"No-flour" Banana Bread........for Steve

I read a post from my friend Steve, talking about people not reading the instructions when using new stuff or even in recipes.  His comment was about a Banana Bread Recipe that he had printed and read a review, where someone asked if it had flour in it......Steve said he looked at his printed copy and it said flour and how much to use.

Started me thinking about my favorite recipe for this bread and it doesn't use flour, it uses baking mix.  It's got such a good taste and it's made in one bowl.

Here you go Steve, now you actually have one, that doesn't use flour.....

Baking Mix Banana Nut Bread 

1-1/3 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 large - I usually use 3)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
3 tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2-2/3 cups baking mix
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom of a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

2.  Stir bananas, sugar, milk, oil, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl.  Stir in baking mix and nuts.  Pour into prepared loaf pan.

3.  Bake 50 to 60 mins. or until toothpick inserted in center, comes out clean; cool 10 mins.  Loosen sides of loaf pan; remove from pan and place top side up on wire cooling rack.  Cool completely.  

This freezes really well.

Also, as you can see, I used parchment paper to line the loaf pan.  Outside might not be pretty, but so much easier to remove and less cleanup.

There is no "I" in team.....

That could have not been truer, last night.

Like many other VFW and Legion Posts throughout the country, getting "active" members is a hard thing to do.  Using us as an example, the average age of our active members is like 60+.  A few in their 80's.  We have had many pass away, some have moved and some are working and not available to do much. 

Last night, we did our 1st Steak Night - I have heard, that we used to do it before, but not since I have been a member there.  It was so unbelievable seeing everyone doing something to make the night so successful.  Tony, Randy and Dennis manning the grill. Kim and Keith had been there pretty much all day, cleaning up from BINGO with the help from Jerry, cleaning the canteen and helping with the tables.  Pat decorated, Kay bought some dessert and we all chipped in, doing the dishes......yes, we used real plates and silverware.........no plastic for this meal.  Kim manned the stove/oven, which had the baked tators, corn and green beans.  She was a busy little beaver!!!

Troy, our guy that does the Old School Jazz night, brought his equipment so we had music while we ate.

Thanks to the wonders of social media, we got the word out and I know of at least 3 who came because of my post....Keith, Jay and John.  Three of my motorcycle buddies.

The Commander from another Post and his wife, who is the Aux. President of the 3rd District came and brought 2 friends with them.  Thanks Jack and Mary.  We had a guy who donated all the salad mix - and thanks Dennis for the salad you made - Lillian really liked it.  Kim and Keith have a couple of friends, Val and Richard.  Val has a hair salon near the Post - Hairbadasher - neither are members but they are always there for us.  Whether it is a Saturday Breakfast, a Poker Run or just coming in to say hi and watch the game.

I don't have the exact numbers, but we raised over a thousand dollars and had 40+ people attend.  My thanks to you all!!!  The extra donations were greatly appreciated.  Looked like a pretty good bar night, too.

Next thing we are going to try is opening back up at 1 on Sunday, for football.  We'll have some food or snacks.  For those of you that don't know, we do have 3 TVs, so you should be able to find a game you want to watch.  You will get stuck with me, as I promised the Commander, if we went back to opening at 1, I would be there on Sundays.  Already been looking for good football snacks to serve.....Sloppy Joes, homemade Queso, BBQ Chicken Sliders and some Chili, once it gets below 90:).  I think there is going to be another in-door yard sale, too.

I could sit here and mention everybody who contributed in one way or the other, but I know I will forget someone, and in this case, I don't want to take that chance.  Last night was too important and it showed by the way we all worked together.  We all knew what it meant to all of us.

Keep re-reading this and I can tell it's not my regular type of post.  Not much "ha ha" and "hee hee".

Well, dear readers, guess that's it for now.  As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE!

The month in "review".......or how to be happy doing nothing!!

Hello dear readers.  It's been a little over a month, since I was last here, bending your ear.
Haven't been doing much lately.  In fact, got my oil changed a couple of weeks ago, and the guys were teasing me.  I had put just a little over 2,000 miles on the car, in a little over a year.

August has not been a good month so far.  Lost my last and only dear Uncle, Darb's 10th birthday would have been yesterday and the 29th, is the 4th anniversary of Jim's death. Thank goodness, I have some stuff coming up, to keep me busy and my mind off of me.

Did start the month off right, though.....went to the Decatur(GA) VA hospital and played BINGO with the residents of the nursing home.  We had 10 patients and 9 volunteers....really made for a fun night.  Hoping now, that I'm off on Weds., I can do it every month.

Troy, our Senior Vice Commander has started up the Old School Jazz/Blues Night, again.  It's a good deal at $5.00 a person - with door prizes.  Members of the VFW are free, but all of us donated, to the cause.

