It’s A-Z challenge time again! This year in celebration of 2 years cancer free I’m devoting my A-Z’s to positive attributes and characteristics. Today is appreciation.

TROPICAL GLAZED PORK TENDERLOIN
2-3 pound pork tenderloin
1 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
And…here we go!
1. If I could go anywhere on a road trip, I’d go to KENTUCKY & TENNESSEE.
2. LACK OF COMMON SENSE is something I don’t understand.
3. Easter makes me think of ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN THIS WORLD.
4. READING A GOOD BOOK is the best way to relax!
5. It looks like Spring MIGHT REALLY BE HERE – THIS TIME.
6. BABY CARROTS AND GRAPE TOMATOES is ARE one of my favorite healthy snacks.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to CATCHING UP ON CLEANING UP SOME PAPERWORK, tomorrow my plans include PAINTING & CARPET CLEANING and Sunday, I want to ENJOY EASTER – HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast or chicken tenders, cut into chunks
1/4 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 cup water
pinch coarse salt
2 tablespoons wok or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (a splash) white or rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
8 ounces (1 cup) prepared lemon curd or use the lemon sauce below
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1 lemon, zested
2 scallions, thinly sliced or 20 blades fresh chives, finely chopped
I added shredded carrots, peas and broccoli.
Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace.
Cooking Thursday is hosted by Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
Weekend Cooking Creations is hosted by Jennifer.
We are going to try two method of bread making one is Asian method Tangzhong and other is Scandinavian method of Scald flour. These are two are really easy to put together. For this challenge you have to try one of the methods and make bread, if you want to try both methods that are also welcome. Tangzhong method gives very soft bread. Scalded flour method usually is used to try whole grains like rye, millet, buckwheat etc… You can make white bread with that technique too. I made the White bread Scandinavian method of Scald flour.
Scalded flour bread Adapted from Cornercafe via Baking Partners
Makes one 23cm x 10cm x 10cm loaf
[Ingredients] Scalded Flour: 100g bread flour 100ml boiling water
Main Dough: 350g bread flour 20g (2 tablespoons) milk powder 35g caster sugar 5g (1 teaspoon) salt 8g instant yeast 200ml (approx.) lukewarm water, adjust as necessary 35g butter, chopped into small pieces at room temperature http://cornercafe.wordpress.com/
[Preparation] Scalded Flour: Pour boiling hot water all at once over the flour and stir quickly with a pair of chopsticks (or fork) until combined with no more visible dry flour. It should be a doughy clumpy mixture at this stage. Set aside for 5 minutes for the dough clusters to fully absorb the heat and the moisture. Then cover with cling film and let cool to room temperature, about 1/2 hour, or up to 1 hour.
For the Main Dough: 1. Prepare a 23cm (L) x 10cm (W) x 10cm (H) loaf tin. Sift bread flour, milk powder, caster sugar and salt onto the working surface. Add instant dry yeast and mix well. Form the flour mixture into a well. Add scalded flour mixture, then gradually add just enough lukewarm water to form into a slightly sticky, soft dough. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. During hand kneading, the dough also needs to be thrown onto the working surface once every few minutes between kneading to improve the dough structure. (I usually just pick up the dough to about head-high and throw it down onto the working surface 10 to 20 times every few minutes between kneading.) 2. Knead in butter until incorporated. Form the dough into a round ball and let it rise until double in size in a large greased bowl, cover with cling film (should take about 1 hour in warm weather, longer in winter months). To test if the dough has risen properly, dip a finger into bread or plain flour and poke down into the centre of the dough as far as your finger will go and pull out again – the hole should remain if it is ready. If the dough springs back, then it is not ready, continue to prove further. 3. Punch down, knead briefly and form into a ball shape. Then let rest for 15 minutes. 4. with a rolling pin, roll out into a long oval shape. Then roll up from the short end like a Swiss roll. Rest 10 minutes and repeat the rolling process, then place the roll-up dough into the tin. 5. Cover loosely and let rise until the dough has risen to almost the top of the tin. 6. Bake in preheated 175°C oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Taste: Soft white bread loaf that stays soft for at least 2-3 days Consume: Best within 3-4 days Storage: May be frozen to keep longer, defrost before serving
BRAISED BEEF & ONIONS aka BAKED STEAK
1 new york strip steak per person
1 LARGE Vidalia onion
garlic salt
white pepper
sea salt
PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA
1-2 Yukon potatoes per person
Parmesan cheese
garlic salt
LOVE MY NEW TOOL! It’s an OXO hand held mandoline. There are 3 thickness sizes and best of all a lock! The lock prevents those cuts that are inevitable otherwise.
Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace.
Cooking Thursday is hosted by Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
Weekend Cooking Creations is hosted by Jennifer.
Outside my window/WEATHER… it’s a little grey with promises of sun later today.
I’M THINKING… about the future, a new house and a renewed sense of purpose.
I’M THANKFUL… for my renewed health after my recent scare with Long QT syndrome.
IN THE KITCHEN… we have a few new recipes brewing for the March/April menu.
I’ll post the successful ones as we go.
I’M WEARING… very worn levis, a gray turtleneck and cozy socks.
I’M CREATING… SOME ORGANIZATION!
Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie
BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER | ||
MONDAY | CHEERIOS, BANANA & YOGURT | TUNA | BAKED CABLE GUY ASIAN SEA BASS w/ LEMON SAUCE | |
TUESDAY | OATMEAL, BANANA & YOGURT | EGG SALAD | C.O.R.N. | |
WEDNESDAY | CHEERIOS, BANANA & YOGURT | TUNA | BAKED STEAKS & PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA | |
THURSDAY | OATMEAL, BANANA & YOGURT | PB & J | SAUERBRATEN MEATLOAF | |
FRIDAY | OATMEAL, BANANA & YOGURT | EGG SALAD | BBQ COWBOY HAMBURGERS | |
SATURDAY | CHEERIOS, BANANA & YOGURT | TUNA | C.O.R.N. | |
SUNDAY | PANCAKES | C.O.R.N. | SOUTH SEAS CHICKEN |
I’M GOING… to the eye doctor, grocery store and for a walk.
I AM WONDERING…what my doctor’s appointment will hold as an outcome AND when we’ll wrap up this VA mess – seems like we’re always starting over.
Something fun to share::: My new Doxie scanner. I’ve been able to take 2 banker’s boxes full of recipes and scan them into my computer, pictures and all and throw away the paper and eliminate the boxes!
MY READING LIST… Marie Force’s The McCarthys of Gansett Island BOOK #6
MY TV LINEUP THIS WEEK… is a long list, but that’s the beauty of all of them being on the DVR – we can do series marathons on rainy days and still skip the commercials
I’M HOPING… SPRING IS ON THE WAY
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO… THE JEFF DUNHAM CONCERT THURSDA. I got hubby tickets for his birthday.
I’M LEARNING… how to be patient, but also how to squeak the wheel for oil WHEN NECESSARY!
AROUND THE HOUSE… organization is finally winning – rooms are being painted, baseboards are getting painted and fine dusting is being done.
I’M PRAYING… for a meeting of the minds and less political interaction between friends. I’m also praying for a unyielding family member who needs to get a clue to real life.
A FAVORITE QUOTE…
If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.
―Jim Rohn
SOME my favorite things
MY TO DO LIST
Favorite picture this week is one I found on a disk from when we were married. the 2nd and the 3rd time too… it’s on the REAL Ponderosa Ranch from BONANZA!
I am playing along with Martha at Seaside Simplicity with the meme Flashback Friday. Come join in on the fun and link up your photo.
This week I’m looking backward, way backward to the first grade. At least I still had my front teeth for this picture. I also still have a pocket off this dress in my sewing basket.