The Great Shamrock Shake Search Continues... (Recipe too!)

When I was a child we waited all year for the month of March.
Not because we wanted to get busy in the garden.
Not because it was time for Spring Break.
We longed for March because March is the month of the Shamrock Shake!
All McDonalds restaurants served Shamrock Shakes during the month of March.
It was green.
It was minty.
It was refreshing.
Its kinda like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie. except, its cold, green and you can suck it through a straw!!
Whats NOT to love???

I'm not usually a fan of mint drinks.
But I just have to have a Shamrock Shake every March!
Did you know that I have not had a Shamrock Shake in almost 12 years????
I know!! It's almost unbelievable!!
Well, it turns out that very few McDonalds in Texas carry it!
CRAZY!
This year, I was bound and determined to find one.
I called more than 45 Houston area McDonalds to no avail.
Most of the employees who answered my phone call didn't even know what a Shamrock Shake was!!

I even called the McDonalds cooperate headquarters!
I mean.. they have to know who they shipped the Shamrock Shake stuff to right?
WRONG!
They couldn't tell me!

Whats a girl to do?
Make her own Shamrock Shake thats what!!

Behold....

Dana's Shamrock Shake copy-cat!

Not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

Yum, slurp, groan!
By George!! I think I got it!!


Dana's "I don't need no stinkin McDonalds!"
Shamrock Shake
Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 - 1/2 Teaspoon Mint extract
• 9 drops green food coloring

Optional pretty stuff

• chocolate syrup (optional glass decoration)
• whipped cream (optional topping)
• green sugar (optional decoration)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth and yummy.
2. drizzle some chocolate syrup around your glass.
3. Pour Shamrock Shake into the glass.
4. top with whipped cream and green sugar.
5. ENJOY!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

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My Chinese Left-Overs Can Beat-Up Your Chinese Left-Overs! ( Shrimp-Fried Rice)

I've said it before,
I'll say it again...
I love Chinese food!
I will learn to re-create my favorite Asian dishes at home!
So far, I've gotten Shrimp Lo-Mein & Bourbon Chicken & Spring Rolls perfected!

Now... for another one of my favorites!
Shrimp fried rice!!
mmm mmm mmm!

Click HERE for the complete Recipe and pictures.

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Jam Making 101 (EASY Rich Strawberry Jam)

There are few flavors that scream "SUMMER" like the flavor of a fresh-picked, juicy, sweet Strawberry!
When the strawberries are ripe, we eat them until we are about ready to burst, then it's time to make Strawberry Jam.

Wouldn't you love to have the summertime fresh strawberry taste next winter?
This is the way to do it!Once you taste your own homemade strawberry jam, you'll never want store-bought again!

I understand that canning seems intimidating if you've never done it before.
I promise... this will be easy!!

Once you try it, you'll wonder why on Earth you waited so long!

If you've never canned anything before, there are some supplies you'll need.
A beginners canning kit is a great start, but you don't have to one or anything fancy.

This wonderful Strawberry Jam only has 3 ingredients!

The recipe only looks long...
Thats only because this is Jam Making 101...
I have explained (and probably OVER explained) just about anything I can think of!

Jam Making 101 (Rich Strawberry Jam)
Complete recipe and directions can be found by clicking HERE

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Pucker Up!! (Glazed Lemon Cakes)

It's spring!
One of my favorite spring or summer tastes is citrus.
Lemon is my favorite!
Fresh Lemonade, Lemon Meringue pie, and of course
Glazed Lemon Cakes.

These lemon cakes are the perfect combination of sweet and tart.
They are closer in texture to a pound cake than a light and airy cupcake.
The fresh lemon juice and zest in the glaze takes it over the top!

Glazed Lemon Cakes
Complete recipe and Directions can be found
By Clicking ---> HERE

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Look at Those Buns!!! (Homemade Hotdog & Hamburger Buns)

Two days ago, when I posted my Case Study in Wienerology,
I expected to be contacted about my groundbreaking technique for getting inside the human psyche.
Perhaps I would be published in some wonderfully intelligent medical journal.
Maybe even be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize!!

