Quasi-DIY Lipstick

Quasi-DIY Lipstick

Over the years, many of my various lipsticks had been used down to the nub.

So, following a Tightwad Gazette tip, I scooped out the remains of about five used tubes into a small glass jar. Then, I microwaved the contents for about 1 minute on high to melt the contents.

After the jar cooled, I used a cosmetic lip brush to spread the mixture as lipstick.

The used lipsticks were of a variety of colors and brands, from light cream to deep mauve, including lip glosses and lip balm. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the color and texture of the mixture.

Toast Topping - Poached Egg with Matcha

An article in Taste featured the food trend of using Matcha, a green tea powder, as a seasoning. The article raved about a poached egg on buttered toast seasoned with rock salt and Matcha. I was less impressed.

Poached Egg with Rock Salt & Matcha

(Adpated from: https://www.tastecooking.com/subtle-revolution-matcha-poached-eggs/)

1 slice bread of your choice
1 egg
Olive oil
salt and Matcha mixture

I made a poached egg (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-perfectly-poach-an-egg-in-the-microwave-2016-6)) and toasted a slice of wheat bread in a skillet with olive oil. After topping the toast with the poached egg, I seasoned the egg with a mixture of rock salt and Matcha.

I normally do not use salt. Everything tastes better with salt, so I was not impressed by this recipe. Maybe the Matcha added some flavor but it was not easily detectable to me, but I am not going to give up trying to learn to use Matcha in various recipes, new or standard.

Toast Topping - Hummus

Hummus Mixture
(Adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14830/hummus-iii/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringId=1281&referringContentType=recipe%20hub and https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hummus/)

Ingredients:

1 Can Garbanzo beans, drained
1/8 C Lime juice concentrate
1/2 Tspn garlic powder
1 TB Olive oil
2 Dashes paprika
1/2 Tspn parsley, dry, crushed
S/P to taste 


Process:

In a bowl, add garbanzo beans and mash them until you can not discern a partial bean.
Add other ingredients, stir and mix well.
 
Spread 1-2 TB on toast.

Note: Most Hummus recipes are used as dips and the paprika and parsley are garnishes. This recipe is to make a toast topping spread, so I mixed in the paprika and parsley.

Toast Topping - Pseudo Pesto Mixture

This is my first pesto something, was not sure what to expect.
 
I do not know what I made. It tastes good but is more of a spread than a sauce.
 
I was overwhelmed by the volume of spices the recipe called for. I did not realize I did not have enough of any of them, so I tried to downsize the recipe.
 
Also, is it really a Toast Topping?


Pseudo Pesto Mixture
(Adapted from: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Pesto)

 
1/3 C Basil, dry, crushed
1 C Olive Oil
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
3 level Tspns garlic powder
1/3 C parsley, dry, crushed
1 level Tspn rock salt and Matcha mix (Matcha, optional)
1/4 C Peanuts or almonds, crushed (Optional)


Basically, mix ingredients together thoroughly. Store in refrigerator.

Toast Topping - Avocado Mixture

Avocado Mixture

Ingredients:

1 Avocado
1- 2 TB olive oil
1 TB Parsley, dry, crushed
1 Capful Lime Juice concentrate



Process:

 

After cutting avocado in half and removing the large seed, scoop out the avocado flesh and place in a small bowl or storage container.
 
Add olive oil. 
Mash and stir the avocado flesh and oil until smooth.
Add parsley and lime juice.
Stir well.

Spread 1-2 TB on toast.

Updated 8/12/18.

Toast Topping - Eggplant Mixture

Eggplant Mixture
(Adapted from: https://www.buzzfeed.com/food52/how-to-microwave-eggplant?utm_term=.ilrvlzM3d#.rwmo6QJdW)


Ingredients:

1 eggplant
1/4 C Soy sauce
2 TB Cilantro, dry, crushed
1 TB Red wine vinegar
3 Dashes of garlic powder
3/8 oz Ginger paste


Process:

Cut eggplant in half.
Slice flesh with criss-cross hatch marks.
Place flesh side up in microwave dish.
Mix other ingredients together.
Cover eggplant with mixture.
Rub mixture into flesh.
Flip eggplant halves over.
Pour remaining mixture into dish to soak eggplant.
Cover dish with plastic wrap.
Microwave on high for 10 minutes.
Remove and let cool.
Spoon out eggplant flesh from skin into a bowl.
Pour remaining sauce from cooking dish into bowl.
Stir and mash well.

Spread about 1-2 TB of eggplant mixture on toast.

Toast Topping - Mushroom Mixture

Mushroom Mixture
(Adapted from: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g2293/toast-recipes/ and https://www.recipetineats.com/mushroom-bruschetta-balsamic-thyme/)


Ingredients:

1 8oz can of mushrooms, drained
Olive oil for skillet
2 TB Balsamic vinegar
1 Tspn sugar
1 TB Thyme, dry crushed
2 Dashes hot pepper sauce
s/p to taste
a Dash of garlic powder (Optional)


Process:

Add mushrooms to skillet.
Saute over medium heat.
Add vinegar and sugar, stir. Add thyme, pepper sauce and s/p.
Stir and mix well.
Remove from hot plate or stovetop.
Sprinkle toast with garlic powder, spread 1-2 TB of mushroom mixture on toast.