Boy, its been all kinds of crazyy around my house lately. Firstly, I've been working more, which totally stinks. Regrettably I have this crazy desire for a house with air conditioning (hello Summer and 90 degree temps), food beyond the college days of Ramen Noodles and bologna, and new shoes (gotta have new shoes... a girl could lose her mind without new shoes!). So working does help for those 'gotta have' items!
Secondly, last weekend was the party of all parties... Ok, so it was a nice understated affair with food that would make you BSC (bat s*** crazy for those without Urban Dictionary bookmarked), which didn't get police raided, nor did the crazy neighbor come over and start shooting folks. I was sorta disappointed! Its not a party unless the poh-leeece come by! We ate and ate until we could eats no more... then piled up in the backyard for a Pennington Drive-In showing of MegaMind (I know right... No Jackass 3D cause I had little kiddies around.)
Thirdly (and most grossly) last week was also the week from the pits of Hades as Momma caught herself a good case of Poison Ivy... yup. I will spare you the deets, but just saying, from now on Momma is NOT doing yard work and is going to sit on the deck and direct the help to do it. (In other words, she is also working to pay for yard service from now on!)
And, this week being the end of school has been crazy with Field Days, Graduations, Awards Days, and all those other things that you say "Yes" to helping out with back 10 months ago, and now they are calling your bluff.
The Dachshunds? Well, they've been plotting to take over the world... They figure if the terrier-ists can be trying, then they should have a shot, too... Cause no Terrier could plot better than a Dachshund. *Honestly, I believe they have been getting their requisite 21 hours of sleep a day and eating like they've never seen food before... Its not been a good week for them as Momma has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off... No quiet days of relaxing, using Momma as a pillow... No running from the flashy beast trying to capture their dachshund souls on film, uh digital image :D... no long walks as its been 90+ and Milo doesn't do heat well, black dog + hot sun = hot mess.**
I have pictures, but no time to post anything but just one for the recipe I am going to share with you... Honestly, these are a mess to make, but OMG, if you make them just one time, it will make you a legend!
Shelle's Ridiculously Good Homemade Onion Rings
3 large Vidalia onions *I ONLY use Vidalia, you will regret not using Vidalia... just sayin'
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Vegetable oil
Peel onions; cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Place rings in a large bowl of ice water in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; stir very well. Add beer and egg, stirring until blended. Place in the refrigerator and chill batter at least 15 minutes.
Dip onion rings into batter, coating very well.
I use my deep fryer for cooking my onion rings (I live in the south, did you expect anything different!!) But if you do not have a deep fryer (shame on you) you could pour oil in a Dutch oven to a depth of 2-3 inches. I cook my onion rings at 375°, so check your oil's temperature to make sure its not too hot.
Fry onion rings, a few at a time, 3 to 5 minutes or until golden on both sides. Drain well on paper towels... sprinkle lightly with salt if desired, after all that oil you are going to heart attack hell from all that oil anyway!
Serve immediately.
Everybody's Workin for the Weekend (I'm Just Working for Beer and Cheetos)
Spiced Cranberry Shortbread
Today I made something special for me. Its a gray nasty day with rain turning to snow in the forecast. (Yay me. -_-)
You have to try this recipe. It is fabulous!! For the cranberry and shortbread lover, this is a must try!
Spiced Cranberry Shortbread
*1 cup unsalted butter, softened
*3/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar
*1 tsp pure vanilla extract
*2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
*1/2 tsp salt
*1 tsp. ground cinnamon
*1/2 tsp. ground allspice
*1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 325. Put butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, spices and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir together until combined but not too creamy. Stir in dried cranberries.
Press dough evenly into a 8-inch square (or 10' round works as well) baking pan. Bake until firm and pale golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, about 20 minutes.
*I cut my shortbread into hearts with a 2-inch heart shaped cookie cutter, trimming any stray bits of cranberry from edges with a paring knife. I was testing for potential teacher gifts for Valentine's day. It was very fragile, but they turned out lovely.*
Homemade Cinnamon, Fruit and Nut Granola
**Hopefully my internet will be fixed today, but I shall still keep my fingers crossed!! I did get a nice refund for the days without service!! **
I thought I would keep on the roll of the thrifty tips I have been giving by sharing one of my favorite snacks!! This served on yogurt is to die for!!
Homemade Granola
* 4 cups rolled oats
* 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
* 2 cups sliced almonds
* 1/2 cup cashews
* 1/2 cup light olive oil
* 2/3 cup honey
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 cup dried cherries
* 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Toss the oats, coconut, almonds and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.
