Recipe: Cacio E Pepe Tortilla Chips

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 I had some leftover tortillas so tried this recipe from Good Housekeeping magazine.  It really couldn't have been easier and tasted as advertised.  A handy chip to serve with salads or dips.

Cacio E Pepe (Cheese & Pepper) Tortilla Chips

Heat the oven to 375'F.  In a mini food processor, process 2 oz Pecorino Romano cheese (roughly chopped) until finely ground to about 1/2 cup.  

Transfer to a small bowl and toss with 1/4 tsp pepper.

Brush 1 side of 4 flour tortillas with 1 tbsp olive oil total.

Stack tortillas and cut into 8 wedges.   Divide wedges in single layer, oiled sides up, between 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.

Sprinkle with cheese mixture and bake, rotating positions of sheet pans halfway through until chips are golden brown and crisp. 14 - 16 mins.

Needlework: Knitted Suit for 18" Doll

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This  sweater pattern for 18" dolls, such as American Girl dolls, and Next Generation dolls can be found in 

"Knits for Girls and Dolls" 

For a roomier fit I used size 6 and size 9 straight needles.  

I worked fronts at the same time and both sleeves at the same time.

For the skirt I cast on 56 sts with size 4 needles and did 4 rows of K1P1

for the waistband. Change to size 5 needle.

Then I K1, increase 1 in the next stitch and about every fifth stitch across the row - about 11 times.

Knit for a few rows before doing another increase row. 

K1 and increasing 1 in every third stitch across row.

I continued knitting for about 5 inches in length. 

Sew up back seam.  I also crocheted a lace effect around the bottom edge.

Needlework: Knitted Pet Sweater

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This sweater works up quickly and will keep your favorite pet warm when the weather is not!   The pattern is available in various locations if you search for "Dog Gone Cute" knit book.

Recipe: Pinwheel Pizza

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Great recipe for entertaining. The pinwheel is made from this pizza dough recipe.

Roll out two 12 inch circles of dough.  Put first circle on pizza pan and add tomato  or marinara sauce, lots of cheese and cut up pepperoni to your taste.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Cover with a second round of dough and pinch edges together.  Cut the sections as shown and twist each section. Spray with olive oil spray or brush with olive oil and sprinkle top with shredded cheese.

Serve with more sauce for dipping. 

Recipe: Apple Pan Pie

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This unique idea of baking an Apple Pie in a sheet pan worked great to feed a crowd at Thanksgiving.  I prepared the apples a day ahead of time using an Apple Peeler Corer.  Preparing the apples ahead allowed for a delicious Apple Pie that did not have a soggy crust.  And leftovers tasted great!

Recipe: Meatballs

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I basically followed this recipe from Gimme Some Oven for meatballs with a few variations.

I make the meatballs with a combination of seasoned bread crumbs and Panko and sometimes omit the ground pork and red pepper flakes.  Form the meatballs with the help of  a cookie scoop.

I do not bake my meatballs but just pop them into the sauce which adds flavor. Refrigerate sauce and remove any fat that forms.  You can also freeze extra  sauce and meatballs for future use.  

Recipe: Spaghetti Sauce

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This recipe makes a large batch of sauce which freezes well. Measurements are approximate and to taste. 

SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1-2 pounds ground beef

salt and pepper to taste

1 large diced onion

4 sliced cloves of garlic

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon of dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

4-5   28 oz cans crushed tomatoes 

1 can of water used to rinse cans and added

1/2 to 1 cup wine

Brown onions in olive oil in large pot.  Add seasonings and garlic.  

Add beef and cook until done. 

Add Worcestershire sauce and sugar.

Add wine.

Add canned tomatoes and water.

Simmer, stirring occasionally for an hour or so.  

Add fresh basil and parsley at end.

Meatballs can be added as sauce cooks. 

Recipe: Corn Muffins

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These Corn Muffins from Ina Garten are made with medium corn meal.   

The recipe makes about two dozen muffins.  

I use a thumb press ice cream scoop to place the batter

 into the paper liners which results in fairly uniform muffins.  

Recipe: Corned Beef and Cabbage

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This Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is delicious anytime of the year, not just on St. Patrick's Day!

Needlework: Holiday Hats

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These festive hats are a perfect gift for the holidays!

They are based on two Lion Brand patterns which I adjusted 

for size, varying the number of stitches. 

The solid color hats pattern can be found here.  I did not use two strands of yarn and I used size 10 needles, casting on 70 sts. then changing to size 10 1/2 needles after ribbing.

The stripe hat direction can be found here.  

Recipe: Pappardelle with Sausage Ragu

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I simplified this recipe by purchasing fresh pappardelle at the supermarket. The sauce works up quickly and the end result is very good. Enjoy!

Needlework: Cable Knit Afghan

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With about 48 ounces of worsted weight yarn, cast on 230 stitches using size 10 1/2 circular needles Work a seed stitch for four rows and then begin knitting six stitches and purling six stitches across the row, maintaining four seed stitches on each side. Twisting a cable stitch on the knit stitches every eighth row, continue the same until desired length is reached, ending with four rows of seed stitch. This afghan is 46" x 55".  

The pattern book can be purchased on amazon.com: Easy Afghans - Art. J16 - #0122 - Knit and Crochet Afghans Pattern Booklet - Coats and Clark (Paperback)

Recipe: Savory Oven Baked Chicken

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This Land O Lakes "Savory Oven Baked Chicken" is delicious!

