April 2010
1 post
“Welcome to the first in what I plan to be a recurring “How-To”...”
– How to Decorate Cookies with Royal Icing
June 2009
21 posts
9 tags
Groceries to gorgeous...
…what to eat if you want to look good!
I don’t believe people really stop to think about what they’re putting in their bodies these days. I go by a general rule that if I can’t pronounce the ingredients - I don’t eat it…
(Read the entire article here)
HAIR: Vitamin B helps prevent shedding, slow growth and weak hair. Vitamin C deficiencies can lead to dry,...
2 tags
Fact of the day:
Bell peppers have a recessive gene that cuts out the capsaicin - which makes them non-spicy.
9 tags
Sausage Biscuits
Need a super quick, easy breakfast recipe? These biscuits are great to make with kids or as a casual side for company.
You need: 8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 lb. hot sausage (I use Jimmy Dean) 2 c. Bisquick Combine cheese, sausage, and Bisquick, mixing well. Shape into balls and drop on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven until browned - roughly 10-12 minutes. Serve...
16 tags
Equivalent Chart
Let’s go over a quick equivalent chart, mk?
3 tsp. = 1 tbs. 2 tbs. = 1/8 c. 4 tbs. = 1/4 c. 5 tbs. + 1 tsp. = 1/3 c. 8 tbs. = 1/2 c. 12 tbs. = 3/4 c. 16 tbs. = 1 c. 1 oz. = 2 tbs. fat/liquid 2 c. = 1 pt. 2 pt. = 1 qt. 1 qt. = 4 c. 5/8 c. = 1/2 c. + 2 tbs. 7/8 c. = 3/4 c. + 2 tbs. 8 - 10 egg whites = 1 c. 12 - 14 egg yolks = 1 c. 1 c. unwhipped cream = 2 c. whipped 1 lb....
20 tags
Substitutions
It’s happened to all of us… You’re cooking for a dinner party, for your family, or maybe just for yourself, when you realize…you’re missing a key ingredient. Who drops everything to run to the store? No, instead, you poutingly grab a frozen entree from your freezer, pop it in the microwave, and hope to remember to pick up that needed item tomorrow after work.
...
3 tags
Quick tip!
For a juicier hamburger, add cold water to the beef before grilling - 1/2 cup to every 1 pound of meat.
11 tags
Herbs and Spices: M - T
Marjoram - May be used both dry or green. Used to flavor fish, poultry, omelets, lamb, stew, stuffing, and tomato juice.
Mint - Leaves are aromatic with a cool flavor. Excellent in beverages, fish, cheese, lamb, soup, peas, carrots, and fruit desserts.
Oregano - Strong aromatic odor, use whole or ground to spice tomato juice, fish, eggs, pizza, omelets, chili, stew, gravy, poultry, and...
10 tags
Herbs and Spices: B - G
Getting aquainted with herbs and spices! Always be sure to add them in small amounts, 1/4 tsp. for each 4 servings. If substituting fresh for dried, use 3 times more herbs.
Basil - sweet warm flavor with an aromatic odor, used whole or ground. Good with lamb, fish, roast, stews, ground beef, vegetables, dressings, and omelets.
Bay Leaves - A pungent flavor, use whole leaf but remove before...
3 tags
Quick tip!
Don’t despair if you’ve oversalted the gravy. Stir in some instant mashed potatoes and you’ll repair the damage. Just add a little more liquid to offset the thickening.
6 tags
Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
This is my Dad’s favorite breakfast and is usually made every weekend at my parent’s house. I know, I know - chocolate gravy, right? But really, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
For gravy:
1 c. sugar 6 tbs. cocoa 1/3 c. flour 2 c. milk 1/2 stick margarine 1 tsp. vanilla For biscuits:
2 c. flour 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 4 tbs. shortening or margarine 1 c. milk
For...
5 tags
Strawberry Cake
If you haven’t guessed from the recipes I’ve listed already, I love strawberries. My Mom has been making this cake for my birthday every year for over a decade.
