Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Knitting Finishes from August 2014


One mystery knit-along dishcloth completed.


An oddball sampler afghan square complete.  It is called Choo Choo and the pattern is here http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/choochoo.htm


A second mystery knit-along dishcloth completed.


The mystery knit-along afghan which I started forever ago is finally completed.


And a second oddball sampler afghan square . . . Fairy Tale Castle.  Here is the pattern http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/fairytalecastle.htm

Monday, April 27, 2015

July 2014 Scrapbooking Finishes





This last layout is missing one photo . . . of the way this building looks today.  I really need to take care of this.

July 2014 Scrapbooking Finishes





This last layout is missing one photo . . . of the way this building looks today.  I really need to take care of this.

July 2014 Knitting Finishes


I actually finished 3 mystery knit-along dishcloths and one lonely odd ball afghan square in July 2014.  That is it.





Thursday, April 23, 2015

Recipe - Quinoa and Lentil Salad | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Quinoa and Lentil Salad | SOS Cuisine



4 servings
Preparation 15 min
Cooking 30 min
470 calories per serving

Ingredients

2/3 cup green-brown lentils (dried) 110 g
1 cup quinoa 180 g
2 cups water 500 mL
1 yellow or red sweet peppers, finely diced 200 g
1 shallots, finely chopped 40 g
1/2 bunch arugula, coarsely chopped 80 g
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 65 mL
1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1 1/2 lemon
2 tsp Dijon mustard 10 mL
80 g feta cheese, crumbled
4 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped 12 g
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
  ground pepper to taste

Method

Rinse the lentils and cook them in a saucepan of boiling salted water, about 30 min until tender but still somewhat firm. Drain, discard the liquid and set aside the lentils.

Cook the quinoa in the water then let it cool down 10 minutes.

Prepare the vegetables: Seed, core and dice the pepper; finely chop the shallot; coarsely chop the arugula. Place the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the lentils and quinoa to the bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad. Gently toss to combine. Coarsely crumble the feta cheese and add it on top of the salad. Sprinkle with the finely chopped mint then serve.

Remarks



Lentils can be cooked up to 5 days in advance.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Scrapbook layout challenge for you night owls

Scrapbook a layout about something you don't like.

Scrapbook layout challenge for you night owls

Scrapbook a layout about something you don't like.

Question #15

What are your 10 favourite restaurants and why?


This would be good journaling for a scrapbooking layout.

1.  Asuka Japanese Cuisine, St. Thomas ON 
http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2015/03/eating-out.html
http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2015/02/review-asuka-japanese-cuisine-st-thomas.html http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2014/08/asuka-japanese-restaurant-st-thomas-on.html

2.  Braxton's Tap & Grill, St. Thomas ON
http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2013/01/product-review-braxtons-tap-grill-st.html
http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2015/03/eating-out.html

3.  Boston Pizza, St. Thomas ON
http://inmyworld-pam.blogspot.ca/2012/12/boston-pizza-st-thomas-on.html

4.  Le Cafe Siam, St. Thomas ON
I can't believe I have never blogged about this restaurant before.  I love this little hidden gem.  It is intimate, beautifully decorated, the staff are charming and provide excellent service, the food is FABULOUS and it is reasonably priced.

5.  Bella Jack's, St. Thomas ON
Another restaurant I haven't blogged about yet.  Unbelievable.  Excellent margaritas, the fish tacos are fabulous, the decor is amusing and fun, the staff are quite friendly and it is all very reasonably priced.  Deb and I were just there two nights ago when we ran away from home.

6.  Golden Dragon, St. Thomas ON
New to St. Thomas, we've only ordered from them a couple of times so far.  It is really important to phone your order in well in advance because it is a tiny operation and they are very very busy already.  It is take out only but the food is fresh made and delicious.  The prices are excellent too.

7.  New Sarum Diner, New Sarum ON
This restaurant has been around forever because it is excellent.  The decor is kitschy and full of collectibles.  The service is fabulous.  It is the perfect place for a nice family dinner.  The chicken dinner is my favourite thing to order.

8.  Montana's, London ON or Oakville ON
I can only speak for these two restaurants, but I have never had a bad meal in either place.  I love the cobb salad and the corn bread.  It is a fun place to eat with so many collectibles and "junk" to look at.

9.  At the Crossroads, Elmira ON
It is impossible not to find something delicious At the Crossroads.  You can order from a menu but why?  The buffet is the best.  In fact it is the one and only buffet I have ever been to that gets it right.  The selection of salads, entrees and sides is enormous and the desserts . . . sigh . . . so many beautiful desserts.  Can you tell I love this place?

