Can someone tell me where September went??? What happened?? Was I in a deep sleep and miss it?!
It
was one of the busiest "Back to School" seasons I can remember... every
night there was something...Soccer..school meetings...Karate. I was
also involved in a bunch of "Swaps" which I will get to on my next post. In the meantime there was this going on as well...as usual recipes below.
Lots of food a blooms...first up my Zucchini Chocolate Chip cake. If you follow me on Instagram I posted the recipe there as well but here it is. Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cake
2 1/2 cups shredded zuchinni
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup safflower oil ....Mix these together in a bowl
Next bowl
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Sift together and add to the Zucchini mix then stir in
1 cup sour cream
1 cup semi sweet chips
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes in a 9x13 baking pan.
This is not a super sweet or spice version just something light to go with tea or coffee. You could up the sugar and the spices. The crumb was very nice and moisture was good.
Next up... Baked Acorn Squash with Sage and Maple Syrup
2 Acorn squash sliced
handful of sage
Irish butter...I used Kerrygold
Good quality Maple syrup ...mine is form my in- laws property in Upstate NY <3
S&P
Bake at 450 till tender about 35 min.
The Blooms ...Echinacea,Chamomile and Straw Flower have become fast favorites...YES...we got a new puppy named Oakley and Australian Shepard...I adore him,sweetest thing ever...the crocheted shawl is for a swap...I'm going to be very sad to part with it but the pattern is made up by me and I will be sharing it with all of you as soon as it gets to its owner... who I might add is completely adorable and I cant wait to see her wear it!
Ohh...the biscuits...I used this recipe here..cut the cooking time a bit...they were great!
And how is your Autumn coming along?
Be Well,
Ming
Deep oranges, burnt browns and golden yellows...Fall your hues are passing by so quickly quickly.
I have been doing a lot of cooking to savor every minute of your splendors. Butternut soup with roasted sage leaves and Mascrapone cheese...A Cauliflower Mac and Cheese and Sockeye Salmon with a stone ground mustard and maple glaze and Super greens wilted with caramelized onions and a sprinkle of Blue cheese and cranberries. Take a look... I promise you will be inspired!
We have a few foggy mornings too that have been very cozy and great for cuddling up with my morning cappuccino and holiday projects. There are quite a few in the works ...and this is a rarity for me to have such a head start but, I am determined to stay the course this year. I am as well keeping up on my sock knitting too. As a result I am blogging few and far between because I really want to have finished projects to show you. The picture above is an original pattern I am working on for a crocheted gingerbread doll. He is now stuffed and waiting to be adorned. Once the pattern is solid i will share it with you.
Now back to the food...Thanksgiving...my favorite holiday...no gifts...no crazy decorating...just food and family... This dish below will be on our table this year...
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
a medium head of cauliflower
1 lb elbow macaroni
4 tbls. butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk...more if needed...start with one cup at a time
2 cups Italian fontina cheese grated
1 cup white cheddar grated
1 cup Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese grated
salt
white pepper
1 container of baby super greens
Cook pasta ahead of time set aside...cut cauliflower into florets and set aside. In a sauce pan melt the butter and add flower to make a roux...slowly whisk in milk and let it thicken ...then add your cheeses and seasonings. Just like making a basic mac and cheese. Add pasta and cauliflower to the cheese sauce and lastly fold in the abby greens. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish,sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake at 350 for 25-30 min. You can cut down the amount of pasta as you like to make it more carb friendly.
About the baby super greens ... I am not a fan greens as I find them hard to master...which is why I am loving the tender baby greens . They are so easy to add to any dish. I am getting mine at WholeFoods...the Organic Girl brand.
Are you adding any new dishes to your table this year? I would love for you to share them.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving may it be safe and filled with good times and loved ones.
We had a good kick off to summer on the solstice...Summer grilling...Summer gardens and Summer birthdays...
Can you say cheese ...yes, the smile above is my oldest daughter Arianna who turned the big 21..and all she wanted was a Carvel ice cream cake and a party with the family ...no bar hopping for her..some of her freinds were a bit bummed about this!!
Can you also say Burrata Cheese...that creamy mozzarella with the gooey center, Oh Yeah ...now that is some good stuff ! It is now my favorite food at the moment.
We are having so much fun with the World Cup and what the menu will be for the games. This Saturday's menu was olive tapenade with Labneh cheese which is a Mediterranean Kefir yogurt cheese, grilled veggies drizzled with 18 yr old balsamic vinegar and pasta with onions, zucchini, peas and cherry tomatoes sauteed at a very high heat...it was something I saw on Anthony Bourdains's Parts Unknown when he was in Israel. Its very good, just a nice quality olive oil, the veggies and I added some Sweet Marjoram and high heat and just keep them moving....Yum! It is my new go to way to cook veggies.
Sunday's menu was pizza on the grill. my favorite dough recipe comes from the book The Italian Baker. I highly recommend this book by Carol Field.
I did not do a good job at wintering my heirloom Dahlia bulbs so I had to reorder from D.Landreth seedcompany. They are my favorite Heirloom seed house. I love them cause they are a small business..I love their selection and I love just how nice they are...every time I order it is the most pleasant experience. If you garden I highly recommend checking them out. Now I got to get those babies in the ground!
The summer blooms are all starting to put on their show in the garden and indoors my orchid is just a blossoming more and more.
