Monday, July 31, 2017

Rosemary Potatoes

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/rosemary-potatoes
Rosemary Potatoes
Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 20 min
200 calories/serving

Ingredients

2potatoes, peeled and cut into 1,5 cm pieces400 g
1/2 tbspbutter, unsalted7 g
1 tbspcanola oil15 mL
1/2 sprigrosemary, fresh2 g
1 pinchsalt [optional]0.1 g

Method

  1. Prepare the potatoes. Peel, then dice them into 1,5 cm pieces.
  2. Heat the butter and oil in a pan over medium heat, taking care not to let the butter burn. Add the rosemary sprig and diced potatoes. Sauté about 5 min, with frequent stirring, until the potatoes are a light golden colour.
  3. Add salt, remove the rosemary sprig, cover and cook over low heat about 15-20 min, or until the potatoes are soft.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Sesame Beef and Broccoli

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/sesame-beef-broccoli




Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 10 min Cooking : 15 min
330 calories/serving

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups broccoli, cut into florets, stalks peeled and diced 260 g
2 green onions/scallions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced 
240 g rib eye steak, cut into 2 cm strips
1 3/4 tsp sesame seeds 5 g
2 tsp canola oil 10 mL
1/3 cup water 85 mL
2/3 cup chicken broth 170 mL
2 tbsp soy sauce, low-sodium 30 mL
1 tbsp cornstarch 8 g
1 tsp sesame seed oil 5 mL
1 pinch salt [optional] 0.1 g
ground pepper to taste [optional]

Before you start

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

Method

Prepare the vegetables : Cut the broccoli florets into small pieces, peel the stalks then dice them into ½ cm pieces. Thinly slice the scallions and mince the garlic. Cut the beef perpendicular to the grain into 2 cm strips. Set aside.
Put the sesame seeds in a small pan and heat them over medium heat a few minutes, with some stirring, until they are lightly coloured. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the beef then sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown, about 4-5 min. Season with salt and pepper, then take the beef out of the skillet and transfer it to a plate.
Add the scallions and garlic to the skillet. Cook over medium heat about 1 min, with stirring, until they are lightly golden-coloured, then add the broccoli and water. Cook, with occasional stirring, until the mixture is dry, about 3 min. Meanwhile, combine the broth, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl, then pour this mixture over the broccoli. Cook, with constant stirring, until the mixture is no longer cloudy, 1-2 min.
Put the beef and any accumulated meat juices back into the skillet. Cook, with stirring, until the beef is heated through, 1-2 min. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the sesame oil and seeds. Serve.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

St. Thomas ON: Legends Tavern


When I like a restaurant you will know it right away.  I am always very enthusiastic about good food and good service . . . probably because it is so rare.

I've been to Legends Tavern several times in the past few years but always because it was chosen by someone else.  To be fair, I have not tried everything on the menu . . . but . . . the things I have tried have been very underwhelming.

My third favourite drink in the world is a screwdriver.  I ordered one on an evening out with friends and I'm not sure what they did to the orange juice (powdered?  reconstituted?  watered down?) but it was truly awful.  The last time I ever ordered a drink in there.

Back in February I was talked into going to cheap burger day.  There was quite a crew of us.  The service was adequate but cheap burger day is apparently when they sell cheap burgers, not good burgers at a cheap price.  I'm going to shut up now because I hate saying bad about any business.  

I see they are often very busy and their patio redo is very nice.  Lots of people enjoy bar food and adult beverages and loud music and televisions with non-stop sports . . . so let's just say this is not a restaurant for me and leave it at that.  

Monday, July 24, 2017

Grilled Salmon with Honey

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/grilled-salmon-honey
Grilled Salmon with Honey
Quantity : 2 servings
Brining : 2 h Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 10 min
180 calories/serving

Ingredients

240 gsalmon fillet
2 tbsphoney45 g
1 tbspsoy sauce, low-sodium15 mL
1 tspolive oil5 mL
1/8resealable plastic bag
1 pinchsalt [optional]0.1 g
ground pepper to taste [optional]

Before you start

The fish can be cooked either in a grooved pan on the stovetop or using an outdoor grill.

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

Method

  1. Cut the salmon fillet into similarly sized pieces, as per the number of servings required, then put them in a resealable plastic bag. Add the honey and soy sauce, then mix well. Let marinate 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Place the fish on an oiled, hot grill, then cook 8 to 10 min, depending on thickness of the fillet pieces, turning them once. Alternatively, heat the oil in a grooved thick-bottom pan. When hot, add the fish, then cook 4-5 min per side, turning the pieces once. It is important to check with a fork to see if the fish is cooked through.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, then serve on the warmed plates.

Observations

If desired, you may prepare some extra marinade, mix it with olive oil and obtain a "vinaigrette" which is then drizzled over the fish on the serving plates.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Top Movies of All Time according to IMDB - #3 The Godfather: Part II (1974) ~ m

The Godfather:  Part II (1974)

The adventures, trials and tribulations of the Corleone family continue in The Godfather Part II.  Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton.

