Boiled Peanuts and other Yankee Treats

So I, again, crossed the unusually low and slow Catawba River in the time of drought where the Catawba Tribe would cross at Nations Ford 200 - 300 years prior. I glanced down and up river then gunned the engine across the Carolinas dividing line, entering Charlotte with windows down, hair wild in the breeze.

Not just a trip to see the Pops, but a trip full of doctor appointments at Levine where they work diligently to keep me alive despite my lack of fortitude and my brokenheart.

Not boiled peanuts, but maybe I could interest the Yankees in this giant NY pizza.... 

But what's on my mind as I continue north and pass the giant baseball, what's on my mind is boiled peanuts, the caviar of the Carolinas.

I would soon be having brunch with my cousin down from new york. And I imagine he has never had boiled peanuts before. That got me to thinking about my other cousin who came down from New York and tried boiled peanuts upon my request demand. I think one member of the family enjoyed the peanuts and the rest did not. 

And then there was that time I took boiled peanuts to New York - I took green peanuts to New York and I boiled them in the crock pot. I took them to my surprise 50th birthday party dinner for everyone to try and again we had mixed reactions. It's just not a huge hit with the Yankees.

In this frame of mind, I pulled over at Sweet Lew's and got a bucket of boiled peanuts to carry with me. Sweet Lew's BBQ is reported to have the best boiled peanuts in Charlotte.

I was disappointed. 

The peanuts were tough, not cooked long enough, not salty enough. And while I was there, I ordered some ribs, but they "wouldn't be ready" for another hour.  All in all, a disappointing stop at Sweet Lew's. (I got some hash and rice, but it was nothing great.)

I then pulled over at the downtown farmer's market, but alas, they had no boiled peanuts, only raw ones.

When I later met my Yankee cousin, my hands were empty. I had nothing to offer. It was quite a welcome to the Queen City. 

IF he returns, what should I offer?

Best Homemade Cheesebread and Cinnamon Rolls

So I crossed the churning Catawba again after a month of rain to spend some time with the Pops. My sister and brother-in-law were out of town again leaving dad unattended and I thought it was a good time to step in and get into some mischief, as we are prone to do.

After popping in to various classes in the Healing Arts program at Levine Cancer Institute which is a fantastic program, I focused all my attention on dad. A trip to Sam's, Dutch Blitz at my brother's, cleaning dad's house, that sort of thing.

Suddenly, we had the brilliant idea to bake some bread. It was chilly out and the smell of bread rising and baking would be out of this world.

We stuck some cheese in the bread before baking and made cheese bread. Then I had some leftover dough so we made some cinnamon rolls. It all turned out SO good! And just in time for my brother to stop by for lunch.

And you probably guessed it by now..... a surprise visit from Cousin David.

This recipe makes enough dough for both projects.

1/2 c milk

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

2 pkgs yeast

1 1/2 c warm water

5 1/2 c bread flour

Scald milk and butter, then cool in fridge for a few minutes. Add sugar and salt.

In a large bowl, put yeast and warm water, mix well. Then stir in your milk mixture. Add flour. Knead well and let rise until nearly double in size, maybe an hour.

Divide dough in half.

With one half, make the cheesebread:

Roll dough out into a rectangle. Place in a casserole type pan with half the dough hanging over the edge outside the pan. Cover the half that's inside the pan liberally with shredded cheddar cheese (maybe 12 or 16 oz bar of cheddar cheese). Fold other half over cheesy half and seal the edges.

Let rise again for about an hour.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Let it cool a bit before cutting into it or the cheese will melt all over the place.

Cinnamon Rolls

Using the other half of your dough, roll out into a rectangle.  Spread a melted stick of butter over the dough.  Spread sugar and cinnamon to your preference over the butter.  I used a half container of cinnamon and maybe 1 c sugar.

Roll the dough into a log.  Cut into slices. Place slices on a baking sheet or casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes. Check them and remove them when the tops start to brown.

Enjoy!  (Cousin David did)

Work Snacks, Changes and Links to So Many Memories

Being a stay-at-home mom, I never pursued a career as a vocation (“a person's employment or main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication.”) I ended up working a variety of temporary jobs when the kidswere in school and when we needed a little extra cash.

I loved the mixed experiences of different jobs, however, I am also a creature of routine. I would establish routines at each job, one of which regarded my snack. Looking back, I realize I established a snack at each job that I would consume daily at work and almost never consume any other time or place.  Each snack is now reminiscent of a particular place and time.

