WOOOHOOO for the Clearance Rack!

As a self declared cheapskate, there are things in life that I just say no to, simply because it's like shoving a bug up my butt to spend money on things that are not necessary, that have prices inflated just cause of the season, or the tag attached. I was pleased this summer to see I have passed my ways onto the brats, Fric and Frac during a visit from one of our most favorite peeps ever! "D" ~ while visiting and sitting my brats for a couple hours opted to take them to the grocery store for a little shopping. When "D" mentioned to Fric and Frac that maybe a visit to the bakery section for a treat would be in order, my wee brats lit right up and directed "D" to the clearance rack, explaining that not only would they save money buying from the rack, BUT because the food would expire soon, it was a great excuse to EAT THE WHOLE PACKAGE! No rations as the kids like to refer to eating treats!

As a result of my cheapskate ways, there have been a few things in life that I have 'just not got'. I am also a bit of a scrooge when it comes to the xmas holidays, and while not a religious family, the fact that we are all expected to spend loads of money of stuff, guilted into spending more money on stuff for other people, and generally do not always have the funds for such things, scrambling to scrounge up and roll more pennies for the oh holy holiday. Don't get me wrong, I do LOVE the holidays, the time we get to play, spend with the family and just generally lounge around doing whatever we want, but still its the expected pressures society puts on people especially our kids to have all the gadgets and trinkets, IPODS for 7 year olds that drives me loony.

One of the things I have avoided over the years, was the traditional gingerbread house, usually at a cost of $20 during the holiday season I have always just said no, knowing there would be plenty of money spent on chocolates, and treats, and even more arriving in the giftbags...do we need more candy?!!! Just after the New Year I had to run to town, yet again to refill another pet's food dish, and put some food in Loony Mama's cupboards. As usual I cruised by that clearance rack, only to find one of the best deals ever! A full gingerbread house kit on clearance for TWO DOLLARS! with the sign saying ..."freeze for next year"

Of course I skipped the freeze suggestion and arrived home to present the kit to the kiddies. Big smiles and excitement came next as they cleaned up the kitchen table ready to build their dream home made of cookies and candy! Now I will say, besides me being cheap, the nightmares have ran thru my head before, dreading the idea of dealing with the mess, the icing and potential for a full house collaspe, and the tears and cursing that go with it. But, now with fric and frac being 8&9...it was a project they could handle all by themselves!

Now lucky for me, a house has four sides, leaving all things even for Fric and Frac, able to create their little house with a front AND back door despite the directions that only came with a front door.

Ryki taking the back door, creating his own wreath with the fondent..

And Aspen making the front door all fancy... till she added the EAT ME to the mix?!

Our TWO DOLLAR gingerbread house... cheaper than a box of cookies, entertaining for the kids, and something to snack on for a few days... I started here....

Have you checked a clearance rack lately? !

just don't forget... Flour Your Balls~!

Recently I was tempted by the grocery store flyer to make use of a sale, one of those $4.99 deals where you get a box of premade meatballs... just heat up and serve. I was quickly reminded by My Love that those are really 'just crap in a box' and reality says they wreak havoc on our systems. Meatballs are like a staple @ our dinner table here, for the picky little Ryki who eats like FIVE grown men, non stop "I am hungry", and for me .. the chef who likes to get the job done in less than an hour and normally... just in time for Cornation Street to come on. And really...one of the easiest things to make and sooo tasty! But there are tricks to this trade of homemade goodness... so today ... lets share! First there are always those pesky bread crumbs, and me being picky... if I can't get the ones I like than I do it myself. Easy as toast...literally! Two pieces of bread toasted once, and then lightly gain, cut into strips and crush! After that I add the garlic (of course!) a tablespoon of onion soup mix, if I am feeling peppy... maybe even some Parmesan

But the trick my friends to the perfect meatball... when you R ready to fry....

FLOUR THOSE BALLS!

