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Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

27 May 2013

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Peace Upon The Land



Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Peace Upon The Land - A Memorial Day poem to honor ourselves. All of us need to work together to pressure world governments for Peace.  It's past due time for the violence to end in modern societies.

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  - see what's new!  

08 March 2013

Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Jambalaya For A Crowd

Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Jambalaya For A Crowd: From Denny:  Need an easy recipe for a crowd during Mardi Gras season?  Chef John Besh of New Orleans paired with Zatarain's to create this faster version of jambalaya using Zatarain's Dirty Rice mix.  In fact, the famous chef has a lot of great recipes on their site.

What makes jambalaya so tasty is the browning of the chicken and andouille sausage, mixing in the veggies like celery and onion, some liquid (some people like to use chicken stock in place of water) and then the rice to cook in all those tasty seasonings and juices.

It's a fabulous one-pot meal that is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.




Funny Friday Weekend iPhone 5 Case


Tell the world how you really feel about coming back to work

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new! 

14 February 2013

Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Jambalaya For A Crowd


Comfort Food From Louisiana: New Orleans Chef Recipe: Jambalaya For A Crowd: From Denny:  Need an easy recipe for a crowd during Mardi Gras season?  Chef John Besh of New Orleans paired with Zatarain's to create this faster version of jambalaya using Zatarain's Dirty Rice mix.  In fact, the famous chef has a lot of great recipes on their site.

What makes jambalaya so tasty is the browning of the chicken and andouille sausage, mixing in the veggies like celery and onion, some liquid (some people like to use chicken stock in place of water) and then the rice to cook in all those tasty seasonings and juices.

It's a fabulous one-pot meal that is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.


Funny Friday Weekend iPhone 5 Case


Tell the world how you really feel about coming back to work

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  


21 December 2011

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Check Out Christmas Posts: Funny, Music, Cartoons, Quotes, Recipes, Poems, Stories


Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Check Out Christmas Posts: Funny, Music, Cartoons, Quotes, Recipes, Poems, Stories: From Denny:  Check out so many Christmas themed posts that you will pig out like it is a holiday feast.

I've been blogging for three years now and have found loads of Christmas music of all genres - and still adding.  Interesting food to enjoy along with Christmas humor to keep you laughing as well as munching through your busy holidays.

This year I'm adding more Christmas stories and poems, the classics.  Every year there are new recipes to try so the holiday food train just keeps on rolling!
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23 April 2011

From Chef Mario Batali: Grilled Easter Lamb, Pasta, Cheese Dishes

Cooked to perfection - another version of grilled lamb


From Denny: Chef Mario Batali is rolling out a simple easy to do Easter dinner. He is also rolling out a new TV show in September of this year where he and a few friends discuss food and pop culture. It sounded like the name of this new show is "The Chew." If it's as good as his serial food show he and Mark Bittman and Gwyneth Paltrow did on Spain it should be a joy to watch - and learn.

On the Good Morning America set Chef Batali treated us to an Italian style Easter meal where the Italians love to celebrate the food of the season. If you enjoy potatoes as much as cheesy pasta, then his Pastiera dish is for you. Even vegetarians can enjoy this meal for the side dishes with cheese and eggs.

As usual Chef Mario has everything simplified so you can enjoy your holiday. Take a look at this wonderful grilled lamb dish.

Recipes Featured:

Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary and Mint

Agnolotti Alla Primavera
Asparagus Milanese
Pastiera








Mario Batali's Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary and Mint

From: Mario Batali
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Cook Time: 30-60 min

From Mario: The vin santo in the marinade helps the meat develop a tasty char on the outside, like a steak. Cook it medium-rare, or even
medium; unlike a butterflied beef tenderloin. For example, a
butterflied leg of lamb always has some thicker and some thinner
parts, which is actually a good thing—it means that when the meat
is cooked, there will be something for everyone, some
medium-rare, some medium, some a bit more done.


Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vin santo
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
18 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed a bit with the side of a
heavy knife
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
One 4 1/2 to 5-pound boneless leg of lamb, butterflied and trimmed
of excess fat (or one 7- to 8 pound bone-in leg, boned,
butterflied, and trimmed)
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves


Directions:

Combine the olive oil, vin santo, mint, 6 of the garlic cloves,
the salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

Make 12 small incisions in the fatty side of the lamb and insert
one of the remaining bashed garlic cloves and some of the
rosemary into each slit. Put the lamb in a large baking dish and
pour the marinade over, turning to coat. Let stand at cool room
temperature for 1 hour, or cover and refrigerate for at least 12
hours, or overnight; turn the lamb occasionally as it marinates.

If the lamb has been in the refrigerator, bring it to room temperature. Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.

