PinkPetunia's House

Valentine's Day, Part Four: The Menu and a Little Quilted Heart Bag

My little Valentine before school today:

Later, I will post the pink quilted heart bag I made for her. It turned out really sweet.

And now, because inquiring minds want to know, here is the final Valentine's Day menu. It took some serious thought but we finally narrowed it down to some of our favorites.

Valentine's Day Menu

Cruz Alta Mendoza Chairman's Blend 2006 red wine (delicious bottle of wine from Laura and Bill, my inlaws. Please note, Ellie had apple punch juice, NOT wine.)

 

Mini crab cakes (made with blue crab meat)

Fettuccine Alfredo with Italian Sausage and Mushrooms (Friends Val and Jen were on to something with this idea. Apparently they have it for New Year's Eve...it's that good of a combo. I browned 1 pound of italian sausage, threw in 5-6 sliced mushrooms and set it aside. Then I followed the posted recipe and when the pasta and sauce were done, I mixed in the sausage and mushrooms and voila!)

 

Caesar Salad (recipe below and thank you Pat and Sarah for the recipe, I never knew what it meant to coddle an egg before. I do now.)

 

Cherry Cheesecake Pie, it was so good. It is actually too good to keep around the house so I will be taking this one into work to share with my co-workers...after I keep one big piece for Rob, afterall, it is his pie.

 

Caesar Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

1 head romaine lettuce
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 tablespoon ground mustard
1 clove crushed garlic
1 egg
1 lemon, juiced
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups croutons
1 (2 ounce) can anchovy filets

Directions:

1. In a bowl or jar combine oil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, mustard, garlic and lemon juice.
2. Whisk until well blended.
3. Coddle egg by heating 3 cups of water to boiling.
4. Drop in egg (still in shell) and let stand for 1 minute.
5. Remove egg from water and let cool.
6. Once cooled crack open and whisk egg into dressing.
7. Whisk until thoroughly blended.
8. Mash desired amount of anchovies and whisk them into the dressing. If desired set aside a few for garnish.
9. To assemble, place torn lettuce leaves in a large bowl.
10. Pour dressing over the top and toss lightly.
11. Add the grated cheese, garlic croutons and freshly ground pepper, toss.
12. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Wondering how I have all this posted on Valentine's afternoon? Well, celebrating with a big meal after a long day at work is pretty tough so we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day on Sunday so we could take our time and have a nice relaxing dinner. It was a very smart move on our part.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Valentine's Day, Part One: Appetizers, Valentine's Day, Part Two: Dinner, Valentine's Day, Part Three: Dessert

Valentine's Day, Part Three: Dessert Recipes

Appetizer recipes, check. Dinner recipes, check. Dessert recipes, not so much. I am a little torn on about what to make for dessert on Valentine's day. Rob really, really, really loves pie. Ellie, does not. They both really like ice cream but that seams a little boring. I cannot add anything to it because the only thing Ellie will put on her VANILLA only ice cream are sprinkles (Rob hates them but don't tell Ellie). And not just any sprinkles. They must be rainbow sprinkles. She prefers rainbow jimmies to sprinkles but I have not gotten into the whole sprinkles vs. jimmies debate with her. To her they are all sprinkles. It is up to me to make sure I have the jimmie variety that she likes.

I think I need to do some serious analysis here.

• pie - Rob loves, Ellie not really
• cheesecake - Rob loves, loves, loves cheesecake. I don't think Ellie has ever tried it. She is good about trying new things. This could be a good option.
• ice cream - Rob and Ellie both love but not too special
• cookies - everyone loves a good cookie
• cake - Rob and Ellie do not care for, or me for that matter
• chocolate covered strawberries - what's not to like here, chocolate and strawberries but I don't think I am going to have a lot of luck finding great ones since they are out of season. I might have to look around.
• cut up fruit with chocolate fondue - sounds delish but I could be asking for trouble letting a three year old dip things in hot sauce.
• souffle - please people, I need to make this on a weeknight. Maybe I could make dinner on Sunday and let Rob make a nice dinner for Ellie and me on Monday. Just a thought if you are reading this, Rob.

