Grad School Interferes with Blogging

Ah yes, who knew that Grad school, work and a 70 mile round trip commute would impede regular blogging.... Or wait, perhaps the true villain is Facebook and silly Zynga games on Facebook.

Needless to say, knitting and blogging have suffered, but the good news is I'll have finished an MISM (Master's in Information Systems Management) with a concentration in Project Management by June 2010.

Other developments:

I LOVE my 2010 Mini Cooper Hardtop. 34.1 mpg, amazing accelleration, phenomenal cornering and unlimited cuteness....

http://miniusa.com/#/MINIUSA.COM-m

I'm just sick about the Supreme Court's ruling last week and I'm convinced our Democracy is now ancient history. As a lovely friend and family member commented on my Facebook page... "Government OF the $, BY the $, FOR the $. ( I agree, Tiff)


Dinner tonight:

Seasoned pork in the crock pot and roasted assorted vegetables. Nothing noteworthy, but healthy, tasty.

Take care and please make it a point to become involved in our Democracy. We need you!

Aunt Melissa

Easy Rice Instructions for Miss Sally

I imagine I'm too late for these instructions to be meaningful, but first rinse the rice, changing water 2-3 times until water is fairly clear. Then add 2x the amount of water as the amount of rice. I don't know metric, but 1 cup rice and 2 cups water usually works nicely. Add a little salt and bring to a boil. Allow to boil until the water evaporates just below the level of the swelled rice, then lower the heat, cover with a lid that fits tightly and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Unless you want gummy rice, do NOT stir. Careful not to allow to cook past 20 minutes without checking first. As a matter of fact, if your low setting is not very, very low, begin checking after only 15 minutes. Watch carefully, because soon after it is cooked completely, it has a tendency to scorch and the pan is difficult to clean. You want the rice to be dry and firm but NOT scorched. Enjoy! =)
For a change of pace, you might try browning non-rinsed rice in a non-stick skillet with 1 T. butter until slightly browned, then add 2 cups of chicken stock. Cover and simmer on low heat until liquid is absorbed. Using this method, I often add dried fruit (apricots, golden raisins, cumin, curry powder, cinnamon) leftover turkey or chicken is great in this dish, as well. Very easy, very fast and tasty, too, Have fun!

Aunt Melissa's Wheat Free Cookies

I LOVE cookies! My new friend Skyller loves them, too. The only problem is, she’s allergic to wheat. So, these cookies are for Skyller:

AUNT MELISSA’S WHEAT-FREE COOKIES
½ cup butter
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. white sugar
1 cup rice flour
¼ cup corn flour
½ t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. fresh minced ginger
1 egg
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sliced dried fruit (today I used dates and apricots)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream softened butter and sugars with an electric mixer. Add egg, then flours, soda, baking powder and ginger and vanilla (mixing after each addition. Next, on low speed, add oatmeal, followed by coconut, almonds and dried fruit, incorporating well after each addition (but don’t over mix).
Drop by spoonfuls (I like to use a spring action scoop for melon balls for this). Bake for 8-12 minutes in preheated oven until golden.

Enjoy!

Aunt Melissa

Natasha's Blini

My dear friend's Mom, Natasha, taught me how to make the following Armenian-style crepes. I remember at the time she smiled and told me that the recipe wasn't exact and not to worry too much about it. Of course I did, at the time, and in spite of my nerves made a passable version. Today, as I rummaged through the 'fridge and found yeast "best used by" Oct. 2008, I thought, "Why not make Blini?" I didn't want to take a chance on a loaf of bread if the yeast was past it's prime. As it turns out, the yeast was fine and Blini were perfect in spite of the liberties I took with Natasha's recipe.

Natasha's Blini

Yeast Starter:
1/2 cake yeast
flour
sugar
water

First, she places a small amount of sugar, flour and lukewarm water in a small custard cup with the yeast. Stir and let stand for a while until the yeast is activated. (I used 1 full packet of powdered yeast and it worked just great.)

In a mixing bowl combine:

2 eggs
2 T. sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 pint of milk

Whisk together and add 2-3 cups of flour to make a thick batter.

Add approx. 4 T. oil (Natasha uses 2 borsch spoons)
Add the yeast starter and
1 pint of milk

(I have to admit that I didn't measure anything... dumped in the flour, poured in a little sugar, substituted powdered buttermilk and enough water to make a thin batter... and it worked just fine.)

Let the batter rest for a short time and allow the yeast to permeate.
Heat a crepe pan (non-stick skillet) over medium heat until a drop of water dances on the surface.

Melt approx. 1 T. butter and brush the pan between crepes.

Pour approx 1/4 cup of batter into the heated pan and quickly swirl to cover the bottom. Bubbles will form throughout the batter. When the edges begin to brown and crisp, flip and gently brown the other side.

Serve with your favorite filling, but it's hard to beat a spoonful or two of sweetened condensed milk. Roll a few filled Blini and serve with a nice cup of hot tea for the full experience.

=)

Thank you, Natalie, for teaching me to make Blini! It's been maybe 16 years and I still remember the warmth and love from your kitchen. I also think of you every time I make "kartoshka". (Latkes or Potato pancakes).

Bon Apetit!

Aunt Melissa

Aunt Melissa's Super Refreshing Iced Tea

Why pay $ for flavored iced tea when you can make a simple refreshing beverage at home for pennies a glass? Through trial and error, I've developed an iced tea concoction that is very easy to make and we love it. As a matter of fact we drank pitchers of this particular concoction over the sweltering hot July 4th weekend.





Aunt Melissa's Super Refreshing Iced Tea

4 tea bags (I use Lipton's decaffeinated)
4 fresh crushed fresh mint leaves (any variety...)
Juice of 1 Orange
Juice of 1 Lime
4 packets of Stevia sweetener (Trader Darwins Stevia Packets 100% Natural no calorie sweetener)
filtered water

Place approx. 2 cups of water on to boil. Place tea bags, mint leaves and sweetener into 1/2 gallon size pitcher. Cut and juice orange and lime (removing seeds) and add to pitcher. Pour boiling water into pitcher and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes prior to filling pitcher with filtered water to make 1/2 gallon. If your family is squeamish about leaves floating around in their drink (mine's not) , by all means.... pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth prior to serving. Chill or serve over ice.

Cheers!


Aunt Melissa