Thursday, November 20, 2008

Cook it up!

Cooking with the Swedish Chef

No not that one ...

We all know Jake's a foodie. And from the most recent interview he's already looking forward to eating all his favs and getting fat and happy. Bet there's shelves of cookbooks in his kitchen, he's got his best friend, a chef just a call away, and can count on celebrity chefs for cooking advice. And let's not forget, his sous chef. ; )

But did you know he doesn't really have to even look that far? He's talked about him mom baking during writer's block and in fact his aunt, Beverly Mills is a former food editor and restaurant critic. Mills now co-writes a syndicated cooking column called Desperation Dinners in the U.S. and has written several cookbooks with her co-columnist Alicia Ross. So Jake has no excuses not to have a recipe handy.
" The first thing I'm making when I'm done Prince of Persia...."

"See... I can cook"

"Pinch the ends and bring them together"

"Always tastes better with a little wine."

While Jakes on a mission to fatten himself up, and get back the happy pappy tummy. We shouldn't get left out so let's get our cook on.

So OMG - let's share some recipes.

Couple of things:

Let us know the categories for your recipes: Vegetarian, Sugar Free, Appetizer, Contains Nuts etc.

Here is a conversion chart if you want to beat us to converting US or UK measurements to metric and vice versa.
Gourmetsleuth - Kitchen conversions calculator

If you are using UK measures please note, because a US teaspoon and UK teaspoon are not the same.

Share one or as many recipes as you like - we are not keeping track, it all for fun.

It's not a competition, a cook off or a bake off. So don't worry about your cooking skills or level of cooking. Its more about the sharing.

Let's know what you like about it or why you wanted to share it.

All recipes submitted will be organized and have two versions put on a permanent link on OMG.

Ready, Set, Cook...

95 comments:

Special K said...

Beef Brisket (Oven Method)

4 1/2 - 5lbs. Brisket (Could be called Flat Cut or Point Cut)
NOT CORNED BEEF BRISKET
Brisket is a beef cut taken from the breast section beneath the first five ribs, behind the foreshank.

Combine the following:
4 Tablespoons Liquid Smoke
2 teaspoons garlic salt
4 teaspoons celery seed
4 slices of onion
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Put meat on 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil with enough foil to bring up and around meat to bring together and make a pouch.

Use a baking sheet for support.

Pour liquid and spices over the meat, bring up ends of foil, make pouch, folding over foil and pinching to make strong seal.

Refrigerate overnight

Bake in a slow oven - 300F
1 hour per pound.

Unwrap and let sit for 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Cut ACROSS the grain of the meat, NOT WITH the grain.

If you can't make your own bbq pit or its too cold outside this is great way to have some KC BBQ. Family Favorite

Main Dish
Meat - Beef

Special K said...

You can not have BBQ without beans.

These are not for the faint of heart, and yes these are sweet, but these are best beans ever. This is one thing I get asked to make over and over again.

BEANS:

8oz bacon diced

1 large white onion

1 large green pepper

1 large red bell pepper

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup BBQ sauce ---Hickory flavored

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup light corn syrup

3 cans(28oz or so)of pork and beans, drained-not rinse but drained Use your judgment on the number and size of cans.

2/3 cup to 1 cup of Molson Golden Beer or any Light Lager, drink the rest.

You can use apple juice instead of beer.

Burned ends of brisket (cripsy pieces left of the brisket) - you have any. -----optional


In a frying pan cook bacon--- remove and use some of the bacon fat to cook the diced onion and peppers for three minutes or until they are crispy tender.

Stir in sugar, BBQ sauce, and syrups.

Put the drained beans in a 12x16x3 foil pan.

Add the liquid mixture and bacon to the beans and stir.

Start at 325 degrees slowly cook down. Turn temp down as mixture thickness. Serve hot.

For 8-12 people.

Side Dish

Special K said...

Don't worry I have some Vegetarian recipes for later.

Anonymous said...

^^Thanks Spesh! Great post - I have always loved this song, and Rosemary's Clooney's version. I sure did like that bunny rabbit song tho.

I'll have a recipe or two to add soon, as soon as I can get them together! You mentioned cooking disasters - I always have trouble with making holiday cookies. Let's just say they don't always come out looking like the ones in the magazines. It's kind of an iffy proposition for me. Either they come out the size and weight of hockey pucks, or the delicate spritz Christmas trees and reindeer come out looking like unrecognizable blobs, spreading all over the cookie sheet. Any help suggestions you guys have would be greatly appreciated! ;)

Now, onto gay marriage - I'm going to have to differ with you Spesh just slightly - while love is a beautiful thing between a couple, I have found that love is practical too. Coming from an incurable romantic, I'm surprised I feel that way. So all couples, while they don't need a judge and a piece of paper, but should be able to have it - not just for the love between them, but because a couple needs their benefits. Once they have decided to commit to each other and want to marry, to be there at their partner's side without being questions if one is sick; to settle property and other matters if unfortunately one of you dies; paying taxes together (nothing says love quite like married filign jointly!) and getting the tax breaks straight couples get, and yes, even in a dissolution of a marriage. And last but not least, being part of the time-honored societal tradition of celebrating the love of a couple and becoming part of your community as a married couple. This is the respect and esteem that all couples should have. These should be available to all couples, should they choose to marry.

Why not just give people the same rights, and call it civil union or domestic partnership? Sorry, but to me, a marriage is a marriage. Calling it anything else smacks of second best. I think the institution of marriage can only be enhanced by being more inclusive. I hate to think of gay kids growing up thinking that a union between someone of their own sex is somehow lesser, or the unioin of their same sex parents is not the same as their friends' heterosexual parents. Marriage should be equal, for those who want to marry. :)

Anonymous said...

Forgot to add, so glad to hear the the CA Supreme Court is going to hear the cases, and hoping for the best in March - that Prop 8 will be found unconstitutional and marriage for same sex couples will be restored. :)

Anonymous said...

Wicked asked for this Peanut Butter Cookie recipe so here it is. Three generations of my family
made them. This recipe came from
the cookbook my mother's friend
gave her before she was married. It was an engagement present!

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg well beaten
1 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/4 cup brown sugar

Cream together butter and peanut. Add sugars and cream thoroughly. Add well beaten egg.
Sift flour and soda together and
work into creamed mixture. Form into balls and flatten out on a baking sheet with a fork. Bake at
350 degrees for 10 minutes. Keep
a close eye on them because they
can BURN QUICKLY if you do not keep a close eye on them!!

Praire Girl wanted this version of a Beef Stroganoff Caserole. I got this out of a True
Story magazine recipe sometime in
1999.

