try it tuesday

This is sort of a cheating Try it Tuesday, but it's something that I tried, that was fun, so I had to share. I just found such a fun online tool that is completely free -- thanks to You Are My Fave. It's called Photoboother.com, and basically you can upload photos and it transforms it into a photo strip for you, just like this:

Give it a try!

try it tuesday: quick fix

I swear if I didn't know it was definitely, 100% not true, I'd think I was nesting. A strange urge came over me on the weekend to change things up in our house. We are renting, so we can't go too wild and crazy, but there was one idea my Mum and I had discussed long ago that came to mind.

Here's the before-we-moved-in state of the kitchen. It's the closest thing I have to a proper before photo. Notice the dusty rose countertops and the gold-and-rose cabinet knobs?

The colour wasn't so bad once we actually furnished our kitchen with our mostly-black-and-stainless-steel, countertop appliances. But I still wasn't grooving on those knobs. So a quick trip to Rona and $40 later ...

So, look around. What small switch could make a huge difference in your home?

try it tuesday: bling storage

Note: I know I owe you a Meatless Monday ... it will probably pop up later today. I had words with Blogger yesterday. Luckily, we appear to be on speaking terms again.



This week's fab Try it Tuesday project comes to you all the way from Cape Breton where lovely sister-in-law C did some inspired repurposing in her new home.

She started with a couple old frames, and popped the centres out:


Then she painted them to coordinate with her bedroom, and added chains that she had stashed among her jewellery making supplies.

Et voila, instant bling storage:

No only is it super convenient, but her impressive earring collection now does double duty as part of her decor! Well done, C!

try it tuesday

Holla. It's TRY IT TUESDAY!

On a recent trip to Walmart with friends A and D, we were on the hunt for some good glass cleaner for car windows. D asked one of the associates in the service centre for his recommendation, and he said the best thing to use is one cup of vinegar mixed with a gallon of water and use newspaper instead of paper towel. Easy enough, and we didn't have to spend $6.50 a can on the special car-window foam.

Instead of mixing such a high volume, I did the math went to Google and figured out that there are 16 cups in a gallon ... so here are my smaller ratios:

1 cup vinegar: 16 cups water

1/2 cup vinegar: 8 cups water

1/4 cup vinegar: 4 cups water

You're welcome.

So I mixed it up, filled an empty spray bottle and went to work. In sake of real science, I used the homemade recipe to clean one of our front windows, and Windex to clean the other.

There's nothing streak-free about that shine. This is the water and vinegar window. I scrubbed and wiped with the newspaper and it just didn't absorb the excess like paper towel.

Admittedly, Windex worked much better. The downside to the paper towel is the white lint dust that's left over.

So I did a little switcheroo, using the homemade solution with paper towel, which seems like a reasonable compromise, no?

So the moral of the story, use the vinegar you already have in the cupboard instead of spending money on brand-name, chemical glass cleaner. Not only am I saving my pennies, but I have the added peace-of-mind of knowing that any left-over residue on the glass or window sills is completely safe for little fingers.

try it tuesday

In my efforts to try new things in the kitchen, I made my first batch of ginger molasses cookies recently. And my first thought? Why the heck haven't I made these before?! They're soo easy!

Giant Ginger Cookies

Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

4 1/2 cups flour

4 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves (I didn't have cloves, so I used all spice)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups shortening

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup molasses

3/4 cup sugar (This is for rolling the cookies before baking. I didn't need this much. I'd say use a little at a time as needed.)

Combine together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds to soften. Gradually add the 2 cups granulated sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and molasses. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour mixture.

Shape dough into 2-inch balls (this is flexible; you can make smaller cookies and bake less time accordingly). Roll balls in the 3/4 cup coarse or granulated sugar (I used regular granulated sugar but next time I think I'll spring for the coarse stuff to make them prettier).

Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes (10 minutes in my hell fire oven) or until cookies are light brown and puffed.

