KTgreen – Page 391

Adventures in the Kitchen with Michelle

September 6, 2012August 29, 2012 by KTgreen

While TS Issac was whirling outside, Michelle was creating inside…

Since I’m trapped inside as Issac The Storm invades outside, I’m baking. Note my list of priorities for today (a world of technology and I’m scribbling on an envelope).

The vacuum hose still rolled up, and I’m only wearing my workout clothes as a reminder so far. What I really want are COOKIES! Now, I consider myself a fair cook and an OK baker. Which means, at times, things go wrong. Well, this morning things went very wrong, or maybe very right. As we all know some of the best creations have come from complete mistakes and improvisations. Like, nachos and Teflon my Munchkinesque Cookies are destined for greatness! (OK, I’ll get over myself in a minute – but I’m sharing them with you – you’re welcome) I was tired of making diet version of cookies that all ended up yummy, but really just versions of an oatmeal/nut healthy cookie… now I want chocolate! Since I was little, I loved what I called Earthquake Cookies. Those super chocolatey crinkle cookies that Grandma made and that I lost the recipe for years ago. I asked my Mom for it a while back and she sent me a couple versions, none of which was the Real McCoy. Although, one presented itself as the ‘healthy’ version and was screaming to be made. Any cookie recipe that dares to list the calorie and fat content deserves a look and maybe even a test. Unfortunately, my test failed miserably …. Or did it? Turns out, as I already knew, my exchanging the sugar for Whey–Lo and the oil for coconut oil, meant the cookies would not spread and ‘crinkle’ as they should. But at only 81 cal., and 4g fat in the full recipe, I felt the exchange may be worth a test.

I made the batter, let it set and fired up the oven this morning. When I removed the test pan from the oven I was disappointed until I took a bite. I instantly thought of a DnD Munchkin…only it’s NOT a doughnut. I won’t go into my love/hate relationship with doughnuts. Although, it’s not unlike the bad boyfriend most of us encounter somewhere in our past. You know the one with a tantalizing and slightly naughty first impression, but horrifying longterm effects. Ugh – dough nuts!

William grabbed one, sleepy eyed, said “Wow, they even have glaze on them…” He and his pre-8am ‘faux-hawk’ (aka fake mohawk) hairdo came back for more. As he said “Hurry up with the camera, my mouth’s watering already!” So, let’s adventure into a baking dimension of weirdness. Where things should not taste good, but do.

Michelle’s Munchkinesque Cookies:

3 Eggs

1 1/4 Cup Whey-Lo

4 oz (2/3 Cup) Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (or baking choc) melted.

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil

2 tsp Vanilla

2 tsp Baking Powder

2 Cups AP Flour

Powdered Sugar, for dusting

Step 1: Gather the goodies.

Note a few of my favorite things…the cookie scoop, the crazy Ove’Glove, and the test pan. A small version of the larger one to test 2 cookies at a time.

I didn’t bother to photo-log the process of mixing the batter – melt the chocolate in the microwave (slowly), mix the wet, add in the chocolate, add in the dry. Let the batter sit in the fridge.

Step 2: OK, now scoop out enough dough for a 1″ ball. Roll into a ball (looks like Tootsie Roll).

Michelle's Munchkinesque Cookies — Step 2

Step 3: Get some powdered sugar in a round bowl and roll them around. Get back on that pan.

Step 4: Bake those puppies at 375deg. For 10 min. Take them off the pan right away and cool on a rack. They will be cracked – that’s OK.

Step 5: Look at that – they look just like ‘those famous doughnut holes’ !

Step 6: Lovely texture. And firm enough to be covered with a chocolate glaze too.

Step 7: Find a victim…

Step 8: Ooo, a thumbs up!

Wow Michelle, those sound really good. I might have to risk setting the kitchen on fire and make this recipe. Or maybe Michelle will just have to bring a batch for our annual Labor Day cookout!

Tropical Storm Issac

September 6, 2012August 28, 2012 by KTgreen

Another hurricane warning, another stock up on emergency provisions–3 jars of peanut butter, wine, beer, and bourbon. Ready! (Actually, we do take the storms seriously and have the required provisions on hand all year round.)

Just two months ago, TS Debbie pushed the water into our canal and over the dock. TS Issac (still not a hurricane as I type this) has pulled all the water out of the canal. What a difference the direction of the wind makes!

This was The Freezer for TS Debbie.

And this is what The Freezer looked like yesterday!

The Freezer

Very happy TS Issac decided to veer off in another direction!

Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House

September 6, 2012August 27, 2012 by KTgreen

Rosemary Beach, Florida. Been there? It’s just west of Panama City Beach. And the site of the latest Coastal Living Beach House. Actually, the magazine is billing it as the ULTIMATE beach house. And I got to check it out. In person. With my camera!

Terry and I love looking at these model homes. We’ve been to several “Street of Dreams” homes and one other Coastal Living beach house that was in Mira Bay, just east of Tampa. That place was great and I still have my pamphlets and magazine. Somewhere. Probably in my well organized garage.

Anyhow, when I knew we were going right by Rosemary Beach a few weeks ago and I could visit the newest Coastal Living house–I was so excited. I was practically bouncing out of my seat the whole way there.

While the house was really nice and the community well laid out, really…the ULTIMATE beach house wasn’t even on the beach. Seriously, if I’m going to pay 2.4 million dollars for a beach house, that salt water better be tickling my back deck!

So I have some pictures. Not as good as will show up in the Coastal Living magazine in October since there were a LOT of people touring the place and they just wouldn’t stay out of my camera lens’s way.

First is the Great Room. The dining room was at one end, living room in the middle and the kitchen at the opposite end. The living room was further broken up into two sitting areas. Next to the kitchen is the scullery.

Now I have to give you a little critique on this area. Loved the colors and all of the furniture. Very open and airy. But….the weird thing about this arrangement was that the only appliance in the kitchen was the stove. The scullery is an entirely separate room and holds the rest of the appliances–refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and microwave. How inconvenient is that? I first thought that they were trying to hide the cooking clutter in the scullery. Or maybe the maid. (“I don’t need help–I created this 6 course dinner all by myself”) But if you are doing any serious cooking that stove is going to get messy–and the maid will be in full view so your secret is busted. Terry and I both are stumped with this layout. It’s also kind of odd to have the dining room so far from the kitchen. Once again, it’s a convenience thing. (How much can I spill between here and there?)

There were two small rooms off of the great room–an office and a study.

The outside area had a beautiful pool and a few lounging areas. I do appreciate no yard–they had mondo grass for greenery and potted manadevilla. But, once again, for 2.4 million dollars, I want a view of the Gulf, not a wall.

There were two bunk rooms. The boys bunk room was on the first floor and had iPad stations at the foot of each bed. On the second floor, the girls bunk was just too sweet in pink and green.

Coast Living Beach House

We did like the theatre which was located on the second floor. Most theatre rooms that I’ve been in are done up in leather recliners. This was all comfy chaises. There was also a wet bar, game room, and a cute little window seat right outside the theatre. (And why do they spell it theatre rather than theater?)

Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two powder rooms, and a laundry room completed the house. All attractively decorated but nothing too exciting.

So that was my big tour. It was a lot of fun. I loved the colors, the furniture, and accessories that they used throughout the house. I’m looking forward to checking out the write up in the October issue of Coastal Living. Hoping for an explanation of that whole odd kitchen setup! And why the Ultimate Beach house isn’t on the beach!