Beef Stroganoff Casserole

1 pound Hamburger or Extra Lean
Hamburger (I always use EL hamburger.)
1 10-ounce can Campbell's Cheddar
Cheese Soup
1-pound package egg noodles
(I have used macaroni at times if
you get in a pinch)
1 pack shredded cheddar cheese or
whatever cheese you like

Fry hamburger and drain off grease. Combine hamburger and cheddar cheese soup in bowl. Cook
egg noodles and drain. Grease baking pan. Mix egg noodles, hamburger mixture in layers in
pan. Pour cheese over top. Bake at
350 degree oven for about 20-25
minutes or until cheese is melted.
It may get done in about 15 minutes.

CHEESE BALL

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese softened
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch
Buttermilk Recipe
1 can Hormel chunk ham
1 small package chopped pecans

Mix together cream cheese and
dressing mix. Drain Ham and then
chunk with fork. Blend into mixture. Refrigerate until easy to
work. Roll into ball. Roll in
chopped pecans. Chill well before
serving at least overnight. Can be
frozen.

Sorry this is so long but these
are my favorite recipes. I have
one more but I will post it later
on! Does anyone have Jake's recipe
for Baked Ziti?

Special K said...

Oh NETB - I want everyone to have the opportunity to marry. And to have all the benefits of marriage.

I was just trying to make the point that there are relationships that people haven't made legal that are just as valid as any marriage. And that I thought Jake was in one such as that, and not with a tiny blonde but a long tall brunette.


And Thanks Kacie for sharing- these are great recipes! And thanks for making this great suggestion of a sharing recipes.

Anonymous said...

Ok Spesh - probably I needed to post that anyway. I agree with you, I've just been fired up about Prop 8 passing.

Yes, Kacie, the family recipes are the best. Thanks! I want to try the peanut butter cookie recipe. Hopefully they'll come out right for me. ;)

Atticus said...

I'm hungry

Wicked said...

while love is a beautiful thing between a couple, I have found that love is practical too.

Any love that is not practical is a love that I am not interested in. It will not last.

Kacie, I am going to make those PB cookies for Thanksgiving. They sound easy and that is right up my alley!

Special K said...

I am having flashbacks of spritz cookie meltdowns from childhood. Why did my MomMom think they would be easy for a kid to do?

destiny said...

This is a dish my mom probably got out of a magazine. This is always on my Thanksgiving menu as it is an easy way to get in some vegetables and color to that brown, carb-loaded meal, and it's usually a big hit too.

Ice Box Salad

1 can (16 oz) green beans (chopped)
1 can (17 oz) tiny peas (Leseur brand is best)
1 can (16 oz) or 2 cans (11 oz) of shoe peg corn
1 jar (4 oz) chopped pimentos
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 onion finely chopped
1 green pepper finely chopped


Marinade:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup oil (can be reduced to 1/4 cup, which is the way I prefer it)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper


Drain canned vegetables and combine in glass bowl with other vegetables.

In a saucepan combine the marinade ingredients. Bring it to a boil--then take off stove and cool slightly. Pour over veggies, cover bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.


Note: Do not use a metal bowl for the vegetables, it affects the taste. Also, it is very important to cook the marinade, it tastes completely different if you don't. I used cider viengar and olive oil for added taste.

Atticus said...

Anyone need a taste tester I'm available.

Special K said...

More veggies

This I make a lot.

Roasted Green Beans with Tomatoes and Feta

1 ½ lbs fresh green beans

2 cups (approximately 10 oz) grape tomatoes

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Ground Black pepper to taste.


Preheat oven to 425 degree.

In a ceramic/glass baking dish place fresh snapped green beans in a single layer, lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, season with a light sprinkle of kosher salt. Toss to evenly coat. Place in oven, roast for 8-10 minutes.

Place grape tomatoes in a non-stick frying pan, over a medium high heat. Drizzle lightly with the extra virgin olive oil. Stir gently. Heat the tomatoes until they begin to split their skins and soften.

Remove green beans from oven, add the sautéed cherry tomatoes combine together gently. Sprinkle with ½ cup feta cheese. Loosely tent dish with foil, avoiding the tomatoes having direct contact with the foil. Return to oven for 2-4 minutes to incorporate flavors.

Season to taste.

Serves 6

Vegetarian
Side Dish

Anonymous said...

I have 2 recipes to share. First a winter entree. Cola Short Ribs.
4-5 lb beef short ribs
salt,pepper and garlic powder to taste
1 1/2 cups coca cola
1 1/2 cups bottled chili sauce
3 tbls worcestershire sauce
2 tbls red pepper sauce or to taste
1 -2 tbls flour
heat oven to 325. Brown short ribs on all sides over medium heat in a dutch oven or large pot, uncovered. Drain any excess oil. Combine salt, pepper and garlic powder, sprinkle evenly over browned ribs. Mix cola, chili sauce, worcestershire and red pepper sauce. Pour over ribs. Make sure ribs are largely covered with liquid. Add water or more cola if needed. Cover with tight fitting lid and bake 1 1/2 - 2 hours until meat is tender and falling off bones. Stir and turn ribs periodically for even cooking. Remove ribs from pan and skim off fat. Thicken sauce by adding a mixture of flour and water to sauce. Be sure to mix the flour and water, in equal parts, together first before adding to the sauce. Reheat sauce until lighlty boiling to cook off the flour. Serve ribs topped with sauce. Tastes best if allowed to sit overnight for the flavors to mingle, but can be served the same day.

Anonymous said...

Here is recipe number 2, an appetizer. Artichoke dip.
1 14oz can drained artichoke hearts. (or use frozen(thawed) or fresh if you prefer)
1 cup grated parmesan
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp dried dill, use more if fresh
1/4 tsp minced garlic.

Chop artichoke hearts; soften cream cheese in microwave so it's blendable. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Can also be combined in a food processor, but do not overprocess. It's simple enough to do by hand and I prefer this way as it gives more control over the texture.

Can be served chilled on crackers or baguette slices, or heated for about 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven and served warm. Can also be used as a filling for stuffed mushrooms.

I get asked for this recipe all the time and keep copies of it on hand for handing out.

Anonymous said...

One last item to Prairie Girl. Re the use of M vs. m. No significance. I am just lazy about hitting the caps key while typing. Most of the time, I dont bother wiht it unless it is important. I did a lot of business correpondence yesterday, so was being careful all day and it carried over when I was commenting here. M is one of my initials and I actually sign some correspondance simply with a big M. Off to work now.

destiny said...

Cranberry Sauce

Mix one bag of fresh cranberries in a pan with one cup of orange juice and one cup of real maple syrup. Cook on the stove over medium heat, skimming off any white foam and stirring to avoid burning and sticking on the bottom of the pan. Cook until cranberries start to burst and mixture starts to thicken a bit. Take off heat and smash cranberries with a potato masher until most of the whole cranberries are mushed. Cool.

prairiegirl said...

