Asiago, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

from: Donna Hay Magazine March/April 2005

Ingredients
6.5 oz butter, softened
1 c caster sugar (superfine)
4 eggs
2 1/2 c almond meal, sifted
1 c all-purpose flour, sifted
1 t baking powder, sifted
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2.5 c frozen raspberries

Directions
Heat oven to 320. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat for 8-10 min or until light and creamy. Gradually add the eggs and beat well. Fold mixture through the almond meal, flour and baking powder. Spoon the mixture into a 9×12 baking pan lined with parchment paper and greased with cooking spray. Top with raspberries and sifted powdered sugar. Cook for 1 hour, 15 minutes

This may be served with whipped cream but is just as good alone.

from: Savoring the Spice Coast of India

Ingredients
1 C thoor dhal, masoor dhal, or yellow split peas
2 T vegetable oil
1/2 t mustard seeds
1 dried red chili
10 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1/2 C chopped onion
1 t minced garlic
1/2 t ground cumin
1/4 t ground turmeric
1/8 t ground cayenne pepper
1 t salt
1 t fresh lemon juice
1 t ghee

Directions
In a large bowl, wash the dhal in several changes of water; drain. Place the dhal and 2.5 C water in a 2-qt saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes (45 minutes for yellow split peas) or until the water is absorbed and the peas break up under pressure from the back of a spoon. Check to make sure it doesn’t boil over.

When the dhal has finished cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the mustard seeds to the oil and heat until they pop. When the popping subsides, toss in the dried red chili and curry leaves . After a few seconds, add the onion and fr y until light brown. Put in the garlic and fry for one minute. Next, add the ground cumin, turmeric and cayenne and fry for a minute more. Stir this mixture into the dhal along with 1/2 cup water and the salt. Partially ocver and continue simmering another 10 minutes, adding more water if the mixture is too thick. It should be the consistency of thick pea soup. Remove from the heat.

Stir in the lemon juice and ghee to taste.

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
2 T butter
1 pound french-cut green beans
1 T chopped fresh dill, or 1/4 t dried

Directions
To prepare beans, trim both ends with a paring knife or snap off. Cut beans in half into approximately equal size pieces, then carefully split each bean in half length-wise. Or just skip this and buy frozen beans already prepared for you.

Bring 1 T butter and 1/2 C water to a boil in a large skillet. Add beans. Cover; cook over med-low heat until tender, about 16-20 min (or much less if you used frozen beans).

Toss with remaining butter a nd dill. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
86 cals; 5.9 g fat; 2.1 g protein; 8.1 g carbs; 2 g fiber

from: Food Network

Ingredients
6 ounces water
4 ounces sugar
10 to 12 ounces wine

Directions
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and cook over low heat. When the sugar is dissolved, add the wine and remove from the heat. Cool and freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions.

from: Savoring the Spice Coast of India

Ingredients
28 oz fresh spinach or 2 10 oz. packages, frozen
1/4 C grated unsweetened coconut
1/2 t ground cumin
1/8 t cayenne
1/8 t ground turmeric
1 t salt
1 fresh green chili (serrano or Thai), split lengthwise
2 T vegetable oil
1 t mustard seeds
2 dried red chilies
10-12 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1 cup finely chopped shallots or onion

Directions
Wash and dry spinach and chop finely or drain the thawed spinach and set aside.

In a bowl, combine coconut, cumin, cayenne, turmeric, salt and green chili with enough water (approx 1/4 cup) to make a thick paste. Set aside.

In a wok or large skillet heat the oil over med-high heat. Add the mustard seeds and when they begin to pop, toss in the dried chilies, curry leaves, and shallots and fry for 2 minutes or until the shallots begin to soften, but not brown. Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly until spinach is tender. Remove from heat and taste for salt. This curry is something like a moist stir-fry.

from: Food Network

Ingredients
Butter, room temperature, for greasing the souffle
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/3 cups milk, hot
4 large egg yolks (2 1/2 ounces by weight)
6 ounces sharp Cheddar
5 egg whites plus 1 tablespoon water (5 1/2 ounces by weight plus 1/2 ounce water)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

Directions
Use room temperature butter to grease an 8-inch souffle mold. Add the grated Parmesan and roll around the mold to cover the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the freezer for 5 minutes.
Preheat over to 375 degrees F.
In a small saucepan, heat the butter. Allow all of the water to cook out.
In a separate bowl combine the flour, dry mustard, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Whisk this mixture into the melted butter. Cook for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the hot milk and turn the heat to high. Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove fro mthe heat.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks to a creamy consistency. Temper the yolks into the milk mixture constantly from: Cooking Light April 2004

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds peeled Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Asiago cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions
Heat oven to 350°.

Place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender. Drain. Sprinkle potatoes evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside and keep warm.

Heat a medium saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add shallots; cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Sprinkle flour over shallots. Gradually add 1/2 cup milk, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook over medium heat 9 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt, Asiago, chives, pepper, and bacon.

