Several days ago, I wanted to try this idea I'd pinned on Pinterest. It's edible cookie dough, and you can use it for ice cream and stuff. Basically it has no eggs, so you can eat it "raw." So I tried it. It was really easy to make. Milk holds it together. It was good enough. I thought it tasted good. When Mom tried it, she said that it was missing something.
She finally just said, "Make it into cookies."
Cynics.
You'll like it if you just have a sweet tooth. Or one of those people who likes raw cookie dough.
I got some of the Twilight magazines that are coming out for part 2. The People and US Weekly issues are good. I'm waiting for the Twilight Saga Archive to come out.
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sushi Salad
OK, before you start typing in another address in your browser's bar, let me explain.
This really isn't all that bad.
This recipe for Sushi Salad I found on the back of a bag for Nishiki rice. Nishiki rice is Japanese rice that's used for sushi. And I love it. Even my mom's gotten to love it. But I love "fake" sushi (i.e., the California roll- no raw fish, etc.). She doesn't. So... I read the recipe and decided to try it. I wanted to put in a few additions to it. It calls for the Nishiki rice, green onions, shrimp, rice wine vinegar, celery, and sesame seeds and avocado for garnish.
I cooked the rice, let it cool, and added in the ingredients. I didn't have any celery at the time, so I used shelled edamame- keeping with the Japanese theme. I didn't have green onions either, I sort of forgot to buy them. What I wanted to add to the recipe was Nori- dried seaweed. But Target, Walmart, Randall's, and another store didn't have it.
Grrr.
I didn't have cooked shrimp, either, so I substituted Krab. You know, that stuff. It's used in the California roll. I should have just gone ahead and bought the shrimp.
At one point Mom goes ahead and tells me that one needs to be careful in just adding things to a recipe off the top of his or her head.
Regarding the sesame seeds... they were really dull, even after toasting them. Maybe I didn't toast them long enough. There was a bottle of sesame oil, so I added some to the seeds, and that did the trick. A little goes a long way, and it smells great.
After mixing everything together, I let it chill for a bit, then added sliced avocado on top.
It tasted pretty good. Even Mom liked it. Adding the vinegar made it good. It's got potential. I see where it could be tweaked in the future.
And I still want to find the Nori.
This really isn't all that bad.
This recipe for Sushi Salad I found on the back of a bag for Nishiki rice. Nishiki rice is Japanese rice that's used for sushi. And I love it. Even my mom's gotten to love it. But I love "fake" sushi (i.e., the California roll- no raw fish, etc.). She doesn't. So... I read the recipe and decided to try it. I wanted to put in a few additions to it. It calls for the Nishiki rice, green onions, shrimp, rice wine vinegar, celery, and sesame seeds and avocado for garnish.
I cooked the rice, let it cool, and added in the ingredients. I didn't have any celery at the time, so I used shelled edamame- keeping with the Japanese theme. I didn't have green onions either, I sort of forgot to buy them. What I wanted to add to the recipe was Nori- dried seaweed. But Target, Walmart, Randall's, and another store didn't have it.
Grrr.
I didn't have cooked shrimp, either, so I substituted Krab. You know, that stuff. It's used in the California roll. I should have just gone ahead and bought the shrimp.
At one point Mom goes ahead and tells me that one needs to be careful in just adding things to a recipe off the top of his or her head.
Regarding the sesame seeds... they were really dull, even after toasting them. Maybe I didn't toast them long enough. There was a bottle of sesame oil, so I added some to the seeds, and that did the trick. A little goes a long way, and it smells great.
After mixing everything together, I let it chill for a bit, then added sliced avocado on top.
It tasted pretty good. Even Mom liked it. Adding the vinegar made it good. It's got potential. I see where it could be tweaked in the future.
And I still want to find the Nori.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Cake Pops Bombed
This week I'd had the bright idea to make cake pops, after having some great ones at Starbucks.
I guess there's a reason they have theirs shipped in.
I used french vanilla cake mix with vanilla frosting. One recipe I used said to use 1/3 cup frosting, so I did. It didn't seem like enough, so I doubled that. This was probably my first mistake. I mixed the two together, let it chill, and used about a tablespoon of "dough". You then roll them into balls, and let them chill again in the fridge. Finally you dip them into the melted chocolate/candy, etc., and harden in the fridge again.
The next to last stop was where I got frustrated. (This is not a recipe for the easily frustrated. And I get easily frustrated.) I guess the cake balls were too heavy, and the candy coating was too thick, and when I *really* tried to dip the pops into the coating, they came apart. (And yes, I pre-dipped the sticks). I just finally gave up and rolled them- without the lollipop sticks- in the coating.
