Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. (Part One)

There is nothing quite like fabulous friends on a long weekend!  I had such a great time that it will need to be written in 3 blog segments, enjoy Part One below. 

 I had the great pleasure of spending the family day weekend with some close friends in Jasper.  I hate to bore you with sappy quotes and sentimental propaganda; however Katie and Brian deserve a sappy Kerri shout out.   

So here goes: Albert Schweitzer writes; in everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  

A visit with the Calder’s always sparks my inner fire. This inner fire encourages me to:dance, sing, blush,laugh, be adventurous, cook often, eat well and partake in champagne celebrations.   The scenery near their home in Jasper isn't to hard to take either.

What a beautiful place, I love the Jasper Mountains!

Apron Fashion Show in the Calder Kitchen

This was a field trip of sorts as  I picked up some great lessons in the Calder Kitchen.

In keeping with my goal of learning to cook,I spent the weekend observing two great culinary artists in action.   

Please enjoy the pictures and notice the immaculate attention to detail. Even their aprons have flare, particularly Brian’s.    

Day One – Friday Evening

My first lesson of the weekend:

I discovered what a butternut squash was!! (A very interesting looking vegetable) 

Did you know that Butternut squash not only makes excellent soup but also French fries? I am nowhere near having the ability to make butternut squash fries, but I look forward to hearing the outcome of Katie’s.  

 The second lesson of the weekend:
Red Peppers cost upwards of $7 in Jasper (That’s crazy). 

Clearly every kitchen needs wine, butternut squash and a pineapple!

 

 Day Two – A "Blue Bird" Saturday





Fresh Maple Granola



A yummy Breakfast

Katie prepared an awesome home cooked breakfast.  It started with a yogurt parfait with freshly toasted maple granola followed by a warm tomato scallion melt.  Both were absolutely delicious.  This warm hearty Breakfast gave us plenty of energy!

We needed the energy as it was -28 out and we were off for a three hour tour of Maligne Canyon. 



A Frozen Waterfall: The Queen of Maligne



The hike was unique as we wore ice clamps and actually walked on the frozen water of the Canyon.  A little slippery at times, but the scenery was spectacular.  If you are in Jasper in the winter, this is a must do!

Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3!  Lunch,Champagne, Dinner, Beer, More Breakfast and More Dinner! 

"Blue Bird" is skier lingo for clear blue skies. I thought the phrase went well with the Jasper experience. 

A Random Pearl of Wisdom..brought to you by my day planner of quotes

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part. "
 Shirley MacLane

Somebody call 911... It's a Chocolate Emergency!

When your in a rush, there's no need to fuss:
This little microwave cake was easy peasy and delicious! I highly recommend it for last minute desserts or when you just need some thing sinful and sweet!

I used skim milk instead of whole milk so the cake might have been a little flat. It still  fulfilled my chocolate desires! Degree of Difficulty 3, Execution 2.8

Dry Ingredients

 

The addition of the milk and egg

Sexy Chocolate Time  - I added some whipped topping for effect! 

 

Bon Appetit,
Kerri 

A Sunday Sheppard's Pie

Hello Blog Universe,

  It was a beautiful spring like Sunday in Edmonton.  I spent the morning sitting in a sun beam enjoying the magic that is Sunday.  After some time in the sunshine I had brunch with a great friend and then headed to the dreaded Wal-Mart.  Wal-Mart ruined that Sunday magic, but I had to get a passport photo taken so I took advantage of the cheap prices and dealt with the crowds. 

Today’s kitchen lesson was an overdue Sheppard’s Pie and Emergency Chocolate Cake. 

A busy prep cook, peeling potatoes

The Sheppard’s Pie was the most challenging dish that I have made thus far.  It had multiple steps and required significant preparation. Peeling, chopping, shredding, Oh My!  In the end it tasted great, and I only set off the smoke detector once. 

A little black and toasty

The most challenging part of the recipe was the preparation of the vegetables.  It required that you multi task and think on your feet.  I was busy peeling potatoes, slicing carrots, and finely chopping onions.  I had a trying time with my new frying pan when I was frying the onions; I burnt them a little! As my apartment with smoke I noted that the lesson here was that you don`t need to turn the burner to to max, medium heat will suffice.   

Prepped Veggies..Ready to Go

I don't think my onions were fine enough, any advice for chopping?

The most rewarding part of this recipe was mashing the carrots and the potatoes.  It was also great to see how great the pie looked when it was all together. 

Mashed Carrots

Other kitchen lessons:

• Onions really do add flavor.  They gave my mashed potatoes the edge they needed.  Mom, you were right, again! 
• Adding Philly Cream Cheese to the mashed potatoes gives it’s a very fluffy texture. This is a trick I observed last Thanksgiving from Marion’s Mom, Sandy, who makes the best mashed potatoes of life. 
• When I make the Sheppard’s Pie again I am going to add corn, and peas.  I enjoyed the mashed carrots but it needed a little more of a vegetable component.  

Degree of Difficulty: 7

Execution: 6 (I did set of the smoke along after all )

Bon Appétit,

Kerri 

Yum, Yum, Yum..This will feed me for months! Thank goodness for Ziplock freezer bags

My Sunday Best - Recipes

Sheppard’s Pie: Cook Time: 20 Minutes: Ready In: 50 Minutes

Ingredients:

·         4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
·         1 tablespoon butter
·         1 tablespoon finely chopped onion\1/4 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
·         Salt and pepper to taste
·         5 Carrots , chopped
·         1 tablespoons vegetable oil
·         1 Onion Chopped
·         1 Pound lean ground beef
·         2 table spoons all purpose flour
·         1 table spoon ketchup
·         ¾ cups beef broth
·         ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.       Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.  Drain and mash.  Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and ¼ cup shredded cheese.  Then season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside. 

