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Bought the really really good stuff for Christmas!

Hooty

I went Christmas shopping for the children today. I bought this microwavable owl for the baby. If she doesn't like it, I call "dibs". It smells so good!

Wash Cloth /Pot Holder

Cotton. Versatile. All the cool kids are asking for some this year.

Star Washcloth

Follow this link for the pattern.

Thanksgiving Wontons

3/4 C. lemon juice	1 C. craisins
1 1/2 C. leftover turkey	1 C. prepared stuffing	4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 C. gravy	1 pkg wonton wrappers	3 C. canola oil for frying
2 Tb. minced onion	1 Tb. lime juice	1 tsp. minced jalapenos
1 tsp. minced garlic	1 tsp. water	salt to taste

Pour the lemon juice over the dried cranberries in a bowl; set aside. Mix the turkey, stuffing, cream cheese, and turkey gravy in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined. Place a wonton wrapper on a work surface; spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Moisten two opposite edges of the wrapper with a finger dipped in water, fold the wrapper in half the long way, and press the edges together with a fork. Sprinkle the wrapper with salt. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers. Heat the canola oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat; pan-fry the filled wontons in batches until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain the fried wontons on paper towels; allow to cool for about 5 minutes to set the filling. Drain the lemon juice from the dried cranberries. Place cranberries into a food processor; pulse several times until the cranberries are finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the onion, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and water. Serve with the hot fried wontons.

Turkey

This year we are preparing our turkey with a brine, because all the cool kids are talking about it. Alton Brown made his turkey look the best, so we are going with his recipe. Click for recipe.

Brine	Aromatics
1 cup kosher salt	1 red apple, sliced
1/2 cup light brown sugar	1/2 onion, sliced
1 gallon vegetable stock	1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon black peppercorns	1 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries	4 sprigs rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger	6 leaves sage
1 gallon heavily iced water	Canola oil

Thanksgiving Shrub

I got this delightful combination at the grocery store. It is Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme; all herbs used for poultry. Did I mention how good it smells?!

Sushi Sunday

Spicy crab roll, crab and cream cheese green onion, and avocado asparagus served with shrimp tempura (previously frozen). Yes, I made the sushi all by myself. I'm getting rather good at it.

Seared Tuna

1 package (previously frozen) tuna filets (2 piece)
2 Tb. prepared dijon mustard
2 Tb. honey
2 Tb red vinegar
1 Tb. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 Tb. olive oil

Prepare marinade in square flat ziplock container. Coat fish, snap on lid, refrigerate for 1 hour.  In your heavy skillet, heat 1 Tb. olive oil over medium high heat.  Sear steaks for 3 minutes per side. Use a timer.  Fish will be slightly pink in center when cooked.  I served mine on sushi rice with black sesame seeds, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes.

Winter Hat

Congratulations to Mimi, on completing her first knit item! This lovely hat is part of a winter set. Will it be done in time for the Holidays? What are you planing this year?

Happy Halloween

I know it's a bit late, but the hurricane just ruined everybody's plans. I did dress up at work this year. I wore my dragon horns! *cheep thrills*

Tiramisu Chocolate Cake

Cake	Frosting	Garnish
2 C. cake flour	1 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream, divided	Chocolate bar for shaving
3/4 cup cocoa	1 Tbs. instant espresso powder
1.5 tsp. baking soda	1/3 cup white chocolate, grated	Raspberries - small container
3/4 tsp. salt	1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, room temperature	2 8-ounce containers chilled mascarpone cheese
2 cups golden brown sugar
3 large eggs
1.5 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. buttermilk

4 tsp. instant espresso powder dissolved in 3/4 cup hot water



Frosting:
Bring 1 cup cream to boil in small saucepan. Slowly pour cream over espresso, whisking until espresso is dissolved. Add grated white chocolate and stir until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the whipping cream and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours. Can be made one day ahead; cover and keep chilled. Add mascarpone to chilled mixture; Using electric mixer; beat on low speed until blended and smooth. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until mixture is thick and medium-firm peaks form when beaters are lifted, about 2 minutes (do not overbeat or mixture will curdle).
Full Recipe

Baaackpaaaack

I still have to sew a face on it, but this is a sheep back pack.  It is roughly big enough to hold a large bag of mms.
Look here for best instructions on creating loop stitches. Click here for Ravelry pattern

Ravioli

1 bag frozen ravioli
1 real tomato, diced
1 small can crushed tomatoes
1 small can artichokes
1 scoop assorted olives ,sliced.
.
Cook ravioli.  Saute artichokes, tomato, and olives in olive oil over medium heat.  Add crushed tomatoes and heat until barely warm.  Ready in 10 minutes. And fresh herbs are always good on top