DIY: Spice Drawer

During my marathon weeks of researching and making DIY projects based on YouTube, I am thrilled with many of my completed projects.

 

In particular, I am happy with my new spice drawer.

 

You can find the idea for the spice drawer in this Mega video : https://youtu.be/wTbyIaGvntw.

 

Basically, gather some sturdy waste cardboard longer than the height of a large spice bottle, long enough to fold and wide enough to fit the drawer. Measure the width of the drawer you wish to convert to a spice drawer. Cut the cardboard to fit. Fold top of the cardboard twice to create a "lift/slant" to give height to the rack. Do the same with additional pieces of waste cardboard for the number of racks you want for the drawer.

Stovetop: Mixed Vegetables with Spices

Mixed Vegetables with Spices
(Adapted from: Coliflor con especias BollyFood by Marie-Laure Tombini p12)

I love India, Bollywood and Bollywood movies. So when I found this little cookbook, BollyFood, I was overjoyed. But, as with most recipes, I never have all the right ingredients. So, I tried my Use What You Have method. Also, I reduced the quantity from 4 persons to one.


Pre-Preparation:

Microwave a cup of frozen mixed vegetables on high for 2 minutes.


Ingredients:

1 Cup Frozen mixed vegetables, cooked
1-2 Dollops Vegetable oil
1/2 Tspn Onion flakes
1/2 Tspn Yellow Mustard
1/2 Tspn Curry powder
1/2 Tspn Ginger powder
1 Tspn Cilantro, dry
1/2 Tspn Cardamon
2 Dashes of Paprika
2-3 Tspns Canned salsa


Process:

In a skillet, add oil and the spices.
Stir well.
Simmer and mix well.
Add Salsa.
Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
Stir often.
Add mixed vegetables (cooked).
Stir and mix vegetables with spice mixture.
Simmer for a few minutes to heat contents throughout.
Spoon skillet contents into a serving dish.

Note: this was a spicy dish, so it is not GERD-friendly.

11+ Ways to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Recipe research is always surprising. In my recipe wanderings, I came across multiple ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

 

The Grilled Cheese Sandwich became popular during the depression. It makes me wonder what foods will become popular during this pandemic with all of its ramifications.

(Source: Accessed 1/13/21 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grilled_cheese)

11+ Ways to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

 
Basic process:

• Spread butter or mayo on the outside of two slices of bread. Place one slice butter side down in a skillet.
• Use a spread on the inside of the slice of bread. (Optional)
  
• Top with slice, slices, slivers, or chunks of chosen cheese.
• Add herbs, spices, or other items as desired.
  
• Place second slice of bread on top, butter side up.
• Fry sandwich slowly so cheese has time to melt.
• Once bottom side is brown, flip and toast the other side.
• Remove and place on plate.
• Cut in half or quarters.

 

Variations:

1. Choose from a variety of breads like multi-grain, sourdough, rye, sliced baguettes, or other breads.
   
2. Choose from a variety of cheeses like: Blue Cheese, Brie, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Parmesan, or other cheeses, or use a mix of several cheeses.
   
3. Use Garlic-Parsley butter.
   
4. Use Mayo instead of butter.
5. Add Pesto or another spread.
   
6. Add Apple Slices.
7. Add Spinach, fresh or cooked.
   
8. Add Fresh herbs.
9. Add Carmelized onions.
10. Use one slice of bread, make as a  toast topping, top with fruit or other items.
    
11. Reduce calories by using less cheese and adding cut vegetables, fresh, frozen (cooked) or canned (drained and rinsed).
    

 

Some suggested additions, choose 1 or more: pickle slices, potato chips, cooked bacon strips, tomato slices, or slices of lunchmeat.

 

Other Suggested spreads: mayo mixed with mustard, or mayo mixed with BBQ sauce.

Suggested spices: ground black pepper, basil, cilantro, capers, hot pepper sauce, for example.

References:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/5-ways-grilled-cheese-sandwich

https://www.businessinsider.com/8-way-to-improve-your-grilled-cheese-2016-7?r=MX&IR=T

https://www.rd.com/article/best-grilled-cheese-sandwich/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/05/how-to-make-the-perfect-grilled-cheese-sandwich

https://www.consumerreports.org/nutrition-healthy-eating/ways-to-make-a-healthy-grilled-cheese-sandwich/

https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/a586/10-greatest-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-71411/

https://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/how-make-perfect-grilled-cheese-sandwich-and-12-ways-make-it-even-better-slideshow/slide-3

Refrigerator: Mug O'Blueberry Cheesecake

Finally, I found a great recipe to make a single serving of refrigerator cheesecake.

 

Refrigerator: Mug O’Blueberry Cheesecake

(Adapted from: http://singularcity.com/satisfy-your-sweet-tooth/)

 

 

Pre-Preparation:

 

I keep dry blueberries in stock. But, if you have fresh blueberries, you can skip this step.

 

Soak 1-2 TBspns dry blueberries in water overnight.

OR

Put blueberries in a cup, add enough water to soak them. Warm blueberries briefly in the microwave (20-30 seconds). Allow to sit at least 30 minutes.

 

 

Ingredients:

2 Sugar Cookies

2-3 TBspns Cream cheese

1 TBspn Yogurt, plain

1/2 Tspn Lime zest

3 Tspns Lime  juice

6-8 TBspns Blueberries, dry, soaked and drained or fresh

 

Process:

• In a cup, stir cream cheese, yogurt, one Tspn lime juice and zest together. Reserve.
• Place one cookie in bottom of mug or cup.
  
