30 in 30: Blackened Salmon Sandwich w/ Ginger Mayo

Blackened Salmon Sandwich w/ Ginger Mayo

Makes 4 Sandwiches

2 filets blackened salmon, cooked to preferred doneness (I prefer medium).  FYI: Sam's carries excellent Blackened Salmon!

Cool.  Place in mixing bowl and flake apart with fork.  

Ginger Mayo:

1/4 c. Sour Cream

1/4 c. Real Mayonnaise

6 pieces mandarin orange, chopped

1 t. minced garlic

4 splashes fish sauce

1-2 T. chopped crystallized ginger (I prefer 2T, but it's strong!)

2 T. soy sauce

1 T. Splenda

Add to salmon and mix well.  Pile onto cooked and cooled Sister Schubert's rolls.  

Pair with Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Potato Chips for a perfect lunch.

30 in 30: Toasts w/ Raclette & Marcona Almonds

Appetizer Toasts w/ Raclette & 

Rosemary Marcona Almonds

Slice SS rolls in half (1 roll for every 8 bite-size servings you want).  Place on baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until crisp.

Let cool slightly, then quarter each 1/2 roll, so that you have a total of 8 appetizer-size pieces per roll.

Layer each with a slice of Raclette - a mild, buttery, cow's milk cheese from Switzerland - then place back in oven for 3-4 minutes, just enough to soften cheese.

Remove from oven and sink 3-4 Marcona Almonds with Rosemary (Trader Joes) into the softened cheese. (Btw, the melting isn't necessary, but it helps hold the almonds in place, making these appetizers easier for guests to handle.)

From the Woolworth Tower

A beauty from Sara Teasdale:

From the Woolworth Tower by Sara Teasdale

Vivid with love, eager for greater beauty Out of the night we come Into the corridor, brilliant and warm. A metal door slides open, And the lift receives us. Swiftly, with sharp unswerving flight The car shoots upward, And the air, swirling and angry, Howls like a hundred devils. Past the maze of trim bronze doors, Steadily we ascend. I cling to you Conscious of the chasm under us, And a terrible whirring deafens my ears. The flight is ended. We pass thru a door leading onto the ledge-- Wind, night and space Oh terrible height Why have we sought you? Oh bitter wind with icy invisible wings Why do you beat us? Why would you bear us away? We look thru the miles of air, The cold blue miles between us and the city, Over the edge of eternity we look On all the lights, A thousand times more numerous than the stars; Oh lines and loops of light in unwound chains That mark for miles and miles The vast black mazy cobweb of the streets; Near us clusters and splashes of living gold That change far off to bluish steel Where the fragile lights on the Jersey shore Tremble like drops of wind-stirred dew. The strident noises of the city Floating up to us Are hallowed into whispers. Ferries cross thru the darkness Weaving a golden thread into the night, Their whistles weird shadows of sound. We feel the millions of humanity beneath us,-- The warm millions, moving under the roofs, Consumed by their own desires; Preparing food, Sobbing alone in a garret, With burning eyes bending over a needle, Aimlessly reading the evening paper, Dancing in the naked light of the cafe, Laying out the dead, Bringing a child to birth-- The sorrow, the torpor, the bitterness, the frail joy Come up to us Like a cold fog wrapping us round. Oh in a hundred years Not one of these blood-warm bodies But will be worthless as clay. The anguish, the torpor, the toil Will have passed to other millions Consumed by the same desires. Ages will come and go, Darkness will blot the lights And the tower will be laid on the earth. The sea will remain Black and unchanging, The stars will look down Brilliant and unconcerned. Beloved, Tho' sorrow, futility, defeat Surround us, They cannot bear us down. Here on the abyss of eternity Love has crowned us For a moment Victors.

30 in 30: Breakfast Sandwich

As with any breakfast sandwich, you can tailor this to your personal tastes by using scrambled eggs instead of fried; bacon or ham instead of sausage; and a favorite gourmet cheese, if you so desire.  But here is the standard morning sandwich that my boys love:

Breakfast Sandwich

(this is a stock photo, not my own)

Heat Sister Schubert's rolls according to package instructions.

Pat out and fry a sausage patty big enough to cover the roll...Jimmy Dean Regular is our favorite.  While second side of sausage is frying, place slice of colby-jack cheese on the already cooked side to melt.

Fry one egg until center is set but soft.

Place cheese-encrusted sausage, and fried egg on the hot SS roll.  

Throw on a paper plate and rush out the door, eating on your way to school.  

Well...maybe that last part isn't necessary, but that's the way we always do it!  I'm convinced it tastes better that way!

