Foodie Friday - Leprechaun Bait

I have reason to believe that a Leprechaun has invaded our home. There's just no other plausible explanation for some of the shenanigans that have been going on around here.

Things have gone missing. (First my good sewing scissors disappeared, then a whole box of small ceramic pieces vanished.) The cat has been chasing something, (someone?), around the house that we can't see. (Sure, he does this all of the time, but it's been worse lately.) The computer is doing weird things, and to top it all off, someone ate the last dish of chocolate pudding. I found the empty bowl in the sink!

Last Sunday, after yet another futile attempt to locate the missing ceramics, my husband and I decided that we needed brunch. I suddenly had a strange craving for corned beef hash and eggs, so we headed to the kitchen.

As we sat down to eat, I had an idea. Why not lure our little mischief maker out into the open with food? Maybe I could catch him, get my things back, and put a stop to his Tom foolery. Of course, there was also the pot of gold to consider. What a bonus...I'd probably net enough to buy a large china closet and stock it with Lenox and Villeroy and Boch!

I found the tiniest bowl in the kitchen, and filled it with some hash.

Now all we had to do was wait, and watch. Of course, after eating we were a little drowsy, so my husband went off to watch TV, while I headed to the office and the comfortable chair at the computer. I wanted to scan the hundreds of pictures we've been taking to see if maybe we caught the Leprechaun on film. I didn't find any pictures of our little friend, but I did find a picture of one of the many rainbows that we see from the hills.

Just in case you're not believing my tale, I submit this as more proof to substantiate my theory.

That rainbow ends on the east mountain, but it was too chilly and damp to check that area out, so I decided to see if I could find more evidence at the local shops.

On the way out the door, I remembered the 'Leprechaun bait' that we left in the kitchen. Faith and begorrah! It was gone. The slippery little urchin ate and ran! Maybe I'll have better luck hunting for clues at the stores...

I didn't have much luck while shopping until I got to the local candy store. The little rascal was obviously one step ahead of me. He dropped a few coins, his pipe and a shamrock.

Frustrated, I went home to whip up another batch of 'bait'. This time I'd make bangers and colcannon. Surely, that would be a dish that would lure any Leprechaun into a trap, and oh yes, we'd have to keep a closer watch.

The bangers are simply pork sausages, while colcannon is mashed potatoes combined with chopped cabbage and onions that have been sauted in bacon drippings. Add crumbled bacon, salt, pepper, milk and butter to taste. It's a great meal for a chilly day, and extremely satisfying. In fact, it's so satisfying that I took a short nap on the couch. You guessed it...another botched attempt to get my pot of gold.

I only had one last morsel left to use as bait, but I decided to eat it myself. These 'Babycakes' were too good to waste on a Leprechaun who has been giving me nothing but grief.

You can find the recipe for these fabulous cupcakes at the Food Network website...just search Babycakes, but beware...the recipe makes a hugh amount.

Oh, and Mr. Leprechaun, if you give me my ceramics back, I'll make you a whole batch of Babycakes. I need my napkin holders for Easter!

Now please stop over at Designs by Gollum and see what the other folks participating in Foodie Friday have been feeding their Leprechauns.

Foodie Friday #3 - Nostalgic Desserts

There's a time machine in my kitchen. If you see it on my kitchen counter, you might mistakenly assume that it's just a recipe box, but when I open it and start rummaging around, it transports me back in time. I never know where I'm going, but I'm sure that I'll enjoy the trip. Sometimes, I land in a friend's home in the 1980's or I'm transported back to my parents' ranch house and it's the 50's. Occasionally, I go to Greece or Hungary. There are many places for me to go, but lately it's been taking me back to my grandmother's house.

This past week, I made a soft landing in Grandma's big, warm, country kitchen. The year was 1972. An Apple Dutch Cake was cooling on the counter, and the room was filled with the smell of cinnamon and vanilla. Coffee perked on the stove, while I made a hard sauce under my grandmother's watchful eye.

We poured cups of coffee, cut pieces of cake, and returned to the kitchen table so we could continue working on a project that we had started earlier that morning.

I didn't realize it that day, but my grandmother was giving me the first set of keys that would activate my still non-existant time machine. The table was strewn with Grandma's recipes, and a few packs of note cards. Here's the key that started it all.

Grandma dictated the recipes, and I wrote them on the cards. I loved the way she added advice as we went along. Sometimes she would remember a tip that she wanted to give me about a recipe that had been finished several cards ago, and I'd have to retrieve it and add the note.

My grandfather came in while we were 'cutting more keys', and asked what we were doing. My grandmother told him that she was giving me recipes for my hope chest.

"Don't you mean the 'hope to get a man chest'?" he quipped, as he grabbed a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. Before he shuffled off to the sun porch to enjoy his cake, he turned to me and said, "You'll get a husband because you already know how to cook, and having your grandmother's recipes certainly won't hurt." The backhanded compliment was high praise coming from grandad, and my grandmother actually blushed!

