Home And Garden

[Pookie]

Hi folks!
Let's post some good recipes and how-to stuff around the house and yard. You do-it-yourselfers, let's share your secrets to fixing stuff and improving things. You cooks, let's see your recipes. Also, it would be great if you folks with children and a busy schedule would post time-saving tips. So let's see what you got!
Purrs,
Pookie

[Pookie]

Cool! I have to show this to my hubby -- he'll love it, thank you!

I have to do the fixit thing here LOL! The best weapons against plumbing problems are a pipe snake and a toilet snake. You can get these fairly cheaply at Lowe's, Home Depot, or a hardware store. These will save you TONS on plumber's bills.
Purrs,
Pookie

[Keith Hamburger]

Cool! I have to show this to my hubby -- he'll love it, thank you!

I have to do the fixit thing here LOL! The best weapons against plumbing problems are a pipe snake and a toilet snake. You can get these fairly cheaply at Lowe's, Home Depot, or a hardware store. These will save you TONS on plumber's bills.
Purrs,
Pookie


If you have fairly significant problems, a power drain cleaner is available for $190-250 (depending on whether you can find it on sale) at Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46769). I have a rental property with significant plumbing problems and buying this thing is cheaper than hiring a service.

Actually, I bought the step up version (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96563) for about $300. Having a service come out was running me about $400 a visit.

Keith

[Buck Laser]

I think I could find some recipes for children...:clapper:

Well, not really. But our five grandchildren love to come over, and we do get to see them frequently. They all love to be with grandmama, and there's a couple of things each one likes do do with me. The 4 year old wants to sword fight; the 7 year old has been interested in my rock tumbler for years; the 9 year old loves to discuss math and music with me, and have me give him challenges. The 11 year old thinks she wants to study physics, so we talk about what physicists do. The 14 year old is interested in family stories, the wilder the better. Her favorite is the one about how my uncle went off and joined Pancho Villa's raiders.

The greatest joy of my life is having real relationships with those kids. My grandparents were stuffy and grouchy. I don't have to worry about getting grouchy with my kids because I can take out my grouchiness on the people in DF.

[Pookie]

LOL Buck, and great idea there, Keith!
Having real relationships with your grandchildren gives them joyous memories that last with them long after you've passed. What a beautiful gift!
Luckily for us, Keith, we don't have really significant plumbing problems.
My Mom-In-Law is a landlady to many high-dollar apartments, and HEY! Ladies, never, ever flush tampons down the toilet, especially if you're on a septic system!
Purrs,
Pookie

[Go Fish]

Well, if you ever DO have serious plumbing problems, I can work you up some plans for a really nice indoor water feature. A nice waterfall, a fountain, aquatic plants, etc...

[lily]

Well, not really. But our five grandchildren love to come over, and we do get to see them frequently.

My husband and I were just talking this morning how lucky we are that our grandkids like to come over here. We both have bad memories of having to go to our grandparents house as kids. As a matter of fact, I've told mine many times I live too close.....I'm going to move to Florida.......my response was I was going to be doing a lot of driving.:lmao:

They all love to be with grandmama, and there's a couple of things each one likes do do with me. The 4 year old wants to sword fight;

At 13 and 14 mine still do every Christmas with the cardboards from the wrapping paper.

Ok.......this is helpful hints......so I just had my rant in the rant thread about this lousy winter weather. I'm running out of rib sticking comfort food. I've already done turkey twice, vegetable soup, a roast yesterday, pasty and chili last week I'm running out of ideas.

[preservanation]

"Texas Cowboy Speed-Bump Chili"

Ingredients:
2 large- Live Armadillos
2 1/2#- Carrots
2 1/2#-Celery
5#-White Onion
3#-Kidney Beans
2 Cs-Lone Star Beer.

Method:
1) Feed the onions, celery, carrots and beans to armadillos.
2) Drink the beer.

Feeds:
2ea- Cowboys.
2ea- Armadillos

[Pookie]

I can't get armadilloes here. Would opossum work? After all, armadilloes are just armor-plated opossums.
Purrs,
Pookie

[preservanation]

Opossums?
Oplease!