A quick roll in flour before they hit the pan... something I learned in a favorite old book of mine from 1909. The trick happens when the flour browns before your balls... leaving the most perfect little morsels in the pan...without burning them! And... a secret tip for tasty balls... when they are just about done...to add a little sweetness? sprinkle a little sugar (I prefer brown) and give them balls a whirl... adding a quick sweet glaze and flavor galore!

And with Ice fishing season here... and our lucky ways of catching those delish fish? works great on them fillets too!!!

And for a final note... from my Loony kitchen a cost saving trick that keeps the cheese fresh, frustrations low, and more money in your pocket. When it comes to storing stuff around here... my dream is that everything would fit in a mason jar. I have my own Loony issues with plastic, and the wrap that doesn't stick, or the foil that foils my fresh factor. When it comes to cheese...in this house it comes in a block, rarely 'in a bag' as Ryki calls those plastic slices. And when it comes to keeping the block fresh... I say ...keep it in the package. I must confess my visual aids today involve My Love's lack of paying attention... lack of listening when I say... CUT IT BIGGER! but the trick comes out the same... forget the additional wrap, or finding a container... use the package it comes in! go figure...it fits and keeps the cheese fresh!

note... another Loony issue comes to uploading these pics... WHY do I have to drag them thru the blog? WHY do they go left and not right?

WHY WHY do I have to be so gifted in the kitchen and so challenged at the keyboard? insert giggle here!

On a family note... we attended the local Callander Bay Ice Fishing Derby again this year... third year running... third year we brought home a trophy!!! Claiming first prize for the biggest Northern Pike... Ryki was very proud to bring home ... a BIGGER trophy compared to years gone by. And while I am willing to confess... it was Dad who actually brought in the fish, I am also proud to say that once again my kids have clocked many hours out on the frozen lake... fishing EATING, skating and playing in and around humble little shack. Our Beach Boy's first year on the frozen lake...fishing with his Dad, smiling and laughing with the fam...LOVING ice fishing like the rest of us! (AND besides...the adults do not get trophies! only the kids do!)

With only a couple weeks left of the season...here's hoping for many more fish in the pan!

Some Get Therapy From Shopping... I Make Soup

One of my most cherished childhood memories is going to my Aunt Bettie's house on the weekend to play with my cousin Jackie (and usually Julie..if we were lucky ...maybe Becky too!) It wasn't the fact that their house was so cool, filled with my Uncle's large collection of Antique's, or the hours we would spend in the basement imagining our ways through a war, a time long lost, or just clicking at the antique register "running" our own shop. No it was the big old pot of soup on the stove. My Aunt Betty would get up, and fill the pot, letting it simmer for the day ready for any hungry belly that might pop thru the kitchen. Whether it was chicken noodle, beef barley or just a plain vegetable soup... it was always there warm and hot and ready to be gobbled.

It took me more than a few years to learn the art of soup making... many concoctions created that tasted more like stale water than a flavorful broth. But after years in the restaurant business, and all those misses... finally I have a hit ... just like Aunt Betty used to make... served up in a wooden bowl... one of the many I have collected over the years...also a big part of those memories cherished.

I started a pot'o'soup yesterday, despite the fact my freezer stash was lacking for fillers, I went back to the basics...no cheaters (well a couple SMALL bags...but still... from scratch)

Of course you have to start with the basics, making the starter broth and some flavor, and for the record...there is rarely anything on my menu that doesn't involve garlic and lots of it!

One bag of mini carrots, three onions, lotsa garlic and 4cups of water (just above the food line in your pot) I bring all this to a quick boil and let simmer for almost an hour. I once worked at a bistro where the first thing on the list for the week was to make the veggie broth. There was no broth from a can, just a big'ol soup pot on simmer for the day. The Chef as he liked to be called didn't even peel the onions, are clean the carrots...all in the pot and drained at the end of the day for the week ahead... those skins hold flavor he said!

