Saturday, August 31, 2013

Birthday weekend, 2013


I love the different themes the kids pick for their birthdays, and that they aren't the least swayed by what the other has chosen. Always guarantees a very different experience, even if we celebrate 2 days in a row!

Edible Rocks

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds (24 ounces) finely chopped white chocolate (or chips) or white confectionery coating
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
a pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
1/2-2/3 cup Oreo Cookie crumbs (5-8 cookies)

Blend together on very low heat, stirring constantly, adding Oreos at end. Allow to cool to point that you can form them into "rocks."Will harden at room temperature.

Alternately, make a large flat square and press a design/hand/message into it. Break apart to eat.

Makes A LOT. Could easily cut the recipe in half.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Survival Skills

I just hosted a dinner that was gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and peanut-free that got EATEN. I am thrilled. And to think--I only had to do it once.

Menu:
-steak
-grilled beets, carrots, [potatoes] w/sea salt and canola oil
-cornbread--could not find flax eggs, so these were gluten-free, but had egg :(
-fruit kabob bar w/optional readi whip (dairy) and sprinkles
-"Lucy's Sugar cookies" -- store bought, met the criteria. Quite good.
-lemonade

If you want your kid to try beets but they are reluctant, show them a "magic trick." Pop a beet into your mouth, chew chew chew (building a sense of mystery), then stick out your tongue. Gorgeous color! Some kids will consider the taste-risk worth the red tongue.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Crockpot Beef Brisket

Matt treated us to this recipe tonight. We only had a little over 1lb of brisket, and really missed the extra left-overs! We messed up and added the beer right away (over-eager I guess). And didn't use the suggested garnish. Excellent with a bit of horseradish. Yum.
 
I didn't want to lose this recipe, so am posting it here. Originally from food.com
 
---
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 6 hrs crock pot time
 
2 1/2 lbs beef brisket
1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (12 ounce) jar chili sauce (I use Heinz)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (12 ounce) can beer (or substitute for 1 cup water or canned beef broth)

For garnish

2 tomatoes, sliced
6 fresh cilantro stems, chopped

Directions:

1
Spray crockpot with cooking oil. Place beef brisket fat side down in crockpot and add onion slices, minced garlic, paprika and salt and pepper on top.
2
Pour chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce over brisket and cook on low setting for 6 hours.
3
Then, pour beer over brisket and increase temperature to high and continue cooking for 30 more minutes.
4
When well cook and tender, slice brisket against the grain and place slices on large serving platter.
5
Serve with hot cooking liquid sauce and garnish with sliced tomatoes and cilantro or parsley, if you like.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/crockpot-beef-brisket-416949?oc=linkback