[Pookie]

Okay, fine. I was using proper English. I may live in the South but I am literate.
Possums!
LOL!
Purrs,
Pookie

[potter]

I've got some good advice on re-finishing those nasty old hardwood floors.


1 - Hire movers to haul out the furnature.

2 - Hire someone to re-finish the floors while you stay in a nice hotel.

3 - Hire someone to move the stuff back in.

* Be sure to hire local independents

[preservanation]

Best advice of the day, potter!
LOL

[Keith Hamburger]

I've got some good advice on re-finishing those nasty old hardwood floors.

Having done that one myself, I may well endorse this advice.

Keith

[KBKJ]

I live with this guy who makes sheppards pie with creamed corn.....I have always had it with green beans and he tells me he has never heard of using any other veggie but corn. The way he makes it is very good though. He says maybe it's a new england thing...I don't know!

[potter]

MMmmmm Pookie the chicken casserole sounds really good and chicken was on sale this week. I never was much for potato soup, but now that I can't eat too many of them, oddly I crave it. I don't think there is anything better than a hot bowl of soup and some homemade bread to warm you up.



Preparation:
Mix hamburger and gravy, seasoning to taste and layer on bottom
next the corn
top with the potatoes
sprinkle with cheese
Serves 4-6.

You stole my sheppards pie recipe that I was going to post and you made it wrong!!!!

Shepherd's Pie:
1-2 lbs browned hamburger meat
1 can green beans, drained
1 Family size can cream of mushroom soup

Mix all these together and layer the potatos on the top.
instant potatoes prepared add 2-3 slices of American cheese to the instant potatoes for 4-6 people

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.



I like the corn version better...it makes my poo more colorful..... :dork:

[lily]

Potter......you need a hobby!

[sam]

Pookie, those sound delicious. I'm a big fan of Campbells cream soups as ingredients to casseroles; definately going to try the chicken and dressing recipe.

I do have a helpful hint for people with dogs who get caught in the rain (that wonderful wet doggy smell we all love as much as doggy breath).

Rub dryer sheets over them to absorb the moisture and odor. Works like a charm!!!!

[Pookie]

Oh, no, Lilly, it's not gross, my Mom made that!
It's yummy!
She added chives and sage.
Purrs,
Pookie

[DamnYankee]

For you gardeners...

Put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on your plants to control pests.
Use left over veggie matter, coffee grounds, egg shells, to put in your compost.
Use those egg cartons to germinate your garden seeds. Then compost them.
Re-use milk cartons to protect your garden plants.
Use two liter bottles to water plants by poking a small hole in the bottom, fill it with water, and place it near the plant.
Fashion aluminum cans into noise makers to keep wildlife out of the garden.
Use a drip system to conserve water/collect rain water for garden/animal use.
Use newspaper (two sheets) for a temporary weed barrier. Newspaper will decompose and worms love it. It wont hurt the soil so turn with a shovel whenever you want.

Happy gardening.

[lily]

I've heard of all of those, except for the newpaper.......what a great idea!

Mint will also keep the cats away and marigolds the bugs.

[sam]

I didnt know about the vinegar; what a great healp that will be. I like the two liter bottle with a hole poked in the bottom for watering too.

Thanks DY!!!

[DamnYankee]

I didnt know about the vinegar; what a great healp that will be. I like the two liter bottle with a hole poked in the bottom for watering too.

Thanks DY!!!

Here's another idea for two liter bottles. Around here we have pesky yellow jackets locally known as "meat bees." They're actually a wasp. But they forage for decomposing meat and make their nests in the ground. Use a 2 liter bottle by carving out about four small holes 1/4 inch diameter. Drop in the bottle a spoon full of tuna, put the lid on it and set it outside where people don't frequent. The wasps smell the tuna, go in the holes, and don't get out. It beats buying $6 commercially made traps w/ attractant.

[Pookie]

Hey, that works! Thanks, DY!
Purrs,
Pookie

[sam]

I love to work in the gardens outside but get bitten regardless of what insect repellent I literally slather on my body. I have at least 40 different ITCHY bites at the moment.

