It's FEED ME FRIDAY! (Roasted Garlic Hummus Edition)

courtesy of Daphne's California Greek

Whelpers... it's kinda still warm here. And I feel like melting. But... I have a major craving for hummus. Mmm... I really don't feel like driving all the way into Riverside and eating at Daphne's "California" Greek (WHY? did they change the name like that???)

and I really do just feel like pita bread (not to be confused with PITA - pain in the ass... bread) and hummus.

I love traditional. I love roasted red pepper. I love tahini (sesame seed paste). I love it all. And I really, REALLY love garlic. (shhh... don't kiss me!)

Most of the recipes I'd found start with canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans). But... I really don't like the briny-ness. Ew! ... and besides, I have some dried ones in my pantry. Some garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, some sesame seeds and a little oregano... and I'll be good to go. Yum-O!

THIS is the recipe I'm gonna try before I do the above recipe. I'll adjust the seasonings, and tell you how it was!

And fyi (if anyone in my family Santa is keeping my list)... most of these recipes require a food processor. Yes. I have one already... but it's old and dying (it squeaks!). So... to keep things on the quiet side (my hubs sleeps during the day, and heck! I'd like to totally watch my addictive television programs while I'm cooking/prepping... THIS is the food processor of my dreams!!!

It is quiet. It is quick. It is totally awesome. It has THREE! bowls (that all fit inside each other!). It has blades galore! It does everything I've ever wanted to do with food (except cook it, of course!). One disc has an adjustable blade... so YOU can adjust the thickness of a slice, should you want to...

But... it is a Williams-Sonoma exclusive. And... I can't find it anywhere else... for less than $299. Ugh.

My daughter and I love it so much... we're willing to split it as a Christmas gift together? (do I sound desperate?)

So... as I'm pulsing away with my chickpeas and garlic, I'll be fantasizing about this... and what could be... have fun! and if you try it... let me know how it was! Toodles!

It's FEED ME FRIDAY! (Smoked Tri-Tip Edition)

So, we went camping last weekend, for Labor Day... it was a grand weekend. and full of food. But we did something different this time...

We smoked some meats BEFORE we went!

We did tri-tip and pork ribs. The ribs used my special rub, click HERE for the post and recipe. And the tri-tip? I called my momma for that one.

She uses:

for the marinade...
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
1 c. soy sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced (just the green part)
and for the rub... (poke holes in the meat and rub it in)
black pepper
garlic salt

And... like I always do... I adjusted it just a little:
for the marinade...
1/4 c. Worcestershire (Lea and Perrin's ROCKS!)
1 c. LITE soy sauce (Kikkoman's makes the very best)
1 bunch green onions, sliced (the whole flippin' thing)
4 cloves garlic (pressed or minced finely)
a pinch of ground cayenne pepper (for that little oomph!)
for the rub... (I don't have garlic salt, and wasn't about to buy any)
garlic powder
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper...
I mixed it all up, and rubbed the stuff WAY into the meat, massaging it throughout. I decided NOT to poke holes, as I didn't want any other "openings" for the moisture to get out later in the process... then... I put that puppy into a gallon Ziploc, poured in the marinade, threw it in the fridge, and flipped it over every coupla hours...

Hubs got the grill/smoker thingy going the next a.m. and we tossed it in there, along with some hickory chips. Mmm... boy! did that smell good. Smoked it for about 4 hours, basting it, when water was being added to the water bowl.

Anywhoo... here's the end result:

And when it was sliced:

Makes the best sandwiches... EVER!

Also, it makes for a much easier campout, with the meat done and everything... Woohoo! Means more time for PLAY!
Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Feed Me Friday!!! A Recipe for My Special Rub...

And it's hotter than heck here... over 100 degrees! Whew! We're kinda sweltering, but hoping that our fellow countrymates survive Hurricane Irene. Cheers to you over there!

But, we're barbecuing this weekend! And pork ribs (with my special rub!) are on the menu...

It took me TWO years to get this just right, because I'm that picky! But it was worth it... I love it, my hubs loves it, my whole family loves it, and every time my hubs takes some to work for lunch, he always gets asked for the recipe.

Well folks... it's not a secret, and I aim to share, but... please do not sell it or make a profit off it, because... that wouldn't be fair.

Please note: I use light brown sugar and I grind my own spices, making them extra special fresh.