They do taste good, though. But they're kind of a hassle.
I guess there's a reason they have theirs shipped in.
I used french vanilla cake mix with vanilla frosting. One recipe I used said to use 1/3 cup frosting, so I did. It didn't seem like enough, so I doubled that. This was probably my first mistake. I mixed the two together, let it chill, and used about a tablespoon of "dough". You then roll them into balls, and let them chill again in the fridge. Finally you dip them into the melted chocolate/candy, etc., and harden in the fridge again.
The next to last stop was where I got frustrated. (This is not a recipe for the easily frustrated. And I get easily frustrated.) I guess the cake balls were too heavy, and the candy coating was too thick, and when I *really* tried to dip the pops into the coating, they came apart. (And yes, I pre-dipped the sticks). I just finally gave up and rolled them- without the lollipop sticks- in the coating.
They do taste good, though. But they're kind of a hassle.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Rice Krispies Treats / The Host
I made Rice Krispy treats today. I got the idea from the Chocolate Peanut Butter Gallery . They got their recipe from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/crispy-rice-treats-recipe/index.html .
All went well until I was stirring the peanut butter into the marshmallow mix. I stepped away for a few too many seconds, and I think the peanut butter started to cook. But I rescued it in time. After the treats had cooled in the pan, I dipped them in some chocolate and let them set in the fridge for a few minutes. They came out very chewy. Mom liked them. I thought they were just okay.
Next time I'll try to make something "savory," instead of a dessert.
I finished reading "The Host" a few days ago. It's kind of like a kinder, gentler version of "Invasion of the Body-Snatchers," if you've ever seen that. Except, we know that these "beings" are here, and there's one person who won't let the "soul" (the book's term) move in. We're just trying to make your planet better! Seriously. We are!
I had a really hard time with this book. The first third was rather confusing. I was about ready to just chuck it. It wasn't until I got into the second half that it got interesting. Instead of the "soul" trying to control the human, the situation is in reverse. The last third and the ending are really great. But does a great ending mean a great book? Not necessarily. "The Host" may be heading to Half-Price Books soon.
A movie for it is in the works. Maybe a simplified film version will be easier for me.
I was pretty glad to start reading John Grisham's "The Confession." Only a chapter in, and it's good.
All went well until I was stirring the peanut butter into the marshmallow mix. I stepped away for a few too many seconds, and I think the peanut butter started to cook. But I rescued it in time. After the treats had cooled in the pan, I dipped them in some chocolate and let them set in the fridge for a few minutes. They came out very chewy. Mom liked them. I thought they were just okay.
Next time I'll try to make something "savory," instead of a dessert.
I finished reading "The Host" a few days ago. It's kind of like a kinder, gentler version of "Invasion of the Body-Snatchers," if you've ever seen that. Except, we know that these "beings" are here, and there's one person who won't let the "soul" (the book's term) move in. We're just trying to make your planet better! Seriously. We are!
I had a really hard time with this book. The first third was rather confusing. I was about ready to just chuck it. It wasn't until I got into the second half that it got interesting. Instead of the "soul" trying to control the human, the situation is in reverse. The last third and the ending are really great. But does a great ending mean a great book? Not necessarily. "The Host" may be heading to Half-Price Books soon.
A movie for it is in the works. Maybe a simplified film version will be easier for me.
I was pretty glad to start reading John Grisham's "The Confession." Only a chapter in, and it's good.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
"Fun-Da-Middles" Not so Fun / Culinary Cheating
Okay... you may have seen those Betty Crocker (might be wrong on the brand) cupcake mixes where you put the creme in the middle then bake. Kind of like Twinkies, and they've made other varieties. I used the vanilla mix / vanilla creme one; they also have chocolate/vanilla, and vanilla/chocolate.
You mix the cake mix, then put 2/3rds or so in the tins, squeeze a dollop of creme in, then put some more batter on top. Mine weren't so precise, though they came out okay. There are exact instructions on how to put the creme in (DON'T let the creme touch the sides). Bake, and you have your own Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes, whatever. They taste good. They're fine. They'll cure your sweet tooth. Honestly, I won't buy these too often.
If someone from BC ever reads this, try putting a frosting tip mechanism with the creme. It'll go in easier; the user will have better control.
Round 2: Me v. Roasted Cauliflower. I won. It came out much better this time. Kept the temp much lower- about 300-325 deg.