Being in an ambitious mood, (seeking my therapy from a SOB known as our Ford truck) and knowing the goal and destination for my soup would be in the shack on the weekend, while simmering my broth I pulled out a pork roast. Simply..the basics once again. Roast in pot, add an inch of water, shave some garlic for the top, lots of pepper, a dash (or four) of basil and a half pack of dry onion soup mix sprinkled on the top. In the oven on low (250) she spent the day roasting ... ready for dinner and lunch sammy's for my love for the week ahead.

So, pork roasting and veggie broth simmered on to the finishing touches. Now lucky for me, I happened to have one last bag in the freezer of venison stew meat... but for those not so lucky...that beef stuff really does taste ALMOST as good. Into the pot went the venison, a large can of diced tomatoes, one package of onion soup mix (I honestly couldn't live without it!), some diced potatoes (sadly not from my garden...we ate them all!) a small ziplock of leftover Lorne (homemade) beans, and another with some leftover stew and two more cups of water... slam that lid down and its back to simmering and onto the dishes. A couple hours later...when you smell that yummy goodness, I shut down the burner, throw in a handful (or three) of corn and replace the lid... voila... mmmm soup ... good!

Last week while visiting the hometown, and stupervising my Uncle Fred...gimped up from a double knee fix up I made some turkey soup... still the same with just the basics, with lots leftover for the old man to heat up in coming days. It was on that trip that while listening to one of my various CBC radio stations that come in along the four hour trek that I heard an interesting tidbit, relating to my last post and the miracle (FREE) pot scrubbers I called MILK tags. For my yankee friends they must have wondered... what the hell is she talking about? I am glad (think) I may have referred to them as bread tags as well... but as it turns out... our province of Ontario is one of the few places in the world where you buy Milk like this!....and THIS is the Milk/Bread Tag... miracle (FREE) pot scrubber....

go figure? and to think I never knew... and really can't imagine milk any other way! The ONE thing I can think of that would be good about NOT getting milk in the bag? is all the hours I would have had free as a child, NOT cleaning to reuse those bags, NOT spending 30mins a bag to dry up those pesky water drops inside. I confess... I love to reuse, I love to recycle, I know these bags are good and sturdy...but give me a ziplock and I am a happy girl... and for the record...I will never put my kids thru the torture of drying out the milk bags... hmmm??? maybe that's why I never dry my dishes???!!!!

EDIT NOTE : to think I forgot the MOST IMPORTANT tip of all... when making soup... NEVER put it on high... below medium (LOW) heat will bring it to a boil... simmer it perfectly and never burn the bottom of your pot... there by leaving you free time after and no need for those FREE pot scrubbers!!!!

Holy Crap~! Post 100...I can't believe it

and I still don't know what I am doing~! But still enjoying this very much, despite the fact I would love to add some stuff..."badges" "links" etc. it is not that I haven't tried, I have ~! but that is where you insert the "i don't know what I am doing" URL's, Links to this, is it Legal to do that?? One day I will gain the savy ... for now you are all just stuck with my words, thoughts, and smiles.(IASAIT)

So to celebrate...a little of everything!

Cooking Tips...cook your own food~! not the kind that comes in a box, or ready to microwave(evil machines) make dinner everyday for five days...keeps ya healthy!

The Family Blender..see post 99...actually skip it is is really depressing seeing the realities and piles of shit we deal with(not the pile of shit got bigger just last night...but I am NOT dwelling on stupid people anymore!)