Lisa's Sweet N Spicy Rub N Grub

3/4 c. brown sugar

2 T. chili powder (just powdered chilis, NOT the preseasoned chili mix!)

2 T. ground cumin

2 T. garlic powder (I'd use fresh, but it would be ultra sticky!)

1 t. ground black pepper

1 T. onion powder (I grind up dried onion flakes for a little more texture)

1 t. fine sea salt (gives it a *special* taste)

1 t. ground cayenne pepper (more or less, depending on your taste buds... the sugar balances it out)

1 T. paprika (I prefer the smokey Spanish-type, but go with whatever gets your gusto)

(recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or however many 'led you wanna do. just put the leftovers in an air tight canister AWAY from heat)

Mix it all together (I thread it through my fingers and crumble the grains between my fingers [clean hands, of course!] to get most of the lumpy bumpies out and make sure that it's really all smooth and as consistent as possible.). Rub it all over your meat GENEROUSLY. Massage the stuff in, and leave it with quite a bit on top that still sticks to it. Let stand at room temp about 30 min (while your coals are getting ready). Spray foil with cooking spray (I use olive oil cooking spray). Wrap the meat up semi-loosely, leaving room for steam, but not too much, and crimp the edges of the foil (if you used two pieces do it all over, if you used only one, then at each seam), sealing it well. Your coals (or grill) should be about ready, and move them over to one side (or turn off one side gas burner). Put the meat over the unlit side, close the lid, and let it slow cook for 1 hour, then flip it, and do the same thing (be sure to check your heat source every once in a while to make sure it's still good!). Carefully take off the foil (there will be LOTS of juices... you can try to salvage them and make a sauce* or just let them go and give off steam, but DO NOT open it over the flames and put out your heat source. you're NOT done yet!) and place your meat over the DIRECT heat (the flames/coals... whatever) for 10 minutes each side to get the grill marks and finish it off. Let your meat rest covered (I use a turkey roaster) for 10 minutes, then carve and serve.

*If you'd like to make a sauce with your rescued juices, simple get them into a sauce pan and simmer them over med heat until syrupy. Makes for finger-lickin' goodness! MMM... mmm... YUM!

This is especially great with pork ribs (spareribs are better than country style) or even a roast. I love it with beef and chicken, too... and it's pretty great on veggies. Have a great grub!

It's Monday Mojo... and Back to School!

So, I know that lots of you out there think you've got plenty of time until school starts. Um, yeah... not so here. My kids start tomorrow!!! Yes, before the middle of August. And what better way than to celebrate the beginning of school than a Back-to-School challenge! and YES!!! I know it's TUESDAY, but we were super busy yesterday getting ready for back-to-school!!! Do forgive...

Over at Queen of My Craftroom, the DT's challenge was to make a card or layout. And so, in the spirit of back-to-school, my family gets back into a schedule (don't we all?). With that schedule, I try to make dinner every night and incorporate my kids helping to cook, as well. To make it a little more fun, I started a 6x6 recipe book.

Since some nights are chaotic, with homework and project assignments, tennis practices, shopping, and overall life, I did a fun, classic-style meal that the kids can make (parents, too!)... Lunchtime! Pigs in a Blanket! (can be dinner, too!)

This awesome paper was in my stash, and I cut it down into 6x6 squares, then sliced one of the squares in half (on the diagonal) and glued it on the full square, so that the cute border still made it onto the layout.

The bus is from Doodlecharms, and the cutie-pie kids are from Paper Doll Dress-Up.

A little chalk, some Stickles later, and we are zooming off to school!

Hope you like it, and don't forget... You, too, can join in the fun of our Back-To-School challenge. Make your card or layout, go to Queen of My Craftroom, and add your post (not the full blog!) link to Mr. Linky. We'd love to see what you've got to give! (the challenge link may not be available just yet, but keep trying...!)

Easy Casserole for a Busy Night - Cottage Pie

It's been hot here during the day and chilly in the nighttime, lately. Dinner was needing to be made, and I was craving some down-home comfort food. And, since it is that busiest season, I don't have much "real" time to cook, so taking a break from sewing, stamping, wrapping, crafting and cutting, I tiptoed into my kitchen to see what I could find.

I had some leftovers sitting in my fridge... a little bit of corn (off the cob), mashed potatoes, a bit of onion, cheese... I almost always have mixed veggies and ground beef (in 1-lb baggies) in the freezer.  Today was no different. So I decided to make one of our faves... Cottage Pie, known to some as Shepherd's Pie, only when it's made with ground beef, it is really the Cottage Pie.  It's simple, easy and filling... oh! And you know me... CHEAP to make! So... thought I'd share it with you (you can use chopped cooked chicken or turkey in place of the ground beef to stretch your leftovers!!!). Here goes:

Cottage Pie

• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• one onion, chopped
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (use a variety)
• Seasoned salt (I use Lawry's... it can do no wrong)
• Ground pepper
• 1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken if using another meat)
• 1 t. Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 cups leftover mashed potatoes (thicker is better than runny)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat the oven to 400 F. Crumble the ground beef in a saute pan with chopped onions. Add seasoned salt and ground pepper to taste (I use approximately 1/2 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper). Brown until onions are translucent and beef is no longer pink. Drain well (I blot with paper towels, as well). Mix in the veggies (make sure they're drained, too!). Add the broth and Worcestershire sauce, and mix well. Spread evenly into a 13x9" pan (no need to grease). Spread the mashed and seasoned potatoes onto meat mixture, spreading evenly. You can use a spoon to make little peaks for added prettiness and texture... Sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30-30 minutes until the meat mixture is bubbling and the potatoes begin to brown. Simply beautiful! Serve with salad and rolls and Voila! Easy-peasy...  Sure wish I'd taken a picture!!!

