A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 Half & Half Part III - Save Some For Me!

Well, I thought I better open a new Half & Half.

Sheri I hope you tell us about your hens and finger potatoes here.

I got inspired by Vanessa tonight. I often have to eat 45 g of carbs plus a protien at bedtime and most often I pick saltine crackers if I'm not wanting anything as heavy as toast.

So tonight I decided to borrow a page from 'Nessa's Book of Cooking Life, and I put my saltines on a baking sheet, poured some liquid Ranch Dressing over them, broke up a bit of cheese on top and popped them in the oven which was already turned on. They are scrumptuous with my hot tea!

Thanks Vanessa!

Merme

Those sound great, Merme!

What kind of tea are you enjoying tonight? And have you even had raw sugar in your tea?

I have Earl Grey in my tea tonight, Barley. But tomorrow my plan is to have my attendant pick up some Tang on his last grocery run for us. You've inspired me!

I don't use sugar of any kind, but I remember raw sugar from my youth. Good stuff.

Have you ever had a piece of sugar cane?


Merme

oooooh, raw sugar cane - yummy!
When I was a kid, my parents went to Jamaica, and brought some back for my sister and me, right off the stalk. We took it into school for "show and tell" and everyone had a taste - not something we can get around here.

Years later, my husband and I went to Barbados when our son was 5, and we made the taxi driver stop by a field so we could grab a piece to take back with us - Brian took it in for "show and tell" too! The taxi driver thought we were s!!!

Glad to help!
I'm thinkin fudge today...didn't get it made last night as I had planned..but I think it's time!
My grandmother always made the BEST Christmas bon bons...she would have them covering the top of her extra large chest freezer and I promise, I could eat a dozen at a time..and they were SO rich! I have tried & tried to make tham..but just haven't been able to swing it yet...I'm thinkin about giving it another go this year. There are just some things you HAVE to have this time of the year!

~V~

Oh..I meant to also say...Lynne, I can remember chewing on sugar cane when I was little...there is nothing quite like it! I am wondering if some of the organic health food stores might carry it...

~V~

Merme, I didn't cook those hens yesterday. I felt too awful and couldn't make myself do it. I only got my Christmas tree partially decorated. I can't figure out what is the matter with me. We ended up eating left over chicken and rice soup and salad. It was good. Maybe today.

Sheri take care of yourself. You can be Betty Crocker when you feel better. I know....Vanessa can cook for you!!!!!!! Whaddya think Vnessa??????

Or I will send some of my homemade turkey noodle soup off to you. Great for what ails ya.

Anytime!!! No problem~o!! I wish I could cook for all of you...that would be so fun!!!
Ya know, I have NEVER made turkey soup....I have no idea why. If I do have left over turkey...sandwiches come first(with cranberry salsa..uhmmm)...then turkey tetrazzini...then it's gone for sure. I got a pretty darn big turkey for tomorrow because I wanted left overs!!! I also try to have a turkey in the freezer for turkey & dressing in the summer...it's not just a holiday food around here...I love turkey & squash dressing when the yellow squash comes off the vine!

~V~

I just got a recipe for rice dressing that sounds wonderful but it doens't go with turkey I don't think as you use andouille sausage in it.

I cook the turkey carcass (the bones with bits on it) for the turkey noodle soup in a big stock pot. I never used the leftover meat for soup. Then I make homemade egg noodles which I cut as fine as possible. Grated carrots, chopped celery, and sliced mushrooms complete the basic recipe.

Wow Fernie...that sounds really good! I may just have to try it!
I have a new recipe for a spinach & artichoke dressing that i want to try...but I NEVER try a new dressing for the holidays...I stick to the ol tried & true...then try the fancy smancy ones later...

speaking of turkey & dressing...I hear the kitchen calling my name!!!!!

See ya later alligator!!!!


~V~

When I cook my cornish hens, I stuff them with button mushrooms, pearl onions, chopped baby carrots, garlic cloves and fresh herbs...then i just salt and pepper them, brush a little bit of olive oil and criss cross 2 slices of bacon on top. I roast them uncovered on a rack, while collecting the juices, then boil down the juices until it thickens and top them with the juice...mmm..mmm...mmm!! Cornish hens are pricey here so we don't have them often. It's a real treat at my house!!

