Fun Websites

Two fun communities on the net I would like to share.. First is www.vzones.com. The pictures above were taken there. First pic is of Ed and I dressed up in wedding clothes :P. 2nd is a picture of my avatar and 3rd is a picture of my Aunt as she looks in newHorizones. There is also Dreamscape which my Aunt and I just joined a couple months ago. It's so much fun exploring and decorating there. Plus you get to meet people from all over the world. If your bored and looking for a place to play some fun games and meet lots of new people.. This may be the place for you.

The second community is called www.sparkpeople.com. Is a great resource if your wanting to lose weight. They help you track your food, calories, exercise and more. They have tons of different interest groups to join with tons of members there to share success stories and recipes with. It is a bit of an information overload but if you take it one step at a time it will become your favorite go to website for weight loss tips and encouragement.

French Toast Cups with Fresh Fruit & Cream

Ingredients:
Nonstick Cooking Spray
3 Eggs
1 Tablespoon (a splash) milk (eyeball it)
2 Teaspoons (about half a palmful) cinnamon
Dash of Vanilla extract, optional
Dash of Fresh Nutmeg, optional
8 Slices white or wheat Sandwich bread
1 pint fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
Whipped cream

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375

Spray the inside of each cup of a 6-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Cut a slit in the corner of each slice of bread from the middle of the slice to the edge.

Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture then lightly press it into a cup of the muffin tin, overlapping the pieces where you cut the slit to make it fit into the cup without tearing.

Bake the french toast cups for 12 to 14 minutes, until they're light golden brown.

Allow the cups to cool slightly in the muffin tin before removing them. To serve, arrange the cups on a platter and fill with fresh fruit and top with whipped cream.

New dog pics..

It's been a while since I posted pics of the pooches.. So thought I would put a couple up for your viewing pleasure.
Times are tough and gas prices are a rip off. With the gas companies recording huge profits I wonder why they cant share the wealth? Makes me wonder why the gas prices are so darned high if they are making such a huge profit. The greedy butts. Diesel prices are also a problem. Ed is having a hard time of it lately. The fuel cost is eating into his paychecks badly. Not to mention his truck needs some work to help increase his fuel mileage. Right now I believe he is sitting at around 5mpg. With a good truck it should be I believe 6 to 7mpg. He is hoping to get the repairs done because other wise he can't afford to keep running it.
I have sent off and am waiting on my visitors record extension to come in the mail. I'm not too stressed about if they renew it or not. Lot of other things occupying my mind. We have moved our Wedding date back to the original date we had planned. August 8th of this year. I really liked the date 08/08/08.. hehe cute.
I don't know what we are going to be able to do for it. But I don't have a burning desire to have a big to-do. I already had the wedding I had dreamed of and well that didn't make the marriage last. So frankly I don't care much what we do. Am more concerned about our life before and after. Making a happy marriage is more important than a big ceremony and party.

Well thats about it tonight. Think I will go play some sims.

Forming Empanadas

Knead
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and divide in half. Knead each half 2 or 3 times to form smooth balls.

Divide
Cut each ball into four equal pieces. Cover with plastic; let stand until slightly risen, 20 minutes. Shape into balls.

Fill
On floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8-inch round. Divide filling evenly among rounds, spreading it over half of each and leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Fold
Brush border of bottom halves with water; fold top halves over filling to enclose completely. Press edges to seal with your fingertips, then crimp firmly with a fork.

Empanadas

These are really good. I had to make a special batch just for me since I am so picky but for Ed I made them just as the recipe calls for and he loved it.. He even ate the extra meat mixture I had left over.

For the Filling
2 pounds ground pork or beef
2 medium onions, finely diced
2 jalapeno chile, minced (ribbed and seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) tomatoes, diced
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

For The Dough:
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup cold water
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 table spoon water (do not beat until ready to bake)

Directions:
Make the filling: in a 12 inch skillet over medium-high, cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add onion and jalapenos; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and tomatoes. Cook over medium until mixture is thickened, 12-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in Cilantro. let cool.

Make the dough; In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Using your fingers, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add just enough cold water so dough comes together.

Form empanadas. (they look like turnovers with crimped edges) If desired, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic; freeze in plastic bags.

To bake fresh or frozen empanadas, preheat oven to 400 degree. Place empanadas on a parchement lined baking sheet (or greased). Brush tops with egg wash, avoiding the crimped edges. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through, 30 to 40 minutes.

Serves 8..

Banana-Nut Muffins

I made these for Ed and his father for their trip to Winnipeg yesterday.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup mashed banana (works out to about 1 1/2 bananas)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl; make a well in center.

Mix milk, egg, oil, banana and walnuts in a small bowl. Then pour mixture into well of dry ingredients.

Mix batter just until moistened; do not overmix.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until muffins are golden brown. (about 15-20 minutes).

Makes 12 muffins.
Variations: Blueberries or raisins may be substituted for the mashed bananas in the muffin batter.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

Recipe Time.. I made these biscuits to go with spaghetti the other night and Ed and I LOVED them..

Biscuit
1 1/4 cup Biscuit mix (bisquick or your fav mix)
1/2 cup grated SHARP cheddar
1/2 cup water

Garlic Butter
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Dried parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 400

Combine biscuit mix & cheese in small bowl. Add water & stir just until combined. Dough will be slightly moist. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet. Bake about 10 to 12 minutes or until biscuits are firm & beginning to brow.

While Biscuits are baking make the garlic butter. Combine all ingredients & mix well. As soon as you bring biscuits from oven brush them with garlic butter mixture using a pastry brush or paper towel.. Let sit for a few minutes.. Then ENJOY .