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"I cannot live without books: but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object." -- Thomas Jefferson
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Microwave: Small Bowl Cake
Microwave: Small Bowl Cake Recipe
(Excerpt from: Recipes from the Kitchen of a Frugal Non-Cook)
Searching for simple recipes or ones for one or two persons is like a treasure hunt. So, finding a recipe for Mug Cake on Fun Foods on a Budget was a find. But, I did not have chocolate chips. This is how my disasters usually start; I am missing one ingredient. But, I forged ahead with confidence because the recipe said the chips were optional.
Instead of chocolate chips I used 2 tablespoons of a dry chocolate milk mix. Mixing was the hard part. When done, it was like a brownie but it tasted good. Oh, my egg had two yolks; wonder if that made a difference?
This seemed like a simple recipe, so I tried again with one change. I did not use the dry chocolate milk mix, but it still came out like a brownie.
Now, I was determined to figure out how to get a more cake-like outcome. I made more revisions. I used 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 5 tablespoons of milk, and cocoa milk mix instead of cocoa. Through the microwave window, I watched wide-eyed as the mixture bubbled and spilled out over the mug. But, it worked! The result tasted like a wonderful piece of chocolate cake.
Then, I made another revision. Due to spillage, I used a small bowl instead of a mug, and surprise, I made a beautiful, small, chocolate cake.
Next, I will revise the recipe again, to get that cake back into a mug. Then, I may venture to make microwave “bread.”
As you can see, this recipe has many possibilities.
(Author’s Note: it was after I made these experiments I found a microwave cake recipe on Fun Foods on a Budget, mine is different.)
Microwave Small Bowl Cake
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons chocolate milk mix or cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
5 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons olive oil
dash of vanilla flavoring
Process:
Add flour, sugar, chocolate milk mix, and baking powder into bowl. Stir well.
Add egg and stir. Add milk and oil. Stir well. Add vanilla, then stir.
Microwave: 3 minutes on high.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Cross One off My Bucket List--Ants by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson
I enjoy reading the books by E.O. Wilson. When his book, with co-author, Bert Hölldobler, Ants came out, I wanted to buy it, but it's a big, expensive book. So, I put it on my bucket list.
During a visit to my brother's, he treated me to a visit to a used bookstore and there I found "Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration" by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson.
So, in essence, I can cross off one item on my bucket list. While this book is about Hölldobler and Wilson's early lives, and exploration and research into the lives of ants, it is still satisfying.
I will probably go to a library to look up Ants because I have at least five different species of ants who visit my home.
During a visit to my brother's, he treated me to a visit to a used bookstore and there I found "Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration" by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson.
So, in essence, I can cross off one item on my bucket list. While this book is about Hölldobler and Wilson's early lives, and exploration and research into the lives of ants, it is still satisfying.
I will probably go to a library to look up Ants because I have at least five different species of ants who visit my home.
Microwave: Buried Baked Potato
My sister is on Weight Watchers. This has stimulated me to reexamine my eating habits and recipes. I try to follow MyPlate.gov and the American Heart Association guidelines but I think I am missing the mark considerably.
American Heart Association Guidelines (Abbreviated)
Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes:
When I look at my recipes and then at My Plate, I see I am falling short on vegetables, fruits and grains.
Now, the recipe below was devised based on what I had on hand but with the idea to bump up the vegetables and proteins.
Microwave: Buried Baked Potato
Ingredients:
1 medium to large white potato
American Heart Association Guidelines (Abbreviated)
Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes:
- a variety of fruits and vegetables,
- whole grains,
- low-fat dairy products,
- skinless poultry and fish
- nuts and legumes
- non-tropical vegetable oils
When I look at my recipes and then at My Plate, I see I am falling short on vegetables, fruits and grains.
Now, the recipe below was devised based on what I had on hand but with the idea to bump up the vegetables and proteins.
Microwave: Buried Baked Potato
Ingredients:
1 medium to large white potato
1 dab of butter
1 tspn red beans, canned, drained
1 tspn Salsa
3 bits & pieces mozarella cheese
2 green olives w/pimento, sliced
2 sprinkles of imitation bacon bits
2 dashes red pepper sauce
1 fried egg
S/p to taste
Process:
Process:
Wash potato, pierce with a fork.
