Snow - the kind you eat !

The kids will start coming in tomorrow evening. We are planning a wonderful 3, 4, 5 days together.

All of the meals are planned. But so far - NO baking has been done. None.

I need to get on it, I guess.


I did make a batch of "Snow" the other night. I was so hungry for something sweet. I saw it on someone's blog, it looked simple. It was delicious.

Popcorn, not buttered -- several cups
Melted white chocolate or white almond bark
1 cup pecans
1 cup craisins

Put popcorn, pecans and craisins on sheet pan. Drizzle white chocolate over everything. Let it set up completely. Keep in sealed carton or bag.

DEE - lish - us !!!
Try it -------

Gwynie Pie

Skillet Cake

At our house, a sure sign of the arrival of the Fall season is the arrival of the Skillet Cake !
This "cake" is William's favorite, any time of the year. With the abundance of pecans and apples in the recipe, it just feels like Fall ! And with a cup of coffee ----ummmmmm----well, you try it out and you'll see......

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 apples, any kind, chopped with peelings on
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all ingredients. Batter will be very thick, just work to incorporate everything. Turn batter out into a greased and floured black iron skillet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Cool. Enjoy!!!

I made this cake Friday night about 10:00 and it was gone in just a few hours. Funny how one little cake can signal that Fall is here !!!

The weather today is supposed to continue to be cloudy and cool. 80 is our high !! It is mid-60s at night.....a real cold snap. Just 2 weeks ago it was a blazing 100+ degrees !! Amazing !!! Do you have any special recipes that you bring out at the start of the Fall season? I'd love to know about them, if you care to share.

Y'all have a very blessed Fall day today !

Gwynie Pie

Yummmmmm - It's soup time!

Look what I found at a garage sale for $1.
Around the same time, I found a wonderful sounding, easy recipe for Tomato-Basil Soup.


Last night, I made the soup for dinner, along with cute little cornbread sticks. We had mozarella cheese and fruit to round it out. Yummmm -- great soup! I will definitely make it again and again.

Recipe as I made it for the two of us. It made approximately 2 quarts and was enough to have last night, for lunches and I will freeze whatever is left. It would be great to thaw out for an easy meal to send for William's lunch later on. Or it would make a good base to begin any other soup -- just add veggies and chicken or ham and you'd have a hearty soup to go with good crusty bread on a cold winter night.

1 family size can cream of tomato soup
2 regular size cans Italian stewed tomatoes (the kind with the seasonings)
1 family size can milk - use empty can as measure

Warm on medium heat, stirring frequently. Milk will scorch in a hurry so be aware. Just keep on stirring til hot.

I garnished with lots of black cracked pepper and freshly grated parmesan.

Delish!!!!!

Give it a whirl ---

Gwynie Pie

How many pickles can Pie pickle if Pie.......

THAT is the question, isn't it??? How many pickled peppers could Pie pickle if Pie were pickling peppers?????
Inspired by other bloggers who have been busy canning and pickling and putting up for the winter, I have had a great desire to do the same. To follow in the footsteps of my foremothers and put up food for the winter months.

Of course, my foremothers always had a honkin' big garden to harvest -- that's where all that food comes from you know. I know this, because I have spent many a sweltering summer day, either picking veggies from the garden ("in the cool of the day" HA -- exactly when, I ask you, is the "cool of the day" in August in Texas???) OR in a steamy kitchen, with NO a/c, dripping with humidity as pots boiled on the stovetop, readying produce for the jars. Pretty much hated it when I was 9 and 12 and 15 yrs. old --- would love to go back there right this very minute, for just a day or two, and pay a little more attention this time. :)

We tried a garden this year after years of disappointment. And boy, did it look pretty. We ate some squash, some Swiss chard and a handful of tomatoes and cucumbers....but it just didn't produce enough to "put up". Summer in Texas is no picnic. Ever! But THIS summer was fit for neither man nor beast nor as it turned out ...our garden. What's a girl with a need to "put up" food for her household to do?????


Take a little trip to my local Wal-mart, that's what! And there I spied the most beautiful dark green jalapenos that were just crying out to be pickled and canned. I haven't canned anything in a very long time. Let me just say that right up front. The methods you will see and hear about here are my very own and my aforementioned foremothers would be skeptical, embarassed, mortified and might even disavow any knowledge of me or my methods.

Here's the breakdown of my pickling success --- jalapenos cost 68 cents a lb. and I bought 4 lbs. = $2.72. I had to buy a dozen new jars for this little project, but they will be used and re-used many, many times again, so that cost doesn't really even factor in. However, the cost was $7 a dozen, making the cost of each jar around 60 cents.

