Is cooking a hobby? :) Sourdough starter!

[Rosalie]

I agree about the sharks and any creature that is just protecting itself for that matter.
I don't like to kill anything if I can help it. Most spiders are caught and put outside...or over the neighbours fence Hehehe.
We stay away from snakes and any other bitey critters.
Its an awful thing to have someone taken by a shark but killing it is just stupid. We don't have capital punishment for humans so why for animals?
So after my little rant there, I think I will also take a pass on the rattlesnake. Artichokes will do just nicely.

Since my coffee maker has gone on the fritz, I've been using my plunger and it does pretty well.

[MarthaB]

Its an awful thing to have someone taken by a shark but killing it is just stupid
Yes, I agree, more people get killed each day on the roads then in the water, just that speaks for itself.
Rosalie, have you ever heard of the coffee machine Diana was talking about in Australia??
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

No Martha, I haven't but I have seen other single serve ones advertised somewhere.

[traceann]

Well, you guys have been busy whilst I have been trying to get my bathroom finished, lol. We've got all sorts of topics going on: shark attacks, hideous sounding jelly-fish (I too read the link, holy moly...), grizzly bears, rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, black widows, can you eat them with sourdough or coffee, etc etc etc. Yikes I always miss everything! :cussing: Hmmm, where I live the scariest critter would be bears, I belive we have the black bear. Well, ok we must have snakes too, haven't seen any in a long time though, and don't think the majority are crabby either, so no worries there. I agree on killing the shark thing too, that's dumb. We all know going into the ocean carries it's own risks - hence the reason I am pool girl...give me chlorine any day....LMAO!! :biglaugh:

But, on the killing spiders thing, I know it's bad luck and all as spiders are "protectors" etc, but I'll take my chances thank you. ICK!! I can handle ants, flies, mice but not noway, no how - spiders. Ugh. Even dead ones creep me out just as much as live!! My hubby laughs at me cause I save mice from my cats, and let them go outside. He says they'll just come back in, lol, yeah, I know. He was teasing me when I told him I won't allow mouse traps or poision - that's it's humane live traps or none at all, that we'd then get the old fish aquarium out of the garage and keep them as pets. I said that would be fine, I think they are adorable.... ;)

And I agree, I bounce back and forth between Webshots and Flickr. More is better I think...LOL

[dg2901]

haha..you and your spider phobia sound just like a friend of mine..she is deathly afraid of spiders--even pictures of spiders freak her out..haha..so of course i send her almost every spider picture I come across..haha..i have several pictures I took of tarantulas that totally freak her out....

[MarthaB]

:) those big hairy spiders I cannot stand, I am only just now starting to pick up daddy longlegs, and that's a big achievement for me. uughh
Anyway are you guys familiar with trouser snakes?? I believe you guys have them in the US as well, they are pretty harmless ( little critters) Rosalie I am sure you get them in Melbourne too?? :biglaugh: l

[dg2901]

You can saute' those long legs and eat them like chicken wings..hahaha

[Rosalie]

Hey D, I'll drink with you but I don't think I'll accept a dinner invitation if "daddy long legs" are on the menu!

Nice one Martha,.. "trouser snakes"! Most times they are harmless, but on two occassions, after being bitten by one, I blew up like a balloon for quite a few months! The swelling didn't go down till after a hospital stay and a lot of pain!

[MarthaB]

:) :biglaugh:Rosalie, isn't that funny, the same thing happened to me, blew up like a balloon, and had to stay in hospital as well.
Diana, have you been bitten by a trouser snake??? :biglaugh:

[dg2901]

I'm going out on a limb here--is a "trouser snake" something that alot of women will usually get bitten by?..hahaha...
I believe i had the same reaction if it was indeed a "trouser snake" i was bitten by--it only had one eye.

[Rosalie]

Hmmm...yes it appears that the trouser snake is found in many countries. I have only ever encountered the "one eye" variety as well.
They are a mischievous little critter coming out mostly at night but they have been observed in the daylight as well. Some varieties are shy but generally speaking this snake is happy to show itself whenever possible.

[MarthaB]

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: yes it's definately the one-eyed variety, they are stalkers, they follow woman around everywhere, haha

[dg2901]

they CREEP me out!..i stay away!
too scary for me!

[MarthaB]

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

[dg2901]

somebody needs to set a trap!

whats for dinner?

[MarthaB]

:biglaugh: how about trouser snakes wrapped in a golden pastry haha

[dg2901]

Not sure what ya'll are having for dinner, however the trouser snakes in golden pastry aint gonna be on my dinner table--or breakfast table, or lunch table, or any other table for that matter--tonite, or any other night..hahahahaha..

I'm guessing its around ya'lls dinnertime down under huh? its 3:02AM here in Virginia and I'm logging off to go fold clothes, watch Martha Stewart, and then head for bed---gotta be up by 7:00AM to get the boy off to school, which includes making something for breakfast...sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, adios, arevederce, arevoir, and ciao' for now!

g'nite
dIaNa

[MarthaB]

:confused: I didn't think it was too offensive, well I apologise if it was.

[dg2901]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...i didnt find anything offensive, hence the "hahahahaha" after my post......i found it funny...

