Mushroom Update

MUSHROOM FARM
Tuesday	Wednesday	Wednesday Night
Thursday	Thursday night	Friday
Friday night	Saturday

Mushrooms were planted on Friday, and began to grow on Tuesday. Quick results. They are not mature yet, but they are growing very quickly. I give them more water than the package recommends, but multiple reviews on line lead me to believe 1 tsp. a day was not enough to allow them to thrive. So far, it's all good.

I harvested the mushrooms on Monday, and made cheese steak mushroom sandwiches. It was awesome.

Blueberry muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

Streusel Topping
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or vegetable oil, or line with paper muffin liners. Prepare streusel topping and set aside. (Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. Add oil and mix until mixture has a sandy texture.) In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla and milk. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in blueberries. Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle muffins with streusel topping. Bake at 350º for 20 to 25 min, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. When muffins are done, cool for a few minutes in the muffin pan before removing to cool on a wire rack.

Steak Gorgonzola

Saute 1/2 small minced red onion, with 2 tsp. sun dried tomatoes in olive oil until onion is transparent. Add one can well drained artichoke hearts, 4 Tb Gorgonzola cheese, and 3 Tb. milk. Heat until warm then use it top top pasta. Arrange steak pieces on top of sauced pasta, sprinkle with additional cheese for garnish, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Grow Your Own Mushrooms

THIS is exciting, yes?! I was at home depot today and saw a grow your own mushroom kit.  In theory you can grow three pounds of oyster mushrooms on your counter tops.  Step one: remove flap on front of carton.  Step two: cut an x in the plastic inside.  Step three: soak the block of oyster dirt for 8 hours, then put back in carton.  Then just sit back for 10 to 14 days and wait for your mushrooms to grow.  I am soaking my dirt right now. I will be sure to let you know if everyone is getting one of these for Christmas.

Doll Bedding

I have been diligently working on doll bedding for my smallest cousin.  Her American Girl Doll is getting an upgrade.  This luxury bedding assortment includes a pink fitted and flat sheet, blue security blanket with white satin band, white summer comforter with aqua band, and quilt of many colors.  The pillows come in foam (Mr. Clean eraser), memory beads, and poly-fill.

iPod cozy

I knit an iPod cozy to match my sheepy back pack. Joy!

Mango Salsa

1 ripe mango
1/2 red bell pepper
1 shallot
4 Tbs. fresh chopped cilantro
juice and zest of 1 lime
sea salt

Finely dice mango, pepper and shallot. Combine all ingredients and season with sea salt to your taste. Allow flavors to meld together for at least 30 minutes. This can be made in advance as the longer it sits, the better it gets, up to 3 days.

Coconut Crusted Tilapia

4 tilapia fillets	pinch of cumin	pinch coriander
sprinkle of sea salt	1/4 c flour	1 egg
splash of milk	1 C panko bread crumbs	1 c coconut flakes
2-3 T coconut oil	lime

Season fish with a light dusting of spices and a generous sprinkle of sea salt. Prepare a breading station for fish by lining up 3 bowls. In the first, put the flour. In the second, whisk together the egg and milk. In the third, mix the coconut and panko crumbs. Dip each fillet into the three bowls in this order: flour, egg bath, coconut and panko crumbs. Coat well. Heat oil in frying pan over a medium high flame. When hot add the fish. Turn fish when the flakes start to brown, about 2 minutes. Repeat on the second side. Carefully poke fish with a knife to make sure the center is cooked. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve immediately with lime wedges and Mango Salsa.

Ravioli

Frozen ravioli, sprinkled with Italian cheese, pepper, and parsley. Served with French bread.

Lemonade

Glass rimmed with pink sugar. Crystal Light lemonade, blood oranges, and vodka.

Pink Paphiopedilum