A-Z CHALLENGE ~ A ~ APPRECIATION

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.

It’s always a great time and a wonderful way to meet new bloggers.  Glad to see you here! :)
A-Z4-1

TROPICAL PORK TENDERLOIN for Easter

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

  • Whisk together brown sugar and pineapple juice.
  • Blend in preserves.
  • Generously salt and pepper the pork loin.
  • Marinade roast overnight in jam mixture.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Spread a small layer of the glaze on the bottom of the roasting pan.
  • Lay the pork loin on top and spread the remaining glaze on top and along the sides.
  • Baste as necessary.
  • Bake 45-60 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 170 degrees.

FRIDAY FILL INS

easter

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!

LEMON BROCCOLI CHICKEN

Lemon Chicken #2LEMON CHICKEN

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.

  • Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt and baking powder.
  • Coat the pieces chicken, shaking off any excess.
  • Heat a large skillet or a wok-shaped nonstick pan over medium-high heat with safflower oil.
  • Stir fry chicken until golden, 3 or 4 minutes.
  • Remove chicken from the pan and return pan to heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium.
  • Add a splash of vinegar to the pan and let it evaporate.
  • Add stock, soy sauce and sesame oil to the pan and scrape up any drippings with a whisk cooking until slightly thickened.
  • Add chicken back to the pan and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken sauce and finish cooking chicken pieces through.
  • Remove the pan from heat, add the scallions or chives and the lemons and zest.
  • Toss chicken pieces well to combine zest and scallions or chives evenly throughout the sauce.

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.

weekendkitchencreations

BASIC BREAD ~ BAKING PARTNERS CHALLENGE #8

BakingPartnersButton2-1BreadWe 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, PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA and my new OXO tool

Baked SteaksBRAISED BEEF & ONIONS aka BAKED STEAK

1 new york strip steak per person

1 LARGE Vidalia onion

garlic salt

white pepper

sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Pat meat dry.
  • Generously sprinkle meat with garlic salt, sea salt and white pepper to taste.
  • Using a mandoline slice onion as thin as possible.
  • Place half the onions on the bottom of a baking dish.
  • Lay steaks on top of onions.
  • Top with remaining onions.
  • Seal with foil.
  • Bake for 2 hours.
  • Check for tenderness.
  • Bake another 30 minutes as necessary.

PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA

1-2 Yukon potatoes per person

Parmesan cheese

garlic salt

  • 1 tablespoon butter per person, sliced very thin
  • Using mandoline slice potatoes on thinnest setting.
  • Spray baking dish with PURE.
  • Arrange potatoes in layers, sprinkling with garlic salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese between each layer and on top.
  • Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
  • Top with butter slices and then a bit more Parmesan cheese and bake with beef the last 30 minutes until crisp and tender.

 

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.

weekendkitchencreations

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

happy homemaker 2DIARY OF A STAY AT HOME MOM

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.

  • BAKED CABLE GUY ASIAN SEA BASS
  • BAKED STEAKS
  • AUSTRIAN CHICKEN STRUDEL
  • COWBOY BBQ HAMBURGERS
  • SAUERBRATEN MEATLOAF
  • PUERTA RICAN CHICKEN STEW
  • DRUNKEN PORK CHOPS
  • CHOCOLATE CHICKEN
  • SOUTH SEAS CHICKEN
  • MILK BRAISED PORK
  • LEMON CHICKEN

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

  • BUNHEADS
  • SWITCHED AT BIRTH
  • HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
  • BONES
  • CASTLE
  • NCIS
  • NCIS LOS ANGELES
  • RISSOLI & ISLES
  • VEGAS
  • CRIMINAL MINDS
  • ARROW
  • L & O SVU
  • CHICAGO FIRE
  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • PERSON OF INTEREST
  • SCANDAL
  • ELEMENTARY
  • BEAUTY & THE BEAST
  • CSI NY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME
  • THE GOOD WIFE
  • THE MENTALIST
  • ZERO HOUR

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 morning coffee
  • my kindle
  • the laundry being done
  • the grocery shopping being done

MY TO DO LIST 

  • Creating a few new recipes
  • painting
  • laundry
  • grocery store
  • research
  • blog catch up

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!CHURCH 8-18-2002

TASTE & CREATE ~ MARCH 2013 ~ RED VELVET CAKE

Taste and Create was started as a food event by Nicole from For the Love of Food.  The whole purpose of Taste and Create was, and has been, and continues to be to create a community of bloggers who test each others’ recipes and share links. The participants of the event are paired together and try a new recipe from one another’s blog.
This month I was paired with Roz Ka Khana.  I love being paired with someone I’ve never been paired with before I inevitably learn sooooooo much, and find great new recipes.  I love her blog and the recipes are so unique, but alas many were too spicy for my tummy while still learning to eat again so I chose her red velvet cupcakes and turned them into a layer cake for my brother’s birthday (sorry you never got to eat it Chris).
Taste & Create March 2013 Red Velvet CakeVERDICT? DELICIOUS!!!
hubby approved 2