Some of the recipes I recieved that day were simple. Tapioca pudding? "Use the recipe on the box. You can't beat it."

Others, that I thought were well guarded family secrets, came from ordinary places. This included Grandma's signature chiffon cake. When we came across the recipe, she told me not to bother with it. "The recipe in the Betty Crocker Cookbook is much better," she confided.

I made this cake for a friend's birthday last year.

There's probably a time machine somewhere in your kitchen, too. Why not pull out a key and take a trip back in time? If you do, I wish you a safe trip, but most of all I hope you land in a kitchen where they serve love and dessert in equal portions.

Now please stop over at Designs by Gollum for a listing of bloggers who are participating in Foodie Friday. You'll love what you see...

The Dishes That Sang My Name...Have I Become A Dish Addict???

It started out innocently enough. It really did. A few weeks ago, I finally acknowledged the fact that we needed new everyday dinnerware. The old plates, cups and bowls that served us well for quite some time have started to show their age, and just aren't bringing anything to the table anymore. I haven't found the perfect set of all purpose dishes yet, but along the way, I have acquired some pieces that have made me very happy.

This set is currently making me grin from ear to ear, and I found them at a very unlikely spot...my favorite garden center! As soon as I saw them, I knew they'd be coming home with me.
There were only 4 salad plates and 4 dinner plates left. If they had 4 more of each I would have taken them on the spot!
The dinner plates have a wonderful raised pattern on them. Some birds are in full flight...
other birds are swooping...

and a couple of love birds are snuggling on a branch.
I just can't wait to use them. Now I'm hunting for the perfect black mug or cup and saucer to match. I'm also looking for more yellow majolica to match my Easter set, additional pieces to match my red set, and yes, I'm still looking for the perfect set of everyday dishes. Guess I'm hooked, huh? I may need an intervention...

Foodie Friday Week 2 - Some Like It Hot: Phool Gobhi aur Tamatar

My husband loves Asian cuisine, especially when it's highly spiced. He likes it so much, that sometimes I strongly suspect that one of the reasons he married me was because I owned a wok! Several woks and thirty odd years later, I'm still making Asian dishes, usually 3 or 4 times per week, and I really don't mind one bit. It's a healthy way to eat when you stay away from the deep (fried) end of things.

Recently, we shared a Vietnamese style dish, Scallops with Asian Noodle Salad,
It made a nice Sunday night supper.

We always enjoy Spicy Chicken with Fresh Orange. It definitely has Szechwan roots, and is simple to prepare.

It's a perfect meal for a busy weekday. (We like it served over lettuce. This keeps the calories down, and the cold lettuce is a nice contrast to the spiciness.)

A few weeks ago, we added a new Indian dish to the ever expanding repertoire.

Phool Gobhi aur Tamatar, (cauliflower and tomatoes), is an extraordinary way to brighten up a very ordinary head of cauliflower.

Served with Tilapia that was sprinkled with salt and pepper, lightly dusted with flour and pan seared, it made a tasty and satisfying dinner that was very low in calories yet high in flavor.

Like most Asian recipes, there's quite a bit of prep work, but then the cooking is quick.

Ingredients: 1 T. safflower oil 1 T. fresh ginger root, minced

1/2 C. onion, finely chopped 2 large cloves, garlic, minced

1/2 t. mustard seeds or 1/4 t. dry mustard

1/4 t. turmeric

1-2 t. garam marsala or 1/3 t. each ground cumin, ground coriander and black pepper

1-2 fresh or dried chili peppers, seeded and chopped

***Important note here: I stopped using chili peppers years ago and substitute Vietnamese chili garlic sauce. It's easy to use, lasts forever in the fridge, and provides a nice even heat in spicy dishes. In this recipe I used about a teaspoon. Use more or less to suit your taste.

More ingredients: One small head of cauliflower, divided in to small florets

One large ripe tomato, coarsely chopped
1-2 T. fresh lemon juice

Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish

Now we're ready to cook! Heat the oil in a large nonstick wok or fry pan, and saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft.

Add the spices and peppers and cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the cauliflower florets and toss until they are evenly coated with the onion mixture. (Now I know why my wooden spoons have singed handles!)

Stir in the tomato, reduce heat, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the cauliflower is tender but not mushy. (I had to add more chopped tomato and a bit of water to keep the mixture cooking.)

Add lemon juice. And garnish with the cilantro.

I forgot the cilantro garnish and put the camera away. I was too intoxicated by the aromas swirling through the kitchen and sat down to eat, but you've all seen cilantro so I thought you wouldn't mind.

BTW: There is a downside to this dish. If you cook with wooden spoons, they will turn a lovely shade of greenish yellow.

After a few washings, your spoon will return to it's normal color, but your tastebuds may never be the same!

For many more epicurean delights please visit Designs by Gollum and see the full list of bloggers participating in Foodie Friday.