Roger's View of the World, Love and Seafood Gumbo!
Seize the Day! Put no trust in the morrow! — Horace
CLICK on the picture above to read my little diddy about the one thing most people fail to consider when choosing a life long companion: their political orientation. IN addition to basic personality similarities, long term happiness and compatibility is supported by a common political view. Politics today reflects more than just who you supported in an election , it provides an insight into how you view life, what you value and what you think is important.
Roger
I am surprised that this delicious wrap made from an 8″ lo-cal tortilla could be packed with so many goodies and still be under 200 calories! The amazing thing is that I actually feel satisfied… not like eating a 32 ounce steak at McLintocks in Shell Beach… but nicely full!
So, if you are looking for something tasty and satisfying for lunch… here’s a start in the right direction… it works for us!
Roger
I guess I would have expected to find a version of the Smith Island (10 layer) cake in the food catalog of Neiman Marcus! I have seen similar, but nothing quite the same. To me it is an excuse for frosting lovers to have a never ending supply of frosting and bypass the need for all that cake! 😉
It is however, a dessert that is very filling with just a single slice.
Laura and our daughter Kristin are doing a bit of traveling (mostly business) and have discovered this item when served at a family get together. Personally, the dark chocolate goes into the same category for me as does mint, flavors that are too strong. However, I can see how we can adapt the recipe for a broader appeal. The condensed milk in the recipe goes out and heavy cream, Peter’s Chocolate and confectioner’s sugar where appropriate is inserted.
Not a difficult cake to make… but for the many member s of my family that grab the heavy frosting products like “stroopwafels” , well, this will be right up their alley!
This’ll be fun to make
I am constantly surprised by the young people I meet who don’t know how to cook? How do they live?? There is an exciting world out there of culinary discovery that can not be found in a restaurant with arches or without, because it is what you create yourself!
So, unlike IRONMAN, most budding cooks must walk before they can run and this means starting at the basics. Here are a few suggestions:
1) give them a very very simple cookbook… Better Homes and Garden has a great one for less than $20 at Amazon.com. B.H.& G. is an old line cookbook — now in it’s 15th edition — that is a wonderful gift to anyone starting out. The recipes are simple, economical and with few ingredients and step-by-step guidance.
2) Translate your fun meals into even simpler ones for the new cook. The meal above contains three ‘ingredients’ (actually, three packages ingredients): one whole chicken ( they can be purchased without it’s natural ‘stuffing’), an Uncle Ben’s precooked rice package ( many contain a nice mixture that will appeal) and a little seasoning over the top of the chicken ( many pre-blended shakers available: salt, pepper and garlic powder is popular).
Bake 375 degrees F. for 2 hours and 20 minutes
Doesn’t get much easier than this!
3) Encourage the new cook to seek out a teacher… someone who can get them to the next level. After mastery of the simple cookbook, you can gift them with specialty cook books in which they may have an interest: cookies and desserts, fondue, and celebrity chef’s books ( they only look hard, in reality, their recipes have only a few steps and simple commonplace ingredients… This is key to selling a cook book ).
4) Practice — there is no substitute for experience.
Bon appetite
Roger
I love coffee as does every member of my family except one. The coffee experience is augmented with great coffee like “Pele Plantation” from Kona or Dunkin Donut! However, the right vehicle to deliver the exquisite beverage is critical to the experience.
So, what is important to a great coffee mug? Well, an ‘ergonomic’ coffee cup is nice unless it comes with the typical think rim. I would say that a perfect coffee mug has the following characteristics: it has to hold a lot, be comfortable holding it and I really don’t like tasting a lot of ceramic… a ‘thin lip’ is perfect!
Now, back for some more coffee!