This week will be busy.  Taking my friend Lillian to lunch tomorrow.  Poor dear, husband has Alzheimer's/Dementia (can never remember which one he has).  To add to that, a couple of weeks ago, he was in the back yard, fell and broke his hip.  So he has had hip surgery and now in re-hab.  Love this woman to death!  So much fun teasing each other back and forth.  Hope a little break will be good for her.

Not sure if I ever mentioned it or not, but I have twin granddaughters.....also a "great" grandson.  Well, one of them was playing ball and ended up with a broken thumb.  It's hard being so far away from family. 

Hold on.....need a beer.  It's 5 o'clock somewhere.....just not in Georgia.

Even though Saturday is going to be a very, very long early day, can't wait for it to get here.  We are doing our SOS Breakfast at the Post.  That means a 5AM wake up call for me.  Being I work there, I have a key, which means I do one of the most important parts of it.....COFFEE!!!!  We have it down to a science.....everyone has a job.  Kim does the pancakes and hash brown casserole, Cindy does the cheese grits and sausage and me......bacon and eggs.  Of course, whoever isn't busy, puts the biscuits in the oven, cuts up the fruit and sets up the steam table.  Hoping for a good turn-out.  If I remember right, last time we did close to $500.  It was great.  Getting up at 5 and getting greasy from bacon for nobody, is a pain in the ARSE!!!  Kim said she talked to Cindy and there's a chance of 25 soccer players from Clayton State coming.  SIDE BAR:  Jim and I joined a motorcycle group from Atlanta, called Lost Boys (love them to death!!).  Well they do a thing called a Meet and Greet.  When I posted about breakfast, Ken decided to make Saturday, a meet and greet.  What he posted on FB, brought a tear to my eye.  It was so sweet and loving, plus he posted a picture of me and Jim on the Harley.  We serve from 8-11 and I usually end up bringing food to the Mac.  Have to feed my kids!
Wish us luck......We Care can always use the money.

Monday will be another "duty" day.  Donna's "Feed the Hungry".  Always enjoy helping her.  If I didn't have Cos and have to work Tuesday, I wouldn't mind going to Atlanta with them.

Think that's how my August has been and will be till the end.  Not much more until September.  Working Labor Day, VA Hospital the first Weds and Feed the Hungry the 4th Monday.

My one and only "follower", Steve Chisem, posted on his blog about moving "off the grid".  Sometimes, it sounds like a good idea.  Maybe, I'll just pack me and the Cos up and move in with him and Jason.  Just show up one day, so they have no choice but to take me in {grinning}.  Have one or two friends from high school that live in Arizona, too.  I love my daughter and her family, but can't handle Illinois weather - one time when I visited, I left on the 1st of June and it was like 45 degrees.  What's wrong with that picture?

Oh yeah, I treated myself to something new.  I now am cooking on stainless cookware.  Really love it.  Have always used either cast iron (not often, though) or non-stick.  Bought a set of non-stick and even though I was really careful of utensils, the coating started to chip.  UGH!!  Now no problems with that happening. 

Well guys, that's about it from here.  As always, love and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE!!   

And now for our final question.....Mrs. Old Lady Georgia.......what would you do, to promote world peace??

I guess I have way too much time on my hands.....which leads to, too many hours of the depressing news on the boob tube.

Yesterday, sitting at the Mac, drinking a beer and talking to a couple of friends - yes dear readers, I am fortunate to have a few....they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, religious and political stands, etc.  I'm an equal opportunity friend!!

Douglas has this "dream" of opening a small film company.  He is in a good place for it, as Georgia is really getting big, in the film industry.  I have sat before, listening to him talk to John about coming to work for him, or at least helping him out, as he gets started.  I have even wracked my pea brain, trying to think of people who would want to work for little or no money and no benefits.....not an easy task, as you might imagine.

As we sat there talking yesterday, the light bulb in my head came on.  Doug, I said, have the perfect solution for you, start out small.....a documentary about all the crap going on in the world, but focus on Atlanta and the surrounding area.  Made me feel good, the look on his face was as if I had just given him a million dollars.  Not quoting him, but close.......oh my gosh!!!  What a great idea!  Can't wait to tell my wife about it.  When I got up this morning, I was feeling pretty down about the whole thing, but now I have a really good place to start.

I told him about the Feed the Hungry Program I help with, the trip to the VA Nursing Home for BINGO, that the VFW/AUX does and the VA Stand Down.  All places to start, with nothing but some time and a video camera.  Instead of focusing on all the bad, show the good in people. Yes, all 3 of those subjects have a bad side;  the number of homeless in the area, the aged Veteran who has no visitors and the homeless Veterans, to include females and even children. To see those volunteers really getting into it, is so refreshing.  I know, when I get a chance to volunteer, it makes me feel good.

I have a piece of paper sitting next to me, as I post.  It has all the things I want to touch upon today.  Some may make this post, others may not.  Please be patient, as some of my thoughts/opinions might end up in more than one place.  When this ends up on FB, it can end up in one of two ways....I'll end up with some new "friends" or end up being "unfriended" by some.