They must prefer my blood type, they dont seem to bother my husband that much.
Does anyone know of any homestyle remedies that are effective or a new repellent on the market? I've been through most that are currently available.

[tecoyah]

I always used fresh laurel leaves, broken and rubbed on my skin when climbing...it was very effective and smelled quite nice.

[potter]

Here's another idea for two liter bottles. Around here we have pesky yellow jackets locally known as "meat bees." They're actually a wasp. But they forage for decomposing meat and make their nests in the ground. Use a 2 liter bottle by carving out about four small holes 1/4 inch diameter. Drop in the bottle a spoon full of tuna, put the lid on it and set it outside where people don't frequent. The wasps smell the tuna, go in the holes, and don't get out. It beats buying $6 commercially made traps w/ attractant.


I assume you would only do this if the yellow jackets have become a threat...right? You don't do this just to be killing Yellow Jackets?

[DamnYankee]

I assume you would only do this if the yellow jackets have become a threat...right? You don't do this just to be killing Yellow Jackets?

I am allergic to insect stings and although the species of yellow jackets I am referring to is beneficial in nature, they are very aggressive when you are out there BBQing or trying to enjoy a nice piece of fruit, which they also regard as "their food."

Ideally in mid spring when the weather warms the queens come out of hibernation and seek a nesting site. That is when you set out traps. This helps to reduce the population. So to answer your question, yes, I kill them just to kill them. They nest in the ground so during summer, one can unwittingly step too close to the nest and get the whole colony pissed off.

[DamnYankee]

I love to work in the gardens outside but get bitten regardless of what insect repellent I literally slather on my body. I have at least 40 different ITCHY bites at the moment.

I heard if you eat plenty of garlic it helps.

I also heard by planting Lavender around the upwind side of the garden helps as well. I haven't tried it, or done any research on it.

[Pookie]

It's an Aga range, and I want one in blue!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/PookNSaav/aga_legacy_44.jpg

All the neat Aga stuff can be found here (http://www.eurostoves.com/index.html). Man, some of this stuff is way cool!
And horribly expensive!

[DamnYankee]

We (4 of us) were raised by depression era Okie parents. Very few things were wasted in our home. Here's a little trick my mother used to do for a rainy day when the family budget was tight.

Take your used bars of bath soap when they are too small to be handled. Let them dry out and then take an old cheese grater or spice grater and shave the soap into or as close to a powder as you can get.

Now use this soap to wash your gardening clothes and/or towels in the washer. Only wash things that aren't important, like your grubbies, socks maybe or what have you.

This will extend the life and cost of laundry detergent.

Note: You want the soap as fine as possible so it will dissolve in the water.

Also consider line drying your clothes. It saves on drying cost by not using your dryer. I especially do this with bath and kitchen towels which seem to take the longest to dry in the dryer.

[Pookie]

That works, DY!! I have always done that. Only I mix it in with laundry detergent and use a LOT less. Plus, we have very soft water here so a little bit of soap goes a loooong way!
Purrs,
Pookie

[lily]

Also consider line drying your clothes. It saves on drying cost by not using your dryer. I especially do this with bath and kitchen towels which seem to take the longest to dry in the dryer.

Line drying also makes your towels more absorbent.

[Pookie]

Yep!! It sure does. I love it.
Purrs,
Pookie

[DamnYankee]

Yep!! It sure does. I love it.
Purrs,
Pookie

I think they smell better too.

My mom used to make a meal out of eggs, flour, water, onions, and a little salt and pepper. If we were lucky she would throw in a potato. It's a kind of soup she would make mostly in winter time. Man, I haven't had that in many, many years.

[Pookie]

Did you ever get her recipe for that?
Purrs,
Pookie

[lily]

Hey........my mom made that with chicken broth. Small world!

