DON'T TRY THIS!

It's official .... this is the worst thing I have ever served Joe for dinner ... I was trying to be creative with the little groceries I had in the house (couldn't face the supermarket after the day I had a work) ... and for some reason I thought poached eggs in tomato sauce would be good ... I was wrong ... bad idea ... egg overcooked on the bottom raw on the top ... then I killed some frozen corn with a mix of herbs Joe doesn't like. I was hoping it was just me, Joe is usually pleased with everything I serve him (except the time I made pasta with 4 cheese sauce while I had the flu and could not taste or smell anything - and it was like wallpaper paste). I said "this is the worst thing I have ever made for supper" hoping he would say his usual "I thought it was good" but he just lifted his gaze my way, focused on me for a brief moment, lower his eyes back the plate and just nodded his head yes. I will be working hard over the coming weekend to make it up to him. My advice to you all DON'T TRY THIS!

individual seafood casserole

This past weekend I hosted a party for my mom and two of her closest friends. They always celebrate their birthdays together on one day in the summer rather than get together 3 times. I really enjoy these 3 ladies together, they have 3 totally different personalities. My mom would rather die (and would) than every use the "F" word. One uses it very often and tells the most horrific dirty jokes. The other was married to a minister. Add my sister, who I think is the funniest woman on the face of the earth, (well she's no Ellen) to the mix and its a good time. I tried to make something fancy for this special occasion. The menu was, popovers, tomatoes with mozzarella and basil salads, individual seafood casseroles, lemon risotto, green beans, lemon cake and homemade lemon ice cream.

I was concerned about how to do the seafood because the scallops were big and the shrimp were smaller, and the lobster and crab was already cooked. So I cooked all the raw seafood until just done then I layered them in the individual casserole dishes with the crab and lobster. I made a white sauce with a splash of sherry, spooned it over the seafood and topped it off with some buttered bread crumbs. Stuck them in the oven and heated them through. It was quite good if I do say so myself.

Free Form Scones

Joe has been after me to put recipes on the blog....problem is I do not follow recipes often usually only when baking ...so if someone asks for a recipe I will say, well you put this in with that and add a little of this, and most people don't cook that way. The only person I have come across who speaks my language is my friend Linda. Linda works in the day care thats located in the church building that I work for. She will often say "I made something you have to try". I love Linda (and her food.) One day before Christmas last year I asked if she had a good recipe for my Christmas open house buffet. She said "get a couple of those pork tenderloins when they go on sale, trim the fat etc., and slice into rounds and pound it flat, dip them in flour and fry them. Then deglaze the pan with some stock and sherry add some dijon mustard and cream, also cook down some mushrooms and add them." I made a test batch that weekend with just the verbal notes from Linda and it was great. Anyhoo, for Joe I have been trying to write down what I put into a dish so I can give recipes and also put them here. This is my first attempt at actually giving a recipe.

Free Form Scones (Lemon or Orange)

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2 cups of white flour

2 tsp of sea salt

2 tbls of baking powder

1 stick of butter

3/4 cup or sugar

1 cup of milk

1/4 cup of lemon juice (or orange juice)

the zest of one lemon (the zest of one orange)

Lemon or Orange Marmalade

1/4 cup of juice (L/O)

zest of one or the other and enough powered sugar to make a glaze

Mix all dry together and cut in butter (I use my hands and quickly mix until it looks like sand) then add sugar and mix, milk and mix and lemon juice and zest and mix. Let it sit in the fridge until it firms up (or over night.) Split dough in half and roll each piece out onto a piece of parchment paper (flour the paper before rolling so it does not stick) try and shape it to the cookie sheet (longer rather than square). Spread the Marmalade down the center.

Now carefully fold over one half over the center by lifting the parchment paper. It should lift off the paper nicely if it was floured properly.

Then fold the other half over and pinch up the ends. Bake at at 375 for 30 minutes. If baking both at the same time rotate the pans half way through.

After baking let cool for a few minutes and then glaze the top.

slice and enjoy! You really have to love lemon (or orange) because it's lemon in the dough in the filling and on top.....lucky for me I love lemon!

Joe thought they were a little dry, I didn't but thought about using some cream instead of milk or some yogurt or sour cream in the future to make them a little richer.

I'm still tired!

The party was two weeks ago and I'm still tired...everyone seemed to have a good time. The homemade ice cream was a big hit. I made vanilla (Joe's favorite), chocolate chocolate chip, and blueberry cheesecake. A lot of people didn't make it this year so the leftovers were plentiful.

Yesterday was Thursday, my favorite day of the week. I'm not sure why...maybe because I don't work on Fridays, also I was born on a Thursday maybe that has something to do with it.... anyhoo on Thursdays there is a small farmers market in the next town. I love to take $20 bucks and just poke about, today I got carrots, green beans, small potatoes, sweet white corn, small onions and a giant crusty round loaf of bread. I planned on roasting a whole chicken so I got stuff to cook with that.

This loverly yellow squash was grown by me!

My favorite way to roast a chicken these days is to clean the bird well and then stuff a handful of fresh herbs inside. I used parsley, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, and basil. Then I cut up 3 or 4 lemons in quarters and shove those in (stick a couple in the neck) with a couple of whole garlic cloves that I smash with the side of a big knife and the palm of my hand. I use a large sprig of rosemary minced fine with olive oil, salt and pepper and some lemon zest to toss the potatoes in and smear all over the bird. I threw a couple of cut up onion as well. Roast in a 375 to 400 oven about an 1 and 1/2 hours. (You should see no pink ....very important and juices run clear)

The lemon and herbs really add great flavor to the chicken and potatoes!