J’s Birthday Party!

Family: more photos here on Flickr.
Woohoo!
Ok, is it sad that I didn’t realize his 6th birthday party was on the 6th? Because it didn’t connect for me until just now.
But enough of the sadness! Because the party was all about gladness.
Back up a little to the day before: the boys and I had fun prepping [...]

Rockin’ Out

So, this past couple of weeks the boys have been studying a little bit about rocks. We delved a wee bit into the different kinds of rocks (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic). We thought we’d share a bit about how we made our own sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary rocks are formed when earth is eroded by water [...]

Anise-Spiced Stir Fry Beef

This was inspired by a dish that we had years and years ago in Manila at a Chinese restaurant called anise beef grizzle and egg noodles. Yes, I know it sounds gross but you had to taste it! It was amazing. I went in search of “anise beef” recipes and most of them came up [...]

Caramels

Wrapped caramels
Originally uploaded by Phisch

Based on this recipe with a few modifications. More photos of the process here.
2 cups white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup evaporated milk
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. of kosher salt
1 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
If you don’t trust your frying/candy thermometer, boil some water and calibrate [...]

White Chocolate Frosting

Must write this down because it was so good.
6 oz. white chocolate, melted
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 tbs. heavy whipping cream
1 1/2-2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Whip cream cheese and melted chocolate together.
With your mixer to the lowest setting, whip in powdered sugar, 4 tbs. at a time until you get the consistency you [...]

Random Food Post

Since I can’t find the printed recipe, I have to go by memory. Here goes:
You need a pork tenderloin, 2 lbs. or so.
Salt & pepper
2 tbs. stone ground mustard
2 tbs. cider vinegar
Tie up the loin and then brown it on all sides.
Mix the vinegar and mustard.
Season loin, brush on mustagar (or should that be vinegard?).
Temp [...]

Vegetable Cobbler

4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
2 tbs. coarse brown mustard
2 c. flour, divided
1 turnip, diced
2 med. russet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 large carrots, sliced
8 tbs. butter, divided
1 tbs. baking powder
1/2 c. chopped italian parsley
1 c. cream
salt & pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large pot over medium heat, whisk flour into broth until blended. [...]

Pocket Pizzas

8 rolls from a package of Rhodes frozen whole wheat Texas rolls
About 1/2 c. leftover spaghetti sauce, extra meaty
About 1/4 c. mozzarella cheese or combo of mozzarella and parmesan
Let the rolls rise for 4-5 hours or until doubled in size following package directions (heh…I didn’t and forgot to cover the rolls).
Preheat the oven to 350 [...]

Crockpot White Chili

2 c. corn chips (I used Good Food Should Taste Good multi grain tortilla chips and they do make a difference in the taste), crushed
4 chicken thighs, skin and fat removed
2 tbs. oil
2 cans cannellini beans
14 oz. chicken broth
4 oz. shredded monterrey jack cheese (with jalapenos if you want kick)
2 cans (4.5 oz) diced green [...]

Thai-ish Chicken Pasta

(must write it down before I forget)
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. water
2 tbs. soy sauce
2 tbs. (or more!) brown sugar
2 tbs. oil
7 cloves of garlic
1/3 well-packed cup each of: basil, cilantro, mint
1 lb. chicken tenders or strips of lean chicken
1/2 c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 bell pepper, cut into strips
1 small head of broccoli, cut into [...]

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