Good evening - I'm back - but not with my own computer yet! I caught T watching a ballgame and grabbed his! It is getting late fast! I got home from working all day and joining the crowd at Brookshires this afternoon, and got home about 5:30. I am just now (9:45) sitting down! Yes - I actually cooked dinner tonight! I actually cooked it last night too - but once again - I forgot T was playing in a golf tournanment (in the rain - right!) so after starting a new Italian Bread recipe early in the morning, which should have doubled in size in about an hour, and didn't; I peeled, sliced, and breaded (with Planko crumbs - those things are wonderful)a very large eggplant - I started to clean Michelle's closets and chest of drawers. When I remembered T would not be home for dinner - I completed the eggplant Parmigiani, cooked it, and gave it to my sister. I said the bread did not rise in an hour -- it took all day. I finally punched it down again and it rose a little faster. Finally I was able to cook it -- and low and behold - it was delicious! Very dense - but very good! Miracle of miracles (in this day and time!)
I cleaned out at least 30 pairs of shoes (left her over 20),20 purses (left about 10), and I would not even start to count how many pieces of clothing. Her closet was such that you could not push the clothes one/sixteenth of an inch and most of the drawers would not close! To put it very mildly - she doesn't want to get rid of anything. She was working but arrived home about 3:30 and the work ended. There has been some pouting -- but sorry!!! Later - I told Travis - it is pretty bad to feel like (based on how my back was feeling (and still is)you about killed yourself for someone to not appreciate it one little bit! ha!
Tonight I cooked pork tenderloin (Brookshires has a great sale on them - buy one at $9.99 and receive one for one cent. Five dollars a piece - unheard of! It was seasoned with garlic and lemon pepper - but I have learned that the seasoning is almost nil, so I added more garlic, lemon peel, pepper, a little crushed red pepper and one of my new seasonings, SOUTHWEST SEASONING! Then I put fresh sweet potatoes around it - also seasoned with salt, pepper, a tad of sugar, and my new Chinese spice. I kept it misted with apple juice and when it was done, added some dried cranberries to sweet potatoes and wrapped up and cooked another 20 minutes or so - in order for them to be tender. (New sweet potatoes take longer to cook and MUCH harder to peel - but OH SO DELICIOUS!) The pork and s. potates were accompanied with spinach salad with sliced strawberries, feta cheese, toasted pecans, a dressing I just made up!! I really think Travis was amazed. He said it was a delicious dinner and I replied, "I can still cook - just haven't had the time!
When all of that was cleaned up - I made a Sopapilla Cheesecake for the Alzheimer's lunch tomorrow! It is ready to cook and I will do that in the morning!
Lasst night I made the Eggplant Parmigiana using Olive Garden's recipe as a guide - if you've read my blog very long - you know I have to change everything a little! So - here is Olive Garden's recipe (as submitted by someone that figures out recipes and publishes them!
OLIVE GARDEN EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
2 Eggplants; peel; slice 1/4" circles
(HERE I USED 1 LARGE EGGPLANT - AND HAD PLENTY!)
Flour (I USED PLANKO CRUMBS - MUCH HEALTHIER)
Oil (DIDN'T USE AT ALL - I BAKED - DID NOT FRY)
Seasoned salt
1 lb. jar meat flavored Prego (USED HUNT'S CANNED (MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE)SAUCE WITH GARLIC AND HERBS - AND ADDED 2 CLOVES FRESH PRESSED GARLIC)
1/4 Cup Grape Jelly (ONLY HAD 2 SMALL LITTLE COARTONS OF GRAPE JELLY FROM SOMEPLACE LIKE MCDONALDS, AND USED BALANCE OF RASPBERRY JAM)
14 Oz. Stewed tomatoes (DIDN'T HAVE - USED DICED TOMATOES)
1/2 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese (DIDN'T HAVE - USED MEXICAN CHEESE)
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (I ACTUALLY HAD THAT AND USED AT LEAST A CUP!)
DIRECTIONS:
Moisten eggplant (milk) and coat lightly with flour (used Planko instead - and it was delicious!) Then it says "Quickly brown in hot oil,m dusting each side generously withg seasoned salt. When fork tender and golden brownm, transfer to a 9X13X2" pan and cover loosely with foil and bake at 375 F about 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. This is where I really deviated! I coating with planko crumbs and placed on greased (sprayed with Pam) pan, sprayed the eggplant, and baked for about 25 to 30 minutes until nice and brown and tender. Removed from oven and dusted with salt and seasoned salt. At this point - it was delicious to just eat as it was!
SAUCE:-Combine sauce, jelly and tomatoes that have been broken up with a fork.(I just drained the diced tomatoes and they didn't need to be "broken up."I also added quite a bit of black pepper, a tad of sugar, and some crush red pepper. Heat on medium until hotm but do not boil! (I PUT IT IN MICROWAVE FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES)
Spread mozzarella cheese (I used the Mexican - but if I had of had Mozzaralla cheese - I would have used it) over the eggplant, then add sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese and return to over for 5 to 10 minutes to melt mozzarella. Serve imediately. I let mine cook for about 25 minutes and then topped with Parmesan and left about 10 more minutes!
My sister said they all liked it very much!! I hope you will try it - either way and it should be good -- mine was just a little healthier and a little spicier! I really miss talking to whomever might be reading but until I get my own computer - it will probably not be as regular as I would like. Still have many recipes to share!!
Oh I did add some toasted pecans to the top of the Sopapilla Cheesecake! I probably won't add the honey (see recipe published on March 7, 2010)but we never add it at church and it is just as good!
Tomorrow (or whenever I can write again) -- I want to tell you about the awesome event Travis and I attended Saturday evening!!
Have a blessed week and continue to do something good for someone less fortunate than yourself. I told you about going to the Meals on Wheels 37th Anniversary luncheon last week and how I was so moved by how many are going to bed hungry - just in Tyler, Texas - and by the testamonies of a couple of clients that could not survive with out the Meals on Wheels program. Then the Red Cross was on the scene shortly after the Hudson Apartments started to blaze -- we helped 9 families get their lives back together by providing clothing, food, etc. The other tenents had renter's insurance and only needed new clothing until they could contact their agent. All of this to say - we can never be grateful enough for the grace and blessings that God bestows on us daily! Take care and may God continue to bless all of you!!
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