Try it, you'll like it!

Needlework: Knitted Afghan & Pillow

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This afghan was made using another ombre yarn, "Scuba",  from Red Heart 

and the Basketweave pattern below.  

The matching pillow is made

using a pillow insert from 

JoAnn Fabrics Fairfield 12"x 16".  

Stitch Explanation:

Seed Stitch (over an even number of sts)

Row 1: *Ki P1; rep from * across

Row 2: P the knit sts. and K the purl sts.

Rep Rows 1 & 2 for Seed st. 

Circular Knitting Needles: Size 10

Approximately 6 skeins of 4.5 oz yarn or 3 Jumbo skeins of 10 oz. yarn each

BASKETWEAVE AFGHAN:

With one strand of yarn cast on 140 stitches

Working back and forth in rows, work in Seed st for 8 rows.

Next 10 Rows: Work in Seed st over first 6 sts. *K8,P8; rep from * to last 6 sts. work in Seed st over last 6 sts.

Next 10 Rows: Work in Seed st over first 6 sts. *P8, K8; rep from * to last 6 sts. work in Seed st over last 6 sts.

Rep last 20 rows 6 more times or for desired length of afghan

Work Seed st for 8 rows.

Bind off. 

Finished size approximately 36" x 60"

For the Pillow: 

Cast on 70 stitches using size 7 needles

K10, P10 across for 10 rows

P10, K10 across for 10 rows

Repeat until yarn is finished - about 12.5 sections of  10 rows. Size will be

determined by how much yarn is left over from the afghan.  

Fold in half lengthwise and stitch or single crochet edges leaving one end open

to insert pillow form.

Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

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This is a very tasty recipe for Cheesy Stuffed Shells from Cook's Country.  

I did do a full box of shells and would suggest 

doubling the sauce for both pyrex pans.  

This recipe eliminates the need to parboil the shells first.

Recipe: Snowflake Rolls

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These snowflake rolls from "Just a Pinch" are excellent and they work up relatively quickly.   I did bake for about 10 minutes instead of 15 minutes and I

used 9" round pans.  They come out as light as a feather!     

My favorite Snowflake Rolls by "Just A Pinch"

These are my favorite rolls. A snow flake roll is a light and airy roll that has a slight chew to it.  Quick to make for a yeast roll.

Cook time: 15 Min  Prep time: 10 Min  Serves: 24

Ingredients

3 1/2 c flour

3 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 pkg packets instant yeast

1 c milk

1/2 c water

1 stick unsalted butter

Directions

1. Heat water milk,and butter in a saucepan until warm (not hot). keep on warm. Get a large bowl and combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, yeast, and sugar. Mix them all together really well.

2. add the warm butter mixture to the flour mixture.Get your hand held mixer and mix on medium for a couple of minutes, then gradually add more of the remaining 2 cups of flour a little at a time. Keep adding the flour until you get a soft dough to handle by adding a little flour at a time and mixing well.

3. Once your dough is easy to handle. Put on a floured surface, and knead for 5-7 minutes. Put in a greased bowl.turn to get the dough greased all the way around.Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.

4. Take dough and put on floured board. Cut the dough in to equal size pieces. Shape into rolls by rolling them with hand on floured surface..

5. Place the rolls in( 2 )- 9 inch square pans. Let rise for another 20 minutes, or until puffed up. Dust the tops of rolls with flour. Then bake at 425 degree's for 15 minutes or until light brown.

Needlework: American Girl Doll Sweater

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This  sweater pattern for 18" dolls, such as American Girl dolls, and Next Generation dolls can be found in 

"Knits for Girls and Dolls" 

For a roomier fit I used size 6 and size 9 straight needles.  

Each section of all three sweaters can 

be worked at the same time.

Recipe: Cinnamon Buns

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These Cinnamon Buns are delicious and easy to make!  

   Ten risen buns fill a 9" pan without too much crowding.  

Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

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Scallops for dinner?  

This  Lemon Garlic Scallops recipe does not disappoint!

And these all natural scallops in your grocery freezer section 

are excellent. 

Needlework: Knitted Afghan

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Red Heart "True Blue" Ombre yarn, which is self striping, works up to become

a colorful afghan in multiple shades of blue.  

The pillow is made in the same pattern with crocheted lace on each side.

Stitch Explanation: 

Seed Stitch (over an even number of sts)

Row 1: *Ki P1; rep from * across

Row 2: P the knit sts. and K the purl sts.

Rep Rows 1 & 2 for Seed st. 

Circular Knitting Needles: Size 10

Approximately 6 skeins of 4.5 oz yarn or 3 Jumbo skeins of 10 oz. yarn each

BASKETWEAVE AFGHAN:

With one strand of yarn cast on 140 stitches

Working back and forth in rows, work in Seed st for 8 rows.

Next 10 Rows: Work in Seed st over first 6 sts. *K8,P8; rep from * to last 6 sts. work in Seed st over last 6 sts.

Next 10 Rows: Work in Seed st over first 6 sts. *P8, K8; rep from * to last 6 sts. work in Seed st over last 6 sts.

Rep last 20 rows 6 more times or for desired length of afghan

Work Seed st for 8 rows.

Bind off. 

Finished size approximately 36" x 64"