Bakers Love

Off we go!

  We take off tomorrow for a much needed visit down to Huntington Beach.  Flying with my boys is always an adventure.  The last few flights we have taken Dexter has managed to get into the cockpit.  Not just for a quick hello and a pair of stick on wings, no Dexter is there in the seat visiting with the pilot.  Once on a flight from Dallas to Colorado Dexter was in the cockpit, I am back at my seat.  The airplane is closing up preparing to taxi on the runway.  I know that the FAA will not allow my kid to ride up with the pilot, so I was beginning to wonder when he was going to return to his seat, although I was enjoying the quiet.  Soon I hear over the intercom, "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot Dexter, and I am 8 years old..prepare for takeoff"  There was a lot of nervous laughter in the cabin, our real pilot came on and told everyone to say hello to Dex as he was returning to his seat.  All of his experiences on commercial flights have been so educational thanks to the friendly pilots engaging a kid who has set his sights on becoming a pilot someday (for now).

Come on! Crack a smile!

How do you make a crabby boy smile (sort of)? Well, for my little crabby patty a plate of fried chicken legs usually does the trick!   Here is my no fail fried chicken recipe.  I do not fry the chicken for long, and therefore it won't absorb a lot of oil.  I finish the chicken in the oven, and this gives me a wonderfully moist chicken with an extra crispy crust.   This is just delightfully easy.

Andrea's fried chicken legs

2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 dozen chicken drumsticks
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
4 cups vegetable oil

Get Ready

In a large mixing bowl or Pyrex dish combine buttermilk and 1/2 tablespoon cumin. Add drumsticks and marinate for a few hours, but ideally 24 hours.  On a large plate combine flour and salt and pepper to taste, and the remaining cumin.

In a large skillet or pot  heat oil until thermometer registers 345 degrees  or when the oil bubbles when a little flour is sprinkled in.  Coat drumsticks  with flour mixture. Using tongs lower floured drumsticks carefully into hot oil. Fry drumsticks, cooking for about 4 minutes per side.  When the legs are a light golden brown, remove and place on a roasting rack that is setting in a cookie pan.  When all drumsticks are on the cookie pan, place in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.   Remove from oven and serve!

Rise, shine, and dine

Here is my absolute favorite quick meal.  I love my version of Salade Lyonnaise for breakfast, lunch or a quick dinner.  It really is the perfect meal. Packed with protein and veggies, this salad really can't be beat.  Traditionally Salade Lyonnaise is made with Frisee, lardons (chunks of bacon), a poached egg, and a hearty slice of french bread.  As much as I love tradition, I needed to adapt this favorite to a more healthy alternative.  I usually leave the bacon out, and add fresh tomatoes.  The bread is a no go.  Sometimes I poach my egg, but I prefer a soft cooked egg.  Give Salad Lyonnaise a try, I bet this will quickly become one of your favorite meals to make.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Andrea's Salad

Handful mixed greens

One egg cooked to your preference

One fresh tomato

For the vinaigrette:  Mix together 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon

Toss greens with vinaigrette

Top with egg

Salt and pepper to your preference

Voila!

MOM!

Recently I took my oldest son Dexter with me on a school field trip.  My class met up at Castle Lake in Shasta for a lovely hike to identify plants, birds, insects, etc.  Since this is an activity I  thought Dex would enjoy, my professor agreed to let him join us.  Our hike was going along nicely. Dexter asked good questions and seemed fairly interested in the answers.  Along the way he spotted some fishermen.  Dexter asked if he could walk ahead and go talk to the fishermen.  Of course he asked my professor and not me, and off he went.  After a few minutes I thought I should go and catch up with him.  I grew a little concerned when I passed the fishermen, and they said that Dexter, "what a neat kid", went to check out the waterfall.  GULP.  I hiked and found the waterfall.  With Dexter on the other side of it.  He somehow managed to cross the fall without falling in.  A feat I suspect of luck.  When Dexter's eyes met mine for the first time he says..."MOM!  I made a REALLY bad decision"  of course all I could do not to laugh was to keep him calm and watch as he managed to cross the fall once again into my hands, a little defeated...and quiet for the rest of the trip.