10.  Arabesque, Kitchener ON
Arabesque could very well be my go-to place for Middle-Eastern food.  The servings were huge and beautiful and colourful and totally delicious.  It was noisy, mostly because the place was packed while we were there with families all chattering together.  The decor is nice but nothing fancy.  Our server was delightful.  The prices were excellent.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Scrapbooking challenge for a quiet Monday evening . . .

Scrapbook a layout you've been meaning to start.


I thought I'd printed and scrapped all the photos from this crop.  I can't believe I missed these three the first time around.  Hail to the chief cook and bottle washer . . . LOL . . . my dear hubby.

Scrapbooking challenge for a quiet Monday evening . . .

Scrapbook a layout you've been meaning to start.


I thought I'd printed and scrapped all the photos from this crop.  I can't believe I missed these three the first time around.  Hail to the chief cook and bottle washer . . . LOL . . . my dear hubby.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Memorial Day

MONDAY, MAY 26, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Memorial Day

In the USA, today is Memorial Day. Tell us any stories about loved ones who have served in the Armed Forces.



Look at his face.  He is so young.  


Garfield Edwin Page was born January 27, 1897 in Tryconnell, Ontario.  He was my great grand uncle; half brother of my great grandfather Alexander Hewson. He joined the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on March 29th, 1916 at the age of 19. The rest of his life is still a mystery to me but I am searching for more information about him. He died August 10, 1968 and is buried at South Park Cemetery, St. Thomas, Ontario.


Pear and Brie Flatbread

Pear and brie flatbread (Donna Griffith for The Globe and Mail/Donna Griffith for The Globe and Mail)
  • Preparation time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking time: 10 minutes
  • Ready time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

4 rounds naan bread
2 Bosc pears, sliced thin, peel on
1 200-gram wheel double-cream brie, torn into chunks
100 grams thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into pieces
1 bunch basil, stemmed
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 425 F.
Place naan on a large baking sheet. Drizzle naan with olive oil and scatter pear, brie and prosciutto overtop. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until brie is melted. Remove from oven and drizzle with more olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Scatter basil leaves on top.
Cut each naan into long rectangles.



Saturday, April 18, 2015

Recipe - Irish Beef Stew | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Irish Beef Stew | SOS Cuisine



2 servings

Preparation 15 min
Cooking 1 h 40 min
530 calories per serving

Ingredients

260 g stewing beef cubes, of about 2 cm
2 1/2 tbsp white flour (all purpose) 18 g
1 1/2 tbsp canola oil 23 mL
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup beef broth 375 mL
1 tbsp tomato paste 15 mL
1/2 tbsp sugar 6 g
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 8 mL
1/2 sprig rosemary, fresh 3 g
1 bay leaf 0.1 g
1/2 onions, coarsely chopped 100 g
1 stalk celery, cut into 1 cm pieces 70 g
1 1/2 potatoes, peeled then cut into 1 cm pieces 300 g
1 carrots, peeled then cut into 1 cm pieces 100 g
1 tbsp butter, unsalted 14 g
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste
1 tbsp Italian parsley, fresh, chopped 5 g

Method

Cut the beef into 2 cm cubes, if not already cubed, then dredge the cubes in flour.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and sauté until they are browned on all sides, about 5-6 min. Mince the garlic, then add it to the pot. Add the broth, tomato paste, sugar,Worcestershire sauce, rosemary sprig(s), and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 1 h, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables : coarsely chop the onions; cut the celery stalks into 1 cm pieces; peel the potatoes and carrots, then cut them into 1 cm pieces.
Melt the butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add the vegetables and sauté until they are golden, about 20 min, with occasional stirring. Add the vegetables to the beef stew. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until the beef and vegetables are very tender, about 40 min. Season with salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprig(s), sprinkle with the chopped parsley, then serve.(*) If the stew is too liquid, remove some of the excess broth and serve it separately as a soup.

Remarks

This stew can be prepared a few days in advance and brought to a simmer before serving.

Recipe - White Bean Soup with Rosemary | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - White Bean Soup with Rosemary | SOS Cuisine



3 servings

Soaking 8 h
Preparation 10 min
Cooking 1 h 40 min
330 calories per serving


Ingredients
1 onions, coarsely chopped 200 g
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil, for sautéing 15 mL
1 sprig rosemary, fresh, whole 5 g
1 cup white beans (dried) great Northern, or navy beans 200 g
2 3/4 cups chicken broth 700 mL
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, when serving [optional] 15 mL


Before you start

The beans must be soaked in water overnight.

A pressure cooker will reduce the beans' cooking time from 1 ½ h to 30 min. A food-mill will be very useful to purée the soup.

