Sunday, February 12, 2012

A Perfect Galley Style Kitchen


This larger than normal galley kitchen had me at no upper cabinets. I want to watch the Grammys tonight but just to see Adele who is nominated for 6 Grammy Awards. I'll probably watch it until Downton Abbey starts and record the rest. DA is two hours long tonight (hope I can stay awake) and the last show of Season 2 is next Sunday. Boo Hoo. image source

Sweet Potato Patties w/ Sour Cream and Chipotle Black Bean Salsa

Sweet Potato Cakes with Sour Cream and Chipotle Black Bean Salsa
via Lisa is Cooking
For the sweet potato patties: (Makes 34 small cakes)
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 green onions, both white and green parts, finely chopped
4-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4-6 tablespoons butter

-Steam the sweet potato chunks for 15-20 minutes until completely tender, and then transfer to a colander and allow to drain until dry.
- Once very dry, place sweet potato chunks in a large mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher to break up chunks. Add flour and finely chopped green onions, and mix with your hands to form a smooth batter. Using your hands here is best so that it doesn’t become over mixed. In a food processor, the sweet potato mixture could quickly become gummy. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Once the mixture is smooth, and the flour and green onions are mixed in, you’re ready to fry. Note: the mixture should be sticky but not wet, so more flour may be needed.
- In a non-stick skillet, heat two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and two tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Form round, flat cakes from about two tablespoons of batter per cake, and fry four or five at a time for three minutes per side until golden. Transfer finished cakes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain and cool. Add more oil and butter to pan between batches as needed, and continue frying a few cakes at a time until all are ready for their toppings.

For the black bean salsa:
1 16 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 small, yellow bell pepper, small diced
¼ cup finely minced red onion
¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
¼ teaspoon salt

-Combine all salsa ingredients, starting with one chipotle, in a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste for chipotle heat and add more if desired, and taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Salsa can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

To assemble for serving:
½ cup sour cream

- Place sweet potato cakes on a serving platter and add a small dollop of sour cream to each. Top sour cream with a small spoonful of black bean salsa, and enjoy.

I wish I had a plateful of these right now. Yum.

Meet The REAL Jane Austen


I know that many of you reading this are fans so prepare to be amazed - as this portrait is said to be a recently discovered portrait of Jane Austen. I'm going to let Mary Jenkins from Wales tell you the rest of this fascinating story.
Read the Jane Austen scholar's story here as reported in The Guardian. She owns this portrait. 

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Have a Fun Weekend


Try some new things like teaching a kitten how to drink milk from a saucer. via

Bathing Nook


This is so beautiful. I love the paneled tub surround in this perfect tub nook and the round window too. I have always preferred a soaking tub to one with jets. Have a great weekend with a long soak ans a good book if possible. via Birch and Lily.

Friday, February 10, 2012

French Postal Desk circa 1930


This is great, isn't it? Except for the $2,895. price tag. via

Cupcakes and Tea in Mother Rabbit's Kitchen


I love this painting by Susan Wheeler. I've always been fascinated by animals and how they live and decorate their homes in the fantasy world. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Mini S'mores Hand Pies Recipes

Mini S'mores Hand Pies Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:
1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (8 graham cracker squares, finely crushed)
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
1/2 cup marshmallow creme
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (1 oz)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.

2. Unroll pie crusts. With 3-inch round cutter, cut 10 rounds from each crust. In small shallow bowl, mix cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Brush both sides of pie crust rounds with butter; dip into crumb mixture to coat.

3. Place 10 coated pie crust rounds on cookie sheet. Stir together filling ingredients. Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon filling in center of each of the 10 rounds. Place remaining pie crust rounds on top of the filling on each. Pinch edges to seal.

4. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store covered in refrigerator.
Recipe found @ Betty Crocker Recipes on Flickr. They certainly do look delicious, don't they?