Hi guys! netb & m, yeah, your caps is messin' me up, lol, but I'll live. It just looks so strange. At work, it drives me crazy because on my one spread sheet that I work on all day it's in caps. But my emails & IM's & other spreadsheets, I need lowercase/upper case. The flipping back & forth drives me absolutely nuts.
I brought my recipes to work and now I am going to type away. I tried to pick short ones so as to keep it simple. It was soooo hard to just stick to a few. I have alot of tried & trues and favorites. Everything sounds great so far. I'm going to have a blast printing this all out and I'm going to have to give it a name but OMG will be on there.
Can I say that I love that picture of Jake drinking the wine? And also the one of his hands. Those are some mighty fine looking hands, gotta say.

netb, what you said in your 1st post was absolutely beautiful. It was just - I don't know how to put it, just perfect & exactly how I feel, too. But I understand what you're saying, too, Special. There are ties that bind that are not legally bound but are just as tight if not tighter than some marriages. But I love the idea of the commitment of the ring. Take the plunge and show you're serious, not leaving an possible out.

I better get to typing & quit yakking.

prairiegirl said...

Oh gosh, lookit that typeo. leaving a possible out, not an possible out. what in the heck...

prairiegirl said...

Okay, this is for Kacie. Kacie, I got this out of Taste of Home years ago and my family has to have it every Thanksgiving. It has a diabetic exchange of 1/2 fruit, if that helps ya.

Gelatin Fruit Salad

1 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 pkg (.6 oz) sugar-free cherry gelatin
1 can (12 oz) or 1 1/2 c. diet ginger ale
1 can (8 oz) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained

In a saucepan, bring the applesauce to a boil; remove from the heat. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Slowly add ginger ale and pineapple. Pour into a 2 qt. serving bowl. Chill until set.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love fresh cranberry sauce - I use the recipe right off the package boil a bag of fresh cranberries with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar (I cut down on the sugar a bit) but I've been looking for a way to jazz it up with orange. I'll have to try this one! It's great on the holiday and also spread on those after holiday sandwiches. :)

I'm not big on doing anything fancy with veggies, just basically steam them and spritz with lemon. A good way for making butternut squash I have found is to slice it in half, remove strings and seeds of course, and bake face down on a baking sheet (don't add no water) until the skin becomes brown and a bit blistery - about 400 degrees F for an hour or so. Spoon it out and mix it up however you like it with butter or maple syrup, or use it in a recipe calling for squash. No peeling (I hate peeling squash!) and it comes out sweet and a great consistency, and a beautiful color. :)

Special K said...

PG - Put up as many recipes as you like. The more the merrier.

I do like the idea of a commitment you can see, and you many that too.

I think there are private moments that vows are promises are said, and outward symbols are worn. It doesn't alway have to be a ring on a finger.

And that's not to say those things don't happen in front of family and friends.

Again - the most important thing out of all of it is letting people have the choice to legally marry. Not just letting them have something kinda like it, sorta because they choose to be in a same sex relationship. Everyone falls in love, everyone should have the opportunity to marry if they want.

prairiegirl said...

Corn State Broccoli Bake

Okay, this is from Taste of Home, too. Can't get enough of their stuff. This is a great side dish. Why don't they make a degree thing on a computer keyboard, I wonder? That sure would be handy. ;)

1 pkg (8 oz) Chicken in a Biskit crackers, crushed
1/2 c. butter or marg, melted
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can (15 1/4 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14 3/4 oz) cream style corn

Combine cracker crumbs & butter; reserve 1/2 c. for topping. In a bowl, combine broccoli, both cans of corn, and remaining crumbs. Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 25-30 min. or until lightly browned.

Anonymous said...

OMG - I can't believe I wrote that - I just blasted this comment out at work and didn't proofread it. I had two sentences going there - don't add water and no water. Arrrgghhh! And don't use a baking sheet, I should have said a baking pan. :)

Thanks PG - :*

prairiegirl said...

Oh shoot, I forgot to tag.

Gelatin Fruit Salad - Diabetic
Corn State Broccoli Bake - side dish

Anonymous said...

I think Spesh and I meant the same thing - I just have been kinda shocked about all of this - I'm no lawyer, but Prop 8 flies in the face of the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment of the State and Federal Constitutions, whether or not it constitutes a revision or an amendment.

I'll have to try the broccoli bake, it sounds good. :) I'm getting hungry.

Special K said...

Make these for work and for friends.

Spinach Cheese Squares

2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen
chopped spinach - thawed and
squeezed till all liquid is
out
1 tablespoon minced onion


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Place butter or margarine in a 9x13 inch baking dish and melt butter in oven. Remove when melted, approximately 3 minutes.

3. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs well. Mix in flour, milk and baking powder. When the dough is well combined, mix in cheese, spinach, and onion. Spoon mixture into the baking dish with melted butter.

4. Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool 45 minutes then cut into bite-size squares.

You can reheat these just watch so they don't get too rubbery.

Vegetarian

prairiegirl said...

And don't use a baking sheet, I should have said a baking pan. :)

LOL! netb, yeah, I think those cranberries might be all over the bottom of the oven on a cookie sheet. That was funny.

Anonymous said...

^^Ohhhhh, that sounds so good too Spesh - forget what I said about steamed veggies. We can go back to them after the holidays! ;)

prairiegirl said...

Appetizer: (actually, this doesn't have a name - I just made this one up. One of my cube mates brought this in and the entire office loves it. It is so easy but it is sooo good.

Chicken/Cream Cheese Dip

2 (8 oz) pkgs of cream cheese, softened
2 cans of chicken (like the tuna in a can, but chicken)
Garlic powder to taste
Sliced almonds

Mix together both bars of cream cheese, the 2 cans of chicken, and a dash of garlic powder (I use some garlic seasoning). Start with a dash and then add more if you need. Top with sliced almonds (but you don't have to - sometimes I do, sometimes I don't) and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with crackers.

prairiegirl said...

Here's the Crescent sopaipilla cheesecake that I made that one day and I messed it up while I was blogging on OMG. Couldn't multi-task, lol. Our 2nd shift whse super made this & brought it in and man, was it a hit. I took it to our raking party and the girls lapped it up. It is so good and you can't believe how easy it is. It can be served cold or warm (I think it's best warm.) Guaranteed winner.

Crescent Sopaipilla/Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese
2 (8 oz) pkgs refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract or almond extract
1/2 c. marg or butter, melted
1/2 c. cinnamon sugar

Cinnamon sugar: Combine 1 c. sugar to 2 TB cinnamon. I don't even use that much. I don't measure either. I just add a little cinnamon to some sugar, lol.

