FrOm NoRma D's KiTcHeN to YoUr'S: February 2009

THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE

I used this recipe for many years while working in a Nursing Home as an Activity Director

Select one indididual with:

A caring heart

Helping hands

To this add:

2 cups love

1 cup humor

4 tablespoons understanding

1 teaspoon courtesy

And add a willingness to serve:

1 tablespoon thoughtfulness

3 teaspoons responsibility

2 teaspoons flexibility

1 pound patience

Mix well, blending in respect of their time. Sprinkle lavishly with gratitude for their availability and commitment. Place in service, well greased with appreciation and lined with friendliness. Garnish by using their name, adding "hello" and "thank you" for that extra touch. Serve to any person and they will find it an irresistible treat.

The blending of these ingredients transforms the individual, as well as the person, into a totally new creation with inexpressible joy. It is a doubly delightful and delectable experience. There is no other flavor like it in the world. it is the piece de resistance of life, one is never the same after tasting of such a loving service.

JUST FOR FUN!

ELEPHANT STEW:
1 medium sized elephant
1 ton salt
1 ton pepper
500 bu. potatoes
200 bu. carrots
4,000 sprigs parsley
2 small rabbits (optional)

Cut elephant meat into bite-sized pieces (this will take about two months). Cut vegetables into cubes (another two months). Place meat in a pan and cover with 1,000 gallons of brown gravy. Simmer for four weeks. Shovel in salt and pepper to taste. When meat is tender, add vegetables (a steam shovel is useful for this). Simmer slowly for four more weeks. Garnish with parsley. Serves 3,800. If more is expected, add two rabbits. This is not recommended, however, as very few people like hare in their stew.

2/19/09

Roasted Pork Loin with Apples & Cinnamon

Ingredients:

2 pounds pork loin

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon ginger, divided

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 cup honey

2 medium apples

Instructions:

Rub pork loin with olive oil and then with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon ginger. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon with white wine, lemon juice and honey. Peel and core apples. Slice into wedges and add to wine and spice mixture. Place pork loin in baking dish. Roast to an internal temperature of 160 degrees, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven, cover and keep warm, letting rest 15 minutes. Reserve juices. Heat apple mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Add reserved pork juice. Simmer a few minutes more. Remove from heat. Slice pork and pour warm sauce over slices. Serves 4

*I like to serve this with roasted vegetables.

Such as green & red peppers, zucchini and pineapple cubes.

2/17/09

Orange Coconut Crescents

Ingredients:

1 tube (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/3 cup flaked coconut

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

Glaze:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Separate crescent rolls; spread with butter. in a bowl, combine coconut,sugar and orange peel. Set aside 2 tablespoons for topping. Sprinkle remaining coconut mixture over butter. Roll up and place point side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 16 - 18 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, combine glaze ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, boil for 3 minutes or until mixture is glossy. Cool slightly, pour over warm rolls. Sprinkle with reserved coconut mixture. Make 8 rolls.

2/14/09

Chicken Crescent Rolls

Ingredients:

1 package (6 oz.) Tyson Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips

1 can (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

crisp bacon strips cut in half (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Separate roll dough into 8 triangles. Wash hands. Divide chicken strips among triangles, placing at bottom of triangle. Place a bacon strip over chicken Sprinkle cheese over top; roll up dough to enclose meat and cheese. Place rolls on baking pan with tip of triangle on bottom to prevent unrolling. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Refrigerate leftovers immediately.

*Can be served with salsa, marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

SOME TRICKS IN THE KITCHEN

When making a graham cracker crumb crust. I reduce the amount of crumbs by 1/4 cup and add ground pecans. it tastes great.

Instead of adding butter and cream to mashed potatoes, I add flavored cream cheese with chive and onion. This really enhances the patatoes.

After placing my soft cookies in my cookie jar. I place a half slice of white bread on top of the cookies and they stay soft longer.

I take left over meat loaf and layer slices of it on the bottom of a baking dish. I cover it with one can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. diluted with half a can of water. I top that with sliced mushrooms and shredded cheese, then heat until bubbly. Just before it starts to bubble, I add a can of Durkee Onions on top.

When I buy plastic wrap, foil or waxed paper, I take the roll out of the box and turn it over. The wrap, foil or paper always seems to come out of the top of the box more easily, making a cleaner cut.

Here's a wonderful way to cut brownies so you don't get a ragged edge. Just use a plastic knife, cut them when they're fresh from the oven for perfectly straight lines every time.

When making mashed potatoes. I like to reuse some the water the potatoes were cooked in. I mix it with milk, butter and crushed garlic. Heat it in a small pan and add it to the cooked potatoes and mash them. This way you have all the wonderful nutrients and have a better tasting dish to boot.

When grilling meat, salt it after cooking. If you salt meat or poultry prior to grilling, the salt will draw out the moisture and make it dry.

A bit of nonstick cooking spray on your grater prevents cheee from sticking to it.

To help cakes rise higher, have all ingredients at room temperature.

Instead of cooking fish in butter, use a little chicken broth; it is loss fattening.

Peel and dice leftover baked potatoes, then saute in butter with minced garlic and garlic pepper seasoning. These flavorful hash browns are great for breakfast or supper.

THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE

JUST FOR FUN!

2/19/09

Roasted Pork Loin with Apples & Cinnamon

2/17/09

Orange Coconut Crescents

2/14/09

Chicken Crescent Rolls

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