So... I was buying stuff at the store today when Another National Brand (who shall remain nameless) came out with their own whoopie pie mix. Picked up the box, looked at the instructions, and thought, "I could copy this myself." (And I'm sure at least a few dozen other people have.) So I snapped a picture of the instructions, bought my own cake mix and frosting. I'll be attempting this in the future.
You mix the cake mix, then put 2/3rds or so in the tins, squeeze a dollop of creme in, then put some more batter on top. Mine weren't so precise, though they came out okay. There are exact instructions on how to put the creme in (DON'T let the creme touch the sides). Bake, and you have your own Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes, whatever. They taste good. They're fine. They'll cure your sweet tooth. Honestly, I won't buy these too often.
If someone from BC ever reads this, try putting a frosting tip mechanism with the creme. It'll go in easier; the user will have better control.
Round 2: Me v. Roasted Cauliflower. I won. It came out much better this time. Kept the temp much lower- about 300-325 deg.
So... I was buying stuff at the store today when Another National Brand (who shall remain nameless) came out with their own whoopie pie mix. Picked up the box, looked at the instructions, and thought, "I could copy this myself." (And I'm sure at least a few dozen other people have.) So I snapped a picture of the instructions, bought my own cake mix and frosting. I'll be attempting this in the future.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Odds and Ends
Okay, I know I haven't written anything for a couple of weeks. I haven't made anything new. This will be a mash-up of different topics.
I appreciate the rain we've been getting. Keep it coming!
I roasted brussels sprouts for the first time last week. They turned out good- fresh ones cut in half, tossed in a little bit of oil, salt and pepper, and roasted in the oven until done. They get a little soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. Yum. You may not like brussels sprouts, but I do. :)
There's a really cute bagel place near me, called The Bagel Cafe, in Houston. Really good. Mom liked the bagel chips; their sandwiches are tasty.
Have you seen the new brown sugar/cinnamon Ritz crackers? I picked up a box. They aren't that sweet. Maybe a little on the bland side. They probably would be good for some no-bake pie crust.
San Diego has Comic Con right now (convention for comic books, action movies, fantasy movies, you get the idea). Yesterday was basically, albeit unofficially, Breaking Dawn day. The director and actors had a Q & A time, and showed two clips from the upcoming movie. One clip was of Jacob (Taylor Lautner) talking to two of the vampires, and then the pack of wolves. I'm not going to rehash the details; it's on YouTube and probably every other news and fan site. (I should mention that both clips were filmed "unofficially," and put on YouTube.)
Then we get to the other clip-- of Bella and Edward arriving at Isle Esme, where the honeymoon takes place. That's where we have the problem. Mom deduced that the "cameraman" (woman?) got cold feet at the last minute, and that was why we ONLY GOT AUDIO.
Really? Seriously? There's a million other frustrated fans asking the same question. I guess we have to wait for Summit to officially release it.
You have to turn up your speakers, but it's there. I have to say, I liked the music at the beginning.
I appreciate the rain we've been getting. Keep it coming!
I roasted brussels sprouts for the first time last week. They turned out good- fresh ones cut in half, tossed in a little bit of oil, salt and pepper, and roasted in the oven until done. They get a little soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. Yum. You may not like brussels sprouts, but I do. :)
There's a really cute bagel place near me, called The Bagel Cafe, in Houston. Really good. Mom liked the bagel chips; their sandwiches are tasty.
Have you seen the new brown sugar/cinnamon Ritz crackers? I picked up a box. They aren't that sweet. Maybe a little on the bland side. They probably would be good for some no-bake pie crust.
San Diego has Comic Con right now (convention for comic books, action movies, fantasy movies, you get the idea). Yesterday was basically, albeit unofficially, Breaking Dawn day. The director and actors had a Q & A time, and showed two clips from the upcoming movie. One clip was of Jacob (Taylor Lautner) talking to two of the vampires, and then the pack of wolves. I'm not going to rehash the details; it's on YouTube and probably every other news and fan site. (I should mention that both clips were filmed "unofficially," and put on YouTube.)
Then we get to the other clip-- of Bella and Edward arriving at Isle Esme, where the honeymoon takes place. That's where we have the problem. Mom deduced that the "cameraman" (woman?) got cold feet at the last minute, and that was why we ONLY GOT AUDIO.
Really? Seriously? There's a million other frustrated fans asking the same question. I guess we have to wait for Summit to officially release it.
You have to turn up your speakers, but it's there. I have to say, I liked the music at the beginning.
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