[MarthaB]

:) I'm glad you didn't think it was Diana, I was utterly miserable yesterday, and even today I feel very sad really, if some one doesn't like what I said they have the right to their opinion, but I would of liked to hear it privately, not for everyone to see it, I have seen worse on this board, and no one says anything about that, I dunno time to go I think.

[Rosalie]

Martha I am sorry if I made you sad. :(

I meant that it was MY grotty mind that needed censuring!
David tells me I have a dirty mind sometimes :bonk:

I was going to go down the road of sausage rolls and a particular type of sex that is probably banned in many places! See...I am a dirty dirty naughty naughty girl And Sister Clements would be doing backflips in her grave. :biglaugh:

Sometimes I get to excited and forget to use the smilie face thingies that would have let you known I was kidding around. I will be more careful in future
:kissing:

[MarthaB]

:) thank you Rosalie, I mailed you... by the way those cakes are wonderful, I wish I could do them like that, but I'm afraid my cake baking is not one of mine specialties, Tamara did a cake at highschool once and decorated it with an orchid made from icing sugar, it looked really good, this girl has so many talents, if only she had more confidence in herself.
Thanks again Rosalie, you lifted my spirits, :kissing:

[Rosalie]

Diane, you asked what was on for dinner the other night. Well night before last was corned beef with cabbage and mustard sauce, last night was cold corned beef and salad and tonight fish and chips. The friday night tradition comes from being brought up a catholic and not being able to eat meat on a friday. Its a habit that I like...no cooking for me...yahooo!
But we're not religious about it!!!! Hahahahaaaahhaaaa....... Get it?.. Not RELIGIOUS...I'am a funny little one aren't I?

[dg2901]

So i take it you order fish and chips out somewhere instead of making it yourself since you said "no cooking for me"...hahaha...

Last night I made vietnamese with beef, carrots and broccoli over rice..it was ok..a bit too tangy for me..next time I'll cut out the tanginess a bit.
Tonite, I think everyone is going to be on their own..haha..nothing wrong with frozen pizzas or sandwiches is there?..hehehe


PS...youre hilarious!..ahhahahahahha

[Rosalie]

There is a fish and chip shop in just about every shopping strip. It's a left over from the English influence . One of the only good things they left us except for our parliamentary system.
Sorry to any pomms out there but I'm not much of an Anglophile.

Nothing wrong with a good old sandwich. Just depends what you put in it hey? Cheese and vegemite! Sorry..it had to be said.
Hmmm peanut butter and celery, cucumber and beetroot, egg and lettuce (bit smelly but!) chicken and avocado Oh the list goes on and on.....yummmmmmmmm

Its Saturday and David usually cooks. He's a great cook as long as he has a recipe in front of him but he will have a go at anything. Most Saturdays we have somthing a bit different as there's an epicure section in Saturday's paper with wonderful recipes to try.
However, he's supposed to be painting the shed so I might have to cook Poooooo!
You're right D, sandwiches sound pretty good to me!
What's everyone else having?

[dg2901]

Tonite (friday) the husband had some cottage cheese and a frozen pizza..haha..I had a some cottage cheese with pineapple, and the youngin' is at a friends house fending for himself...haha

[traceann]

Ok D, not nice to terrorize with spideys!! LOL YICK!

And my mom warned me about trouser snakes, stay far far away, their bite can cause symptoms for years...approximately 18, or even longer....LOL. Yes, unfortunately we have them here too, what about live traps for them as well?? Then release them into the wild, but like the mice they will probably come back...*sigh* ;)

[Rosalie]

Yep Tracey, I reckon we should trap them and cage them up. Only bring them out when we want to be amused or something along those lines.
Not sure what kind of trap to use. Half a dozen cold VBs? Or My best is a roast beef dinner and a good bottle of red!..add to that an apple crumble and icecream for dessert and the little critter can't help himself.
Getting him back in into the cage isn't all the difficult either. Just start talking about next weeks shopping list and off he scuttles.

[traceann]

Perfect plan!!! I will get to working on that right away....the one around here loves chicken parmesan...that would work great! Just set it in the trap, and voile'! When the military base here closed, me and my girlfriends thought it would be a great place to release them, they'd have all the comforts of living, and yet be safely fenced in for our safety...LOL, to be hauled out as needed for this and that...lmao!

[dg2901]

:shake: :dizzy: :hmm: :rolleyes:

[Rosalie]

what's the matter Diane? Don't like the plan?
I reckon the idea of the disused military base is perfect.

[dg2901]

Wrangle them up and let them dangle on the base..the old wrangle and dangle effect..

[pomeranianic]

I am going to try to make sour dough bread.
We found a bakery that sells sour dough with No presertives. @ $3.75 a loaf.