2.      

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

3.        

Heat oil in a large frying pan.  Add onion and cook until clear.  Add ground beef and cook until well browned.  Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 mintue.  Add ketchup and beef broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

4.      

Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish.  Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots.  Tops with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese. 

5.       Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Just Desserts: Chocolate Emergency Microwave Cake! (Easy and Delicious) 

               

      Ingredients
1 large coffee mug
4 tablespoons plain flour (do not use self-rising)
4  tablespoons sugar
2  tablespoons baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1  egg
3  tablespoons milk
3  tablespoons oil
3  tablespoons chocolate chips  (optional)
Small splash of vanilla
Chocolate syrup (optional)
Whipped topping (optional)
Cherries (optional) 

       Directions

       Add dry ingredients to mug, & mix well .

       Add egg & mix thoroughly.

         Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add chocolate chips (if using), vanilla, mix again. Set mug in the microwave & cook for 2½ to 3  min at 1,000 watts. Cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be  alarmed!
Some report that 2½ minutes works best. It depends upon your microwave. So, watch carefully to not over do it! Remove from microwave. Allow cake to cool a little, then tip out onto a plate, if desired. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with whipped topping and cherries, if desired!
This can serve  2 if you care to share!                                                  

A Random Pearl of Wisdom..brought to you by my day planner of quotes

"I've learned that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances."
Martha Washington

These are feel good shoes!

A Lazy Week...

It’s been a quiet week in Kerri’s Kitchen. I had every intention of making a shepherd’s pie on Sunday but I got lazy and settled for the Superbowl, popcorn and diet coke.  The rest of the week followed suit as I found my evenings to be occupied with drinks with friends, unsuccessful first dates, and haircuts.  I spent last night deep cleaning my kitchen so it is now ready for a weekend cooking showdown.  Stay tuned for a Sunday Shepherd’s Pie and Coffee Mug Cake.



Wish List Item #1:The Kitchen Must Have.



For all of my blog readers out there I’ve complied a wish list of some kitchen must have’s.  If any of these beauties are gracing your basement and need a new home, please let me know.  

Bon Appetit,

 Kerri

Wish List Item #2: For all my stew and soup needs



Wish List Item #3: It doesn't hurt to dream! I love the retro colour.

So how do I cream the butter...?

 This might just be a question right out of Baking for Dummies,

When I received the recipe from my Mom this afternoon I was very excited. However I didn't quite know what cream the butter meant.  Luckily the Martha in my office offered me some excellent instruction.  Martha Katie's instructions: take a hand mixer and make it fluffy like whipped cream. Easy Peasy. With that I was all set to bake some tarts.  The family recipe is as follows:

Ready to Bake!

Ingredients:
* 12 to 14 (4 inch) prepared tart shells
* 1 egg
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup of butter
1 TEASPOON OF VANILLA
* 1 cup raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees
2. cream the butter and brown sugar then add the egg and vanilla and pinch of salt. mix that up and
Fill tart shells half full. tarts will have the rainsins on the bottom
PUT THEM ON A COOKIE SHEET IN CASE THEY SPILL OVER ON YOUR OVEN.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Allow tarts to stand for a few minutes in the pans before removing to racks to cool

 The recipe was easy to follow, it came together nicely.  I enjoyed creaming the butter. I felt like a true Martha Stewart Domestic Goddess my wooden spoon in hand. The butter tart filling wasn't challenging, scary or difficult, it was very simple. 

Do I look like a cheerleader doing this?

When it was time to fill the tart shells, I thought I had over filled them. The shells were very small and it was hard to judge the half way point.  Luckily once they started to boil in the oven I could see that they were just right. 


I baked them for about 16 minutes. Next time I will bake for about 18 minutes as they were not quite as crisp as I would have liked.  

When I tasted them I was thrilled!   They were just like Mom's and Nanny's.  Success!!

Degree of Difficulty 6
Execution 5.5
Almost Perfect!!!

Tarts with filling about to go into the oven. 

 

 

I can't wait to bake these again. My apartment smelt amazing all night. Enjoy, admire and then come over for a tart! Bon Appetit - Kerri

Baking Butter Tarts

It's Thursday February 3 and I'm feeling sentimental.

 Spending time with my family this past weekend inspired me to try a treasured family recipe. My Maternal Grandmothers wonderful butter tarts.  An easy favorite!

I was thinking about Nanny today(my Maternal Grandmother) and remembered how important baking and entertaining was to her. It wasn't just a domestic chore it was her passion.  Her baking came from her heart. As I learn to master her recipes I feel as though a part of her is living on through me. 

Baking is a special art.  It's a story, a tradition, a form of love and learning that is passed down through the ages. It's a memory that is treasured through egg, flour, butter and brown sugar. Baking these family recipes reminds that both of my amazing Grandmothers are cheering me on from heaven. 

Three generations - Love Love Love

A Random Pearl of Wisdom..brought to you by my day planner of quotes

"Remember Ginger Rogers did everything that everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. "  Faith Whittlesey

Flashy and Fabulous Dancing Shoes.. to show Fred Astire who's boss!