Whew, lots of food was had yesterday, along with good times and lots of conversation and Rock Band. Though I'm sad I forgot my 'doggie bag'. Oh well, it inspired me to make more apple-cran bread this morning as I wanted some.

And by morning, I mean early afternoon. Combine two tired people with a stressful week and very late night (330am), and you get a wake-up-time of about 1pm. LOL

Anyway, since I was asked a few times by different people, here's the recipe for the apple-cran bread (thanks to allrecipes.com!). I did make a few minor changes: I didn't have tart apples like Granny Smith so I just used what I had (which were wrinkly apples, so I'm not sure what they were); added a few dashes of nutmeg; added some vanilla (I didn't measure, so maybe 1 tsp?) when I added the fruits to the mix.

Not sure what else I'll do today. I kinda feel like going to Ikea to buy some organizer boxes (thanks to a survey I did), but it's a little late for running errands. I might just tidy up around here and maybe work on a sewing project or something. I have no lack of those!

Also, if you haven't commented yet, I could really use your help coming up with DVD quotes for the wedding. See this post to help!

Operation Instant Oatmeal = Success
So, after seeing on a Steven & Chris email about how making your own instant oatmeal packets can be way cheaper, I've given it a go. I based my recipe off what they suggest and added my own stuff.

( Under here lies recipe, comments, cals, etc. Cut to save my FLCollapse )
~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Weekend we are in K-town! I have committed us to Saturday Movie night. I think Nessun & some others can't make it because they're doing dinner that day.

Turkey day for us will be Sunday, though we'll probably spend the morning/early afternoon at nessun's drinking her tea and watching her pack. XD

Anyone in the area want to meet up? Or maybe join us for Turkey Day? nessun is coming as she's practically family now (I think my MIL likes her more than she likes me, haha). We'll have room for 2 more in the vehicle - tentatively held for hasfartogo since I asked in an LJ comment which she may or may not have seen (consider this another invitation!).


If you want to meet up at some point, drop us a line!

~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I think my motivation has left me. I was too productive yesterday, that I just can't focus today, despite there being things I could be doing. :/ It's the anticipation of an event, too - kimono lecture thing at 5pm today, so I just wanna get there and enjoy it, not sit at work. haha

Apple Brownies
I made this yesterday as we have a ton of apples from a friend.

I read all the reviews and suggestions, taking that into account when I made the dessert. I agree with the reviewer that said it's not even close to the consistency of brownies - it's far too moist. I'd call it Apple Cake instead.

I followed the recipe but doubled it for a 9x13 pan as others did. I did make a few other changes based on the other reviews and my own kitchen utensils: I chopped up the apples instead of slicing them (but I didn't peel them as I'm lazy that way); I added nutmeg and vanilla (didn't measure); I didn't use a blending machine thing as we don't have one, and I didn't sift as we don't have a sifter either; I threw in the rest of the raisins we had on hand as it wasn't enough for another recipe; I used some brown sugar (1/2 cup, non-packed) instead of all the white sugar (still used 1.5c); I omitted the walnuts as we didn't have any. Everyone said they had to bake it for an hour, but for me, 45 mins was fine (recipe says 35, but it was still too moist in the middle).

Overall, it came out nicely and Sunil said he really liked it. It would be tasty with ice cream, but it doesn't need it. It does need to be served on a plate/bowl with a utensil, though, as it's moist and therefore kind of falls apart. A nice way to use up apples.

Grandma Ople's Apple Pie
Using this recipe. I tend to search allrecipes.com by ratings first, haha, and this one had 5 stars and ingredients I had on hand.



(pic recycled from previous post)

Again, I don't bother to peel the apples cuz I'm lazy. The pie crust was made with dough mix leftover from the wedding (from Bulk Barn). I didn't have brown sugar, so I just used more regular sugar. I did add some cinnamon as some reviewers recommended. Otherwise, I followed the recipe and poured the sauce over the pie slowly (first poured into a measuring cup). I like the crust kind of soggy and soft; it's got a lovely doughy flavor that way, which I like. I didn't use 8 apples (nor were they Granny Smith) - as I cut them up, I put them in the pie, and when it was full I stopped. My lattice could use work, but meh, it was still tasty.

The pie was amazing warm out of the oven with ice cream. I'd definitely use this recipe again.



We still have apples left, so we'll see what happens next. Trying to avoid applesauce - I have some in the fridge from August and no one's eaten it yet. I did add some to smoothies, but that's about it. I guess we're not big applesauce people.

What's your favorite thing to make with apples?

Note: This recipe uses the Magic Bullet instead of a regular blender, so if you have one, or other similar mixer, yay!

I had a bit of an afternoon dip in energy, and figured some caffeine was in order. I didn't want a plain coffee, so I thought, "hey, a latte!" Problem: I don't know how to make one! So I found a recipe online through google and I had everything on hand, so I went for it.

This is the recipe I used (comments in brackets are from the recipe, not from me):

Latte Ingredients for One Serving

* 3/4 c. 2% milk (You can use whole milk also)
* 1/8 t. vanilla (optional, but makes it way yummier- Use real vanilla if possible!)
* 2 t. raw sugar (regular white sugar also works or honey)
* 2 oz. (jigger cup) of extra strong brewed hot coffee
* Optional whipped cream (homemade is best, but whipped topping will do)

Warm the milk on the stove or in a microwave until it is hot. Be careful not to scald it. Put everything except the coffee into a blender. Blend until it gets nice and frothy, like a latte.

Immediately pour the contents of the blender into a large coffee mug. Add the hot coffee.

Taken from here.

My process: I used the microwave to heat my milk (we only have skim) in a 1 cup measuring cup, and didn't measure out instant coffee that I had on hand but put probably 2-3 teaspoons with 1/4c hot water (which is approx 2 ounces). The heated milk, vanilla, sugar, and some cinnamon (a couple of shakes of the spice container) went into a large Magic Bullet blender cup (the kind with the handle) and I let it blend for 30-60 sec while the electric kettle heated the water for the coffee (made in the measuring cup after the milk was dumped). Once the coffee was made, I blended the milk again to remix it, then followed the directions and poured it into a mug, followed by the coffee. The milk mixture was nice and frothy (still is! I have a frothy top on my drink and I'm half done) and it tastes like one I'd get in a coffee shop. WHOO.

I think I'll try adding some chocolate or other spices next time. I'm excited to try making a chai latte. Still need to try to make homemade chai, but I have lots of teabags to use up first.


What is your favorite coffee/tea with milk beverage? Share a recipe if you have one!

Mmmm... the Moist Chocolate Cake with PB icing from Operation Cake is just about gone (only 3 pieces left). I washed the pan, and then embarked on Operation Citrus Cranberry Loaf (in the oven). It should be highly successful; the last one was. After, it will be Operation Magic Cookie Squares in the pan from Operation Cake. And sometime this week, Operation Rum Cake will be underway, probably before the potluck on Sunday so it can be enjoyed. For that, I've got nessun, sariannastar, hasfartogo, kusanivy, and a woman from Inspiration World to come for dinner. Anyone else change their mind or are interested? Dinner around 5pm.

I cannot make whipped shortbread cookies due to not having a mixer, so I bought icebox cookies from Loblaws. They're tasty.

In case people want them, here's the first two recipes:

( Operation Cake RecipeCollapse )

( Operation Citrus Cranberry RecipeCollapse )