Recipe 19: Hamburger Strata

This tastes a little like lasagna, and a lot like stuffed french bread (only easier to eat).  If I were paying more attention, I would have doubled this recipe.  Probably a good thing I didn't, since I've been cooking so much I don't need a lot of leftovers.  And my husband is picky, and doesn't like the tomato/cheese combo very often (except on pizza) so the small batch was perfect for me and Cupcake.  If making for a larger group, definitely double and use a 9x12 pan.

Cook:
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion

In an ungreased 10x6x2 dish, layer
1 cup plain croutons
1 7-ounce can whole kernel corn (drained)

Spread the beef on top and then layer:
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup plain croutons

In a separate bowl, mix together:
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Pour the egg mixture over top, cover the dish in foil and bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.  Let stand for five minutes before serving.

Recipe 17: Puff Shells

From the Company's Coming: Appetizers cookbook.

Puff Shells
Boil 1 cup water and 1/2 cup butter.  Add 1 cup flour and a dash of salt.  Stir vigorously until mix leaves sides of pan and forms a ball.  Remove from heat.  Add 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Drop small spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 for 15 minutes until puffed, brown and dry.  Transfer to a rack and cool.

Nothing fancy, but they taste like bite size Yorkshire puddings.

Recipe 16: Sunshine Muffins

I've posted orange muffin recipes before: here and here.  But these are completely different from either of those.  A lot more dense, almost the texture of cornbread.  I got this recipe from Aaron's Granny's collection of recipes - I think he got his love of cooking from her.

Sunshine MuffinsPut in the blender:
  1 orange cut into eight pieces (yes, the whole thing)
  1/2 cup orange juice
  1 egg
  1/4 cup oil
Blend until smooth.  Then add:
  1 1/2 cups flour
  3/4 cup sugar
  1 tsp baking powder
  1 tsp baking soda
  1 tsp salt
Blend.
Add optional ingredients:
  1/2 cup raisins
  1/2 cup chopped nuts
Pour into muffin tins and bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
Makes a dozen large muffins.


And if you've been keeping track of my recipe count, I've skipped a few numbers.  I've done the recipes, just haven't done individual blog posts for them all.  But I've got a list of them all right here!

KCW / PRP

Kids Clothes Week - Upcycle

Project Run and Play - Mademoiselle Muscle Tee

I've never really worked with knit before, so this combination of KCW and PRP was the perfect excuse to take the plunge.  I've got a small stash of t-shirts to play with, and was originally planning on doing something with ruffles for KCW, but life happens, and this is all that got done.

Nana got me a zoo pass for the year, so I thought it'd be fun for Cupcake to have a special shirt for when we go.  We went twice in January, and the red pandas were so active and adorable.  Such great inspiration for this shirt!  

I found a mens t-shirt at the thrift store, bought some ballpoint needles, cut apart an old tank top for the ribbing, followed this tutorial (specifically for the sleeves) and used acrylic paint for the face and tail.  

 We had to go to the zoo again to take pictures.  Thankfully it warmed up from the -10 yesterday to +10 today so we could get away without a coat long enough for a few pictures.  Cupcake would occasionally flash open her coat and show random strangers her new shirt - I think that means she likes it!

I know it doesn't exactly follow the PRP pattern, but I live in Canada where there is little need for sleeveless shirts (especially in February) so I added sleeves.  Got to be practical sometimes.  I still was inspired to use knits though - the tutorial made it look so easy!  And really, it wasn't so bad.