Veggie Soup Stock Part Dux

The soup stock turned out really good. Safely put into ice cube trays and is now frozen. Whenever I need stock I'll be able to take out a couple of veggie stock ice cubes and make up something tasty in different recipes for a couple of weeks. For this basic veggie stock: three carrots along with the green tops one large potato 3 celery stalks 1 large tomato 3 yellow turnips 6 red tipped lettuce leaves 1 large onion - I used yellow 10 red grapes 6 cups of water 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp dried dill 1 tsp Mrs Dash tomato basil 1 tsp herb de Provence Chop all the veggies into large chunks, toss into water that is in a large pot I use my 5 qt pot, add seasoning and start cooking! Bring to boil and cook for 30 minutes on full boil, then simmer about 4 hours. This reduces the stock to about 3 to 4 cups of usable veggie stock. Remember to Stir a few times while cooking just to make sure nothing has stuck to bottom of 5 qt pot. Let sit for a few minutes after turning off heat. Then stain stock into a bowl. Reserve the cooked veggies and 1 cup of the stock. I let it cool down for about 10 to 20 minutes then I pull into ice cube trays for freezing. This did two trays for me with a few tablespoon left over which I just added back to the reserve veggies. I put the reserve cooked veggie into blender and blend into a fine thick stock with the 1 cup of the veggie stock. To do this portion I suggest you do 1/2 of the veggies at a time with about 1/4 cup stock. Once the veggies are blended totally add remaining stock and blend until smooth. This is great just heated as its own soup for the next day. Looks very much like a thick split pea soup

Baking Mistakes

Yes every now and then I do create a ugly or a monster that just won't go away. Most of my dessert I truly love to bake and can not wait to eat them. Last week I tried some new baking pans for brownies. I wanted to become the brownie queen. I desired to amaze my customers. I wanted them to be so delighted they danced in the streets. I thought oh these pop brownie pan would be perfect for me...brought it. Not cheap either folks...stirred up a quick batch of brownies, spooned the mixture into the silcone pop pan (does 8 at a time and takes 35 minutes to cook) Then waited and waited for cooling so I could get these little brownie pops out onto the cooling racks. They do come out easy; once I learned the popping trick of pushing from the bottom. Once on cooling rack they sorta look like a mound of science gone bad. Just totally weird looking. So I though okay its just me, I am old fashion in what things baked should look like - must get with the times. Told myself to buck up and frost those mounds. Frosting idea went to another corner of my mind very fast. Do you wonder how your brain works some days? I do. My brain seems to be on another planet on rare moments like this: Decided instead to dip in chocolate and make them look pretty for a little girls birthday party. My creation of ugly ---> I found pink chocolate coating over a chocolate brownie is not so pretty. Even after putting sprinkles all over it. Maybe some little girl will jump for joy but not this big girl. I will admit I did taste and they were lovely, its just not my cup of tea for that vision in my mind.

Just call me chicken...

Wings, thighs, breast. Roasted, fried, broiled, baked, and even B.B.Q Any the the above cooking methods are good. Some fix one way are healthier for you than others. We eat lots of chicken. I only like the white meat, although I will eat most chicken pieces except for maybe legs. Legs don't appeal to me. Legs are for kids not adults LOL. My mom made the best fried chicken when I was a kid. I never learn how to really do 'fried chicken'. Sorta fell into that same grouping as pie crusts. I can't make a homemade pie crust to save my soul. And I remember when I first was married and did the ole Shake & Bake chicken...omg that haunts me to think of that gross faked fried chicken. All other cooked items I excel at, so why not fried chicken or pie crusts? Guess everyone needs an item that just isn't for them to cook. I do an awesome BBQ chicken, my roasted chicken is next to heaven, and my crispy chicken broiled is also a favorite. My chicken dinner: Roasted Breasts with French Grey Salt and spices. Bone in, and with the skin left on chicken truly is the tastiest. But boneless and skinless is healthier. And we all know fried chicken is "death". Spices add so much to any cooking Be brave and try all kinds! I also love chicken with India spice theme!

Sometimes Life gets in the Way

It's been one of those weeks...real life getting in the way of my internet life. It snowed a few times again since last post. Went to store, slipped on ice and totally hurt my pride and gave myself a hand that was a bit sore. And was just posting to my groups. Short and sweet. Anyhow - So I just baked up easy things for testing and tasting this week. I have added a new wonderful yummie to my Lollishops! Chocolate covered marshies! OMG total divine, mouth watering, rock my socks tasting sweets! I added a orange extract into the marshmellow. Then covered them in dark chocolate. Of course each nite for the last few days been eating them with my after dinner coffee! HEAVEN! One of my Food network Italian cooks Loves chocolate and orange herself. You know who I mean she is just beautiful and I love watching her show esp when her aunt is helping out...such faces Giada De Laurentiis does when her beloved aunt says something Giada does not agree with. I love the Everyday Italian show. Oh heck I love all of them! I'm glued to them in the late afternoons here in Alaska. But anyhow Run - DO NOT walk - RUN over to my shop drool over my latest addition and Just so you know Easter is just around the corner and IF you want a winner I'll be doing marshies in Egg, Chick and Bunny shapes! Order up a batch now and receive 10% off. They will be $15.00 plus shipping if you don't advance order. Use code EasterAdvance#10 email me with your wishes and I'll put up a 'custom order' just for you!

Baking for Profit

"Spiced Chocolate Pecan Bars" just about to cut and add to my online shops! I'm setting goals for 2009. I love to bake. By this year's end I will have a real brick and glass shop that is primary my baked goodies and will also carry products from other handcrafters! I have two venues I sell my baked Gourmet Edible Desserts at. I ship priority mail...4 cupcakes can weight a pound and you want them fast! I am a vendor at Etsy and Lollishops. Visit either shop and I do allow drooling while looking at my baked creations! http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com http://www.lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate I do catering, custom orders, and offer private teaching classes for learning or improving cooking/baking skills.