The key? Definitely don't over-bake. If you do, you'll have ginger snaps on your hands, though admittedly there are worse things to have than ginger snaps.

Now all you need is a scratch and sniff computer screen. Mmm ...

try it tuesday

It's been a while since I experimented with a new recipe. I copied down my mom-in-law's recipe for zucchini walnut bread a long time ago, but never got around to making it ... until this mammoth veggie found its way into my kitchen.

Sister-in-law L sent us some garden fresh veggies, including a few zucchinis big enough to feed a small army. So I tried out this straight-forward loaf recipe.

Zucchini Walnut Bread

Combine:

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

3 eggs

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. salt

Fold in:

3 1/4 cups flour

3 cups shredded zucchini

1 cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans)

Bake in greased loaf pan at 350F for 45 to 60 minutes.

This recipe makes a really big loaf. If you're using small loaf pans, you might want to split this into two or halve the recipe. I didn't get around to taking a photo of the final result because it was just too yummy! Try it!

try it tuesday

I have to say that I'd really like to be giving birth as my Try It Tuesday this week ... but I hold out absolutely no hope that it will actually happen today, so how about muffins instead? Sounds more pleasant, doesn't it?

I made a new recipe recently that I really think is worth sharing. While we're at it, let's make it a Try It Tuesday, because trust me, you're going to want to try this one for yourself!

Whole Grain Banana-Pecan Muffins (Recipe adapted from Cooking Light)

3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. honey (you can substitute 1/4 c. sugar here if you prefer)
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c. mashed very ripe banana (about 2 large bananas or 3 smaller ones)
1/3 c. low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. pecans, chopped
1/4 c. packed brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 350.

Whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, honey (if using), and butter. Add each egg in one at a time, combining completely after each addition but not over-mixing. Add the mashed banana, yogurt, and vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture and beat until just combined (don't over-mix).

Admittedly, I didn't read the recipe fully and tossed all the pecans right into the batter. Oopsie! I chopped some extra to be added to the tops. Turned out well though. A happy mistake.

Divide the batter evenly (so the cups are about 2/3 full) among 15-16 muffin tins. I actually filled just 12 cups up to the brim, providing lots of batter for the muffins to grow little tops in the oven. Combine the chopped pecans and brown sugar and sprinkle them on top of the batter. Bake for 23-28 minutes.

These are so tasty! Not too sweet; perfect for breakfast on the go. Enjoy!

try it tuesday

You know what's gross? Fruit flies. They're annoying and disgusting and multiply at unnatural rates. They must be stopped.

I was justifiably embarrassed by these unwanted house-guests when brother- and sister-in-law A & L came over for a visit last week. They swarmed the kitchen table until we couldn't see one foot in front of our faces. I swear, that isn't an exaggeration.

I've tried different things in the past to destroy these awful pests — a jar with plastic wrap and tiny holes — but nothing really worked. Luckily L had the perfect solution.

Using a piece of printer paper, we fashioned a funnel with a narrow hole at the bottom. We then inserted the small end of funnel into a glass jar containing a little piece of fruit, like a raspberry or slice of banana that will quickly turn into something disgusting that, to quote lovely sister-in-law C, these little winged spawns of satan just love.

Here's the proof. A jar packed full. Every day or so, we take it outside and give it a shake to let them loose outside, far far away from our kitchen.

During this humid summer, you definitely should try it.

try it tuesday

Better late than never ... the return of Try it Tuesday!

In honour of Husband's birthday recently, I tried out a new recipe — a twist on a family favourite — barbecued pizza!

I made the dough from scratch using Martha Stewart's whole wheat pizza dough recipe. It's fantastic.

I rolled out the dough and gave both sides a thin spread of olive oil, crossed my fingers and tossed it on the grill.

I love the grill marks you get on the dough. But that's when things get tricky. Once the dough is reasonably cooked on both sides, you have to dress your pizzas. I don't recommend this for anyone with knuckle hair they'd like to keep.

Sauce ...