For the cake, you need: 1 pkg. white cake mix 1/2 c. water 4 eggs 3 tbs. flour 1/2 c. oil 1 3-oz. pkg. strawberry Jello 8-oz. frozen strawberries For the frosting, you need:
1 stick butter 1 box powdered sugar 1 tsp....
7 tags
Strawberry Pretzels
These are so tasty and the perfect dessert to bring along for a summertime picnic.
You need:
2 c. crushed pretzels 3/4 c. margarine, melted 3 tbs. sugar 6 oz. cream cheese, softened 8 oz. Cool Whip 3/4 c. sugar 1 6 oz. pkg. strawberry Jell-O 2 c. boiling water 2 pkgs. frozen strawberries For crust: Mix together pretzels, margaine, and 3 tbs. sugar. Press into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350...
2 tags
Quick tip!
The freshness of eggs can be tested by placing them in a cup or bowl of cold water, if they float - do not use them.
7 tags
Quick and Easy Dinner Rolls
These are -as the title says- quick, easy, light, and fluffy. Oof…perfect.
You need:
2 tsp. yeast 3/4 c. warm water 2 tbs. sugar 2 tbs. oil 1/2 tsp. salt 1 egg 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 c. flour Mix together yeast, water, and sugar until yeast is dissolved. Add oil, salt, and egg. Beat in 1 c. flour. Drape towel over bowl to cover and let rise 15 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 c. flour and...
8 tags
Easy tips - Bread
- Don’t throw away bananas that have darkened! Peel and freeze them in a plastic bag until you have time to bake bread or cake. - When bread is baking, a small dish of water in the oven will help to keep the crust from getting too hard or brown.
- Self-rising flour: 4 c. flour, 2 tsp. salt, and 2 tbs. baking powder. Mix well and store in a tightly covered container.
- Remember: hot water...
6 tags
Lemon Chicken
By now, I think you can see how well my Mom fed us while I was growing up. This is another family favorite.
For chicken:
5 lb. chicken, boneless and skinless 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tbs. soy sauce 1 tbs. cooking sherry 2 eggs 1/4 c. cornstarch 1/2 tsp. baking powder For lemon sauce:
1 c. chicken broth 2 tbs. lemon juice 1/3 c. sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 tbs. cornstarch Cut chicken into strips or...
7 tags
Hawaiian Haystacks
Another ‘Mom’ recipe…I swoon when I see her cooking this.
You need:
2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 can chicken broth 2 c. cooked chicken, shredded 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. curry powder 4 c. cooked rice 1 9-oz. can chow mein noodles 3 tomatoes, chopped 1 c. celery, chopped 1/2 c. green pepper, sliced thin 1/2 c. green onion, chopped 1 20-oz. can pinapple chunks 1 c. grated...
13 tags
Easy tips - Meat
- If you have no time to marinate meat for hours, pound meat lightly with a mallet or rolling pin. Pierce with a fork and sprinkle lightly with meat tenderizer and add marinade. Refrigerate for 20 minutes and cook.
- Also, referencing marinating, it’s a cinch if you use a plastic bag. The meat stays in the marinade and it’s easy to turn and rearrange. Toss the bag when done.
- Meat...
5 tags
BLT Pizza
One of my favorite ‘Mom’ recipes hands-down. This includes a recipe to make your own pizza dough, so you technically could just buy your own, but trust me when I say - it’s ten times better when you make your own.
I may have to make this tonight, in which case, I’ll add pictures later!
You need:
1 pkg. yeast 1 c. warm water 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. oil 2 1/2...
4 tags
Spinach salad with sweet and sour dressing
This is a wonderfully light salad that is perfect to bring along to a picnic.
For spinach salad:
4-5 c. spinach 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 3 green onions, sliced 3 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled Thoroughly wash spinach and tear into bite-sized pieces. Toss in all other ingredients and add enough sweet and sour dressing to moisten spinach.
For sweet and sour dressing:
1 1/4 c....
3 tags
Intro
Lessons from my parents is a site to keep track of tips, tricks, and recipes I’ve received over the years.
Everything will be tagged appropriately for searching and any lessons you’ve learned over the years yourself, from your parents, relatives, and/or friends, can be emailed to: lessonsfrommyparents@gmail.com to be posted.
Hugs to all!