I ended up canning 8 pints, so the total cost is $7.52 (including the jars).
These pickled jalapenos will last us at least all winter, spring, summer and maybe next year I'll do it all again. Purchased in the store, the same amount of jalapenos would cost around $28.00 ---- yielding us a savings of roughly $20.50.

NOW ---- I know you must be thinking ----- WOW this girl has slashed her grocery budget by a whopping $20 bucks --- that's some kinda savings.

Well, it definitely is NOT the same kind of savings as if we say, started growing our own chickens. 'Cause I can tell you, that right there, would yield us a HUGE savings. The first (and last) time I had to chase down a chicken to make a little chicken salad......THAT'S when I become a full out vegetarian. And then, we could mark meat off our shopping list all to gether !!!! :)

Soooooo - no, these little jars of jalapenos will only keep us warm this winter when we put them on our nachos. Not a huge deal. BUT, it was a lot of fun canning my own AND it was very satisfying to my soul AND most importantly, don't they look cute ????

Happy Canning to you all --

Gwynie Pie

Lovely Luncheon recipes

ASIAN SLAW

1 bag brocolli slaw OR cabbage slaw
1 cup raw sunflowers
1 cup slivered almonds
2 packages Ramen noodles (Oriental flavor)

Mix above 4 ingredients. Then mix-

3/4 cup veggie oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar - rice wine vinegar is nice too
seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles

I mix it all up together and let it "marry" and get all yummy and delicious.
If you like more crunch in your salad, don't add the noodles until just before
serving.


CHICKEN SALAD

3 large cans chicken - I buy this at Sam's; it's about $11 for 5 cans - a great deal
1 cup pecans - whole, halved or chopped, your choice
1 cup grapes - red, green or both, halved
about 1 1/2 cups good mayonaise - I love Kraft,Hellmann's is good too

And that's it ! Mix well. You may need to add a little more mayo just before
serving.

Soooo easy, sooooo yummy !!

Gwynie Pie

Eat Dessert First

Tuesday, on our anniversary,

William brought me a very fun gift --

He went by Sugar Daddy Desserts

(2411 College Hills Blvd in San Angelo)

and brought home The Round-up !!

This is basically a "sampler" plate

of all the wonderful, creamy, chocolatey

yummy desserts Sugar Daddy offers.

What fun !!This little state of Texas is filled with creamy goodness

and covered in white chocolate.
My very favorite of all his creations
are the ones with chipolte.
WOW!! What surprising flavor...chocolate
combined with heat !
As it should be, I say. These little babies are called Buckshot. One perfect mouthful
that just explodes with flavor --
seriously, these chocolates are meant to be
savored, not chomped !
The big chocolates in the corners --
William's favorites,
they are filled with caramel
and pecans.

Okay !! It's ALL good !
And aren't they just beautiful.
Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

While at Sugar Daddy's,
William was given these very pretty
roses to bring home for
our special day.

They are made of wood!
Isn't that crazy?
I love that!


And HERE is the Greek pizza I made, from scratch
for our dinner.
It turned out so very good!
I've never made "from scratch"
pizza dough before.
This was really pretty easy, but
truly not exceptional enough
to be worth the effort again.
I'll probably just go with the little
pouches you add water with
and mix and go.

BUT --- the toppings....

THAT was pretty spectacular.

Super simple!

Just a matter of throwing stuff on top:

a jar of pizza sauce

browned ground lamb

2 cups grated mozarella

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup cocktail tomatoes, slice in half

1 can black olives, sliced

1 + cup crumbled feta cheese

1 medium red onion, in rings

a handful fresh basil, torn and thrown on

Bake 30-35 minutes or until crust is to your liking

and the cheeses are all melty.

Soooo good!

Give it a try !

Gwynie Pie

Girlfriend Luncheon

I totally enjoyed preparing a little lunch today for a couple of girlfriends
that I never get to visit with, and their children.
School starts in just a matter of a few days---
therefore, the plate of cool summer flip-flops

AND the plate of cool lemon squares for the girlfriends.
YUMMMM !

The rest of the menu included chicken salad on baby croissants, Asian salad,
veggies, and chips along with apple tea.

The kids played and ran and swam. And we girlfriends just sat and visited...
ahhhh --- lovely !! I had a wonderful time !

Gwynie Pie

Friday Night Dinner

After eating quick meals and salads and eating out more than

a few times in the last several days,

I decided it was time to cook again.

