No School, No Internet . . . Things to do (cook) in the Snow Jam
These two had to be dragged off the porch into the snow!
When the snow came it came down lovely, quietly, and quickly; it caused a great big deadlock in our dear city. Once things finally settled down enough on Tuesday to get everyone home and make sure all was safe, it's been a constant play in the snow, eat, clean,
bring friends over, eat more, clean more and repeat. For about five days. For about three of those I felt housebound with no way out and no internet to keep me distracted. For entertainment I did a few of the following (and some do indeed involve food!) :
I tried to drag my pups out for a walk and ended up busting my fanny on the ice. Needless to say it was a very short walk and the only one that they got. Thank heavens I have an elliptical at home because it saved me! Everything was closed and driving was not an option so that elliptical and I spent a good bit of time together!
One afternoon I got pretty antsy and decided to do some baking. The trick was - I had to use ingredients we had on hand. My Grandmother's Pound Cake recipe with Lemon Glaze would be okay using limes instead, I figured. The house smelled delicious, just like the cake. Of course, I did not use her exact recipe which calls for a pound of butter or oleo (whatever that is), and more eggs than I care to admit. Here's my version:
POUND CAKE WITH LIME GLAZE
2 Cups sifted flour (non-self-rising)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
2 tsp good vanilla extract
GLAZE:
Juice of One fresh Lime
1/2 Cup Sugar
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a nonstick 9"-by-5" baking pan with spray. Sift together flour and salt into a bowl. Beat butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add sugar until mixture is creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Gently fold in flour mixture cup by cup, blending after each; pour into pan. Bake about 1 1/2 hours, or until cake springs back when touched or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cake cool for 10 minutes; turn out onto a wire rack.
Heat the lime juice and sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Pierce cake all over the top with a skewer. Pour glaze over the top so the glaze will seep into the holes and run down the sides of the cake.
bring friends over, eat more, clean more and repeat. For about five days. For about three of those I felt housebound with no way out and no internet to keep me distracted. For entertainment I did a few of the following (and some do indeed involve food!) :
I tried to drag my pups out for a walk and ended up busting my fanny on the ice. Needless to say it was a very short walk and the only one that they got. Thank heavens I have an elliptical at home because it saved me! Everything was closed and driving was not an option so that elliptical and I spent a good bit of time together!
One afternoon I got pretty antsy and decided to do some baking. The trick was - I had to use ingredients we had on hand. My Grandmother's Pound Cake recipe with Lemon Glaze would be okay using limes instead, I figured. The house smelled delicious, just like the cake. Of course, I did not use her exact recipe which calls for a pound of butter or oleo (whatever that is), and more eggs than I care to admit. Here's my version:
POUND CAKE WITH LIME GLAZE
2 Cups sifted flour (non-self-rising)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
2 tsp good vanilla extract
GLAZE:
Juice of One fresh Lime
1/2 Cup Sugar
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a nonstick 9"-by-5" baking pan with spray. Sift together flour and salt into a bowl. Beat butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add sugar until mixture is creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Gently fold in flour mixture cup by cup, blending after each; pour into pan. Bake about 1 1/2 hours, or until cake springs back when touched or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cake cool for 10 minutes; turn out onto a wire rack.
Heat the lime juice and sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Pierce cake all over the top with a skewer. Pour glaze over the top so the glaze will seep into the holes and run down the sides of the cake.
THIS IS ONE OF MY PRIZED POSSESSIONS. MY "BIGMAMA'S" RECIPE WRITTEN BY HER!
I LOVED THE LIME GLAZE - IT WAS A LITTLE SWEET WITH A TINY TANG
I also found myself making breakfast - and rather large ones- most mornings. Of course, one morning had to be pancakes. We always have those ingredients in the pantry and fridge. Since I haven't had pancakes in about eight years I decided it was the perfect morning for them. What else did I have to do anyway? So, while a son or two got chocolate chip pancakes, I made myself blueberry pancakes. I will be honest. They were just about the best things I've eaten in a while. I was pretty sad when I was done . . .
Here's my version of
SKINNY PANCAKES
THREE PANCAKES = 190 CALORIEs
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of flour. I used 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup white flour. My boys aren't fooled if I use all whole wheat. You can use white whole wheat but I did not have that.
- 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp fat free milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- cooking spray
- fresh blueberries
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add wet ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix well with a spoon until there are no more dry spots; don't over-mix.
Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Lightly spray oil to coat and pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter. When the pancake starts to bubble, you may add a few blueberries. When the edges start to turn a tan color, flip the pancakes. Repeat with the remainder of the batter. They will look beautiful!
HEAVEN ON A PLATE!
I had a couple of house projects that have been nagging at me. Photos that have been sitting in a box and a bare wall just waiting . . .
FINALLY . . .DONE!
Lastly, I haven't been able to get my nose out of my latest book. Every opportunity I've had I've been completely immersed. It's been a great read and a bit different from my normal ones. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've read it!
That's it! Back to reality tomorrow!
Have you had snow? Days off? Cabin fever? There have been so many bad stories of stranded friends and folks here. . . I hope you are all well! Superbowl favorite? Are you watching? Or in the midst of a party so you can't watch a single play! Why are there Superbowl parties where no one can even watch? I confess I turned to Downton Abby . . . Poor Peyton!
Here's to a great week!
Have you had snow? Days off? Cabin fever? There have been so many bad stories of stranded friends and folks here. . . I hope you are all well! Superbowl favorite? Are you watching? Or in the midst of a party so you can't watch a single play! Why are there Superbowl parties where no one can even watch? I confess I turned to Downton Abby . . . Poor Peyton!
Here's to a great week!