Sheila on gun control:  right to bare arms; most assuredly.  gun control; most assuredly.  I like shooting....at a gun range, at a target, but don't want to have to have one, just to protect myself.  Background checks are a necessity.  How do people on the watch list, get their hands on AK47's (just an example), more important, what are weapons like that doing out on the street?  Who needs to walk around with an assault rifle?  Give me a break people.

What is Politically Correct, anyway?  Something, someone made up, when they were sitting on the toilet, during their morning routine.  Freedom of Speech, yep, as long as you know when to shut up and keep your opinions to yourself - I have heard some pretty stupid ones in my day,  That's why I said that.

I told a friend of mine a couple of months ago, I have the perfect solution to the same-sex marriage brouhaha.  I will get an on-line license to preform the marriage and then will make the wedding cake.
Problem solved.  I have friends that are both females, both males and I could care less.  I just like them.  I said something like this on FB and was told straight away, I was going to Hell.  That person is no longer a "friend".....so unfriend me folks, I could care less!!

People are just people.  Yes, there are good and bad in ALL colors.  Yes, Black Lives do matter, but so do white, "blue" (as they now call it), brown, purple and any other color there is.  I guess I'm naïve.  I can remember when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA, I worked with a "Black" E-6 female, that was married to a "white" WO.  Just happened he was from right here in Georgia - Macon.  They were getting ready to go on vacation and I asked if they were coming to Georgia......I was quickly told, that would never happen......this was 1983.  On the Dallas Police shootings, 5 lives lost, why?  Because one crazy black.......man wanted to kill whites and cops.  Someone like this, was able to get all the weapons he wanted - stricter gun control/background checks.  Or the Pulse shooting.....was it just a jealous lover?  Didn't matter, how did he end up with all that fire power?  I agree, sometimes the cops react too fast, but let me ask you, how would you react if the tables were turned?  Dark, someone running away after you told them to stop?  Yes, I know, no one but the guy running knows what is hidden or not hidden. 

I think my heart was broken and my soul was torn from me, when I had someone tell me I was a racist/bigot.  Me, of all people!  I have no idea what I had done or said, to have that said to me.  I told Doug yesterday, I was looking at my FB friends and the ones that were of "color" were actual people I know. Even my favorite teller at my bank "loves" me for who I am and how HE sees me treat people.....Lenny came to where I work one night and got introduced to some other friends......Lenny is a special person.  Went to the bank yesterday and before I left, here he is trying to lean over the counter to give me a kiss.  George, another teller, if he sees me before Len, will tell me "......your man is working today...."  I have one lady that plays BINGO, who is truly what I would call a friend, can't remember how it started or when, but we have nicknames for each other......she's Chocolate and I'm Vanilla.

Wait, I'm starting to talk about me, that wasn't my idea.  Thought of something from earlier, when I mentioned the shootings at Pulse.....that could have been me.  One of our trips to FL, Jim and I went to Pulse.

Think I'm getting to the end.....I know, you all are thinking, FINALLY!!  Guess bottom line is:  I have Gay/Lesbian friends, I have Black friends, I believe in gun control, but also believe in the right to carry - I know, I'm wishy washy, I believe in pet rescues and hate, anyone who abuses any animal (I have a rescue and I see the affect it has on him and it's been 9 yrs).  Please, speak English, if you are living in America - I refuse to press 1 for English.  Parents, spend time with your kids and give the schools back, the right to punish students.....not saying lock them in a closet, just a little quiet time facing the corner.  People, instead of blocking traffic, go find something productive to do.  Like volunteering, you might not make any money, but you will end up with a whole lot of gratification....might even find a contact, for that job, you so desperately need.

Until next time, dear readers.....hug your kids, hug your pets, hug a Vet and thank them, go find someone who needs to do nothing but sit and talk, all these things are GOOD things, and everyone will benefit from just a little compassion and love.  My humble opinion, taking care of any of the above WILL BRING WORLD PEACE.  I hope the Judges will consider me for "Mrs. Old Lady Georgia"......thank you....{bow and a wave}

As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE!!

Taco Mac, where everyone knows your name....a dedication from me to the staff of the Stockbridge Taco Mac

Morning dear readers.  This entry was originally about my favorite Christmas Gift to give.....homemade baked goods.  But the more I thought about it, the more I knew what I wanted to write about.  Taco Mac.....that is, my Taco Mac in Stockbridge, GA and my friends and "family" who work there or frequent there.

To go back to 2009....I was really craving an OB Beer (it's a Korean Beer.....could get a combat bottle for 99 cents), and someone told Jim and I about this place, where you could get just about any kind of beer you wanted and it was open late.  So we went over, but alas, no OB, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  That was June 2009 and 7 years later and it's still my favorite place.

Being a single OLD female, I am not the type to go bar-hopping, but I can walk into "The Mac" and it's not even a second thought about doing it.  I never have to worry about getting in trouble, doing something I shouldn't or having someone act up towards me.

