Martha A. Cheves's Blog, page 97
April 17, 2011
Another Wonderful Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat Cookbook
5.0 out of 5 stars quick recipes, April 17, 2011 By I do a lot of cooking and consequently, I read a lot of cookbooks. All of them have many complicated recipes calling for a lot for ingredients. I always assumed that was the way of the cook. Until I got a copy of Martha Cheves' cook book Stir, Laugh, Repeat.
This cookbook specializes in simple recipes that should find favor with working couples who haven't the time or energy to cook complicated recipes. Martha's recipes call for pre-packaged ingredients that could be stocked in advance and used as the need arises.
As an example, Martha has a chicken and rice recipe that has similarities to the Spanish classic Arroz con Pollo, one that I make a lot. I use chicken, rice, onions, peppers, tomatoes, broth, saffron and other spices. It takes twenty minutes of prep work and an hour of stovetop cooking; adding ingredients, stirring etc. Martha's recipes calls for chicken and a prepackaged box of saffron rice and a few other ingredients with almost no preparation time and less than a half-hour in the oven.
All in all, this cookbook should find favor with many busy families and others who aren't thrilled by cooking but like to eat.
April 13, 2011
Smoky Sausage Quiche
This dish is so simple to make and to make life even easier I used pre-cut peppers and onions. These can be found in the freezer department and are usually mixed red and green. You can cut this recipe in half but after tasting you will probably wish you hadn't. I used cheddar cheese but I'm sure pepper jack would have been wonderful! To complete the meal I served a salad and slices of fruit.
See the full recipe by going to Martha's Recipe Cabinet
April 10, 2011
Pineapple Orange Clouds
1 bag (10 1/2 oz.) mini marshmallows1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple tidbits, drained
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup soft cream cheese
1 cup whipped topping
Mix all together. ENJOY!
Notes: The flavor from the mandarin oranges gives this dish a touch of tartness. It isn't super sweet and it's so good that you may not want to change anything at all. Well, you could add a few nuts if you want. For my cream cheese I used Philly's new Cooking Cream Cheese. It worked perfectly.
April 9, 2011
Baking Soda Tips and Uses
1. Washing food
Make a paste of baking soda on a clean sponge, and then wash toxins off the skin of fruits and vegetables. Rinse well before eating.
2. Drain cleaner
Okay, baking soda it isn't as powerful as commercial de-cloggers, but it cost virtually pennies to make and is a great first line of defense. Take a half cup of baking soda, pour down drain followed by half cup of white vinegar. Place a glass bowl over the top of the drain for two hours, then rinse with hot water. This should remove grease and dirt build-up through the pipes.
3. Vacuum odors
Sprinkle baking soda on the floor, then vacuum it up to kill odors in your vacuum.
4. Welcome mats
Speaking of floors, according to Lansky's book, you can ditch and deodorize the dirt at your front door by sprinkling baking soda on welcome mats, then vacuuming up the powder.
5. Soft hands
Make baking soda into a paste and use on hands while washing dishes. It'll help remove tough baked-on food while softening your hands at the same time.
6. Musty books
Do you have some old and musty books that you can't bear to throw out? Sprinkle some baking soda between the pages, and brush it out a few days later for a fresh scent
7. Mothball smell
According to the blog, Green Eco Services, the smell of mothballs on clothing can be removed by adding baking soda to your washing machine's rinse cycle to eliminate the odor.
8. Oil and grease
Sprinkle soda on the garage or basement floor to soak up oil and grease.
9. Weathered look
If you want a quick way to eliminate mold and mildew while achieving a weathered look for your deck, Green Eco Services recommends you use baking soda. Wash your deck with a solution of two cups baking soda in one gallon water, and use a stiff straw brush to work the solution into the wood, then rinse with cool water for a clean, yet aged patina.
10. Weed killer
Sweeping large amounts of sodium-rich baking soda into the cracks of your paved walks and driveways will eliminate weeds and dandelions.
11. Canvas cleaner
To clean anything canvas, rub on a paste of baking soda, then rub off.
12. Burnt pots
To eliminate seriously burnt-on food, pour in a thick cushion of baking sod=, add an inch or so of water, and put the pot on the stove to boil. After boiling for a minute, try scrubbing again (don't burn yourself). The burned-on mess should come right off.