1. Using a 9 x 13 pan, unroll one pkg of refrig crescent rolls and line the bottom of the pan with them.
2. Flatten
3. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, and extract
4. Spread over the crescent rolls.
5. Unroll the other can of crescent rolls and place on top of cream cheese mixture.
6. Pour one stick of melted butter or marg over the top and sprinkle with about 1/2 c. of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.

Couple of notes: Don't try using the Pillsbury biscuits - cubemate tried it and it didn't work. Also, don't try using reduced fat stuff. Won't work as well. Also, you can cut it in half and use an 8 x 8. I also found 1/2 c. of butter almost too much. Next time, I'm going to cut back on that.

prairiegirl said...

darnit -
Sopapilla Cheesecake - dessert

prairiegirl said...

This'll be my last one til tonight. Might add one or 2 more later. This is a simple side gelatin salad but what makes it different, I think, is the buttermilk. Seems anything I have made that has buttermilk in it is great. Everytime I have made this and taken it somewhere, someone wants the recipe. Kacie, I bet you can adapt this and use sugar free Jello & sugar free Cool Whip. And pineapple in its own juice. Can you have/do you like pineapple?

Buttermilk Salad - side dish

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple
1 pkg (6 oz) orange or apricot-flavored Jell O
2 c. buttermilk
1 (9 3/4 oz) Cool Whip (thawed)

In a medium saucepan, bring pineapple with its juice to a boil. Remove from heat.
Stir in gelatin until well dissolved.
Add buttermilk.
Refrigerate 45 min. or until partly set.
Fold in Cool Whip, blending well.
Refrigerate until firm.

destiny said...

You're so good netb eating steamed vegetables. Most vegetables I saute in olive oil.

Everything sounds great, although I won't be trying any of the recipes with beef or pork as I don't eat those foods.

PG, what are Chicken in a Biskit crackers? Never heard of them.

I think all of you--Special, NETB and Wicked--have made some very good points about relationships. The most important thing is that people should be free to have the kind of relationship they want. There's no way of knowing if J&A would prefer to have something like what Special describes, or would rather be married if they could. However ita that "civil unions" are a poor substitute for marriage.

Wicked said...

However ita that "civil unions" are a poor substitute for marriage.

Separate but equal never is.

Anonymous said...

I love olive oil too Destiny. And I was surprised how much lemon makes the flavors jump out - I used to just put butter on them. My Dad's simple salad dressing of lemon juice, oil and mint is the best. I like garlic mashed potatoes too, any kind really, but the Red Bliss with skins on in particular. I don't eat red meat or pork - I do eat chicken and fish a lot - I have a recipe for baked scallops that we use a lot, and you can use it with haddock, cod, etc. I don't cook anything really fancy, I do like to bake tho. There's a great recipe for pumpkin bars I should post (not mine). Didn't Jake have a chocolate zucchini bread recipe? Sounds good for Christmas gifts. I think people should be free to have the kind of relationship they want as well.

Anonymous said...

Here is another recipe that I want
to leave. My friend said that it is good but I have never tried it.

TATER TOT CASSEROLE
2 pounds ground beef
1 big bag of tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown ground beef and then drain; set saide.
Warm soup in saucepan as directed on can.
Lightly spray a casserole dish and pour in each ingredient,
blend, and top with cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees until cheese melts.

I know that Ted said that Toothy and GG were still together
but at times I have had my doubts.
What I am trying to say is that I
hope with all my heart that they
find some way to stay together. If
you really love someone, you find
some way to make it work. It goes
also for Jake and Reese. If they
are really together, I wish them
the best. I just Jake does not cut
someone out of his life just for the sake of his career. You should
do what your heart tells you. I
will always think that he has or
had deep feeling for Austin. That
is the last that I will say on the
subject.
As for myself, I really am not
that good of a cook. I manage though. Wicked, buy a good quality
of peanut butter like Peter Pan or
Skippy. It does a lot better!! They are delicious but please keep
a close eye on your oven!! Many
times they get done quicker and I
know you do not want burned cookies! I will hush now. Actually, I think I am old and
boring!! I will skip on the movie
sometimes. Prairie Girl, I will try the sald. I think that I would
like it. I will stop now and catch
you all later!!

Anonymous said...

^^I meant SALAD! See what happens
when you get in a hurry? Anyway,
I think people should do what makes them happy. The old saying
is if you are meant to be together, YOU WILL BE!! Take care
everybody!!

destiny said...

One of my favorite salads, and one I make probably 3-4 times a week is to just chop up tomatoes and onions, and put on a little olive oil and some kosher or course salt. Sometimes I add in cucumbers, or in the summer watermelon.

Olive oil and lemon is great too, I do that with arugala.

destiny said...

The intersting thing about the people trying to push civil unions is that I think it will backfire exactly because it will be shown that separate is not equal. That is what happened in New Jersey, and hopefully that means marriage will soon be recognized in that state.

Special K said...

Mediterranean Layer Dip

1 pkg. (8 oz.) regular or lowfat cream cheese, softened

1-1/4 cups crumbled Feta Cheese with basil & tomato, divided

2 Tbsp. low fat milk

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup green onion slices

2 Tbsp. sliced pitted ripe olives - (I usually used Kalamata)


Beat cream cheese, 1 cup of the feta cheese and milk in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread into 9-inch pie plate.

Top with layers of spinach, tomatoes, onions and olives; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese. Cover.

Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

Serve with tortilla chips, pita pieces, or my personal favorite, thick slices of cucumbers.

Appetizer
Vegetarian

Special K said...

This is a really good article that appeared is this week's Boston Globe on about the views of same sex marriages in Massachusetts since it passed 5 years ago.

5 years later, views shift subtly on gay marriage

destiny said...

Thanks Special. I really liked this bit from the story:

What's really changed is more subtle than cosmic, more about the everyday lives of gay couples in Massachusetts than about a national transformation. Gay and lesbian couples here said they are attracting fewer startled looks when they rent cars, less consternation when they hold hands, fewer awkward questions when they visit spouses in hospital rooms.

Anonymous said...

^^Now, I think that's just what everybody would want. :) Yay!

Anonymous said...

The following is from the newest parade magazine. I'm posting the pertinent parts here so that you don't have to link to it.

"Do I need men?” actress reese Witherspoon asks. “I don’t think it’s about needing men. It’s about love.” ...

Since her divorce, Reese’s long friendship with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, 27, has garnered increasing media attention. A year ago, as she and Jake starred together in the film Rendition and her divorce was being finalized, the media speculation about their romance heated up. When Jake’s in Los Angeles, he reportedly stays at her home. Recently, Jake, Reese, and her kids have been spotted together in London and Paris, leading to questions of possible marriage.

“Family is all we have in life, but I don’t know how I feel about marriage,” she tells me. “Obviously, I’m not far enough out of being married to think about doing it again. You sort of reconstitute your family. You find a family, with people who come into your life for a reason.