[Pookie]

Hey!! Guess what!! I tried that last night! I used beef broth and spiced it up with minced garlic, seasoned pepper, chives, a bay leaf, Italian seasoning, and added cut-up pieces of a sirloin steak. Also added cut-up carrots and what it turned out to be was a very thick, hearty beef stew/soup that we had third helpings of.
Then I was too stuffed to get away from the kitchen table. That is really, REALLY filling!
Thanks, DY. And Lily, I'm going to try this again with your idea of chicken broth and some cut-up leftover chicken the next time I do chicken.
Thanks!
***Burrrpp***
Purrs,
Pookie

PS. We're having it again tonight, hopefully to finish up the pot.

[lily]

That sounds really good and hearty.

I don't know about Yankee, but from reading his post, it sounded to me like he was somewhat like I was when growing up. Meat in the soup would have been a treat!

Of course back in the day, we didn't eat meat on Friday, and that inculded meat broth. We also had one other day of the week that was a meatless day, so the broth would have been left over from something my mom made with the chicken the day before.

[Pookie]

Yes! It was a treat to us, with trying a new recipe and all.
I grew up in the 60's and my parents did pretty well. We never did without, but later, as I was struggling, I found ways to feed my daughter and me.
Now that I have been through that, I am a butt about saving and scrimping. That's why I tried DY's recipe with a few changes.
And now, tonight, the smell of it heating up in the house is making hubby's mouth water, he wants it ready ASAP. Me too. This is so delicious, and we appreciate this so much.
Thank you, DY, and thank you Lily for the idea of it working with chicken.
Purrs,
A Happy and Well-Fed Pookie

[Pookie]

I think it's a plum dumpling...geez, it's been years since I was in Germany but isn't that a plum dumpling dish?
Purrs,
Pookie

[lily]

No, it's pure starch. Made with stale bread, some grated potato and boiled in water. mmmmmmmmmmm

[Pookie]

Wow...you could add a lot of stuff to that. Got any measurements on that?
Purrs,
Pookie

[DamnYankee]

Yer welcome, pook! Don't blame me if the ol' arteries harden. It's a wonder I am still alive. Everything was either deep fried, or fried. In lard.

[Pookie]

Oh, DY, it was so good that I brought two bowls into work, one for me, and one for a co-worker, and he LOVED it, demanded the recipe right then and there, LOL! Also, two other co-workers got spoons and tasted it, and so I sent the recipe to all three of them by email.
Thanks so much, again. Our arteries are probably going to harden anyway, so this really won't make a difference, LOL!
Happy purrs,
Pookie

[lily]

Wow...you could add a lot of stuff to that. Got any measurements on that?
Purrs,
Pookie


It's served the first day with stew meat and gravy poured over the top, then next day fried up in butter......oddly it tastes totally different fried than cut up with gravy. As for measurements......alas, no. It's something that was passed down and it's done by feel, if you know what I mean?

[Pookie]

Hmmm. Well, you've given a lot of clues and all already, so I can probably figure that out. I'll let you know when I do!
Thanks you guys. Lily, that is my next "experiment."
Thank you all for contributing to this thread. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate all of you.
Grateful purrs,
Pookie

[Pookie]

I'm going to try that! That sounds great, and I loooooove fried chicken!
Thanks, NIOSA, and welcome to the best place on the Net.
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

ya like fried taters too, cornbread? :)

[Pookie]

Oooooh yes! Got any neat recipes for those?
And oh, do you have a crockpot?
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

My recipe for stewed possum. (road kill)

Git yer gun, find a big ol fat'un & shoot it, or yer cood trap it.
skin thet suckah & take it's innurds out, warsh it reel gu'ud.
put it in a big ol pot (cast arn dutch uven ar the best)
bile it slo fer an air then thro in sum taters, caruts, ununs, salt n'peppah.
kivver it n'bile thet slo fer about 3 airs.
thet sum gu'ud eetun raght thar.

[NIOSA]

Pookie-I've been waitin for two days for that crock pot recipe. I'm starvin heah.

[NIOSA]

OMG!! That's too funny!!

Sorry! Okay, here goes:

My famous Roaste Beaste:


Crock Pot Roast Beef

3-4 lb. thawed, boneless roast
1 pkg. au jus gravy mix (about 1 oz)
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix (1/2 ounce)
1 (10.5 oz.) can beef broth
1/2 soup can water
Place roast in Crock Pot. Combine sauce and pour over beef: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

I swear, you'll love it!