Remove the lamb from the marinade, draining it well, and pat dry. Pour the marinade into a small bowl. Place the lamb on the grill and cook, basting several times with the reserved marinade, for 10 to 12 minutes, until well charred on the first side. Turn and cook, basting several more times, for 10 to 12 minutes longer, or until well charred on the second side; the internal temperature should register 130°F for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Carve the lamb into 1/4-inch-thick slices and serve immediately







Agnolotti Alla Primavera

A Deliciously Cheesy Dish

From: Mario Batali
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Cook Time: 30-60 min

From Mario: This is a versitile dish. If you do not want to make agnolotti from scratch, you may substitute 1 pound of prepared stuffed pasta from your favorite high-quality purveyor, such as "Eataly."

Ingredients:

10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium Spanish onion, cut into 1/8-inch dice
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Fontina cheese
9 tablespoons fresh goat cheese
3 tablespoons fresh marjoram leaves
3/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley
3/4 cup teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1 recipe basic pasta dough, rolled to thinnest setting on pasta machine
6 quarts low-sodium chicken broth, homemade preffered
1 bunch fresh ramps, trimmed and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Directions:

Bring 6 quarts of chicken broth to a boil and add about 2 tablespoons salt.

In a 12- to 14-inch sauté pan, heat 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat until the forma subsides. Add the onion and cook until soft and golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool. Stir in the cheeses, marjoram, parsley, and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper.

To form the agnolotti, drop heaping teaspoons of filling down one side of each pasta sheet at 3-inch intervals. Fold the pasta over the filling, pressing the dough flat between the lumps of filling. Using a pastry cutter, cut half-moons using the fold as the flat side of the moon.

Drop the agnolotti into the boiling chicken broth and simmer rapidly until tender.

Meanwhile, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter with the ramps in a 12- to 14-inch sauté pan and cook 2 minutes until softened. Drain agnolotti and add to the pan. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano and toss over medium heat to coat.

Serve immediately.







Asparagus Milanese

From: Mario Batali
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Cook Time: 1-30 min

When the asparagus crops first come in April this is one of the most popular dishes to celebrate the freshness of Spring. The Italians think of biting into the runny yolk of the egg as a symbolic reminder of Spring's delicious vitality we almost forget over a long and cold winter.


Ingredients:

28 medium asparagus spears
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

Bring about 4 quarts of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Trim the hard ends of the asparagus spears and drop the spears into the water. Cook 70 seconds. Remove with tongs and refresh in the ice bath. Drain and set aside.

In a 10- to 12-inch sauté pan, slowly heat 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat until very dark brown. Add the asparagus and toss until heated through.

Divide the asparagus among 4 plates. Wipe out the sauté pan with a paper towel and add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. When the foam subsides, crack the eggs into the pan and cook sunny side up, about 2 minutes. Place 1 egg over each portion, sprinkle with cheese, and serve.







Pastiera

A cheesy warm potato dish Easter tradition in Italy

From: Mario Batali
Servings: 4
Difficulty:
Easy
Cook Time: 30-60 min

"Are you looking for a different potato dish for your Easter dinner? Try Mario Batali's Pastiera, it's easy and tasty." - Good Morning America

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons pomace olive oil
4 pounds potatoes, washed and peeled
1/2 cup plus 1-1/2 cups breadcrumbs
2 bunches chopped fresh parsley to yield 1/2 cup
1/4 cup virgin olive oil
1 cup grated pecorino

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a 2 to 3 quart earthenware casserole with 2-inch to 3-inch sides, smear 4 tablespoons olive oil to cover.

Slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick and toss in a mixing bowl with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and season well with salt and pepper. Mix remaining breadcrumbs with parsley, oil and pecorino. Put one layer of potatoes and breadcrumbs on bottom and sprinkle with 3 to 4 tablespoons breadcrumb and cheese mixture. Continue layering until dish is full and top with remaining breadcrumb-cheese mixture. Place in oven and cook 1 hour, or until potatoes are very soft and top is golden brown.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

Romancing The Chocolate - chocolate recipes and more food
Comfort Food From Louisiana - Cajun, Creole, New Orleans and more comfort food
Unusual 2 Tasty - different twists on favorite foods, international food too
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd - more crazy humor
Dennys Blog Feeds - what is posting on all the blogs at a glance
Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts Food - an online newspaper

16 December 2010

17 Christmas Music and Fun Videos

Enjoy some popular and traditional sacred music for the Christmas season, along with some funny holiday flash mob videos.




From Denny: A person could spend a lifetime sifting through all the offerings over at YouTube and be happy. What fun to explore, looking for interesting Christmas music to fit a wide variety of reader interests.