My husband and I love cooking and I love baking.
We both watch food network. Love the iron chef America and Emeril the most.
X-mas time I baked about 6 different kinds of cookies double batches. For gifts.
It was fun. The bad thing was I broke my kitchen Aid mixer. It was only 2 years old. The warranty was off of it. I stripped the gears out.
Yesterday I saw the book to it. I seen they had an 800 # so I decided to call them. I can’t believe it.
First they told me they can send me a kit to mail it to them and they can fix it. Cost of the kit was $25.00. Then the cost to fix it. Wow
I was really nice about it. Said well ok. But this makes me not too happy I spend $400.00 on a mixer. You would think it would last more than too years. She put me on hold came back on and said I talked to my supervisor and we are going to replace yours with a new one no cost. But yours is no longer made so if it's ok we will send you a upgrade one for no charge. I said that’s great. She asked what color do I want. I picked bronze pearl. I’m so happy.
I looked up the cost of the new model its $479.00.
If I didn’t see the book I would have never called. I missed my mixer so much.
Pays to call sometimes. :) :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Rosalie]

Thats great! It also pays to be nice to people. As they say "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" Dosen't it give you a good feeling for the day when something nice like that happens. Good no you Theresa.
You must have been mixing up a storm to strip the gears like that. Was it a particularly heavy dough?

This thread did get a bit side-tracked didn't it? But it is a whole lot of fun. I used to make most of our bread when the kids were littler but just got out of the habit. And I made my own sour dough starter by keeping some of the dough from a batch and "ageing it" I love sour dough bread. It makes ne want to get into it again.
Do you use any particular recipe?
I used product from a range called "simply no knead". I don't know what is was about the stuff but it really needed no kneading. (NO pun intended!)

[pomeranianic]

I was making a italian suger cookie recipe. I doubled it. It called for so much flour that by the time i was to at the end of the flour the dough was so thick that it froze up.
I have never made sour dough bread yet. so looking for a good recipe.
Just been buying it from bakery. so much money. But so good.

[Rosalie]

Hey Theresa, I just checked out your web site. Beautiful photos. And now I get to add another person to my photoboard which sits beside my computer.
I'm supposed to be outside painting. Hubby reckon sI spent TOO much time on the computer. And he must be right because I'm feeling a bit guilty. I've been on it for two and half days straight!
My kids are having withdrawel symptoms...they can never get on anymore Hahaaha!

[pomeranianic]

Well I always say I'm a compurter widow. My husband Daryl is a big computer nut. He has like 6 computers of his own. all working and running. He runs a cancer program on them that hudreds of people run and compete to make cancer antibodies and they earn points and list of the people. They all try to keep on the top of the list. He was the number one person for a long time. But others keep adding pc's and getting more points. He is in 10th place out of hundreds.
I have my own pc. The problem is our internet company will only let one of us on at a time. so I usually get it working hours. He hoggs it after he gets out of work.
I only am on now becasue he is buliding a new pc. so I grab the internet.

[Rosalie]

I snuck back inside to chech my email, hehehehe, he thinks I'm in the Loo! Yep you have to grab any time for yourself that you can.

[dg2901]

LOL@hubby thinking youre in the john!.... :biglaugh:

[Rosalie]

Having a lunch break now and I was watching the cricket while eating it. However, the Aussies batting line up is collapsing against the South Africans so I don't want to watch anymore. Its a one day game so I'll check it out later while having dinner and hopefully they will have picked up their scoring.
I love the cricket. Have any of you ever seen a game?
I know you have Martha, I mean the US gals.
Is that where you are Martha, at the game at the Gabba? Might have to send out a search party if you don't show up soon.Hahahaa! No ..really!

[traceann]

LOL, the old pretending-to-go-to-the-bathroom-to-use-the-computer-scam...ahhh I know it well...LMAO!!!!

OH! Pomeranianic, that's fantastic to know about how KitchenAid handled your mixer problem!! I just got a one for the first time ever (yes yes yes, Diana, Martha and Rosalie, I am going on about it again -- those 4 are rolling their eyes right now, lol), and it's good to know they are so nice to work with!!! I mean after all, like you said, it shouldn't have broken after only 2 years!!!

Hubby's made me watch Cricket a couple times here and there on his mad quest for something to watch that's sports related when he needs his fix...lol....

[Rosalie]

Ooooooooooo I'll be back in a bitgotta go... I would like to know what you thought about the cricket

[traceann]

Um, honestly I am a total non-sports kinda girl...it all looks the same to me, lol. Except for ice hockey, I love watching that...LOL Yeah, I know, I am weird....

Well, most likely speak at you tomorrow, it's off to bed for me!! Need my *cough cough* beauty sleep...LOL!!

Nighty night!!!

[MarthaB]

:) Tracey.. no eyes rolling here, honestly, I'm not into sport to much myself, but I do like to watch boxing,
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

Martha, why you blood thirsty girl! Boxing! I'd better treat you with more respect or I might get a right hook to the head!
Don't get too many punches in the cricket. Now there's the football, you get lots of them there! please!!!!!...........no arial ping-pong jokes thanks Martha.
Only a few weeks till the new pre-season season..sounds silly doesn't it!

[MarthaB]

:) hehe, yep, I like Kostya tzu, he seems such a nice guy too, not arrogant like some of the others. :)

[dg2901]

I like chocolate covered crickets

[MarthaB]

:) and cockroaches, hehe

[dg2901]

How come everyones talking about all this cookie dough thats been/being made yet none has arrived in my mailbox???????.... :hmm:

[MarthaB]

:) the cookie dough monster got it :)

[dg2901]

Either that or maybe my mailman is shifty..haha

[Rosalie]

Keep your cookie/biscuit dough, I like chocolate ants!

[traceann]

Ok, the only questionable object I like chocolate-covered are raisins, other than that you can have them, blech. So, I can't imagine I'd really go for choc. covered crickets and/or ants, lol.