Arrange half of potato slices in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour half of cheese sauce over potato slices. Top with remaining potato slices and cheese sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Nutritional Info (1/6 recipe(
CALORIES 250(30% from fat); FAT 8.2g (sat 4.6g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.5g); PROTEIN 12.3g; CHOLESTEROL 23mg; CALCIUM 306mg; SODIUM 618mg; FIBER 2.3g; IRON 0.9mg; CARBOHYDRATE 31.9g

Zucchini Oven Chips

from: CookingLight August 2005

Ingredients
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
Cooking spray

Directions
Heat oven to 425°.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Info (3/4 cup)
CALORIES 61(28% from fat); FAT 1.9g (sat 1g,mono 0.5g,poly 0.2g); PROTEIN 3.8g; CHOLESTEROL 5mg; CALCIUM 87mg; SODIUM 231mg; FIBER 1g; IRON 0.6mg; CARBOHYDRATE 7.6g

My Weekend


My faithful humans have once again allowed me to take over their web page and tell it like it really is. This weekend we went away. I don't know how far away since I was locked in my box in the back and couldn't really see, but it must have been pretty far, since it took a long time to get there and it smelled *way* different from home. Really, it looked like the biggest park I'd ever seen.

The first night was kinda crummy. We rode around forever and then we got to the big park and my female human, Jess, just moaned about being cold and she went to sleep in the car and I didn't see her again. Then my male human fed me some food and put me in the box. I went to sleep.

In the morning, they took a while to get up. I was kind of impatient, but once they did, I had the best day ever. I went on a looong walk. Then I swam. Then we went on another loooong walk. Then we ate some tasty yummies. Then we went on another loooong walk. This one was my favorite, because I got to climb all over rocks and up very steep things … so much fun! And I hardly had to wear my leash at all!! Then I had a little rest, but not too long. Continue reading “My Weekend”

Attack of the Show

I've bitched before about how G4 ruined The Screen Savers. It's an old topic by now. I hadn't mentioned it again, because I don't know many people who care about it, but what's going on now is really annoying me.

A few months ago, they morphed TSS into a game-oriented, poorly hosted shell of its former self (shell of a shell?) called Attack of the Show. Just one minor cast member remains and very little of interest otherwise. They're adding bizarro (usually crappy) bands as well and doing a gimmicky margarita Friday. The whole show has lost what it once was … a cool insiders guide to the world of online and computer tech. Now it's over-hyped, promoting everything and trying so hard to pass itself off as cool that it's obvious and pathetic. Continue reading “Attack of the Show”

Hurricane Katrina!!!

While away this weekend, Matt and I missed most of the hubbub and preparations for Katrina. We're not much for watching the news anyhow, but Katrina interests us greatly since our good buddy Dan just finished up Law School at Tulane and sat for the Louisiana State Bar. We're anxious to hear that he's safe and not stuck in the Superdome or drinking himself silly at another hurricane party like the last go-around.

On-the-street coverage of Katrina from Flickr. Continue reading “Hurricane Katrina!!!”

Campout!


This weekend we're going up to Red Feather Lake to a Campout with a bunch of people I work with. Richard owns a cabin up there and invites everyone up. We went last year and had a great time, so I'm definitely looking forward to this year. Matt and I are going to bring a futon mattress and sleep in the back of the car and we're going to take Loki and his box so we can actually get some sleep. I can't wait to see him in nature. I'm pretty certain we're going to have one happy pup on our hands.

Fresh!

I don't know if anyone noticed, but I added a new skin to Jesser yesterday. The new skin is called “fresh” and I drew the inspiration for it from the wrapping paper on one of my b'day gifts (rather like the background). I sort of made it though as an homage to the hubby who had nothing but girly skins to choose from on the page that is (theoretically) half his, although he (ahem) hardly ever writes on it. Well he is quite busy keeping me in line. Check out the new “fresh” skin if you're so inclined and enjoy our last few days of summer. *aaah*

The Eye of the Tiger

My friend, Holly, who I've mentioned before, I'm sure, asked me to go to kick-boxing with her. We usually go to pottery classes on Tuesdays and kick-boxing is right before that, so after work, I met Holly at the Golden Rec Center (also where we do our pottery). The class was a lot like any other aerobics class — mostly the same moves, but the arms were vastly different … jabbing and hooking and upper-cutting and all. I'd had a frustrating day at work, so I took out some of that punching the air. Very theraputic. But at the time I really didn't think I was working out my arms that much.

Yea. I was wrong.

This morning, I ache. My arms ache, but even worse than my arms is that space between my shoulder blades. Yikes. I've taken my ibuprofen and I project that I will be feeling better in a couple of hours and even possibly lifting my arms above my head successfully.

I give kickboxing 4.5 stars on the workout scale. Fun and challenging without that monotonous thing. I think I will be back.