Caramel Apple Cookies

Caramel, dried apples, coloured chocolate chips. I made a basic Tollhouse cookie dough, and then added 1 package of dried apples, chopped, one package of Kraft caramels, cut in half, and one bag of chocolate chips. Bake 350* for about 9 minutes. The caramel begins to run away when they are done. The caramel burns before the cookies do.

Comic Book Enthusiasm

Book page markers, decorative pins for your book bag, and refrigerator magnets.

Towpath Clinton

Happy 10 Year Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Dave and I on ten wonderful years of marriage. In celebration, in addition to taking a week off of work and sharing a new walk location each day, we have been cooking dinner together. Tonight I made petit filet mignon. I started with two fillets, wrapped the outside in two strips of bacon, and secured the meat with a piece of butcher's twine. I made an compound butter with roasted garlic, fox point seasoning, finest herbs seasoning, and fresh ground black pepper and kosher salt flakes. The butter was allowed to chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes until it was firm. To cook the steaks, I preheated the oven to 400*. I used my small cast iron skillet. Generously season both top and bottom of fillets with salt and pepper. In the skillet over medium high heat, melt 4 Tb of butter and 2 Tb olive oil. When melted, add steaks and sear for two to three minutes per side until a crust is formed. I also cooked the bacon exterior in the same way. At this point I added the roasted garlic and mushrooms. Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 6-10 minutes. Steak will be ready when it is approximately 135 degrees in the center, or when you push lightly on the top center of the steak and it gently and slowly bounces back. Watch carefully especially if your steaks are thinner. Top with compound butter

Furnace Run Rock Creek

Wood Hollow Downy Loop

In 2009, a generous yet unexpected gift of 150 acres was made to Summit Metro Parks. Purchases of several adjacent properties brought the park's current size to a little more than 300 acres. It includes the 1.2-mile Downy Loop, with several bridges and boardwalks. The trail's name is a nod to the small woodpeckers that are among the species inhabiting "wood hollows" in the area's beech-maple woods and wetlands.

Silver Creek Phesant Run

Springfield Bog Prarie

Key Cards

Yes, the hotel can tell when you "recycle" your keys at a different hotel.

Veggie Tray

Hummus with zaatar seasoning, snap peas, carrots, provolone stuffed pepper, pickled garlic, and bluecheese stuffed olives.

Vegetable Terrine

1 head of cabbage
2 zucchini
1 head of cauliflower
1/4 C. Parmesan cheese
1/2 Lb asparagus spears
1/2 C. carrots
2 baby eggplant
4 eggs
1/2 C. heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350*. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Salt it and boil several outer leaves of the cabbage for 2 minutes. Remove the leaves and immediately rinse under cold water to set their color. Gently lay flat on tea towels, and pat dry with another towel. They should be completely dry. Butter a glass casserole square. Neatly lay in the cabbage leaves to cover the bottom and sides completely. They should dangle over the sides a bit so that they can be folded over the completed terrine later. Cook the cauliflower, carrots and asparagus one at a time in the same pot of boiling salted water, until very tender. Remove them and immediately rinse in ice-cold water to preserve their color. I grilled my eggplants.
This terrine has five layers, so work one vegetable at a time. First put the cauliflower in the blender with 1/4 cup cream and 1 egg and the Parmesan cheese. Pulse to a smooth puree. Pour into a small bowl and set aside. Rinse the blender and proceed with the remaining vegetables in the same manner, pouring their purees off into bowls and setting aside. Season each mixture with salt and pepper. Do not puree asparagus!
If you pour one mixture on top of the other into the terrine, they will run together, so spoon them in instead. Start with the zucchini, spooning it into the terrine and smoothing it out to the edges. Next, spoon over the cauliflower, followed by the asparagus, carrots, and eggplant. If one leaks through to another layer, fear not: some think it is even more beautiful that way and in any case it will taste delicious. Fold the overhanging cabbage leaves over top to cover. Bake in a water bath until set, one hour.
Remove the terrine from the bath. Let it cool completely on a wire rack, and, if possible, chill in the refrigerator overnight so it sets well. At least half an hour before serving, turn the terrine out onto a cutting board or platter for serving in slices.

English "Muffin"

2 Tb. (natural) peanut butter
1 Tb. unsalted butter
2 Tb. almond flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tb. unsweetened almond milk
1 egg

[recipe] Recipe uses one ramekin (I used a small corning ware round bowl), and a dish or measuring cup to mix ingredients together. After microwaving, I was amazed that it resembled bread. Slicing did indeed reveal English muffin-like nooks and crannies. I toasted it for good measure. It tastes a bit like pb toast. For being gluten-free it had amazing texture.

Dukkah chicken

Sauteed Brussels sprouts with citrus sour cream, jalapeños, and toasted hazelnut topping