Yummy! Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Another dinner update.  Last night we had a wonderful Roasted Red Pepper Soup with a Ham and Cheese Panino.

FYI- In Italian Panino is the word used for sandwich. The plural form (meaning two or more) is Panini. So for all those American's that like to list their daily special as Panini's you are wrong. Technically that is like saying today we have Sanwiches's. So now that I cleared that up let get down to business.

Another quick and lovely creation by the hubby... Roasted Red Pepper Soup.  We had an abundant amount of red peppers this year so before they went bad we decided to roast them, slice them, and then freeze them.  Tonight we took a portion out of the freezer to make the soup.  Adding some homemade chicken stock, milk, a bit of this and a bit of that (I can barely keep up with him in the kitchen), we broke out the hand blender and pureed the boiling hot pepper mixture.

Next, I did manage to see a glimpse of some basil being tossed in at the end.

TIP: We finely chop Basil mix with minimal Olive Oil in a food processor and then spread the mixture out flat into a freezer bag and freeze it.  Then when you want that fresh taste of basil for your nightly dish you just break a piece off and toss it in.  Some people also use ice cube trays.

While the soup was being prepared I was in charge of the ham for the panini. Nothing fancy just browning the ham in a wok.  Nicky then used two or three different cheeses added the ham and into the panino maker they went.

A few minutes later voilá!! Another delicious homemade meal.

The good thing about this meal is you could make a ton of soup and freeze into individual portions for lunches during the week.  Make a couple extra Panini or just use crackers.

Till next time...

Frigid COLD....

Well I have only one thing to say... COLD!!! Yes, this is what my phone said at about noon today. And this was the high for the day!!

Needless to say I really found no need to leave the house. Work never called so I spent my day studying for a class in front of my cozy little space heater.  I only took two breaks today: one to give the chickens some warm oatmeal (SPOILED) and once to make myself some dinner.

When I say make dinner it was nothing extravagant. With the hubby not home tonight it was just me and a nice biscuit pan full of Redneck Nachos.  One of my culinary delights.  You would be amazed at how delicious they are when you are hungry and LAZY!!

Don't they look Delish!! Chips, cheese and HOMEMADE Salsa is really all you need. BUT tonight I wanted to spice it up a bit so I broke out the sour cream and a jar of my HOMEMADE Jalapeños. Now I must give away my personal secret...I like to put the salsa on the nachos before they go in the oven. Nicky prefers to add his salsa after they come out of the oven.  I promise you one thing, those jalapeños from my garden are HOOOTTT! I love it!

That's it for now. If you are around here stay warm tonight... and if you aren't from around here send some $ for our heating bills.

Strawberry Jam

Although we had a few flurries this morning I still can not forget about SPRING coming!! Between looking out the window for HAWKS coming after the chickens and flipping through seed catalogues all I can think about is what to plant. It is so nice to have home grown products stuffed away during winter.  One of my favorite things that I have tucked away is Homemade Strawberry Jam.  If you are lucky enough to get some of this jam then you are special.  I have to admit that I have not made it yet. I get it from my friend Amanda.  Amanda and her mom have a tradition of making several batches every spring once the strawberries are ripe and ready.  There is nothing like a nice homemade jar of jam.  I sometimes panic when I get low (Amanda is in N.C.) but this year she really stocked me up. There is a ration program that we have to follow so it lasts us all year long..kidding... but I do keep an eye on how much is left. Amanda and her mom even put these cute labels on last year.

People are always looking for something special to give as gifts, especially to those who seem to have everything.  Most people would be more than happy to receive something homemade/handmade. Whether it is food, a scarf, or a nice photo in a frame.  Nicky and I have given small baskets of our homemade goods and it always brings a smile.  Plus if you make it in advance it's always ready to go... just add a bow and GO!!

THANKS Amanda and Cindy!!

Strawberry Jam

• 5 Cups cleaned/crushed Strawberries
• 1 box of fruit pectin
• 2 Tablespoons Butter (may use less according to the internet)
• 7 Cups granulated Sugar

* Bring Strawberries, butter, and pectin to a boil. Add sugar and bring to a boil for 1 minute, no longer.

* Scrap off excess foam and ladle into HOT sterilized jars. Make sure top is clean and seal with lid.

* Turn jar upside down till cool. (The Ball Blue Book says to process in a water canner for 10 minutes)

I am sure if you ask around there are hundreds different varieties/opinions on how to make this but I know this one is Delish. And for those of you who aren't sure I just saw this handy Jam Maker online. 

PS- all this talk about jam has made me hungry...I'm off to get some toast!!

Peeling Eggs

If you are anything like me you LOVE a nice deviled egg (or "angel egg" as Jeremy Stout, my pastor, would call it).  I do not require anything fancy with my deviled eggs but I know everyone has there own little recipe. Oddly enough I once saw a book at a friends house that was all about recipes for deviled eggs.