Method

Prepare the onion and garlic. Coarsely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Heat the sautéing oil in a pot over low heat. Sweat the onion 2-3 min, then add the whole sprig(s) of rosemary and cook 10-15 min, with occasional stirring. Drain the beans, add them to the pot, then add the garlic and broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and cook 1 ½ h or longer, until the beans are soft. Alternatively, you may use a pressure cooker and reduce the cooking time from 1 ½ h to about 30 min.
Remove the sprig(s) of rosemary and purée the soup using a food-mill (the texture will be much smoother than using a blender). Put the soup back into the pot, warm it through, then season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, it may be thinned with some broth or water.
Serve the soup into bowls and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil.

Remarks

This soup will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Creamy Hot Artichoke Dip



This crowd-pleasing favorite is perfect for any celebration.

MAKES 2 1/2 cups
PREP TIME: 5 min
COOK TIME: 25 min

INGREDIENTS
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine all ingredients in 1-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 25 minutes or until heated through. Serve with your favorite dippers.

VARIATIONS: For a Spinach & Artichoke Dip...add 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, cooked and squeezed dry. For a Seafood Artichoke Dip...add 1 can (6 oz.) crab meat, drained and flaked. For an Italian Artichoke Dip...add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. For a Roasted Red Pepper Artichoke Dip...add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup drained and chopped roasted red peppers. For a Mexican Artichoke Dip...omit Parmesan cheese and add 1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies undrained, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and hot pepper sauce to taste. Also terrific with Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Canola Cholesterol Free, Light Mayonnaise or Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Low Fat Mayonnaise Dressing.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Recipe - Lemon Mousse with Cranberry Sauce | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Lemon Mousse with Cranberry Sauce | SOS Cuisine


6 servings

Preparation 30 min
Standing 8 h
260 calories per serving
Cooking dish: 15 cm pan or 6 ramekins

Ingredients
vegetable oil spray, to grease the pan or the ramekins
2 eggs size large
1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup sugar 110 g
1 pinch salt 0.4 g
3/4 cup whipping cream 35% 190 mL
6 serving(s) Cranberry Sauce (Recipe)

Before you start
A food processor or a mixer and a blender will make things easier for this recipe.
You may use either individual ramekins or a single large springform pan.

Method
Prepare the lemon mousse
Lightly oil the bottom and sides of a large spring formpan or of individual ramekins.
Separate the egg whites from the yolks and put them in 2 separate bowls. Combine the egg yolks with the lemon juice and about ¼ of the sugar. Set aside.
In the other bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer until foamy, then add the salt and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until the egg whites are glossy and stand in stiff peaks, about 7-8 min. Set aside.
Pour the cream in a third bowl, then using the electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream and egg whites into the yolk mixture using a spatula.
Carefully spoon the mixture into the pan or distribute it into the ramekins. Cover with foil and freeze at least 8 hours if using the pan, or 2-3 hours for the ramekins.

Unmould and garnish with the cranberry sauce
Just before serving, remove the frozen mousse from the springform pan and place it on a serving plate. If you are using ramekins, turn them upside-down onto individual serving plates. To make ramekin unmoulding easier, pour about 2 cm of hot water in a large bowl, then immerse the bottom of the ramekins in the water for about 1 min.
Spoon the sauce over the individual servings then serve.

Cranberry Sauce

8 servings (2 cups)

Preparation 5 min
Cooking 5 min
Standing 1 h

Ingredients
2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen 200 g
1/2 cup water 125 mL
1/2 cup sugar 110 g
2 tsp cornstarch 5 g

Method
In a saucepan, stir together the cranberries, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, with constant stirring. When the sugar is fully dissolved, add the cornstarch through a sieve, in order to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat to 'low' and continue to cook 6-7 min until the berries burst. Chill 1 h in the refrigerator before serving.

Remarks
The sauce keeps 7 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Recipe - Chicken Cutlets Milanese | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Chicken Cutlets Milanese | SOS Cuisine


4 servings

Preparation 5 min
Cooking 10 min
240 calories per serving


Ingredients
1 1/3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless 400 g
1 eggs size large
4 tbsp bread crumbs 30 g
2 tbsp butter, unsalted 28 g
2 tbsp canola oil 30 mL
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste


Before you start

Keep the serving plates in the oven at the lowest setting so they are warm when you serve.

Method

Tenderize the chicken by flattening the cutlets using a meat pounder. Slice each breast horizontally into 2 or 3 cutlets.
Prepare 2 shallow dishes: beat the egg in one, and put the bread crumbs in the other. Dip one cutlet at the time in the egg, let the excess egg drip off before coating the cutlet with the bread crumbs. Turn the cutlets to coat both sides, then set them aside.
Heat the butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, taking care not to let them burn. Add the cutlets and sauté until golden, about 4 min on each side. Add salt and pepper. Serve on the warmed plates.

Remarks
The remaining beaten egg may be cooked as an omelet and served along side the cutlets.