FRIDAY NIGHT MENU

Kung Pao Country Ribs

Asian Coleslaw

Green Salad

Baked Potatoes

Cantaloupe Slices

Devil's Food Chocolate Cookies

Made into

Ice Cream Sandwiches

with some

Blue Belle Homemade Vanilla

KUNG PAO RIBS

5 lbs. country style pork ribs -- I used the boneless kind

2 packets Kung Pao seasoning

1 largest can of crushed, diced tomatoes

In pan with about 3 Tablespoons canola oil, sear the ribs for about 3-4 mins. on each side.

Layer ribs into crock pot. Sprinkle seasoning over, then pour can of tomatoes over all.

Cook on high for about 1 hour, then turn to low for the next 7 hours.

The tomatoes and seasoning makes a delicious marinade/gravy that would be good over rice.

ASIAN COLESLAW

1 bag broccoli coleslaw

2 packages Ramen noodles - Oriental seasoning

1 cup sunflower seeds, unsalted

1 cup slivered almonds, unsalted

3/4 cup canola or veggie oil

1/4 cup white vinegar - rice wine vinegar works nicely too

1/3 cup sugar

Both packets of seasoning from the noodles

Literally throw it all in a mixing bowl and mix it up.

DEVIL'S FOOD COOKIES

1 devil's food cake mix

1 1/2 cups white or milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients except powdered sugar. Roll into balls, flatten a bit on a Pam sprayed pan. Bake for 8-12 mins. at 375. When cooled a bit, dust with powdered sugar.

Oh, yes --- these work super good with Blue Belle Homemade Vanilla if you want to make ice cream sandwiches.

BAKED POTATOES

I know everyone has their favorite method for baking potatoes. I usually microwave them.

Tonight, I did it Alton Brown's (Food Network star) way and I gotta say ---- WOW!! soooo gooooood!!!

After scrubbing the potatoes, dry thoroughly with paper towel, then oil them with

vegetable/canola oil. Roll each potato in coarse grain salt. I love Kosher salt because it has a flaky texture and works very well for this. Then - with a knife, poke 2 or 3 small holes in the top side of the potato.

I then placed the potatoes in a 9 by 13 pan and into a 375 oven for almost 2 hrs. (or until you can pierce easily with a knife or fork)

Well, that's it for Friday night food fest at the Rosser's.

Bon Apetite ~

Gwynie Pie

Best Sandwich EVER

This is the secret ingredient

in seriously THE BEST sandwich EVER !!

or

at least til the NEXT Best sandwich comes along.

I am a fan of a good sandwich -- and picky-er about my

sandwich fixin's than any other food I eat.

For instance ---- IF I'm having freshly baked ham in a

sandwich, then I want white bread with Miracle Whip

and nothing else -- no tomatoes, no lettuce, no cheese -- nothing!

A grilled cheese sandwich just screams for white bread.

IF I'm having pastrami, then I gotta have good, hearty

Jewish rye bread...ummmm...so good!

Cajun roast beef sandwiches are best on

bollilos with a good spicy mustard and lettuce.

Now a sliced turkey sandwich can be made on any

kind of sliced bread, but must have

jellied cranberry sauce instead

of mayo or mustard -- I love that!

I do know a good sandwich, let me tell you.

So when I say this one is the BEST EVER

(til the NEXT best comes along)

believe me !!!

Spread two slices of any kind of bread -- but good

hearty grainy bread is best -- with

about 2 Tablespoons each of

pineapple cream cheese.

Layer on very thinly sliced ham --

I bought Tyson brand Black Forest ham

and it is superb.

Then layer on thinly sliced tomatoes, cucumbers,

red onions, romaine, spinach -- just load it up

with everything you love.

I made mine with just romaine and cucumbers and

it was delicious !!

I made the same thing for dinner Thursday using

large tortillas instead of bread

and I added

tomatoes.

It was a big hit !!

What's your favorite sandwich????

Just curious....

it might be my NEXT best sandwich

EVER !!!!

Gwynie Pie

Cherry, Cherry Pie

For dinner last night, I made a

Southwest Shepherd's Pie.

I made it in a 9 by 13 pan and as I was telling

Dana about it, she said

"hey, that would be so fun to do in little

individual ramekins."

Well, of course, it would !

Especially for a party.

So -- for that reason (yes, I know there isn't a lot of logic here)

I made the cherry pie for tonight's dinner

in those little individual ramekins.

And they turned out great !!

I used Pillsbury Pie Crusts, the kind you find next to biscuits in the store.

And cut the right-sized circles out for the larger bottom

For the filling -- I used 1 can of pie filling and

2 large Tablespoons tapioca.

I use tapioca in all my fruit pies --

it gives them "body".

