Kate’s Cooking: Simple Lunches

Greetings to you on this cold day. How’s your December going? It has got cold where my small family lives. Our cats are asking for more food and the soup pot is out on a regular basis. Today’ column is all about two simple lunches. They are economical, tasty and what I call ‘very useful’. The VEGE CUSTARD is good with any meat, particularly hotdogs. The RAMEN SOUP SURPRISE is an instant meal which we enjoyed today for our lunch. Here then, is an old family favorite and a new family favorite.

Ramen Noodle Soup Surprise

This meal came about because of my looking in our food cupboard today and thinking ‘oh my’, what am I going to do (we havenot been to buy our groceries for the coming week).

Into a medium/large pot put the following:

6 cups water
2 packets of Ramen noodles (Oriental Flavor) – but this becomes a personal choice.
2 grated carrots
2 large cloves garlic – chopped small
1 cup chopped celery
1/3 packet (16oz.) bacon – cut into inch squares
1 tablespoon butter or margarine – optional (for extra flavoring)

Cook the above until noodles are soft and bacon is cooked. I served this with bread and butter. It was tasty and hot on a cold day.

NOTE: Thank the Lord for Ramen noodles. They are, in these difficult economic times, well worth stocking up on. If you have salt restrictions then I would limit the use of the flavoring provided in the noodle packets. Many people I know use these noodles. The local student population eats copious quantities. So do ‘crazy’ columnists!

Vege Custard

2 cups chopped celery
1 cup grated carrot
2 spring (green) onions – chopped
1 or 2 large cloves garlic – chopped
2 cups milk (approx.)
4 or 5 eggs – beaten
seasonings – own choice (optional)

Cook the vegetables in the milk until tender. Add seasonings if used. Put in a buttered ovenproof dish and pour the eggs over the vegetables. Bake in a moderate oven until firm. If you like, this dish can be made in a microwave and I have done this in a frypan too. NOTE: a little grated cheese sprinkled on top right at the end of cooking, adds additional flavor.

Take care out there and for those of you living in the northern hemisphere, keep well and warm. For those of you south of the equator, keep well too and enjoy your upcoming summer.

Bless you and happy cooking, Kate.

Chatter With Kate Dec 7th 2009

Hey folks. The reason I started this feature is lately I have heard so many stories from good folk who just wonder what is going to happen next in this difficult economic climate and don’t have an outlet to just ‘chat’ or folk to ‘chat’ to. Not everyone has a family or a friend or for that matter, a computer or a cellphone. There seems to be any number of people that are struggling and wondering what they are going to do about all manner of things. My husband and I both lost our former jobs and in my husband’s case he found another job at an absolute base rate of pay. We never did live a ‘high’ lifestyle and continue to live a simple life in a simple apartment with our crazy cats that help to keep us grounded and I find it a good thing to have this responsibility. We recently started up an online book and curio store and a virtual assistance program. If you are feeling a little splat, depressed, down in the dumps etc. try having a chat with the big G. upstairs and ask his advice. Perhaps you can put on a favorite DVD or VHS if you have them available. If you are able, try and give a cat or two (old cats rock!!) from an animal shelter, a home. If you are worried about Christmas and not having money for gifts or decorations, go along to a thrift store. Most of them have a Christmas table with seasonal gifts that have been donated and are for sale cheaply. I got a wonderful felt angel last year for $3.00. We called her after an elderly friend of ours who has departed our life – the name of Pearl. It suits her. If you live in a country that has the Dollar Stores, they have great craft things for making decorations or revamping old decorations. For a dollar last year I bought a packet of several glitter glues that are great fun to decorate with. All these things can be cheerful. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet other folk and help out all the charities who welcome help.




My husband has just rung in from his job and he is on his way home (on the bus) on this cold night so I am going to get a coffee pot ready for him. Have a drink with us in about half an hour.



Talk to you again soon.



Cheers, Kate.

