Monday, January 27, 2020
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Monday, May 03, 2010
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Taking time for love
"Getting things accomplished isn't nearly
as important as taking time for love."
~ Janette Oke
For those wondering why I think that this apple is so beautiful... it is because it has the paw-print of my friend's retriever on it. I think it is so beautiful. And, yes... it is a real apple.
Now, you're asking how they did this? Well, I live in Japan and this is the gift giving season. I really don't understand how they put their pup's print on the apple. However, I think it is one of the most adorable gifts I've received this season.
To answer a question that appears as the first comment, this apple was ripened in a special way. The paw-print appears on the apple naturally. It is not painted on the apple. Actually, first my girlfriend and her husband bought this apple tree. At the same time, my girlfriend drew the paw-print on a piece of paper. The apple grower takes care of the magic and it appears on the apples as they ripen. As a result, when they were delivered to her, her apples were personalized with her pup's paw-print.
And, I thought I would share it with my friends.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Baked Maple Apples
from the kitchen of a friend
Peel and core apple (1 per person) - leave whole
Wrap individual apples in plastic wrap
Microwave until baked (keep checking, be careful not to over-bake)
Remove from plastic wrap and place in individual serving plate.
Top with maple syrup and serve.
serving: 1 apple per person
Peel and core apple (1 per person) - leave whole
Wrap individual apples in plastic wrap
Microwave until baked (keep checking, be careful not to over-bake)
Remove from plastic wrap and place in individual serving plate.
Top with maple syrup and serve.
serving: 1 apple per person
Saturday, June 02, 2007
KIWI Pie
from the kitchen of a friend
This is for a round 9-inch pie. Put the following mixture into a baked pastry shell - but no recipe for the pastry - maybe you could try it with the frozen pie sheets?
It also calls for a double boiler - maybe you could do something makeshift if you don't have one (i.e. stainless steel mixing bowl inside a pot...your mixture would be nearer the heat source than compared to a double-boiler, but if you stir constantly and consider the level of the heat source, maybe it'll work fine)
ingredients:
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1 envelope of plain gelatin (I don't know how many grams, but the packet says it's enough gelatin to gel two cups of liquid)
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup cold water
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 and 1/2 cups of kiwi fruit (peeled and cut into quarters)
first put the gelatin into the cold water, in the top of a double boiler, put aside to soften
in a separate, regular saucepan, put in the kiwi and mash it up - boil it in its own natural juice
mix the egg yolks, salt, and the 1/2 cup of sugar into the gelatin/water mixture
cook this gelatin/egg/salt/sugar mixture - stirring constantly - until it begins to thicken slightly
add the mashed/boiled kiwi into the gelatin mixture
add the lemon rind and juice
chill for about 45 minutes
--------------
separate bowl - beat the egg whites until foamy
add the 2 tsbp sugar
beat until stiff peaks form
--------------
separate bowl - whip the whipping cream
fold it into the stiff egg whites
then fold that mixture into the chilled kiwi mixture
then put it into the baked pie pastry (I think it should be cooled-off)
chill until firm
--------------
garnish with kiwi slices, and whip cream if desired
Friends comment...
Now, after typing all that, I think I'd just try the easy apple crisp recipe
with kiwi instead of apples!
This is for a round 9-inch pie. Put the following mixture into a baked pastry shell - but no recipe for the pastry - maybe you could try it with the frozen pie sheets?
It also calls for a double boiler - maybe you could do something makeshift if you don't have one (i.e. stainless steel mixing bowl inside a pot...your mixture would be nearer the heat source than compared to a double-boiler, but if you stir constantly and consider the level of the heat source, maybe it'll work fine)
ingredients:
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1 envelope of plain gelatin (I don't know how many grams, but the packet says it's enough gelatin to gel two cups of liquid)
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup cold water
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 and 1/2 cups of kiwi fruit (peeled and cut into quarters)
first put the gelatin into the cold water, in the top of a double boiler, put aside to soften
in a separate, regular saucepan, put in the kiwi and mash it up - boil it in its own natural juice
mix the egg yolks, salt, and the 1/2 cup of sugar into the gelatin/water mixture
cook this gelatin/egg/salt/sugar mixture - stirring constantly - until it begins to thicken slightly
add the mashed/boiled kiwi into the gelatin mixture
add the lemon rind and juice
chill for about 45 minutes
--------------
separate bowl - beat the egg whites until foamy
add the 2 tsbp sugar
beat until stiff peaks form
--------------
separate bowl - whip the whipping cream
fold it into the stiff egg whites
then fold that mixture into the chilled kiwi mixture
then put it into the baked pie pastry (I think it should be cooled-off)
chill until firm
--------------
garnish with kiwi slices, and whip cream if desired
Friends comment...
Now, after typing all that, I think I'd just try the easy apple crisp recipe
with kiwi instead of apples!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Poached Pears
From the kitchen of a friend
6 small fresh pears
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Grated, unsweetened chocolate (optional, garnish)
Peel pears, leaving stems intact. In a large saucepan, stir together pineapple juice and nutmeg. Arrange pears in pineapple juice. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender (approx 30 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Drain pears and reserve sauce. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Over medium heat, bring sauce to a boil and add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute.
Arrange pears in individual serving dishes and pour juice over pears.
Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate.
Makes 6 servings.
6 small fresh pears
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Grated, unsweetened chocolate (optional, garnish)
Peel pears, leaving stems intact. In a large saucepan, stir together pineapple juice and nutmeg. Arrange pears in pineapple juice. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender (approx 30 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Drain pears and reserve sauce. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Over medium heat, bring sauce to a boil and add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute.
Arrange pears in individual serving dishes and pour juice over pears.
Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate.
Makes 6 servings.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sautéed Apples
From the kitchen of a friend
1 tbsp oil
3 large red apples, cored and thinly sliced
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add apples and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with sugar, apple juice and cinnamon.
Cook 2-3 minutes longer, or until syrupy and apples are tender, stirring occasionally.
Note: this is a nice topping for any meal – from breakfast to dinner and of course, desserts!
1 tbsp oil
3 large red apples, cored and thinly sliced
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add apples and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with sugar, apple juice and cinnamon.
Cook 2-3 minutes longer, or until syrupy and apples are tender, stirring occasionally.
Note: this is a nice topping for any meal – from breakfast to dinner and of course, desserts!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Cranberry Chutney
from the kitchen of MaryJo
1 3/4 lbs. tart apples, chopped
2 1/4 lbs. cranberries
2 cups each white and brown sugar
1 1/4 cups cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp.ground ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. pepper flakes
1/2 lbs. dark raisins
Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook 25 to 30 min. This freezes well or can be canned as the recipe makes a lot. I sometimes add orange and lemon zest to the recipe.
1 3/4 lbs. tart apples, chopped
2 1/4 lbs. cranberries
2 cups each white and brown sugar
1 1/4 cups cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp.ground ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. pepper flakes
1/2 lbs. dark raisins
Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook 25 to 30 min. This freezes well or can be canned as the recipe makes a lot. I sometimes add orange and lemon zest to the recipe.