Myths, Emails and Bananas

I’m participating in the iPPP link up that Liz and KLZ host.

My Mother likes to forward chain(ish) e-mails to me.
I’m sure many Mothers do.
Recently, my Mother forwarded one to me titled “Clever ideas at home worth knowing”.
Sounds interesting right? I believe it to be full of myths.

So, I’m testing the “Clever Ideas”.

First up.

 

Take bananas apart at home.
They ripen faster if left connected.

So, I bought a bunch of bananas on Thursday.
I separated half of them and left the rest bunched.

I took pictures 3 days in to the experiment. Notice I am 1 banana short. My assistant got hungry.

I took pictures this morning. At day 5, the bananas that are bunched look the same as the un bunched ones.

Do un-bunched bananas keep better? I’d say there is no difference between bunched or un-bunched (except the counter top space they hog)

What myths have you heard about food or home related items?

Deep Fried Avocado

I’m southern. You knew that, right? So, it should not surprise you to know that I like to experiment with deep frying things.

I’ve had deep fried avocados at On The Border (a Mexican food restaurant) near me. They’re tasty, greasy, crispy goodness.

I wanted to “try” to make them healthier at home.

1. Take 1 Avocado.
2. Slice it.
3. Dredge it in whole wheat flour mixed with a tsp of salt and a tsp of pepper.
4. Place the slices into pre-heated oil. I used canola oil.
5. Allow to cook until nice and crispy.

Serve with salsa or ranch.

My kids are giving up Gambling, for Lent.

Kiddy Gambling

My kids are addicted to gambling. They don’t consider it gambling, but it is.

Every (E.V.E.R.Y.) time we go to a store with a crane machine, no matter how crappy the toys are, my kids literally drool at the sight of the kid-centric gambling machines.

When I was young, we played a lot of video games but…..
I never drooled at the site of Ms. PAC-MAN or Burger Time.

These crane machines take kid gaming to a

Whole. Nother. Level.

 

I’m not sure what is so inciting about the cheap toys in those machines, but I do know when it started.

My Father.

My Father taught my kids how to win at the crane machine in Fudruckers (hamburger restaurant) when they were very young.

An obsession was born.

I have watched in horrified silence as my children fed dollar after dollar into machines where they “almost” got the toy. Once they are done spending their allowance, they beg me for more money.

I’m concerned that I am raising future slot machine addicts.

They never seem to get enough of the gambling.

Way back in the day….

My son at 4. All these were won from a crane machine on one evening, except the blue bunny.

Monday, at Wal-mart my tween and teen spent $5 in a crane machine….they got nothing.

So, for Lent my kids are giving up the crane machines. Maybe the time away from the gambling machines will break the addiction.

At least I hope so.

If you’re “giving up” something for Lent, what?

Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras!

I hope you have a fabulous Fat Tuesday.

Our dinner for Fat Tuesday Shrimp Creole (via a family recipe) for my daughter and I & Red Beans, Turkey Sausage and rice for the boys!

I’m participating in the iPPP link up that Liz and KLZ host.

Related articles

• Mardi Gras! (Happy Fat Tuesday!) (21nogluten.wordpress.com)
• Skinny Ways to Enjoy 3 Fat Tuesday Favorites (self.com)

This week in FAIL, Potato edition

Potato Fail…..

again.

I have the WORST luck with potato dishes….

This week I tried making a cheesy sausage and potato dish with somewhat Meh results.

I peeled and diced potatoes. Then I boiled them for 15 minutes. I drained them and placed them into a greased baking dish.

I added cheese, heavy cream, homemade chive butter.

I added little smoked turkey sausages.

I baked it, for over an hour.

The dish was less than stellar.

Bummer.

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I’m not sure if I picked the wrong potatoes or if I’m just super picky. Either way, I’m not happy with the results.

Popping corn

Please pardon my recent absence from blogging. Since Monday I’ve been tending to three sick people. That’s right, I’ve been in a house full of sickies!

I’m happy to report that everyone is on the mend!

Cooking for people who have bad colds or worse is different than regular everyday cooking. When my family is sick I focus on the comfort foods they love. Soups, chili, baked fish and……
Popped corn.

Recently, I began to make microwave pop corn in plain paper bags. There’s no oil, you control the portion and the toppings.

Here’s how I make it.

Take 1 paper lunch sack.

Add 1/8 cup of popping corn. I’ve got some fancy red and white corn.

Place the popping corn into the paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over 2-3 times.
Microwave for 1:30 to 2:00 minutes, for fancy corn. Longer 3:00-3:30 minutes for regular popping corn.
When the popping slows, remove the bag from the microwave and place the popped corn into a bowl.

Add salt or butter or whatever you like to the popped corn.
Enjoy!

Happy Valentine’s Day

From my blessed, yet currently sick household to your (hopefully well) household.

Mother-Son Dinner

Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance

And the winner is…..

Entry #10

“

Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide

February 6, 2012 at 10:05 am | #10

Reply | Quote | Edit

I already follow you here and on Facebook. I’ll throw my name in here though. And I’ll share it too on FB.”

Congrats to Greg and Katherine of Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide.

 

Please e-mail me your address.

 

 

Butter, Shaken not Churned

If you’re here to enter the MyBlogSpark giveaway I’m hosting click here.

Yes, shaking is technically churning. Work with me people, it’s a cute title.
I’m a tiny bit addicted to Pinterest. I surf the pins for ideas almost daily. It’s easy since there’s an App for that!

Gotta love the iPhone!

I re-pinned a pin about making your own butter earlier this week (or maybe it was last week)….anyhoo

I made my own butter.

Take 1 mason jar (small)

Fill a jar with Heavy cream.

pour heavy cream into the jar

I filled the jar about half way up

a pinch of salt, cuz that's how I roll.

Start shaking! The cream will begin to thicken.

Keep shaking…

You’ll shake and shake and shake some more, then all of the sudden the noises will change again (about 12-15 minutes into shaking)

Now all of the sudden…

butter....

place the butter into a container and place it into the fridge

pour the liquid into a glass.....

This is the best buttermilk you’ll ever drink.

What I Bought Recently.

If you’re here to enter the MyBlogSpark giveaway I’m hosting click here.

I’m participating in the iPPP link up that Liz and KLZ host.

My son and I had dinner at Red Robin on Saturday evening.  It was our special dinner out while my husband and daughter attended a Father-Daughter Valentine’s dance.

Chili Cheese burger...for my son!

my burger..Nom, Nom, Nom.

I picked wines, based exclusively on the “cuteness” of their names.  Much to the dismay of the sales person.

Wine names:

Twisted

Well Red

Broke Ass Red

I'm torn between Broke Ass and Well Red as my favorite, name wise.

I bought a cookbook full of tiny, cute pies (both sweet and savory)

I bought an adorable new book.

I bought new multi colored yarn. I’m knitting for a blue haired friend of mine.

new yarn I bought to make a scarf for a blue haired friend of mine.

How about you? What new things have you bought?