Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 110

Don’t Worry; Be Happy!

 

“I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.”

 

— Martha Washington  (1731-1802)

American First Lady; wife of President George Washington

(Photo by Ryan McGuire)

National Tell the Truth Day

“No matter what you believe it doesn’t change the facts.”

— Rev. Alvin Louis “Al” Kersha (1919 – 2001)

Episcopal clergy and jazz aficionado

Whew! This is the day dedicated to honesty and the rejection of manipulation and lying. It’s not always easy to be honest and open, but when we learn that every single day is like a clean, fresh sheet of paper, honesty with ourselves and others becomes easier. The truth may not always be comfortable, nor pleasant. So, perhaps a dose of self-forgiveness is also helpful today. Let’s not be too hard on ourselves. Let’s just continually work to do better… today and on each new day with which we are blessed.

(Photo by Gerd Altmann)

National Fried Chicken Day

Best Fried Chicken

Yummmmm…. This is the day to celebrate fried chicken the way you love it… whether deep or hot air fried, whether as wings, tenders, or traditional pieces, just do it!

Wait! Can we really make fried chicken at home that tastes like the best we’ve had at our favorite restaurant? Sure, even if we don’t have a restaurant-grade pressure cooker. It’s all about getting the crispy texture and flavors just the way you love it!

1 c buttermilk

1 lg egg, beaten

8 raw chicken pieces, such as split breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings

2 c all-purpose flour whisked with Herb & Spice Mix

Peanut or canola oil for frying

Whisk buttermilk and egg in large bowl. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat well; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour or more (but not more than 24 hours).

Combine flour, herbs, and spices in large, zip-top plastic bag. Set oven to 175ºF. Place a foil-lined baking sheet, topped with a wire cooling rack in the oven. Then heat 3” oil in large cast iron pan or Dutch oven to 350ºF. Place 1 chicken piece at a time in the seasoned flour, squeezing the bag to help mixture adhere. Then place the chicken on a piece of wax paper on a platter and repeat with remaining chicken pieces, keeping them in single layer and not touching each other. (For extra crispy-style chicken, dip breaded chicken in milk again and give it a second breading.) Add only 2-3 pieces of the same type of chicken pieces to hot oil and let cook 6 min per side, turning occasionally till golden brown. Use slotted spoon to remove chicken to the wire rack and keep in the warmed oven while repeating with remaining chicken, allowing oil to return to 350ºF before adding more chicken. Allow the cooked chicken to rest in the 175ºF oven for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Tips: If your breading has difficulty adhering to the chicken in the hot oil, try letting it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before frying. If you are aiming for the extra-crispy style, then open frying works better than a pressure cooker.

Herb & Spice Mix

We may not know the Colonel’s precise 11-seasoning blend, but we can sure come close! Give it a try, and then adjust to suit your preference.

4 T paprika

3 T ground white pepper

2 T garlic salt

1 T each: black pepper, celery salt, dry mustard, ground ginger

2 tsp salt

1½ tsp each: dried basil, dried thyme

1 tsp ground oregano

National Apple Turnover Day

Time for another Super Simple recipe!

Apple Turnovers

These are delightful with various fillings… cherries, strawberries & rhubarb, blueberries, custards, cheese, or even chocolate with or without nuts. As this is National Apple Turnover Day, we’ll stick with apples.

1 lb puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed in refrigerator overnight

1 T flour (for dusting)

3 lg Granny Smith apples (or combo with McIntosh), peeled, cored, and diced

1 T butter

¼ c brown sugar (or golden monk fruit or Stevia type, as you prefer)

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp each: ground nutmeg, ground cloves, & salt

1 egg, beaten with 1 T water

Optional Glaze:

½ c confectioners’ style sugar (or sweetener)

1-2 T heavy cream

Melt butter over med heat in large pot; sauté apples, stirring occasionally for about 5 min. Reduce heat to low and stir in brown sugar and seasonings; let simmer 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temp. Use a rolling pin to roll 1 sheet of pastry into an 11” square; use pizza wheel to cut into 4 squares. Divide half the apple mixture among the 4 squares, spreading over a triangular shape (rather than rectangular), but leaving at least ½“ of pastry exposed around the filled edges. Lightly brush egg wash on edges of pastry and fold side with no filling over the apples, forming a triangle; press edges together to seal (or crimp with a fork, if desired). Repeat with remaining pastry and apples. Refrigerate, uncovered for 20 minutes before baking (or freeze in single layer on baking sheet & then store in airtight plastic bags). To bake, place at least 1” apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash and bake 20-22 minutes (23-25 minutes if frozen) in oven preheated to 400ºF till golden and puffy. Meanwhile, stir confectioners’ sugar and cream together. Drizzle over warm (but not piping hot) turnovers. Makes 8 turnovers. (And yes, if you prefer less sweetness as I do, you can skip the glaze drizzle altogether.)

Tip: If you like, add ¼ c raisins and/or 2-3 T chopped walnuts or pecans to the apples.

Independence Day

We have heard it said, but in our comfortable human way, we tend to forget that freedom is never free.

“Give me liberty or give me death.”

— Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799)

Political orator & American founding father

(Photo by Dimitri Vetsikas)

Disobedience Day

Although sometimes seeming almost carnivalesque, subversion has turned the wheels of history… bloody revolutions, flower power, the rebelliousness of rock ‘n roll, or just standing up for the underdog. It’s all about non-violent protests of issues, laws, or causes perceived as unjust. Not an excuse to rail against “The Man,” but to stand up for yourself or someone else.

 

(Photo by Tom Mellom)

 

World UFO Day

Ah, yes…. On this day in 1947, the great Roswell incident took place. We are left with a question… to classify or declassify?

(Photo by Michael Herren)

Impossible Things Are Happening!

 

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

— Walt Disney (1901-1966)

American entrepreneur and cartoonist

Sir Ronald and I have been most honored in our lives to meet some phenomenal artists. Graham Denison is one of the greats. Even more impressive is the fact that he is an amazing person. Back in his early days as an artist, he worked as a Disney cartoonist…. And MINNIE MICKEY © Disney. 20” X 20”, this recent original 20”x20” acrylic painting of his gives us a smile as he reflects on his professional beginnings. Check out his website DenisonArt.com and see (or purchase) an amazingly timeless work of original art. Thank you Graham! And keep on keepin’ on!!!!!

(Painting by Graham Denison   https://denisonart.com/)

Wisdom

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.    My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”

— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

American statesman; 16th President: 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War

(Photo by Caleb Fisher)

Choices

 

 

“I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it’s only a choice of attitude.”

— Judith M. Knowlton

American Author

 

(Photo by Damian Siodlok)