*Note: 1) If you don't have beef broth or chicken broth, crumble 1/2 bouillon cube into boiling water and mix well. 2) Potatoes spread easier when warmed or at room temperature. 

I just hate going to the store for one or two items to complete a recipe, and this one allows me to use up what I have, without it tasting like last night's meal. (To be honest, we had cheese enchiladas, beans and rice last night! lol! And the leftover beans will be chili tomorrow... with cornbread, of course!) 

Viva Arroz! (the Gringa version of Mexican Rice)

I live in an extremely mulit-cultural family. I have cousins that are black, cousins that are white, cousins that are colored like a rainbow, etc. My motto? It doesn't matter what "color" you are... it's what you bring to the table... FOOD talks! FOOD also rocks!

I love to play with food and will often re-create and adjust a recipe I've tasted in a restaurant. My kids love this taste-bud feature. We were tired of boring Mexican Rice, made with rice (of course!), stock and tomato sauce. So... after tasting LOTS of different rices, I played and added, took away, and tested for.ev.er. This is my ultimate rice recipe. By my Mexican portion of the family (my husband's), they consider me "white" (a gringa).

And today... I'm taking cue from the Pioneer Woman and adding LOTS of pictures. (I figure this way, my kids will always have something to look at to show them how it's done, so if I'm not around, they have somewhere to go looksey.) Thanks, Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) for your inspiration!

The Ingredients:

• 2 cups white long-grain rice
• 2-3 Tablespoons chopped onion (to taste)
• 2-3 Tablespoons chopped tomato (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
• 2 teaspoons ketchup (yes... you heard me)
• 4 ounces (half a can) tomato sauce
• 4 cups HOT water

First, set your burner to medium. Too high and you will get a dark brown... burnt! rice. Too low and it could just take. for.ever. [The trick with this rice, to make it perfect (because I'm a perfectionist! lol!) is to keep the temperature at a level that evenly browns the rice and carmelizes the onions and garlic. You'll see in the recipe... wait for it...]

Place your 2 quart pot (that has a lid that fits - VERY important!) over the flame. It's ok to set it down at this point. Add your oil and heat.

Next, add the rice to your hot oil, then add the chopped onion and tomato (see how "rustic" mine look...). Then...
add your garlic (I use a garlic press at this point). Stir to coat. Stir occasionally (every couple of minutes). The rice should begin to brown and the onions and garlic to carmelize. Everything, including the rice will become fragrant, filling your house (or campsite) with a wonderful scent.

When the rice is golden and the onions are slightly browned, add the tomato sauce, ketchup and bouillon. (Be careful, this could cause scalding steam... in other words... quickly pour and STEP BACK!)

Mix it all together. Uh huh, being very careful of the steam. Now... pour in your HOT water and stir again. When it all begins to bubble turn down the heat (just a little teeny bit) and put your lid on. Set the timer for 20 minutes. No more, no less. Leave it alone! When the timer goes off, be sure to listen, 'cause it will... Turn off your heat (if you are using an electric burner, move the pan/pot from the burner to a cold burner). Let the hot pot rest (LEAVE THE LID ON!!!) for 5 more minutes (that's right... set the timer again).

Fluff it up and you have the "Perfect" Mexican Rice, by this little Gringa!

(for added "fresh" flavor, add a little chopped cilantro and the juice of 1/2 lime)

Enjoy!

Another Project! Bath Snowballs via Martha Stewart

As I sit here, surrounded by swirling Christmas lights, a sparkling tree, and Alvin & the Chipmunks in the background, I am reminded that Christmas is only 19 days away! YIKES!!!!

There are even less days available for those packages that need to be mailed... And yes, I have (once again) procrastinated in that area. Although, I did start my shopping last year and began making things, too. Only... I got a little burnt out, and I'm now behind again. But... I will catch up, and with the help of Martha Stewart Living, I'm going to do it!

These easy bath balls (made from Epsom salts) should make an easy task (and fun) for gifts. I think I will keep them in salt form for some and layer the salts in a clear glass (or plastic) jar and tie it with a pretty bow... perhaps a little greenery...

Easy and inexpensive enough, the recipe and instructions can be found here. Just remember... even a beginner can do this!

Be prepared, though, as they do take a couple of days for drying.