I swear Diana, your mailman just must be shifty...honest....lol.

Oh I was thinking the same thing Rosalie when I read Martha likes boxing, she likes them feisty doesn't she? Hockey used to be that way, the old joke was "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out"...now very tame...

[dg2901]

Ants..ick! A couple of years ago I was sitting on the couch reading the paper enjoying myself a bowl of cereal dry--w/o milk. After eating the majority of the cereal I commented that they had a funny metalic taste--looked down and the cereal was covered in ants..hahahaha.

Now, check out this cucumber I bought at Trader Joe's today. For the people in OZ, Trader Joe's is a small grocery store (small in comparison to the major grocery store chains in my area. Trader Joe's just recently opened a store in Southeastern VA) that sells mostly (around 90%) organic products.


http://static.flickr.com/37/87658596_791227a0d4_o.jpg

[MarthaB]

:) Well that's one good looking cucumber you got there, Diana, haha, nope nothing else to say, no rude comment or anything LOL
Tracey, I do like them feisty, Im not really into male balletdancers, hehe, :)
I like a good couple of rounds of boxing, as long as it's boxing no earbiting haha, as some of the boxers are known for, yuk
Martha :)

[dg2901]

Thats the biggest cuke i've ever seen so i just had to post a picture..haha..i'm going to cut it up for salad tomorrow...there looks to be plenty to share if anyone wants to come join me...its BYOD though...

[MarthaB]

:) That's cool Diana, we are used to BYO barbies in aussieland, we will even bring a plate with something , what do you reckon Rosalie, feel like a barbie???

[dg2901]

The "D" stands for dressing--you know, for the salad..haha..

[Rosalie]

Yep, I'll be in a barbie anytime..I'll bring the pav
That looks like a continental cucumber Diane, they grow pretty long. You know they like them long in Europe! Especially those Italians!
Add a bit of "D" dressing and Voila.......oops that French but they all look the same to me ...........Haahahhhaaaahaa!

[traceann]

LMAO!! Ok now we are on cukes, lol I swear I miss all the good stuff! ha ha ha ha! I love those ones D, I know them around here by "English Cucumber", no seeds and no need to peel since they come in the plastic, yum-o! Now now ladies, we are discussing food here, right?????????????? LOL. Although...the mind did wander a moment there..... ;)

Oh yes, I do agree, male ballet dancers are not for me, I don't want someone who has a better figure than I do! ;)

[dg2901]

Yeah I know theyre known as english cukes, even though this particular one was grown in Mexico..hahaha...however i've never seen one 17 inches in length!..good googlymoogly! Of course I had to buy the biggest one they had since they were all marked $2.29--more bang for your buck right...?..........OK, this post is starting to freak me out just a bit..someone change the subject----puhhhleeeeeezzzzeee!

Keep the sheilas away from the barbie!

[traceann]

HA HA HA!! More "bang for the buck", love it!!!! Very very appropriate as well....LOL

[Rosalie]

Is the "bang" as in "bangers" on the barbie?

[traceann]

no no no, we call them hotdogs or bratwurst (sausages) the banging I believe as referred to in the above statement, means sex, lmao!!!!

[Rosalie]

You know more ways to refer to sex that anyone else I know! Hmmmmmmmmm...seeing a trend here!

[dg2901]

Bangers, bangs, hotdogs, brats, etc etc etc...just put something on the damn BARBY!!!!!!! :help: :biglaugh:

[traceann]

LOL, hmmm, I think someones got the munchies..... ;)

Oh yes, sex is one of my hobbies, :biglaugh: Cripes, don't even have time for that hobby anymore either!!! ARGH!!!! I have a feeling if we all put our heads together, we'd have quite a list of alternative sex terms....

[dg2901]

OK, whats eatin?
The last things I cooked were on Super Bowl Sunday (2/5)---chili, cheese dip, bbq wings, hot wings, and meatballs.

Tracey, got that mixer goin' yet? I'm still waitin' on my cookie dough...

How about ya'll people down there in OZ--whats cookin'?


:hmm:

[MarthaB]

:) D, not much cooking going on at my place, I don't like to cook, strange huh, I have to because of my hubbie and son, I do cook a nice indonesian fried rice, with satay sticks with my own peanut sauce, and chinese sweet and sour pork, I also make a mean lasagna, from scratch, cheese sause and all, I top it with sliced bacon, and thin pineapple slices and grated cheese over the top.
What are buffulo wings, I didn't know they could fly??? haha
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

:biglaugh: Martha The buffalo wings would have to be pretty big. I imagine one would feed a family?
I've got some leftover cooked chicken fillets so I think tonight will be a chicken quiche.
Bloody hell! the wind has suddenly kicked up and is blowing a gale outside and there is a proverbial preponderance of precipitation! Yup its pissing down!
Really wierd as it happened so quickly!

Anyhoo, My daughter has decided to be a vegetarian. But I've threatened her with all thats holy if she doesn't eat the right things to keep up her health. I'm getting pretty good at making falafel. I have a laugh every time I reach for the lentils....does anyone remember "the Young Ones"? with Neil and his lentil soup!