“I definitely still have a capacity to love,” she continues. “Someone said to me once, ‘No matter what breakup you went through or what new love you find—the love you remember, like the love you now value, is yours. Whatever love you once gave to somebody else, it doesn’t go away. Even if it is only remembered love, it belongs to you.’”

Reese smiles.

“Things change,” she says, “but your ability to love remains intact. Oh, I have a lot of hope for love! I do!”

Anonymous said...

If it's just about finding family whereever you can, how come me and my other daddy can't hang out with her too?

Anonymous said...

I don't know, there's too much vagueness swirling about for me to know what to believe. That ET vid, at least the one I saw, didn't even mention Jake. I'm with Spesh, once Jake says something unequivocal about his relationship with Reese, then I'll believe it.

Anonymous said...

Hope more cities will do this. Laguna Beach joins Prop 8 lawsuit

Special K said...

More recipes ?!?!? - will Special ever stop posting them?

One of my brothers - becomes the holiday cook and does it all, I think it's so he can get out of dishes afterwards and go straight to football. Anyway ... this is a "holiday gotta have on the table" for us...

Rockin' Sweet Potatoes

4-6 Large sweet potatoes
Bake at 350 until soft, peel and mash.

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs well beaten

1/2 (1/4 cup) stick of butter

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix above ingredients together with mashed sweet potatoes and then place in a 2 quart casserole dish.

Topping:

Mix the following ingredients together and spread over the sweet potato mixture.

1/3 cup melted butter or margarine

1/3 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (your preference)

1/2 cup shredded coconut

Spread over sweet potato mixture, cover dish and bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.

The top layer of crunch maybe stirred in with the sweet potatoes at the end of baking if desired. Me? I like to keep the crunchy layer on top.

And nope - not one marshmallow in sight. LOL

Special K said...

One thing I forget to mention-

Tomorrow is OMG movie club - we will be discussing the movie Shelter. Join us at starting at 5:00 EST Friday and all day Saturday.

destiny said...

That sounds good Special, but I think there would be a revolt at my house between the marshmallow lovers and the coconut haters (yes, I have a few of those coming, and I love coconut).

Special K said...

Funny thing is - you can't really tell there's coconut in the crunch.

We also turn the leftovers of the sweet potatoes into either breakfast or dessert. Funny we do that with pie too.

Anonymous said...

My impression of the Swedish chef -floedi boedi floedi boedi ...

Oh and
(((Atticus))) (((baby tile)))

Anonymous said...

"Reese smiles.

“Things change,” she says, “but your ability to love remains intact. Oh, I have a lot of hope for love! I do!”

Atticus said...

I get anything drops on the floor.

Anonymous said...

Trust me, I’ve had my moments,” she continued. “I’m like a junkyard dog. I’d say, ‘Why are they asking me to wear a bikini?’ I get tough, because I see the slippery slope… There are a lot of women who don’t respect themselves and hurt themselves. I grew up knowing strong women who value who you are and what you contribute to life.

Thank God women have Reese to tell them how to live their lives. Is she completely unaware that lots of women like to be sexy and wear a bikini and have people admire her for it? Anyway another annoying moment from the General. Thanks for letting me vent.

prairiegirl said...

Ah geez, Reese. I'm just numb to her ridiculously doublesided & foggily vague statements to the press anymore. You know what? I could use all that wind coming out of her mouth to blow this cold front right out of Kansas. It's gotten quite cold here today & it's got me cranky. I can't even take her seriously. When is this 4 Christmas's BigWind Tour going to end. In another week, I guess. Like to bottle up all that wind and release it to the sailboaters on the lakes around here next summer. They'd appreciate it.

I have a few more to add to the potpourri of OMG dishes. I'll add them in the next comment. I just had to vent and ol' Reese shouldered it well. It was just a horrendous day at work and I didn't get to walk. Kinda cranky right now. Hopefully typing some recipes will work out those ill thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Ok, here goes - I don't cook anything fancy, I usually roast meat, bake or broil seafood, steam, bake or stir-fry veggies, but I do like to bake. This roll recipe is one I like, from Cooking Light, and a Cranberry Nut Bread, from right off the package:

HERBED CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

Ingredients:
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
3/4 cup 1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup evaporated skim milk
4 cups bread or all-purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons stick margarine or butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon water
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Preparation:

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in milks. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 3 cups flour, margarine, and next 5 ingredients (margarine through pepper) to yeast mixture; stir until blended. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down; cover and let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 18 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining dough to keep from drying), divide each portion into 3 pieces; shape each piece into a ball. Coat muffin pans with cooking spray; place 3 dough balls in each muffin cup. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Uncover dough. Combine 1 tablespoon water and egg white; brush over dough. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Yield
1 1/2 dozen (serving size: 1 roll)

~~~~~~~
CLASSIC CRANBERRY NUT BREAD
(From Ocean Spray)

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons shortening
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 cups Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, orange peel, shortening and egg. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan.

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Wrap and store overnight. Makes 1 loaf (16 slices).

~~~~~

About the roasted squash - I usually bake it in a roasting pan or pyrex dish; if you use a glass dish adjust the heat to 375 degrees. Actually, I keep it at 375 although the recipe called for 400, and it takes about 45 minutes for me. Skin side up; should get a little brown and blistery on the outside skin. The natural sugars get all caramel-ly and sweet, so you really don't need to add sugar unless you want to.

Sorry for the long post!

Special K said...

Kacie - the peanut butter cookies look like total temptation and you stroganoff recipe is definitely something for a cold winter night. And I have a friend who claims that Tater Tot recipe is hers. Too funny.

M - those cola ribs look good, I've used cola, Sprite on some of the hams I've made in the past, have to tried it for ribs. Any thing with artichokes works for me.

PG - Crescent Sopaipilla/Sopapilla Cheesecake is definitely going to Mardi Club (ladies auxiliary) at church.

NE - you are too good for steamed vegs most of the time. : )
mmmm- carbs... cranberry nut bread, and rolls.. mmmm

I do like to chop up zucchini, fresh tomatoes, and onion in the summer and steam them up together with some basil, oregano, and a little Parmesan cheese.

Destiny - while you have to have sweet potatoes with marshmallows at the table. Its jelly cranberry with the the ridges that needs to be on the table to make it the holidays. : ) Yes, I love real cranberries but to us kids it's not the holidays unless you have the can shaped kind.

prairiegirl said...

LOLLLLLL! I just was picturing....oh well, never mind. It's not nice. Just picturing the sailboats out on the lakes and....LOLLLL!

Everything sounds great on here so far. That Mediterranean Dip has caught my eye. Gotta type quick. Got laundry going and then hopefully go dig out some Christmas decorations and then pack. Oh!And Ugly Betty is on tonight. It's gotten good again. I just love Mark & Amanda on there. They crack me up. But I think they've broken up Mark & his boyfriend. His boyfriend was cute. Well, Mark is too, but they have him dressing a little strange this year.

