Pearl's Peanut Cookies

NOTE: Pearl was our next door neighbor for a number of years. Fun fact: Her husband did pipe organ tuning and repair.

I can't recall that she was much of a baker but somehow my Mom obtained this recipe and it has 

stuck with me over the years, namely because it uses redskin peanuts. Despite it sounding a little unusual, its worth getting this particular type of peanut although in a pinch you could use the regular kind. Slightly chopped. 

 

 Pearl Legge's Peanut cookies 

 1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg, a bit of salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup peanuts with husks

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup AP flour

1/2 cup corn flakes

Mix as for drop cookies. Add nuts last and bake at 350F for 10 min.

 

NOTE: I found these a bit crumbly last time I made them, maybe add a tbsp of milk or slightly reduce the add ins.  

Banana Cake - Healthier version

 

I recently was given this recipe and I can't stop making it. Delicious,easy and a healthier version because it avoids saturated fats. I tweaked it a little bit and now you can make it on repeat too!

 

Banana Cake

1/2 cup olive oil

1 cup mashed bananas (2 large) I don't really measure

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (or sub 1/2 cup whole wheat 3/4 cup gluten free, or all gluten free) any combo works great

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp milk

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I just throw in a handful and put a few on top- you don't need much)

 

Combine wet ingredients.

Mix together dry ingredients. 

Add wet to dry. 

 

How's that for detailed instructions? lol 

Bake at 350Fin a greased, floured 8 inch square or round. 30 to 40 min 

Christmas Pudding Sauce

 One of my fondest memories from childhood is stirring the pudding sauce in the double boiler on Christmas day. Grandma used to bring the pudding and steam it in a pudding steamer that I still had. Most of us just ate a spoonful of pudding so we could pile on this delicious sauce. My recipe (in my Mom's handwriting that I still use is starting to get a bit faded so I thought I would put it on the blog. I always forget to take a photo at Christmas dinner so I only have a couple of preparation photos....

Christmas Pudding Sauce

 3 egg yolks

1 cup fruit sugar (very fine) 

1/2 cup butter (melted) 

Beat eggs until thick, gradually add sugar. Add

melted butter slowly and heat in a double boiler over warm water.

Stirring continuously for about 10 minutes.

Cool. Add a pinch of salt and 1 cup of whipping cream (before whipping).

Fold into butter mixture and chill. 

 

 

Cowboy Caviar

 

Another great recipe from my friend Liz!  

Who knew canned lentils were palatable?

 

Cowboy Caviar

1 can lentils, drained and rinsed

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 14 ounce can of corn, drained and rinsed (I used Herles corn that I had recently frozen)

1 cups each of chopped green onion, red and green pepper, celery

 

Dressing

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar or less

s and p to taste

Combine, heat up and while warm add to the beans. 

Let the mixture cool and add the rest of the ingredients.

Makes a big batch. Serve with a larger or scooped nacho. 

Oma's Yellow Cake

 

It's been awhile since I posted anything but I wanted to have a record of this cake that is part of my Heritage. Oma always made this cake for special occasions. It reflects the person that she was plain but sturdy. A person of amazing strength and perseverance through hardships. I love this cake with some berries and whipped cream but its great just on its own and gets better by the day. Even better, it is made with ingredients that you likely always have on hand.

 Oma's Yellow Cake

Mix together:

3 cups all purpose flour

3 tsp baking powder

2 cups white sugar

1 cup butter (melted)

Then add:

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

some salt (1 tsp?)

 

Put in a fully greased Bundt pan and bake at 350F for around 50-55 min. 

NOTE: I prefer mine slightly under baked and it is a little moister. 

February Swap card

 We are going strong, just like a New Year's resolution.

 

Keri used the cutest stamp and die set from Concord and 9th called Cup of Cheer. 

She always does such a good job with the interior of the card and even the envelope.

 

 

I used my favorite new Die set from Spellbinders called Bold Blooms. Even though, I have several flower die sets, this one is so delicate and detailed. I love it. 

