Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Grandma Clark's Salad

Grandma Clark's Salad

1 bar (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (20oz) crushed pineapple (NOT drained)
1 box (6oz) jello (or two 3oz boxes so you can mix/match flavors)
1 jar maraschino cherries, drained, each cherry cut in half
1 cup diced celery
1 cup walnuts (shelled) [optional]
1 carton (8oz or part of a 16oz) Cool Whip (thawed)

In a medium sauce pan, bring pineapple with juice to full boil, stirring often.

Remove from heat, add jello, stir until dissolved.

Add softened cream cheese, stir until as smooth as you want it to be (
I do not mind a few chunks of cream cheese, it adds character).

Allow to cool (I usually dice the celery and cut the cherries into
halves while cooling).

Stir cherries, celery, and nuts (optional) into mixture.

Cool to room temperature.

Fold in cool whip until just mixed.  (If the mixture is hot, the cool
whip will melt, and the texture will be ruined.  Ditto for
over-stirring after the cool whip is mixed in.)

Spread into 9 x 13 cake pan.

Cover and refrigerate.

Notes:

Grandma Clark made two versions.  One was made with lime jello and red
maraschino cherries.  The other was made with red (e.g., strawberry)
jello and green (mint) cherries.  I always preferred the red
maraschino cherries, so I always made that version, but with varying
flavors of jello.

Maraschino cherries around here come in two sizes of jars, small and
medium.  I use the larger jar, but you can eyeball how many cherries
you want in your salad.  I think more is better.

I do not actually measure the celery, I just dice celery and stir it
in until it looks right to me.

Grandma Clark always used walnuts, I do not usually add nuts.  If you
do use nuts, be extra careful to not include any shell fragments.  No
one wants to bite down on a shell.

You could vary the type of nuts used.  For example, pecans would give
it a different taste and texture.

You can vary the amount of Cool Whip to vary the texture.  Less Cool
Whip gives you a denser salad.  More Cool Whip gives you more of a
"chiffon" salad.

Hawaiian Cake

Hawaiian Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6T cocoa
1/2 t salt
2 t baking soda
2 t vanilla
2 t vinegar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour 9 x 13 cake pan.

Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Mix thoroughly.

Add liquids.  Stir until smooth.  Do not over mix, or cake will be tough.

Bake 30 - 40 minutes.  Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center
comes out clean.

Watch carefully as overdone cake is dry and unpalatable.

Underdone cake will fall in center, but a gooier underdone cake is
preferable to overdone.

Frosting

1 T butter
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 egg
1 cup confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
dash salt
1 t vanilla

Melt butter and chocolate in top of double boiler.

Add egg, sugar, salt, and vanilla.

Beat until smooth.

Spread over cooled cake.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Vegetable Soup

1 quart vegetable stock
1 pound baby carrots
3 turnips, peeled and diced
6 salad potatoes, coarse chopped
2 sweet onions, coarse chopped

Combine ingredients in slow cooker, cook on high for two hours, then low for four hours.

The onions and turnips give it plenty of flavor without adding any other seasonings, but of course, you can always season it to your own taste.

Alaskan Winter Ale

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/429/1768

I want to try this one.

My previous experiences with spruce flavored beers were very disappointing.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Biloba Brewing Co.

According to a story in the business section of today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (no link provided because the Stalinists that run the paper discourage such things), Biloba Brewing Co. is going to open a craft brewery at 18720 Pleasant Street in the Brookfield Village area by early January.

Growlers!!!!!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Friday, September 6, 2013

Game Changer IPA

http://www.aperfectpint.net/blog.php/?p=2873

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings last night to watch the first half of the NFL season opener, since we did not get the game at home because Time Warner and the local NBC affiliate will not resolve their differences.

I had the Game Changer IPA (not to be confused with products with the same name from other breweries).

A very drinkable beer, but not what I would call an IPA.

Subtle toasty malt with a hint of bitterness.  A good balanced ale, but not a great beer.

A session beer.  And it went well with the lemon pepper dry rub traditional wings.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Agricola

Thanks to Elizabeth for calling this to my attention.

http://www.agricolaeatery.com/

Next time I am in Princeton, I want to eat at this establishment.

Looks like a limited draught beer menu, but I am sure that I would very much enjoy that Lagunitas IPA.


Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/smoked-ribs-with-carolina-style-bbq-sauce-recipe/index.html

I used a modified version of Mr. Flay's sauce a couple of days ago.

I baked pork chops, shredded the meat, mixed with the sauce, served on fresh baked rolls.

Very yummy.

Dry Rub Ribs

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/dry-rub-ribs-memphis-daves-dinners-recipe/index.html

The next time ribs go on sale, I am making this recipe.

Pulled Pork and Slaw

http://www.spoon.com/recipe/?p=1525

The 10-14 pound pork roast seems a little on the large side.

Guy's French Toast

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/texas-french-toast-bananas-foster-recipe/index.html

Now I need to find a good brioche.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Truth

http://flyingdogales.com/new-beer-the-truth-imperial-ipa/

Next time I am in Maryland, I want to try it.

Maybe they will have it at http://www.mahaffeyspub.us/wp/

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Tomato and Zucchini Recipe

http://www.milaegers.com/grow/Tomato%20and%20Zucchini%20Recipe.pdf

Looks like a recipe worth trying.

Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

http://silk.com/products/dark-chocolate-almondmilk

Like drinking dessert.

A liquid form of dark chocolate covered almonds.

A half gallon carton lasts me less than 24 hours.