Place in microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on high for 5-6 minutes. Check, if you can push a fork through, it's done.
Remove.
Slice potato in half.
Mash insides with a fork.
Add butter, beans, salsa, cheese, olives, and bacon bits.
Sprinkle hot sauce about the whole potato.
Top with fried egg.
See why I called it Buried Baked Potato :-)
Thursday, January 4, 2018
#STC2018 Tweeting Star Trek Cruise January 2018
#STC2018 Tweeting Star Trek Cruise January 2018
Check out @BitsBitesBooks!
With the #BombCyclone storm, this will be interesting. Didn't bring enough warm clothes :-(
Check out @BitsBitesBooks!
With the #BombCyclone storm, this will be interesting. Didn't bring enough warm clothes :-(
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Mug O'Quichy-Canned Spinach Soup-Egg Quesadilla
Mug O'Quichy-Canned Spinach Soup-Egg Quesadilla
Ingredients:
1 8oz Mug
A dab of olive oil
Ingredients:
1 8oz Mug
A dab of olive oil
1 egg
Variation: use mushroom soup concentrate.
3 Tbspns canned spinach soup concentrate (don't add water)
A dash of Tabasco sauce or ground black pepper
A dab of milk
1 flour tortilla
Toppings: a sprinkle of imitation bacon bits, a dash of Parmesan cheese
Process:
Add dab of oil to mug, swish around to coat bottom and sides of mug.
Add egg, soup, sauce and milk in a mug.
Stir vigorously to mix ingredients thoroughly.
Microwave mixture 2 minutes on high.
Place tortilla in skillet, heat on medium-high to brown bottom. Turn over, add egg mixture on top of tortilla.
A dash of Tabasco sauce or ground black pepper
A dab of milk
1 flour tortilla
Toppings: a sprinkle of imitation bacon bits, a dash of Parmesan cheese
Process:
Add dab of oil to mug, swish around to coat bottom and sides of mug.
Add egg, soup, sauce and milk in a mug.
Stir vigorously to mix ingredients thoroughly.
Microwave mixture 2 minutes on high.
Place tortilla in skillet, heat on medium-high to brown bottom. Turn over, add egg mixture on top of tortilla.
Sprinkle bacon bits and Parmesan cheese on top. Heat about 1-2 minutes, fold tortilla, then transfer to a plate.
Variation: use mushroom soup concentrate.
Friday, November 24, 2017
World Con 76 San Jose, CA August 16-20, 2018
World Con 76 San Jose, CA August 16-20, 2018
This is an opportunity for writers or lovers of science fiction and fantasy to meet other authors, share their work, participate in workshops and events, and vote in the Hugo Awards.
http://www.worldcon76.org/
This is an opportunity for writers or lovers of science fiction and fantasy to meet other authors, share their work, participate in workshops and events, and vote in the Hugo Awards.
http://www.worldcon76.org/
Friday, October 6, 2017
Microwave: Baked Potato Salad
Microwave: Baked Potato Salad
Ingredients:
5 medium to large white potatoes, peeled
1 cup plain yogurt
1 TBspn mayo
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Medium slice, Mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 Cup Imitation Bacon bits
Ground black pepper to taste
A palmful of dry parsley, crushed
A few dashes of Parmesan cheese
Garnish: a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved (Optional)
Process:
Place potatoes in microwaveable dish.
Pierce with fork. Cook on high for six minutes or more until cooked.
Let potatoes cool before dicing.
Add diced potatoes to large bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients, except garnish.
Mix and stir well until potatoes are coated.
Cover bowl, place in frig to cool.
Add garnish to individual servings.
I usually don´t add salt to my recipes but I just thought, maybe I should make sure I offer a salt shaker to guests.
Also, Lucy likes it. Lucy is a friend who is brave enough to try some of my recipes. This is the first recipe she has liked :-)
Ingredients:
5 medium to large white potatoes, peeled
1 cup plain yogurt
1 TBspn mayo
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Medium slice, Mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 Cup Imitation Bacon bits
Ground black pepper to taste
A palmful of dry parsley, crushed
A few dashes of Parmesan cheese
Garnish: a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved (Optional)
Process:
Place potatoes in microwaveable dish.