You know, I wanted to say too that marriage/civil unions/private ceremonies are things that quite a few people aren't going to agree on for the most part anyway. And there's no right or wrong, it's pretty much a private feeling, I think. You feel how you feel and as long as the two people are in love & agree on how to be together, then that's what matters, not what everyone else thinks. Exhale. Okay, now on to a few more dishes.

Anonymous said...

I go a little cranberry crazy at the holidays - we have a few bogs where we live so it's quite a nice thing I think. Very pretty. I'm going to try a few of these recipes too, yum! :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry, forgot to add I like the sound of the Sopapilla Cheesecake too. :)

prairiegirl said...

Herbed Baby Carrots - Side dish

1 1/2 lb tiny whole carrots

1/4 c. butter or marg

1 1/2 tsp snipped fresh tarragon or 1/2 tsp dried tarragon, crushed

1 1/2 tsp snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed

1/2 tsp salt

Dash freshly ground pepper

1. In a large saucepan, cook carrots, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 15-20 min. or til crisp-tender. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the remaining ingred. til butter is melted. Pour over carrots. Toss gently.

These are really simple but the herbs give the carrots a different flavor. My cutout looks like this came from Southern Living. I've had it a long time.

My clippings/recipe cards that have all kinds of stains, have pieces of dried dough or other food on them, & are wrinkled/torn, etc. are usually my favorites, lol.

Destiny, you haven't heard of Chicken in a Biskit? They're a little snack cracker. They're rectangular shaped and have holes in them. They're made by Nabisco and come in the blue box with the white chickens on them. I don't think they taste like chicken at all, but they have a very distinct flavor.

Florida Tom said...

Frosty Flakes

Milk

Wooooooooooooooo.......

Its really easy

prairiegirl said...

netb, I've seen pictures of those cranberry fields. They're so pretty. And they show that commercial all the time with those 2 guys standing in the middle of one of those bogs. I don't know what the commercial is for, though. I'm sure the marketer wouldn't like hearing that. That's not the purpose of a commercial, lol.

Special K said...

Five-Spice Candied Pecans

yield: Makes about 2 cups

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons five-spice powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups pecan halves

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a shallow baking pan and a 12-inch
square of foil, keeping pan and foil separate.

In a small heavy saucepan bring water to a boil with sugar, five-spice powder, and salt. Stir in pecans and simmer mixture, stirring, 1 minute. Immediately pour mixture evenly into pan and with a metal spatula spread pecans in one layer. Bake mixture in middle of oven 8 minutes, or until pecans turn mahogany-colored and most of liquid is evaporated. Immediately transfer pecans with metal spatula to foil, keeping them in one layer, and cool completely. (Pecans will continue
to crisp as they cool.) Break up any pecans that have stuck together.

(Candied pecans keep, in layers separated by wax paper, in an airtight container, frozen, 2 weeks.)

I like to put some of these in a salad with dark greens, some dried cranberries and some chevre (goat cheese) with some vinaigrette.

Anonymous said...

Frosty Flakes

Milk


They'reeeee Grrrrrrreat!

prairiegirl said...

Orzo Salad w/Chickpeas - salad. From the Kansas City Star

1 c. orzo pasta
1/2 c. thinly sliced green onions
1/2 c. reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese
1/4 c. chopped fresh dill
1 (19 oz) can rinsed & drained chickpeas or garbanzo beans
3 TB fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 TB extra virgin olive oil
1 TB cold water
1/2 tsp each of salt & minced garlic

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, but without oil; drain and rinse in cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, green onions, cheese, dill, & chickpeas, tossing gently to combine.
3. In a small bowl, whisk juice, oil, water, salt & minced garlic. Drizzle over pasta mixture. Toss to coat.

Oh, looks like this was adapted from Cooking Light magazine. hey, netb, your magazine!

Anonymous said...

LOL, PG, I'm with you on those commercials. ;) Cooking Light has the best pictures of food, don't they? I have a few books of theirs too - I just can't get my cookies to look like that. lol

prairiegirl said...

Pumpkin Crunch - dessert

my buddy @ work made this & brought it to one of our office potlucks. I don't know where she got it, but it's a keeper.

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 (15 oz) can solid pack pumpkin
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. butter
Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease bottom of 9 x 13. Combine pumpkin, milk, evap. milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, & salt in large bowl.

Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mix.

Top with pecans. Drizzle melted butter over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 min. Cool. Chill. Serve with whipped cream.

Anonymous said...

I like to put some of these in a salad with dark greens, some dried cranberries and some chevre (goat cheese) with some vinaigrette.

This sounds heavenly, Spesh. I'll have to try making the pecans.

I love anything with pumpkin in it too, PG.

Florida Tom said...

Wow I am finally looking forward to watching the Oscars for the first time since Brokeback. Seems like "Milk" has now become one of the favorites to win Best Picture. Sean Penn is certianly one of the favorites for Best Actor in a leading role and Josh Brolin for Best Actoe in a supporting role. Also the openly gay director of "Milk" is one of the top picks for Best Director.

And the highlight of the night Heath is a shoo in for Best Supporting Actor. How emotional is that gonna be. I wonder who will except the award for him.

prairiegirl said...

Okay, last one, I think! I got this one from a lady who used to go to my church in Kansas City. It's still written on the same little college notepad paper that she wrote it out on in pencil after dinner. It's getting faded now and I guess I better think about transferring it to something else more legible. Anyway, we were in a Dinner 4 Eight grouping and that's a great way to get recipes from people. I have another recipe for a sort of similar type salad but it has peanut butter in the dressing and it is the best. This one is more vegetable involved - uh, no I take that back. This one is excellent, though. I call it Sally's Salad because her name was Sally. Lol. Gosh, how stupid. I have another recipe that I call "That Dip". Lol! One of our former warehouse supervisor's made it & it was so unusual, the ingredients are crazy. Everyone just called it That Dip. He was always told he had to bring "that dip." Heavy sigh, I miss him.

Sally's Salad

4 c. broccoli flourettes
1/2 c. sliced grapes
1/2 c. pineapple
1/2 c. mandarin orange slices
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. nuts (walnuts)
1/2 c. chopped celery
Diced onion optional
1 c. mayo
1/2 c. sugar
2 TB vinegar

Mix together. Lol! doesn't get any easier than that. You know what I do? In recipes like this, I go to the grocery store salad bars and get their chopped celery. That's it. Then I don't have to buy a whole stalk. Not that I don't like celery, but sometimes I'm in a hurry, don't want to chop. SALAD BAR. They come in handy.