So, it looks like ice cream and cookies are safe bets.

Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream Pie Recipe, from Woman's Day

 

It's pie, it's ice cream, it's fruit and it's chocolate. This could be the best all-around dessert ever! Who wouldn't like it?

Ingredients:

Crust
12 to 15 whole chocolate graham crackers
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1⁄4 cup sugar

Filling
1 container (14 to 16 oz) vanilla ice cream
1 pint raspberry sorbet
1 container (14 to 16 oz) chocolate ice cream
1 pint red raspberries
1 tub (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Garnish (Optional)
chocolate curls or chocolate sauce

Directions:

1. Evenly coat a 9-in. pie plate with nonstick spray.
2. Crust: Pulse crackers in food processor until fine crumbs form.
3. Add butter and sugar; pulse until crumbs are moistened.
4. Press firmly over bottom and up sides of pie plate.
5. Freeze 30 minutes.
6. Place vanilla ice cream in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to slightly soften.
7. Pack into crust with an ice cream spade or large spoon; spread evenly.
8. Freeze 15 minutes or until firm.
9. Slightly soften sorbet as above; spread on vanilla ice cream.
10. Freeze until firm.
11. Slightly softening chocolate ice cream.
12. Spread evenly on sorbet. Freeze at least 3 hours, or wrap airtight and freeze up to 1 week.
13. Top pie with 1⁄2 pt raspberries.
14. Drop spoonfuls of whipped topping on berries; spread evenly.
15. Top with remaining berries; garnish with chocolate curls or sauce. NOTE: To make chocolate curls, firmly pull a swivel-blade vegetable peeler across a bar or block of roomtemperature chocolate.

 Cherry Cheesecake Pie Recipe, also from Woman's Day

 

Rob loves cheesecake and he loves pie. Ellie loves almonds and cream cheese. Could work.

Ingredients:

1 15 ounce box rolled pie crusts
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 8 ounce blocks 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
White from 1 large egg, in a small bowl
1/3 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. 
2. Put one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Unroll remaining crust on a cutting board.
4. Cut in 1/2-in.-wide strips.
5. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate.
6. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a medium bowl.
7. Add cream cheese; beat with mixer on medium speed until smooth.
8. On low speed, beat in egg and extract until just blended.
9. Spread batter evenly in crust.
10. Spoon pie filling evenly over top.
11. Beat egg white with a fork until foamy.
12. Brush on pastry strips.
13. Evenly arrange about 8 strips across pie filing.
14. Place 8 more strips diagonally over first strips to form a lattice (discard remaining strips).
15. Trim and press ends to bottom crust.
16. Brush rim with egg white; press on almonds.
17. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until crust is golden brown and cherries bubble.
18. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

NOTES: Serve warm, at room temperature or cold. Can be baked up to 4 days ahead. Refrigerate covered.

Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe, from Not So Humble Pie

Just hop on over to Not So Humble Pie's blog to see the recipe. They look so cute and best of all, they are cookies, ice cream and some could have sprinkles (Ellie) and some could not (Rob).

So which one should I make? I think all three will please both people I want to make happy...and me too. :)

Updated: Valentine's Dinner, Part Four: The Menu

Still a Good Dog

I am not ready to tell my daughter her dog is gone. I am not ready to tell myself my dog is gone. Maggie is my first 'baby'. Maggie is almost 15 years old. I know I should know her age exactly but I don't. I know I brought her home from St. Louis at Christmas time when she was eight weeks old. She was the cutest black dog ever and so very afraid to be in a crate. That never changed. You cannot lock her up, no matter what. I assure you that if you did it once, you would never do it again. It is a very sad sight to see when you get back. When Maggie gets nervous her very delicate digestive system goes crazy. So we never, ever, ever lock her up. We just don't and haven't since she was a few months old.