Anyway, it should give me some more time to watch and enjoy my tree, the seasonal movies, the lights, the fire, etc... Maybe I'll even take a bath with the salts myself... Take me away... Toodles for now! lisa

Whoops! It's been a while...

I didn't realize it's been so long! I've been super busy... school started, Marissa semi-wants to potty train... then there's been DRAMA... won't go into it, but you all know it goes... I'm sure you have it, too (to some extent).


Anyway, just quickly posting some of the stuff I've been up to...


This is a 2-page layout for one of the August Weekly Challenges on Scrapbook Bingo! The challenge was to use 2 punches. I used "teardrops" and "swirl". Also on this is Opposites Attract on the Cricut. I've had these pics for over two years. It's a good thing I joined this group, so that I can seriously be motivated to actually getting some stuff done!





This is for a Swap on the same group: Birthday! I stamped the "Happy Birthday" and the Banner under it, plus the little doodads on each side of the banner. The banner is then heat embossed with holographic by Ranger. The cupcake is Doodlecharms (Cricut) that has been embossed with the Cuttlebug (Swiss Dots) on both the background (to give raised effect) and the "frosting". The flame is Gelly-roll red glitter and the candle is Stickles.

This one is obviously "Thinking of You". This one was super fun to do! The card was embossed with the Cuttle Bug Dots and Spots. Then I swiped embossing ink over the raised image and powdered it with a rouge metallic by Joann, then heated it up! The saying is Cricut George, and the cool ribbon offers empowerment to women. Gotta love it!

For the same swap... Anniversary Card. This paper is AWESOME! I love the clothlike feel. The stitching was dotted with Cutterbees then stitched with DMC floss in metallic. The "Celebrate" is a stamp by Studio G with metallic embossing by Joann. The charms were a little somethin' I picked up... I don't remember where. I loved doing this one, even though it took a little longer (the stitching!).

Valentines (I) Card - love this metallic cardstock... Embossed on Cuttlebug with a heart-shaped page, then stencilled chalks in magenta, and finally... my favorite - Cotton Candy Stickles all over the chalked hearts. Even though I'm not a "pink" person... I thought this was cute. Inside, on striped paper it reads "We are two of hearts that beat as one, Valentine." It reminds me of the Stacy Q song (for all of you old schoolers out there!).

Valentines (II) Card. The wrapped rose is by Provo Craft. I saw these and had a "vision." The vision was of three mirrors with dark framing and one in the middle popped off a wall, with the rose lying across. Kind of got the idea? Well, this portrayed it as close to possible. Joann's had this great "Shiny Silver" cardstock that gave the image of a brushed mirror. Not bad... the bottom is embossed with the Cuttlebug "Love" borders.

Categorized in Group - Blank (I), I decided to do a little bit more masculine than the others, since I was obviously going more "fem." The background is chalked in a flowing zigzag pattern in various blue, green, and yellow hues, then blended. The tags (ties) are from Tags, Bags, Boxes & More (Cricut) and put through with a variety of different eyelets with the Big Bite by We R Memory Makers

This card fits in the "Blank (II)" category. This was a technique I picked up on YouTube. You'd be surprised what you can learn on there! This is done with the Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that has been swiped with Coffee Dye Ink, then run through... s.l.o.w.l.y... so that the paper has a chance to absorb the ink. The vase and stems are then done from the Walk in My Garden (Cricut) and stickers (Provo Craft) are embellished with Cotton Candy Stickles.

Easter Non-Religious was another category. The background is embossed with Cuttlebug Frills borders, then punched (at the bottom) with Martha Stewart's ribbon edge punch and threaded with a blue and white gingham. The funky bunny is Zooballoo and grass is Paper Doll Dress Up (both Cricut). The embossing and grass is then accented with various pens, while the bunny's ears are chalked.

Recipe Swap - September Recipes - Hotdish. For this, I chose to use Debbie Mumm's new cardstock pack. I already had envisioned "Ye Old {and easy} Turkey Pot Pie" (See recipe on side...). The pilgrims are done with Paper Doll Dress Up; turkeys with Doodlecharms-border (both Cricut). The turkeys were embossed with metallic (think silver at Thanksgiving) and everyone (pilgrims, turkeys, etc.) was chalked to give a more "lifelike" appearance. The recipe was from my brain (after years of trial and error) and printed on parchment paper, then torn and inked to give it wear.

In the swaps, I make a certain amount and get back the same amount... all from different people. I can't wait! I'm super excited to see the other ideas and craftivity the others have... Plus, the awesome recipes. Yum-O!

Whew! It seems like I've learned a lot and done a lot. This is not all I've been doing, just all I'm going to tell you right now! LOL! Anyway... It's getting late, and I still need to try to update the side stuff on this blog. Hopefully... it won't be too long until I write again. I'll try to get back into the rhythm of things... Toodles for now! lisa