The PERFECT boiled egg!! (works every time)

OK, so maybe this post reveals more about my anal-retentiveness than I really want, but who cares. One of things that really bothers me is boiled eggs that are difficult to peel. I have spent way too much time online searching how to make the perfect boiled egg- you know, the kind that always peel perfectly. Well, every method I have heard about always seemed to give minimal results- vinegar, boiling twice, putting in ice water as soon as they are boiled, making sure they are at least 2 weeks old before boiling, etc, etc, etc. Well, today I discovered the true- and very simple- way to a perfect boiled egg- the secret is to NOT boil it at all! Simply steam the eggs. It is so easy, and works so well, I couldn't believe it!

You just need a steamer or steam basket- make sure the eggs are room temperature before steaming- just get them out and set them on the counter while I do something else. Then when they are room temperature, put enough water in the pan to come up to the steam basket without touching the eggs- then steam them for 20-25 minutes (less time for a softer yolk, more time for a harder yolk). And viola! The yummiest and easiest to peel hard boiled egg ever (I guess it is not technically a hard-boiled egg, but a hard. . . cooked egg?)!

They are so easy, you don't even have to peel them- you can just take off a little bit of shell on each end and hold the egg tightly, then blow on one end- the egg pops right out! It is very fun and cool.

-Bob/Joel

Torellini and Sausage Soup

This recipe is thanks to Jeanene. It will definitely become a regular meal because it is SO yummy and seems healthy. We even had this meal in the candlelight for a romantic date.

Tortellini and Sausage Soup

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced

1 cup chopped onion 2 cups tomatoes, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 cup water 1 tsp. oregano

5 cups beef or chicken broth 1 – 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/2 cup apple/white grape juice 1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini

8 oz. fresh meat or cheese tortellini (I use cheese)

Grated Parmesan cheese

Brown sausage, remove from pan and drain. Set aside. Saute onions and garlic until tender. Add water, broth, wine, carrots, tomatoes, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Skim off any fat and stir in zucchini and tortellini. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until tortellini and zucchini are tender. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Sinful White Chocolate Hot Chocolate

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups skim milk
  
• 12 ounces white chocolate chips
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl; set aside. Place milk and cream in a medium saucepan set over medium heat until bubbles begin to form around edges of pan (about 4 minutes). Do not boil.

Remove mixture from the flame. Immediately pour over white chocolate. When chocolate begins to melt, gently stir to combine.

Whisk in vanilla. Continue whisking until light foam forms.

WARNING: It is very rich, so if you choose to, just put in half to 3/4 of a bag of white chocolate chips.


HOLY YUMMINESS.

The Mistake that Worked

I tried to make German Cheese Blintzes this morning for breakfast, and they just wouldn't work for me. So, I did what I normally do when I don't want to waste ingredients... I added more ingredients and tried something different. This ended up being a baked oatmeal dish, and it turned out great! Jonas said, "This mistake turned out to be one of our favorite breakfasts!" Time will tell if that is really true.

1 container cottage cheese (I used fat free)

3 eggs

6 T flour (I used wheat)

1 T sugar

1 pinch salt

2 pinches baking soda

3 drops of vinegar

2 cups of oatmeal (regular, not quick)

Mix together, spray 9X13 pan, spread out, bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Sprinkle brown sugar on top. Yum.

Lemonade Biscuits/Cookies

This is easy and yummy.

4 cups Bisquik (I used my homemade version)

1/2 cup powdered lemonade

1 cup milk (or so, moistened to your liking)

Mix. Dump by spoonfuls on baking sheet, or you could make muffins out of them too.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

I am totally in to salads. . .

Lately I have been really in to salads. I think it is because I love to load them up with basically every good thing I can think of- it is delicious, and I have the benefit of knowing I am still eating healthy! For example - today, I had a salad with:

romaine lettuce and baby spinach

roasted cashews

shredded carrots

mango

roast chicken

raspberries

blackberries

peas

cucumber

tomato

grapes

extra sharp cheddar cheese

Wow- delicious! So savory, no dressing was needed.

Apricot Chicken

1 cup apricot jam

8 ounces Russian salad dressing

1 package onion soup mix

Stir together and pour over 6 chicken breasts in a pan.

Bake at 350 for an hour.

Yum. Serve rice or on top of your salad. This is delish and easy!