Family..
My loony goonies R doing fantastic and ready to start back to school (not sure if I am..but will get there ASAP) My love arrived home early yesterday giving me an opportunity to take an afternoon nap...aka really just watching General Hospital with my eyes closes. As usual the nap only lasted 15mins when Aspen was shouting in the vent above me..."r U sleeping yet ? we caught two baby snakes, do you want to see them?" no nap and no last fifteen minutes of GH! but two cute little snakes? in my antique can. Fun for the brats as they took the chance to 'learn how to pick them up and not jump and scream while doing it'
We attended the 28th annual Kelly Cunneyworth Reunion (one would think after 28years I would know how to spell cunniworth??? luckily I am a Kelly~!) As usual many annoying moments, but the smiles, tears, hugs and laughter always out way the dark side! A chance to reconnect with part of my family I have not seen in a decade...all of us smiling together like we had never been apart! My children giddy for the day as they played with family! fantastic memories to tuck away.
we have added a new member to our family after meeting a beautiful woman name Niecey! (along with her family too...I love it when family grows!)

Farminals..damn i raised me some fine birds this year...tasty tasty stuff! twenty more arriving September 17th.

green Stuff...I love green stuff and not looking forward to it turning all white again...with the exception of the ski~factor

Healthy Eating...see cooking tips above

I am Mama~! yes I am and loving it.

Just for fun and learning how...Just for fun and learning how? damn there is two of those labels? damn there is two of those labels..must have really been fun learning how!!!

local News that Drives me batty
~! Living just outside the small town of Callander, Ontario I admit I felt a sense of (new) hometown pride when I realized a young man from town is part of the Canadian Olympic Team for Track and Field. This week in the local small town weekly paper I read a story of his DELAYED trip to Beijing after attempting to board his Air Canada flight to the games. It would seem some ANAL guard at the gates stopped young Taylor Milne and flagged his passport as unacceptable at the gate. The passport Milne admitted had gone thru the wash two years prior but noted to the guard that he had in fact just flown to Belgium the week before with the same passports, as well had obtained his Chinese Visa for the Games from CHINA? after contacting Airport Officials..the jack ass guard still stuck to his guns and denied the passport despite the fact the officials were willing to let Milne continue on his journey. His journey was delayed a full week! New passport, and then a new visa were required for our Olympian Athlete to make it to the Games. My question is ..did this Jack Ass of a Guard stop to notice Milne was wearing a Canadian Olympic Athlete Jacket? or that his carry on bag was a bag designed just for our Team Members? I dislike anal people...very much!

and another sorta local story of a 'self proclaimed environmentalist" gent from Ottawa (the cit~iot) who recently purchased some lake front property in a northern community (Kilarney) After taking his refuse to the local dump one day, he has began a campaign...calling in his 'environmental lobby friends' to join his cause. It would seem he is troubled by the fact he spotted thirteen bears at the dump eating garbage. He is concerned that there is a large campground 3kms away, what about the safety of those campers?? and the safety of local RESIDENTS. His campaign is to raise awareness of this problem to petition the local community to erect fencing around the dump to stop the bears, possibly going as far as electrifying the fence line to ensure they stay out. Now don't get me wrong...when the bear was spotted on our street last week...and returned to our neighbours within thirty minutes despite being chased off by man and dog...I was ready for the nuisance to be shot...I am Mama! update..the bear has not returned, and no tracks visible in daze. BUT is this the first time this guy has left his concrete jungle?? has he considered by closing the dump off to the bears..they will follow their noses 3kms over to those campers?? One of the best parts of long weekend fishing trips as a child was the end of the weekend, and the trip to the dump to get rid of our garbage and WATCH THE BEARS??? I am guessing any local RESIDENTS know the bears R there when they go to the dump, I even know of many local dumps that R built in consideration of the bears....a bigass hole that you lob the garbage into...the bears go down there you don't?~! I wonder if this guy and his lobby Friends are going to do the fundraising to for the cost of enclosing an entire country dump with hightech fencing for the bears too? cause from what I know of Northern Communties..there isn't really alot of money to go around....just for the bears to go under! dumbass!

Morning Chai..outta chai today..sipping on some Jasmine

Our Pets...not a post yet, I think usually under wildlife? Daisy learned the hard way over the weekend about chasing cars...not surprised however she seems to have tucked and rolled and bounced right back being annoying as ever...despite a big hole in her leg. The rodent is still surviving? and the two baby snakes in my antique can? will not be pets...will be released today!