[quiltz]

Hi Martha,

Buffalo wings are named after Buffalo, New York, where they were first served at a bar as finger bar food. They are very spicy and a bit greasy with a hot kick. Traditionally they are dipped in blue cheese dressing and they are tres yummy ..... too bad we can't eat them :cussing:

Liz

[MarthaB]

:) Thanks Liz, so they are like chicken wings???

Rosalie, whatever is pissing down at your place can you sent some over here??
they promised rain all week, and sofar NADA, NIL, NOTHING, ZERO, it's nice to get paid for a job where you get it wrong every day, ggrrr, I'm sick of seeing the sun every day, we need rain !!
Martha :)

[Rosalie]

:hmm: Weeeeeelllllllllll, we really do need as much rain as we can get here, but in the interests for good neighbourlyness and the poor pineapples and bananas...OK cope this...here it comes... :biglaugh: May take a little while to get there but!
It was ther wierdest downpoor...it has stopped now but the skies are still very grey. So there may be more to come. I hope you get some soon. Whats the water situation like up there? What dam do you get your water from? When David was up in QLD last year he said the Leslie Dam was just a puddle!

Those poor chaps from the BOM must be having a tough time of it. I can see them sneeking out of the office at night in dark glasses and wigs!

[quiltz]

Well DUH .... I forgot to mention that they are, as Sheebah suggests,
chicken wings!! I guess I was so into myself dreaming of dipping those little darlings into the dressing and licking the spicey sauce off my fingers ... mmmmmmm

OOOps sorry! I'm OK now .... Liz

[MarthaB]

:) thanks Liz, they do sound yummy.

Rosalie, we get our water from the wivenhoe dam, it's capacity is in the 30 percent or something like that, anyway thats what the lord mayor tells us, but who knows, they are good at telling us bull ****, we just had 2 big pipes burst here in brisbane in a matter of 2 days, one pipe was about 90 years old, here all this water going down the drain, what the hell are they doing with our rates money?? ...I'm trying to be very careful with water, they congratulated me on my last rate notice, that I am a low water user in my suburb, but then this thing happens with the pipes, and I feel I am doing it all for nothing, :headbang:
Martha

[Rosalie]

We just had another downpour. I ran outside and tried to blow it up your way but it didn't work. I just got wet...Sorry
I know what you mean about the pollies... they couldn't lie straight in bed!
But they are all the same liberal, labour, federal, sate or local. It must be a prerequisite for preselection. But don't give up on your efforts. All this water saving must be making a difference or at least I hope it is.

[MarthaB]

:) Yes I agree they are all the same, I don't believe any of them!
I am still going to be carefull with water, I feel it's my duty to do so, I just wish more people would think the same, it would make so much difference, the people what use water carelessly , would be the first to complain if we had no water at all, ....Australia is the dryest continent in the world, I think! maybe I am wrong, ...but anyway you would think people would be more careful with water, it's so precious, what would we do without it!
Thanks for trying to blow some rain my way, haven't received any yet, maybe it will get here this afternoon, haha,
Martha :)

[dg2901]

buffalo wings are chicken wings..not buffalo..hahaha...although buffalo might be a good thing to bbq and spice up--who knows?...anybody?

[MarthaB]

:) Haha, I think you would just about eat anything Diana, throw it all on the barbie, did you know in holland they eat horse meat?? very tasty!!
Martha :)

[quiltz]

DG2901,
Barbecued buffalo? Bison burgers? Not for me!! I love my little (actually big) fellas in the Bronx Zoo so much, I don't think I could eat parts of them! But it is funny isn't it how we think of some animals as food and others as friends?
Liz

[dg2901]

Now that I think about it, if memory is serving me correctly, I had a buffalo burger several years ago at a local burger joint.....forgot all about that!
And yeah, I agree how differently one views something as being edible as opposed to being a pet..strange thought really..haha

[traceann]

Nope I can't say I have had buffalo or anything of the sort, you know that they have wings right??? LOL

Well, I used my mixer D to mix up my cheesecake batter for the "Tiramisu Cheesecake" that I made for Super Bowl Sunday...yummy. You will have to try it if you like cheesecake, it's in the Kraft Food and Family Magazine Winter 2006 edition, easy and YUMMY! Fattening though, that's why I gave the rest to my brother-in-law yesterday!!!! LMAO!! And I made the Mini Ham and Cheese Calzones in the same edition, yummy and easy - they didn't last long, and it was just me, hubby and my mom. And the BBQ Bacon dip thing in the same book was a hit too...lol.

But alas, no cookie dough yet....Diana, you and hubby are both inquiring about that...lol..

[Rosalie]

Tracey, can I have the BBQ bacon dip recipe? I'm going to a function on sunday and I am looking for a different dip to take! My usuals are baba ganoush and hommus.
The guests of honour are pommies (english) and aren't very adventurous in their tastes. I've been told my standbys might be to different for them.
I think something with bacon would be up their alley! And No! we won't be giving them vegemite!...wouldn't waste it on a pommie! See, I'm a nasty old lady aren't I?

No more rain today Martha. Just blue skies and sun and the temperature is perfect for me ...about 21C.

What's edible and what's not? Aussies eat both the animals on our crest, Kangaroo and Emu! I'll bet there aren't too many Bald Eagles served up as sausages!