After Jim passed away, his son was here.  Chris made the comment about maybe I should find someplace else to go.....about the time he said that, got a couple of hugs from the staff and some of the guys sitting at the bar came over to the table and told him......don't worry about your Mom, we have her back and won't let anyone mess with her.  That, I think, convinced him, I was were I was suppose to be.  Even my daughter knows how the people there are.  She posted on FB one time, thanking them for taking care of me.  Everybody knows that Jim is still "there" watching everything that goes on......guess that's why I try to behave.

My daughter came for a visit last August and I asked where they wanted to go eat......they all wanted to go to the Mac for wings - in my humble opinion, they have the best wings around, hands down!  You would think the staff that was working had known the kids and Eric for ever.  Everyone stopped by and said hi and chatted for awhile.  One took the girls over to the games and won them a stuffed toy - which the girls gave to Grandma SheShe.   When you're there, you are family.

There are times I go and have a couple of beers.  Other times, I go have a couple of beers and treat myself to lunch.  (AGAIN) My opinion, I'm a pretty good tipper.  When the Holidays came around that first year (alone), I wanted to do something special for all of them, including the kitchen staff (Loco calls me Mama).  I knew I wasn't going to try and tip everyone, so I decided to bake.  I guess this will be the 4th or 5th year.  Last year alone, I made over 200+ cookies - PNB, sugar, choc/chip and snickerdoodles), brownies, carrot cake-cupcakes and even a batch of SOS for someone.

So, it's getting that time of year for me to start thinking about what I'm going to make this year.  What will be nice is the fact I now have a big freezer and the vacuum sealer.  I can make them up earlier than I usually do and not have to rush to get them done.

I hope my "kids" that work there know how much they all mean to me.  And, Lisa, she's one special lady!

In closing, I want to thank them for babysitting me.  I will behave so you don't have to spank my butt, for being a bad girl.....

Til next time dear readers, as always hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE!!





    

Hi, my, name is Sheila and I am a "JUNKIE"......

Dear readers, this is the first meeting of a new support group:  KGA....kitchen gadget junkies....

I wish, sometimes, I could find a nice, big, empty building.  I would remodel it.  It would have a decent size bedroom and decent size bathroom.  The rest would be my KITCHEN.

When Jim was still alive, I had all the major, counter top appliances.  Toaster, toaster oven, microwave, griddle, waffle iron and BIG heavy duty blender.  This is not counting a bread maker, deep fryer, indoor and outdoor grill and crock pot.  Gave the toaster oven to someone, as loved him to death, but Jim couldn't use anything but the microwave.

In the last year or so, I have been trying to down-size.  Got a George Foreman Evolve Grill......it has the normal grill plates, waffle plates and a deep dish baking pan.  So, I gave away the old George, the waffle maker and the griddle.  The waffle iron grids are great.  Makes nice big ones.  The grill does steak, kabobs, fish, just about anything you would do on a normal grill - just no charcoal and you do it on the counter top.  Then there is the deep dish baking pan.  I have made French Toast, Grilled Sausage with potato pancakes, pancakes and believe it or not, deep dish pizza.  Oh my gosh!!

Replaced the big blender with a smaller one.  A Ninja Master Prep.  Really nice.  Comes in handy, for my morning smoothies.  Has two bowls/containers.  One is 2 cups the other is 6 (which I haven't used yet).  Only thing I don't like is, sometimes, I have a hard time getting the yogurt in, without getting it all over.  Does a good job on ice.  Haven't had any big chunks to deal with.

Got a new toaster oven.  Black and Decker convection oven.  I don't use it a lot, but it does great with frozen fries, biscuits and cookies.  It has a "keep warm" setting which is nice.

One of my new toys is my Food Saver Vacuum Sealer.  I probably use it every weekend on something.  I liked mine so much, I bought one for my daughter and one for my "other daughter" - she is who got all my stuff, I got rid of.  Case in point; found Rib Eyes on sale this week.  Cut them in half and now I have 3 more steak dinners.  I have sealed, ready to go waffles, made with the George.  When I find fruits and or veggies on sale, I buy them, blanch them, pre-freeze and seal. 

The sealer is just so versatile.  Above, are pictures of soup and SOS that I made, and sealed.  Yes you can do liquid "stuff".  I put in the bag, set in freezer for a few hours, then sealed them.  There are also some pics of applesauce and banana bread.  Cooled them on a rake, sliced them up, bagged them, froze for a couple of hours then sealed.  Now all I have to do, is reach in the freezer, grab one, and warm it up a little in the microwave.  If any of you, ever have left over jarred spaghetti sauce or left over tomato sauce, I came up with an idea (not an original idea, but at the time, didn't know others did the same thing)......take a cupcake/muffin pan, pour your leftover sauce in the tins and freeze, then bag.  For some leftover tomato sauce, I used an ice cube tray, then finished off like I did with the muffin tin trick.  I could go on and on about the sealer, but I won't. 

