Saturday, September 10, 2016

Saturday, September 10, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Mike’s Crispy Treats

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

I figured out that there are 540 calories, if 12 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I have really mixed feelings about this treat. They are extremely gooey, but easy to make. I had never tasted Fruit Loops, and I thought they gave the bars a fruity flavor, but it was the white almond bark that I truly loved. Nicole didn’t like the flavor of the rainbow mini marshmallows. I didn’t taste them at all. I just tasted marshmallow and fruitiness and white chocolate. I think I would pass on this recipe in the future, as they weren’t a big wow for this girl.

Here are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe. 

 I began by buttering my grandma's old 9 x 13 pan.

I heated some butter in Ree's fabulous pan. 

In the same pan, I added all of the white marshmallows.

 I added in the Fruit Loops

 and the salt.

 I gently stirred in the rainbow marshmallows.

 I sprayed my fingers with nonstick spray,

 so I could spread this gooeyness out in the pan.

 I cut them into squares,

which sounds easier than it really was to do.

For some reason, I keep thinking of Easter.

I began melting the white almond bark, 

but it cannot be added to the bars until they 

are completely cooled. 

 It's ready to go.  Now, I had a dilemma.

The recipe says to dip half into the chocolate,

but the photo has her striping the bars with

the chocolate. I just frosted the top and called

it a day!  Hers are beautiful - mine are not.

 Sad and pitiful looking!

(but I bet they taste the same)

**Notice that I covered the counter with foil

(today's speedy cleanup tip)

This one looks pretty good.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Thursday, September 8, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Cow Patties

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/cow-patties.html

I figured out that there are 234 calories, if 24 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

These are wonderful. They are rich, salty, and sweet. I used the dried cherries instead of raisins, because I really dislike raisins.

These would be a great gift food for the holidays. They are really quick to make, and I love a recipe that makes 24 patties.

Here are the ingredients that I 

used to create this recipe.

Instead of a double boiler, I just melted the 

chocolate in a bowl over a pot.  It saved time 

which makes this entire process about 20 minutes. 

I pre-measured the sliced or slivered almond, 

whole salted peanuts, and dried cherries. 

 This small cookie scoop makes this process so darn easy!

The Silpat will be covered with parchment.

Even though my pans had Silpat liners, it saves 

clean-up time to use parchment paper. I used the 

spoons to hold it in place because it always curls 

on the edges.

The chocolate is melted, so I added in the 

almonds, peanuts, and cherries and mixed. 

 I put 12 on a sheet.  The recipe makes a total of 24 cow patties.

 These are the perfect "gift food." 

Ooey, gooey, goodness!!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Spicy Mac and Cheese

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

https://pioneerwoman.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pw-mac-cheese1.pdf

I figured out that there are 169 calories, if 20 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I REALLY LOVE THIS PASTA!!  This is not overly hot, but it is overly tasty.  I did not have a red onion, so I substituted it with a yellow one. This one is a keeper, because it takes Mac & Cheese to a new level.  I froze a lot of servings, so I can enjoy it for a long time….and then I’ll just make it again.

 Here are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.

 I chopped up the onion, red pepper, and jalapeno.

 I heated up the olive oil

This photo has an OOPS in in. I added in the 

chilies too soon. So, after I took the photo I 

hurried to scoop them out, and added them 

in a couple of minutes allowing the other 

veggies time to saute. 

 Now, I added in the chilies and mixed it all together.

 The pasta is ready!!

The pasta, salt, pepper, cheese, and butter are 

now ready to blend in to the dish.

I wish you could smell and taste the goodness! 

 I am so excited that I can freeze all of 

this for the next few weeks.

Tonight's fabulous dinner!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Sunday, September 4, 2016

What the Beck???

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Nominated Movies

1964     Becket                 

starring:  Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi,                     Paolo Stoppa        

plot – King Henry II honors his friend Thomas Becket to become the                Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket honors God first, King                second, which causes a split between the two. Thomas pays            for his stand with his life.        

I am shocked but I kinda liked this movie. I think it was because of the friendship storyline. Who knew???

2008     The Curious Case of Benjamin Button                 

starring:  Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt, Julie Ormond, Faune Chambers                     Watkins        

plot –  Pitt plays Benjamin who was born baby size, but has all of the                characteristics of a very old man. Benjamin’s life is                      dramatically different because he gets younger every                    year.        