Currently, I’m in my Bazooka Joe years at Aiken Standard. That momentary sugary pink bliss that so quickly turns into jaw-exhausting, solid dense rock-like clump. And the comics and fortune in the wrapper!

I’m fond of my Jolly Rancher days at Samaritan’s Purse in Charlotte. It was a seasonal job for a few years and I would have a dish of jolly ranchers on my desk at all times for others to enjoy as well. But secretly I kept all the blue ones for myself. I remember the beautiful, uplifting music playing while we worked and this one co-worker who got all excited every. Single. Time. That Anne Wilson’s “My Jesus” came on. We would all get wound up on that song.

“… He makes a way where there ain't no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain't no sinner that He can't save
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

I worked for Jackie when she began her law firm, working just until she could find a permanent secretary (Connie) and that was my 3-Musketeers season. There was another lawyer who would visit and eat my Musketeers. So one time I saved my wrapper and filled it with a Pink Pearl eraser then resealed it with glue. Sadly, I wasn’t there the day he chose that Musketeer bar, but I get a lot of joy thinking about him opening it up in his car as he drove away. I'm weird like that.

McDonald’s was my earliest job and they invented the chicken nugget while I was working there. I had McNuggets almost every shift I worked. Also, of course, nibbling on a hot fudge sundae every time I worked the drive-thru.

When I worked for a month in Ireland, Cadbury caramel and Galaxy chocolate bars were my thing. And I toyed around with hot tea, but that was mostly for show.

Rollos were my candy of choice while working in Boone one cold Winter. I have such fond memories of driving up on the parkway for sunrise before work, then hitting it for sunset after work, Rollos tucked in the cup holder of my Jeep.

I could go on,  you know it, but enough about me….

What about the White House? Do they have snack routines that change between Presidents?  I turned to Google and to www.whitehousehistory.org/the-presidential-sweet-tooth to find out everything you need to know.

Probably the most popular is Ronald Reagan’s fascination with Jelly Beans. Many pictures of White House meetings feature a jar of jelly beans front and center. And it wasn’t just the White House. Back when he was a lowly Governor, the Herman Goelitz Candy Co sent his office a monthly shipment of jelly beans and they made him a customized jelly bean jar.  I didn’t get any customized jars for any of my snacks. I’m sad about that.

Most unusual was in 1984 when President Miguel de la Madrid of Mexico visited the White House. The executive pastry chef created cactuses out of kiwi sorbet filled with tequila-flavored mousse and decorated with pulled-sugar flowers and spines. You can’t really call that a routine though, I just threw that in here as a bonus.

The routines were as follows:  Clinton, gummies. FDR, rock candy. Carter, peanut brittle. Obama, salted caramels. (more on Obama here) (and even more here) Bush, fried pork rinds. Jefferson, ice cream. (Remember when you all screamed for ice cream?) George Washington, chocolate. (Remember when Marjorie passionately talked to herself about chocolate?)First recorded order was for 20 pounds of it in 1757. His largest was 50 pounds in 1799, three months prior to his death. Don’t you know as they recorded that information they wondered who on earth would be interested in this?

I don’t know what President Jackson’s favorite was, but one time a dairy farmer sent him a 1,400 pound brick of cheese. He let it age for two years and then invited the public to come eat it. Maybe cheese was his routine snack, but probably not after that one.

What’s your routine snack?

PS.  Read about my worst snack. Good times.

Indulge Cookbook Review

So... I love Valerie Bertinelli's new cookbook called Indulge.  I made three of the recipes this weekend and had some friends over for an outdoor picnic under the fairy lights. Very much Indulge style.

Pretzel Buns.  

I strongly recommend. These are easy to make, but time consuming. Detail oriented. Caution:  eat them fresh from the oven. They are unbelievably good at that point.  When I served them 7 hours later? Not so tasty, kind of bland. And that is precisely when my guests ate them.  Then I froze them and ate one the next day. Ugh. Hard as a Rock.

I will definitely make these again, many more times, but I will serve them freshly baked

Homemade Cheeze It's.

I also definitely recommend these. They are so good. But again they are best when they are freshly baked.  However, not so bad the next day too.  

Blistered Green Beans.

Amazing!!  All of my guests wanted the recipe.  I will be sending it to them. However you, my friend, will have to buy the book. Or check it out at your local library. I checked it out at the library first to make sure I liked it and then I went and bought it.

