Thursday, October 23, 2008

Sharing "GOOP"

Recently I ran across a blog/newsletter entitled GOOP authored by Gwyneth Paltrow. Sharing with you as you may enjoy the recipes offered through GOOP. The recipes are very healthy! I've also enjoyed the fashion writings and agree that fashion can be the fun frivolity that can really cheer a girl up (when used in moderation with her budget)! Previously posted was a Turkey Ragu recipe and it was simply delicious! Some of GOOP's postings contain a spiritual element and I feel it necessary to preface that my spiritual beliefs are Christian. My next creative dish may just be...
I'll post at a later date how the dish turned out!

I (Gwyneth) recently found this recipe in Food & Wine magazine. It’s from Charles Phan, who runs the great Vietnamese restaurant, Slanted Door, in San Francisco. When I make it, I use a little less sugar, a lot more cilantro and organic chicken breasts (I prefer the texture of white meat in this preparation). This literally takes minutes, is so easy and tastes like what you always imagine take-out will taste like (but sadly never does). Serve this with jasmine or brown rice and stir-fried or steamed vegetables.
SERVES: 4 generously TIME: 10 minutes
2/3 cup dark brown sugar (unrefined)
1/3 cup fish sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons finely grated garlic
2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
1 or 2 fresh Thai chilis (to your taste!), halved
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 pounds organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (1/2”)
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, water, garlic, ginger, pepper and chili and reserve.In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and cook the shallots until softened and a bit brown, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken and stir-fry, browning it all over, about a minute. Add the sugar mixture and simmer over high heat until the chicken is totally cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.





Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sweet Times... Sweet Treats

This past weekend I visited my son and his new bride in Kansas City. I confess Kansas is my FAVORITE place to be in the fall. Crisp air, beautiful colors, nature adorned in her most glorious foilage! Most of all I enjoyed the smiling faces this mother was able to gaze upon. Should you travel to the Kansas City area, I highly recommend SPIN Neaoplitan Pizza the kids favorite!! The only request D had from Mama was popcorn balls. I shared the recipe with my precious sweet daughter in law! Though M has been in our family and lives for a few years, I've been praying for her many years. Papa heard my prayers and answered.
Enjoy the recipe for Popcorn Balls ... to date my last batch was the best I've ever made!
8 cups popped pop corn
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Keep popped popcorn warm in 200F oven while preparing syrup. In 2-quart saucepan, stir together sugar, corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking without stirring until temperature reaches 270F on a candy thermometer or until a small amount of syrup dropped into very cold water separates into threads, which are hard but not brittle. Remove from heat. Add vanilla; stir just enough to mix through hot syrup. Slowly pour over popcorn, stirring to coat every kernel. Cool just enough to handle. Shape into balls, using buttered hands. Cool on foil or buttered wax paper. Wrap in plastic wrap; tie with a ribbon. Yield: 12 medium popcorn balls

Monday, October 13, 2008

We're all in this together!

One sweet thing I have discovered in life is that my spirit soars when I bake. Perhaps there is something in your world that causes you to "jump for joy" when engaging in a particular activity or love! You are able to define it by being in the moment and saying or thinking to yourself, "this is what I was created to do!" For me that is baking. With that said, I introduce my fellow bakers out there to King Arthur Flour. When I worked at Dean and Deluca in the pastry shoppe we used only King Arthur Flour. Their products are outstanding and recipes reliable. Today, I received my weekly email from King Arthur entitled "We're all in this together" in spite of the recent economic crisis! Take a peak and find your footing in the simple and certain things in the world around us. I'm always in search of the resting place in the storm, no matter what! Below I have shared my recipe for Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins to savor the fall season upon us....

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 16 ounce can of pumpkin
1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 cups King Arthur Unbleached All Purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 12 ounce bag of butterscotch chips/morsels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin, oil and yogurt. Beat until smooth. Set aside. In another large bowl sift flour, baking soda, bakin powder, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to your pumpkin mixture, stirring well! Fold in butterscotch chips/morsels. Fill muffin cups to 3/4 full in muffin tins. Bake 16 to 20 minutes.

Do send pictures to share! Happy Baking...

Saturday, October 4, 2008

SWEET Rockchalk Jayhawk Victory!

Today the Kansas Jayhawks defeated Iowa State 35-33 in Ames, Iowa in their first Big 12 Conference play of the season. Kansas was held scoreless in the first half and the come-from-behind victory tied the third-biggest comeback for victory in Kansas history. It could be said this was Sweet sixteen in football because the win was also the biggest comeback win in sixteen years for the Jayhawks! Quarterback Todd Reesing was 10-of-12 for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. Meir had 125 receiving yards and Sharp with 107, the fourth straight game Kansas has had two players with over 100 receiving yards. Recap the game! Thank you sharing in the sweetness of today - I hope you enjoyed the beautiful fall sun this Saturday...

Friday, October 3, 2008

Inspired


Well, Hopsy has not only brought joy to my world, but inspired me to walk through the door of blogging! So will you come along with me for the journey? I hope so! Never in my wildest dreams did I think one day I would add another "to do" to my daily list. Perhaps it is one's perspective in how they view a task? My wish is the tidbits and morsels of this woman's world will bring more joy to yours... doesn't it lift your spirits when you share with others not expecting anything in return? So please, if you will - allow me to share my favorite things in life with you.

My most very favorite thing in the world to do is bake. When I was a young girl and couldn't sleep at night I would peruse through cookbooks and create wonderful sweet things during the night. My family would awake in the morning to countertops of baked goodies. "Hmmm, guess who couldn't sleep last night?" Here is one of my favorite creations... enjoy!
Oh, by the way read, no I suggest subscribe to Hopsy's blog at http://kappaprep.blogspot.com!