[traceann]

You bet!! I will get it to you pronto!! It's pretty tasty, I must say. I had to have some, lol. I did use red bell pepper in place of the tomatoes it calls for, (no green pepper either, hubby's not a big fan of them) so that it wouldn't get "soggy" from the tomato....

No, no Bald Eagle food items...lmao!!!!

[dg2901]

i'm enjoying myself a frozen pizza at the moment.... :rolleyes: :hmm:

[traceann]

I do hope you defrosted it first....... :biglaugh:

[dg2901]

yeah, they tend to taste a tad bit better once the frost has melted, not to mention the cheese, and the mystery meats that are on top are cooked thoroughly..hahaha
my monster-inlaw brought over what was left of a pizza she had for dinner (from an Italian joint down the street) not long after I finished the frozen masterpiece

[Rosalie]

Tracey, your dip was a hit! And I was very pleased to say 'my friend from America gave it to me'
We had a wonderful afternoon. I made a large mud cake to celebrate the occassion ( I put a picture in the cake decorating thread if you're interested)
But now I feel very guilty about my comments about the Pomms! They were really nice people. They just loved Australia and are seriously considering emigrating.
And "all the more, the merrier" I reckon if they have the attitude that this family had.

[dg2901]

woooooooooohoooooooooo Ro' scored with an American dip!!!!!!!!!...hahahahahahaha!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Rosalie]

D, you make me laugh so much. :biglaugh:
How do you think and aussie dish would go down over there? I know we have to give the old vegemite a big miss but what about a pavlova or peach melba? There's still my mum's pineapple tarts. Main course would have to be roast lamb and mint sauce with roasted potatoes and pumpkin, chuck in some beans and peas, a nice merlot from the Hunter valley or crouchen riesling from the Barossa and wacko!and fair dinkum aussie sunday lunch!
Crikey! a bewdy bottler!

[dg2901]

I've actually had pavlova, peach melba, and am quite fond of the lamb and mint...yum! Them pineapple tarts sound quite tasty as well. ..............I've had a couple Australian Syrah's, but never an Aussie merlot...so when's it all gonna be ready??????????? Cause i'm hungry!

[Rosalie]

:hmm: Let me see, Spring is the best time for lamb and I'll need a week or two in the Hunter valley in NSW for the red and the another week or two in the Barossa in SA. How about October?

[dg2901]

October?? You want me to wait til October? You're kidding, right? Although its probably just starting to get toasty warm in Oz about then.

[MarthaB]

:) hey D, we don't wanny hear about toasty warm, we wanna hear about COLD COLD COLD, hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[dg2901]

you'd be outta your mind if you think i'd come to Oz when its cold..hahaha...that would mean a whole year of dealing with the cold if I did an every 6 month commute back and forth..not!..ahahahhahahahaha

[traceann]

Mmmmmm, Peach Melba is my FAVORITE thing, those two fruits together are just so damn yummy, it should be illegal!!!

I am really happy the recipe went over well!!! Oh you silly, you should have claimed all the credit, with a "why, yes, it's my own original idea, I just thought it up before I left, so glad you enjoy it" hee hee hee!! ;)

[dg2901]

I agree, she should have taken credit since it was a hit..its not that you would have known, Tracey, that she stole youre recipe..lol... :biglaugh: :bow: :hmm:

[traceann]

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: Yeah, I wouldn't have known the difference....

[dg2901]

Ok, this thread is quiet. Has nobody been cooking? Are we all starving or just mooching off of others?... :biglaugh:
I personally havent cooked since Thursday. I made lightly battered chicken cutlets with buttered egg noodles green beans with diced red peppers.

My bladder is been irritating the ^&*%&^ outta me the past several days so I havent been doing much other than laying on the couch hence why the stove/oven hasnt been touched..hahahaha..
Tonite (sat) i had the husband run and get some egg rolls and beef teriyaki from one of the local chinese joints--it wasnt all that great.
I guess thats a sign that I need to get to cookin'! :help:

[MarthaB]

:) D, sorry you are not feeling well, rotten bladders, the last thing we want to do is cook when the bladder is playing up, ahaaaaaa come to think of it the last thing I want to do is cook I hate cooking, I rather spend my time crafting,.....hope you feel better soon, :grouphug:

[quiltz]

Richie went to BJ's and brought home a potroast ... cooked and ready to serve, just needs heating. He asks if I feel well enough to make noodles tonight for supper! That along with a veggie and I would make my mother proud!!

Isn't he a good one? :love: Think I will hold on to him!! Liz

PS:I wonder if we should have a category for "Eating" instead of cooking ....My home-made meals seem to be few and far between lately!! :biglaugh:

[Rosalie]

Well, my 17yr old daughter has gone vegeterian. So I've been making felafel,vegie burgers and more tabouli than I care to think about!
We have been very mindfull of her nutritional requirements but still, she has suffered with dizziness and tiredness.
It makes me a bit cranky as she is in yr 12 and its a vital year for her tertiary education. On top of that she already has problems with lack of iron when she menstruates! So we ended up at the chemist the other day for iron supplements and more advice on food. Her immune system is obviously down as now she has a heavy cold. Her Hypoglycaemia has flared and so now she also need to eat frequently. This is a problem on its own as she has never been a big eater.I've threatened to shove a steak down her throat if she doesn't start to eat more! Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!Teenage girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to support her in this choice but......I'm the one left worrying that everybody is getting the food they want and need.