• Pour one Tspn lime juice over it.
• Spoon 1/3 cream cheese mixture over the top.
• Place second cookie on top.
• Pour the remaining lemon juice over cookie.
• Spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over the top and smooth out the surface.
• Place the blackberries (drained) over the top of the dessert.
• Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
  

MIcrowave: Mug O'Banana Crumble

Make a crumble from almost any fruit.

 

Microwave: Banana Crumble

(Adapted from: http://cookingmatters.org/recipes/banana-crumble)

 

Ingredients:

1/2 - 1 Banana, sliced

Topping:

1-2 TBspns Sugar

1-2 TBspns Flour

1-2 TBspns Oats

1-2 TBspns Vegetable oil

1-2 Dashes Cinnamon

 

 

Process:

Place banana pieces in a small microwaveable bowl or cup.

In a separate bowl, add remaining ingredients.

Stir ingredients to mix well.

Spoon topping over banana slices.

Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minute.

Optional Sauce:

Mix 1 TBspn each, yogurt and honey together.

Spoon sauce over cooked banana mixture.

Variation: Top cooked banana mixture with additional slices of banana and a dash of cinnamon.

 

Microwave: Mug O'Mexican Bread Pudding

Mug O’Mexican Bread Pudding

(Adapted from: https://www.goodtaste.tv/recipe/capirotada-mexican-bread-pudding/)

Ingredients:

1 8oz Coffee mug

1 TBspn Olive oil (or margarine)

2-3 TBspns Raisins

1/4 Apple, diced

1 Slice Multi-grain bread, torn into pieces

1 Egg

1 - 1 1/2 TB Sugar

2 Dollops Milk (or yogurt) or more if needed

1 Capful Vanilla flavoring

1 TBspn Almonds, silvers or crushed

2 Dashes Cinnamon

2 Dashes Nutmeg

Topping: Mixed cheese or other cheese, grated

Optional: 1 Slice of toast with mayo.

 

 

Process:

Add oil to mug.

Swirl oil in mug to coat bottom and sides of mug.

Add the rest of ingredients except cheese.

Stir and mix ingredients thoroughly.

Add more milk if contents are not moist.

Top with grated cheese.

Place mug in microwave. Use a saucer as a cover.

Microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Check to see if all liquids have been cooked off. If not, microwave on high for 30-60 seconds.

Tip mug contents onto a plate or onto a slice of toast (with or without mayo) on a plate and spread over toast.

 

Happy Birthday (91) - Guy Williams (b. 1/14/1924)

A Tribute to Guy Williams - Zorro
b 1/14/1924 d 4/30/1989 -- Updated 1/2/2021

Zorro, the perennial masked hero, has been portrayed in film, on TV and on stage by many, such as: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Robert Livingston, John Carroll, Reed Hadley, Tyrone Power, Guy Williams, Frank Langella, Alain Delon, George Hamilton, Henry Darrow, Antonio Banderas, Christian Meier, and others in a wide variety of adaptations of the stories of Zorro by Johnston McCulley.

But, unofficially, many Zorro fans consider Guy Williams, the greatest Zorro ever.

Guy Williams, an Italian-American, was born in New York on 1/14/1924 and died on 4/30/1989.

Guy Williams and Gene Sheldon as Zorro and Bernardo, his servant.

He gained fame acting in Walt Disney's TV production of Zorro which ran from 1957 to 1959. The series was cancelled at the height of its popularity due to Disney's conflict with the broadcasting company that aired the show.

Guy's fans have created many online fansites as well as campaigned for variety of historic markers including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor their favorite Zorro.

Below are just a few of the Guy Williams/Zorro fan sites.

Guy Williams' Family website
http://zorrofx.com/dads_pg.htm

Guy Williams Web Shrine with links
http://www.guywilliams.net/links.htm 

Celebhost.net
http://www.celebhost.net/guywilliams/guy.html

Beth Wilson's Guy Williams on Bonanza
http://website.fabpage.com/zorrothefox/will.html

Bill Cotter's Disney Page
http://www.billcotter.com/zorro/

Disney's Zorro Page
http://www.zorrolegend.com/disneyzorro/disneyzorro.html

Many of Guy Williams fans wonder what happened to him after Disney's TV show Zorro was cancelled.

To learn the answer to that question and much more about Guy Williams' life and career, read Antoinette G. Lane's fine biography, "Guy Williams: Man Behind the Mask" published by Bearmanor.

 

Update: "Guy Williams: The Man Behind the Mask" is now available as an audiobook.

I interviewed Ms. Lane and posted the interview "An interview with Antoinette G. Lane" in an earlier blog post and a shorter version was featured on Boomer Cafe.

According to Ms. Lane, Guy's early training in fencing and horseback riding as well as his early modeling career made him a perfect candidate to star in Disney's Zorro.

Personally, I have a fond affection for the entire Walt Disney production of his 1950s TV show Zorro.

I learned from Ms. Lane's biography that Disney brought movie-making production techniques and quality to television production. This can be seen in the choreographed sword fights, horseback riding and chase scenes.

Disney also used Mexicans and Native Americans as actors and extras. The stories were set in the early history of California when it was ruled by the Spanish, providing an authentic historical context for the story.

Today, we celebrate the life

of a wonderful man and actor, Guy Williams.