But... Nooooo
Everyone just wanted my bun recipe
ok fine!
You can even use your bread-maker!!
It couldn't be easier!
The complete recipe can be found HERE

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The Lonely Pyromaniac (Easter Edition)

It's Easter!
And The Man-of-My-Dreams is still working out of state.
Just like he was on Valentines Day.

Remember this post I wrote about Valentines Day?
How lonely I was?
How much homemade wine I consumed?
How much I loved my shiny new kitchen torch?
That night, I introduced you to The Lonely Pyromaniac.

Well...
Shes Back!!

My First Victim was the beloved Peep.
"Before"

"After"

The peep burned fast!
Bubbled up and smelled of burnt sugar.
A complete success!!

**TIP** Peeps make Most Excellent S'mores!!
Put him on a stick....
Roast him over red-hot coals in the fire until his sugary coating carmelizes...
Slap him with some chocolate between to graham crackers...
HEAVENLY!!!! (thanks Lola for reminding me!)

#2 The Ever-Popular Chocolate Easter Bunny.
"Before"

"After"

"Even MORE After"

The bunny burnt before it melted!
Whats up with that??
Chocolate is supposed to melt!
NOT catch on fire!

#3 The Most Perfect Easter Candy EVER!!
The Cadbury Creme Egg!
"Before"

"After"

I changed the background fabric in hopes of catching a picture of the obscene amount of smoke this sucker put off!
*cough* *cough*

#4 Brightly Colored Easter Jelly Beans!
"Before"

"After"

These were kind-of a downer.
They got shiny.
Bubbled a little bit.
Then started to burn.

#5 Hard-Boiled Egg. (peeled)
"Before"

"After"

Ooooooh Eeeeh!
This one was stinky!!
But just burnt on the surface.
Blah.

Now....
You don't think I could stop with just my super-cool kitchen torch do you??
Not when I also have a MICROWAVE!!!
Watch and learn!

Happy Easter!!

What can I burn for Mothers Day?
hmmm thinking thinking....

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Cook The PERFECT Steak, Every Darn Time! (TIP)

I am from Texas. (ok.. well I wasn't born here... but I got here as fast as I could! gimmie a break will ya?)

And, as anyone from Texas will tell you, We take our steaks and other red meats very seriously.
Cook at steak wrong and they'll kick you plum out of the state!

When I was on the Wife Swap TV show, I had to throw a swanky dinner party the first night. I cooked steaks. They all asked... "How did you get each steak cooked so perfectly?!?"

I taught them this little handy trick.
Follow these simple tips and you'll cook the perfect steak each and every time!

Of course, you should start with a great cut of beef.
This one will work.

And, Yes.. cook it using HIGH HEAT
Preferably using a wood-fire.

If you have a wood-fire and a good cut of meat, you really don't need much more!
Great Beef doesn't need much seasoning.
Maybe a little salt & pepper...

The first rule of cooking steak is do not puncture it!!

Don't fiddle with it and poke it with a fork or cut into it with a knife checking for doness. Puncturing the meat only allows the juices to run OUT of the meat.. juices are goooood, we want em in there! Use tongs for cryin out loud!

Season it and cook it as you wish....
I use a good wood fire. HOT to sear it on both sides.
But after you get that far, how do you know how done it is without cutting into it to look??

I do it all by feel.
wanna know how to feel your steak like a pro?
Simple....
Here we go.

Lay your hand on the table....

Let it relax.

with your other index finger... feel the meaty part of your hand.

This is what a Rare steak feels like.

Now, take your index finger and let it join up with your thumb making a circle,

not flat like this picture. (think like an OK sign).

Feel it again...

This is what Medium-Rare feels like.

Now... do the same thing with your thumb and middle finger...
Yep, you guessed it!
This is what Medium feels like!
(easy huh?)

Thumb and ring finger?
You got it!
This is what Medium-Well feels like!

Put your thumb and pinkie fingers together.
This is what a Well-Done steak feels like!