13. Plastic shower curtains
One of the best tips in Lansky's book alleviates this stubborn problem and puts down on the amount of money spent on shower curtains: Wash mildewed or dirty plastic shower curtains in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with a couple of bath towels, and add in a half cup of baking soda and detergent during the wash cycle. Add in one cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle, then let drip dry.
14. Automatic dishwasher detergent
Make an automatic dish washing detergent using baking soda: Simply mix two tablespoons baking soda and two tablespoons borax, as a alternative to commercial detergent.. If you prefer to use your dish washing detergent, but want a cleaning boost, then just sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over dirty dishes, then wash as usual.
15. Stinky clothes
We know that baking soda deodorizes just about anything, but here's another way to use it for clothing with a deep smoke or gasoline odor. Place the clothing in a plastic bag with baking soda for two days, then wash as usual.
Make a paste of baking soda on a clean sponge, and then wash toxins off the skin of fruits and vegetables. Rinse well before eating.
2. Drain cleaner
Okay, baking soda it isn't as powerful as commercial de-cloggers, but it cost virtually pennies to make and is a great first line of defense. Take a half cup of baking soda, pour down drain followed by half cup of white vinegar. Place a glass bowl over the top of the drain for two hours, then rinse with hot water. This should remove grease and dirt build-up through the pipes.
3. Vacuum odors
Sprinkle baking soda on the floor, then vacuum it up to kill odors in your vacuum.
4. Welcome mats
Speaking of floors, according to Lansky's book, you can ditch and deodorize the dirt at your front door by sprinkling baking soda on welcome mats, then vacuuming up the powder.
5. Soft hands
Make baking soda into a paste and use on hands while washing dishes. It'll help remove tough baked-on food while softening your hands at the same time.
6. Musty books
Do you have some old and musty books that you can't bear to throw out? Sprinkle some baking soda between the pages, and brush it out a few days later for a fresh scent
7. Mothball smell
According to the blog, Green Eco Services, the smell of mothballs on clothing can be removed by adding baking soda to your washing machine's rinse cycle to eliminate the odor.
8. Oil and grease
Sprinkle soda on the garage or basement floor to soak up oil and grease.
9. Weathered look
If you want a quick way to eliminate mold and mildew while achieving a weathered look for your deck, Green Eco Services recommends you use baking soda. Wash your deck with a solution of two cups baking soda in one gallon water, and use a stiff straw brush to work the solution into the wood, then rinse with cool water for a clean, yet aged patina.
10. Weed killer
Sweeping large amounts of sodium-rich baking soda into the cracks of your paved walks and driveways will eliminate weeds and dandelions.
11. Canvas cleaner
To clean anything canvas, rub on a paste of baking soda, then rub off.
12. Burnt pots
To eliminate seriously burnt-on food, pour in a thick cushion of baking sod=, add an inch or so of water, and put the pot on the stove to boil. After boiling for a minute, try scrubbing again (don't burn yourself). The burned-on mess should come right off.
13. Plastic shower curtains
One of the best tips in Lansky's book alleviates this stubborn problem and puts down on the amount of money spent on shower curtains: Wash mildewed or dirty plastic shower curtains in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with a couple of bath towels, and add in a half cup of baking soda and detergent during the wash cycle. Add in one cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle, then let drip dry.
14. Automatic dishwasher detergent
Make an automatic dish washing detergent using baking soda: Simply mix two tablespoons baking soda and two tablespoons borax, as a alternative to commercial detergent.. If you prefer to use your dish washing detergent, but want a cleaning boost, then just sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over dirty dishes, then wash as usual.
15. Stinky clothes
We know that baking soda deodorizes just about anything, but here's another way to use it for clothing with a deep smoke or gasoline odor. Place the clothing in a plastic bag with baking soda for two days, then wash as usual.
April 8, 2011
Chex Mix Chicken
A few days ago I posted my Potato Chip Chicken on Martha's Recipe Cabinet. Well, I've tried another flavor. This dish was made using the same recipe but instead of using the crushed potato chips I used crushed Chex Mix with peanuts. I created this by using my motto "Think With Your Taste Buds."