Any quick and easy suggestions?

[dg2901]

Wow Ro' your daughter is going through the ringer at the moment!..yikes!
While I support vegetarians (to each their own) its surely not a healthy diet if you dont pay close attention and keep track of what youre eating/not eating. I would think that until one completely understands nutritional values that its going to be hard to ingest the recommended daily allowances. And teenage girls--wow!--they need so much iron and calcium.
I think it was wise of you to take her to the chemist to get the proper supplements recommended to her. Maybe as she continues with the vegetarian diet she'll quickly learn whats involved to stay healthy.

A girl that goes to school with my son (she's 15) is VEGAN--can you imagine???..oy! And the ironic part is that her parents own a California/Mexican restaurant at the beach (damn!..i shoulda told hubby to take a picture). She is extremely strict--doesnt go off the diet at all. Its funny and scary at the same time to see her refuse anything thats not vegan. However she does get all her nutritional values daily and is very healthy--nice weight, clear complexion, good color, etc etc etc.
My husbands aunt and uncle are vegetarian, have been for many many years. Since theyre not vegan its a bit easier for them to get the proper nutrition (eggs, cheese, milk, etc). It helps too that they have perfected their vegetarian cooking skills to fool even us carnivors (i ate what i thought was lasagna for years before I found out it was a vegetarian dish--not lasagna at all..hahaha). I'd say that I'd get some pointers from them to pass on to your daughter, however they just recently moved to Japan.
I can suggest though that your daughter subscribe to Vegetarian Times magazine. I've read this magazine several times and found it to be quite educational. I would bet they even have a website.

Other than what I just shared I dont have any other suggestions. Maybe you could start a "Vegetarian/Vegan" thread and see if you get any hits....?

Good luck my friend!
:)
d

[Rosalie]

Thanks Diane. The thing is that it all seems to be falling to me to deal with. Not that she's deliberately being casual about it but I suppose I have jus always kept an eye on what they eat. If it wasn't such an important year in her education I might just let her deal with it and the consequences that followed.
She can't even afford a day home sick. The year level requires a very high attendance record. And on top of that she has so much still to come that will deplete her reserves even more if we don't get it right. As part of the colleges back stage crew she will be part of their rock eisteddfod challenge starting in the second term. This requires an extra 150 hours of rehearsals up to the finals in September. I don't want her to miss out on any of these wonderful challenges. I knew I was going to have to nurse her through that but now with this vegetarian thing!
Why do they pick such stressful times to make such radical changes?

[MarthaB]

:) Rosalie, I don't really know much about vegaterians, but I just wanted to suggest this, if Hillz takes Iron tablets try to get the ones with vitamin C in it, it absorbs much better, or if you cannot get that she can drink it with orange juice, I just bought another bottle of irontablets last friday, I had 2 periods in 2 weeks and they are heavy so I have to take them daily.

[Rosalie]

Thanks for the advice Martha. The chemist also told her that the iron tablets can make you constipated. Great! Another thing to add to the mix! Now I have to make sure she drinks lots as well.

[dg2901]

heres the link to Vegetarian Times magazine online:
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

If nothing else theres a recipe finder (you enter the ingredient and they find a recipe).
Atleast this way you wont have to guess at what to make for dinner.

good luck
d

[Rosalie]

Thanks for the website Diane. I'll have a good look at it.

[traceann]

Whoa, all I saw was the word "vegetarian" and it scared me! LMAO! Funny thing is, I am not a big meat eater, so I suppose it would be easy for me to convert...lol. I scared hubby once when I told him that....

:)

[dg2901]

Vegetarianism wouldnt bother me too terribly much to convert; its the VEGAN lifestyle that would be too difficult. I dont see how people do that. I'm sure though that PETA would be more than willing to help me out---haha.. live 10 minutes from their headquarters--what a bunch of...i digress!

Hey Ro' another website that has vegetarian recipes is napastyle.com. Its a website of chef Michael Chiarello.

[traceann]

Oooooooooooh I love Michael Chiarello!!! He's got great recipes!!!

[Rosalie]

What does PETA stand for. My niece Peta will be interested.

[dg2901]

Tracey, have you ever looked at Michael Chiarello's website, napastyle.com? You've got to be a billionaire to even look, much less buy..hahaha :biglaugh:
I didnt even realize he had a website until about 6 or so months ago; my brother and i were talking and he suggested that I look at his site..HA! thats all i can afford to do..yikes! Even with the sale theyre having I still cant afford but to look...sad.....

Ro', PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (http://www.peta.com). Or to us anti-PETA--People who Eat Tasty Animals.. :biglaugh:
I'm not against vegetarian/vegan lifestyles at all, however I am against the way PETA goes about supporting/promoting those lifestyles. I've had a couple of run-in's with them in the past. And whats funny, theyre so against mistreatment/eating of animals however they all drive big old SUV's...double standard??..i think so!...however, again, I digress..

[MarthaB]

however they all drive big old SUV's ,
Diana what does that mean??

[dg2901]

Martha, SUV stands for sport utility vehicle. I believe ya'll call them ute's?