See my smoothie fruit?  Yep, that's half a banana. 

One more thing I bought, was a microwave steamer.  As some of you know, I don't do a lot of fried foods - I cheated the other day, had corn dogs and fries.  I like it, because it's easy to use.  The picture is of steamed tilapia and shrimp.  I have also added some broccoli.  They all cook about the same time.....one dish to clean up and healthy for you.

Who's next?  Just introduce yourself and tell us why you are a KGA.

Till next time dear readers, hugs and sloppy nose kisses, from me and the Cos.  PEACE!!

Shop Local..if the employees care.....

This is the email/comment I just sent to Kroger:

I have been a loyal customer of Kroger, in Lake City, Ga for years.  It's convenient for me and normally, I get good customer service.  Today was the worst experience I have ever had.  I was there at 2:41pm and had a cashier named Alex checking me out.  I asked for a carton of cigarettes.  She went over to where they were...stood there, came back and said.....we don't have them.  I said, yes you do and went over and showed her where they were( I always check to see if they have them).  That was not a smart thing to do.  She "slammed" the window to get them out, "slammed the window" when she got them and then slammed the swing-door when she came out.  Rang them up and slid them down to the bagger.  Never got a "thank you" or "have a nice day", mind you this was after a bill of close to 150$(149.56).  I am a 67 yr old female, a United States Army Veteran and I am sorry, but I think she should have showed me a little bit of respect.....even if I was just a customer.  Very, very rude.  Who taught her customer service?  Looking at the receipt, I can't find all my coupons.  Something needs to be done.  I can go a few miles down the road and go to Publix.  In fact, if I want to go to Kroger, I can go to one about 5 miles away......only problem is, not sure if my ice cream would last, that far in this heat.

I'm a bartender.  Customer service is my main concern.  Sure, there's a lot of people who walk in, and I know automatically what they want.  That's a whole other ballgame.

I know Kroger got my comments, but of course, I got one of those automatic responses.  Will keep you posted, on their real response.  Please know, I'm not trying to get her fired, but someone really needs to give her some training. 

Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE, dear readers.

A steak recipe which will make a non-steak eater, a steak eater!!

When my Jim was still alive, he was a big steak eater.  I would grill just about every weekend, rain or shine.  I on the other hand, was not.  I would eat my tator and about 1/4 of the steak.

Now, every once in awhile, I actually get a taste for MEAT.  I have a George Foreman Evolve Grill (indoor/counter top), which I really like, but don't always want to drag it out of the cabinet.  Found this recipe for steak and it is scrumptious!!  Have made it 3 or 4 times now and it has never failed to come out like I want.

It's called the "Perfect Bone-In Ribeye".  The original recipe calls for a 22 oz steak......gotta' be hungry to eat that much!!  I usually get a Ribeye that's about a pound and cut it in half, then vacuum seal it and then freeze for another meal.

22 oz. bone-in Ribeye Steak

1 tbsp. EVOO or vegetable oil

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. seasoned salt

1 tbsp. cracked black pepper

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 275F (135C).

2.  Remove steak from fridge.  Season with the garlic, salt and pepper.  Let set until it reaches room temperature.  Yes dear readers, I am a firm believer in not cooking something straight from the fridge.

3.  Drizzle oil on steak and a little in a very hot pan......use a stainless steel one or one that is oven proof.  Place steak in hot pan and sear on all sides.

4.  Put in oven and finish off, by baking for about 1 hr. for well, 45 mins. for med. and 30 mins. for med. rare.  The size of steak you are using, will of course, determine the amount of time.  For my little 8 ouncer, I bake it for about 15 - 20 mins.

5.  Remove from oven, cover with foil and let rest for about 8-10 mins.

Well, I'm pretty well caught up.  Made good progress, don't you think??  Have thoughts on something else, but need to wrap my mind around it, before I get started.

As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE, dear readers.   

.

Sgt. B's SOS

This is my take on the Army's SOS.  Have made a few changes and most importantly, it doesn't serve thousands of people. 

I use ground beef or ground chuck, but you can always use ground turkey, ground chicken or sausage.

It's made with my medium white sauce recipe.



1-1/2 lbs. ground meat
2 tbsps. butter
1 cp. chopped onion
1/4 cp. flour or 1/8 cp. corn starch
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 cp. beef stock
salt & pepper to taste
1 cp. milk

1.  Brown meat and drain well.

2. Return to pan and add butter.

3.  Add onions.

4.  Add flour stir until well blended and cook for 2-3 mins.  Slowly add stock; mix well, stirring constantly.

5.  Add garlic powder and Worcestershire Sauce.

6.  Slowly add the milk and stir until thick and heated through.   


COOKS NOTES:
If using corn starch, mix it with the stock - I'm not fond of making a roué with flour.  Seems like you can still taste it, even after cooking it for a few mins.  This would be in Step #4.

I don't use chopped onions, just onion powder.