I very much recommend this book and this is not a paid sponsorship. Indulge is a lifestyle and not just a cookbook. It is so good. 

Muah, darlings. Go ahead... indulge.

Kielbasa & Kraut

So I crossed the Saluda and the Broad, hung a hard left and crossed the Catawba 90 minutes later.  I was going to spend some time with the Pops.

While I was there, he cooked me something his mama cooked for him when he was a wee boy circa 1947, Polish Kielbasa with kraut and potatoes.  It was SO GOOD I must share the recipe.

1 cup chicken broth

1 large jar of sauerkraut 

1 Polish Kielbasa

4 potatoes, cut into 3" pieces

Garlic and onion powder to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Toss all of this into a crockpot. Cook on high for 6 hours.

Serves: 4

Enjoy!!

Indulge Cookbook (Valerie Bertinelli) Book Review

 So I know what I want for my birthday....

I checked this one out of the library. I'm only on page 72 and I know I want this book.  I don't even cook anymore! But THIS will get me going. This is just the ticket. I picture myself blissfully in my apron, cooking with a grandchild by my side, a cute little apprentice.

My favorite recipes so far:

• Eggs in Purgatory with Kale
• Classic Eggs Benedict 
• Cuban Sandwich with Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
• Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese
• Thyme and Gruyere Savory Cookies

Imagine!  ME.... Shopping for Gruyere! I'll have to dress nicer for that grocery trip. Maybe wear my strappy black sandals.

This recipe book is full of foods I love, mixed in interesting ways. It'll push me just enough to be fun and challenging. And I'm really looking forward to some new recipes to share with friends and family gathered around my picnic table while the kids swing in the hammock and birds chirp in the trees.  

And THAT, my friend, is how to Indulge.

First Trip to Costco

So I crossed Sugar Creek in what we call the Chariot, legs heavy on the footrest of my recliner, driven by the same driver I had for my birth week celebrations.

We crossed McMullen Creek and glided through Matthews, NC.

I would give you exact directions, but the way we went included two U-turns and took a little bit longer because I distracted the driver with my story about Benji and the long johns from The Bake Shoppe that were really short johns due to Bidenomics.

It must've been national handicap day because all of the handicap spots were taken. My driver was also driving my 80 something year old parents and handicap parking would've hit the spot. One handicap spot was taken by what appeared to be a 20 something year old guy in excellent health. We see this more and more - non-handicaps parking in the handicap spots.

My sister flashed her pass and we were granted entrance. We each grabbed a buggy and headed to the concession stand for lunch (our reason for coming here).

I had heard about their world famous quarter pound hot dog and knew I had to have one. One hot dog and one drink for a $1.50. Then I saw their giant slices of pizza and knew I had to have one. $1.99. She overcharged me for two drinks, but I didn't notice on account of all the chaos and buggies running into me. 

Take your own kraut. They have other condiments, no kraut. Everybody is right, the hot dogs are amazing.

While we were eating, our buggies were stolen.

My sister went outside to get new buggies. She left her membership card with us, inside at the table. When she attempted to re-enter the store with our buggies, she was stopped and told she could not enter without her card. She explained what happened and they did not trust her. She is a panicky sort and got very agitated being without both her cell phone and membership card She felt accosted and indicted, not helping her case at all. 

The officer, I mean clerk, said she would be willing to escort my sister inside Costco to retrieve her membership card. My sister arrived visibly shaken, produced her card and her escort left amid some colorful language.

We exited the concession area and moved slowly through the chaotic crowd to the front door where we could acquire some buggies, my sister having failed us.

I was not happy with the crowd. I wouldn't want to shop very often with people in my way, squeezing past me and pushing from behind. Costco is not the place for me  ChaosCo. 

The free samples, on the other hand, provided some attraction for me.

Be sure to take your 69-cent refillable drink along as you shop to wash down your samples.

Pictured here are my Hello Panda chocolate cookies and my Mama Chia blackberry snack. Both were excellent, definitely stop by those stations.

I did not sample the Zena Liquid Collagen beverage. But as I went past I heard another customer say "It's not terrible."

Be strategic with the free samples. We sent dad ahead as a scout. He would sample, then give us a discreet thumbs up or down.

Traffic came to a standstill at the Del Real tamales sample station on account of them being so good and too close to the pork samples. Dad gave a thumbs up, so I buckled down and headed in.