Christina

Christina! THAT SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!

Just the perfect meal for a special event. Thanks for sharing it!!

Sheri ~ I hope you feel well enough soon to cook up yours.

Vanessa ~ did you HAVE to get me hooked on Ranch Flavored saltines?! That's what I ended up having for breakfast this morning, with melted cheese and broken up bits of leftover bacon on them....

Merme

Christina that sounds absolutely like heaven!!! I am gonna have to copy this and try it...The hens aren't price that bad here..I just forget about them sometimes...

~V~

Christina, that does sound good. I'm going to try that. Not tonight though, Johnny's staying in Charlotte to go to church and won't get home until late.

Oh yummy a food thread. Gotta love that!!! My logic is if I read about it, then I can dream about it, and then I won't necessarily eat it all so I won't necessarily gain all the weight.

I dunno Triss....I have been reading such good stuff here, I think I put on a couple pounds myself. So be warned!!!!!

I'm struggling with the weight thing, too. They have me drinking that yuckky Ensure stuff again for the nutritional boost. Wish it tasted better.

Merme

Merme...I LOVE ensure...I know it's crazy but I could live on that stuff. It helps me maintain weight because I have so much muscle mass deterioraton...but I only get to drink it when I get in a real crisis...because it is so darn expensive!!!! I always know when hubby gets worried about me, he will come in toting a 6 pack of ensure!


~V~

Right now I am too busy to put on weight, a good thing I guess. I have lost about 25 lbs since we found out we had to move.

What do all of you like to eat on Christmas Eve?

I don't always get to do this, but oddly enough, I really like to have KFC at home on Christmas Eve. It is the only time of year I buy it, usually, and it feels just festive enough to make it seem like a party without actually preparing for a party. Of course, I don't eat until after I return home from the 10 PM service at church, and then I'm eating KFC in evening wear, but hey, it's a celebration, so...

Merme

25 lbs..wow Triss...don't mess around and get sick loosing that weight so fast!

Merme...we always had a tradition of having a huge family Christmas eve...Grandpa always fixed Bar~B~Que deer meat..a big ol pot of it! And tons of snacky stuff, trays and trays of cheeses, veggies and lots of Grandma Mears' German chocolate cake & Christmas bon bons (that I can't make ) Since my family is now all deceased except for my sis...we miss those family get togethers. So now we celebrate Christmas Eve at hubby's family celebration. Everyone decided many years ago that they were "turkied" out...so we have a big fish fry with all the trimmings. His family is all very musically inclined..so everyone brings their instrements and we have a big singing session.

~V~

In my first marriage we used to have a big boiled shrimp dinner at one of the inlaws. My first M-i-l however belonged to a cult that thought Christmas and any kind of fun holiday including birthdays, was pagan and the only thing they ever celebrated was Thanksgivng. As a kid we always went to Christmas vigil mass at church so the dinner on Christmas Eve was never really a memorable thing. The next day and the prime rib was the big deal.

Fernie ~ although I have seen it, I do not think I have ever eaten prime rib. Is it truly as good as some people insist?

Vanessa ~ A fish fry sounds just right up my alley! I would like a fish fry any time of year. Particularly catfish! Smelts!

When I was growing up, my mom ususally had so much left to do on Christmas Eve that she would make a big fancy party for us kids early. Then she'd pop us all into bed and get to work!

She must have worked those nights away.

My parents never put the tree up or decorated the living room until the kids were in bed on Christmas Eve. That was part of the thrilling surprise on Christmas morning. Coming downstairs and seeing that massive tree decorated to the sky, the gifts all around, the entire room completely festooned, beribboned and a-glitter -- a Yule Log burning on the mantle, the Carols playing inside and outside -- it was wondrous.

I did NOT choose to carry on that tradition with my son, though. We decorate early so that by Christmas Eve the hardest parts are over and we can just enjoy the Holiday.

I miss the big family gatherings.

Merme