April 7, 2011
Measurements
1 Cup = 8 oz. or 16 Tbsp. or 48 tsp. or 237 ml
3/4 Cup = 6 oz. or 12 Tbsp. or 36 tsp. or 177 ml
2/3 Cup = 5 oz. or 11 Tbsp. or 32 tsp. or 158 ml
1/2 Cup = 4 oz. or 8 Tbsp. or 24 tsp. or 118 ml
1/3 Cup - 3 oz. or 5 Tbsp. or 16 tsp. or 79 ml
1/4 Cup = 2 oz. or 4 Tbsp. or 12 tsp. or 59 ml
1/8 Cup = 1 oz. or 2 Tbsp. or 6 tsp. or 30 ml
1/16 Cup = .5 oz. or 1 Tbsp. or 3 tsp. or 15 ml
3/4 Cup = 6 oz. or 12 Tbsp. or 36 tsp. or 177 ml
2/3 Cup = 5 oz. or 11 Tbsp. or 32 tsp. or 158 ml
1/2 Cup = 4 oz. or 8 Tbsp. or 24 tsp. or 118 ml
1/3 Cup - 3 oz. or 5 Tbsp. or 16 tsp. or 79 ml
1/4 Cup = 2 oz. or 4 Tbsp. or 12 tsp. or 59 ml
1/8 Cup = 1 oz. or 2 Tbsp. or 6 tsp. or 30 ml
1/16 Cup = .5 oz. or 1 Tbsp. or 3 tsp. or 15 ml
April 6, 2011
Ground Beef Stuffed Shells
For this dish I used a cheese blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack. You can use any cheese that you like. The seasoning I used was an herb and garlic blend. Think With Your Taste Buds and use whatever you really enjoy on your meats. You can also leave out the soup and cover with a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce for a totally different taste and dish. See the full recipe by going to Martha's Recipe Cabinet
April 5, 2011
Another Great Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat
Review for Martha Cheves book, Stir, laugh, repeat.
Martha A. Cheves has a wonderful sense of family, and it shows through this compilation of her tasty selection of recipes and quotes. As you read and study the delicious recipes, you'll love the way she adds a personal touch of family and friends to make it more inviting and fun.I have not seen a recipe quite the likes of this. My mouth waters and I chuckle as I read through the quips and quotes of her fun and catchy stories. Indeed a collection of recipes worth tasting and sharing! I have already tasted two of her recipes and you must own this book. Its worth every chuckle and morsel it contains!! She has many great tips as well, which we cooks always love to know, so if you like to eat as well as cook, this lovely cook-book is a must have! Reviewed by author, writer, poet and cook! Sharon Hays www.SharonHays.com Books: Mysteerie Manor, Mysteerie Manor II, The Tumbleweed Family, (children's book) and soon a compilation of Poetry and Art Coffee Table book that any art and poet will enjoy! www.MysteerieManor.com, and www.TumbleweedFamilyStories.com
Martha A. Cheves has a wonderful sense of family, and it shows through this compilation of her tasty selection of recipes and quotes. As you read and study the delicious recipes, you'll love the way she adds a personal touch of family and friends to make it more inviting and fun.I have not seen a recipe quite the likes of this. My mouth waters and I chuckle as I read through the quips and quotes of her fun and catchy stories. Indeed a collection of recipes worth tasting and sharing! I have already tasted two of her recipes and you must own this book. Its worth every chuckle and morsel it contains!! She has many great tips as well, which we cooks always love to know, so if you like to eat as well as cook, this lovely cook-book is a must have! Reviewed by author, writer, poet and cook! Sharon Hays www.SharonHays.com Books: Mysteerie Manor, Mysteerie Manor II, The Tumbleweed Family, (children's book) and soon a compilation of Poetry and Art Coffee Table book that any art and poet will enjoy! www.MysteerieManor.com, and www.TumbleweedFamilyStories.com
April 4, 2011
Peanut Butter Bars
This cookie was flavored with Peanut Butter Bars. In the picture you'll see the type of peanut butter bars I used. You can also make these using chocolate coated peanut butter candy instead of the type I used. Plus, this works great with crushed toffee candy. For my glaze I used Duncan Hines Amazing Glazes. I keep a bottle of this in my refrigerator to use when I want a glaze that isn't sticky when cooled. This works perfect. You can also use the chocolate glaze for added flavor.
Find my recipe by going to Martha's Recipe Cabinet
April 3, 2011
Potato Chip Chicken
I found a recipe for chicken crusted with cheese crackers and couldn't wait to give it a try. It turned out that I was out of cheese crackers so I did my usual - I decided to Think With My Taste Buds and came up with this recipe. This does have cheese in the crust so changes can be in the cheese flavor. Pepper Jack would be wonderful and give it a touch of heat or you can increase the amount of onions and add more flavor.