Very late last night Maggie woke up vomiting and could not walk. It was the saddest thing ever. I got her cleanded up and had her sleep on the bed under the covers with me. She did not move for three hours. Trust me, I know. I don't think I slept from 2 a.m. until 6:30 when the rest of the house woke up. Part of me wishes Maggie would have passed in her sleep because at 4:15 a.m. she was dreaming, barking and clearly running. She was so happy. Maggie did not pass away last night. She woke up and was still unable to walk normally. She would wobble and fall. She could not walk in a straight line. I took her outside and she went potty but came right back in the house. She would not leave my side. I got her comfortable in a cushy bed of blankets and pillows and got ready for work.

Just before leaving Maggie went to the back door so I walked her outside. She walked the entire perimeter of the yard, which is at least 1 acre. She was not steady of straight but that was her daily routine and she did it.

Ellie and Maggie are best friends. Ever since Ellie was old enough to know the difference between our three dogs, Maggie has been her dog. It is an understatement to say this is tough. I went to work and on the way Ellie and I talked a lot about taking Maggie to the doggie doctor later that day. Ellie said she would be sad if Maggie had to go to doggie heaven. I explained that Maggie wouldn't be sick anymore and would chase bunnies all day long. Ellie asked if she could come home then. I told her no it was too far away. How was I supposed to know a three year old would ask "don't they have cars in doggie heaven?" Ummm, no they don't.

We were back home from work within three hours of leaving. We cuddled and stayed with Maggie. Tried to get her to eat some scrambled cheesy eggs, a cheese stick and we even tried to get her to drink but she wanted none of it. We took her to the vet and they really could not find any one thing that was causing the problems. They did an x-ray and blood wook but nothing to explain it. The has some small neurological issues going on but nothing too serious. Their best guess is she got into something to make her stomach upset and a combination of injuring her self vomiting and her back arthritis was making it harder for her to walk. They kept her for a few hours to get her hydrated and give her some anti-nausea medicine.

Rob picked her up and brought her home. I made her some boiled chicken breast with white rice. She loved it. I let her cuddle on the sofa which is a HUGE no-no with white sofas but I did not care. I can replace them but not what could be Maggie's last days. I did not leave her side. I took her out to potty again and then took her into bed again. She is clearly ill but still wagging her tail at times and does not want to leave my side. We take her back to see the vet first thing the morning. They will see if she is improving or if more tests are needed. I am not ready for Maggie to go to doggie heaven but I hope I will be listening when she tells me she is ready go. Fingers-crosssed tomorrow is not that day.

(Sorry no photos today...typepad is not playing nice. I have tried for the past 35 minutes.)

No Knead Bread Recipe

It's been like, what a whole week since I last made bread? I am really loving all the baking going on at home these days. The house smells incredible and I have eaten enough butter this week to make a cow blush (yeah, I said that. So what. I am from the mid-west so I am pretty sure I can say silly things and get away with it.).

Today is the hubby's birthday but we celebrated with his family last night. Not that you would know it from any pictures because we did not take a single picture. Now for those of you that know his family, I am certain that will come as a shock but I swear it is true...not a single one. Not even one of Rob and Ellie blowing out candles!

Even though we did not capture the evening on film (or digital media card), we had a wonderful time. Ellie and I spent the entire day in the kitchen preparing - grilled beef tenderloin with bearnaise sauce, roasted potatoes and onions, sauteed mushrooms, mixed greens with pecans, dried cranberries and homemade croutons (left over dill and onion bread from last weekend's baking), homemade rolls and bread and finally a fresh baked apple pie. It was really yummy if I do say so myself.

