Tuesday, June 15, 2010

June...already!

Sorry I have been MIA! Just haven't been in the mood to be here plus just been so busy with so many other things...which spring brings. Finally, got all my flowers planted. There just was not the variety of flowers to buy as in years past...makes me wonder if alot of them came from places ravaged by hurricanes, flooding and other disasters. I must admit too that my nose has been in all of these wonderful food blogs here...OH MY! Where have I been all this time? There are so many wonderful ones to read and that I have. I have been working on getting all my recipes organized on discs and what an undertaking that has been. You know...the ones that you clipped 30 years ago? I still have a long way to go but I am determined that if the recipes sounds good then it must go on my organized discs. I have also been trying many of these recipes so that I can share them with you and continue to add to "my favorite recipes" cook book that one day I am gonna publish...if not publicly then at least give to my closest friends and family. LOL

I too planted some tomatoes in a big ol' pot and am happy to report that I have 4 fairly good size ones...plus for the first time I planted some gourd seeds in a big pot too. My friend, Penny from Canada sent me the seeds and I am so hopeful that I will get a few. They are spinner gourds, banana gourds, cannonball gourds and some other small ones so keep your fingers crossed for me. I have seen two leaves sprout up so I'm hopeful. Only been 10 days since I planted them so it will take some time. What fun to rush in from work and check on all my babies! LOL

My very favorite food blog right now is "The Pioneer Woman." This is the link to her blog.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I know she has been around for a long time but I have always been the "last to know." I tried her husband's favorite sandwich last week along with these delightful loaded potato muffins that are on her "tasty kitchen" section and they made a wonderful meal. Here are the recipes in case you wanna give them a try. Enjoy! If you have never checked her out, please do coz she is so entertaining.

Marlboro Man Sandwich
1 whole large or two small onions, sliced (I used one big one)
2 sticks butter (I used only 1)
2-3 pounds cube steak, (I used 6)
Lawry’s seasoned salt, (I used Season All)
½ c. Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce, to taste (I used Frank’s hot sauce)
4 whole French/deli rolls (Earthgrain’s are Ree’s fave – I used Arnold’s Italian Steak Rolls)

Slice onions and cook in ¼ stick butter until soft and light brown. Remove and set aside. Slice cube steak against the grain. Season with Lawry’s. Heat 2 T. butter over high heat (in same skillet) until melted and beginning to brown. Add meat in single layer. Cook one side until brown, then flip and cook until brown, about a minute on both sides. Add ½ cup (at least) of Worcestershire sauce, 5-6 shakes Tabasco and 2 T. butter. Add cooked onions, stir to combine. Butter halved French rolls and brown in skillet (I buttered bread and broiled in oven until crisp). To assemble, lay bottom half of French roll on plate. Place meat mixture, followed by a spoonful of juice from the pan. Top with other half of roll, cut in half and devour!

Loaded Potato Muffins

Hand-held baked potatoes.

Ingredients
• 3 whole Russet Potatoes
• 1-½ cup Shredded Cheese, Plus More For Topping
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• ⅓ cups Sour Cream
• ½ cups Chopped Onion
• 2 teaspoons Butter
• 1-½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 4 slices Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375ยบ.
Fry up your bacon until crispy and done. Set it aside to drain on a paper towel. In the same pan, add butter and saute onions. Make your potatoes like you like them, some bake them; I just chopped them up and skillet-fried them until they were done and golden. When potatoes have cooled down, mash them up a little and add cheese, milk, Worcestershire and sour cream. Stir to blend. Fold in the onions and bacon. Taste and season to your liking. Don’t forget the salt and pepper.
Spray your muffin pan with cooking spray and fill the tins evenly with potato mixture. Top with extra cheese. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on their tops.
This recipe makes 12 muffins.

Until next time!!!