Can purchase on Amazon

However you like to make your eggs there is one step we all have to endure...peeling them.  If you get store bought eggs it's usually not that big of an issue BUT if you are lucky enough to get farm fresh eggs it can pose quite the problem.  The fresher the egg the more difficult it is to peel. The shell tends to stick to the inside membrane. As the egg gets older it pulls away from that outer membrane thus making it easier to peel.  I found this problem out the hard way. Two years ago I boiled two dozen eggs (from my chickens) at my in-laws and it was a disaster.  Half the white would peel off with the shell.  So after a little research I started my own study.
Everyday when I collected my eggs I would date one and set it aside in a designated carton.  After I collected about one months worth I boiled them all at once and started peeling. As the eggs got older and older it became more easy to peel.  So I determined if I want to make deviled eggs I need to set the eggs aside one month in advance.
However, there may be another alternative.  Recently Nicky's cousin, Geraldine, gave us an Egg Punch.  First you start with some beautiful and FRESH eggs.

Then you grab the egg punch. Can buy them on Amazon.

As you can see in the picture there is an EXTREMELY sharp pin that you poke into the broad end of the egg prior to boiling.  Nicky has used the egg punch several times with good success.

So whether you like you deviled eggs sour, HOT, fancy or not try these two tips for easy peeling.

PS- make sure and bring me some to try when you make them!!!

Canvas is HERE

The snow is finally melting here in Ohio. Today the chickens had the run of the yard again. It didn't take them five minutes to realize they could go right to the back door and POOP! Yes, I think they all decided to run straight to the house and leave land mines on the sidewalk.  

Anyhow, I have a bit of a spring cleaning bug coming on pretty strong so everything in this house had better be on it's best behavior or it could go straight in the TRASH! But before the cleaning is to begin I get to hang my new canvas that I finally received in the mail today.  It does look nice but I did learn one lesson from this experience.  The company I used convinced me to send them the unedited file of my photo instead of one that I had photoshopped.  I should have sent them exactly what I wanted because they didn't crop everything the way I had explained. Oh well there is always next time. I ordered the 3 panel photosplit but I like the first panel with the truck so much I may not even hang the other two.

Next on the agenda as always is my dinner. Tonight Nicky made a really good Broccoli and Potato soup. Delish! For further instruction see below per the CHEF.

1- Sauté the broccoli stems with some white potato and onion in butter until translucent then add some chicken stock and cook until very soft. 
2- Puree and add some milk mixed with a touch of flour, and seasonings… salt, pepper, cayenne, etc…
3- Caramelize some sweet potatoes, blanch some cubed white potatoes and broccoli, and crisp some bacon.
4- Mix it all in one pot with some cheddar

What a way to START the day!!

Oh I am so excited today!! Why, you ask???  It's hair cut day. Yeah I know that may sound a little corny BUT I love getting my hair cut.  The big question is always whether I should grow it out or keep it short. I like it both ways but it is definitely easier and quicker when it is short AND as many of you know I am not afraid to play around with a little color as well.  Blonde, Black, Red, who cares it will be different in 8-12 weeks anyhow.  It always gives me such a renewed feeling to get the old dead hair chopped off.  Two of the most difficult people to find in this world is a good dentist and a good hair stylist. After I left Texas (where I HAD the best Stylist and Colorist) I was on the search for someone just as good. After four salons and four different hair cuts I found her.... ahhhhhh. Miss Natalie at Waldo's on High.  Best of all she listens to what I want and gives great advice. So between the two of us we can rock a cut and color!! LOL

The other thing that got me moving today was this...

Yes those are my morning comfy clothes hanging on the Stocking hangers getting warmed by the fireplace. Thanks to the hubby!!!

Before I go I have to share with you the dinner we had last night. I know I have already told you guys about Perogies before but we changed it up a bit last night. We decided to add some broccoli and bacon to the mix! What could go wrong with anything you add bacon to??!! Nicky also put some cheddar cheese on his but I opted for just sour cream. They were delish!!

Have a GREAT day!!

Banana Bread Gift

Every year I like to give banana bread to my co-workers to show my appreciation for all their hard work through out the year. Plus it is an easy way to make someone smile. I take a regular recipe and make it into four mini loaves. Last year I made them in a mini loaf pan and individually wrapped them in tissue paper with a bow. However after Christmas last year I found a deal on Christmas decorated mini foil pans... making my baking a little faster this year.  The only problem is the longer you work somewhere the more people you meet.  Last year I made 16 and this year I already have 20 people on the list and it keeps growing!!

How could you go wrong with anything that started with this...

Four batches later I had 20 mini loaves.  I did realize I filled the individual foil pans a bit fuller than I should have but I am sure they will still be delish!!

Banana Bread

• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 sticks Butter
• 3 Eggs
• 2 cups Flour
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 3 Large Bananas
• 1 cup chopped Pecans
• pinch of salt to taste

Cream the sugar and butter on high, then on low speed add eggs. Mix well. Add flour, soda, bananas, and pecans. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans and pour 1/2 of mixture in each pan. Bake at 350 degrees.

