treats
( Recipe Here )

Applesauce
( Recipe Here )

Sand Dough

This recipe's not for eating, but it makes a great craft activity!
( Recipe Here )

Candy Clay

Here's what you will need to make it:
( Recipe Here )

Potato Beads

Sent in by:
Brandie of Fairfield, CA

What you need for this ZOOMdo:
( Recipe Here )

Zlime

Sent in by:
Christopher of Wall, NJ

Slime + ZOOM = Zlime!

( Recipe Here )

WACKY WATERCOLORS

( recipe here )

From Cooking With Wine

Cooking With Wine

The best way to learn about wine is to experience it yourself.
Go to our Tasting Notes


Which wine to cook with? The most important rule is, cook only with a wine
you would drink. Avoid at all cost the so-called 'cooking wine' located in the
supermarket near the vinegar. 'Cooking wine' is generally poor quality, and
they often contain salt and other additives.

When cooking with any liquid, some parts of it boil off, leaving behind a thicker,
more concentrated substance. Water boils at 212ºf while alcohol boils at 172ºf .
As the alcohol diminishes and some of the liquid dissipates, what you're left with
is the flavor of the wine. Hence the need to start with a good wine.

Sauces are the most common use for wine in cooking, or to marinade a steak.
Red sauces work best with a red wine something not too tannic.

Some suggestions:

Red Wine
Fruity wines low in tannins - Pinot Noir or a light-bodied Zinfandel

White Wine
Fruity whites - Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

Port
Ruby Port - Its fruitiness, sweetness and color will enhance your dish

Brandy
When Brandy is called for, try Cognac

Sparkling Wine
Fruity with high acidity