Loony thoughts....

Hope you all have a fantastically fucking loony day!!!

Recipe time...the secret sauce is finally 'measured"!!!!

ok...first brrr freak'n brrr!!! After a fantastic weekend of sunshine and snow we are back in the deep freeze -30 again today!!! From the window it looks spectacular...not a cloud in the sky and the sun is shining brightly...but damn I am not going out there today!!!!

Big kidlet party next door on Saturday, what a great time for the kids. Twelve kids in total from 4-15yrs old, playing outside, building the biggest snowman on the street...great fun!!! I had to laugh at our host, Kip though when the 8ft tall snowman was being 'raisied" His chest out looking at it exclaiming the biggest snowman in town...maybe we would make the news!!! I of course couldn't resist the reply of "beware Kip we don't want to jinx ourselves and end up on the news with "local child squished when monster snowman topples over" LOL We brought along the carnival ride/skiboose for entertainment, which of course all the kiddies loved. I taught some of the parents a good lesson on limiting the rides though....if you drive fast enough the first round and scare the shit out of everyone...they are to anxious for more rides!! LOL safety first of course we managed to fit eight little ones in the skiboose with Aspen riding along with me as the "sp0tter" then of course the tweens all jumped in together...poor old skidoo...had a bit of a time dragging them all up the hill! But once again...I AM MOM and have to brag a little. When we were saying our good byes Kip's wife pulled me aside to let me how impressed she was with my Aspen Jane..."she is the most polite little girl I have ever met! and Ryki is just soo handsome and bright...you have fantastic kids!" So proud of my wee ones when you hear stuff like that!

BUT THE GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY is......

I have mastered measurements of the Secret Ginger Dipping Sauce which is used with the dumplings (pot stickers) that we gobble up in this house like no tomorrow!!!! Besides being a dipping sauce, I have also used it to make burgers in the summer...mixed in with the meat. or i just make meatballs and dip them away

Ginger Dipping Sauce

One cup soya sauce....(I use the LITE stuff for this)
chopped Ginger (say two inches of a chunk peeled and chopped)
one tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
one teaspoon Sesame Oil
two teaspoons sugar
a handful of chopped cilantro (or more?! we love it and put in lots!)

Mix ingredients in bowl or jar and refridgerate (taste really kicks in after 15minutes in the fridge) Make Dipping sauce first! sugar will settle so remember to stir

Dumplings

(based on one lb of meat....serves four dumpling junkies)

One pkg. egg roll/Dumpling raps (round or square works!)
one lb. ground pork
nappa lettuce (about five good leaves from the head)
Cilantro(a couple of handfuls!)

chop cilantro and nappa add and mix with pork
dash of salt, pepper and soya sauce

place one teaspoon of meat mix into the middle of a wrap, fold in half and seal, and fan (see pics on flickr!) hint....i have a shot glass of water to dip my finger and rub on corners of wrap..help to seal?

cooking Dumplings....
two tbl.spoons of veggie oil with a splash of sesame, on medium heat or a little lower
place dumplings in frying pan turning and browning for five minutes
add some water (less than half a cupish) and cover and allow dumpling to steam for five more minute, remove cover and cook five more minutes

remove dumplings, dip in sauce and discover a new addiction!!!!!

Eating @ Loony's

ok, so past just the recipes....here is some visuals! One week of dinner at my house....food that doesn't come in a box.....is not precooked....and takes no time at all.

pictures included....

