Leek and potato soup with Sausage.

Hiya..
This week in the fresh box I opened it up and got a strong pull of inspiration, I saw Leeks, and for some reason I thought soup. I am going to try to do the Wednesday dinner meal with what comes in the box now. I thought this soup turned out very well,

Leek and potato Soup with Sausage

The Hardware
Knife
Stock Pot
potato Masher

The Software
6 Small Leeks (just the white and light green)
6 C of diced potato
8 Mild Italian sausages (Small)
2 Tbsp of Fennel seeds
1 L of chicken stock
2 C of Water
2/3 C of heavy cream

The Application
Remove the casing from the sausage and begin to fry in the stock pot, after about 2 min add Chopped leeks and fennel. Fry for about 10 min. While the leek is cooking peel and dice the potatoes, I used Yukon golds. Add potatoes, chicken stock, and water. Simmer uncovered for about 20 min, or until the potatoes are very soft. then mash with a potato masher for a bit to give the potatoes a bit if texture. Add cream and heat for 5 min. Serve, It made about 8 servings for me.

I am looking forward to my days off this week ... I have some cooking to catch up on. and that cookie cook book has been calling my name.

24 karat Cookies

I got this great cook book in a swap and it is full of cookies... Yaaaaay.. so I am slowly trying some of them.

24 karat Cookies..

The Hardware
2 Bowls
Electric mixer.
Baking sheet
Wooden Spoon
Box Grater

The Software
1 C ap flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick of butter 1/4 pound
1 egg
1/2 C honey
3/4 C of Grated carrots
1/2 C of oats
1/2 C raisins
2-1/2 C of walnuts

The Application
is small bowl mix together the flour, powder, soda, and salt. In a large bow cream butter with electric mixer and then add egg, then honey, then carrot. at this point switch to a wooden spoon and mix in above mentioned dry. Then in mix in oats, raisins, and then nuts.

Drop 1 inch potions on a cookie sheet

Bake in a 350 oven for 15 min, turning the pan at the 1/2 time point

Very yummie and with carrots and Oats... healthy too ... right.... ya... sure....

The Beverage Post

Hiya...

I covered for a coworker the other day when he was sick and he said "thanks I owe you a beer" Little did I know he would pay up in my fave beverage.. Newcastle.. I will give a more when I get up in the Evening.. Now I am going to savore my spoils and watch the Amazing race.... Too bad it was just one.. Thanks Fry guy...

Sopel Chef III

OK This is the third installment of the Sopel chef challenge, for those of you unfamiliar with this event it is an extreme rip off of Iron chef. My three siblings and I all submit dishes under a common theme and present them to a judge.

The Ingredient: My sister Soaps won the last challenge and she now gets to pick the next theame

"It will be any king of food, dessert, soup, meatloaf , whatever as long as it has pumpkin in it! My favorite holiday is coming up, so I says pumpkin is the competition and.......LETS GET IT ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN"

The RULES

A picture and preparation techniques must be emailed to Oblio
before the 20th of october. From there she will post the pics and text on her
blog (that way there will be no telling who prepared what dish) and a judge
will decide the winner.

Scoring will be based on :
Aesthetics Max 5 pts-
Eatability Max 5 pts-
Originality Max 5 pts

And the judge is yet to be choosen But I have a list to work with.. Thanks again to last guest judge Dawna

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Also for all family members please check the Christmas menu button on the right... I am hosting this year Invites to come in mail soon. If you would like something to be added let me know...

BBM 2

Blogging By Mail was an idea brought forward by Nic at Baking Sheet Blog The Idea was that several people throw there names into a hat and then everyone gets a person to send something to. This time I drew a person from New York whom I think has not gotten her package yet, However this time I received my package from Cathy who's blog is My Little Kitchen her profile picture is a cute kitchen that reminds me of a flat kitchen I once had.

Most of you know I work nights... While I nodded, nearly Napping, suddenly there came a tapping. As if some one gently rapping. Rapping at my chamber door, but there it was a package sitting by my chamber door. And there he was the man I had been expecting the most, with the emblem apon his tunic blazing "Canada Post"

"Sign here" Said the man, and with this request I did comply. Fore what was in the package I did anticipate brownies, cake, or Pie.
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That was fun....

The low down what was in the package.

• A large package of Pecan Halves
• Brownies with nuts Mmmmm
• A cookie cook book
• Some spices, for chicken
• A bag of Candy corn (my fall fave)
• A bag of dried cranberries
• A Reese Peanutbutter cup.
• Nibby Bar
• Toll House Cookie bar
• Pay Day Bar

This was soo cool A cook book the gift that keeps on giving.. I love Payday this is not available in Canada. This package was soo cool and very fun. Thank you very much Cathy everything was wonderful.

Roasted Stuffed Peppers.

