What's going on in the kitchen today???

Hungarian pepper mustard is what is going on today. I used this recipe and adjusted for the amount of honey I had left.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-pepper-mustard/detail.aspx

Now I am going to need a trip to Sam's or Costco to buy a big can of honey. I have more peppers to use.



Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Check these out!!!

I found these last night at a meeting. Our group recently had another one join with ours and now that everyone is settled we are going thru the leftover stuff. My Dad was sorting and shouted about a few other things but never said a word about these treasures. When he saw me looking at them he said to help myself - so I did!!!

I took these 6 a friend took another 6 and there are more. When I showed Greg he was "Are there more these are neat." I'll bring home more in a couple weeks.

Blessings and thanks for reading, Laura

My free or nearly free deals this past week

Yes I was able to get to Rite Aid this past week for a couple freebies and a rain check. I got Cloraspectic throat drops free after Ups Reward and Burt's Bee throat drops. I imagine the Burt's Bee drops will be used fairly quickly at work. As a chasier I do quite a bit of talking to guests at the registers and some days my water bottle just does not last long enough. My raincheck is for the Blistek that will also be free after Ups rewards.


Now the other deal I got was very easy. All I had to do was go to work. The store sells Up2you gum for $1.49 and I had $1.00 off one manufacturers coupons plus my employee discount. I got 3 packs for around $1.02 less than the price of 1 pack.

I'll be going to Rite Aid again this week lots of free stuff to refill the medicine cabinet.

Stay tuned and may you and yours be blessed, Laura

Recipe review - Chinese Fried Rice

Chinese Fried Rice
Just Like my Grandma Used to Cook page 217

5 dried mushrooms
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium-sized onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked and cold rice

1) In small bowl, cover mushrooms with warm water and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse well and squeeze to drain thoroughly. Chop mushrooms, discarding the stems. In a separate bowl combine egg, broth, ginger and pepper.

2) In 12 inch skillet or wok heat oil over moderate high heat. Add onion, celery and garlic. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until almost tender. Add mushrooms and stir fry for 1 minute. Stir in rice. While stirring rice mixture constantly, drizzle egg mixture over rice. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until egg is cooked and rice is heated through, stirring frequently.

Makes 4 main dish servings
To make Pork/chicken fried rice – add 2 cups chopped pork loin or cooked chicken with the rice.

Results – yummy and so easy to make. I cooked the rice the day before to make sure it was cold enough. I did not add the mushrooms.

Recipe review

Mama’s Meatball Sandwiches
Just Like my Grandmother used to cook
Page 124

Ingrediants
For the meatballs
8 ounces lean ground beef
¼ cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon low-fat milk
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1 large egg white
nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients for sauce:
4 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 can (8 oz) low sodium tomato sauce
1 cup low sodium stewed tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 teaspoon each dried Basil and Oregano leaves
1/8 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
4 white French or Italian rolls, each 7 inches long
¼ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1) Meatballs. In medium bowl; mix meatball ingredients (except cooking spray). Form into 16 meatballs.
2) Coat a 1- inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5 minutes or until browned and turning as necessary. Remove the meatballs and drain off fat.
3) In same skillet, combine sausage, onion and green pepper. Cook over moderate high heat until sausage is cooked through. Drain off fat (what fat? I didn’t have any). Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt and pepper. Return meatballs to skillet.
4) Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes or until meatballs are not pink and the sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally.
5) Preheat the broiler. Cut a thin slice from the top of each rolls and discard. Hollow out the rolls. Spoon the meatballs and sauce mix into the rolls.. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Broil the sandwiches 4 inches from the heat for 1 minute or until the cheeses melt. Makes 4 servings

Prep time 15 minutes. Cooking time 30 minutes

Results: Very easy and a great tasting sandwich. I used a loaf of French bread (trying to save some money) and in future will spend the extra money and either use store bought or make my own rolls. When I formed the meatballs I did not get 16 meatballs – only 7. The extra sauce could also be used either over noodles or added to spaghetti sauce. Personally “discarding” the unused bread just bugs me – I save it and use it in my homemade bread crumbs. The Meatballs were so good that I used the remaining ground beef and sausage to make another batch of meatballs that are in the freezer for a future meal.

Comfort

Sunday as I picked up Little Man in the church nursery he grabbed his blanket. As he cuddled both the blanket and me, I was thinking about comfort. How certain fabrics (like his fleece blanket), objects or people bring you joy, peace and that feeling of contentment.
I personally find comfort under my covers. How the soft weight folds over you, wraps you in nice softness and warmth. Sometimes I hop in bed, cover up and giggle like a school girl. Psst don't tell Greg but I close off the heating vent and make the room nice and cold. What's better than a chilly room to encourage you to cover up with the soft blankets?
How about a cold room to encourage cuddling with the husband? Come on look at these shoulders, take my word for it they are great for falling asleep on for a quick nap.




Or how about cuddling with this?? Look Simba even cuddles when he is sleeping in the warm sunbeam.



Here's to many nights full of love and cuddles.
Thank you for reading and may you and yours be blessed, Laura