How to keep your meat fresh in the freezer.

Nothing excites me more than learning a new trick (aside from a glass of good wine), and if you want to learn something new, click on the site below:

http://www.littlethings.com/bucket-of-water-vacuum-seal/?utm_source=LTts&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=NVcomment

But, do not keep this meat in the freezer for a long time because it could also be hazardous to your health according to this site:

http://readynutrition.com/resources/vacuum-sealing-can-be-hazardous-to-your-health_12022013/

Heat Wave Induced Sandwiches

Because of this ghastly heat and soul-wilting , hair-limping humidity (40F!!!), I have not been inspired to cook indoors.
I haven't been arsed to stand over a hot barbecue grill, either. 
So, sandwiches and salads, it is!
But not just any sandwiches. 
Please! I'm not some boring old hag...although I bear a sneaky resemblance to one when I look in the mirror on Sunday mornings.
I have a sandwich grill that doesn't emit a lot of heat, so I crank the air conditioner to "Hang Meat" setting, throw a wool sweater on and fire that sandwich grill up. Nothing says "fancy" like those brown grill marks across an artisan hunk of bread. Fill this bread with a good quality cheese from a country with happy cows with Swiss accents, a fistful of smoked butcher store meats, some homemade pickles (home made by someone else, preferably), a dollop of coarse grained mustard, some hoity toity bacon flavoured or curry flavoured mayonnaise and you've got the makings for a "party in your stomach".
People will not turn up their noses at these sandwiches. 
If they do, I urge you to find new friends.

I found these snaps from Martha Stewart's website...
(You're welcome for the promotion, Martha. If you sue me, you won't get a cent from my estate as I am stone broke.)

This picture is from "Grilled Cheese Social" on Pinterest. Fabulous ideas!
It is the Thai-Inspired Breakfast Grilled Cheese, with avocado, egg, and sriracha

Remember chums...there are no boring sandwiches, only boring imaginations. 

Nutty Veggies

I have a 10 year old nephew who just told me that he hates the word "veggies". 

In fact, he can't stand it. He gets like a rash all over his body when he hears someone say it.

So, that is why I'm going to keep saying it.

One, because he would rather make a mustache out of my shaved eyebrows than ever read my blog, and 

Two, because I know it annoys him,

I am such an awesome aunt. 

High five!

And I am not just doing it out of spite for all the times he drew pictures on the walls with my make up pencil.

Nope.

So, let's move along, folks. 

Here's what you'll need:

• sesame oil
• olive oil
• butter
• soy sauce
• broccoli
• red pepper
• potatoes
• pine nuts
• ginger root (optional)
• garlic
• garlic salt

Boil taters and after draining them, don't put them back on the burner like some clod I know, unless you know you turned it off for sure. Argh...:(.

Heat olive oil and a bit of butter together. It depends on how much oil you like and how big a serving you're cooking. 

 Sprinkle potatoes with garlic salt and fry for a few minutes (at least until they look fried).

When taters done, add brockles (broccoli).

Add red peppers and pine nuts. You could probably add them to the pan with the potatoes so that they can brown up more.

Add 1 TSP grated ginger root. Drizzle with sesame oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle a bit of garlic salt. Or add any other spices you like. The sky's the limit. I don't think I've ever cooked anything with less than 8 spices before, but there is a first time for everything, as my bookie says...

Anyway...VOILA!
And don't let it turn you off just because it's healthy. 

Olympics Party Snacks

I just found these cool snack ideas for those of you who are thinking of hosting an Olympics Party or having Olympics theme days.
So, here are a few from the six sisters stuff website. All the pictures posted are from their site.

1. The Breakfast (Bagels) of Champions...
Okay, I made that title up.

2.  Candy jars...how sweet... ;)

3.  Snacks of the World...

For more ideas, go to:

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/07/25-olympic-snacks-and-party-ideas.html

Great idea for road trips!

I want this!

Crazy Cake (No Eggs, Milk or Butter)

I know what you're thinking.

How on earth???

When I first saw this recipe I was skeptical, too, but it really is yummy.

It's also perfect for my nephew, who is plagued by dairy and other assorted allergies.

I have included the ingredients and how to below.

For more details and step by step instructions with pictures, go to:

http://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com/2013/03/tried-true-tuesday-crazy-cake-no-eggs.html

Chocolate Crazy Cake Recipe (No Eggs, Milk, Butter or Bowls)

Print Recipe 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Cups flour (all-purpose)
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa (unsweetened)
• 1 Cup sugar (All purpose sugar - Granulated Pure Cane Sugar)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp.  salt

• 1 tsp. white vinegar
• 1 tsp.  pure vanilla extract
• 5 Tbsp. vegetable oil 
• 1 Cup water 

Directions (picture tutorial below)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix first 5 dry ingredients in a greased 8" square baking pan.  Make 3 depressions in dry ingredients - two small, one larger (see #3 in photo below). Pour vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the other and the vegetable oil in third larger depression. Pour water over all. Mix well until smooth.

Bake on middle rack of oven for 35 minutes. Check with toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. Cool. Top with your favorite frosting. Enjoy!

Note: Oven baking times may vary, be sure to check your cake to make sure you do not over bake.