The two Roberts are still on my list of favourite actors to this day.

The Godfather: Part II (1974) Poster



At the Oscars . . . 

Won

Best Picture
Francis Ford Coppola
Gray Frederickson
Fred Roos
The movie became the first sequel to win the best picture award.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro was not present at the awards ceremony. Francis Ford Coppola accepted the award on  his behalf

Best Director
Francis Ford Coppola

Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material
Francis Ford Coppola
Mario Puzo

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Dean Tavoularis
Angelo P. Graham
George R. Nelson

Best Music, Original Dramatic Score
Nino Rota
Carmine Coppola
Nino Rota was not present at the awards ceremony.

Nominated

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Al Pacino

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Michael V. Gazzo

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Lee Strasberg

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Talia Shire

Best Costume Design
Theadora Van Runkle

Top Movies of All Time according to IMDB - #2 The Godfather (1972) ~ m

The Godfather (1972)


I love this movie.  Maybe it is just that I love so many of the actors in this movie -- Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Abe Vigoda and so many more.  I've always had a soft spot for Abe Vigoda from his days on the TV show, Barney Miller.

But really it has everything -- family, love, drama, life, death.  What more could you ask for?

The Godfather was nominated for 11 Oscars and won in three categories -- Best Leading Actor, Best Writing, and Best Picture.

If you are looking for something to binge watch some rainy summer day why not The Godfather I, II and III.  And if you are really into the Godfather, I hear there is even a video game.


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Top Movies of All Time according to IMDB - #1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) ~ m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is the top movie of all time according to IMDB:

#1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

I loved loved loved this movie. Of course I don't think I've ever seen a Morgan Freeman movie I didn't love.

Tim Robbins plays a young banker who is found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover. He is innocent but I guess that doesn't matter. The movie is about his life in prison and his friendship with Red, played by Morgan Freeman.


My favourite scene is right after the arrival of donations for the prison library.  That is all I am going to say except that it is an uplifting moment.  



I really love the ending but I'm not going to give it away in case you've never seen the movie yet.  
Let's just say it is good to never lose hope . . . and to be a very clever banker.


Both Robbins and Freeman give award worthy performances in this great story of hope.  I can't believe they didn't win any Oscars but the movie was nominated for:

Best Picture - Niki Marvin

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Morgan Freeman

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published - Frank Darabont

Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins

Best Sound - Robert J. Litt Elliot Tyson Michael Herbick Willie D. Burton

Best Film Editing - Richard Francis-Bruce

Best Music, Original Score - Thomas Newman

If you've seen this movie before, why not watch it again?  If you have never watched this movie, I really think you should.  But Parental Guidance is definitely necessary.

Enjoy!!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Wrench


Wrench

2 x 6"

$2.00

BUY

May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Witch


Witch

6 x 9.5"

$4.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Winnie the Pooh


Winnie the Pooh

5 x 6"

$2.00

BUY

May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Windmill


Windmill

4 x 5"

$3.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Pasta in a Bolognese Meat Sauce


http://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/pasta-in-bolognese-meat-sauce

Pasta in a Bolognese Meat Sauce
Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 5 min Cooking : 15 min
450 calories/serving

Ingredients

160 gtortiglioni2 1/4 cups
2/3 cupBolognese Meat Sauce 
(http://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/bolognese-meat-sauce?gpr=8291)
170 mL
2 tbsppasta cooking water30 mL
2 tspbutter, unsalted9 g
2 tbspParmesan cheese [optional]6 g
1 pinchsalt [optional]0.1 g

Before you start

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

Put a colander in the sink to drain the cooked pasta so that it will be ready when needed.

Method

  1. Cook the pasta.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the meat sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Add the specified amount of pasta cooking water to dilute the sauce a bit, and warm up just a few minutes.
  3. Put the drained tortiglioni back into the pasta cooking pot, add the sauce and mix well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired and serve in the warmed dishes.

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/bolognese-meat-sauce

Bolognese Meat Sauce
Quantity : 750 ml
Preparation : 30 min Cooking : 1 h

Ingredients

1onions, finely chopped200 g
1carrots, finely chopped100 g
2 clovesgarlic, finely chopped
1/2 stalkcelery, finely chopped35 g
1 slicebacon, finely chopped20 g
1/2 tbspbutter, unsalted7 g
1 tbspolive oil15 mL
360 gground beef, lean
1/3 cupmilk, partly skimmed, 2%85 mL
1/3 cupwhite wine85 mL
1 cupcanned tomatoes (diced)260 g
2 tsptomato paste10 mL
1 tspdried oregano1 g
1 pinchsalt [optional]0.1 g
ground pepper to taste [optional]

Before you start

A food processor would make chopping the vegetables easier.

