Fried Potatoes

Today, I have a quick tip for you. I'm planning on frying some potatoes tonight for supper to go with the sliced ham that I have. If you know me well, you know I do like to take short cuts in the kitchen when I can. One thing I don't like to do is have to stand over a skillet while frying something. I can't remember the last time I fried chicken for that very reason. I bake my chicken, which is what I am planning on for supper tomorrow night.

My short cut and tip of the day for you is the way I prepare my fried potatoes.

After I peel and sliced the potatoes, I put them on a platter and microwave them for about 4 minutes and then place them in a hot skillet for frying. The microwave cooks the potatoes until almost done. Add onions, salt and pepper into the skillet with the potatoes and fry them until they're done. I like them a little crispy on one side. By doing this, it cuts the frying time more than half and you can't tell the difference from potatoes that have been completely fried in a skillet.

Carol

Blog Award

My friend and author, Marian Allen graciously awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you, Marian. It's so nice of you to do that.

Carol

I'm still here

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my blog. I just haven't been very motivated lately and I do have a really good topic to write about. I'll do my best to get something on here this week.

Carol

228M eggs recalled following salmonella outbreak

I just saw this on Yahoo's web page.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tainted_eggs

Lemon Pound Cake

I have been craving Lemon Pound Cake this week, but as you all know, it's been too hot to run my oven. I may have to make an exception for this. I have another problem though. I can't find my Bundt pan, which is what I use when I make a pound cake.


When I searched the internet for a photo to use here, I found you can use other pans for pound cakes. DUH, I feel so stupid. I should have known that.

I'm going to make another search this evening for my Bundt pan, but if I don't find it I think I will use my Angel Food Cake pan instead.


Oh, and when I make a pound cake, I use a regular cake mix, add a package of instant pudding mix, and bake according to directions on the cake mix box. My icing is a simple powdered sugar icing.

Homemade Spaghetti Pie

Every time I go to Fazolli's, I order their Spaghetti Pie. It's just the best. When I can't go to Fazolli's, I make it at home. I wish I could say that mine is as good as theirs, but it's not. It's pretty good, but when someone else is doing the cooking, it's always better. Right?




Below is my recipe for Spaghetti Pie. I know we're in the hot month of August and I don't like to heat up the kitchen with the over either. I plan on making this for dinner on the next day we are below 90° f.

Spaghetti Pie

4 eggs
1 1/2 t. garlic powder
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 C. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 lb. spaghetti, cooked
30 oz. jar prepared spaghetti sauce
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 350° f. In a large bowl, beat eggs, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Add the spaghetti and blend well until the spaghetti is evenly coated. Pour the spaghetti into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven and top with the sauce and mozzarella cheese. Return it to the oven and bake for 15-20 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Enjoy,
Carol

BLT Wrap

Even though our heat wave seems to have broken, August starts tomorrow and I know the high temperature will back for at least another month. Our kitchen heats up so much when we cook that my husband and I try to come up with something to fix that will keep the heat down. Baking is so much healthier, but in the summer months we try to keep baking to a minimum.

Today, I have a favorite at our house a different version of the BLT sandwich. The only cooking you need to do is frying the bacon. I know bacon isn't the healthiest meat in the world, but it's one that we can't do without. At least you're getting a good serving with veggies with it. I like to serve this with Cole Slaw or some corn on the cob.

BLT Wrap

Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing
chopped tomato
flour tortillas
lettuce
bacon, fried
salt
pepper

Spread the mayonnaise onto the tortilla to about an inch of the side. Layer lettuce, tomato, and bacon on top. Season with salt and pepper, optional. Roll up the tortillas and slice in half diagonally. Secure each wrap with a toothpick and serve.

(I didn't put any amounts for the ingredients because that's something that is up to the preparer to decide. )

Carol