Pierce with fork. Cook on high for six minutes or more until cooked.
Let potatoes cool before dicing.
Add diced potatoes to large bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients, except garnish.
Mix and stir well until potatoes are coated.
Cover bowl, place in frig to cool.
Add garnish to individual servings.
I usually don´t add salt to my recipes but I just thought, maybe I should make sure I offer a salt shaker to guests.
Also, Lucy likes it. Lucy is a friend who is brave enough to try some of my recipes. This is the first recipe she has liked :-)
Dressed Up Store Bought Cake
Dressed Up Store Bought Cake
Part of my morning routine is to have coffee and a slice of store bought nut cake. One morning, I decided to dress up my usual slice of nut cake with a plain yogurt sauce, a few dried blueberries, banana slices and a few dashes of cinnamon. Presto: breakfast.
Part of my morning routine is to have coffee and a slice of store bought nut cake. One morning, I decided to dress up my usual slice of nut cake with a plain yogurt sauce, a few dried blueberries, banana slices and a few dashes of cinnamon. Presto: breakfast.
Happiness is Cake
Happiness is Cake
When you move to another country, you make alot of adjustments. One is finding a favorite snack. In Mexico, these cakes are called Pinguinos. Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting with a little white icing inside.
When you move to another country, you make alot of adjustments. One is finding a favorite snack. In Mexico, these cakes are called Pinguinos. Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting with a little white icing inside.
(Brand: Pinquinos. https://marinelausa.com/en) |
Microwave: A Dish of Apple Pie
While the original recipe was a mug recipe, for this recipe, I used a small dessert dish.
This recipe is similar to Amy Dacyczyn´s Apple Crisp recipe in the Tightwad Gazette.
A Dish of Apple Pie
Adapted from: http://www.curryandcomfort.com/2012/11/2-minute-apple-pie-in-mug.html
Ingredients:
1/2 an apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 Tsp flour
1 Tsp olive oil
a few dashes of Cinnamon
a dash of Nutmeg
1/2 Tbsp lime juice concentrate
Toppings: crushed cookies, whipped cream or ice cream
Process:
Mix all ingredients together, except toppings.
Stir well.
Microwave 1 minute on high.
Add toppings.
This recipe is similar to Amy Dacyczyn´s Apple Crisp recipe in the Tightwad Gazette.
A Dish of Apple Pie
Adapted from: http://www.curryandcomfort.com/2012/11/2-minute-apple-pie-in-mug.html
Ingredients:
1/2 an apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 Tsp flour
1 Tsp olive oil
a few dashes of Cinnamon
a dash of Nutmeg
1/2 Tbsp lime juice concentrate
Toppings: crushed cookies, whipped cream or ice cream
Process:
Mix all ingredients together, except toppings.
Stir well.
Microwave 1 minute on high.
Add toppings.
Monday, September 25, 2017
My New Blender
My New Blender
In a previous post, I had discussed thinking about buying a convection oven, a toaster or a blender.
I have solved my blender problem.
My blender's name is Marcos. He is a former bartender. Now, he runs a juice bar on Paseo de Montejo at Calle 39 where you can choose from various preselected fruit blends for a tasty fruit smoothie. Or, Marcos lets you pick your own fruit combinations.
I often get banana, dragonfruit and papaya with water and no sugar.
As with most tiendas, Marcos has no set hours, you just have to catch him when he's open.
In a previous post, I had discussed thinking about buying a convection oven, a toaster or a blender.
I have solved my blender problem.
My blender's name is Marcos. He is a former bartender. Now, he runs a juice bar on Paseo de Montejo at Calle 39 where you can choose from various preselected fruit blends for a tasty fruit smoothie. Or, Marcos lets you pick your own fruit combinations.
I often get banana, dragonfruit and papaya with water and no sugar.
As with most tiendas, Marcos has no set hours, you just have to catch him when he's open.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Hotplate: Thinking About Fritters
I have been thinking about making vegetable fritters for weeks.
Also, I have been thinking about food waste.