You can take the girl out of the beach...

This is where I spent half of my life.  Hard to believe that I ever left right?  I grew up in picturesque Huntington Beach California.  Officially Surf City much to the dismay of Santa Cruz.  My little family will be leaving soon to visit Grandma.  I can't wait.  I can smell the salt air as I write.  My boys, given the choice of Disneyland or the beach, will always choose the beach.  They are determined to master the Boogie board this trip!  I have to agree with them, the perfect day at the beach would include swimming, sand castles, and of course a trip to Ruby's before the drive home.

A New Name

The kitty has a name.........Rufus, Comet, and even Bill(get it BILL THE CAT...AAAK) did not make it past Felex.  Comet was in the lead and then a new name entered the mix.  It happened while we were watching Austin Powers.  The cats name is MOJO (baby).  Felex is naming his cat after Mojo jojo, if you are not familiar with the Power Puff Girls, he is the girls nemesis.  But to me Mojo will always be the one and only Mojo Nixon.   Remember him?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hkIN38qnY.  I remember seeing Mojo in Huntington Beach singing and jumping on tables at Safari Sams.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Mojo's Mojo!!   

Mt. Shasta Procrastination

Mt. Shasta Procrastination

Let's see, how many activities can I cram into my day so that I can continue on my path of procrastination?  Movie? Check, Big breakfast? check.  Housework? Check. Check. Check.  Yes, I am aware that I have a final paper due in a mere 6 days.  I know I will get it done, but not without some good old procrastination.  My friend mentioned a hike to Mt. Shasta tomorrow.  I'm all for it!  So to celebrate the idea of another fun day avoiding the paper looming over my head I had to make my favorite cupcake.  The Mt. Shasta.

Enjoy!

Makes about 2 dozen

3/4 pound unsalted butter

2 cups sugar

5 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

7 ounces sweetened shredded coconut-plus more for topping

Oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl of your electric mixer beat the butter and sugar with the paddle attachment until smooth and fluffy.  This takes about 3 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time, making sure that the egg is incorporated into the batter prior to the addition of the next egg.  Add the extracts. 

In a separate bowl add all dry ingredients, except for the coconut.  Add the flour mixture to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk.  Do this in 2 steps, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Remove from mixer.  Add coconut by hand, folding just until mixed. 

Line muffin pans with liners, fill each up about half way.  Bake 20-30 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.  Cool and then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese frosting-THE most important trick to this frosting is having the butter and cream cheese at room temperature.  Doing this simple step will prevent lumps in your beautiful frosting.  This frosting is fantastic on just about everything.  Well, within reason.

1 pound cream cheese

3/4 pound unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 1/2 pound powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter in a mixer using the paddle attachment.  Beat until smooth, add extracts.  Slowly add powdered sugar.  Continue to beat until smooth.

Frost cupcakes and sprinkle more coconut on top!

Steer Clear

I made a promise not to have fun until I finished a paper that was due.  I turned in my paper yesterday, and realized that I have one more due in less than a week.  Boy, returning to school sure has its perks!

I have some great recipes to share!  Give me a day to play catch up!   

New Addition

Well, we have a new family member.  I continue to be surrounded by boys...we have a new kitty.  So far our names have been Omega, Buzz, Comet, and George.  My vote is for George.  What do you think?  We are open to suggestions.  I do like regular 'guy' names.  My boys have already shot down Rufus and Nick.  My guys have NO idea how close to being a Rufus they were.

How did I get HERE?

This is the most highly anticipated movie of this summer in my little family.  I can't help but think of the old Planet of the Apes show, which of course scared the monkey brains out of me.  Should I confess to my kids that animated chimps make my skin crawl???