Take that Rachael Ray

With the holiday season now in full swing at my big blue store I am reduced to making quick meals that some times are old standbys and not to tasteful, but are nutritious. But the one above went from inspiration to plate in 9 minutes. 30 Minute meals are for amateurs, just kidding, Rachael you can come live with us anytime.

Please read on for the exciting Interview below.

Pizza Bread.

The Hardware.
Knife
Box Grater
Baking Sheet

The Software
4 1inch slices of Bread(I used homemade sundried olive and herb bread)
4 Tbsp of Tomatoe Paste
1/2 a can of Pineapple bits
100g of sliced ham.
1 C of shredded Mozza

The Application
On a baking sheet lay out bread top with tomato paste, ham, cheese, and pineapples. Broil in oven for about 4-5 min till golden and toasty.

I have just made the last job offer for our temp Holiday Staff. I interviewed over 30 people to obtain the 10 people that I feel are the best for retail night work. Out of that 10 I will estimate that 3-4 will quite within the first week, due to either note being able to work the 11pm-7am shift, or not able to do the job physically. Each day the expectation is to process 7 skids of freight each box weight on average 10lbs, 35 boxes to the skid equals 350lbs per skid, times 7 skids equals 2450lbs that each person has to lift in a 7.5 hours of work.

So with 1 in 3 people getting the job this means that 2 of three suck! lets look in on last nights interview.

Me".......... so the expectations is 1 skid per hour"
Him"uh hu shurr snow problem"
Me(wondering why he is slurring his words) "Can you subtract 12 from 51 for me"
Him (proudly) "22"
Me "are you sure?"
Him"Yep"
Me (Looking at him close) "touch you nose with your right index finger"
Him*pokes himself in the cheek*
Me (Hmmm screw it, I am just gona ask what I am thinking) "were you drinking before you came in here today"
Him "just to calm my nerves"
Me "How many?"
Him "4"
Me "I see, we are done here"
Him "You will call?"
Me "No we won't"

Then I think to my self at least thisone was wearing shoes.

Shrimp Salad

Ana at the Pumpkin Pie Bungalow Inspired this dish I must say it turned out devine. It is a good way for me to eat avocados, I dont particularly like the green little things but they come in my fresh box every now and then and I keep forcing myself to eat them. even though it is as simple as saying "FOOD people no more avocados" I like to think that I can eat everything as long as I find the right recipie...

Shrimp Salad

The Hardware
Knife
Bowl
Wisk

The Software
2 avocados
1 shrimp ring
1/2 C of pecans pieces
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove of garlic minced
2 tbs of olive oil

The Application
Dice the avocado and de-tail the shrimp and combine in a bowl with the pecans. In a seperate bowl wisk together the lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. then add the dressing to the shrimpy goodness and enjoy.

I am so proud of me I was able to keep my kitchen clean all work week. Gold star for me!

Tour de Kitchen

Okay..

This is something I have been wanting to do for some time now, but I have not been able to figure out how to do multiple pictures on one post.. Well today I did it.. I probably did it the long way but I did it!.

This is my kitchen. We bought the first house we seen when we were house shopping and there was many determining factors in it but for me, I fell in love with the kitchen. It had everything I needed. No renovation no mucking about... Move in and start cooking. We are hoping to change out the appliances over then next few years. Everyone is doing the stainless steel thing.. I am thinking of buying a plain jane stuff and have a machinist replace the cover plates with copper I love that look and how it ages.

The tour starts with!


The overview


The stove with my 'Media center' it holds my cd's cook books and if you look close a chef!


The view from the window above the sink!


The fridge and dishwasher
----------------------
On either side of the kitchen window there is display space below is both of them one is mine and one is my Gurls.


Mine


The Gurls.

well that's it please exit via your nearest door, and thank you for keeping all arms and legs inside the vehicle during the ride.

Chunky Monkey Cake

Hiya,

I know with Christmas coming blogging is going to pick up for most people in the foodie world, I however regret to say that I am going to have to slow myself down for the next few months. I work in retail and Christmas in retail, is nuts. I have not been able to keep up with my house work either, Grr I hate clutter.

Chunky Monkey Cake

The Hardware
2 9 Inch cake pans
large bowl
electric mixer

The Software
1 package of 'Pre-measured' golden cake mix (*sigh*yes, package cake mix)
3 Eggs
1&1/3 C water
1/3 C oil
2/3 C chocolate chips
2 Mashed bananas
1 Sliced banana
large handfull of pecans

The Application
Preheat oven 350 D

In a large bowl mix on low speed cake mix, eggs, water, and oil. Then add mashed bananas, and mix on low til smooth. then by hand fold in sliced banana, nuts, chocolate. Pour equally into cake pans and bake for 35 min. they have never made it to the icing stage yet with me.

I promise more interesting things to come soon.. maybe from the Book of Great cookies

Do you have $20.00 to spare

If you have some extra money and an some time to spare this thursday or friday, and live in winnpeg. Why not take me to the Flatlander's beer fest it is a tasting of beers of the world. This is an anual excuse for like minded people to come and drink with an air of suphistication about them.

I wish I had the cash to go :(

Sorry I have been a bum and not blogging latley.. work work work.. BLA!!!!

Blue Chips

A long time ago I used to be a day manager at my big blue store, I ran the home and garden depts, go figure eh? Me and housewares! When it came time to order seed potatoes for the next season I saw these blue potatoes and knew that My store had to sell Blue potatoes. My store general manager was not a fan of this non proven item. I ordered several hundred units and crossed my fingers. Not having a garden and not being able to contribute to the sales of this risky item, I was nervous. The day they came in, 8 months later, I did a large display and watched them sell out in only a few days they were a hit, customers comeback year after year looking for them. I however never tasted them so when they came in my fresh box I was very excited. I decided to make fries out of them, I love yam fries and was told that these Russian Blue Potatoes were yamish. They turned out marv and just thought I would share this story with you.

Our Hamster

Our Beloved hamster Ginger passed away today, He will be missed very much by our family. Ginger came to us before we moved into our house. Last December at 5 minutes after midnite the three of us moved into the house together and been here eversince. Everyday when I got home form work I would peek at him and ask him how his nightly adventures were. About a month ago he developed a lump on his chest, we took him to the vet and we tried to treat it, However the lump go bigger and he lost his battle with cancer. He was with us for two and a half years, those years were ever so richer and fuller due to his presence in our lives.

Butterscotch Brownies

These may be the most wonderfully thing I have ever baked, infact I think they contributed to my waist band issue, In other news our front trees are nearly nude all the leaves are on the lawn, I cant wait to do all that raking :P

Butterscotch Brownies

The Hardware
Electric mixer
9 Inch sq pan
Spatula
Tin Foil
Bowl

The Software
1/4 brick of butter
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tbsp of molasses
1 1/4 C of brown sugar packed
2 eggs
1 C of AP flour
3/4 C of pecans

The Application
Preheat oven to 350 D and line pan with tin foil

In a large bowl cream the butter, beat in the vanilla and molasses. Add the brown sugar and mix well. then add one egg at a time, beating inbetween eggs for a minute. be sure to scrap sides every now and then. Now mix in the flour with a spatula and then add nuts.

Pour batter into the pan and bake for 32 min

I have been very into my music collection lately, there is nothing I like better than going into the kitchen and turning on the music and making anything, it is to me, my escape, some people play video games, some people drink, I prefer to put on some Bif , Danko Jones , or Moxy Fruvous and grab a sharp knife and create something tasty to forget my corporate worries.