Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Baked Apple Pancake


4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (seperated)
3 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar (or Brown Sugar Splenda)
Confectioners' sugar
Syrup, if desired

In a large mixing bowl, combine the beaten eggs, milk, flour, and vanilla, and whisk until just blended, being careful to not over beat.

Set the batter aside to rest at least 20 minutes.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat the oven to 450 F. In a heavy ovenproof 12-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat. Add the apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the apples are soft and lightly golden around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring, until the apples are caramelized and very soft, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and stir to melt.

Pour the batter evenly over the top of the apples. Using oven mitts or pot holders, transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the pancake is golden brown and puffed, about 15 minutes. Don't be alarmed when you see the edges of the pancake puff up over the top of the pan--this is supposed to happen!

Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove the skillet from the oven and serve the pancake immediately, sprinkled with sifted confectioners' sugar or drizzled with maple syrup, as desired.

Yield: 1 extra large pancake

Adapted from Emerils German Apple Pancake

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Pigs in a Blanket - Recipes from Friends

From my friend Carol:

One of Carols favorite recipes is Pigs in a Blanket. This recipe can be cooked in the crockpot, oven or fried. Carol cooks hers in a crockpot.

Per Carol: It is thin sliced round steak, bacon and onion and cream of mushroom soup. You take the thin sliced steak cut into strips put a piece of uncooked bacon and a piece of onion in each strip, secure in half with a toothpick cover all with two cans cream of mushroom soup or more depending on how much gravy you like. Put in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours serve over rice delicious!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Fall Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Crockpot Cookbook giveaway - Carol. I am grateful to everyone who participated! An email has been sent from sleeplessinwisc at gmail dot com to notify you that you are the winner! There were 12 comments/emails/tweets and comment number 3 was the random number generated by random.org.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Fall Giveaway!

How about this for spreading a little Fall love in the form of...A GIVEAWAY!

When I think of Fall, I think of hearty home cooked meals.

I will be giving away this brand new handbook for slow cooking. The New Creative Crock Pot Cookbook features tons of recipes from around the world including low-fat recipes. This book is paperback and has 224 pages.

To enter - earn one entry for each of the following activities (up to 10 entries per person):
* Leave a comment on this post. Please include your e-mail address so I can contact you.
* Not a Blogger? enter by emailing me, send me an email to sleeplessinwisc at gmail dot com
* Tell all yours friends on Facebook about this giveaway.
* Follow or subscribe to this blog, and leave me a comment on this post telling me you're a subscriber. If you're already a follower or subscriber, comment telling me that.
* Blog about this contest and include a link to this post. Leave a comment with a link to your blog entry.
* Tweet about this contest. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet.
* Leave a comment on any other post (except giveaways) and leave a comment here telling me which post you commented on. You can do this up to five times for five additional entries.
* Follow me on Twitter (link in sidebar) and leave a comment telling me you're a follower. If you're already a follower, comment telling me that.
* Post one comment for each entry. Each comment must include your e-mail address.

I'll pick a winner randomly Thursday, October 1st. Good luck! The winner will have 48 hours to reply to claim their prize.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Irish Beef Stew

Its a rainy chilly day in Wisconsin. A perfect day for this Irish Stew.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. beef for stew
1 onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 lg. potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks
3 lg. carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
1 bag frozen peas, about 16 ounces
20 ounces beef broth
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp. cooking oil
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
Cut beef into bite-size cubes. Toss beef cubes to coat with flour. Heat oil in large pot. Add celery, onion and bay leaf. Cook on low until onions and celery are translucent but not browned. Add the beef a little at a time to the pan and brown beef completely. Add beef broth and tomato sauce. If necessary, add enough water to cover beef. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover pot and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beef is tender. Add carrots and potatoes. Cook 1/2 hour until vegetables are tender. Add frozen peas. Cook 5-10 minutes until peas are tender.