Roast Chicken and Baby Carrots (back to the basics...onions, garlic, H2O, and I sprinkle celery salt on the skin to make it tasty..LOL)

Dumplings!!!! our family fav...I am still working out the recipe for the dipping sauce...past a splash of this and that

Pasta Sauce the cheapest meal a family can make! one can of crushed tomatoes, onions garlic and you are good to go. as a spin on meatballs...I use sausage and just "squish" the little meatballs outta the tube...fry them first and add your sauce

Pork Chops...dipped in the Mason Jar Mix(flour breadcrumbs and parmesan) with sesame seeds added. I don't worry about totally covering them...it keeps the moisture in, but I do try to remember to lightly oil the pan so your breading doesn't stick! I will check on details, but a spoon full of sesame seeds has oodles of health factor...and damn they are good toasted...I am the one scraping the goods from the pan here!

Ginger fried Pork...using the dipping sauce recipe from the dumplings....this pic has lots of sauce...cause we love it soooo much I try to always use the low salt/lite soya sauce

now what i do need to spend some time on...is mastering a slideshow here, and figuring out where the hell my photobucket is!

Healthy eating

Recipe Time!!! MEATLOAF (at the VERY bottom LOL)

Snow! you always know here in the north one of two things when you wake up and check the thermometer outside.....either it is going to be colder than hell for the day(-35)...where yes your nose hairs freeze in seconds opening the door outside OR the temperature has risen(-15/20) and there is going to be some snow! Today is the day when it isn't sooo cold, and there is a stready stream of snow coming down....fresh powder! the tenbuck ski run is open tomorrow!!!!
Today is the day me and the kids get to visit the local health unit...time for some updates on the innoculations. Aspen is the sucker that has to get two today, Ryki only needs one after his stitches because they shot him up then. They are not looking forward to it...poor babes...poor mom! Something happened when I had kids...I lost all control of the tear factor! I cry when I see someone after a long absence, I cry if my children cry in pain, I cry sometimes just seeing an old photo on the computer screen! I used to be such a tough ass! The day Ryki received the stitches to his hand, he was so jacked up (snowed ..the dr. called it) he wasn't even alert to what was going on, but there I was holding his tiny hand blubbering away watching the doctor sew his hand back together. I told the nurse maybe I needed one of those shots too! so I am building my strength too! Luckily my kids are tough and don't really mind a quick shot too much.

Anywho...the recipe of the day. I have decided to try to share atleast a recipe a week. Now I have no medical background or scientific evidence of healthy eating what-so-ever. What I do have is my own theories based on my life. In my family I am pretty sure the women on my mother's side are predetermined to have the following....especially after childbirth. Bigg butts, biggger hips, and big old bazoombas....and in the middle...a tiny little waiste! I don't know how it happens, our weights can bounce up and down like crazy. For me, I have always been the small one in the family, not only shorter than everyone else (I am claiming 5'3!!) but generally I have not had the bounce factor of my cousins. I am by no means skinny or tiny! I still have the baby jelly belly, my hips are still much larger than I think they should be, etc etc But the one thing that I can say differs...is diet. I am not someone who excersises (besides skiing, swimming and chasing children), I would even admit when I get into making a new hat..I am lazy sitting on the couch. But I am also not someone who goes for take out often, even Alex will come home for a visit with twenty bucks from Nana to make sure he gets some McD's! or "food in a box" Now don't get me wrong...nothing beats a couple boxes of KD for $1.50 to feed four kids lunch but when it comes to meals and dinner .... we make it. And one thing about loving cooking .... is mastering the 45minute meal (not including cooking time) I can start dinner here @ six pm, on the table @6:45, dinner done and watching Cornation Street by 7pmSimple things in the kitchen that do not include ... ingredients you cannot read, more salt than you need in a week, or soooo processed they have to add the vitamins back in when they are done.
So before todays recipe some tips that have crossed my mind

1CROCK POT...get one! Every household should have one.
Saturday morning, making morning tea do the following....
Cut up onions (4-5 how many do you like)
Peal Garlic (how much do you like?)
1pkg onion soup mix(optional...but damn tasty to the juice and veggies)
Dump in some minnie carrots
salt
pepper
One whole Chicken....OR a smoked ham roast OR some pork loin OR RIBS OR OR I have done it with pieces of chicken before...cut time to 4hrs in pot
Put in some water...I measure with my finger to the first nuckle(an inch and a bit?LOL)
put crock pot on high for first hour....turn to low! and walk away.(10-11am????