Add any seasonings you want....I even use a shake of paprika.

Can be served on biscuits, toast or rice.  I sometimes add mushrooms and cheese and serve it over rice for a dinner meal.

Felice's One-Man Crepe

Morning everybody.  As promised, am going to try and catch up - slowly but surely.

I was at work one night and started thinking about crepes.....guess watching Jacques Pipin making them didn't help.  Just didn't want to make a bunch, even though I knew I could vacuum seal them and then freeze.  Besides, it was going to be my first attempt at them.  So, the next morning, I started looking for a recipe, that would be easy to "cut down" for less of the finished product.  I have never been able to figure out, how to half an egg.  On one of my sites I check every now and then, a lady had a recipe for "One Man Crepe".....it's all in the name.....that's what it makes(depending on the size of the pan you use).  This is really very easy and only a few ingredients.  Thanks again Felice for sharing.  Another nice thing about this crepe recipe is that leaving out 2 ingredients - sugar and vanilla - you have a crepe for your savory recipes.  On my blog post, titled "Bon Jour" you will see a picture of both.  Hope you enjoy.

4 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 egg
4 tbsp.  milk or other liquids
1 pinch salt
1/2 tsp. sugar (omit for savory)
3 drops vanilla (omit for savory)

1.  Mix together the flour, salt and sugar.

2.  In another bowl whisk together the milk, egg and vanilla.

3.  Combine the wet ingredients with the dry, and mix well, until smooth.  Cover and let rest in refrigerator for at least 30 mins.

4.  Melt a little butter or vegetable oil in a 8" or 10" non-stick pan or crepe pan if you have one.  Swill the pan to coat the bottom.

5.  Pour batter into pre-heated pan tilting to spread batter.  If you double the recipe, I would use about 3 tbsps. of batter....if bottom is covered, you should be good to go.

6.  When top is set, flip gently with a spatula, or just use your fingers.

7.  Cook briefly and remove from pan.
 
8.  Fill with whatever you like....roll or fold.  Top with fruit, honey, maple syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar, for a fancier look.

As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE, dear readers.

Hello dear readers.
Been a busy couple of weeks.
Have a couple of things I need to post.  Have the week off, so should be back this weekend.
As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos....PEACE

Memorial Day 2016

Dear readers, I hope you all had a safe and fun Memorial Day.

Mine turned tearful, by days end.

Started out with finishing the banana pudding for the cookout at the VFW Post.  Didn't go to the ceremony at the cemetery, as I had to be at work before it was over.

Got to work around 1 and already had 3 customers:  Bobby, a WWII/Korea Vet, Steve a Viet Nam Vet and "Fast" Eddie a WWII/Korea Vet.  Bobby and Steve were there early as they were are cooks/grillers.  Eddie, brought some shrimp and had a couple of Buds.

Then the rest of the folks started coming in around 2, food in hand and the festivities began.  We did a moment of silent prayer, then a few minutes later, the chaplain blessed the food.  I knew I shouldn't had tried to eat and work....food got cold and I got tired.

Guess the crowd started clearing out around 7.  Bobby and Steve were still there with me.  We watched a war movie and chit chatted.  All and all we had a good bar($) for the day and the tips weren't bad.

This is were the "strange" starts......I like watching the Memorial Day Concert from DC.  I like Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna and the music always gives me the "goose bumps".  Last night while I watched it, I didn't get 5 minutes into the show, before I started tearing up.  Why last night?  Memorial Day has always meant something to me.  I have been out of the service for 25 years.  Could it still be I feel guilty for being here, when I lost people I knew.  Why me?  Arlington National Cemetery is a site to see.  The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the dedicated Guard who watches over it, rain or shine.

So dear readers, I will continue to stand at attention when I hear the National Anthem or God Bless America.  I will continue to honor this country and the flag that stands for our freedom. 

I will not make this a political post......just this writers feelings.

Last but not least, don't wait for Memorial Day or Veterans Day to honor our military.  They don't take time between holidays to protect you.  Thank a Vet!!  They do appreciate it, more than you would think.

As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE

Sheila's good, bad and the ugly week, in review...

Hey readers.  Been an interesting week, or at least, 5 days.

Monday was good and bad. I re-connected with Steve from another site and he led me here, which led me to meet and talk to you all.
Had to go to the USPS....it ties my panties in a wad, when I hear people NOT speaking English, when they are in America.  Guess it's from being a proud American and ex-military.  Even when I was in Korea, I tied to learn enough, to half way carry on a conversation, in their language.
Then I made a trip to the drug store......there's a lady, with like 4 kids.  Her card wouldn't work, so she leaves the kids in the store, with the bag, goes out to her car and instead of getting cash or a card that worked, promptly got on her phone and had a seat in her car.  By this time, there were 5 of us, waiting to check out. 
Then to the Irish Pub for Feed the Hungry.  Made up like 200 plates to go to Atlanta.

