Broccoli Salad

So I've never actually posted on this blog...and it doesn't look like anyone else has used it for a while, but I made broccoli salad for Thanksgiving this year and Patrick and I loved it. I think other people did too so I thought I'd post it!

Sorry the picture is huge. I can't get it any smaller.

1 head broccoli
6 to 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup raisins, optional
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, cut into very small chunks
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

I got this recipe from Paula Deen. Thanks Paula!

When I made it we actually put in more broccoli than it called for. We substituted craisins for the raisins, left out the tomatoes because my husband and I don't like them, and used less cheese than it called for. Also, we did not use all of the dressing.

When I've had this salad other places I've seen people put sunflower seeds or some kind of sliced nut (almonds maybe?) in it as well which is pretty good.

Enjoy!

Chutney Curried Chicken with Yogurt Sauce

No, I haven't forgotten about this blog. I've just been really, really bad at putting things on it. I have been cooking, just not taking pictures of what I make!

The name of this recipe would not have caught my eye and I would have moved on in my Crock Pot book. However, the picture in the book looked yummy and I did have a mango sitting in my fruit bowl that needed to be used. So I tried it and it was good! Andrew said it was fun. I'll be making it again. Plus, it's a crockpot dinner- I love those!

(I can't get this one to not be flipped sidways, sorry)

1 container (6-8 oz) plain low-fat yogurt
2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper (I didn't have, so I used red pepper flakes)
4 bone in chicken breast halves, skin removed (2 lbs. about) (I used boneless skinless I think)
1 small onion, sliced
1/3 cup mango chutney (chop large pieces of mango if you don't have chutney)
1 Tbl. lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbl. cornstarch
2 Tbl. water
3 cups cooked linguini or lo mein noodles
Optional Toppings: chopped cilantro chopped peanuts, toasted coconut

1. Place yogurt in paper-towel-lined strainer over a bowl. Drain in refrigerator until serving time.

2. Combine curry powder, garlic salt and red pepper; sprinkle over chicken. Place onion in crock pot; top with chicken. Combine chutney, lime juice and garlic; spoon over chicken. Cover; cook on LOW 5 or 6 hours or on HIGH 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until chicken is tender.

3. With slotted spoon, transfer chicken to serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Turn crock pot cooker to High. Combine cornstartch with water until smooth. Stir into cooking liquid. Cover; cook 15 minutes or until thickened. Spoon sauce over chicken; serve over linguini. Top with thickened yogurt and garnish as desired.

Don't you wish your sister was cool like mine?

(First, make sure you sing the title like "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like mine?" Not even positive that's how it goes. But that's how I sing it.)

So my sister is amazing. She made this all by herself:



How cool is that? I love the color. Tiffany's blue. Here are some more shots.





Of course Elinor loves it. She thinks it's so cool. She walks around saying, "Courtney made me this. It's a cool kitchen."

She got the plans from knockoffwood.com. If you haven't heard of the site, she is a stay at home mom who couldn't afford all the awesome yet expensive furniture/kids stuff that she wanted. So she figured it out. She takes ideas from Pottery Barn and such and figures out how to make replicas (hence the knock off wood name). Then she posts the plans so others can make it. Here is the specific link for the kitchen:

http://www.knock-offwood.com/search/label/Grace%27s%20Playhouse%20Kitchen

Super cute! Here are some tips. She found IKEA coasters at a yard sale for the burners. The knobs for the oven are radio knobs from RadioShak. The handle for the oven is a cabinet pull from IKEA. The fridge handles are also from IKEA-they are towel racks! Courtney got the sink faucet from an RV shop (she gets a discount). The sink basin was a $2 D.I. bowl. Look around and be creative!

Here is my creative contribution to the project-felt food! I am still working on it. So far I have made one doughnut, five chocolate chip cookies, and four pieces of bread. Apparently we love carbs at our house. And yes, those few items really took me a long time. I'm still learning how to sew. And each of these foods had a pretty tricky element. Here is a link to get you started: http://www.onecraftyplace.com/2009/02/27/felt-food-tutorial-round-up/


Thanks Court! It's AWESOME!

Another Giveaway

I want to remember this giveaway because I may just ask for one of these for my birthday or Christmas. I would get one of the charms with Nathaniel's name on it and add on for other babes. Check out the giveaway at Tater Tots and Jello!

DownEast Giveaway!

I love DownEast Outfitters. I actually went shopping there this weekend with Kari and bought two really cute skirts. And now, they're having a GIVEAWAY on Tatertots and Jello (check out the side bar for the link). Go check it out! I'd love to win!

Roman Blinds

I finally got E's roman shade up! It turned out very cute (as long as you don't notice that it is not sitting quite straight). I used a tutorial in an old Sunset drapery book my mom has. You can tell the book was made in the 70's! I didn't want to type up all the directions (there are a lot) so I am linking to a lady who already did.

http://jenduncan.typepad.com/whats_new/2008/11/roman-blind-tutorial-in-20-pictures-or-less.html

A few things:

Her blinds are pretty small so she only use 2 columns of rings. I suggest 3-4 columns.

I did not use brass rings. If you are only making one shade, individual rings are way cheaper and look more professional. If you are making many shades, get the ring tape. It's worth the money when you don't want to spend literally HOURS sewing on each individual ring.

I didn't use a metal rod. I used a dowel. So much cheaper.

Her directions are a little different. Mine has some crazy hems going on. I think mine look better but hers look loads easier. Plus, no one sees the back (usually)!

I am no seamstress (although I am a lot better than I was last week) and mine turned out pretty good. Don't be intimidated! BUT, do be prepared to spend more than you think. For all my shades (I did one in E's room and I am doing 4 for the living room/kitchen area) it would have been cheaper to buy them. Not as cute, but cheaper. And that is why I did it. Oh well. At least they are snazzy.


So without further ado, I give you my first roman shade! (And first REAL sewing all by myself, with only 1 use of the seam ripper):

(sorry about the picture quality)

Teacher-Approved Playdough

This is the playdough recipe I use for my kindergartners. I made it this morning for Elinor and she loves it.


2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 TBSP vegetable oil
4 tsp cream of tarter
2 cups water
Food coloring of choice

Place all ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and forms a ball (this only takes a minute or two).


Remove from pan and cool on counter.


When cool (I don't let it completely cool, but mostly), knead for 1 minute. Store in air tight container.