Tea Party...exchange useful everyday information

[thirstyboots18]

Now that we know there are a few members of the gentle (ha ha ha) sex here in the blog...I thought we might have a little corner to swap things around....like recipes for game snacks!  Me first:   This is a dip for crackers, fruit, or veggies:  in a food processor, chop 1/4 cup dried cranberries.  Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 2 large spoons (maybe 1/4 cup) of frozen orange juice concentrate, and 1 package cream cheese and mix together.  (If you cook the way I do with a smidge of this and a handful of that...next time add or subtract stuff to your own taste!    )

I know some of you guys have helpful hints (like tips about the car), and some of you cook or grill too...help us out with useful information!!!

[feckless]

I love Green Tea, and it's good for you.

[JSD]

Ron Paul baby! Wait a minute...

[wdleehi]

Oh no! 


A reason for my wife to join!!!

[Cman]

This looks fancy every time:
-take 4 nice looking, delicate dishes.
-a very healthy scoop* of ice cream in each dish
*about 1/6th of a pint (yes, that leaves a third of the pint for you for later)
-one cup of froz. blueberries in a microwave safe container, 2 mins in the microwave.
pour a tablespoon of vanilla into the blueberries, mix with a spoon
-then use the spoon to ladle the mix onto the four dishes with ice cream.

[thirstyboots18]

I love Green Tea, and it's good for you.

yes!  My favorite is Jasmine tea...but plain green is good too.  I usually make a pot of green tea, or a pot of coffee and finish it off during a game.  Loaded with antioxidents and no calories! (Unfortunately, that is not true of the cake or cookies that go with it!    )

[thirstyboots18]

Sounds good, Cman.  I am going to try it on July 4th...it is hard finding blue for red, white and blue themes.  Thanks.

[thirstyboots18]

Every week in the summer I buy a four pound box of red seedless grapes.  I double wash them, then pick them off the stems and throw them in a plastic bag.  Into the freezer.  Freezing seems to really bring out the sweetness in them.  A handful of frozen grapes is my favorite hot weather snack.  (You can also throw some into a chicken salad to make it festive and keep it colder for a while, like for a buffet dinner. When I do this I usually cut them in half.  This does not take the place of refrigeration, but works for a while.)
                               

[Bahku]

As I've been sharing in conversation with ThirstyBoots, one of my favorite summer treats is fresh peas or fresh green beans, ("snap" beans), fixed this way:

Shell the peas, (get some help, cuz it's time consuming, but worth it!), or snap the ends off the green beans and slice to 1" to 1 1/2" pieces.

Put in a large saucepan and add enough water to just cover the peas, (or beans), and also a dash or two of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until they start to tenderize, (with the beans, you can test with a fork, but the peas you'll have to taste).

Fresh peas, especially, can take a little time ... I've found about 30 minutes, unless you're lucky enough to get early, young peas, (lighter color), then only about 20 minutes.

When sufficiently tender, (do not over-cook), drain the water and add a large can, (or two small cans), of evaporated milk, and 3 to 4 Tablespoons of butter.

Put back on the stove over low heat, and re-heat, melting butter and stirring occasionally. Season to taste, (I usually find salt & pepper sufficient, but also like to add a little "Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt").

We used to call this type of preparation "creaming", because we'd use real cream instead of the evaporated milk, but I've found the evaporated milk actually adds more flavor.

These are great on their own, but even better with seafood or barbecue. Simple preparation, but you'll find very few things in this life that are as tasty.

Enjoy!

[thirstyboots18]

Thanks, Bahku.  That reminded me of a terrific, but so easy, recipe for cream of brocolli soup.  Cook 1 package of frozen chopped brocolli and one small chopped onion in one can of chicken broth.  When the brocolli is done, add 1 can of low fat evaporated milk, and if you want, 1 tblsp butter.  Evaporated milk does not separate or curdle.  Makes a great quick lunch.  Enjoy!  

[thirstyboots18]

This looks fancy every time:
-take 4 nice looking, delicate dishes.
-a very healthy scoop* of ice cream in each dish
*about 1/6th of a pint (yes, that leaves a third of the pint for you for later)
-one cup of froz. blueberries in a microwave safe container, 2 mins in the microwave.
pour a tablespoon of vanilla into the blueberries, mix with a spoon
-then use the spoon to ladle the mix onto the four dishes with ice cream.

It was really good Cman!  My blueberries were not sweet enough so I added a little sugar.  Everyone loved it...especially me...I cook gourmet sometimes, but I love easy.  This was both!  *hint, cover the blueberries lightly when cooking...they explode and spatter!

[thirstyboots18]

Has anyone used one of those hanging upside down tomato planter thingy's and were you happy with the results?

[Donoghus]

Alright, I'll throw out one of my favorite recipes to a pasta dish I like to make, especially this time of year.

Ingredients

- 6-8 Full Asparagus Stems
- Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Box of Penne Pasta
- 2-3 Cups of Basalmic Vinegar
- Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- Sprinking of Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 stick of butter

1) Heat up an oven to 450
2) Cut each asparagus stem into 3-4 piece
3) Place cut up asparagus pieces on aluminum foil covered sheet pan and drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle the paremsan cheese over the asparagus.   Place sheet pan in oven and roast them.
4) Combine the brown sugar and balsalmic vinegar in a sauce pan and cook on a very low temp.  Stir together the brown sugar and balsalmic vinegar
5) Boil water and dump in penne pasta
6) Cut up a half stick of butter into 4 pieces.  Not too thick, not too thin.
7) Pull pasta and drain.  Place into a big serving dish.
Throw the butter into the serving dish with the pasta while its still hot.  At the same time add the roasted asparagus and balsalmic vinegar/brown sugar "sauce".  Sprinkle more parmesan cheese and toss the pasta to incorporate all the ingredients.
9) Serve and enjoy

[Bahku]

Has anyone used one of those hanging upside down tomato planter thingy's and were you happy with the results?

Just received two last week ... I'm hanging them on my back deck, to each side of sliding glass doors. I'll let you know the results, but my neighbors had them last year and loved them ... the same thing with cukes, as well.

[thirstyboots18]

Wow, Dons, impressive!  I can't wait to try it! Idid I mention that I improvise?

Thanks, Bahku...if you have anything that looks alive in about three weeks, I will try one,