Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Curling up with a good book.

Not as comfortable as I thought.

This is more like it.

Some Decorations

Gingerbread Spritz

1 C butter

1/2 C molasses

1/4 C brown sugar

1 egg

1 t vanilla

2 3/4 C flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t nutmeg

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 t salt

1/4 t cloves

1/4 t ginger

In a large bowl mix butter, molasses and brown sugar until completely combined. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.

In another bowl combine remaining ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet, and sprinkle with decorative sugar if desired. Bake for 7 - 8 minutes or until set but not brown.

Makes about 8 dozen small cookies

Cat-Nap Wednesday

The Red Ladder

One of many great stores in Suttons Bay.
Andy

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Pic 1 Katie is in her "baby box" - she's had it since she was a kitten.

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4 Can you tell I startled her?  ;->

Ginger Vegetable (Beef) Stir-Fry

This turned out great. I was able to cook the meat at the end allowing me to take out half of the vegetable mixture for Michele beforehand. (She's vegetarian and I'm an omnivore light . . . on meat.)
Andy


SAUCE

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1 to 2 T minced ginger (we use "the ginger people" and love it)
• 1 T toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
• 1 to 2 T corn starch
• 1 to 2 T honey
• 1/8 to 1/4 t cayenne

For stir-fries, most of the work is prep.

FOR WOK

• peanut oil as needed
• 2 carrots, sliced bite size (on the bias)
• 1 red pepper, chopped bite size
• 1 green pepper, chopped bite size
• 8 green onions, chopped bite size
• 2 cups arugula, chopped bite size
• Optional: 6 oz precooked rare porter house beef; I used a doggy bag from a dinner out! Slice on the bias bite size.

METHOD
Combine and stir the sauce thoroughly in a bowl or 2 cup measuring cup. Keep on hand and make sure to mix again just before adding.

1. Stir-fry in this order:
2. carrots
3. peppers and onions
4. arugula
5. Optional beef

When items are crisp tender, pour on sauce stirring to coat everything evenly. Stir while waiting for it to thicken and then remove once it coats evenly. 


SERVE
Instead of rice, 2 big leaves of shredded/chopped romaine lettuce per serving.

Suttons Bay "Celebrate"

There's nothing that says "Christmas" more than Annette's mistletoe hat!

We attended our community holiday party recently. It's held at our Friendship Community Center and it is 19 years old. It is always worth attending--great food, great charity silent auction, and, most importantly, great people. 
Happy Holidays!
Andy

Even More Decorating

I've had this little guy for as long as I can remember. My Mom did a great job caring for and saving our childhood decorations. I really treasure my, now vintage, (like me) decorations.

I have always loved bottle brush trees!! A good place to purchase bottle brush trees (and lots of other wonderful things) is the "Red Ladder."

Happy decorating to all!

~Michele

More Decorating

Katie is totally bored with the whole decorating thing!

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Hafle, Part II--the Food!

Sambusak

Here are some shots of the food. The original list was suggested and compiled by Doc. And, what a great list it turned out to be! Thanks, Doc! I provide more details on the Halva I made at the end.

Andy

THE LIST

Arak

Baba ghanoush

Baklava

Djaj (chicken) dish

Dolma

Falafel

Fattoush

Ful medames

Gagik (plain yogurt with diced cucumbers and mint leaves)

Ghoraiybah (cookies!)

Halva

Hummus bi tahini

Kefta Kebab

Kibbe

Lentil soup

Maqlouba

Megadarra

Pita bread

Qahoua `Arabiyah (Arabic coffee)

Rice with almonds, saffron, cherries

Sambusak

Shish kebab

Tabbouleh

Dolma

Halva, cut into fudge like chunks.

The halva recipe is here at www.Persian-Recipes.com. The best way I learned to make it was from the video on this post. NOTE: I used butter for my oil, dusted the top with nutmeg, and covered it with crushed pistachios.