The Crafts...the fabric is for a needle book swap...it has some English paper piecing and cross stitch monogram. right now the whole Lavender, Crimson and Honey colored fabrics are making me swoon! I am finishing it up tomorrow and then onto the crochet tutorials for you I swear!!!
Much was accomplished...this is what has been going on...
It may be a bit gloom outside, but I have to say I am happy for it. As it is giving me a much needed break with the yard and garden work. So needless to say I am enjoying it. The Shawl... A few months back I joined Romi's Mystery Shawl KAL. I couldn't post any pictures of it until all the clues were given. It is over now and I'm not finished it as it was giving me a hard time but I persevered and am finally making good progress. I love the Lorna's Laces special edition Olympic yarn Sochi 2014. I am in love with the warm golds with the hint of silver. I think it goes amazingly with the grey. The Cake ... If you want a quick and easy cake really one bowl ..you must try this. It is a great base cake with berries. Quick easy effortless.I did make it into a Bundt and added about 1/4 cup more cream as it was looking a bit to dense for me. The Onsie...I am making these for the 4th to sell on Etsy and some for some new editions that will be joining us this month. Lots of friends having babies. Very easy cut applique and I will be adding some stitching. Maybe a tutorial in the future??? The Food...Asian chicken lettuce wrap and homemade egg rolls ( I just followed the directions on the package of the egg roll wraps). These were easier than I anticipated. I got the recipe idea from Pinterest but them went online and used the one linked here. I didn't feel like it needed all the extra flavors so I altered the recipe and kept them simple. They were extremely GOOD! The Flowers...this is whatis blooming right now in the garden...My shrub roses, Lantana and the honeysuckle...lots of pink right now which really makes a splash against the grey skies...a great color scheme. The Rain... is hanging on for the rest of the week but to me it is anything but gloomy for I am finding it to be extremely inspiring and creative.
Sidelined, benched and flagged!! What does this mean???
Its been a good month of a house full of sick children. I am starting to feel like Nurse Cratchit! I wont bore you with details everyone is on the mend. So blogging has gotten Sidelined. However, here is what I have been creating to keep myself sane.From cooking to crochet and all else in between here is what has been going on and lots for you to take away.
Here is what is on deck craft wise...
So blogging got sidelined a bit ....On deck are tons of sock yarn..I joined Romi's mystery kal on Ravelry which should be pretty much skill wise on my knitting level but I keep making a repeated mistake ( it has happened for me before with projects like shawls which start at a point and increase) I think I have it but it I restarted it over 8 times!!! Which then benched my Hermoine's everyday sock.
I'm on the second sock and really want to get it finished So can start a new pair. I will not have more than one pair of socks on needles!!! This would be a mistake...You see I know myself and that would just lead to many many single socks! So I benched the Mystery Kal along with it so I could make my Comfort square block for my sister's knitter Kal/Cal which will become a blanket for someone having a rough time.
I used the Starry Eyes pattern which is my favorite for these comfort squares especially a s some blocks will be knit. It's a denser pattern. It's from the book Encyclopedia of crochet by Donna Kooler. If you crochet please give it a try. You wont be disappointed.
Now you asked what has been Flagged?
My name is Donna and I have a problem ...I have joined one to many "A-Longs" I have flagged myself from joining anymore ...I am in a Crochet A Long, 2 Knit A Long's, Stitch A Long. You get it gist. I am addicted to them!!I love how they keep me on task and meeting new friends. Having the camaraderie has made this long winter bearable. Have I have hit my limit??? Is this my rock bottom ??? Well, if so its a good bottom to hit!
Now to the good stuff...
FOOD & RECIPE
Cream Cheese Brownies
These brownies are Ghirardelli double chocolate box mix and if you add cream cheese filling they become even more divine. Simply in a seperate bowl add
1 8oz package of 1/3 less fat cream cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar ...I used sugar in the raw and the amount of sugar is to your liking
1 tsp vanilla
So mix this all together and after you but the brownie mixture to the pan and spread it then add the cream cheese mixture and swirl it in. Bake according to the boxes directions or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
Mushroom Farro Soup
This was a concoction on a dreary day and was a hit...Soooo good and filling!
Warning...its open of my "about" recipes..No real measurements Sorry!! It is just an Italian genetic thing.
The Trinity ... 2 carrots 2 celery stalks with leaves & 1 sweet onion
Mushrooms I used white and baby bella for this rough chop and some sliced about 2 cups
1 container Imagine NO-chicken broth vegetarian
2 cups water
1 cup Farro or barley
2 tsps marjoram
Salt and Pepper
2 to 3 tbls cream ...I used heavy but you could use light or even half and half but I wouldn't suggest milk
Chop the trinity and saute in a heavy bottomed pot with olive oil about 2 tbls.till they begin to soften then add mushrooms and continue to saute until the begin to soften as well. Add the broth, water and seasonings. Simmer this for about 10-15 minutes. Now add the Farro and cook it until it's tender. Now turn off the heat and add the cream and stir. Enjoy with a slice of good bread with some melted shredded Fontina cheese on it.
I started spring cleaning the house this week and may have overdone it...So the picture of the chair is where I will be for the rest of the day catching up on my KAL/CAL/SAL'S
I hope you have a sunshine filled weekend filled with some ease.
Be well !
Ming
PS Game of Thrones starts on Saturday! So excited!! Are you a Thrones fan?