I also made a Cheeseburger Soup for work not that long ago and that time, I skimped on dicing the potatoes. So I bought a bag of frozen breakfast potatoes. Worked just as well. And like Wal Mart sells frozen chopped onions & green/red peppers - ready to thaw & throw into a dish. There's alot of shortcuts one can take to help speed things along in a pinch.

Anonymous said...

I just copied that cranberry bread recipe from online because I didn't have it at my fingertips; when I make it I usually use butter instead of shortening, and fresh cranberries.

I'm going to try this pumpkin bar recipe at Thanksgiving this year. I better experiment first or I'll have a disastah, I'm sure. ;) From Paula Deen.

Ingredients:

Bars:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Anonymous said...

Parade: Reese is proud of many of the decisions she made – like choosing to avoid scantily clad moments on screen. “It takes perseverance and determination for any young woman to navigate the movie business,” she said. “It’s deeply offensive when they are objectified, treated like sex toys. It’s so easy to get attention early on in your career when you promote only the sexual side of yourself. It gains you popularity, but it doesn’t mean anything. Five years later, no one knows your name, and you wonder why."

Reese did you forget you're in the internet age where vid of your nude scene in Twilight can be found with a few clicks? Remember it next time before you get on your hypocritical highhorse.

Anonymous said...

What does everyone do with Thanksgiving leftovers? That's what I love. Turkey sandwiches with cranberry mayo, or a turkey soup, or a turkey pot pie. That's what I do. Yum! I almost look forward to that more than the actual meal.

Well, goodnite all - off to watch my other favorite Jerry Bruckheimer extravaganza - CSI Las Vegas. Wicked, was it you who liked Lady Heather the Dominatrix? I liked her character too. It was all about Lady Heather last week - she's now a psychologist, and Grissom was having a personal crisis after Sara left him, and he spent the night at Lady Heather's place. Can't wait to see what happens next! Night all! ;)

destiny said...

^Not to mention that fashion disaster at the beach with Jake when she wore a bathing suit that was clearly too small for her--wasn't it a bikini???

PG, I'm still laughing over what you'd do with all that wind even after reading through all these recipes. Too many great sounding recipes to single out any, although candied Pecans and the herb rolls are sticking in my mind because I love pecans and I like to bake.

And I got a good laugh out of your recipe Tom.

This recipe exchange was a great idea Kacie, thanks for suggesting it.

prairiegirl said...

Ditto - Yea to Kacie for this great idea. It was a blast. Kacie, I'm sorry I didn't have more sugar free ones. I'm going to keep my eye out for those in the future. We can always swap ideas any time, you know? I'm definitely going to try that beef stroganoff. Beef & cheese - doesn't get any better than that for me.

When I saw Parade, I was thinking of Premiere magazine. Now it's dawning on me that she's going to be on the cover of that magazine that comes in the Sunday paper. Someone over on WFT2 printed alot of the article and I couldn't even read alot of it. What a snow job. I can't even believe Jake is linking himself to her. And I am not even going to think about it anymore because I'll just blow a gasket. No need to waste any further time on it.

Anyway, I had alot of fun on here today and everyone did such a great job. I can't wait to take my time and read all the recipes at length.

I'm going to sign off for now, so much to do before getting ready to leave in the morning. I'm taking my new camera & hopefully my camper friend who is really into photography will show me all the ins & outs of it. Then hopefully maybe I can post a picture of our view from the condo out onto the lake. Wouldn't that be something.

I'm taking my laptop because the resort has free wireless. Not that I want to get on it; we'll be too busy shopping. But now that we stay at this place, we have a gas grill and a great balcony, so we love to cook on it for lunch & one of our dinners. Well, we don't grill. My friend does, lol! I don't know how to even start a gas grill. So there is a bit of down time and my emails pile up on me. Anyway, I've been told already that I better not be on it hardly at all or I'm going to get left behind. As if.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I'm with Spesh, once Jake says something unequivocal about his relationship with Reese, then I'll believe it.

We all know what happens when fans make statements like that ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow, lots of great sounding recipes to try. I am a sucker for chickpeas, so that's the one I am trying first. Anything with feta will come next.

When I read that comment about let's wait for Jake to say something, I thought oh no, we've jinxed it. Now PR will make Jake speak. Shall we take bets on the number of days till it happens? Actually, for having a movie due out any day, I don't see much buzz about Reese on the internet at all. And if Jake does speak, I am sure he will be just as ambigous as possible. Nothing in that interview by R sounds like a woman in love.

Atticus said...

What does everyone do with Thanksgiving leftovers?

I have idea. Give to me and I make them disappear fast. Room in your fridge helps save energy and save the planet. Keeps you green and me fat and happy! Not sure if me reading Kacie and Special and evryones recipes was a good idea. My regular one dish meal used to be exciting now its blah. I'll talk to Daddy and see if I can hire you as my cooks.

Anonymous said...

We'd love to cook for you, honey! I saw a recipe homemade doggie biscuits you would love! :)

destiny said...

No recipes Wicked and London?

Anonymous said...

No recipes here either. I don't spend a lot of time in the kitchen but a lot of these sound great.

Reese needs to shut it. She wasn't considered sexy when she was 20 either so was never considered for those type of roles in the first place - hence why she didn't play SMG's role in Cruel Intentions.

prairiegirl said...

Good morning, good morning, it's Austin Friday.

Reese needs to shut it.

lol

I was browsing a little bit last night before going to bed and found a couple things.

Michael K says the Live Puppy cam is going away in a couple of weeks. I didn't know it was still going on. They've grown. They're still adorable. They look so cute when they're sleeping with their little paws. I love dog paws.

The other thing I saw was how Reese is spinning the marriage thing to her advantage. The headlines to other websites & newspapers is that Reese is not ready for marriage to Jake. It's funny how she's getting some mileage out of this angle when she can't even seem to bring herself to actually say his stinkin' name in an interview. J*A*K*E. His name is Jake, Reese. I wonder if the interviewers hear anything other than a J...J...J...like the word gets caught in her throat or something. Anyway, it's all making her look like the one in control, the one calling the shots on this thing.

And Jake seems to be lacking in something for letting her insinuate/vaguely allude to him in this 4 Christmas' Bag o Wind Tour. I'm not sure what it is, but he's no better than her for either allowing it or eagerly partaking in it.

If, after 1 or 2 years of being "together" in this relationship, they can't stinkin decide how they feel about each other (as is reflected in these interviews), then they need to go see Dr. Phil to help figure it out. The Parade magazine interviewer doesn't even know what to call it. "A long friendship". What in the heck.

And while they will get away with calling it a "long friendship" in order to keep from having to exhibit any hot feelcopping in the press, what they are trying to insinuate in the Rome/Cabo/Paris crap is that they are indeed a couple. And after the Vogue Paris Fairytale with the infamous Dressing Room Show, you'd think Reese could say his name in an interview.

