SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

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::Some Like It Hot::

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Once the family leaves this blog will move back to its regularly scheduled program of quilting, not food.

But we’ve been cooking, not quilting.  The berries are calling our names and we had some pies for the fourth, but we always fall back on our lip-smacking, beer gulping starter.

Perfect for adding some spice to your life.

The photographed version has some sweet peppers added in for the kids or for those who don’t like it hot!

Introducing our version of Jalapeno Poppers.  I use to make these in Mexico on our travels to Guerrero.

1)  Cut your jalapenos in half lengthwise and deseed them with a spoon, no bother with the stem, just leave that.  Wear gloves or plan on not touching anyone’s sensitive body parts later.

2)  Stuff full with a salty feta.  My favorite is the sheep feta from Trader Joe’s.  It is packaged in a yellow/green bag.

3)  Grill on a hot grill till undersides are pretty toasted.

Some will be mild and some super hot.

I recently had the sweet peppers at my friend Noelle’s, stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in proscuitto.  Trying those this round too.

Off to enjoy a few rows of quilting before we get out to enjoy the weather.

Happy Saturday!

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::I Heart Vancouver::

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We have a family tradition of going to Vancouver.  With Grandpa John rallying through 20 days in I.C.U. we needed to all celebrate his 5th or something life.

We’re spoiled brats and have friends that loan us a place to stay on the West end with an amazing view and Stanley Park just a hop away on the Seawall trail.

Jeffrey’s Mom was ear to ear smiles with both her grandchildren AND her husband around.  Us kids were just gravy.

With built in babysitters, Jeffrey and I plus his brother and girlfriend were footloose and fancy free for three evenings in a row.

With beer flowing through the veins there is nothing like eating a gyro bigger than your head at 2am.

Of course there was a child to entertain or maybe it was the other way around.

Granville Island is worth the trip if you are in Vancouver.

We always make a run to the market for lunch supplies and a new toy.

Found one of my Roan’s favorite books.  If you have little kids make sure to check out ‘The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash’ on Scholastic Video.  It has this story so well told and my Roan’s other favorite ‘Shrinking Violet.’

There is also a fabulous jewelry store on the island where my hubby got me this great necklace as a gift years ago.  I always wear it when we go.

It’s been so long since I’ve been out of town it was so refreshing!

Quilt ideas were born.

I finished up a binding on Ethan’s zig zag quilt on the drive home (there’s a whole story that goes with that) .  Hoping to post it in the next few days and start quilting Ella’s quilt.  The backing is already pieced.  I LOVED the backing and binding on Ethan’s so much I ordered more for a quilt for Roan.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

::”Balentine’s Day”::

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No, I didn’t incorrectly type that.

It’s how little guy says it.  He’s pretty thrilled that there’s another holiday to celebrate and I’m ready for anything to make the dullness of January disappear.

We’ll put up the garlands.

A little felt, scraps, double sided adhesive, connect with a decorative stitch.  Poof!  A garland.

Or go to Target and hit the Dollar Spot.  Love that section for holiday Made in China stuff.  Poof!  Garland for a dollar.


Need a Heart Day inspiration yourself? Here’s some starter ideas:

*Crochet Heart Garland

*Paper Garlands/Valentines Day

*Felt Valentine’s Bracelet

*Fabric Envelope and Card

*Colorful Garlands

*Pom Pom Garland

*Scalloped Fabric Garlands

I’ve also considered this for this coming Valentine’s Day, has anyone ever tried heart yo-yos?

I worked on some double sided napkins the other day as a house warming gift and got to thinking we could use some new ones ourselves around here.  So I dug around in the stash for some coordinates that looked Valentine’s Day themed.  I’ve had these prints for ages.  I think they’ll be perfect.

And of course we have to make the Almond Kiss Cookies.  Have to figure them out Gluten free…

I believe this recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens, but I think I ripped this out of a mag from my doctor’s office and didn’t get the full page.  My apologies for being bad, they shouldn’t have magazines encouraging us to eat sweets.  They are DELISH!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Almond Kiss Cookies

Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*1/2 cup almond butter

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1/2 cup packed brown sugar

*3/4 tsp. baking soda

*1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

*1/4 tsp. salt

*1 egg

*2 Tbsp. milk

*1/2 tsp. vanilla

*1 cup whole wheat flour

*1 cup all-purpose flour

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For Rolling:

*2 Tbsp. finely ground almonds

*3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

*48 to 60 kisses

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-350 oven

-mix butter and almond butter with an electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds.