Then cut another circle of dough

the size of the top and pinch the bottom dough

and top dough together.

Then cut a couple of "breathing" holes

in the top dough,

sprinkle with sugar and dot with butter.

Bake until the dough is golden.

Be sure to place on a cookie sheet -- as you can see

What a mess !!!

It also helps to spray the ramekin with Pam.

Very yummy !! Very pretty !!

Very, very easy !!

NOW --

SOUTHWEST SHEPHERD'S PIE

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or equivalent)

cut into bite-size pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

Brown in skillet with just a tablespoon of oil.

Sprinkle 2 packets taco seasoning over chicken.

Add 1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 flat can green chilies

1 cup salsa

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

Stir together and let heat through.

Pour into 9 by 13 pan.

In bowl, mix 2 Corn-kits (packaged cornbread mix)

2 eggs

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

enough milk to be spreadable, about 1 1/2 - 2 cups

Spread the cornbread mixture over the chicken mixture.

Bake 20-30 minutes at 350.

Garnish with chopped green onions,

sour cream, chopped black olives,

chopped tomatoes, more cheese.

That's my recipes !!

Give 'em a whirl....

Gwynie Pie

HOSA Sale Saturday !!!!!

Is this THE cutest thing ever ??????? Uhhhhh, that's just a frying pan bottom, Gwyn.

Yes, and this is the frying pan top. Cute, cute, cute !! Looks just like my frying pan, with the little discolored places around the top edges that comes from frying eggs with oil in the pan. Ooops !

And here is some perspective on this adorable little Revere Ware miniature pan. It's tiny ! Just big enough for one egg.

I don't know any history on this replica pan, but I had to have it !

Just one of the perks of organizing and working

the First Ever

Hospice of San Angelo

garage sale, I guess.

It will be this Saturday from 7 a.m. til 2 p.m.

at 61 N. Chadbourne.

We have tons --- I mean this literally, people ---

tons of great, fun, useful items.

Something for everybody !

Come by and

Come buy !!

See ya there????

Gwynie Pie

Last Night's Dinner - YUM

As I mentioned yesterday, I fixed Swiss chard for dinner last night.

It was so good! Along with that we picked our first

yellow squash - 4 of them -

and I fixed those also.

I usually just slice them, almost cover with water

and then boil just until tender -- drain completely

and then rough chop the squash

and add 2 or so Tablespoons of butter.

I have this on-going inner debate over the question --

Butter OR margarine

Butter is certainly more natural, but unless

it is organic and hormone-free ???

But then, most of the newer margarines, the

good- for -you kinds are loaded with

chemicals and are just one step away from being plastic....

so ---- whatdayagonnado????

You choose.

Back to the recipe --------

I throw in a pinch of kosher salt and a little pepper

and usually about a small spoonful of sugar

and

it's done.

So good, so clean, and pretty healthy !!

In addition to the chard and squash, I made tuna patties.

My mother always made them from canned salmon,

also good, but I've always preferred tuna.

This is really pretty economical as well as tasty.

Here is the recipe as I did it last night ---

3 small cans of tuna, drained

4 eggs

1/2 cup Zatarain's Fish-Fri

1/2 cup cornmeal mix (or 1 Corn-kits pkg)

1/2 finely diced onion

or

1-2 finely diced green onions(with tops)

Onion is totally optional -- I love it!!

William does not love it!!!, therefore, no onion

at our house.

Mix it all up, make it into patties

Drop in small amount of hot oil in frying pan.

Brown on medium heat, flip over, brown the other side.

Serve with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce or ketchup.

This is the first time I used Zatarain's but it will definitely be included

in the future. Zatarain's, as you would expect,

has just a slight kick to it and it worked

great in the patties.

Hope you will try this.

Let me know how it goes.

Gwynie Pie

Memorial Day Fun -- Part 1

Fish Fry on Saturday was a huge success. We got the recipe from friends at The Mesquite Bean Cafe in San Angelo. They have spectacular fried fish on Fridays. That along with every thing else I've ever eaten there is great !!! Stop by and visit them. They are fun, sweet folks!!! Anyway --- this fish frying formula is theirs. Coat fish pieces in mustard, then coat with Zatarain's Fish-Fry, then drop in hot grease. DE lish ous !!!!!!!!

I've never ever been a big fan of fried fish. But this --- honey child....I'm craving it even as I type this at 8:45 in the a.m. Yummo !!!! Dana made jalapeno hush puppies, fried potatoes and THE best jalapeno tartar sauce EVER !!! A delicious start to our weekend !