:0
d

[Rosalie]

The wife of a friend of hubby is a vegan and we went to their wedding. I have to say that the food was wonderful. They did have some meat dishes but it wasn't really necessary as everything was so yummy.
Just as a aside to the cooking. That wedding was also one of the nicest. Seemed a bit wierd at first, but one of the attendants was his exwife! And his ex mother-in-law acted as host.
Anyway, some time later we had them and another couple over to dinner. I hit the internet big time for vegan recipes. One of which has stayed one of out favourites..tofu stroganoff..very tasty.

D, you'll have to post a picture of a SUV and I'll do the same with a Ute and we can compare.

[dg2901]

Hey Ro' here in the states almost any type of truck, except flatbeds are considered a SUV. My little Honda in my pictures is a SUV. Other examples: Toyota 4Runners/RAV 4's, Ford Explorers/Expeditions, Honda Element/Pilot....you get the picture, right?..haha

[traceann]

Oh I will have to check out his site! Thanks for the tip D, lol. I hear ya on the $$ of these chef's things, yeesh. That's like me with the Williams-Sonoma Home website and catalog...all I can afford to do is look, and then again - don't think I can even afford that....400 bucks for a flat sheet???? ONE flat sheet??? YEOUCH!

Yep, any big/medium family-sized truck-thing is a SUV, like my Chevy Suburban is considered one, even though I affectionately call her my "truck", lol.

You guys aren't going to believe this, I told hubby I was thinking on using some of my birthday money from my mom on some things that I liked in the new LL Bean catalog, really good prices and free shipping. So, he mentioned he had a 50 gift certificate and if it was still good, I could use it. I was thinking maybe a couple years old - wrong! It was from '99!! And guess what? I was still good! That's a pretty great company! LMAO!!!!

[MarthaB]

:) Thanks for your reply D, and Tracey I reckon you are very lucky you can still use that certificate, that makes it approx 6 years old, when is the expiry date??

[traceann]

Not sure Martha, lol. I was too excited to see it was still good. They must not have one, I think the normal is 1-2 years after issue date for most of them, they are just amazing! Now I need to go and figure out what I want to order...heh heh heh.....

[MarthaB]

Tracey, I think you are right, 1 to 2 years tops for the expire date on most certificates, does that shop you mentioned have a on-line catalogue, or website? I would love to have a look, I can do some window shopping,HAHA

[dg2901]

Tracey, is the gift certificate good at the LL Bean outlets? If so would be more bang for your buck.

[traceann]

Good question D! Do they have any online ones? The only access I have it to the LL Bean online site, lol.

Oh yeah Martha, just go to LLBean.com, it's a great "store", and I love their catalogs. Their merchandise is great quality and their prices are super! I bought hubby a sweater from there for Christmas on Dec 21 - it was here by the 24th and they had a free shipping promotion going on to boot!!!!

[dg2901]

Tracey, I would think that if they do have an online outlet it would be linked from the LLBean site....? I dont shop LLBean so thats the best I can offer..haha..I mentioned the outlet because there's one near me and i've been in there a couple of times to look--the prices are cheap!

:)
d

[MarthaB]

:) yes I had a good look around and the prices are cheap, they have some good stuff, tracey you have to let us know what you got from there, please!!!

[dg2901]

I guess nobodys been cooking lately.... :hmm:

Tonite's menu consists of buffalo burgers (imported from Australia..no you Aussie's i'm not trying to be like ya'll!..how could i even come close to comparison???). Just so happens the only buffalo that was in the case at Trader Joe's is imported from THE LAND DOWN UNDER to this LAND UP OVER.
For sides I'm making some Indian rice and pulling out the salad I made a couple of days ago...dinner is served!!! :woohoo:

[Rosalie]

Hmmm... are there real buffalos in those burgers?
We had fish coated in portugese seasonings, green beans with a raspberey vinegar and pine nut dressing and a garden salad. Yegeterian daughter has potato and fetts patties instead of the fish.
Tonight will be tofu and vegetable stir fry with red kidney beans for extra protein. Yum!
Just out of interest, what other Aussie foods do you find in your supermarkets?
Has anybody tried kangaroo meat?

[dg2901]

Hey Ro'
yeah they were 100% buffalo..I overcooked them though so they were a bit on the dry (thanks to someone p***ing me off right before dinner).

I've never tried kangaroo, atleast not that i'm aware of..haha

Sounds like youre getting that vegetarian cooking down pat. Did you check out those 2 websites yet? If so, were they helpful?

Bon appetit
d

[Rosalie]

Yes I did Diana. There are soooo many sites with veggie recipes. I should be a cooking maniac!

[traceann]

Hmmm, haven't really cooked anything too different lately....except for the Carrot Cake thing, one box carrot cake and one can (15oz) pumpkin (plain, not spiced). Mix together, bake according to box (I went the least amount of time then checked ever 5 min), serve with frosting or Cool Whip. YUM!!!! And no fat!!! ;)

[traceann]

Oops, forgot, I will definitely report when I order from LL Bean. The sweater I got for hubby for Christmas is beautiful, it's a great blue and makes his eyes look really blue! Pretty!!! I guess his grandma used to get all their Christmas gifts from there, lol.

Thanks for the idea D!! I will check their website - I still haven't sat down and figured out what I want, lmao!