Sunday 22 January 2017

Scallops & Snow Storms

Well, we didn't have any big plans for this past weekend, mainly because we had a 
forecast for a blizzard, beginning late Friday evening lasting in to late Saturday night.  
Forecast was pretty accurate, right down to timing.

Anyhow....what does one do on Friday night, when expecting a big storm to last 24 
hours or longer??  Get into the deep freeze and start pulling forgotten treasures out, to
 have a cooking-fest on Saturday!!

We pulled out salt fish for a big batch of homemade fish cakes; 
a roast of beef to make a soup; some ground turkey for a meat "turkey-loaf----ha ha, just 
doesn't sound the same!!  
Then last,but not least a bag of scallops (just caught about a month ago).  


All jokes aside, I love days like this.  Plus, it's a nice feeling when you are loading casseroles and tightly wrapped treasures in to the fridge, all great food for the upcoming week.  
It takes away the dreaded question, during the work week, of what will 
have tomorrow for supper, but gives you lots of time to have nice brisk walk before supper!!

While we were sitting around enjoying a cozy big fire, keeping up with updates of the storm and listening to music, hubby couldn't resist frying some scallops in fresh butter and minced garlic!




Yummmmmy....they tasted delicious!!

There wasn't a lot of guilt about eating these, we knew we had a bit of activity and 
fresh air the next morning to deal with this......


The snowblower makes the chore much easier, and it was a gorgeous morning to be outside.  
About minus 4 Celsius, sunshine and hardly any wind.

Have a great week.
Cheers
:)

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins



I was browsing through my mom`s old cookbooks for a nice breakfast-type muffin.  After all the chocolate and super rich foods over the holidays, I wanted something a little less ``sweet and chocolatey``.  I came across this recipe and thought I`d try it.


Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins

Yields: 12
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup soured milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 egg
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 12 muffin cups.
Stir the oats and the soured milk together in a bowl, making sure all the oats are covered. Set aside for 10-15 minutes, until well soaked.   
Add oil and egg and combine until well blended.
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, mixing well, then add to oats mixture, 
mixing well until no dry flour visible. 
Fold in the cranberries.

Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups - then bake for 20 – 25 minutes 
until the muffins have browned and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Turn out onto a rack to cool. 

NOTE**** To sour milk, add 1tablespoon of vinegar or lemon to 1 cup milk

          ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here are the snaps....



 

I have to say that I was rather disappointed with the amount of rise, and I was afraid of that when I saw the amount of baking powder called for.   I thought the half teaspoon of soda would make up for it, but I was wrong.   However, they were absolutely delicious and I will make them again, but I will use a little more baking powder next time.

Cheers
:)

Monday 9 January 2017

Monday Night Meatloaf Marathon


As a full time worker, I am all about easy prepare-ahead meals.  I make this meatloaf 
recipe 4 or 5 times a year.  It is really delicious and moist because it 
has grated carrots, celery and cheese.


 Tonight I baked the recipe in a muffin tin.  


 

I did this once before and served them with a scoop of mashed potato on top--really cute, 
looked like frosted cupcakes!! 

I originally posted this recipe for meatloaf back in April of 2012, when I first  started 
blogging with an Alphabet challenge for the month of April. 
Click here for that link, if you want to try this recipe. 

This meatloaf recipe is delicious hot or cold.  When I bake it as a large loaf, I slice the 
cold leftovers for sandwiches as well.   

We`ll re-heat some of these for supper tomorrow night with baked potatoes and 
steamed broccoli, and will surely enjoy the remainder for lunches throughout the week.  
These actually freeze well too.

Well, you know, we had to taste test at least one.  Yummy!!

Cheers
:)


Sunday 8 January 2017

Freezing rain and a crackling fire

What a difference a day makes!  It is absolutely terrible outside today.  

High winds and freezing rain beating against the windows....

The windows on the front of our house are totally covered in a even layer 
of pebbly ice.  It's days like this that remind me that we do live on a large rock
in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.....and it is January after-all.

Nothing to do but get hubby to light a nice fire in the fireplace 
and brew up a big mug of peppermint tea!!



(Notice that awesome mug-----quickly became my new "all time favorite", 
from our precious little granddaughter for Christmas.) 

Cheers
:)

Monday 2 January 2017

Snow Globe Day

It has been snowing all day.  It's lovely though....no wind. 
I went outside and took a walk around the yard. It looks just like a snow globe ...



Cheers
:)