I got tied up at the tamale station and missed dad's hand signal for the veggie blueberry muffin station. Mom said the Veggie station made a great blueberry muffin so I recklessly grabbed both the blueberry muffin sample and the chocolate raspberry muffin sample without dad's signal. Bad move. They were both horrible. You can't disguise that carrot in the muffin! That sample station had the fullest trash can of all on account of all those hidden veggies.

Mom gave the Ruby Kirkland Popcorn a thumbs down so I sauntered on by with a polite nod to the senior citizen doling them out.

We separated a bit after those foul experiences, then I thought I saw dad across the warehouse, but it couldn't be him because this guy was wearing a different shirt, a nice crisp hoodie. I've never in my life seen my dad in a hoodie.

As I inched closer, I found it WAS dad. In a hoodie. He was trying on. In the store. In public.

I did an about face with furtive glances to the left and right and quickly went the other way which happened to take me by the Hello Panda samples again.

I had three items in my buggy which added up to a 46" x 62" circumference of boxed products that will last me 423 days alone or 66 days if my grandkids come over.

We were approaching checkout when suddenly we had a mishap on aisle 317 causing the clean-up man to come beeping down the aisle.

They should have one of those robot cleaners like the ones at the Walmarts. They don't even need a driver. Or snack breaks. They clean 24/7. But no,  ChaosCo still has the manned ones.

Anyway, it took 3 clerks and a five minute conversation for us to cash out. It was complicated on account of we had two members and three guests. I got the impression that ChaosCo does not like guests. In fact, I know they don't.

But that's okay, I don't really like them. Well, I like their hot dogs.

Juliette, Georgia

So 2 friends and I crossed the South Edisto, and the Savannah rivers, passed mistletoe park with no one to kiss, crossed Oconee Lake and found ourselves gliding through the shady Oconee National Forest.

After crossing Standard Creek, we hung a sharp left and crossed the Tomaliga river, coming to a slow crawl on McCrackin Street in Juliette, Georgia.

Home of Whistlestop Cafe. The place where the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes was filmed. A shrine. And we were giddy. 

As we waited for the restaurant to open, we gazed at the Ocmulgee river and the railroad tracks where Buddy lost his arm.

We walked around back to see Smokey's little bungalow and we caught the waitresses having a break on the back patio. We had one foot in 1991 and one foot in 2022. It was hard to toggle back and forth.

I think I prefer the '90s.... But anyway....

Our name was called and we entered the restaurant, taking photos of the famous booths. Of course we started with the fried green tomatoes which were incredible. We avoided the barbecue because we know the "secret's in the sauce" and we know what that secret is.

We all three got the country fried steak which was also incredible. We got different side dishes and some cornbread. Everything was fantastic and it was worth the 3-hour drive just to eat at this restaurant.

In movie terms, I am Idgie and I was trying to figure out which of my two friends would be Ruth and neither one really fit the bill. Either one could have been Evelyn scaring the young people in the parking lot.

After lunch we strolled the street and visited the gift shops. We found where Buddy's arm was buried and then we drove to the church where Ruth and Buddy were buried and their tombstones remain. We were quite surprised to see that fictional characters have a tombstone in a real grave with the beloved remains of real people. That tells you how loved this movie is.

We spent about two and a half hours in Juliette and loved every minute of it. We had a 3-hour drive each way and it was worth it.  My advice is that you watch the movie, go to Juliette, and then watch the movie again.  And definitely try the fried green tomatoes.

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea

How are you doing with all your New Years resolutions?  Are you participating in my #52Weeks of change?  I am still participating, I just haven't been posting about it.

Around the third or fourth week, I added this anti-inflammatory tea to my morning routine.  Honestly, I haven't noticed a change in my health yet.  Add the following to your cuppa boiling water:

• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper if you can tolerate it, I hate it
• juice of 1/2 lemon, I usually add more
• 2 tsp. raw honey

Google's all over this, so you can easily find alternative recipes.  You can use more ginger, but I'm not a fan, so I keep mine minimal.  Ditto with the pepper.

If you recall, on week one of my personal #52Weeks, I began Yoga.  Well, I'm still doing it, but I haven't improved much because first my son had a burst appendix and I spent a lot of time with him during his 5-day stay at the hospital.  Then I was in a bad accident on January 23rd in which I had bruised ribs, a bruised nose (I think maybe broken) and a badly sprained wrist.  The doctors thought the wrist was broken in two places and they put it in a cast at first.  Then another doctor viewed it differently and put me in a splint.  I still have another week in a wrist splint from that.  While six of us in the vehicle were injured, one friend died from her injuries five days after the accident.  It was an absolutely horrific week and I still can't believe she's gone.  It's been a tragic start to the new year for my friends and family.