Purrs,
Pookie


Jest in the nick of time too, ah wuz down to cheeun on mah nuckles.

That sounds delicious & I shall try that on Monday. Thanks Pookie. :)

My next recipe will be beef wellington or chateau brigone. You choose.

[Pookie]

Both!! Do you do casseroles?
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Both!! Do you do casseroles?
Purrs,
Pookie

I love casseroles, easy & not much mess.
Got some good recipes?

[Pookie]

Oh, my friend, I'm off tomorrow and hubby will love this. Wow, that sounds so tasty! I have everything for it except the puff pastry but I'll run out and get it. That recipe is making my mouth water. If I didn't have roasted chicken tonight, I would do it tonight.

NIOSA, dear, you are one hell of a cook. May I please copy your recipes and put them on my kitchen laptop?
Purrs,
Pookie

[lily]

Beef Wellington

Depending on how many servings you'll need, but usually half a pound of meat per serving is more than sufficient. The recipe I'm going to give will feed four.

2 pound beef tenderloin, leave in one piece.
I sleeve of puff pastry. (I buy Pepperidge Farm frozen puff pastyr sheets, it's easy & delicious. Making home made puff pastry is an all day job & really tricky))
1 pound of mushrooms (whatever kind you like.
Minced garlic

Before you start with the meat, thaw the pastry.
Sautee mushrooms in a little butter & garlic (minced is beat), till soft, sautee fairly slowly.
Put mushrooms & garlic mixture in a blender or food processor till it turns to a paste, a few small lumps is ok, good, really.
Set aside.
Depending on how you want the beef cooked, rare, medium, however, braise the tenderloin on fairly high heat until brown on all sides. If you want the beef well done, cook longer, for medium, not so long, etc.
Let beef cool until you can handle it, allowing the juices to drain a bit.
WHile you're waiting for the beef to cool off, roll out the puff pastry on a very lightly floured board. Place beef in center of pastry, spread the mushroom mixture over the top of the beef, roll the pastry around, close ends, leaving a little breathing room. make an egg wash, (1 beaten egg) brush egg on top of pastry. Pop in a 375 degree oven, bake till a beautiful golden brown.
Slice into four pieces, eat & enjoy.


All the cooking shows make beef wellington. I've always wanted to try it, but every recepie I've read puts it in the hard to do category........thanks NIOSA!

[NIOSA]

All the cooking shows make beef wellington. I've always wanted to try it, but every recepie I've read puts it in the hard to do category........thanks NIOSA!

It defenitely is not hard to do, some chefs like to make things look hard. :) Fried chicken is a whole lot harder.

[NIOSA]

Oh, my friend, I'm off tomorrow and hubby will love this. Wow, that sounds so tasty! I have everything for it except the puff pastry but I'll run out and get it. That recipe is making my mouth water. If I didn't have roasted chicken tonight, I would do it tonight.

NIOSA, dear, you are one hell of a cook. May I please copy your recipes and put them on my kitchen laptop?
Purrs,
Pookie

Lordy yes you can put them in your lap top. :)

[NIOSA]

And this is a real yummy casserole:

Sage Sausage and Wild Rice Casserole

1 lb. extra sage sausage (you can use regular sausage and dump rubbed sage into it while browning)
1/4 c. self-rising flour
1 can (10 1/2 oz) chicken broth, plus 1 can water
Pinch each of ground oregano, thyme, marjoram (I use a tsp of each)
1box (6 oz) wild rice (Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice works best)
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1/2 tbsp. salt (I use sea salt)
1/8 tsp. pepper (I use seasoned pepper)
4 oz. slivered almonds
Saute sausage and drain. While sausage is cooking, cook wild rice as directed on box. Combine flour and evaporated milk in a medium pot and stir until smooth. Add chicken broth and cook over low heat until thick. Add salt, pepper and spices. Combine with cooked wild rice and sausage. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with almonds. Cook, uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly and brown.

I also sprinkle with Parmeson and Romano cheese, and the last minute, I usually spread the top with sliced Swiss cheese, and it melts.