Recipe - Chicken Tikka | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Chicken Tikka | SOS Cuisine


4 servings

Marinade 30 min
Preparation 10 min
Cooking 10 min
200 calories per serving


Ingredients
1/2 cup yogurt, plain, 2% 130 g
2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 lime
1 tsp gingerroot, finely grated 4 g
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp curry powder 3 g
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 g
3/4 tsp paprika 2 g
1/2 tsp salt 2 g
8 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 2 cm cubes 500 g
1 1/2 tbsp canola oil 23 mL
12 bamboo or wooden skewers


Before you startIf the chicken pieces will be cooked using an outdoor grill, you will first need to soak the wooden skewers for about 15-30 min in warm water.

Method

In a bowl, stir all the ingredients together, except the chicken and oil. Add the chicken pieces, stirring to coat well. Let sit, covered, 30 min to 1 hour in the refrigerator.
When ready to cook, thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between the pieces.
Cook on a medium-hot, oiled grill, turning occasionally until the chicken is nicely coloured and just cooked through, about 5-7 min. If an outdoor grill is not available, the chicken pieces may be cooked in a well-oiled, well-seasoned, ridged pan or they may be broiled in an oven.
Serve.

Recipe - Skillet Endive | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Skillet Endive | SOS Cuisine


4 servings

Preparation 5 min
Cooking 30 min
60 calories per serving


Ingredients
4 Belgian endive (Witloof) 600 g
1 tbsp butter, unsalted 14 g
1 tbsp olive oil 15 mL
1/2 tsp sugar 2 g
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g


Method

Prepare the Belgian endive: keep them whole.
Heat the butter and oil in a pan over low heat, then add the endive. Add the sugar and salt to taste, then cover and cook over very low heat, turning the heads of endive occasionally, until they are very tender and caramelized all over, about 30 min.
Remove the lid and cook over high heat just long enough to evaporate some of the excess liquid. Serve with the juices.

Recipe - Beef Stew en Papillote | SOS Cuisine

Recipe - Beef Stew en Papillote | SOS Cuisine


4 servings

Preparation 10 min
Cooking 3 h
250 calories per serving


Ingredients
1/4 cup ketchup 65 mL
1 tbsp white flour (all purpose) 8 g
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 15 mL
1 tbsp soy sauce, low-sodium 15 mL
1/2 tsp mustard powder 1 g
1 kg blade pot roast


Before you startThe cooking time varies with the temperature of the oven: I recommend using 135ºC/275ºF and calculate about 3 h per kilo of meat. If you prefer, you may vary the temperature between 100ºC/205ºF and 150ºC/300ºF, then adjust the cooking time accordingly (longer at lower temperatures and shorter at higher temperatures).

Method

Preheat the oven to 135ºC/275ºF.
In a small bowl, mix the ketchup, flour, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and mustard.
Put the pot roast on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, spread the mixture on top, then wrap and seal thoroughly (you may want to add an additional sheet to ensure that the juices are well trapped inside).
Put the wrap on a baking pan then cook in the middle of the oven. Serve with the juices.

Knitting Finishes June 2014

I must have been very busy in June . . . oh yeah . . . Relay for Life . . . African Lion Safari . . . and so much more.

Anyway, only a few knitting finishes and nothing finished in the crochet, quilting or scrapbooking departments.

Only two mystery dishcloth knit-alongs and two oddball sampler afghan squares . . . 




Bumpy Love http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/bumpylove.htm


Crop Circle http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/cropcircle.htm

Monday, April 13, 2015

30% Off Offer Ends at Midnight

EXTENDED: One last chance to save!

30% off all print books.
Offer not valid on eBooks or services.
Offer ends 13 April at 11:59 PM
Use Code: APRIL30

Buy 3 books, get the 4th free!
Just add 4 print books to your cart and one will be free
(of equal or lesser value).
Cannot be combined with other offers. 
Only one free item per order.
Use Code: TRGE15



Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.  In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches/paperback/product-18820901.html



Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.   
In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches-black-white-edition/paperback/product-18821105.html

Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.   In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches/ebook/product-20821454.html#

30% Off Offer Ends at Midnight

EXTENDED: One last chance to save!

30% off all print books.
Offer not valid on eBooks or services.
Offer ends 13 April at 11:59 PM
Use Code: APRIL30

Buy 3 books, get the 4th free!
Just add 4 print books to your cart and one will be free
(of equal or lesser value).
Cannot be combined with other offers. 
Only one free item per order.
Use Code: TRGE15



Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.  In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches/paperback/product-18820901.html



Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.   
In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches-black-white-edition/paperback/product-18821105.html

Not sure how to put together your layout? Sketches are a great tool for planning layouts.   In this full colour edition, I have included a wide variety of useful sketches to get your creativity flowing.

To order your copy http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/scrapbooking-with-sketches/ebook/product-20821454.html#