Then, for us, green peppers, pineapple, broccoli and marble cheddar cheese.

Mmmm!

Try it! It's easier than you think!

new try it tuesday inspiration

It's been a while since I've done a real Try It Tuesday post, but my lovely creative partner C has given me some fresh inspiration.

The posts will now be branded with this super cute logo she designed! Fun!

Stay tuned for Tuesdays!

try it tuesday

I'm always looking for inexpensive, healthy, vegetarian recipes. Especially recipes that are easily adaptable for meat eaters, too.

I printed a recipe for Easy, Inexpensive Lentil Tacos a while ago and finally got around to trying them over the weekend.

It's pretty simple, and I adapted it to make it even easier.

Put into a pot:

3/4 c. dry brown lentils (I used green because that's what I had)

3/4 c. brown rice

4 bouillon cubes (I used chicken. Yes, I am a veggie who isn't afraid of chicken flavour.)

4 c. water

It then called for a variety of spices that I didn't have readily available, so I used the Old El Paso taco seasoning that came in the kit. Combine everything in a pot, bring to a boil, cover and let it simmer on medium until all of the liquid is absorbed.

Voila. That's your filling. Easy peasy.

Lovely friend A and I chopped up some green pepper and cucumbers and grated some cheddar for the top.

I prefer soft tacos to the hard ones, so we wrapped them all up and added some taco sauce to the top.

The result — total deliciousness! They taste like a cross between a soft taco and a burrito and the filling is super flavourful. It would be great on top of a taco salad. The texture is reasonable for meat eaters, too.

I give this recipes 5 stars. It was super cheap, very easy and I can't wait to eat more leftovers for supper tonight! Try it!

try it tuesday

I'll try not to get too graphic with this post.

Anyone who suffers from allergies/chronic sinus issues like I do, understands the appeal of new ways to curb the pain and pressure.

This week, out of pure desperation, I invested in a Neti Pot. The people who are to blame for my chronic sinus issues My parents have sworn by nasal rinses for years, but I was always skeptical. If you're not familiar with this concept, you fill the pot with water and a salt and baking soda mixture, hold the spout up to one nostril, tip your face toward the sink, lean to one side and let the solution run through your sinus cavity and out the other nostril. Can you picture it? I thought I'd spare you the real image, but if you're really curious, you can go here and watch a completely hilarious totally informative instructional video.

The thing is, it actually works. The first time I did it, I was amazed with how it really flushed all the grossness and enabled me to simply breathe easier. It wasn't a total cure. After a few day of using it, I was still fairly stuffed and on the third attempt, I tipped my head and I nearly drowned nothing came out the other side. But I gave it a couple more days and I am willing to say that it was the shortest dose of sinusitis I've ever had.

It's not crafty or particularly fun, but it totally works. Try it!

try it .. er .. thursday

Better late than never, right? This Try It Tuesday is a fail, but I figured I'd share it anyway. If nothing else, you'll laugh at my pain.

So, here's how it started. You'd have to assume, that a complied book of recipes would only contain the tried and true combinations. Right?

I was going to make chocolate chip cookies late last week, and wanted to try something different. I picked a cookbook that was put together by people in my Mum's office for a fundraiser years ago. I instantly thought, if someone took the time to comb through their recipes at home and pick just one for this book, it would have to be their very best, favourite one. Right?

Think again.

I was intrigued — the recipe I selected combined traditional chocolate chip cookie ingredients as well as oatmeal and corn flakes. And I love a textured cookie.

But this was the end result after mixing all the ingredients according to the directions. A Big bowl of crumbly mess. I reviewed the list over and over, convinced I must have left out an important went ingredient. Nope.

So, I was forced to add more liquid. A few tablespoons of milk helped considerably. However, what happens to corn flakes if you put milk on them? Soggy, soggy, soggy.