Serve with Irish Soda bread.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Vanilla Bean Frapp

Makes 1 large serving:
1 tablespoons sugar (or Splenda)
1 cup 2 % milk
2 cups ice
4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream

Blend until ice is completely crushed. Top with whipped cream (optional)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

WFMW - No More Morning Madness (Back to School Tips)

Your school mornings, are they chaotic or calm? Here are a few tips for you that have worked for me.
During dinnertime, discuss your child’s day. What do they need from you for their next school day/week?
Plan ahead. Your children will have a happy start to their day. And so will you. Do these things the night before school:
- Set the breakfast table after you clear the dinner dishes. Plan to sit with your children at breakfast.
- Lay out children's clothing, or have them do it for you to double check, this includes socks, shoes, belts, hair items, and everything they will wear/need. Don’t forget to check the weather. Is their outer clothing ready and together?
- Pack lunches or provide lunch money.
- Permission slips, notes to Teacher, signed/written.
- Is everything in the backpack? Check.
This leaves few essential things to be done in the morning.

For more back to school tips check out Kristens blog, Works for Me Wednesday @ We are THAT Family.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Amaretto Fruit Salad

1 cup Amaretto
1 cup dry white wine, separated into two 1/2 cups
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 pint strawberries, cleaned and sliced
1 cup seedless grapes
2 unpeeled apples, cored and diced
2 unpeeled pears, cored and diced
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
2 fresh figs or fresh kiwifruit, peeled and sliced (I used kiwi)
Mix the Amaretto, 1/2 cup of wine, the sugar and the lemon juice in a large serving bowl.
Add the fruit, and toss. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Immediately before serving, pour the remaining 1/2 cup of the wine over the fruit, and toss again.

Watermelon and Red Onion Salad

1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1/3 cup raspberry vinegar
1/3 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, pureed and strained
2 teaspoons honey, or to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 red onions, thinly sliced
2 bunches watercress, stems removed
8 cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes

Whisk together the shallots, vinegar, raspberry puree, honey, and oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Separate the onions into rings. Pour the vinaigrette over the onions and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Arrange a bed of watercress on each chilled plate. Top with the cubed watermelon and drape the onion rings on top. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and garnish with julienned mint leaves if desired. Makes 6 servings.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Bumble Collection Giveaway - Diaper Bag

Another great giveaway - this one is for a diaper bag by the Bumble Collection - http://welcometothemotherhood.blogspot.com/2009/01/bumble-collection-giveaway.html

Giveaway - Expectant Mom's

Breasting feeding 1-2-3- is having a great giveaway! This is a great chance to win a breast pump set from Breast Pumps Direct. You will receive the set, plus bonus prizes. Go to http://www.breastfeeding123.com/win-a-manual-breast-pump-bpa-free-bottles-nursing-pads-and-more/#comment-103784 to enter!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

New Site! Extraordinary Mothers

A group of Extraordinary Mothers has come onto the scene. Go check out the site! http://www.ordinarymother.com/ There is a drawing for a Sak Bag! Let me know what you think - leave me a comment! Oh, don't forget to sign up for the forum, it should be fun!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Last Chance - FREE Book Download

Last chance, you have until 11:59 p.m. today to get your copy of Suze Orman's latest book, Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan, for FREE!

Go to http://www.oprah.com/article/money/personalfinance/pkgyourmoney/20081119_tows_bookdownload

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WFMW - Free! A Whole Bottle of Shampoo

Free works for me and I hope it will work for you! Suave is giving away a whole bottle of shampoo today. So hurry and visit http://www.suave.com/nomics/index.html to request your free bottle.

Even if you do not use Suave, request a bottle and give it to someone less fortunate. I just may drop mine at the local nursing home - what a nice treat for the elderly ladies!

There are many opportunities to pass on little gifts to those less fortunate ... one is the toiletries you receive in your hotel room. So if you or someone you know travels alot, collect them and drop them off at your local nursing facility or to an elderly friend. They will be so appreciated!

Have you visited Shannons blog? She is a fantastic writer and her post are always entertaining! Just stop by http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/ for even more helpful ideas!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

WFMW - Storing Leftovers

I no longer use containers to store leftovers. I just got tired of cleaning them. Since I cook every meal – I had plenty of icky containers to clean. It would have helped if we were better about eating leftovers – recently we have been better so less is tossed and less grows!