 Simple yet versatile. Stay tuned for March.

Fried Rice

 I kind of wing this recipe depending on what I have on hand. Last time I made it, this was roughly the recipe that I followed.

Fried Rice

6 cups of cooked rice, day old

3 large eggs, whisked

3/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables, cooked

1/4 to 1/2 cup diced onion, also chopped carrot can be added

1 tsp garlic (I didn't have fresh so I used the jar, you can do this to taste)

salt and pepper

3 strips of bacon

4-5 Tbsp of soy sauce, low salt

Butter (1-3 Tbsp)

Green onion to garnish

 

Cut into small pieces and fry the bacon. Add onion/carrot and cook until tender. 

Push to the side and add scramble the eggs. Remove

Add more butter as needed. Increase heat to med-high, add rice and soy sauce. 

Cook about 5 minutes, rice can be slightly browned. 

Then add back the cooked onions/bacon/egg and frozen veggies cooked.

Stir it all up and enjoy!

 

 

Air Fryer Chicken

 I make this recipe all the time and I'm constantly looking it up. So it's time to put it on the blog for easy reference. I typically use bone in, skin on chicken thighs but you could make this with boneless, skinless and it would be good also. The air fryer crisps it up nicely and the fat drips off making it a healthier option. Oh and it's fast too!

Air Fryer chicken

 

Squeeze lemon juice over thighs. Sprinkle with spices and rub them in. 

Air fry the chicken thighs at 400F for 24 minutes flipping them over half way.

My air fryer holds 4-5 comfortably. If you want to do more, double the recipe and cook

in batches.

 

5 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on

1/2 lemon (can omit)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dried herbs, I used oregano

 

See instructions above.

 

 

January Swap Card

 Well, Keri and I are going to have another crack at getting through an entire year swapping one card every month. We make one for ourselves and one to swap. 

I kicked things off with a Christmas card. Yes, in January. By the time Christmas rolls around, I'm always too busy to sit down and make cards and I've always wanted to use this stamp set from Lawn Fawn. I even tried some stenciling with Distress Ink Oxide. One card at least will be ready to mail out this year.

Keri used a stamp set that she has had for awhile also. Oh Deer by Neat and Tangled. (She's organized and has her stamps labelled and sorted.) Not me, I'm afraid.

It's nice to keep the challenge going. At least I attempt some crafting time each month. Wish up luck for a 12 month streak!

Apple Crisp

 

There was a great deal on Perfectly Imperfect apples at my local grocery store (I used Courtland) and I was hosting my regular monthly Duathlon with lunch, so it was the perfect dessert to make. I googled my favorite Betty Crocker recipe, purchased some vanilla ice cream and whipping cream and it was the perfect winter dessert. The cute little pie plates I picked up recently at Walmart when I was in Florida. They make a great one serving portion. (1 apple)

Apple Crisp (Betty Crocker)

4 medium cooking apples

3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I found it a little sweet so I might reduce this next time)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup butter, softened

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

 

1. Heat oven to 375F. Grease bottom and sides of 8 inch square glass baking dish. (I used an aluminum square and 2 mini pie plates)

2. Spread apples in pan

3. Combine the rest of the ingredients until well mixed and sprinkle over apples

4. Bake for about 30 minutes or until apples are tender.

Your house will smell amazing!

 

Final Apple cards

 

And there you have it. Ten different designs of the same theme. Simple yet fun to look back on and maybe use for another design. 

More Apple cards

 

Apple cards

I realized a little while ago that I never posted the cards that I made for the last Loonies for Lindor Fundraiser. Sadly,  the amount of work to put on this event just became overwhelming and I have put that chapter to rest. I really enjoyed planning the Event and coming up with a theme. The cards were always so much fun to prepare and motivated me to actually work on some creating. 

So here are the first few in case you were interested....