I thought vegetable fritters would be one solution to reduce vegetable waste.
So, I searched for new vegetable fritter recipes and found:
Mother Earth News – Vegetable Fritters
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/seasonal-recipes/vegetable-fritters-recipe-zerz1410zdeh
Taste Without Waste – Vegetable Fritters
https://tastewithoutwaste.com/2014/02/07/vegetable-fritters/
The Guardian – Vegetable Fritters
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/06/vegetable-fritter-recipe-anna-jones-the-modern-cook
The Kitchn – How to Make Fritters Out of Any Vegetable
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fritters-out-of-any-vegetable-231408
While I enjoyed reading these recipes and learned a few things, either I did not have all the ingredients or it seemed too complex for me, so I went back to my fritters recipe and made few revisions.
Vegetable Fritters
Ingredients:
leftover tomato and onions, diced
1 garlic clove, diced
1 cup of frozen diced mixed vegetables
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
3 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
¼ cup white cheese, grated (optional)
ground black pepper to taste
Garnish: Lime Juice
Makes about 12-15 small fritters.
Process:
Place diced tomato, onion and garlic in a small bowl, microwave for one minute on high. Set aside.
Place frozen mixed vegetables in a small bowl, microwave for two minutes on high. Set aside.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
Add egg, milk, and Tabasco Sauce, mix well.
Smash batter lumps with the back of your spoon to make batter smooth.
Add tomato, onion, garlic and vegetables to batter.
Add grated cheese.
Stir thoroughly.
Add oil to medium or large skillet.
Heat oil until it sizzles.
Use large spoon to scoop up batter mixture.
Drop the batter mixture into skillet, leave room for other fritters.
Press down on batter mixture with spoon to flatten.
Cook on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side until fritter is brown on both sides.
If fritter is thick, cook a little longer on each side to avoid uncooked batter.
Remove cooked fritters to a plate, drain oil.
Sprinkle with a little lime juice.
Note: did not use Basil.
Alternative: Canned Spinach Fritters
All I did was make the batter and mix in two tablespoons of twice drained canned spinach instead of tomato, onion, garlic and vegs, and cooked the fritters the same way as the vegetable fritters.
Ideas for future fritters: use diced cooked potatoes, shredded carrots, or mashed beans; spices: cumin or paprika.
While my fritters came out well, the amount of dirty dishes and utensils I made was overwhelming. Plus, I am on my fourth hot plate and this one is finicky, too, and my new skillet cooks unevenly, so I had to move the fitters around in the skillet to the areas where they would cook not burn.
If I had had any fritters left, I would have frozen them.
But, I think next time, I will slice and dice the veggie items, put them in containers and store for a bit. Then, make up a batch of dry batter mix and store it in a container.
Then, maybe when I make fritters next, it might be easier. Who knows.
More Links:
Sustainable Table
http://www.gracelinks.org/tag/main_dishes
Also, I have been thinking about food waste.
I thought vegetable fritters would be one solution to reduce vegetable waste.
So, I searched for new vegetable fritter recipes and found:
Mother Earth News – Vegetable Fritters
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/seasonal-recipes/vegetable-fritters-recipe-zerz1410zdeh
Taste Without Waste – Vegetable Fritters
https://tastewithoutwaste.com/2014/02/07/vegetable-fritters/
The Guardian – Vegetable Fritters
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/06/vegetable-fritter-recipe-anna-jones-the-modern-cook
The Kitchn – How to Make Fritters Out of Any Vegetable
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fritters-out-of-any-vegetable-231408
While I enjoyed reading these recipes and learned a few things, either I did not have all the ingredients or it seemed too complex for me, so I went back to my fritters recipe and made few revisions.
Vegetable Fritters
Ingredients:
leftover tomato and onions, diced
1 garlic clove, diced
1 cup of frozen diced mixed vegetables
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
3 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
¼ cup white cheese, grated (optional)
ground black pepper to taste
Garnish: Lime Juice
Makes about 12-15 small fritters.
Not all ingredients used are shown. |
Process:
Place diced tomato, onion and garlic in a small bowl, microwave for one minute on high. Set aside.