Instead of using containers, I use bags. I buy my bags in bulk. Ziploc has a commercial box of 250 bags gallon size double zip bags (about $21.00) and they last well over a year. I know it has cost me more than twenty one dollars a year washing all those containers! I use the bags for everything, liquids as well – using quality bags ensures they will not break. Just be sure the contents is cooled – warm is ok.

I use an empty three pound coffee can to “stand” the bag. You can cover the can with paper, fabric, contact paper, etc. to match your décor. Leave it in a place handy for everyday use.

I used to dread finding room for all the leftovers after holiday meals but not anymore. This storage method for leftovers makes cleaning the fridge a breeze and I tossed those hard to store containers which take up so much cabinet room.

Leave me a comment! and Follow Me! (shameless begging)

For more helpful ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer - http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

WFMW - Crafty Tip, Folding Fabrics

I have lots of fabric. I like to keep mine in neat, folded in the same size stacks, in order of color. I made a cardboard template so all the fabric is folded the same. Any size you like, make the final folds around the template form and then slip it off and continue folding. All your folded fabrics will be the same size.

For more helpful ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer - http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Chocolate-Expresso Snowcaps

These delicious (outstanding) chocolate-expresso snowcap cookies are from "Everyday Food Collectible Cookie Edition." by Martha Stewart. I made these last year, they were a hit and intend to add them to my cookie collection in every year to come.
Makes 18

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons instant espresso
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup confectioners sugar, for coating
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low speed, gradually add dry ingredients; beat in milk just until combined. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar twice.
Place balls on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12 to 14 minutes; cookies will still be soft to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/favorite-chocolate-espresso-snowcaps

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

There Really Is A Santa Claus! The Giveaway

You have until December 20, 2009! Have you seen this? I love this product! It is so special and will be treasured by your family in years to come. Give your child the chance to still believe.

Place Santa in your living room, delivering presents to your children. Create living proof there IS a Santa - and he was in your home. Go here to read more. http://www.icaughtsanta.com/

Now for the great news .. be one of the first 25 customers to receive a free photo from icaughtsanta.com. All you need to do is submit your iCaughtSanta photo by 12-20-08 and include “sleeplessinwisc” in the subject line.

Pass this along to all the Mom's you know. Hurry - its almost Christmas!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Please Read This Post - The Mother Letter Project

In Honor of Mothers Everywhere: The Mother Letter Project

What is a Mother Letter?

Simply stated, a Mother Letter is a letter from you, to another mother. You may share a story—no matter how raw or difficult. You may share your concerns or worries—no matter how foolish they may seem. You may share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story; your Mother Letter. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it (electronically, of course).

What's The Story?

For most of us, Christmas day of 2007 came and went. It was the typical American Christmas—gizmos, gadgets, whatnots, and an oversized helping of turkey. For one man, two days and a transatlantic flight later he stood in a small other-continental village regretfully pondering his extra helping of Christmas turkey and all of the materialism. I decided that things would be different in 2008.

This year, his wife and their extended families have decided to give a Christmas present to that little village. We want to spread our wealth, meager as it may be. We have decided to create presents for each other and donate the difference to their friends in the small village.

And here is where you come in.

Danny is creating his wife’s Christmas present-the Mother Letter Project. Simply stated, he is collecting a series of “open letters” from mothers, to mothers. Share your stories—no matter how raw or difficult. Share you concerns—no matter how foolish they may seem. Share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it. Danny will compile all of the letters in a Christmas book for his wife. If you share a letter here or by email (motherletter@gmail.com) before Christmas, you'll get your own copy of all the letters. Just include your email address by which he can contact you. This you may share as you please – an opportunity to create for Christmas, Mothers Day or her Birthday.

You may submit your Mother Letter here, at http://www.motherletter.blogspot.com/ or email it to motherletter@gmail.com

Please do this favor to me - please post any or all of this post on your blog – to spread the word. This could become something very wonderful for all Mother’s. Please feel free to use the bottom and post it on your blog as well.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Holiday Mail for Heros

Please disregard the previous post (deleted) regarding letters to our soldiers. This is the correct information:

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and veterans both in the United States and abroad.Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized servicemembers. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail."As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."Holiday cards should be mailed to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

For complete info, please go to http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/