Wordsmith Wednesday

I don't resonate with something...it resonates with me.  Do you see that there is a difference?

Resonate comes from the Latin word resonare which means "to make a prolonged or echoing sound" or literally to "sound again."  Its English dictionary definition is   to strike a chord with.  When something strikes a chord with me, it resonates with me...I don't resonate with it.

I resonate with your words. NO

Your words resonate with me.  YES

The first means that I struck a chord with your words.  But that's not possible.

The second means that your words struck a chord inside me.  Now THAT makes sense.

The source that produces the response is the thing that resonates...while the thing that experiences the response does not DO the resonating.  Am I right about this?  An articulate explanation eludes me.  Aaargh.

I know there must be a more technical explanation, I just can't come up with it.  It has something to do with agent/action OR cause/effect...something like that.  It's a matter of logic.

All I know for certain is that I hear this being misused more and more often and decided it was time to set the world straight.  Well...at least my 4 regular readers, anyway. 

Do you resonate with this?  I mean...does this resonate with you?  Feel free to enlighten me with legitimate documentation that explains whether I am right or wrong and WHY!!

30 in 30: Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake

Slice Sister Schubert's rolls in half (one whole roll for every 2 shortcake servings).  Soak each piece in melted butter, then dredge in granulated sugar.  

Bake slices at 350 degrees for 8 minutes, then broil for an additional 3-4, until golden brown.

Whip heavy cream & Splenda until fairly stiff - 1/2 c. cream and 1-2 T. Splenda per serving. 

If strawberries are not especially sweet, I douse them with Splenda about 30 minutes before serving.  

To serve: place shortbread on serving dish; throw on a hefty glob of whipped cream; smother with fresh strawberries! 

Happy summer eating!

30 in 30: Creamy French Onion Soup

Creamy French Onion Soup

Serves 4

Saute on Med-High for 10 minutes:
2 c. yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 T. oil

2 T. butter

Add and saute for an additional 20 minutes:

2 t. sugar

Stir often, until onions are a deep caramel brown.

Incorporate the following, one ingredient at a time:

2 T. flour

1/4 c. ruby port (Best choice: Mount Pleasant)

1 t. beef stock base

1 t. chicken stock base

1 t. veg stock base

1 beef bouillon cube

1 chicken bouillon cube

2 c. water

Bring to boil for 10 minutes.  Add:

1 c. heavy cream

Salt & Pepper to taste, if needed
OR, if it's not salty enough for your taste, add another beef bouillon cube

Slice 2 Sister Schubert's rolls in half.  Toast in oven at 350 for 10 minutes, until crisp.

Ladle broth into oven-proof soup bowls.  Lay a slice of toasted bread on top of each.

Sprinkle each bowl generously with Gruyere cheese - about 1/4 c. each

Place bowls on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Broil on high for an additional 2-3 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and slightly browned.

Serve this  for lunch or as a first course for dinner with a glass of ice cold Gewurztraminer.

I Love You the Purplest

I loved reading this book to my boys when they were young.  I'm certain it meant much more to me than it did to them at the time.  

In this story, the mother of two boys with very different personalities - one calm, careful and BLUE...the other fiery, impulsive and RED - attempts to communicate that she loves both of them and sees the strengths in each.  She loves each of them according to their personalities.  Together, she loves them the purplest.   


If you happen to have 2 boys, you'll probably like this as much as I do.

30 in 30: Carmelized BLT

I gotta warn you.  This may be the most fabulously delicious thing I've ever eaten in my life.  If you are prone to addictions, I recommend that you NOT try this.

  

Caramelized BLT 

(AKA: Lunchtime Heroine)

Caramelized Bacon:

Make a foil liner-pan to cover your cookie sheet (a single piece of foil with the sides and ends folded up so that the grease and caramel don't drip into your oven).

Place a single layer of bacon on lined cookie sheet.  Cover bacon with brown sugar, about 1/4" deep. (2 slices per sandwich)

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes.  I know that is a wide range, but the timing can vary significantly for each batch of bacon.  Check it early and often, because it can go from slightly underdone to burned in a very short time!

Sandwich

For each sandwich, heat a Sister Schubert's roll according to package directions.

Slice open.  Spread mayo on one half and your favorite Italian dressing on the other.  (My personal favorite is Good Seasons Italian packet made with Balsamic vinegar.)

Layer with lettuce, a fresh slice of tomato, and 2 slices of carmelized bacon, folded or broken in half to "fit." 

Eat...and try not to die from the rush of ecstasy. 

