Fell Behind

Ok so I got a little behind.  Let me catch you up with what I've done the last few days.  Margene and also checked out several of the farmers markets, some better than others.  I'll post those as well.

So here is last nights homemade Pizza.  This is what I do when we are lazy or in a hurry.  As long as I have my frig dough (which takes 5 minutes to prep and 2 hours to sit and lasts all week) I can beat the pizza guy in time, cost and not even the same class in taste, quality and satisfaction!!  And no stinky box flavor. No tip either, expect kissing the cook is acceptable.

From this

To this

To this

15 Minutes. Maybe $2?  Oh ya and a kiss.  The leftovers were dibbed for lunch while my mouth was full.  No fair.

Paella

So I have never had Paella, heard a lot about it, read a lot about, now I am on a quest.  I just made a simple basic version without the supposed required special pan!  Still want the pan though so I can do it on a grill!

This was so easy it's crazy.  There are a couple of small challenges, like high altitude adjustments for rice. Otherwise a really great meal in itself and you can make for a bigger family. Remember; cook together, eat together, live longer together.

It was delicious!!

I like Friday Nights

So the Sunflower Grocer had New York strip on sales for $4.99.  So I had to get a couple of them.  I only used one for dinner and made a great side to go with it.  I also made some bread that came out perfect.  That only took 10 minutes.

The side was a salad with potatoes, corn, tomato, feta and fresh basil.  The dressing was Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar , red onion, olive oil and S&P.  All whipped up in a blender.

It was pretty much a perfect dinner.
1 Hour about $10 with the steak.

Summer Vegetable Potato Salad

Source: Better homes and gardens (Servings: --)

1 lb. small yellow or red new potatoes, sliced 2 fresh ears of sweet corn, cooked, or 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed 4 roma tomatoes, sliced or cut into thin wedges ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn ¼ cup olive oil 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot or red onion ½ tsp. Dijon-style mustard ¼ tsp. sugar ½ cup crumbled feta cheese Fresh basil leaves

1. In medium saucepan cook potatoes, covered, in enough boiling salted water to cover for 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain and cool. Cut corn from cob. On large serving platter arrange the potatoes and tomatoes. Sprinkle with corn and 1/4 cup basil. 2. For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and shake well. Pour dressing over potato mixture.* Sprinkle salad with feta cheese and basil leaves. Makes 8 to 10 servings. *Make Ahead: Refrigerate salad up to 4 hours. Sprinkle with feta cheese and basil leaves, and let come to room temperature before serving.

But wait there was desert tonight!!!

Eggs flour sugar vanilla milk and fresh strawberries.  Like a custard cake!!! Kapow!

20 minutes maybe $3

Strawberry Clafouti

Source: Sunset (Servings: 4)

½ tablespoon butter 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise 2 teaspoons cornstarch 3 eggs 1 cup milk ⅔ cup flour ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt Powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 2-qt. baking or gratin dish with the butter. Toss strawberry halves with cornstarch until evenly coated, then arrange berries, cut side down, in bottom of dish and set aside. 2. In a blender, whirl eggs, milk, flour, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt 15 seconds. Pour batter over strawberries. 3. Bake until puffed, golden brown, and set in the center, about 50 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Back Porch and salad

It was way to nice outsiide to sit inside or even turn on anything hot, so we did a power salad.

Lettuce, tomato, red onion, capers, orange, apple, cranberries, red bell pepper, feta, some left over grilled marinated chicken breast, croutons, some fresh tarragon and parsley from the garden and a drizzling of olive oil, red wine and rice wine vinegar salt and pepper.

We ate the whole thing and had no guilt at all.

Grilled Veggies

So Margene wanted a salad, instead I fire roasted 2 bell peppers in hot coals, skinned and cleaned them.  Then grilled some onion, bok choy, and tomatoes.  Then grilled some marinated chicken breast.  I put all on a plate and dressed with olive oil, balsamic, feta and salt and pepper to season.

For desert I grilled fresh pineapple dipped in butter then sugar, cinnamon and ground clove.  That was yummy.

Oh ya, because I started late I had to start with some fresh guacamole. 

Monday Dinner

Grilled Pork Chops and Brown rice.  Simple.

I get these really great pork chops that are cut a bit thinner and have a bit more fat than the conventional Pork Chop.  They are much better for grilling and always come out very tasty and moist.  I just like to put some seasoning on them and grill away, now i do finish off with the "Black Magic" finishing sauce.

I have still not perfected brown rice in my pressure cooker at 6K+ elevation.  When I do, I'll let you in on the secret.  Until then, it's was OK a bit chewy.

Alright, so here we go. This for everyone wanting to know what I am doing in the kitchen.

Today I felt like something easy so I thought some nice hamburgers sounded good. One problem, no buns. How hard would it be to just make some. So I did. Pretty straight forward and fast recipe.

Burger or Hot Dog Buns

Ingredients

1 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup butter

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 egg

Method

1. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter until very warm, 120 degrees F (50 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 3/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Mix milk mixture into flour mixture, and then mix in egg. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into smooth balls, and place on a greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Cover, and let rise for 30 to 35 minutes.

4. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. For Hot Dog Buns:  Shape each piece into a 6x4 inch rectangle. Starting with the longer side, roll up tightly, and pinch edges and ends to seal. Let rise about 20 to 25 minutes. Bake as above. These buns are pretty big. I usually make 16 instead of 12.

Servings: 12

Source: Allrecipes.com