This is a hit at our house LOL!
Purrs,
Pookie

I didn't further than "sage sausage & wild rice" before I knew I'd love it. Thanks. :)

[lily]

Tahnks Pookie, that sounds like a budget meal too.

NIOSA

Fried chicken is a whole lot harder.

I haven't actually fired chicken in ages. No one here likes the skin except for me, so baking is the way I have to go.......speaking of which......skinless, bonless chicken breasts, pounded out until thin, stove top in the middle and wrap it up and cook with some canned gavey.......easy, fast and good.

[NIOSA]

Tahnks Pookie, that sounds like a budget meal too.



I haven't actually fired chicken in ages. No one here likes the skin except for me, so baking is the way I have to go.......speaking of which......skinless, bonless chicken breasts, pounded out until thin, stove top in the middle and wrap it up and cook with some canned gavey.......easy, fast and good.

That sounds good.
As long as you're pounding out the chix breast until it's thin, wanna recipe for Chicken cour don bleu? ANother "hard one" made easy. :)

[Pookie]

Thank you for allowiing me to copy these to my kitchen laptop. Woooo Lily! Excellent! I wrap the chicken (after cooking) up with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced tomatos (out of my garden this time of year) and just bake it at 350 until the cheese starts to melt.
It's delicious! I served it with artichokes and fresh asparagus. I ate so much I passed out on the couch for 15 minutes LOL!!
Purrs,
Pookie

[Pookie]

Chicken Cor Don Bleu

Pound out boneless/skinless chicken breast till just before they disintegrate. You have to be able to handle them. lol
Put sliced ham & sliced cheese, (any kind of cheese you like so long as it will melt)
Roll the chicken up into as neat a roll as you can, put a couple of toothpicks in the seam.
Follw the fried chicken recipe, only this one is deep fried. Once the chicken is a golden brown, remove, check doneness with meat thermoneter, drain on paper towels. If the chicken isn't quits as done as you like, it can be put in the microwave for a couple of minutes. This can be served with a cheese sauce or just as is. Don't forget to remove the toothpicks before serving. Yikes!

One of our best friends in England was a chef, he trained at the Culinary Institute of America in NY. He geve me all these recipes, even showed me how to cook them over time, & told me that many chefs are prima donnas & like to whine about how hard these foods are to prepare. :D

LOL! Perfect. I am gonna try that for sure! Thank you so very much!
My hubby loves chicken!
Hungry purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Thank you for allowiing me to copy these to my kitchen laptop. Woooo Lily! Excellent! I wrap the chicken (after cooking) up with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced tomatos (out of my garden this time of year) and just bake it at 350 until the cheese starts to melt.
It's delicious! I served it with artichokes and fresh asparagus. I ate so much I passed out on the couch for 15 minutes LOL!!
Purrs,
Pookie

I can't claim authorship Pookie, just passing the recipes on from a dear friend, even though the recipes are tried & true.. :)

[Pookie]

Geez, girl, you've given Lily and me some fantastic ideas. Sometimes we get into a rut with jobs, everyday stuff, and the usual. It is great to have new recipes! Keep em coming!
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Next will be some veggies, not just any ol veggies, but loaded with fat, lip smackin gu'd'uns. lol

[potter]

Do you clean out just the seeds or all the innards?

[NIOSA]

Do you clean out just the seeds or all the innards?

Just the seeds & the stringy stuff.

[potter]

I've fixed it like that too, & it is yummy.
Another way is to fill the squash with cheese & bake, that's good too.
Oh, & yes, cutting a bit off the ends so they'll set flat is something I forgot to mention. thanks. :)


Cheese? Never heard of that....sounds....ummmmm...strange.....

[NIOSA]

Cheese? Never heard of that....sounds....ummmmm...strange.....

Try it, if you like cheese.

[potter]

A little hint my mother gave me, to get canned green beans to taste like fresh ones is to chop up about a tsp of onion real fine & cook with the green beans.
And a bit of chopped bacon is good too :)

[potter]

Try it, if you like cheese.


Yea, I like cheese....just not so sure about the cheese and squash combo.....