Each oven seems to vary as to how even or quickly it will bake. A large loaf will take between 45 minutes to 1 hour. My mini loaves I made in a traditional pan took approx. 35-37 minutes. Turning the pan

once about 3/4 the way through.

This recipe is easy and delicious and is sure to bring a smile to anyone who enjoys it with you... that is if you are willing to SHARE!!!???

PS: My husband and many of my friends prefer to warm a slice and put some butter on it.

Pizzelles

A couple nights ago we went to my mother-in-laws house with two of our nephews to start the process of making pizzelles for Christmas.  Since I can eat about 20 in one night myself you can image how many we have to make.  Nicky's mom usually makes them with jelly between them or just plain. But at our wedding reception our cousin NikiPaula made chocolate almond pizzelles.  Since that is my favorite ice cream I had to try them... and yes they are my favorite pizzelle as well. So this year we decided to make both. THANKS NIKIPAULA!!!

First you need your ingredients (recipe at bottom of post.)  mixed, ready to go and a HOT pizzelle iron.

Place a small scoop of batter on iron and close the iron. Make sure and gently squeeze the handles to keep them closed while the batter cooks. Should take about 30 seconds.

Once cookie is done open iron and use a fork to gently release the cookie from the iron. Cookie will be soft and pliable at first. Sit cookie aside to cool and harden. 

Jelly filled pizzelle, ready for the freezer.

Chocolate Almond

Pizzelle Recipe - small batch

2	Eggs
1/4 cup	Sugar
1/4 cup	Melted Butter (not hot)
1/2 tsp.	Vanilla
1 cup	Flour

Optional Ingredients: anise seed, orange rind, nuts

Beat eggs till light, beat in sugar, butter, and vanilla (and optional ingredients). Stir in flour.

We used a small scoop which makes it easier to drop on the iron and maintain the same size cookie. 

You can eat them plain or you can put jelly between two hot pizzelles and let them cool. Once they are cool you can put them in freezer bags and keep them in the freezer. If you have company pop in just pull a few out and place on a plate. 

ENJOY!

Chicken Ramp Success and a Nice Meal

I know this is going to sound corny BUT I am totally thrilled to have over 200 visits to my blog in less than a week.  Even though half of them are probably my husband. (I think he is spying to see what I write about him!!)

On a different note I want to share two things today: The new chicken coop ramp and my dinner...which I whipped together (because my chef hubby was not home) all by myself. It was DELISH!!!

As you all know if you read the How To Train a Chicken post from last week we attempted to add a ramp in the coop for the birds to have easier access to the roost. Our first attempt was cool and functional but not wide enough for the larger hens. Today we broke out all the power tools and got busy. We used extra wood left over from other projects that we had laying around the barn. Which brings me to another point. FREE PALLETS!! Yes, if you just take a little time to look online (Craigslist) or drive around the neighborhood you will be surprised how much wood you can find for free.  My husband and I have built so many things out of free pallets. Herb planters, flower pots, tomato stakes, chicken tractor, coop ramp and even a bench. I am sure there are more projects I can't remember.  And lets not forget....IT WAS FREE!
Now that I am off my PALLET soap box let me continue. Todays chicken coop ramp was built from 3/4in X 7 inch planks connected together for length and 10 inch wide plywood strips. We also used old shoe molding from another project for grips because the ramp is quite steep.

New ramp on Left, Last weeks ramp in back of coop.

Next on the list for the coop is to hang the feeder to get it off the ground and to modify a five gallon bucket for their drinking water.

On to my delicious meal I made this evening. I have an extreme love for perogies. Thanks to my best friend Rhonda and her Canuck/European family for the introduction. The problem is Rhonda gets homemade perogies when Mama comes to town and I DON't!! So I have had to do my research and resort to buying them from the freezer section. I used to get a decent version of them at Trader Joe's until they decided to discontinue them---Bummer. Until now I have been out of luck. Last week in my International Night post I mentioned visiting some unique grocery stores.  During my visit to the Euro Market I discovered these:

Grandma's perogies

Not only did I find this version but about six other kind including Sweet Cherry perogies, Ukrainian perogies, potato and bacon, sauerkraut, and the list goes on. Tonight I finally had the opportunity to cook some up and let me tell you they did not disappoint. I immediately contacted my friend because I was so thrilled. I am sure there are several ways to have them, however Rhonda taught me to saute' them with butter and onions. The package suggested boiling them but that sounded a bit mushy for my taste. Instead I boiled them for 3 1/2 minutes right out of the freezer and then sautéed them in butter and onions in a Wok. I then tossed in some green onion salt and pepper at the end. They were DELISH!! I do not know if you can get these where you live but it is worth looking. It is a very quick and easy meal.

Perogies with sour cream

What is there left to say after that meal, except Good Night and THANKS to the hubby for helping with the ramp today!!