-Add sugar through salt.  Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.

-Beat egg, milk and vanilla.

-Beat in whole wheat flour, then APF until your mixer says it gives up and hand stir in the rest.

– Shape 1 inch balls, roll in almond/sugar mix and place two inches apart on cookie sheet.

-Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges are firm and edges are cracked.

-immediately press kiss into center and cool on rack.

 

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Quilting Classes

::Get Them While You Can::

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There is a window that opens and then quickly shuts when it comes season for concord grapes in the markets, and if you are lucky, in your yard.

When concord grapes start appearing at the market I buy them.  If I don’t have time to mess with them I cook them down and freeze them.

I’m immediately transported to the alley across from the house I rented in college. To the high chain link fence where they draped abundantly waiting for me to pass by and have a taste to see if they were ripe enough to be picked.

It was in that house with the inspiration of concord grapes and from the memory of watching my mother roll pie crusts that I taught myself the technique of the perfect pie (or tart)…that later helped win my husband’s love, but that’s another story I’ll let him tell.

Pies take some time though, so I’ve condensed things a bit and tried my hand at galettes.

I use Julia Child’s galette dough recipe and a food processor. I prefer to make Ford proud by assembly line producing crusts for the freezer while I am bothering myself with the mess.  A food mill is require to remove the seeds from the pulp.  If you desire a traditional pie than 4 cups of cooked fruit are needed.

-Roll crust to 1/8th inch thick, 10 to 12 inch disc.
-Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

-Freeze or refrigerate till it can be filled.

 

For the filling:

*7 cups concord grapes
*2/3 cups maple syrup
*4 Tbsp. arrowroot or cornstarch
*egg white, beaten
*3 tsp. sugar
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-Separate skins from pulp.  Just pop them out!~
-Cook pulps over high for 5 minutes.
-Sieve pulps though a food mill to remove seeds.
-Combine pulps and skins. Cook over medium until tender.
-Combine maple syrup and arrowroot, blend until smooth (I shake them in a mason jar).
-Add to fruit.

-Check sweetness level!  Add more maple syrup if needed.
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-Place filling in middle and fold over leaving an opening.
-Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

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Bake on bottom rack at 425 for 35-45 minutes for galette. Pie should bake at 425 for 10 minutes and then reduce temp to 350 for about 50 minutes.

ENJOY! Great with whip cream or vanilla ice cream.

P.S. I can’t believe I married a man that doesn’t like this tart.

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::Keeping on Track::

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I haven’t looked at our mileage this week, I’ll just assume that we are all still moving forward.  I have to say that I am seeing a difference, are you?

I’ve been on the bandwagon for healthier eating too.  I consume way to many crackers with cheese when I get down to sewing and have been adding in salads with loads of veggies.

This is my favorite salad for the Summer and I finally have cherry tomatoes and basil in the garden as well as some sunflowers to bring the sunshine indoors.

Potato Salad with Roasted Veggies (adapted from Fields of Greens Cookbook):

2# new potatoes ( I like those mix bags with the purple ones)

olive oil

salt and pepper

handful of summer beans

1 cup corn

Onion

pint of cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 bag arugula

handful chopped greek olives

4 oz or more goat cheese

Basil-Garlic Vinaigrette:

2 Tbsp Vinegar (I use Champagne)

6 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1/2 tsp salt

2 garlic cloves

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*Make dressing in blender or processor.  Set aside.

*Half your potatoes if they are larger and roast tossed in olive oil and salt and pepper till tender.

*Using same pan, roast beans, corn and onions with olive oil and salt and pepper.

*When cool place all veggies in bowl with crumbled cheese and olives.  Toss with vinaigrette.

*Enjoy!

::It’s Summer::

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And we have been doing a lot of lounging on the couch in the morning.  Feels so good to be out of the house at a civilized hour.

The lazy schedule also has given me some time to bake in the morning before it gets warm.  We’re gluten free here and LOVING  this whipped cream cake.  Actually, her flour blend is an awesome substitute in any recipe that requires flour.  I highly suggest you check it out.  And what could be better with whip cream cake than a few hundred more calories?

Apparently I’m not the only one out there loving ice coffee.  Michelle Sews left a comment with a link for cold brewed coffee, which triggered  buried memories of making what I call Toddy.  Toddy is essentially a coffee concentrate that is cold brewed and lasts in the fridge for 14 days.  Once made simply add 4 oz. water to 2 oz. toddy.  The result is a low acidic delicious cup of coffee.  I’ll admit I enjoy it cold because I like my hot beverages to be steaming hot.  Follow the link to make your own.