[NIOSA]

And a bit of chopped bacon is good too :)

You bet'cha. Actually, I use bacon drippings, (I always save them, freeze them in an old ice cube thingy) I also use any left over ham I have frozen to cook with the beans. i cook the beans long & slow.

[potter]

You bet'cha. Actually, I use bacon drippings, (I always save them, freeze them in an old ice cube thingy) I also use any left over ham I have frozen to cook with the beans. i cook the beans long & slow.


Mmmmmmmm...thew missus makes killer ham and beans when when puts her mind to it.

[NIOSA]

Yea, I like cheese....just not so sure about the cheese and squash combo.....

& you won't know unless you try it. :)

[NIOSA]

Mmmmmmmm...thew missus makes killer ham and beans when when puts her mind to it.

Another favorite of mine. That's good eatin. :) (dry beans, right?)
I soak the dry beans, (navy, great northers, pinto) overnight with about a talbespoon of baking soda. Rinse them real well & cook them. they'll cook in about half the time.

[potter]

Another favorite of mine. That's good eatin. :) (dry beans, right?)
I soak the dry beans, (navy, great northers, pinto) overnight with about a talbespoon of baking soda. Rinse them real well & cook them. they'll cook in about half the time.


That's how she does it too, then she adds onions, lots o' ham, and about two sticks of butter.....

[NIOSA]

That's how she does it too, then she adds onions, lots o' ham, and about two sticks of butter.....

Now that's cookin, all the fat we can get. :D I've never added butter, I'll have to try that. My sister-in-law pours off most of the water about the last half hour & cooks the beans in chicken stock. I haven't tried that either but she says it's really good.

[DamnYankee]

Well. Crap.

The 100+ temps over the last few days have destroyed half my sweet corn crop.

I'm thinking of trying to grow hops. A little barley maybe? Get my drift?

[NIOSA]

I know you aren't going to make beer. :D
Corn is measured in gallons in my neck of the woods.

[NIOSA]

There's some nice recipes on White Trash Recipes. Stuff like fried mashed potato sandwich, porcuppine balls, neat stuff. Talk about comfort foods.

[Pookie]

Porcupine balls? Oh my! I have to see that!
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Porcupine balls? Oh my! I have to see that!
Purrs,
Pookie

When my husband was in Thailland he told about "monkey balls on a stick". LOL
It's ground beef mixed up with different ingredients, made into meatballs, put on a skewer & grilled. He said they're delicious.

[Pookie]

Okay, I was thinking more in the line of Rocky Mountain oysters. Ew!
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Okay, I was thinking more in the line of Rocky Mountain oysters. Ew!
Purrs,
Pookie

"Ew" is right. ugh.

[Pookie]

I actually tried one once. I had no idea what it was, and when I found out, holy crap!
They taste weird, and they're mushy.
Needless to say, I never had one again. Gaaaahhhhh!
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Ya like sauer kraut & pork Pookie?

[Stoner]

Where's the hydroponics section?

BTW...why in the hell is Pookie not a mod?!?! Who do I have to rough up.

I'm going to go pass out now.

Out.

[Pookie]

Not really, Niosa, but if you got recipes, I have a zillion friends who would love those. Post em, and I'll copy them and print them out for them if you don't mind.
LOL Stoner! Thanks. You're lucky I'm not a mod. I'd have banned myself years ago!
Purrs,
Pookie

[Pookie]

Hey, Stoner, if you want to post about hydroponics here, be my guest! Please do!
Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Take on a mod job??? :shock: That has to be the job from hell!!

[AnnEsthesia]

Where's the hydroponics section?

BTW...why in the hell is Pookie not a mod?!?! Who do I have to rough up.

I'm going to go pass out now.

Out.

She is not a mod because lily would have to kill her to keep her status as the female mod with the most rep points.

[Pookie]

Oooooooo, thanks, Niosa! I made 8 copies, and emailed it to four people. Thank you so much! Keep those recipes coming, honey, I appreciate it so much!

LOL AnnE! Even if I was a mod, Lily rules. I think she is wonderful. I bow and scrape to Lily.