Here are the offerings I've gleaned for this year. The first song, YouTube sudden viral hit, is from a newcomer, Becky Kelley, whose father wrote the song after Becky related a conversation from her nephew while they were standing in line to see Santa at the mall.  It's their first published song, a real shock to the music industry who came asking for more of their work.  I guess they had better get busy. :)

And now you have plenty here to help you stress down from  the holiday rush, make you laugh, and even get you pumped back up feeling inspired.


Music Video: Wheres The Line To See Jesus? by Becky Kelley - Check out the newest addition to Christmas music this season born out of a true story - and a YouTube viral hit.

Music Video: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken - When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

Music Video: Pie Jesu by Celtic Woman - Learn the meaning and history of this traditional song, Pie Jesu, which hails from ancient Christianity, rearranged by composers throughout the centuries.

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban






Music Video: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: The Christmas Shoes

Music Video: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

Music Video: Christmas Tree by Lady Gaga

Music Video: The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

Music Video: Michael Buble, Jennifer Hudson Christmas Duet - Christmas music for everyone to enjoy.

Funny Flash Mob Video: Dancing Elf Horde Invades New York City - Get into the holiday spirit with a dance flash mob horde of Santa Christmas elves making mischief in NYC.

Music Video: Christmas Carol Flash Mob Sarcastic British Style - Hear The 12 Days of Christmas like you never heard it before.

Funny Video: NYC Folate Carolers Flash Mob Sings Christmas - Funny and clever singing and dancing takes New Yorkers by happy surprise during Christmas season.

36 Christmas Posts: Music, Humor, Poems, Stories, Quotes - Explore a bonanza of Christmas offerings from music to humor to quotes to food and lots of good stories - and poems, both original and traditions from the past.



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

15 January 2009

Recipe: How To Make Chocolate Apples






How To Make Chocolate Apples - Now here's something we all should have thought of and didn't: Chocolate covered apples for Halloween or any time! So glad I ran across this wonderful recipe on HubPages.

Will set about converting the English measures to American. For those of you who already know how, enjoy this simple piece of chocolate heaven!

Update: here are the conversions

150 grams of dark chocolate = 5 1/4 oz. (oh, heck! just use 6 scant ounces!)

100 grams milk chocolate = 3 1/2 oz. (4 oz. sounds good to me!)

20 grams butter = 1 1/4 Tablespoons

Now that wasn't so bad now was it? To our British friends, thanks!

06 December 2008

Poem by CJ Beige



Photo by RIPizzo @ flickr








Since it's the Christmas season and I absolutely LOVE the holiday season - here's a lovely poem by a friend of mine. He is a trucker who travels America.

While he's driving he composes wonderful poetry in his head, most of it is love poetry to his beautiful wife. What woman would not love to be immortalized in poetry?

After reading my article We Believe In Santa he was inspired to write his answer in poetry form. My fellow poets are such fun!

***

Santa's Love



Santa's like the wise men,
He's dad and mother too,
He's your friend and neighbor,
And someone that's there for you.

He's your pal and buddy,
And your confidante you see,
He's on every corner,
Every home is where he'll be.

He wants to see you happy,
‘Cause he gives the gift of love,
He gives it from his heart of gold,
And from the Lord above.

Three wise men honored Jesus,
The night that was His birth,
They honored Him with gifts because
The wise men knew His worth.

Santa's truly in our heart,
With every gift we give,
Santa's love just like the Lord’s,
Forever they will live.

C.J.Beige (John)
Copyright 26 November 2008
All Rights Reserved

Poem by CJ Beige






Photo by Jerry @ flickr





Since it's the Christmas season and I absolutely LOVE the holiday season - here's a lovely poem by a friend of mine. He is a trucker who travels America.

While he's driving he composes wonderful poetry in his head, most of it is love poetry to his beautiful wife. What woman would not love to be immortalized in poetry?

After reading my article We Believe In Santa he was inspired to write his answer in poetry form. My fellow poets are such fun!

***

Santa's Love


Santa's like the wise men,
He's dad and mother too,
He's your friend and neighbor,
And someone that's there for you.

He's your pal and buddy,
And your confidante you see,
He's on every corner,
Every home is where he'll be.

He wants to see you happy,
‘Cause he gives the gift of love,
He gives it from his heart of gold,
And from the Lord above.

Three wise men honored Jesus,
The night that was His birth,
They honored Him with gifts because
The wise men knew His worth.

Santa's truly in our heart,
With every gift we give,
Santa's love just like the Lord’s,
Forever they will live.

C.J. Beige (John)
Copyright 26 November 2008
All Rights Reserved

26 November 2008

We Believe In Santa





We Believe In Santa - great fun article with loads and loads of Santa photos from the great photography enthusiasts over at flickr. You can join for free the We Believe In Santa worldwide fan club and spread some goodwill this season!

Photo by Weaselmcfee @ flickr
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