Chatter With Kate 7 Dec 2009

Hey folks. The reason I started this feature is lately I have heard so many stories from good folk who just wonder what is going to happen next in this difficult economic climate and don’t have an outlet to just ‘chat’ or folk to ‘chat’ to. Not everyone has a family or a friend or for that matter, a computer or a cellphone. There seems to be any number of people that are struggling and wondering what they are going to do about all manner of things. My husband and I both lost our former jobs and in my husband’s case he found another job at an absolute base rate of pay. We never did live a ‘high’ lifestyle and continue to live a simple life in a simple apartment with our crazy cats that help to keep us grounded and I find it a good thing to have this responsibility. We recently started up an online book and curio store and a virtual assistance program. If you are feeling a little splat, depressed, down in the dumps etc. try having a chat with the big G. upstairs and ask his advice. Perhaps you can put on a favorite DVD or VHS if you have them available. If you are able, try and give a cat or two (old cats rock!!) from an animal shelter, a home. If you are worried about Christmas and not having money for gifts or decorations, go along to a thrift store. Most of them have a Christmas table with seasonal gifts that have been donated and are for sale cheaply. I got a wonderful felt angel last year for $3.00. We called her after an elderly friend of ours who has departed our life – the name of Pearl. It suits her. If you live in a country that has the Dollar Stores, they have great craft things for making decorations or revamping old decorations. For a dollar last year I bought a packet of several glitter glues that are great fun to decorate with. All these things can be cheerful. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet other folk and help out all the charities who welcome help.



My husband has just rung in from his job and he is on his way home (on the bus) on this cold night so I am going to get a coffee pot ready for him. Have a drink with us in about half an hour.



Talk to you again soon.



Cheers, Kate.

CHATTER WITH KATE

This is another new addition to our FEATURES SECTION. We welcome ‘chatter’ from our readers and will put their ‘chatter’ in this section. The editor reserves editorial right to delete any bad language or to refuse any ‘chatter’ which could be offensive.

Miss Ginny's Diary Dec 7th 2009

Hey there – it’s me Ginny (actually my proper name is Virginia-Lee). My human mother (HM) calls me Miss Ginny because she says it is easier and sounds nice. It is afternoon tea time which HM likes to have. She is working on her books and the day’s housework and cooking is done and she is pleased. HD (human dad) is at work. I have curled up on the ironing and I am surprised HM hasn’t shifted me. My sister ShooShoo is sleeping as is my cat-mother, Lapper. HM’s old cat Carrie, is snoring her head off. She has just turned 17 cat years. She belonged to HM’s mother and when the old lady passed away HM brought her to live with us. I like her – she is no bother except when she wants her food and then she gives HM a hard time until she gets it. ShooShoo teases her a lot and both HM and HD are always reprimanding my sister. We have lived in a high desert area for nearly 4 years and HM says she has had enough of the heat and just recently, HD agreed with HM so I expect within 6 months or so we will be on the move to a cooler climate and somewhere near the ocean maybe. HM badly wants to see some rain and be able to have a garden. We used to live in the Pacific Islands and HM likes to go fishing and I have to say that it is great to have fresh fish for our meals. Carrie has woken up and got the sneezes. She is giving ShooShoo a bad look as my sister is sitting staring at her. Carrie has been in the family for all but 9 months of her 17 years. She can be a crank-pot and if you get too close to her she will give you a paw-cuff. HM told my sister to watch her ‘meows’ as she (ShooShoo) talks back to Carrie. Lapper is glaring at GAD (great aunt Daisy). My mother has a mean stare at times. She’s a bit jealous of GAD lately as GAD lost her mate Percy and she has been getting a bit of extra attention recently. They were both in the family long before we call came along. Percy was a terrific tabby cat who went to God quite suddenly a while back. We all miss him greatly but rest in the knowledge that he is in heaven with the Big G. Whoops HM just fell over a chair and GAD had a little freak out. HM told GAD that she is ok and GAD gave her a few meows and a nose rub on HM’s leg. GAD is a very large and lovable grey tabby with huge whiskers. She plays with my sister and me and she likes to play in the bathtub where she chases her tail very fast. HM has just asked me what I’m doing. Well I’m just climbing around our small kitchen. She calls me her kitchen supervisor. HD is home and he and Carrie are discussing who has the right to a certain chair. Carrie is a chair sneak and it will be interesting to see who wins the battle.




Well I’m gone for the moment and I will see you soon.



Meow to you all. Ginny.

Miss Ginny's Diary

HOUSE ABUKOFF welcomes a new addition to our family. Miss Ginny’s Diary will appear in the FEATURES section on a fairly regular basis. It is primarily aimed at younger readers and for all those among us who have a love of cats. Miss Ginny is a small, calico cat who lives in the southwestern United States. It is her take on her daily life. It is written on her behalf, by one of our regular contributors. Enjoy it.

Go Ask Harry!

Just a little note. The same 'man' who complained about sweaty tourists stinking up the capital (uh, Harry, you actually work for those people, by the way) was asked about Afghanistan, and angrily and dismissively told the reporter to "Ask Tiger Woods". Mister Reid, your attitude is elitist and ill-mannered, and inconsistent with the behavior of someone who wants to keep his job. But please, don't change on my account. I'm sure you'll do fine in whatever your next job is.

