Saturday, April 10, 2010

The early bird...

...catches the scrappy bug! I woke up early and finished two pages this morning. These are both lifts of members of The Scraproom for challenges.
I know my mom is going to kill me for posting this one...but I think the photo is sweet and needs to be shared. Love you, mom. (Don't be mad!)

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Curried Lentils - recipe

Here is one of our regular meatless meals. I got the basic recipe for this from Nicole.  Here is how I make it....mostly...I taste and add depending on my mood and the curry powder I have.  Curry powders are all so different.  Some are mild, some are spicy, some are a little sweet.  I have added a bit of cumin before and even some hot red curry paste.  Make this to suit your taste preferences.













Curried lentils and potatoes

WW – 4 servings @ 5 pts each
1 onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup light coconut milk (or more broth if you prefer...but it really doesn't make it taste like coconut...just adds more depth to the flavor)
2.5 cups chicken broth
1 Cup Lentils
1TBS Curry (or more)
2 potatoes peeled and cut in chunks
salt and pepper to taste (add other spices such as cumin or red curry to your taste preferences)
Optional Items:
sour cream, cilantro, green onions

1. Chop and fry up an onion in a big soup pot with a little cooking spray (I usually add a little olive oil for some healthy fat). Once it is soft and golden, add garlic and cook for one more minute.
2. Wash and pick over lentils. Add lentils, curry powder, coconut milk and broth to the soup pot.
3. Bring to a boil and then cook on med-low for about 10-15 minutes, until lentils start to soften.
4. Bury potatoes under lentils. Put the lid on and simmer without disturbing for ten minutes.
5. Check to see if it's getting too dry, add water or broth if needed. Stir gently and continue to cook until potatoes and lentils are tender.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
This is a thick stew not a soup so if it's soupy take of the lid and keep cooking. Serve on top of rice with sour cream, chopped cilantro and green onions (extra points for the rice and sour cream).

I hope you like this.  We have it a couple times a month...Jer really loves curry!
Stacey

Cast iron skillet baked potatoes - recipe

I have a feeling that I will be making a lot of potatoes in my new cast iron skillet in many different ways.  This is a super easy and basic recipe that you can use instead of having plain old baked potatoes. This gives the potatoes a yummy golden crunchy top. 














Cast Iron Skillet Baked Potatoes
WW points- 2 points for each potato half
 Ingredients:
4 medium sized baking potatoes (I used russet but I am sure almost any kind would be good)
4 tsp oil (I used olive oil)
Seasoning to taste (I used Old World Central from the Spice House.  It is similar to a seasoning salt but much better. :) Use any sort of seasoning you like that will go well with what you are eating.)

Directions:
1. Scrub and dry your potatoes. Cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Add oil to a COLD cast iron skillet. 
3. Sprinkle whatever seasonings you are using evenly over the oil.  I didn't measure this.  I just sprinkled til it looked like there was enough.  I might even add more next time.
4. Place your potatoes, cut side down, in your pan.
5. Put your cold skillet into your cold oven and set it to 400 degrees.  After about 15 minutes, turn it down to 350 and cook for another 30-45 minutes until a fork goes easily into the potatoes.
6. Serve with sour cream, cheese, chili....or just eat plain alongside your main dish.  So yummy!

Enjoy!
Stacey

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Hello new friend!

I have a new friend. Here she is...
I picked this out for part of my birthday present from my parents. I have always wanted a cast iron skillet... but I am so intimidated by it now!  I don't know why.  I have been busy looking up tips to care for her and cook with her.  I have seasoned her once in the oven with some shortening but I have yet to cook with her.

I hope you will leave me some recipes/links/tips to help me get over this fear. :)

Here are a few I plan on trying soon...
Breakfast potatoes (so basic and yummy...but I wonder if they are even better in an iron skillet!!??)

Help!  Do you cook with a cast iron skillet?  Do you use it daily or just for special recipes?
Stacey


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Quilted table runner

I found this great tutorial last week on how to make a quilted table runner.  http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/03/guest-tutorial-blogger-amy-of-diary-of.html
I decided to use some scraps that I have had for a very long time to decorate my table for Easter.  (One of the fabrics has an Easter Bunny on it.) The other side is just a simple floral for spring. This was the first time I have ever tried to "quilt" anything and it was fun.  It took a little longer to do all of the actual quilting than I expected, but I am happy with the results. I have to admit that I forgot to iron between adding the strips and I still think it turned out fine.  I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I actually had to stop each strip, go into the other room and iron it. The batting I used had a bit of stick to it so it held the strips down a bit while I worked. But if it hadn't I am sure I would have needed to use an iron.  Anyhow...here is my first quilted project. :) 

I hope you'll try something new soon, too!
Stacey

Monday, April 5, 2010

Menu Planning Monday










Forgot to post last week! Here is our menu for this week. As always, I reserve the right to make changes to fit my mood for the day. LOL
Monday- Leftovers
Tuesday- Curried lentils with potatoes, rice and roasted cauliflower
Wednesday- Crockpot chicken taco chili over baked potatoes
Thursday- Angel hair pasta with alfredo sauce, sauteed mushrooms and grape tomotoes, salad and bread
Friday- Orange chicken, rice and broccoli
Saturday- Burritos with taco style lentils and rice
Sunday- Chicken & Dumplings (Depends on the weather actually...if it's warm by then, I might change my mind.)
See http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for more menu planning ideas!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

New sketches and a challenge

Happy April Fools Day!!  Are you one to play tricks on people?  I have never been too fond of practical jokes so I rarely do. :)  Instead, I have some fun new sketches for you today.  I have not had a chance to create layouts for these yet but I will share when I create some. 

I am also hosting the Got Sketches challenge on The ScrapRoom message board April 1-14 so hop on over to join us if you use these sketches. http://www.scrap-room.com/  Here are two new single page sketches-


Here is the second sketch made into a double page sketch for those of you who like creating double page layouts.
I would love to see your layouts using any of these sketches so I hope you will link up your pages in the comment section here.
Happy Scrapping!!!


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