In addition to the Yoga and turmeric tea, the weekly changes include being deliberate and intentional with love, forgiveness, gratitude, & releasing bitterness.  The #52Weeks of change will include abstract changes like these as well as the concrete, physical changes.  Go for it!  Join me with #52Weeks of change in 2017. 

Strawberry Picking in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers kicked off the strawberry season at James R. Sease Farms in Gilbert, SC with the first “official” pick this morning. Spring has sprung in South Carolina and it’s primetime for everyone’s favorite treat: farm fresh strawberries.

South Carolina is home to over 40 strawberry farms offering both “U-pick” experiences, as well as pre-picked berries. Spartanburg County leads the state in strawberry acreage, followed by Lexington County.

“Getting out to the farm is a great way to show support for South Carolina farmers after the very challenging year they faced in 2015,” said Commissioner Weathers. “It’s also a great opportunity to meet the people growing nutritious food for your family, all while enjoying fresh, local fruits and vegetables.”

Strawberry farms are open April through May, but visitors should check the farm’s Facebook page or website for specific opening dates, hours of operation and directions. For a full listing of strawberry farms, visit scfarmfun.org.

SC Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers picks the first strawberries of the season at James R. Sease Farms in Gilbert.

 Editor's Note:  This is the same place I pick strawberries each year.  Great location.

Minimalism: Grocery Consumption. Tips on Minimalist Living

When my kids grew up and moved out, I began to think about downsizing, which led to a surprising discovery that I was part of a burgeoning reinvention of a "minimalism movement" and I wasn't very unique at all.  (Stories of other minimalists. Ways to ease into minimalism.)

I began with the Tiny House Movement and built a 750 square foot apartment in my husband's enormous shop on our property in which I could live.  Unfortunately, I quit blogging in March of 2014 so I could devote my spare time to salvaging the un-salvageable and I did not document my journey into minimalism.

After a tumultuous year in my new habitat, I am loving it! 

Basically, I want to own less, maintain less, consume less, spend less.... you get the picture.   One day I decided I want to go grocery shopping less.  Thanks to my local high school FFA, I have my cucumbers, squash and maters started, I'm not talking about producing my own food though.  I mean this:  Use what I have.  See how long I can live without purchasing groceries.

I challenged myself to empty my fridge, freezer and cabinets without purchasing more stuff.

I'm now down to some weird stuff, probably stuff you'd imagine:  a whole box of white rice, a bottle of Lupo's Spiedie Sauce and no meat for it, peanut butter, bread crumbs, a few eggs.

Today's creative meal was so good,

I have to share:

Ignore the hotdog in the very old bun.  Although it was good. (Applegate Farm's organic, nitrate-free, grass fed,etc.)

This is the good stuff:  I made some minute rice and topped it with sauteed onions, green beans and broccoli. (with Happy Cow butter) The best part:  I sprinkled half a lime and half a lemon over it and that turned it into something crazy good.

It's the small things that make life so grand.
Live Small.

10 Unique Valentine's Ideas

 

It's time now to start your DIY Valentine's Day projects and I've gathered some of my Internet favorites for you.  Valentine's Day used to be my favorite holiday; hearts, my favorite shape.  I used to make cards smothered in Victorian lace, glittered hearts and gooey love cliche's.  But this year, I'll let you do the work.

My #1 Favorite Valentine's Gift Idea for 2014:
Cookie Dough......

Best Chili in Columbia, SC: Chili Cook-Off

Do you think you make the best chili in the SC Midlands?  Share your chili recipe with over 500 chili-tasters from 5 - 8 pm on Saturday, March 1, 2014 in the Ellison Building at the State Fairgrounds to participate in the 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off hosted by The Palladium Society.

To enter, you must register by 4:00 pm on Feb. 25, 2014 along with paying a $20 fee.   Your registration fee covers your chili entry and two tickets - one for you and one for a guest.....

Best Snack for Christmas and New Year's Parties

I should have given this to ya'll a few weeks ago, but I totally forgot.  This has been one of the best snack recipes I've ever had.  These are easy to make, can look very fancy if you drizzle the white chocolate carefully, and are always a crowd pleaser.   May I present . . .

Pretzel Turtle Snacks.