More Derailments on the Hope and Change Express

One of the moments I've been waiting for since Barack Hussein Obama was appointed... I mean, elected, (Well, not really. Ballots were never counted at the Democratic National Convention) has finally arrived, and he did not disappoint. With two wars on, there just had to come a point when the Commander in Chief would have to pretend that he represents the interests of the entire country. He would be forced to give the impression of being tough on the war front to satisfy anyone with a lick of common sense while properly serving the political bosses responsible for getting him appointed... er, elected. And he bobbled it like a master. But then I suppose that something like that is bound to happen when you make decisions beyond your pay grade without a teleprompter. I'm not talking about the 30,000 versus 40,000 debate. That is a decision, that while a mistake in my opinion, could be considered an honest difference in judgement. What I'm talking about is the month that he spent dithering about it, and then the naive, senseless and dangerous time table of 18 months, as well as the vow not to win, but rather to end the war. Tell me, Mister Obama, will we see you posing in front of a "Mission Accomplished" sign in your reelection campaign spots? Or is that timing just a coincidence? Nobody, not even his liberal overseers are willing to publicly endorse the foolish notion of an arbritary time table. Chris Matthews... yes, Chris Matthews even questioned it. Chris Matthews, who seems to get a shiver down his leg everytime Obama enters the conversation. It's almost like someone having the sense and courage to walk out on a deranged, racist preacher rather than sit listening
obediantly for twenty years, until election time comes up. This was the moment I knew had to get here, and while I am pleased to see Mister Obama show his incompetence, I fear for us. He has four years to do incalculable damage to the country and the world, and Ronald Reagan is, sadly, no longer available to rescue us.

I, Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear or affirm to fundamentally change the United States of America

"I, Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Just so we have that straight. That's an oath, not above his pay grade, that he took. In public. Well, once in public, and once, correctly, in private. But it is a legally binding oath. So some might start to privately wonder just what he meant when he announced his intention to fundamentally change the United States of America. Preserve. Protect. Defend. Fundamentally change. It would pay to be wary of someone who can say both with a straight face. But it goes deeper than that. If he signs a piece of legislation entitling Congress to do something for which it has no constitutional authority, can he really say that he has preserved, protected and defended the constitution? And if he knowingly takes an action (by signing that legislation) that violates that oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, could the case be made that he commited perjury, thereby opening himself up for impeachment?

Just saying....

Kate's Cooking: Simple and Quick Cookies

SIMPLE AND QUICK COOKIES

Following on from the last cooking column, today we will focus on economical cookies that are quick and easy to make and like the last column, most of the ingredients will likely be found in your everyday kitchen. Personally, I do not like to have a mug of coffee or a cup of tea without having something to eat and cookies that I can ‘dunk’ in the drink are great – it seems to bring out the flavor of the cookie (or biscuit in British countries). Younger folk might enjoy making these cookies – under adult supervision. Both of the recipes are great to put in school lunches, work lunches or pack up a few and take to the grandparents and friends if you are visiting. I just love to get homemade baking. Here then, are two recipes I found (and expanded on with my own experimentation in the case of the Crinkles), when I was living in Australia and they have become family favorites.


WEEKENDER BISCUITS (COOKIES)

125gm (4oz.) butter or margarine
1/3rd cup sugar
1 egg
2/3rd cup sultanas
1 cup self-raising flour
2 cups lightly crushed cornflakes

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Fold in flour and sultanas and mix well. Drop small amounts (a large teaspoonful) of mix into cornflakes and roll lightly until coated. Placed on greased oven trays (baking sheets) allowing room for spreading. Bake in a moderate oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until nicely golden. Cool on wire racks.


CRINKLES

125gm (4oz.) butter or margarine
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind (zest)
1/3rd cup white sugar
1/3rd cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/3rd cup peanut butter
1 ½ cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Cream butter, vanilla, lemon rind, both sugars, peanut butter until well mixed. With a wooden spoon, work in flour and soda (which have been sifted together). The dough should be quite stiff. Roll heaped teaspoonfuls into balls with floured hands and placed on greased oven trays (baking sheets). Press cookie balls down with a floured fork, first one way then the opposite way or you might like to use an old fashioned potato masher as I do, to get the crinkled effect. Bake in a moderate oven for around 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid too much browning. Cool cookies on the oven trays and then lift them on to wire racks.


HINTS and THINGS – these will appear in the cooking column from time to time. We welcome any hints you might like to share.

