SUPER BOWL SIDE DISH -WASABI COLE SLAW

Super Bowl is just a few days away...YEAH!!!  Whether you are hosting or just going to someone's party this is perfect side dish to prepare. It's not your typical cole slaw...it has a kick to it.

Wasabi Cole Slaw
Ingredients
1 head of cabbage
1/2 a head of red cabbage
1 cup of shredded carrots
2 tablespoons - wasabi mayonnaise from trader joe's *
1 tablespoon -sour cream (light or regular)
1/2 tablespoon - apple cider vinegar

Cut the cabbage and red cabbage to thin strips, place in bowl  and shredded carrots (You can also get the ready pack cole slaw packages if pressed for time).
Add 2 tablespoons of wasabi mayonnasie. (* If you can't find wasabi mayonnaise add 1/8 teaspoon of wasabi paste to sour cream and mayonnaise and mix)
Add 1 tablespoon of sour cream. (If you don't like it too spicy and hot alternate 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of sour cream)
Add 1/2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix everything up. Refrigerate overnight.

Perfect dish to pair on top of burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, hot wings or ribs. Enjoy!

What's for Dinner!

Quick and Easy Salmon

Salmon is so easy to prepare and it's good for you!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

I'm actually am using a pre-sliced Salmon platter from Costco (it's portion is perfect if you are only cooking for 1-2 people and it last about a week or more) I usually freeze one piece and use the two pieces throughout  the week. 

I cut one of the pieces in half. One pre-cut filet is good for two people.

Place the filet on a piece of foil. Drizzle some lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and what ever other spices you like cayenne pepper is nice for a little kick. Place some dill and slice lemons on top. 

Place herb butter. If you don't have herb butter you can drizzle some olive oil or vegetable oil.

Fold the foil and create a little packet. This keeps the juice all together and the fish comes out moist and flaky.
Plus it makes clean up a breeze.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees

Right out of the oven. Look at all those juices. 

I made mashed potatoes, placed the filet on top and added some asparagus on the sides.
I will admit the asparagus are frozen, just microwaved them and drizzle lemon juice and a little sunflower oil.
It's ok to use short cuts when cooking sometimes.
You can pair your salmon with wild rice and any vegetable of your choice.
Enjoy!

Cooking gadgets and gizmos I love

Onion Goggles 

I am one of the few people that I know that suffer from hyper sensitive to onions. Yes those stinky things that are a base to every cooking recipe. Even being near an onion being chopped by someone else would be difficult.  I have tried everything over the years. I have put it in the fridge, run the onion under cold water before chopping, and yes even gum chewing. Nothing would work my eyes would tear up, burn and sting for hours. I would usually just have someone else chop the onions far away from me or endure the pain.

Recently I saw a friend post a picture of her Onion Goggles.  Onion Goggles could they seriously work???  Well it wouldn't hurt to try. I rushed to Sur La Table and purchased a snazzy pair in red.  The minute I got home I rushed to the kitchen and got a giant onion out of the basket in the pantry, not the fridge, didn't run it under cold water, didn't even chew gum, just put on my Onion Goggles and started chopping. Chopped the whole entire onion for the hell of it. I just wanted to see if all my years of suffering would be over and all I had to do was wear goggles.

To my disbelief...THEY WORKED!!!! NO MORE TEARS!!! NO BURNING!!! It was a miracle. I love my Onion Goggles!  Thanks to my friend I can now chop onions. Soon I hope to have a post up for French Onion Soup. Something I always wanted to make, but couldn't imagine doing because of all the onions. Well now I can!

What's for Lunch - Rotisserie Chicken short cut

Quick and Easy Chicken Burrito 

I feel that preparing a quick and easy meal is possible. Sometimes short cuts help. 

Chicken Burrito

1- large tortilla (I used a chipotle and onion one from Trader Joe's)

2. rotisserie chicken (just use a few shredded pieces you can save the rest for another recipe) 

3. enchilada sauce 

2- filling of your choice

(rice, saluted bell pepper, onions, cheese, sour cream,  salsa etc) 

Rotisserie Chickens are amazing to create quick and easy meals 

Pull some pieces of chicken add to skillet and pour some enchilada sauce over it.
Heat for a 3 minutes 

Time to make your burrito. Warm your tortilla in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Take out of microwave and time to put on your toppings of your choice.
I used rice, lettuce, chicken, and salsa, but you can add whatever you like.

I poured some enchilada sauce over my burrito, you can add salsa or nothing at all.
Cooking is not about following recipes exactly, but preparing things the way you like.
Enjoy! 

This little kitty was knit!

I do love knitting and it is great to create something out of basically a ball of yarn and knitting needles.

This was something I recently made for my friend's daughter.

I found the pattern online barbara prime's fuzzy mitten.  I love Fuzzy mitten's blog as well. I used the lamb pattern for the body, legs and arms.Then I created my own pattern for the cat ears and a tail. I think it turned out really cute.

The only difference is that I knit in the round on DPNs (double pointed needles), so I don't Purl I Knit those stitches instead. I prefer to do this because it creates a seamless project. If you are new to knitting  I would suggest just to knit on knitting needles and sew the ends as the pattern instructs.

I also have used the pattern to create the lamb that is picture on the pattern and a bunny which I just used one color of yarn and created a different pattern for the ears. Aren't they adorable?

What's for dessert!

So technically this is baking not cooking but I love to bake as well. I love baking pies, because it's super easy and I just use whatever fruits are in season. I made a Blueberry Cranberry pie this week. It has just the right combination of sweet and tart.

Blueberry/Cranberry pie

Filling
3 cups of blueberries
2 cups of cranberries
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1/2 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons of diced chilled butter

2 pre made pie crusts (I sometimes make my own or use store bought)

1 egg beaten with a tablespoon of water (this is the egg wash you use on the pie)


Preheat oven to 425 F

                                     

                              mix berries, cornstarch, lemon juice and sugar 

                             roll out one pie crust onto a 9 inch pie pan 

                               (I used a store bought pie crust since I was pressed for time) 

                              Pour mixture on top of the pie crust

                    

                                   Cut two tablespoons of chilled butter scatter on the berries.
                                  Roll out second pie crust be sure to cut vents in the center, I used a cookie cutter

   

Place second pie crust on top and pinch the two crusts together. Brush egg wash on the pie crust. I used my thumb and index finger to create the scalloped edge. It's simple but nice!

                             

                                                    Don't forget the foil. It prevents the edges from burning
                                       Lower the oven temperature to 350 F and bake 40-50 minutes until golden.
                                   Be sure to remove the foil about 35 minutes into baking.

                         
                                       Just out of the oven!
                                      Wait until it cools before you slice.
                            I put it in the fridge for an hour or more so the filling firms up nicely!
                                  See easy as pie!

Welcome to My Blog

I have a hobby like many people have and I enjoy cooking and crafting. I am not a fancy cook, but I do enjoy cooking and baking. I think everyone can cook. So I decided to create a blog that may inspire people to prepare a meal at home rather than going through the drive through for a change. 


Also I do crafts, mostly knitting and scrap booking. I think home made gifts are great, so through out the blog I will give tips on stuff you can make.  Hope you enjoy the blog. Thanks.