Method

  1. Finely chop the onion, carrot, garlic, celery, and bacon.
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the vegetables and bacon, then cook until softened, 5-6 min, with some stirring. Add the meat, then salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with a spoon until it loses its pink colour and starts browning, about 7-8 min.
  3. Raise the heat to high, then add the milk. Cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated, about 3 min. Add the wine, then cook, stirring frequently, until the wine has evaporated, about 3 min.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, then cover and simmer gently over low heat for at least 1 h. Stir occasionally and add some water as needed to prevent the sauce from becoming too dry. Season with additional salt and pepper. It is important to simmer all the ingredients until the sauce is thick and the beef very tender. (If you are using a pressure cooker, the cooking time is reduced to 15 min from the time it starts to spatter).

Observations

The sauce can be stored up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Wedding Cake


Wedding Cake

3 x 5"

$3.00


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Rhubarb Compote

Rhubarb Compote

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/rhubarb-compote
Rhubarb Compote
Quantity : 4 servings
Brining : 12 h Preparation : 10 min Cooking : 20 min
50 calories/serving

Ingredients

5 stalksrhubarb, cut into 1.5 cm pieces500 g
2 tbspsugar26 g
2 tbspwater30 mL

Before you start

This recipe calls for a minimum amount of sugar. Add more if you wish to compensate for rhubarb's intense tartness.

Method

  1. Wash the stalks briefly. If necessary, the fibrous strings can be removed by pulling them as with celery. Cut them crosswise into approximately 1,5 cm pieces and place them in a bowl with the sugar. Chill for about 12 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Transfer the rhubarb with all the juice into a saucepan. Pour in the water, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 min, with occasional stirring, until the rhubarb has softened completely.
  3. Let it cool down and serve it cold or at room temperature.

Observations

The compote can be kept up to 7 days in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Easy Ham with Pineapple

Easy Ham with Pineapple

https://www.soscuisine.com/recipe/easy-ham-pineapple
Easy Ham with Pineapple
Quantity : 2 servings
Preparation : 10 min Cooking : 10 min
300 calories/serving

Ingredients

2 tbspbutter, unsalted28 g
2 slicessmoked ham260 g
2 slicescanned pineapple, with their juice70 g
1 tspcornstarch2 g
1 tsplemon juice, freshly squeezed1/4 lemon

Before you start

Put the serving plates in the oven at the lowest setting to keep the ham slices warm while making the sauce.

Method

  1. Melt half of the butter in a pan. Add the ham slices then heat over low heat until they are golden-coloured, about 1-2 min per side. Set the ham slices aside on the warmed plates and keep warm in the oven.
  2. Add the remaining butter to the pan. Add the pineapple slices to the pan, then heat until they are golden-coloured, about 1-2 min per side. Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham then keep warm in the oven.
  3. Mix the cornstarch with the lemon juice in a small cup. Pour a few spoonfuls (about 2-3 tablespoons per serving) of the juice from the pineapple can into the pan. Add the cornstarch mixture, bring to a boil, then reduce a few minutes until a syrupy sauce consistency is obtained.
  4. Spoon the sauce over the ham then serve.

Turtle Side View


Turtle Side View

1.75 x 2.25"

$2.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Tool Box




Tool Box

4 x 4"

$2.00

BUY

May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Tinkerbell


Tinkerbell

5.5 x 6"

$5.00

BUY

May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Thanksgiving Turkey

 


Thanksgiving Turkey

5.5 x 6"

$4.50


May not be exactly as shown.  Each piecing is individually handmade.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Aylmer, Ontario ~ Sweet Music, Quilt Squares, and Further Exploration

As I mentioned in my first blog post about Aylmer, I was told there wasn't much to see and do there.  I think I've already proved the naysayers wrong with just one 2 hour trip there.

I have two small gems to share with you from our first adventure in Aylmer.  First is that there are several Settlement Stories Quilt Squares in the area.  We "accidentally" found two.  Now I have a map from the website so I'll be able to "on purpose" find more.



The second little gem I would like to share is Music.  As we were walking down the main street of Aylmer I could hear music . . . quiet, lovely music.  Absolutely charmed when we found the source -- speakers on the lampposts.


I searched through In My World and found even more posts I've made over the years about Aylmer:

The Founding of Aylmer marker

Aylmer Wildlife Management Area


Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum

Letterboxing near Aylmer

Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. . . again

Settlement Stories Quilt Trail


Aylmer Wildlife Management Area . . . yet again.  Do you get the feeling we really enjoy this place?

The Pie Pantry . . . I heard a rumour that this lovely place has closed.

Aylmer, Ontario ~ Town Hall


Aylmer, Ontario ~ Main Street Ontario Mural

Aylmer, Ontario ~ Spicer's Bakery and Spicer's Deli

Aylmer, Ontario ~ Mennonite Furniture Gallery

Aylmer, Ontario ~ Spare Moments Craft Supplies

If you have any recommendations for other places I should check out, I'd love to hear from you.