I was watching a cooking show not so long ago and the following was an interesting idea to use up appleskins:

COATED APPLESKINS – cut or break the apple skins to a size you like. Coat with eggwhite and cardamom sugar. Bake in a 100 C. (250 F.) oven for a couple of hours or until crisp. They were used for snacks or drink decorations.


Until next time, happy cooking. Go safely out there.

Kate.

Kate's Cooking: Boxty

(The logo for this column is a picture of a spice market in Provence, France)

Greetings. I am so pleased to be writing for House Abukoff. Where I currently reside it is getting cold and it is time to retreat inside and warm our small apartment by cooking fun things and experimenting. Cooking can be tough these days in hard economic times. Today I am talking about the very versatile vegetable – the potato. My heritage is largely Irish and the Irish have a long history of involvement with the potato. In these modern times there are many new varieties for us to use and more often than not you can find the basic white potato at a good price for those of us who are on tight budgets. If you are lucky enough to be able to grow your own in a traditional outside garden then that’s great! If you live in a small apartment you can also grow potatoes in a large bucket or planter of solid dirt that has a depth of at least 12 inches or 30cm. Sunny places by a back door or on a ledge or out on a patio are suitable. Plant about 3 or 4 medium sized seed potatoes that have sprouted (the number of potatoes depends on the size of the planter). Cover the potatoes with an inch or so of dirt. Your potatoes will break ground in a relatively short time and bring forth their stems and leaves, then flowers. When the flowers dry and fall off, you can have fun harvesting them. NOTE: if you are growing plants inside and have small children and / or animals in your home, keep an eye on them as the potato leaves etc. are poisonous. Most animals generally have a sixth sense about these things. The following is a great recipe from Ireland. I call it an economic recipe as most folk have the ingredients for it as part of their kitchen food items.

BOXTY

This is a traditional Irish dish. It has an interesting texture. I like to add some chopped spring (or green) onions, chopped chives and black pepper. Salt is optional.

Ingredients:

1 cup each of – grated raw potatoes, mashed cooked potatoes and plain white flour.

* your own choice of seasonings
* chopped spring onions and/or chives
* ¼ cup of butter or margarine – add extra if you want but not too much

In a bowl mix all the ingredients well. Turn out onto a flat, floured surface. Knead a little and roll out like a cookie dough. Using a medium cookie cutter, cut out as many rounds as you can. Melt extra butter or oil in a heavy based or non stick frypan and cook until golden brown on each side. Serve hot.

We like to have them for breakfast and sometimes add bacon to the platter. Personally I find Boxty good to serve with cold meat and salad for a nice lunch.


Happy cooking to you.

Kate

Kate's Cooking

HOUSE ABUKOFF Features Division welcomes columnist Kate and her cooking ideas and hints. Kate welcomes emails from around the world. She is especially interested in ethnic cooking. Kate formerly wrote for a daily newspaper and did their cooking, travel, some political, environmental and kids corner work. Again, we welcome her into our family and hope that she will be with us for an extended stay as we expand our internet activities.

Recession Depression Beaters

I wrote something quite a while ago about recession depression beaters.
Making up simple, free games at home. Like making a basketball hoop out of a
metal clothes hanger. Well, with my wife's help, I've created a card for us
to play. Pretty simple rules, mainly resulting in having to practice basic
math skills, preferably in your head. And again, it's simple and free.

If anyone reading this is curious, I'd be happy to pass on details. But I'd
also like to invite you to post, through the 'comment' feature, your own
recession depression beaters.

Highway Robbery

I was in the grocery store the other day when I saw a lady (and I use the term loosely) looking at a package of hotdogs that was like $1.49 or something like that. Now take note that this lady shows up to buy things
only in the first week of the month, using her "EBT" food stamp card. She saw the price, tossed it back in the wrong place, and said, derisively, "Highway robbery." And I'm thinking, "No, highway robbery is what you live on from the first of the month... to the first of the month." I didn't say it, because I would suddenly be a racist (to finish painting the picture), and probably get shot and/or arrested. The same person who on the first of the month buys only T-bone steaks and soda and potato chips, and by the last of the month is shoplifting. All the while tapping away on her i-phone. Lady, buy some ground beef and canned vegetables, and kool aid. Sell your i-phone. And if you think grocery prices are too high, stop stealing groceries. Stop taking perishable items from their section and dropping them somewhere else. Every time the store loses a product that they paid for because of your thoughtlessness, they lose money. When they lose too much money they're forced to raise prices. And then someone either steals it or destroys it. What you and people like you are doing is highway robbery.