Have a very Merry Christmas Eve, enjoy your friends and family and take time to worship baby Jesus!

Best Potato Soup Recipe

You might remember this.  Jackie's Potato Soup.  It's finally cold enough to start making it again, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you and give you a good kick in the butt on it.

Find Recipe Here
Find Us Enjoying Recipe Here

Maurice's BBQ: Just Country Folk Cooking Good BBQ

There was a time when you could sell the south's best BBQ in the shadow of the Confederate flag and nobody cared, it was just good BBQ.  Back in the day when ol' Maurice bragged that he only made BBQ from the right side of the hog, never the left.

Those days are gone. When it comes to Maurice's Piggie Park BBQ:  The Next Generation -- there's no looking back.  The black sheep of the family has retired and they're putting all that behind them.  Confederate flag?  What Confederate flag?  The flags have been removed from all eleven of Maurice's BBQ stores in Columbia.

Now?  It's about the food, all about the food.  This generation of Maurice's is a new generation with renewed focus on pit-cooked BBQ, "To serve the best pit-cooked BBQ in South Carolina."  (and they do, trust me)

Maurice's grandchildren are in the cockpit and keeping mum about ol' grandpa.  Maurice, in his early eighties, is "relaxing, enjoying some time off."  That's the most you'll get if you inquire about grandpa.  For all I know, he's got duct tape on his mouth.  He's definitely in the closed chapter of the Maurice's BBQ book.   Google's the only one keeping that chapter open.  And maybe a few really angry people.

The lovely Carolyn Shvetz, social media marketer for Maurice's and Maurice's granddaughter, spoke to the Social Media Club of Columbia Thursday night about handling conflict in social media.   Shvetz runs a Maurice's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram account.  Maurice's is so current, some menu items even appear on the My Fitness Pal app....

Creamy, Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe was floating around Facebook awhile back.  This is by far the creamiest, cheesiest macaroni and cheese I've ever tried.

 Momma's Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Makes 8 -10 servings.

16 ounces elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 ½ cups milk, divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 lb (16-ounces) cubed (1/2 inch size) Velveeta cheese
8 ounce shredded Kraft Mild Cheddar Cheese (about 2 cups), divided
8 ounce shredded Kraft Monterrey Jack Cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
1. Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender but not mushy, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and pour into a large mixing bowl.

2. Melt on low the Velvetta Cheese and ¾ cup milk until melted (stir often)

3. Pour Melted Cheese Sauce over Pasta and Stir. Add in butter, ¾ cups milk, eggs, 1 cup shredded cheeses, salt and pepper. Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart baking dish. Pour the remaining cheese on top.

Bake until top crust is golden brown and casserole is bubbling, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

The recipe came from "Kathy & Friends, Journey to a Healthy Life."

Turkey Pepperoni Cuts Fat

Sometimes you don't really want to know.** Right? 

More than you wanted to know about pepperoni: 

According to America's Test Kitchen, pepperoni dates back to ancient Rome as a convenient food for soldiers on the march. Much later, other Italians on the move--this time to the New World--brought pepperoni to New York City where it met up with pizza! Wonderful combination. 

I learned from the ATK experts that pepperoni is made from cured and FERMENTED** pork with some beef and a lot of seasonings thrown in. Nothing like that garlicky goodness to cover the bleeccch of fermented meat. 

Real pepperoni also contains a fair amount of fat. Don't believe me? Let's try some pre-warming. 

"Warming up pepperoni in the microwave is commonly done before cooking it. This is because the pepperoni releases some of its fats, in the form of grease, as it heats up. Warming up pepperoni in the microwave also helps to crisp it up."

So, here we go. 

Lay a few slices of pepperoni on a couple of sheets of paper towel.

    

Slide the paper towel on a microwave safe dish.... 

Cheesy Chicken Lasagne

Again..... a facebook recipe.

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk (not fat-free)
1 (1 oz) pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I recommend reducing it to 8 oz to 12 oz)
1 1/2 to 2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to 2 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Cook the chicken and noodles first at the same time.....

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

This recipe has been all over facebook recently.  I'm not sure who invented it.  It is incredibly good, everyone at my table loved it.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

2 lbs chicken tenders or 4 large chicken breasts 
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper 
1/2 cup whole milk 
3 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried parsley 

Sauce:
1 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoon butter

Crush crackers. If using chicken breasts and not tenders, cut each chicken breast into 3 large pieces. Pour the milk, cheese and cracker crumbs into 3 separate small pans.....