Though the taste in the end wasn't horrible, the recipe was awful and a total pain to deal with. This recipe isn't even worth rating. Don't try it.

try it tuesday

This Try It Tuesday comes courtesy of Living with Lindsay, who posted what she claimed to be the best, easiest, most melt-in-your-mouth brownie recipe on the planet. Who could resist trying something like that?

The Best, Easiest, Most Melt in Your Mouth Deliciousness, There Won't Be Any Left in the Morning, Moist Brownies You Will Ever Eat

2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 c. cocoa
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
dash cinnamon

Mix ingredients and bake in greased pan at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

The easy part is bang on. Definitely super simple and I love that I could whip these up any day because I always have these staple ingredients in the cupboard.

I actually baked these brownies for at least 45 minutes, maybe more. I stuck a toothpick in the centre and it came out covered in liquidy batter, so I figured they needed to cook longer. Either way, they didn't firm up much more. They're definitely a gooey brownie.

Which leads me to my verdict on taste — not the best I've ever had, actually. I found them a little too fudge-like for my taste. But my personal preference aside, I would make them to take to a party or serve to guests.

Overall, 3.5 stars. Try it for yourself though; you may love them.

try it tuesday: follow-up

The squash casserole was delish! I didn't take a picture because frankly, I find most mushed up casseroles don't look all that appetizing when made in a slow cooker.

Lovely friends A and T came over for the taste test and we all stared in to the pot quite skeptically, but we were hungry enough that it didn't really matter. To my surprise, it was incredibly flavourful, maybe even more-so than the baked version.

To clarify, the squash I used was actually a winter squash, not summer squash. And it was grown by my Grampie Stan, which made it extra tasty. When I try this recipe again, I think I'll use two boxes of Stovetop instead of one. Because I have an oval, three-quart slow cooker, the casserole turned out quite shallow in the dish and the single box of Stovetop barely covered the bottom and the top, as instructed.

This Try it Tuesday gets 5 big stars!

try it tuesday

Finally! I'm back. I swear. For real this time.

This Christmas, I received my very first slow cooker. It's surprising that someone like me, who has always loved to cook and collected kitchen gadgets, has never owned a slow cooker. And while I wouldn't categorize it as life-changing, like the Magic Bullet, it is pretty convenient.

My first attempt: Baked beans. I used Mum and Grammie's trusted recipe, and while they weren't quite the same as the beans I grew up with, they were pretty tasty. What I loved most was how easy it was. I tossed in a few ingredients, set it and forgot about it. They simmered all day while I did other things, and voila, dinner is served. I know, this isn't revolutionary information, but it's new to me!

Tonight, I decided to tackle a family favourite — squash casserole.

Here's what I used:

2 lbs. yellow summer squash, sliced (about 6 cups)

half a medium onion, chopped

1 cup grated carrot

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup flour

8 oz. package seasoned stuffing crumbs (I used turkey Stovetop)

1/2 cup butter

Combine squash, onion, carrots and soup.

Mix together sour cream and flour. Add to vegetables.

Toss stuffing mix and butter. Spread half in bottom of slow cooker. Add vegetable mixture. Top with remaining stuffing.

Cover. Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

And the jury's still out, because it's still cooking! But I'll report back tomorrow and let you know how it tastes!

A big congratulations to Karen who completed her mission of 365 days of slow cooking and living to blog about it! She posted her final recipe today. Click here to enjoy her many unique Crock Pot ideas.

What are your favourite slow cooker recipes or websites?

christmas try it tuesday

I wanted to make some treats for my work friends for Christmas — and thus, a Christmas Try It Tuesday was born.

We start with 2 cups of milk chocolate chips in a microwavable glass bowl:

Then toss in some pretzels. Dunk 'em in good.

Swirl them around and pull them out. Lay out on waxed paper.

Add a few festive sprinkles. Stick them in the fridge for about 30 minutes so chocolate sets.

Mmm. Salty and sweet. Delicious.

I give this project 5 huge stars. It's super quick and easy, and they could easily be decorated for a bevy of other special occasions. Try it!