It's clever play on words on her part? It's 1 1/2 to 2 years of completely wasted energy and it's an insult to the profession that they both work in. It's an insult to their friends and family. It's an insult & a charade to the media. And, although I'm sure these people are the last on their minds, it's an insult to their fans, the ones who pay to see their movies and buy their DVD's, helping to pay for those daily Java's.
And it's an insult to themselves. Shame on Jake for thinking he has to do all of this to be accepted in life and for one big role.

prairiegirl said...

Good morning, good morning, it's Austin Friday.

Reese needs to shut it.

lol

I was browsing a little bit last night before going to bed and found a couple things.

Michael K says the Live Puppy cam is going away in a couple of weeks. I didn't know it was still going on. They've grown. They're still adorable. They look so cute when they're sleeping with their little paws. I love dog paws.

The other thing I saw was how Reese is spinning the marriage thing to her advantage. The headlines to other websites & newspapers is that Reese is not ready for marriage to Jake. It's funny how she's getting some mileage out of this angle when she can't even seem to bring herself to actually say his stinkin' name in an interview. J*A*K*E. His name is Jake, Reese. I wonder if the interviewers hear anything other than a J...J...J...like the word gets caught in her throat or something. Anyway, it's all making her look like the one in control, the one calling the shots on this thing.

And Jake seems to be lacking in something for letting her insinuate/vaguely allude to him in this 4 Christmas' Bag o Wind Tour. I'm not sure what it is, but he's no better than her for either allowing it or eagerly partaking in it.

If, after 1 or 2 years of being "together" in this relationship, they can't stinkin decide how they feel about each other (as is reflected in these interviews), then they need to go see Dr. Phil to help figure it out. The Parade magazine interviewer doesn't even know what to call it. "A long friendship". What in the heck.

And while they will get away with calling it a "long friendship" in order to keep from having to exhibit any hot feelcopping in the press, what they are trying to insinuate in the Rome/Cabo/Paris crap is that they are indeed a couple. And after the Vogue Paris Fairytale with the infamous Dressing Room Show, you'd think Reese could say his name in an interview.

It's clever play on words on her part? It's 1 1/2 to 2 years of completely wasted energy and it's an insult to the profession that they both work in. It's an insult to their friends and family. It's an insult & a charade to the media. And, although I'm sure these people are the last on their minds, it's an insult to their fans, the ones who pay to see their movies and buy their DVD's, helping to pay for those daily Java's.
And it's an insult to themselves. Shame on Jake for thinking he has to do all of this to be accepted in life and for one big role.

Anonymous said...

Prayers for Bobby award

Lifetime, Weaver To Be Honored By Trevor Project
Award Given To Those Who Inspire LGBT Community
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 11/20/2008 11:36:00 AM
Lifetime Networks and Sigourney Weaver, star of the network's upcoming telefilm Prayers for Bobby, will be honored by the Trevor Project, the operator of a national suicide prevention helpline for gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

The award is given to individuals and companies that inspire the LGBT community. The award will be presented during the group's Cracked Xmas fundraising event at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 7.
Weaver will receive the Trevor Life Award, in part, for her role as Mary Griffith in the upcoming Lifetime movie, which "drives home a message about the harmful and potentially life-shattering effects of intolerance and homophobia."

Lifetime will be honored for its history of tackling films that discuss life issues and the impact of homophobia, such as What Makes a Family, The Truth About Jane and A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story. Past recipients of this award have included Clear Channel Communications and HBO.

Prayers for Bobby, which is also co-produced by Weaver, is about a very conservative and religious woman who begins to question her beliefs when her gay son commits suicide.

Clarity said...

Wow - lots of great recipes. I cant wait to try some of them. Sorry I couldnt join in yesterday.

Here is the Main dish - Moroccan Chicken recipe:

ingredients
 
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves slivered
2 medium tomatoes cored and coarsely chopped (about 1 3/4 cups)
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup packed chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half (about 6 ounces)
1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
coarse salt and ground pepper
Couscous
3 tablespoons dry couscous
1/3 cup water
Coarse salt


Moroccan Chicken
 
Serves 1 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes
 
So that everything is ready at the same time, start the couscous while the chicken is simmering; then keep the couscous covered until ready to serve.
In a large (10-inch) skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, ginger, teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, half the cilantro, and 2 tablespoons water.
Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated but is still somewhat saucy, 6 to 8 minutes.
Stir in honey; add chicken and zucchini. Return to a simmer; cover. Cook, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in remaining cilantro. Serve over couscous (below).
Couscous
In a small saucepan, bring 1/3 cup water to a boil. Stir in couscous, season with salt.
Remove from heat; cover, and let stand until water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Before serving, fluff with a fork

prairiegirl said...

Hmmm, sorry for the double post! I seem to have lost my trashcan again. I think Blogger is having some problems again.

Oh well, ignore the double rant. I think I woke up a little cranky again! lol

I can't seem to stop swinging back & forth from hacked off/not understanding to being patient.

Clarity said...

((PG))...hope you feel better as the day goes on. I’ve felt your pain.

Anonymous said...

I forgot to add my first two should have listed as meat dishes.
Maybe the cheese ball should be
an appetizer. The tater tot casserole is listed as a casserole.
I have a question-has Jake ever
came right out and said that he was living with Reese? Also, has
Ted ever indicated recently that
Toothy Tile and his Grey Goose have gone through a wedding? I am
just wondering is all!
Prairie Girl, I think I am going to try the Gelatin fruit salad and the Buttermilk salad recipe both. Thanks for posting
them! I will skip the movie this
time. Have a good weekend!!

prairiegirl said...

Good morning, Clarity! I'm alright - a good warm shower & all's well again, lol. It gets kind of frustrating sometimes as you know. Thanks very much for the hug, tho. Those are always nice, aren't they? Hopefully next spring, when I get to DC, you can make it if we all have a little get together, we can meet and can hug in person!
And thanks for the sneak previews on Two Hands & Candy. I still have Candy and I can always get Two Hands back. I bet he doesn't end up with his girlfriend, huh? Have a good day at work today, Clarity!

And Kacie, good morning to you! I think you'll like both - at least I hope you do. Have a great weekend.

Gonna shut it down & pack up the ol' laptop now. Gotta run to the bank and get some money. HA! Gonna spend a little $$$ like I think I have some, lol.

destiny said...

I really like your post PG, so if you had to double up, it was the right one to do it with. ;-D I don't think people are too interested in Reese/this relationship either, so she went the Parade route, which means people will be forced to see her when they open their papers this Sunday. Thank goodness they don't stick them in the NYT.

Thanks Clarity, I've been waiting for that recipe because I do eat chicken and I like Moroccan food.