We actually have a Toddy Maker that we received as a gift, so I dug it out.  You need course ground coffee which you soak for 12 hours.

Pull the plug…toddy!

I pour some hot water over some sweet and condensed milk so it ‘melts’ and then pour it, the toddy and some milk over a full cup of ice.  Now that you have a load of energy you can go for a run to burn it off.

Delish!

Happy Weekend, I’m going to go lay on the couch.

::World Cup Soccer/Quilting Butt Ice-Coffee::

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I am sure many are drowning their sorrows in their Oranjeboom right now, and l joined in with a toast to the Netherland’s efforts myself.    But somehow during World Cup I rediscovered a treat, ice coffee.

My addiction for these means I’ve also been trying to fit in some active time so I have less quilter butt, more soccer butt.  If you are in combat with quilter butt, go for a walk and then come in and make yourself a proper cup of ice-coffee.

Consider if you are making a large amount AND adding chocolate syrup that it might be wise to invite friends over to help you consume it before you do all by  yourself.

Gram’s Ice-Coffee:

Serves two

*Make one strong 16-oz cup of coffee (leftovers from morning work great).

*While coffee is still hot, stir in 4 Tbsp. Sweetened Condensed Milk, OR Chocolate Syrup.

*Fill a cup to the rim with ice and fill it half way with the coffee mix.

*Fill to the brim with cold milk.

Delish.



::Corn Beef?::

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My Grandmother was Irish, my Grandfather German.  I’ve eaten my lifetime supply of cabbage and potato dishes, but still eat my weight in cabbage laden with white vinegar.   This year I was asked to bring the corn beef, but my slow cooker bit the dust.

Any good tips or links out there for the oven?

I generally opt out for the beef and make this Irish Soda Bread recipe in celebration of the date.

The recipe is from Saveur Magazine’s March 2001 issue. I’ve always baked it in a butter cast iron with a little more flour mixed in. I like Golden Raisins, but had to settle for what was in the cupboard for this loaf.

My first memory of baking it was before road tripping down to Tucson from Flagstaff. Not sure why I chose Soda Bread. It certainly doesn’t invoke thoughts of the desert, maybe it was St. Patrick’s Day and I just have no recollection.

Not into the beef or baking?  Here’s my new favorite easy easy easy Green Pasta recipe from Dishing Up.

::What’s at the End of Your Rainbow ?::

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My Grandmother was Irish.  When she passed my mom cooked for my Grandfather daily.  He was German.  I’ve eaten my lifetime supply of cabbage and potato dishes, so I’ll opt for my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe in celebration of the date.  This, however, doesn’t mean I won’t eat my weight tonight in cabbage soaked in white vinegar at my host’s house.

The recipe is from Saveur Magazine’s March 2001 issue.  I’ve always baked it in a butter cast iron with a little more flour mixed in.  I like Golden Raisins in it, but forgot to put them in this loaf.

My first memory of baking it was before a road trip down to Tucson from Flagstaff.  Not sure why I chose Soda Bread.  It certainly doesn’t invoke thoughts of the desert, maybe it was St. Patrick’s Day and I just have no recollection.

Other Greens I’m Loving:

*Here’s my new favorite easy easy easy Green Pasta recipe from Dishing Up.

*Here’s my new favorite Green Quilt.

I also thought it a fine day to photograph the green fabric in my stash, since, of course it would be at the end of my rainbow.

Fat Quarters:


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And the yardage:

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What’s at the end of your rainbow today?

::Our Crowd Pleasing Stand-By::

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Is it Thursday already. I think it must be Spring, things are just too busy.  There’s sun outside my window, and I’ve been itching to buy flowers for my window box.  We’ve had snow this week, so I must refrain.  Snow in March in Seattle…huh?

I’ve been making an effort to post the recipes we use most, so that they will always be available to my child in the future.  Unless of course he has a chip implanted in his head, and blogs are obsolete.

This really is a winter dish for us.  I use to make it a lot in Flagstaff in the Winter cuz the produce was so bad.  We’re pretty spoiled in Seattle year round.  This is highly kid-friendly, NOT lowfat, and easy.  Takes about 30 minutes.  I bastardized it from a Food and Wine recipe.

Feel free to use a different pasta.