Tuesday, was pretty uneventful.  Just work, and we weren't very busy.  Did find out, I'm down to 1 day a week.  Not complaining......and no dear readers, I will not starve or become homeless - God willing!!  It's only beer money. 
 
Then Weds. came. Stopped and picked up the mail on my way to work and SURPRISE - I have jury duty, the end of June.  
Please, whoever reads this, if you ever go into an establishment, and are waited on, tip the server!!  I had a couple, who I see all the time, who sat there for like 2 hours.  Drank 7 or 8 beers, between the 2 of them...about a 17$ bar bill....and didn't tip one red cent.  These are the same 2, that always talk about how good tippers they are. 


Thurs. was my "I need something for me" day.  It was not a spur of the moment decision.  Have been thinking about it since last year and finally went and got it yesterday.  A new laptop!!  It's a HP Envy.  Has a backlit keyboard, touch screen, voice (for Cortana), numeric keyboard and it can be turned into a tablet - a very large one!  And yes, Win10 was pre-loaded.  Like the feel of the keyboard, much better than the old one.  Am giving the old one to a dear friend of mine. 

I love the ATL and GA, but can't deal with these Code Orange "Smog" alerts we have.  Think we were under one, 3 days this week.  Not today, though.  In fact the pollen count is only 10.

When I get a few minutes, will post the recipe for the One-Man-Crepe and the SOS.  I was also thinking about my medium white sauce recipe I posted and some of the other different ways, you could use it.

Please take a moment on Monday, to honor or fallen brothers and sisters.  I will be at the VFW, working...having a cookout, after the ceremony at the cemetery.  Be safe, if you are out and about.

As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE and I think it might be 5 o'clock somewhere - CHEERS!!  

SgtB's Medium White Sauce for use in just about anything.....

Dear readers.  I posted a picture of the savory chicken and mushroom crepe I made.  Here is the recipe for the filling.

This medium white sauce is so versatile.  It's also used in the SOS recipe.  Just change the stock from chicken to beef.

I use corn starch.  Seems like when I use flour, no matter how long I cook it, I can still taste it.


MEDIUM WHITE SAUCE

1 tbl. corn starch

1 cup milk

2 tbls. butter or margarine

salt and pepper, to taste

1.  Combine the corn starch and milk in a small sauce pan .  Stir til smooth.

2.  Add butter, salt & pepper.  Cook over medium heat until butter has melted.

3.  Boil gently about 1 minute, or til thick, stirring constantly. 

SAVORY CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM FILLING

1 cup baby bellas, sliced
1 chicken thigh, cooked and cubed
2 tbls. evoo or vegetable oil, for sautéing
salt and pepper, to taste

1/8 cup corn starch
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup milk


1.  Heat 2 tbls oil in non-stick pan.
2.  Add mushrooms sprinkle lightly with salt and cook for 5 mins.
3.  Add cooked chicken, stir; Lightly salt and pepper and cook for about 1 to 2 mins.
4.  Cover and remove from heat.
5.  Using the next 3 ingredients, make the white sauce.  Mix the corn starch with the stock, and then add the milk slowly.
6.  Pour some of the sauce over the chicken/mushroom mix and heat through.  Save some to pour over the top.

Who the Heck is Sheila "SgtB" Calnan??

I got so excited about finding a place to "bend an ear" at, I forgot to tell my readers, a little about me.

My name is Sheila. Have been cooking most of my life and just turned 67 yrs old a few weeks ago...so that's a long time.

I spent 8 years in the United States Army, serving in South Korea and in Saudi Arabia, during the first Gulf War. Before joining the Army, I owned a small bakery/café in Georgia....so I guess I hit both sides...cooking and baking.

I recently purchased a Food Saver Vacuum System. Totally love the thing. I liked mine so much, I bought my daughter one and a friend of mine one. I lost my husband/best friend back in 2012, so I have to make myself cook. I know how hard it is to cook for one - when you go from serving 1,000+ a meal, down to 2 (even though Jim ate like he was the Army), that's one of the reasons, I bought the sealer. I can cook a big batch of something and have other meals, for a later date.

Have a best friend named Cosmo.  He's a rescue mutt who has been with me for almost 9 years now.  He's a sweet boy.

Am a member of the VFW/VFWA and DAV.  Bartend part-time at my VFW Post, just to give me something to do.  Once a month a help a friend of mine (human this time :) )with her church's Feed the Hungry Program.

I'm the Mother of a wonderful daughter, who has the world's best husband - just for putting up with her - and 3 grandkids.  Alex is going to be 17 (UGH!!!) this year and 10 year old twin girls, Annie and Jenna.

Have never done a blog, so hoping some of you, will make suggestions (be kind though),  ask questions, that maybe I can talk to you about. Would like to meet some other bloggers and read what they have to say.

Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.  PEACE!!

Dog Friendly kitchen....