LOL Niosa! I was a SuperMod in another forum, and believe me, this place is a cake walk compared to that place. That place is a sewer. This would be a breeze.

Purrs,
Pookie

[NIOSA]

Oooooooo, thanks, Niosa! I made 8 copies, and emailed it to four people. Thank you so much! Keep those recipes coming, honey, I appreciate it so much!

LOL AnnE! Even if I was a mod, Lily rules. I think she is wonderful. I bow and scrape to Lily.

LOL Niosa! I was a SuperMod in another forum, and believe me, this place is a cake walk compared to that place. That place is a sewer. This would be a breeze.

Purrs,
Pookie

Yeah, this place is pretty tame compared to some. I like it. :)
Don't get me wrong, I can give as good as I get & my fingers can get away from me, but ah'm a nice old southern woman iffin ah'm not attacked personally. :D
I still wouldn't want a mod job cause I'm not sure that I could be fair....I might even be vindictive, which I have seen happen with mods on other sites, but have not seen that here. I know my weaknesses & strengths & own up to them, so, I'll jusr sit on the sidelines & let others do the hard work. :embarrased: Besides, ah'm retired. :D

[sam]

Okay, summer is pretty much over, grilling and fresh corn on the cob have pretty much worn themselves out..........how about some nice cold weather recipes?

Soups, pasta, crockpot? (God bless the inventor of the crockpot. It is a lifesaver for those who are cooking impaired).

[sam]

I've never tried pork shoulder but I like all the spices and the apple flavoring. I think I'll give it a try in the crockpot. Once the grill is closed up for the winter I cook all meats in the crockpot for the tenderness.

[Easy90]

I don't think a crockpot is hot enough for that particular recipe Sam. I have cooked bbq pork shoulder in a crockpot...but it takes about 24 hrs, not 4. This one is faster, and IMHO...tastes better. As for tender...it literally is fork shreadable. Falls off the bone.

[lily]

Sure fire cure for hic~ups........teaspoon of peanut butter........works every time. Stops them imeadetly

[Pookie]

Really? Wow! I didn't know that. Thanks!
Purrs,
Pookie

[Pookie]

What's for supper tonight, y'all? Here, it's miserable and yucky outside, so homemade chicken soup and cornbread is on the menu.
Dinner's at 7:30 EST. Got plenty for everyone.
Purrs,
Pookie

[sam]

I dont eat dinners on Fridays; I instituted Cardiac Arrest Friday Lunch day at work..........For me, its the only meal of the week where I can eat anything, regardless of how unhealthy it is...........take out, fried chicken, bacon and eggs, etc. There are 6 other women in the office and we start the "what are you in the mood for around 10.

today we went Italian. I had spaghetti Chitarra which is spaghetti with basil and extra mozzarella and garlic bread. (You paying attention ECW?) Some had veal parmigian,
baked ziti, cheesesteak subs...........pasta faglio soup......

I'm a huge soup fan in the winter. Its rainy and yucky here too. And very dark.
Pookie, do you have a good recipe for cabbage soup? I've never tried it, but heard it is supposed to be relatively easy to make and quite tasty.

[Pookie]

Hmmmmm....I found this one I tried about a year ago, and it was great!

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
a big pinch of salt
1/2 pound potatoes, skin on, cut 1/4-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cups stock (see head notes)
1 1/2 cups white beans, precooked or canned (drained & rinsed well)
1/2 medium cabbage, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch ribbons
more good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Warm the olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the salt and potatoes. Cover and cook until they are a bit tender and starting to brown a bit, about 5 minutes - it's o.k. to uncover to stir a couple times. Stir in the garlic and onion and cook for another minute or two. Add the stock and the beans and bring the pot to a simmer. Stir in the cabbage and cook for a couple more minutes, until the cabbage softens up a bit. Now adjust the seasoning - getting the seasoning right is important or your soup will taste flat and uninteresting. Taste and add more salt if needed, the amount of salt you will need to add will depend on how salty your stock is (varying widely between brands, homemade, etc)...
Serve drizzled with a bit of olive oil and a generous dusting of cheese.

Purrs,
Pookie