Place frozen mixed vegetables in a small bowl, microwave for two minutes on high. Set aside.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
Add egg, milk, and Tabasco Sauce, mix well.
Smash batter lumps with the back of your spoon to make batter smooth.
Add tomato, onion, garlic and vegetables to batter.
Add grated cheese.
Stir thoroughly.
Add oil to medium or large skillet.
Heat oil until it sizzles.
Use large spoon to scoop up batter mixture.
Drop the batter mixture into skillet, leave room for other fritters.
Press down on batter mixture with spoon to flatten.
Cook on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side until fritter is brown on both sides.
If fritter is thick, cook a little longer on each side to avoid uncooked batter.
Remove cooked fritters to a plate, drain oil.
Sprinkle with a little lime juice.
Note: did not use Basil.
Alternative: Canned Spinach Fritters
All I did was make the batter and mix in two tablespoons of twice drained canned spinach instead of tomato, onion, garlic and vegs, and cooked the fritters the same way as the vegetable fritters.
Ideas for future fritters: use diced cooked potatoes, shredded carrots, or mashed beans; spices: cumin or paprika.
While my fritters came out well, the amount of dirty dishes and utensils I made was overwhelming. Plus, I am on my fourth hot plate and this one is finicky, too, and my new skillet cooks unevenly, so I had to move the fitters around in the skillet to the areas where they would cook not burn.
If I had had any fritters left, I would have frozen them.
But, I think next time, I will slice and dice the veggie items, put them in containers and store for a bit. Then, make up a batch of dry batter mix and store it in a container.
Then, maybe when I make fritters next, it might be easier. Who knows.
More Links:
Sustainable Table
http://www.gracelinks.org/tag/main_dishes
Friday, August 18, 2017
Rice, Shrimp and Vegetable Salad
Rice, Shrimp and Vegetable Salad
Yes, this recipe is easy. I found this salad cool and fresh to the taste.
Ingredients:
20 small, shelled shrimp,f rozen
a dash of garlic powder
a dash of lime juice, concentrated
1/4 Chayote, sliced
1/4 onion, sliced
1/4 pepino, sliced and chopped
1 small tomato, sliced
Leftover white rice
1 dash of Italian dressing
ground black pepper to taste
Process:
If you don't have any leftover white rice, it's easy to make. Just don't walk away and let the rice burn.
White Rice
1 cup White Rice
2 cups water
Add both to a pot.
Stir.
Place lid on pot.
Heat to simmer.
Simmer about 15-20 minutes, until water has been absorbed or evaporated.
If you want the rice cold, place in a covered container and put in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.
This batch of rice will be more than you need for this recipe.
Shrimp
Add about 20 small shrimp into a glass bowl.
Add 1/2 capful of lime juice concentrate.
Add a dash of garlic powder.
Stir thoroughly.
Microwave 2 minutes.
Remove and drain shrimp.
Add about a cup of cooked rice to bowl.
Add cooked shrimp.
Add cut vegetables.
Add a dash of Italian dressing.
Add ground black pepper to taste.
Yes, this recipe is easy. I found this salad cool and fresh to the taste.
Ingredients:
20 small, shelled shrimp,f rozen
a dash of garlic powder
a dash of lime juice, concentrated
1/4 Chayote, sliced
1/4 onion, sliced
1/4 pepino, sliced and chopped
1 small tomato, sliced
Leftover white rice
1 dash of Italian dressing
ground black pepper to taste
Process:
If you don't have any leftover white rice, it's easy to make. Just don't walk away and let the rice burn.
White Rice
1 cup White Rice
2 cups water
Add both to a pot.
Stir.
Place lid on pot.
Heat to simmer.
Simmer about 15-20 minutes, until water has been absorbed or evaporated.
If you want the rice cold, place in a covered container and put in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.
This batch of rice will be more than you need for this recipe.
Shrimp
Add about 20 small shrimp into a glass bowl.
Add 1/2 capful of lime juice concentrate.
Add a dash of garlic powder.
Stir thoroughly.
Microwave 2 minutes.
Remove and drain shrimp.
Add about a cup of cooked rice to bowl.
Add cooked shrimp.
Add cut vegetables.
Add a dash of Italian dressing.
Add ground black pepper to taste.
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