Wasn't that easy??
A little practice and you'll be cooking steaks to perfection every darn time! (just like a Texan!)

Go forth and Grill baby!!

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The Fish You Should Make if You Think You Don't Know how to Cook Fish. (Parmesan Crusted Tilapia)

I love to cook.
I love to cook all things.
But for some reason I have always been kinda intimidated by fish.
I've always heard how tricky it is.
Easy to over-cook
Easy to dry out.
Easy to mess up!

Well... Not this fish!
I promise, it'll be a winner every darn time!
All of my kids love it!
My spoiled-rotten sister came over last night for dinner.
She was skeptical, because she is not very fond of fish.
She is a food snob!

Guess what! She loved it! Ha!
Try it! You'll be glad you did!
Dana's Parmesan Crusted Tilapia.

• 2 lbs Tilapia fillets (Orange Roughy, Cod or Snapper works great too!)
• 4 Tablespoons lemon juice, divided
  
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 1/8 teaspoon (or a dash) seasoning salt
• 1/4 teaspoon basil
• black pepper (to taste)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay fish fillets in a buttered baking dish or baking sheet , in one layer. ( do not stack)
3. Sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice.
4. In bowl combine cheese, butter, mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, onions and seasonings.
   
5. Stir well to thoroughly combine.
6. Bake fish in preheated oven 10 to 20 minutes or until fish just starts to flake, remove from oven.
7. Spread cheese mixture over fish, coating each evenly.
8. return to oven, bake until golden.

This topping works GREAT for chicken too!!

**Tips** Baking time will depend on the thickness of the fish you use.
Watch fish closely so that it does not overcook.

Note: This fish can also be made in a broiler.
Broil 3 to 4 minutes or until almost done.
Add cheese and broil another 2 to 3 minutes or until browned.

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Everybody Loves Pie! (Spaghetti Pie)

Everybody loves pie right?

Apple Pie,
Cherry Pie
Pecan Pie,
Blueberry Pie,
Lemon pie,

I could go on and on, because I love pie!
In fact, I think we should eat pie every day!

What kind of mother would I be if I served pie every night for dinner?
Well... if it's this pie, I'd say a pretty darn great one!

Take a look at this!!

Let Them Eat Pie!!!

Dana's Spaghetti Pie

• 6 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs (well beaten)
• 1 cup cottage cheese (or Ricotta)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup green pepper (chopped)
• 1 (8 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic (chopped)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti as directed on package, Drain, set aside in a bowl.
   
2. Add margarine, Parmesan cheese and eggs to the pasta.
   
3. Mix well.
4. Press noodle mixture into the bottom of a greased 10 inch pie pan.
   
5. Spread cottage cheese over spaghetti.
6. Brown ground beef; add onion, garlic, green peppers. Drain off excess fat.
7. Add diced tomatoes, paste, sugar, spices to the meat mixture.
8. Stir to combine and heat thoroughly.
   
9. Spread meat sauce over spaghetti and cottage cheese.
10. Bake in oven at 350 for 20 minutes.
    
11. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese and bake 5 more minutes.
12. Slice and Enjoy!
    

My Grandmother used to make a spaghetti pie.
I've tweaked it to our liking.. feel free to do the same to suit your taste!

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The Taste of Comfort

Last night, we had one of my favorite comfort foods for dinner.

Tender, juicy, slow roasted, pot roast
with roasted carrots, huge mushrooms,
onions, & fingerling potatoes.
mmmmmmmm!

Top it all with a rich and thick homemade gravy, and I'm in comfort-food heaven!

Pot roast brings back memories of Sunday After-Church dinner.
Walking in the back door and smelling the wonderful meal long before you reached for your fork.
It's warm, filling, honest food. (if the term "honest food" makes any sense at all!)

I have many favorite comfort foods.
some sweet,
some savory,
some simple,
some complex,

I always find it interesting what foods other people consider comforting.

So today, It's all about you!

I wanna know...
What does comfort taste like to you?
And Why?

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