Harmony Tavern in Tosa

http://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/nibblejuly82013.html

Very much looking forward to sitting outside on their patio.

Might be a little chilly if they do not open until Thanksgiving.

The Slow Kitchen

http://www.paula-wolfert.com/books/slow_rev.html

Topping toast with sardines must be really flavorful.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Friday, July 12, 2013

Brownie Pudding

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/brownie-pudding-recipe/index.html

In the good old days, I made a dessert similar to this.  Fond memories.

Cherry Stoner

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/93600-leifheit-cherry-stoner.aspx

We bought a bag of pie cherries at the farmer's market and I cooked them into a brandy sauce for ice cream.

I pitted them by hand and it was tedious.  This cherry stoner would have made it easier.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Worst Meal in America

http://www.rodalenews.com/worst-restaurant-food

Unfortunately, there is no Long John Silver nearby, so I cannot try it.

Maybe on my next road trip.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Breakwater Ale

Lakefront's Breakwater Ale, on tap at Harbor House, excellent.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Chipotle and GMOs

http://www.rodalenews.com/gmos-fast-food

I almost never go to Chipotle, cannot remember the last time it was so long ago.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Heart Stopper

http://doublebs.com/

A massive burger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Bacon Grease

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/texas-country-potato-salad-recipe2/index.html

Clever idea to add the bacon grease to the water in which the potatoes are boiled.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Pasta

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/linguine-with-sausage-and-mushrooms-recipe/index.html

It seems like extra work to take the sausage meat out of the casings.  Why not use bulk sausage?

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Biscuits

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/old-fashioned-biscuits-recipe/index.html

I have a long tradition of using shortening but I suppose I could convert to lard.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Primavera

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ted-allen/primavera-with-prosciutto-asparagus-and-carrots-recipe/index.html

Might have to omit the mustard when serving to some people.

And could I substitute bacon for the prosciutto?

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Oatmeal Cookies

Recipe: Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together:

2 sticks butter
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup sugar

Beat 4 eggs, add to butter/sugar mixture.

Add 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Sift together:

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add flour mixture to eggs/butter/sugar mixture.

Fold in 6 cups old-fashioned oats.

Add 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Mix well.

Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 12-13 minutes, until browned but do not overbake.

Yields 4 dozen cookies 3" diameter.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Gandy Dancer Porter

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17157/62594

Is it called Gandy Dancer because this is the kind of beer that early railroad workers drank?

Three Tacos

http://www.spoon.com/recipe/?p=1430

I love all things American Spoon Food.

Roasted Poblano Sauce

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=5338

Sounds good.

Can I substitute other peppers for poblanos?

And I do not have a food processor.  Can I make a chunky version instead?

Friday, March 29, 2013

Heavy Seas Riptide

http://beerstreetjournal.com/heavy-seas-readies-riptide-white-ipa/

Serious violations of the old purity law but I would love to try some.

Strata

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/sc-food-0315-dinner-stratas-20130320,0,5210672.story

A savory alternative to french toast?

Goose Fat Potatoes

Special thanks to Elizabeth and Morgan for giving me a jar of goose fat.

I sliced two leftover baked potatoes and sauteed them in goose fat until crispy brown.

Absolutely heavenly.

And I used toasted bread to sop up every last bit of goose fat.  Not going to waste a single drop.  Yummy.

Bobby Flay's Sweet Potatoes

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/caramelized-onion-sweet-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

Interesting combination of flavors with onions, sweet potatoes, and mustard vinaigrette.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Roasted Onions

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herb-roasted-onions-recipe/index.html

I love onions.

And thanks to Milaeger's for sending me an email that got me thinking about onions.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Colcannon

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tylers-ultimate/colcannon-recipe/index.html

I am somewhat surprised that I have never had this dish.

Sounds like an excellent combination of flavors.

Guinness Stew

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/slow_cooker_guinness_stew/?

I want to try this.

I am particularly fond of turnips and parsnips.

How to Roast a Chicken

Thanks again to Elizabeth for connecting me with this web site.

http://www.cooktasteeat.com/dish/truffle-roasted-chicken?

This method differs from my own (learned through long experimentation) but it looks terrific.

My doctor would not approve of the copious salt.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/sweet-and-sour-chicken-recipe2/index.html

Looks simple enough.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Barley Wine

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://www.firestonebeer.com/beers/products/sucaba-spring-2012

The tasting notes make me want to try this one very much.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Friday, February 15, 2013

Sloppy Bills

Chop one sweet onion, saute in olive oil until golden brown.

Add one pound ground turkey, cook until browned.

Add one can diced tomatoes.

Simmer meat mixture.

Separately, fry one can tomato paste in olive oil, only takes a few minutes.

Add fried paste to meat mixture.

Add one teaspoon salt-free Penzey's spice mix, your choice.

Simmer until texture is just right.

Serve on fresh-baked rolls, if you can get them.

Not as good as 80/20 beef.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

120 Minute IPA

http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/120-minute-ipa.htm

15-20% ABV is a really big beer.

Rutabaga

I diced a large rutabaga and roasted it on a cookie sheet in the oven until browned.

Then I simmered it in giblet water from the previous day's roast chicken.

Best rutabaga I have had yet.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mr. Rain's Fun House

http://www.mrrainsfunhouse.com/

Very much looking forward to eating there.

No way can I eat all the things I want to try in one trip.

Fabulous menu, and looks like a very interesting beer/whiskey selection.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Artichoke Dip

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/artichoke_lemon_dip/

But I do not have a food processor.

Can I make a chunky dip instead?

Tuesday, January 15, 2013