Hiya...
Hoo boi.. a long busy night at work, but super productive my crew emptied 3148 boxes last night. that works out to be 2 semi trailers full. each person has to put out a box every 2 minutes to meet there goals for productivity it is great when we go beyond expectations like that..

Anyway the food... We got lots of yellow bell peppers in our food box last week and I have always wanted to make stuffed peppers, I dont know I have always loved stuffed things.. Turkey, perogies, spring rolls... Mmmm

Stuffed Bell Peppers.

The Hardware
Knife
Bowl,

The Software
1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (about 1 large)
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
4 medium-size red bell peppers

The Application
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix first 9 ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Fill pepper halves with sausage mixture, dividing equally and mounding slightly. Arrange in 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Bake peppers uncovered until tops are browned and thermometer inserted into filling registers 165°F., about 1 hour.

That is all I know it feels like I didnt put much heart into this entry and for that I am sorry, I love cooking, and when I do it I feel like I am in my own world it is me, my music, knife and food. it makes me happy to make thing that feed our family.

AB's Meat Loaf

I am a huge fan of Alton Brown. I have been meaning to make his meatloaf since I seen the episode like 2 years ago.. Well I finally did it. The picture doesn't do it any justice, Hands down the best meatloaf I have ever tasted. Very Spicy...

GOOD EATS MEAT LOAF

The Hardware
Loaf Pan
Blender
Knife

The Software
6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 onion, roughly chopped
1 carrot, peeled and broken
3 whole cloves garlic
1/2 red bell pepper
2 lbs Ground Beef
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 egg
For the glaze:
1/2 cup catsup
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp curry paste
1 tablespoon honey

The Application
In a blender, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Pulse until the mixture is of a fine texture. Place this mixture into a large bowl. Combine the onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper in the blender. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, but not pureed. Combine the vegetable mixture, ground beef with the bread crumb mixture. Season the meat mixture with the kosher salt. Add the egg and combine thoroughly

Pack this mixture into a 10-inch loaf pan to mold the shape of the meatloaf. Onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, turn the meatloaf out of the pan onto the center of the tray. Insert a temperature probe at a 45 degree angle into the top of the meatloaf. Avoid touching the bottom of the tray with the probe. Set the probe for 155 degrees.

Combine the catsup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, curry paste and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes.

We're still all about the food, and puppet, and the occasional bad movie rip-off, and food, and strange camera angles, and bad shirts, and food. - Alton Brown

I have a cool t-shirt collection that comes mostly form Value village.. I can afford new shirts.. but I like the funk..

Here comes the Judge.

Hiya. Due to uncontrollable circumstances The Watermellon is not able to judge our Sopel Chef Challenge. However Dawna has agreed to take on the robes of judgeship. Good luck to you and happy judging.. You will do a great job.

Buttermilk Scones

Wow,, busy weekend, Lots to tell. First off, The F.O.O.D. People called and told me that they are not able to bring me on now as they have hired someone else, however they are starting up a new route in a few weeks and would like to keep me in mind for that. I was totally excited about it, I have no problems waiting I know there is other jobs out there that I can do, however I really would get sense that I am doing something to promote health and community by getting invlolved at this place.

Secondly there is a Menu button on the right of my blog now that I am going to try to follow, once a week I will plan the next weeks meals, in an effort to be more organized. This also will help me with shopping, and food prep.

Oh Yeah scones,,, This is another recipe that I have shamelessly stolen from Nic's Blog she has some of the best recipes. This was so fluffy and moist, I browned them a bit too much but still very yummy

The Hardware
Wisk
Pastry Cutter
Bowl
Baking sheet

The Software
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp butter, cold and cut into small pieces
5 tbsp buttermilk1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup dried cranberries
Topping
1 tbsp buttermilk
1 tbsp sugar

The Application
Preheat oven to 400F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar and whisk to combine. Rub butter into the flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles very coarse meal.
Stir in buttermilk and vanilla, adding the dried cranberries as the dough starts to come together. The dough should be sticky but not runny.Form dough into a disc 1 inch thick and place on your baking sheet. Cut the dough disk into 4-6 wedges using a knife or a pizza cutter. Brush with 1 tbsp buttermilk and sprinkle liberally with coarse sugar. You may separate the scones or bake them together and break them apart after they're baked.
Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes, until lightly browned.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Makes 4-6 small scones

Once again the recipe is taken directly from Baking Sheet Blog Check it, she does great stuff.

Operation Surprise the Gurl.

Click to enlarge

Hiya...

I didn't pack a lunch for my gurl and rushed her out the door and told her to be at her picnic table out side her office at noon.

So that was at 7:30. I had planned up to that point, I made it a point not to plan a meal I wanted to make this on the fly. I was going to hit local hot spots and get inspired.

First I went to my local butcher Norman's Meats and looked at what he had to offer, however I was keeping in mind that this was lunch deal, I opted not to go with red meat, it would be kinda heavy.

Next stop was Dino's India Grocery Maybe I could do a Tangri Kabob.. but most everything in the store was frozen, there wasn't much fresh to look through.

