Lunch

I've been going to a four week class Sunday nights at church to learn more about our church. Last night we (the people at my table) were discussing our latest culinary fixations. Of course I talked about popcorn. The guy next to me said he is really into making pork fried rice. His description was so exciting that it inspired me to make my own version today for lunch. I already had some leftover rice in the fridge which I had cooked in tumeric. Tumeric is used a lot in southeast Asian countries (like Indonesia) and it costs way less than saffron (the most expensive spice in the world) with the same yellow effect. I picked up a big bag of it in Singapore.

I also had a bottle of Sambal on hand, another Indonesian staple. It's a chile sauce which adds a nice kick. In the end, my concoction was a tad bland, so I'd probably add more garlic and sambal and salt, next time............if I ever make it again. I tend to not repeat myself too much. Oh also, I made it vegetarian style. I've hardly been eating any meat lately except chicken. Just not into it.

Trial Run on the Clay Bake

These have a steep learning curve for me. My little brother (Chumba Wumba) and I made a few switch plates in AZ. They seemed to turn out a little better than this one. But I will continue working at it.

These are the ones we made together.

Pretty in Pink

This year must be a year of firsts for me, creatively and technically. While I have made many a Roman shade in my day, I have NEVER installed them myself. If you've been following along, you've no doubt read of my fear of power tools, which I conquered mere days ago. The idea of me installing my own Romans...on 6 feet windows....seemed as likely as me draping a brightly colored, extremely heavy python around my neck at some exotic animal park for a photo. (Lest you think these pictures might suggest such an event ever taking place, it will not.) So, besides being proud of myself for actually finishing this relatively simple project, I can hardly believe that I performed a feat that was so challenging for me. (I know Shlomo and Anshel can really appreciate what I've done.) I won't say I'm on snuggling terms with my drill yet, but I do see us spending a little more time together in the future.

Crispy Parmesan Chips

My second favorite cookbook is Better Homes and Gardens New Diabetic Cookbook. If you love healthy, gourmet-ish, delicious food, this is the book for you. Today I made these yummy chips!

30 wonton wrappers

Nonstick spray coating

2 TB olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed

1/4 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

1. Use a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to form 60 triangles. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick coating. Arrange a 1/3 of the triangles in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
2. In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Brush the wonton triangles lightly with some of the oil mixture; sprinkle with some of the grated cheese.
3. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture, and cheese.

Makes 60 chips (15 servings).

70 cal., 3g fat, 3mg chol., 123 mg sodium, 9g carbs, 0g fiber, 2g prot

Now, obviously, there's no limit to where you can take this recipe! I added sea salt and cracked black pepper to this specific recipe. I have a feeling you could easily go the sweet route too with a little cinna-sugar mix. You might not want to use olive oil in that case though. Blech!

So enjoy and let me know if you come up with a variation you love. Ooh, how about the spicy route? Ouch!

I finally bit the bullet

A few months ago I bought a drill. This was a huge step for me, given my fear of power tools. Although it was a huge step, it was only one step. Once I got the thing home, I put it upstairs and forgot about it. Any project requiring the use of my drill got put off.

Yesterday all of that changed! I have this thread rack that came with no holes in the back. I wanted to hang it on the wall with my other one. (This is something I've been wanting to do for about 6 years.) I finally got up the courage and drilled holes in the back of that sucker! Woo hoo! Please see pictorial storyline.