5.22.2010

FRIED Chicken Samwiches....EGADS!

As soon as we got the chickens, Grampa started talking about how we could eat them as fried chicken.  Sick, I tell you!  How could one eat that sweet little cooing bird?   We decided it would be alright to eat A chicken, but not OUR chicken.  So, while Carson and Gramma were at a play today, Sharon, Sam, and I took Grampa to Miss Delta's for some good ole comfort food.  We ate jalapeno hush puppies, sweet potato fries,  sweet tea, and yes, a fried chicken sandwich.  Sharon and I opted for the BBQ Tofu Po Boy, and it may have been the best tofu I have ever had.  Probably because it was deep fat fried.   Everyone was stuffed and took half home for later.   I wonder if Gramma will sneak the other half of the sandwich for a midnight snack?

5.21.2010

Carson and Gabby watching Indiana Jones

Gabby is not really a "lovable" cat.   Maybe Carson smelled like chicken.  Thanks Aunt Steph.

5.20.2010

Pie #2. Chocolate pudding pie.

Not my thing, but everyone seemed to like it.  I have never had an inkling for chocolate pie.  Made with homemade crust, homemade bittersweet chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped cream on top.  Success.  It is the fruit pies I am worried about. 
Also, I need to figure out how to make the crust pretty.

5.19.2010

Around our yard.

We had a family of garden spiders move into our roses.  When you move the flower they scatter.  Yuck.  The chickens are growing REALLY big.  I didn't realize how big they would get and how much they eat.  Yesterday they ate a whole watermelon down to the rind.   The kids are still enjoying them and we are all excited everyday to check for the egg(s).  Still only one layer. 
Maggie and Melissa are coming for dinner tonight.  They are doing the dinner cooking and I am attempting another pie.  This time I am trying a chocolate pudding pie with whipped topping.  Not my kind of pie, but Maggie is a chocoholic and Sam asked for it.  

5.16.2010

The summer of the PiE

 Pie 1- Lemon Meringue

This is the summer I will learn how to make pie.  Today I got Norma's "easy" pie crust recipe.   It didn't go very well the first try..........

I thought I did everything right, but the dough literally crumbled.  Hmmmm?   I figured it had to be the shortening since it had been in our cabinet for quite some time.  I can't really remember the last time I made something with Shortening.  So, I walked up to the Whole Foods and replaced it with brand new shortening.   The next go round was perfect and I made a double batch and froze half for later.   The lemon curd was easy and super tart.   It was the meringue I was terrified of.
 I don't have a hand mixer, so I whipped it by hand.  Oh My God.  I whipped it for about 20 minutes and now have cramps up my right arm and into my shoulder.  It turned out perfect.  I have to admit for my first real pie from scratch, it was delish.  We ate half of it after dinner and gave some to our neighbors and there is still at least three pieces left.  Yum.
Next on the list has to be a strawberry rhubarb concoction since the strawberries will be here.
Putting on the meringue is fun.
Finished product.


Just look at those meringue peaks!

I tried to make the caramel icing that was gramma shaffer's specialty, but it just wasn't happening.  So I will let Steve take that on.  I will try to do a little tribute to the greatest pie maker ever.    Eloise.