I wish I could take credit for the rolls and bread recipes but I have not even come close to making up a bread recipe. The Almost No Knead Bread recipe has been in my 'I want to make it pile' since early 2008 when I got the issue of Cook's Illustrated. The recipe is virtually knead free and it tastes so good. The outside is crusty and brown and the inside looks light and airy. It looks like something one would pick up at a fancy bakery for a special occassion.

This is a bread recipe for anyone that has not baked bread before. It is easy and the outcome will keep you wanting more.  

Almost No Knead Bread

 

Ingredients

3 cups (15 ounces) all purpose or bread flour
1/4 tsp. instant or rapid-rise yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. (7 ounces) water at room temp
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. (3 ounces) mild flavored lager
1 Tbs. white vinegar

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, yeast, and salt in large bowl.
2. Add water, beer, and vinegar.
3. Using rubber spatula, fold mixture, scraping up dry flour from bottom of bowl until shaggy ball forms.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 18 hours.
5. Lay 12- by 18-inch sheet of parchment paper inside 10-inch skillet and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Transfer dough to lightly floured work surface and knead 10 to 15 times.
7. Shape dough into ball by pulling edges into middle.
8. Transfer dough, seam-side down, to parchment-lined skillet and spray surface of dough with nonstick cooking spray.
9. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until dough has doubled in size and does not readily spring back when poked with finger, about 2 hours.
10. About 30 minutes before baking, adjust oven rack to lowest position, place 6- to 8-quart heavy-bottomed Dutch oven (with lid) on rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees.
11. Lightly flour top of dough and, using razor blade or sharp knife, make one 6-inch-long, 1/2-inch-deep slit along top of dough.
12. Carefully remove pot from oven and remove lid.
13. Pick up dough by lifting parchment overhang and lower into pot (let any excess parchment hang over pot edge).
14. Cover pot and place in oven.
15. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees and bake covered for 30 minutes.
16. Remove lid and continue to bake until loaf is deep brown and instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 210 degrees, 20 to 30 minutes longer.
17. Carefully remove bread from pot; transfer to wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.

Enjoy!

Note to Krissie, missed you at dinner but you ABSOLUTELY have to make this bread. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.

Bug's Life, building a tent, baking bread and a whole lot more

What do you do when you are home with a sick child? Well Ellie and I had a great day yesterday. We started out the morning snuggling on the sofa under her blankie and watching the movie A Bug's Life. She absolutely loves that movie. I sure hope no one is waiting on it from Netflix because we might have it a few more weeks.

After the movie, we made cheesy eggs and toast and had a breakfast picnic in the living room.

We played hide and seek. I cleaned her room and put away all of her clean laundry while she played in her room with her books, puzzles and Melissa and Doug bake and decorate cupcake set (she loves them).

Once we went back downstairs, she decided to build a tent but did not have a good place to do it in the living room. Since I was in the kitchen, she came in there to do it. I took a sheet and draped it over two high counter stools, the stair bannister and the kitchen counter. She took every blanket and pillow she could get her hands on. She had quite the tent going in the kitchen. She said it was for all the people and dogs. Thankfully Maggie and Abigale were thrilled to join her in there. Kito was too lazy on my bed to be bothered until she took a snack in the tent. That sure got his attention.

 
I had to include this picture because it is the only one where she actually looks sick.

We made two loaves of bread. One was an oatmeal sandwich and the other was a dill onion bread. Both were really good but the oatmeal sandwich was the better of the two. I will post the recipe tomorrow so check back.

 

We made pork and sauerkraut for dinner and vanilla milkshakes for desserts. After her bath and a little play time in her room she picked out her book for the night. I was surprised at her choice tonight - Peter Pan. The version we have is a big book with very few pictures. It was already 8 p.m. so I had to negotiate how much we were going to read. She managed to sucker me out of another chapter. When we negotiate reading time, I always let her get one over on me (shhh, don't tell on me, it's for good cause, right?).

Other than Ellie having a slight fever and a very runny nose, Ellie and I had a great day. How was yours?