 

Reading Summary 2023

 I only count up the number of books that I read each year and keep track of the titles.This 

year I read 25 books. I thought I was up from last year but I checked back and I read 24 in 2023. I should probably set my goal based on the year. But next year I would like to try to read 26 books, 1 every 2 weeks.

 

I read most of my book on the Libby library app because I like the lighting when the room lighting may be poor. I am going to try and thin out my physical books as well because they take up too much space. My last book of 2023 was Lessons in Chemistry.

June Swap Card

 We are almost caught up with our monthly cards. Summer is too nice a season to be indoors and lots of vacation and outings take precedence over crafting. I can't remember the name of the company, for sure, I think its Altenew. There are lots of options for the sentiment on the banner and I enjoyed getting my Copics out again.

Keri did this cute stand up card from a Stampin Up kit. Perfect timing for all the summer fun.

Stay tuned for the rest of the summer offerings... Likely in September. lol.

May Swap Card

 We are a little behind but we are sticking with the monthly swap. I borrowed this set from Keri even though I have a number of untouched stamp sets of my own to use. It was too cute... Cerealsly!

Keri made a lovely thinking of you type card, I'm not sure of the brand....

Zucchini Corn Bake

 This year I bought what I thought was yellow zucchini. Then I did a little further research and I think they are actually Crookneck squash. They are a little sweeter and can be used just like regular green zucchini but you need to pick them between 6 and 8 inches otherwise they get tough and have raised bumps on their outer surface. 

I have made zucchini bread with them (delish) and got this most excellent recipe from a friend. Makes a good portion and is very tasty. I have picked 45 so far so I need to keep finding more excellent recipes to try. They are great in a stir fry also.

ZUCCHINI CORN BAKE

3 - 7 to 8 inch market size zucchini 

1 med onion, chopped

1 Tablespoon butter

1 (10oz) pkg frozen corn, defrosted and microwaved for 2 minutes 

1 cup shredded Swiss Cheese

2 large eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste 

1 Tablespoon butter, melted 

2 slices of white bread, cut in 3/8 inch cubes

2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. 

Wash zucchini; do not peel.  Cut into 1 inch cubes.  Add to a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil.  Cook 10 minutes.  Drain.  Sauté the onion in 1 Tablespoon butter till tender.   Combine zucchini, onion, corn, Swiss cheese, eggs ,salt and pepper.  Transfer the mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish.  Combine the melted butter with the bread cubes and Parmesan cheese.  Sprinkle on top.  Bake 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and serve.

 

Shrimp Scampi

 

This recipe is so simple, it barely needs a recipe but just in case I don't feel like looking it up in the future. I am saving it to the blog for easy access.

Shrimp Scampi

Olive oil/butter

4-5 cloves of garlic, minced or 1 1/2 Tbsp minced

Salt/pepper

1/4 cup dry white wine or broth

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped parsley or less dry flakes

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet. Add garlic and saute about 

a minute. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper. Cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side, just

until it turns pink.

2.Pour in wine and add pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Add more butter if needed and lemon juice

3. Serve over rice, pasta, zucchini noodles.

April Swap Card

 So far, so good. Keri and I met again this month and we were both really excited about our cards and we both used die sets.

I used the Spellbinder Pie Perfection set and yes, I had to get most of it! It's going to be fun playing with all the pie combinations and the tin foil pie plate is just too cute. I made a chocolate chip pie and styled my card after something I saw on the Net. I purchased 4 coordinating die sets. 

Keri made a sweet card combining the Lawn Fawn tea cup die and some cute Jolene Boutique bees. Sadly, I used all my bees up for a Loonies for Lindor themed fundraiser.

On to next month. Best get started before golf season starts.

March Swap Card

 Keri and I finally got around to swapping last month's card. 

I made a get well card using Lawn Fawn...

My photos look a little weird but this is the stamp set that I used...

Keri made a beautiful sympathy card using Simon Says Stamp Sunflower Fields...

And inside too...

Onto April. 

Happy Easter!