Hello all.  Do I have anybody out there, that are dog lovers?
Have you ever wondered if you could make the furkids a tasty, nutritional treat, with no additives and preservatives?  If so, I might have just solved your problem.
They are easy to make and take no time at all, to put together.  They work well in sneaking meds to them, too.
These are good for the humans, too.  Tried one.  Really not bad.

Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.

My one and only follower asked for the recipe......so here you go Steve:


NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup water

1.  Mix peanut butter, cinnamon and water.  Mixture should be fairly thick.  Use more or less water as need be.

2.  Slowly add the oats. 

3.  Shape into balls - size is up to you.  I used a small cookie scoop.

These can be stored in an air tight container, in the fridge for about 2 weeks or freezer for 2 months.

Where have you been all my life??

I recently purchased a Food Saver Vacuum System.  This thing is amazing!!  I probably use it every day, for something or other.  Case in point……made some Banana Bread and Applesauce Bread a couple of weeks ago. After they were cool enough to “man-handle”, I sliced them up, in a single serving size, laid them on a parchment lined sheet pan, and stuck them in the freezer. Pre-freezing everything is very important.  Baked goods especially.  It helps them keep their shape.  Now, I have both in the freezer, and all I have to do is take them out and enjoy.
Another thing I found works well, at least for me, are waffles.  I made a full batch on my George Foreman, and now I can have waffles when I want them, without the trouble of actually making them.  Heat ’em up in either the toaster, toaster oven or even nuke them for a few sec.
Trust me folks, I really don’t work for them.  Just really like the product.  So much, I bought my daughter one.  She called today and said she had run out of bags, again.  Love it, when I buy something for someone, and it doesn’t end up sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.
Well, I hope if any of you are up in the air about getting one, I hope this might have answered a few of the questions, you might have had.  It pretty much can vac/seal anything you want it to…….even
non food items.

Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.

Bon Jour!!

I took basic Spanish in High School – too many years ago to remember much and 2 years in Korea didn’t teach me much – they all wanted to speak English.  When it comes to French, I know like 7 words/phrases all the basic ones, most everybody knows.  Bon Jour, Au Revoir, Deja Vu, Oh La La.  Bon Appetit goes well with French Onion Soup. Well, my friends, I’m going to dazzle you with one:  Crepes ala Confiture.  Sounds super fancy and super hard to make, doesn’t it?  Thanks to Felice, a cooking friend from mine, I have found a super easy crepe recipe.  Nice thing is, it only makes 1 large crepe.  Ingredients are all easy to double or triple.
Felice says they freeze well, so maybe, I’ll make a double batch and vac/seal.  Already have my fillings planned.  Some yogurt with blueberry sauce.

Top photo is a savory chicken and mushroom crepe and the bottom is a sweet breakfast crepe.  Same batter, except that the savory is without the sugar and vanilla.

Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. 

To Fry or Not to Fry, that is the Question......

To Fry or Not to Fry, that is the Question......
……..my answer to that question would be a big NO.  Have never been one for fried foods.  Greasy foods and me just don’t get along.  I do, do the occasional French fries, but not many and not often.  I even gave away my fryer.  Hate the mess frying causes.  Gets all over everything.
With that in mind, most recipes you will get from me will be either, baked, sautéed, poached, steamed or done in the crock pot.
Before I started to poach and steam, I really thought it was going to be bland.  If you have never tried doing either, you are in for a surprise.
Poaching liquid can be just about anything you want it to be.  Stock, beer, wine or even plain water.  Just add the seasonings you like.  Also, it doesn’t take much time to cook your poultry or fish.  I have a steamer, but haven’t used it yet.  When I steam, I do it in the microwave.  Dinner the other night was steamed flounder, with steamed fresh yellow squash and broccoli.
I put a little EVOO and a little butter in the bottom of the steamer.  The fish and veggies were on the tray, seasoned and steamed for about 5 minutes.  Fast, easy, healthy and quick clean-up. Microwave steamers are fairly inexpensive.

The picture is tilapia and shrimp.  The lemon butter made a nice sauce to pour over the fish.
Would like to know if any readers have a favorite poaching liquid.

Hurry Up GI, I Don't Have all Day!!

I’m sure I have some of you out there, that have been in the military, as I have been.  One of my favorite meals to work, being I was a 94B20 (cook), was breakfast.  I could do omelets, fried, scrambled or all of them, at one time.  I was H-LL on the grill.  My poor little peons would stand in disbelief, as I had 10 or more orders on the grill at one time.
When I left the grill/kitchen and started working in the office, I got my hands on the old recipe cards – DOD got us some newer, prettier ones (our tax dollars at work?).  One of the ones I really wanted was SOS.  Between all the moves, military and civilian, I have lost it.  But no fear my friends and fellow cooks……I have one, that is pretty darn close.  Only another military cook can tell you that I’m wrong……if they only knew the secret I have hidden, deep inside my pea brain.
If any of my readers would like the recipe for SgtB's SOS, let me know.
Peace!!  Happy cooking and hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.