So when you are finished with your day...skiing, playing, creating turn off the pot around 5-6 and voila...Dinner is ready!!!
TIPS.....when adding potatoes....they take atleast two hours in the pot to cook....Vegetable take longer than the meat in a crock pot
when you open the lid on a crock pot....it takes minimum 30minutes to heat up again...don't think you gotta check it all the time....walk away!!!
I do not recommend putting frozen meat in the crock pot, dethawed works best.

FINALLY todays recipe.....made it last night...and ate it before I remembered to take a picture!!!

Meatloaf

1.5lb ground beef
1egg beaten
1cup fresh bread crumbs (note new in the acres cause the kids don't like the crust...i cut it off on their sandwhiches and save them in a veggie bag for "fresh bread crumbs)
1medium onion, chopped
1/2can tomato sauce/soup
pepper

Light mix the ingredients above: form a loaf, place in shallow pan in oven @350

Gravy
1/2 can tomato sauce/soup(10oz)..sm can LOL
2tbsp. vinegar
1tbs. mustard
1cup water
2tbls. brown sugar

Combine the above ingredients for gravy, pour over meatloaf and continue to back one and a half hours. Basting occasionally

when I super size this recipe for company and add more meat, I usually add a can of diced tomatoes to the gravy and loaf too!

The Staples in My Kitchen

One of my favorite things to do is cook! While I am not a baker my any means creating a meal is pure joy! Before I was wife and mom....as the hubby calls it...my circus years, I spent over a decade working in the food and beverage industry....always on the service end of things, but also not far from the kitchen and the chef's. And the range of places I worked exposed me to many fantastic kitchens, foods, and recipes...not to mention the best place to learn...Gramma Bernice's kitchen! The first time I cooked a roast was at Gramma's. She made an unplanned trip to Aunty Lil's in Toronto one weekend and called in a panic Friday night begging me to take a roast out of the freezer and prepare a meal Saturday for Uncle Buck,....and no, cancelling the invite she had forgotten was unacceptable! So there I was cooking a meal for the visiting Uncle Buck , spending the day calling Toronto every fifteen minutes looking for directions, praying that I did not disappoint Gramma.....luckily for Uncle Buck the roast beef dinner was a success and i tasted the "icing sugar" before I thickened the gravy with it!

Now over a decade later, I have no fear of the roast dinner (thank you crock pots!) and would like to think Gramma and Uncle Buck would love to try my improvements of the meal.

Staples in My Kitchen to the perfect Roast.... Dinner

When roasting your potatoes with your Meat....(and of course carrots, onions...tonnnes of Garlic)
my secret is.....add a pac of onion soup mix to the pan Your potatoes will roast to a golden brown, and the juices in the bottom..mmmm....can you say the best gravy ever????????????? I put this in with poultry, beef and pork

note...specially with beef I also like to add a spoon of balsamic vinegar...makes for a wicked flavor in stew or your gravy

Scallop Potatoes...or in our house...fryed potatoes on the BBQ
a twist on the old flour mix in with your potatoes I have a mason jar in the fridge which holds the following.....flour, italian bread crumbs, salt pepper, and parmesan cheese. Even more flavor to the mix I add in a spoonful or two of chicken soup mix...mix your potatoes into this mix and yummy smiles will be at the table.

Fish...we love it, and eat lots of Salmon...(.works great on homemade chicken fingers too)
I use the same mix in the Mason Jar above to bread the salmon/chicken but to it I add a couple of spoonfuls of whole sesame seeds which are wickedly healthy for you and tasty too.

So there's a new start to my blog .... Cooking tips
enjoy