Circle of Friends

Sometimes friendship is about friendship along with a little food, a little wine, Here is the "Circle of Friend Recipe" from my sister in law, Sandy!!!

Circle of Friends

When I was little, 
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. 
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. 
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. 
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. 
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,' 
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies, 
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier, 
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day, 
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, 
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself . 
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.
One from 7th grade,
One from high school, 
Several from the college years, 
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother, 
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

So whether they've been a friend for 20 minutes or 20+ years, 
AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,
Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life
To make a difference. Including the one who sent it to you.

Thanks for being in my circle.

Sauteed Mushrooms!

Next time you are looking for that little extra of something to go with your roast, steak, pork, fish or if you are a vegetarian, look at the following mushroom dish.  I am giving your all the ingredients you can add to the mushrooms, pick and choose what you wish.  Remember have fun!!!

Cleaning:  I like to brush my mushrooms off with a damp towel, however, mushrooms are 92.5% water, how about that tidbit of info, so if you wash them, they are just going to gain a little more water weight.  Do we really think that all the restaurants in town take the time to brush off mushrooms with a dame cloth or towel?
I do not believe there is a wrong way on this one.

Take Approx. 2 1/2 pounds or various mushrooms (small button, cremini, portobello, shitake, porcini) any mushrooms you can find in your local area.

1/2 cup olive oil                                          1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs of rosemary                                   1 chopped clove garlic
1/4 cup of wine wine (optional)                   1 fresh red chile (optional)
2 Tablespoons of butter (optional)              1 small chopped shallot (optional)
2 Teaspoons of chopped parsley (optional)

Heat olive oil in pan with garlic, add shallots red chile and wine if you wish or any other optional ingredient at this point.  Add mushrooms, remove rosemary from sprigs and add, cook for 10 minutes on low to medium heat.  add vinegar, stir and remove from heat and serve.

Vanilla Bean Pudding

4 ounces Mascarpone Cheese                  15 ounces Ricotta cheese
3 eggs                                                      1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup                                 3 tablespoons sugar
Dash of sea salt                                        1 vanilla bean, split open

Pre Heat Oven to 350 degrees, butter a 12 cupcake pan

Using a blender, combine mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, heavy cream, maple syrup, sugar and salt.  Blend well.  Using a knife, split the vanilla bean and scrape seeds into the blender, save the vanilla bean pod.  Blend mixture until smooth, pour batter into cupcake tin, you may have enough for 12, do not worry if you only have room for 10 or 11.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly browned.  Do not worry if the middle sinks in the pudding cakes.  Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.

You can top the pudding with nothing or anything such as chocolate, peaches, berries, cranberries, lemon curd, fresh fruit, anything, use the vanilla bean pod in the topping for additional flavor.

This is such a light and delightful dessert, your family will love it.  It is a combo of pudding, custard and cheese cake, so gooood!!!

2011 Recipes

Hi everyone, hope all is well in 2011, I found some great recipes while I was up North, if you are ever in Nevada City California, go to a restaurant called "Friar Tucks", they have the best fondue ever!!!  Saw lots of snow in California and Reno, but we were able to get back over the grapevine before they closed.

I will post some additional recipes in the next blog...Have a wonderful year, "God Bless you and your family"