I really loved this movie. It was neat to see how Benjamin constantly changed. The storyline was interesting to see how life constantly changed for him as he became younger.

1943     In Which We Serve                          

starring:  Noel Coward, John Mills, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson, Kay                   Walsh, Michael Wilding, Richard Attenborough

plot – This movie is told as flashbacks from the men who survived the             HMS Torrin, after it was destroyed. The men tell their story             from a life raft.         

I did like this movie because of the flashbacks. I had never heard of the HMS Torrin before, and I can’t imagine being in a life raft and being shot by airplanes.  This was pretty good.

1985     Prizzi’s Honor                          

starring:  Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, John                        Randolph, Anjelica Huston        

plot –  Nicholson stars as a mob hit man. He falls in loves with                      Turner who is a hit woman. Of course, there is trouble.

First all of, I have never heard of a hit woman which was a refreshing new idea. Not that I believe in killers, but I always thought they were men. Nicholson, as usual, is wonderful as was Kathleen Turner. A light movie with a heavy theme.

1990     Howards End                 

starring:  Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett,                   Emma Thompson, and Anthony Hopkins

plot – The story of a family house, an inheritance, and a missing                    will.        

During a few scenes I was actually talking to the T.V. I felt badly for the person who did not receive an inheritance due to the greed of those who were left out of a will. The burning of the  document bugged me.

2002     Gangs of New York                          

starring:   Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim                    Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Liam                          Neeson

plot –  The story of a man (DiCaprio) who returns to New York to get                revenge on the man (Day-Lewis) who killed his Dad.

This had a lot of violence, and I really don’t like this type of movie. This was an odd role for Cameron Diaz to play. I think of her being associated with light comedies, but this was heavy and dark. I am glad I saw the movie because it was nominated for several Academy Awards.

2012     Zero Dark Thirty                          

starring:  Jason Clarke, Reda Kateb, Jessica Chastain, Kyle Chandler,                  Jennifer Ehle

plot –     9/11/2001 has already occurred and our troops are in                      search of Osama bin Laden. This story shows the hunt                  and eventual death of the leader. S.E.A.L. Team 6 is                      shown eventually locating him and hunting him down.

I learned a lot of the way bin Laden was finally hunted down and killed, but I had a hard time with our tactics to get the information. I know it was vital for us to eliminate him after 911, but it was hard for me to stomach.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday, September 2,, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Pasta Alla Ladd

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/pasta-alla-ladd.html

I figured out that there are 400 calories, if 16 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I liked this pasta, but I would have liked to add maybe some sausage and additional spices to the recipe. This is a good basic recipe.

Here are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe 

 I began by heating the olive oil

At the same time I began cooking the pasta.
I didn't have enough rigatoni, so I added some bow tie pasta, too.

 As the pasta cooked, I chopped the onion.

 I added the onion to the heated olive oil.

 I added the minced garlic to the onions.

Now, it is time for the ground beef to be browned. 

I drained the meat, and added thyme, 
red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

I covered the pot and cooked it on low for 30. Then,
I uncovered it and cooked it for another 30 minutes.

 Yeah for adding the Parmesan cheese!

 I made half a recipe, and it made 8 servings for my little dishes. 
The full recipe would have made 16 servings. Yikes!!!

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Overnight Oatmeal

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/overnight-oatmeal.html

I figured out that there are 380 calories, if 2 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I was surprised how much I liked this oatmeal. The apples added such a nice touch. This would be a great breakfast on a cold winter’s morning.  I absolutely loved it.

 These are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.

 In a medium bowl I mixed the old-fashioned oats

 and the milk

and the half-and-half

 brown sugar

vanilla 

 salt

and diced green apple.

 I stirred it all together

 It is necessary to cover it with plastic wrap,
 and refrigerate the bowl overnight

 The only ingredient to add tomorrow is the granulated sugar.
It is lonely as it sits on the counter!

 I only made two servings (one for Nicole and 
the other for little ole' me)

 I added sugar to the top of the oatmeal

 Ree said to broil it or use a kitchen torch.
 I couldn't do that, so I baked it in a 400 degree 
oven for 20 minutes. If I had put it in for
30 minutes the apples would have been soft.
I loved it!!!