Next stop was The Gimli Fish Market there has been alot of adds on tv for endless shrimp at a big red chain restaurant and it has been driving me mad. We have vowed never to eat at a chain large chain restaurant again due to the trans fats issues that they cause. So as anything else anything they can do I can do... So I got a great deal on shrimp a big bag of 30 for $10 and a few scallops to boot.

Aright so I have my main thing, back in the car I get together the rest of what I am gona bring. I decide one

• Grilled shrimp and scallop skewers
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Rice pilaf

By this time it is 10:30 and that leaves me only 1 1/2 hours before lunch. At home I get some music going and get prepping. I toss together a marinade for the shrimp.

1/2 C of Olive oil

1 Tbsp of oregano

3 Cloves of garlic minced

Juice of 1/2 lemon

To prep the corn I peel back the husks of the corn and remove the silks, replace the husks and place them in an icecream pail and cover with water... from here I will grill them for 20 min turning every 5.

As for the rice I cook as normal and toss it into a tinfoil packet still leaving it a little damp so it can steam on the grill .

I love charcoal, the taste I find is second only to cooking over a fire with hickory wood. I arrive only 45 min till lunch and get the charcoal grill going it takes about 15 min to get up to temp. Then I start grilling the corn and the rest is a wonderful lunch that got stares of envy from the gurls co-workers..... She tells me that there will be alot of uncomfortable husbands tonight as the word gets out of what I did within her work environment.

" I was surprised by how many things other than food are factors in a great meal - you know, company .. what's going on around you... is there sand between your toes... you know, thes are powerful factors" -Anthony Bourdain

Oatmeal Cookies

Every now and then I do random acts of baking, what this is, is that when we order out we will tip the delivery driver in cookies, biscottie, or loaf of bread. The above picture is the last thing I tipped, Some times I worry that people think I am trying to poison them, Last year they had to actually say on the local news "don't take food from strangers" Because someone got surprised by "special brownies" at the local Folk Festival.

Oatmeal Cookies

The Hardware
Bowl
Baking Sheet
Hand Mixer

The Software
3/4 C margarine
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C White Sugar
2 Egg
2 Tbsp Water
2 Tsp Vanilla
----
3/4 C AP Flour
3/4 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Cinnamon
----
3 C Oatmeal
1 C Semi Sweet Choco Chips

The Application
Cream together the first set of ingredients with a hand mixer, till light and fluffy.

Add in the second set mix well.

Add in the third set mix about well and drop on a greased baking sheet in balls about 1 inch around. Bake for 12-13 Min in a preheated 350 D oven.

This is an odd recipe that I found in my Gurls recipe book, it wasn't written in the style that she usualy writes so it made me try it, She didnt even recognize them, Sometimes I think she writes in her sleep :P

Eggless Chocolate Cake.

Hiya. Whaaaa Life is taking me for a ride as of late, Money Money Money.. this gosh darn house is costing soo much,,, during our dinner party last week, we had plumbing back up... so welcome to our home(pssst you cant use the toilet,, there is a subway down the street) Soo I am looking at getting a second job... I hear that the Organic Fruit and Vedge delivery co. that we order from is looking for pt drivers,, so I might try there.. if not I have always wanted to work at the falafel place (A local Jewish Restaurant),,,, so down to business..

Vegan Chocolate Cake

The Hardware
1 9 inch baking round (pan)
1 flour sifter
1 Fork

The Software
1 1/2 C Flour
3 tbsp Cocoa
1 tsp Baking soda
1 C White sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
5 tbsp Oil
1 tbsp Vinegar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 C Cold Water

The Application
Sift all dry ingredients into the 9 inch baking pan (grease the pan first)

Make 3 wells in the dry powder, one big one, and two smaller ones... I should kinda look like Mickey mouse. Pour the oil, vinegar, and vanilla into each of the wells. Then pour cold water over top everything and mix with a fork quickly, and as soon as there is no lumps or dry on the bottom of the pan put it in a 350 D oven as quick as possible. Bake for 30 Min.

Wrap it

Hiya.

I have made some nifty wraps with the left over souvloki, the contents are just warmed up kabobs, and some left over carrots pan fried with tsatsiki sauce.

The sauce is something that is near and dear to me, I am very fond of it, however my gurl is not... so I only make when we have company b/c then I get help eating it.

TSATSIKI Sauce

The Hardware
Knife

The Software
2 cloves of garlic minced garlic
1 C of plain yogurt
1 C of seeded cucumber diced fine
1 tbsp of mint.

The Application
In a bowl Add yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and mint... Mix real good with a fork.. and I use it as I would mayo...

I am looking forward to the long weekend I can do some hard core baking,, I cant wait to get my swap partner for blogging by mail two..

Right now I have Cake in the oven... MMMMMMM Vegan Cake... No eggs.. its true it can be done.. I wouldn't have thunk it.