Stuffed artichokes

Stuffed Artichokes

       This is great for a nice lunch or a starter for dinner.  Serve hot with a fresh slice of sourdough.

       4 to 6 med to large artichokes

       2 diced fresh ripe tomatoes

        1/4 c. flat leaf parsley, chopped

        1 small red onion, diced     

        1 small can sliced black olives

        2 large cloves garlic, minced 

        1/2 c. bread crumbs

        1/2 c. parmesan cheese, grated 

        1/2 cube butter, melted, and white wine, about 2 cups

Cut top of artichoke off with sharp knife.  Use kitchen scissors to trim tops of remaining leaves and rub all cut areas with fresh lemon juice.  Cut the center out from the top leaving the cap intact as to create a cup to fill.  Make sure to remove all fiber from inside.  

In separate bowl mix all ingredients except artichokes or wine.

Now using a spoon fill artichoke cups with filling mixture and arrange in deep covered baking dish.  Pour white wine(a dry wine)over the top until there is about two inches of liquid covering the bottom of the pot.  Cover, and bake in 350' oven for one hour.  Make sure you can pull the leaves out easily. 

        

           

       

Baskets

Spring seems to be never-ending this year with all the rain and strange weather...

A tisket a tasket a pink and orange basket.  These were my living Easter baskets this year and this application could be adapted to any decorative basket that can be lined with foil.

These baskets have been lined with two pieces of foil.  Try to cover all areas of inside of basket.  Then fill with potting soil and spray with water until soil will not absorb any more.  Now put grass seed and small plants into the soil.  Set in sunny window, and keep moist with sprayer bottle.   So.. this blog didn't turn out like I had anticipated....I will keep trying to get it right.  I am sure you get the picture, but evidently I still haven't.....See ya soon, Foodpusher.

Anti-pasto

Hay all! I know it's been way too long since I have made a new post, so I hope this works.  First I want to thank Titus Wiloughby-Woods for the new blog banner.  Isn't it great?  So I will try a short post and see if I still remember how to do this....  Anti-pasto does not have to be meat and cheese.  Any vegitables and fruit are always a welcome guest on the anti-pasto platter.

New Banner

I would like to thank my friend Titus Willoughby Woods for my new blog banner. He made this photo with multiple pictures of Me and my dog Heidi. To see more art by Titus go to TitusArt.com.

Veggies Au Gratin

This is just like scalloped potatoes, except you use fresh veggies instead of sliced potatoes.  Let's get cooking.  Choose 2 lbs. of mixed veggies, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.  Presteam these to just fork tender and stop cooking by imersing steamed veggies in ice water.  Quickly drain all water off 'till dry.
2 lbs. mixed veggies, steamed.
1/2 red onion, sliced
2 cups low fat milk
1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3/4 cup flour
salpepper
fresh nutmeg, grated
In large caserole dish, layer steamed veggies with sliced onion, flour, and cheese, then pour enough milk over the top that it just covers mixture (you may need more than called for.
top with desired amt of salt and pepper.  Sprinkle 1 tsp nutmeg over top and bake at 350' until brown and bubbly on top.  Serves 6 for main dish and 8 for side.  Enjoy!

Dogshow Time

So, let's see if I can get blogging... Rusty-Boy has done well this Spring taking a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in his class a few weekends ago in Dixon California.  He will be showing often this summer and we hope he gains his champianship by this Fall.  The whole process starts with a bath, then grooming and stacking.

He is so good in the bath, that he gets in all by himself.

His nails get clipped.

Practice makes oh so perfect.

The Judge is impressed.

Rusty-Boy is on the far left, and these are his litter mates, and Mom is in the middle. Go Redheads!

Heidi wins Best in Spectator every time!  See you at the next dog show!

Irish Eyes Are Shining

Hi everybody!  long time no blog.  Happy St. Patric's Day!  We have been having lot's of fun playing dress up and just having a fun day.  Maybe too much fun.

What a day!  Hope all of you had as much fun as we did.