CINNAMON BITES

I just made these spectacular cinnamon bites. I'm not sure where I found this recipe or I would give credit to the source. These are so super easy and tastes waaaaay more complicated than they actually are ------

Canned biscuits - I used 2 can for the bunch this morning. Each can of 10 biscuits makes 30 bites. Snip each biscuit into 3 pieces -- kitchen scissors work great.

On a jelly roll/cookie sheet put about half a stick of butter, cut into snippets.

Place pan with butter into heated oven just until butter melts -- watch it closely.

Then place all the bites on the sheet and coat each bite with butter.

Then roll each bite in a cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.

Place back on the cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 15-20 mins.

THEN-- while still hot and still on the pan, drizzle with icing.

ICING -

2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons brewed coffee
1 teaspoon maple flavoring (even if you think you don't like it, just try it!)

Mix up and if this needs to be any thinner, add a small splash of milk or cream until it is at drizzling consistency.

These are so easy but taste like you spent hrs. in the cinnamon roll process.

Gwynie Pie

Deeee - wish- us recipes

Easy Chocolate Pie

4 eggs
1 stick softened butter
Mix these two items together with a mixer.
Add 1 carton chocolate icing
1 large teaspoon vanilla
1 can evaporated milk
Mix well

Pour into 2 unbaked pie crusts. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Creamy Lemon Pie

3 egg yolks
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh is best (I use the kind that is in the frozen fruit juice section)

Mix well. Pour into one unbaked pie shell. Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes.


Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake

1 can pie cherries
1 can (same size as cherries) crushed pineapple
1 butter yellow cake mix
1 stick butter

Spray Pam in 9 by 13 pan. Dump the cherries, the pineapple -- mix together. Pour the cake mix over the top evenly. Very thinly slice 1 stick of butter and dot over the cake mix. Bake at 350 for 30 mins or until golden and bubbly. Delicious warm with ice cream.

Try 'em! Bon appetite!

Gwynie Pie

FUN PARTY last night !

Last night I was blessed to host a ladies group from Kerrville, on their way to Canyon for a Retreat this weekend. My cousin is the pastor's wife at their church there and I always love being with her and hers. I had so much fun -- we just ate and talked -- yep, that's it! What more do you need for a good party ???

Piles of old, old books that have been stripped of their covers, leaving all those wonderful colors and textures and bundled up with strips of torn muslin, serve as little candle stands. The little pink trays were a great buy at Ross - $2.99 for 6; and the tea lights - vanilla scented and in glass holders (so I can pop out the used up candles and replace with new tealights as needed) were 8 for $1.99 !!! In a rare moment of personal creativity (more about this later) -- I came up with the idea of actually using some of the probably thousands of buttons I have collected over the years. The candles are surrounded by buttons -- all in similar colors for more eye-appeal !

Here is the break down of the tablescape --

Plates (birthday present from my kids) - Priceless

Antique crystal glasses (my grandmother's) - also Priceless

Silver (also grandmother's) - again, Priceless

Black & white paisley coffee mugs - Dollar Tree - a dollar

Black & white kitchen towels (serving as napkins) - also Dollar Tree

Pink damask tablecloths - $4.00 at Big Lots

Tiny individual salt & pepper shakers - set of 12 - super cheap !!! also at Big Lots ----These, by the way ...... one of the best buys ever ! I bought them because they were so cute. I've used them hundreds of times. Keep your eye peeled for them and snap 'em up --- you will love them !!!Butcher block turned beverage center held water, tea and coffee with the add-ins on the silver tray. I used plain, cheap little "garage sale" tags, the kind with a string, on the little glass pitcher handles to designate "cream" and dulce de leche for the coffee.

FOOD -- Chicken salad on rolls, Greek pasta salad, fruit with poppyseed dressing or brown sugar dressing and I tried a new recipe for Lemon Cake !!! WOW !! I love really lemony lemon so I really loved this cake. It's a great cake for Easter ! Notice the black & white candle holders ??? They are $2 bowls from Ross, turned upside down and topped with a saucer.....thanks Elaine.....great idea !!!! I'll be using these a lot !!! AND I'll be looking at cereal bowls a whole lot differently from now on ...........

Here's an up close of that cake !!! Yum !!! I'll be glad to share the recipe with anyone who asks. Just comment at the end of this post or e-mail me, and it's yours.

By the door -- a bowl of beautiful iced Easter cookies. I found these on the Easter aisle at Walmart. And I thought they would make lovely party "favors" at the end of the night.

I had a fantastic time, seeing old friends, making new friends and visiting, laughing, eating -- just a grand time !!!!! Thanks friends, for stopping by.

Come again anytime !

Happy Friday,

Gwynie Pie