Musical Monday: The O-needers

Here are a couple of happy songs from one of my all-time favorite movies, That Thing You Do (written and directed by Tom Hanks):

Sorry the sound quality isn't stellar, but this is all I could find!

Name That Flower

30 in 30: Browned Butter French Toast

There is nothing unique about this recipe...just  standard French Toast...only better with Sister Schubert's rolls and browned butter!

Browned Butter French Toast

In a small bowl, whip together:

3 eggs

1/4 c. heavy cream

1 t. cinnamon

Melt 3 T. butter in frying pan on med-high heat...let butter brown slightly.  

Slice 5 rolls in half.  Dip each half in egg mixture, then fry on each side until golden and crisp.  Transfer to a baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  (This step isn't necessary, but I do it because I prefer my French Toast crunchy, not soft.)

Top with copious amounts of butter and powdered sugar...or your favorite syrup. 

30 in 30: Basil Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Basil Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Slice thawed Sister Schubert's rolls in half (1 per person).

Spread each half with butter and some minced garlic.  Sprinkle with coarse-ground salt and pepper.

Layer a basil leaf (whole or chopped, your preference) on top of butter and garlic.

Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes.  Broil on high for an additional 2-3, until parmesan is completely melted and lightly browned.

30 in 30: Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

6 Sister Schubert's rolls - cut into 1/2" cubes and layered in a 9x13 baking dish

Custard

Blend in food processor:

2 med bananas

4 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 t. cinnamon

2 T. vanilla

1/2 c. rum

2 1/2 c. heavy cream

Pour over bread cubes and let soak for 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until top is lightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean.  

Caramel Sauce

In saucepan on Med-High heat, whisk together:

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

When fully incorporated, add and blend:

2/3 c. cream

6 T. rum (optional - I prefer the sauce without the rum, but that's just me - use more cream if you eliminate the rum)

1 t. cinnamon

Just before serving, add to caramel sauce:

3-4 med bananas

1 1/2 c. pecans

Spoon hot bread pudding onto serving plates, then bury under a mountain of Caramel Sauce.

30 in 30: Cucumber-Dill Bites

Cucumber-Dill Bites

Slice a Sister Schubert's roll in half.  Quarter each half (you should end up with 8 pieces).  Bake at 250 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until bread is toasted and crisp.  Let cool.

Blend together:

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 T. fresh dill

Squeeze of lime juice

1 T. splenda

Spread generously onto toasts.  Top each with a cucumber slice.  Sprinkle with coarse ground salt & pepper.

VARIATION:  use fresh mint instead of dill, or a combination of both dill and mint!  

Wordsmith Wednesday

Root:


monstro (v) Latin - to show, to point out

Derivatives:

demonstrate (v)
demonstration (n)
demonstrational (adj)
demonstrator (n)
demonstrable (adj)
demonstrability (n)
demonstrative (n) (adj)
demonstrativeness (n)

30 in 30: Caramel Breakfast Rolls

Caramel Breakfast Rolls

In a saucepan over medium-high heat:

Melt 1/2 c. butter

Whisk in:

1/2 c. brown sugar

Bring to a boil until mixture is fully incorporated and a light caramel color.

Pour into 9x13 baking pan.  OPTIONAL: sprinkle a layer of pecans over the caramel.

Smear top of each Sister Schubert's Roll (9-12) with butter and place bottom-down in pan.  

Sprinkle top of rolls generously with Cinnamon-Sugar mixture. (your usual mix...OR, about 1 c. sugar to 2 T. cinnamon)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.  Make sure you scoop out the caramel/toffee from the pan and spoon over the rolls. 

These are a perpetual hit with teenaged boys.  Guaranteed coolest mom on the block when you make these!!

Grati-Tuesday

Giving thanks today that little Ruby Mae LeCroy is still in utero and that her Momma's blood pressure is holding relatively steady.

30 in 30: Gooey Butter Cake

Gooey Butter Cake is a traditional St. Louis recipe, so some will be appalled that I have hijacked the standard recipe and adapted it using Sister Schubert's rolls!   This base is slightly less-sweet than the variety that uses a cake mix for the dough, but retains a sweetness similar to the yeast dough base.  I liked it.  Give it a try and see what YOU think.

Gooey Butter Cake

Dough

In a food processor, process until crumbly:

6 Sister Schubert's rolls

Add and blend:

1/2 c. butter

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

1 t. salt

Press dough into lightly buttered 9x13 baking pan.

Filling

Combine thoroughly in mixing bowl:

8 oz. softened cream cheese

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. butter

3 3/4 c. powdered sugar

Pour over dough in 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes, until top is cracked and golden and center is set.