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PARMIGIANO-CRUSTED RIGATONI WITH CAULIFLOWER AND PROCIUTTO

Topping/Mix in bowl:

-1 Cup Panko

-2 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

-1/2 Cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

-Salt and Pepper

Other Ingredients:

-1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

-3 Cloves garlic, sliced thin

-1 1/2 Cups Heavy cream/or milk

-1 # Rigatoni

-1 head cauliflower/or just a 1/2

-1/2 Cup Parm cheese, shredded

-3 or more ounces sliced prosciutto, sliced into thin ribbons/ or pancetta

***Save 3 Tbsp. water from the pasta

-salt and pepper

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*Preheat oven to 350.

*Put a big pot of water onto boil.

*Cook pasta in salted water till al dente, adding the cauliflower about 6 minutes before the pasta is done.  Drain, saving 3 Tbsp. water.

*Using the same pot, saute garlic over medium in olive oil till golden.  Slowly add cream and simmer till slightly thickened.  Season with Salt and Pepper and set aside.  About 3 minutes.

*Put pasta and cauliflower back in pot and toss with cream sauce, cheese and prosciutto.

*Scrape the pasta into a large shallow baking pan and sprinkle the panko on top.  Bake for about 30 minutes.

(You may also place it under the broiler for a few minutes instead of baking.  It will just be saucier).

::Almond Kiss Cookies::

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I was somewhat in a panic over finding the recipe for these cookies.  Valentines Day is approaching, and I like it as an excuse to bake these.  Once I found it, I thought I’d toss it on here to share.  Now I know the recipe will never be lost.  Oh, pardon me, last batch needs to come out.

I’m not much of a cookie person.  I do enjoy a chocolate crinkle, but I’m more into mixing something up and putting it in the oven.  However, parenthood and cookies go hand-in-hand for me.  If I feel the need for a baking project that involves Roan, we’ll whip these up or some muffins.

Roan helps with the kiss unwrapping and takes it very seriously.  If you help, they must be put in the bowl properly.  He’s very systematic about it.

I believe this recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens courtesy of my Denist office:), I didn’t get the full page.  My apologies.

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Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*1/2 cup almond butter

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1/2 cup packed brown sugar

*3/4 tsp. baking soda

*1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

*1/4 tsp. salt

*1 egg

*2 Tbsp. milk

*1/2 tsp. vanilla

*1 cup whole wheat flour

*1 cup all-purpose flour

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For Rolling:

*2 Tbsp. finely ground almonds

*3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

*48 to 60 kisses

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-350 oven

-mix butter and almond butter with an electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds.

-Add sugar through salt.  Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.

-Beat egg, milk and vanilla.

-Beat in whole wheat flour, then APF until your mixer says it gives up and hand stir in the rest.

– Shape 1 inch balls, roll in almond/sugar mix and place two inches apart on cookie sheet.

-Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges are firm and edges are cracked.

-immediately press kiss into center and cool on rack.

::This Year It’s Simple::

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It’s hard not to be in the moment right now.  We’ve been an endless sick ward.  Thinking about putting together anything beyond the cheese, beer and olives that I am currently having for dinner requires too much thought.  So on that note, I guess I am thankful that my family could care less about turkey.  I said last year I was never doing it again anyway.

I did manage to bake my favorite cake/quickbread, cranapple-walnut cake.  This cake is sweetened with honey and uses oil, not butter for its moist flavor.  Don’t try to substitute butter or you will be calling it Crapple.  Trust me on this one, I’ve tried it.  I believe this recipe is from the original Moosewood  Cookbook.  I’ve made it religiously every Fall since college.

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Cranberry-Walnut Cake

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-1 cup honey, plus 2 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate

-1/2 cup vegetable oil

-2 cups flour (you can use 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour)

-1 tsp. baking soda

-1 tsp. cinnamon

-1/2 tsp. nutmeg

-1 tsp. salt

-2 eggs

-1 tsp. vanilla

-2 cups chopped baking apples

-1/2 cup walnut pieces

-1/2 # fresh, whole raw cranberries

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*Whip the honey at high speed for 10 minutes or until white and opaque.

*Add the o.j and mix.

*Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.

*Sift flour and other dry ingredients and thoroughly mix with honey mixture.

*Stir in cranberries, apples and nuts.

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Bake in a well-greased or non-stick pan, 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

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I also finally framed some of my Nikki McClure posters.  Some are going to be gifts, and of course a few for the house.  This one is going up in the kitchen.  It is appropriate for the day, as I am thankful most for the wonderful people that surround me.  Happy Thanksgiving.