Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 19 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, science news, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: Am I'm busy playing "catch up" with all these posts in draft form - after 10 days off line, changing internet providers. :) Hope everyone had a great weekend!


The Social Poets:

Economy, World Politics, BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists think this week about the American economy, world and American politics and villainous BP's oil spill aftermath.

Waking The Day poem - Libations Friday 17 Sept 2010 - When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.

Obamas Popularity, Polls Roundup of American Opinion - 16 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's polling of Americans from the President's approval rating, tax cuts, anti-Muslim feelings to frustration with our politicians.

Good Move, Mr. Prez: Safeguarding The Gulf on Oil Production - Today the President took new measures to watch dog the oil and gas industry, increasing the safety of our environment.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 14 Sept 2010 - Catch up on the latest comedic musings and amusements from Colbert, Stewart and late night show jokes, funny video clips and newest cartoons before they post for the week at other sites.

Funny Video: Stewart Mocks Gov. Jan Brewer Fiasco, Wonders Why Dems Are Lame - One of the best political critics around, Jon Stewart wonders why the Democrats just can't seem to win against inept lying Republicans.

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Beck On His Restore Honor Rally - Only Colbert has the truthful tongue to whiplash Glenn Beck's bizarre arrogance with just the right touch of comedic art and campy irreverence.

Funny Video: Letterman and Olbermann Laugh at Republican 2012 Contenders - and Beck - Letterman and Olbermann suggest unlikely crazy Republican possibilities for the 2012 Presidential season.

Funny Video: Letterman Teases Obama For Frequent Vacations - Irreverent comic Letterman chides both Tiger Woods and Prez Obama for their ideas of relaxation.

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Mocks Florida Pastor Behind Planned Koran Bonfire - Comic Jon Stewart wasted no time in analyzing the Burn a Koran Day incident that had the entire world in an uproar from every religious corner.

Who Will Be Prez Obamas Next Chief of Staff? - Check out the leading contenders who can make or break the Democratic agenda.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 12 Sept 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.







Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


7 Thoughtful Quotes About The Future - Enjoy these reflections upon how we think about our future.

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day - Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.







Dennys Funny Quotes:


22 Funny Situational Hunh?! Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out the funny twisted minds of cartoonists as they envision various life situations.

Republican Tea Party of the Devil: Meet Satanist Christine ODonnell - Tea Party Delaware Senate nominee admits to practicing witchcraft and Satanism.








Visual Insights:


Koran Book Burning, September 11th Cartoons - 18 Sept 2010 - Check out what the nation's cartoonists had to say about the Burn a Koran Day call from a Florida pastor who eventually backed down from his threat.

Dennys Photo Gallery: Our Mysterious Moon - The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.







Dennys Food and Recipes:


5 Easy Game Day Recipes For A Barbecue - Simple crowd pleasing recipes, easy to make, for your successful tailgating on game day weekends.

Cake Tuesday: Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake - Check out what heavenly confection you can do with a simple cake mix.







The Soul Calendar:


Mapping Our Complex Brains: Human Connectome Project - Fascinating new project mapping the complex circuitry of our brains.


*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr



*** 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:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
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

5 Easy Game Day Recipes For A Barbecue

Simple crowd pleasing recipes, easy to make, for your successful tailgating on game day weekends.

From Denny: Our local newspaper, 2TheAdvocate, runs a stellar food section. After all, Louisiana people love to eat and live to eat. I guess it's that leftover "joy of life" French culture that has never waned over the centuries. Good food, comfort food, innovative food and lots of sweets are all part of the Louisiana culture.

And like any sports fan knows, LSU's Death Valley Stadium is the place to be for a crazy night of watching football. LSU Tiger fans are the most rabid in the nation. ESPN commentators love to come here as there is always plenty of action from the fans who are not shy, willing to mug for the TV cameras.

You should see some of the cooking rigs people bring to the games. It's amazing. They look like well equipped professional chefs' food trucks! Check out this simple menu of recipes to try for your next tailgating fun. The pasta shapes are new from this local pasta company, in honor of the New Orleans Saints. You can substitute another pasta shape for your recipe if you located in another part of the country. Hmmm... I wonder if the Green Bay Packers have their own "Cheese Heads" pasta shape...? :)


Recipes Featured:

Lou’s Barbecue Sandwiches
Cajun Crackers
Fleur de lis Pasta Salad
Fresina’s New Orleans Black & Gold Pasta
Toffee Bars




Lou’s Barbecue Sandwiches

From: Lou Staples

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs. stew meat, trimmed of fat
1-1/2 lbs. lean pork, cubed (she uses a tenderloin or loin), trimmed of fat
2 cups chopped onion
3 medium bell peppers, chopped
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1-1/2 to 2 tsps. salt or to taste
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsps. Worcestershire sauce
1 cup water
12-14 buns or rolls, sliced in half
Condiments optional:
Sliced red onions
Spicy mustard
Pickle slices


Directions:

Place all ingredients in heavy pot and cook, covered on medium heat for about 3 hours. Stir vigorously every now and then to partially shred meat. If mixture gets too thick or begins sticking, add more water

Serve on buns or rolls of your choice. You can offer sliced purple onions, pickle slices or mustard if desired.






Cajun Crackers

From: Dale Mouton

One box of saltines is about 160 crackers. Dale Mouton received this recipe from Dot Eleazar: “These are nice to serve if you’re having a glass of wine or beer.”

Ingredients:

1 (16-oz. box) premium saltine crackers
2 gallon size plastic zip lock bag OR 2 (1-gallon) size bags if necessary
1 (1.0-oz.) pkg. Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:

Remove crackers from their sleeve and place in large (2-gallon size) plastic bag OR 2 (1 gallon size). Set aside.

In small bowl, combine the dry Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix, oil and cayenne pepper. Stir until well blended.

Drizzle over crackers, stopping to turn bag of crackers over a couple of times while pouring. After adding all the oil, carefully turn the bag over several times and then several times during the day. Allow to sit overnight.

Fleur de lis Pasta Salad

From: Linda Fresina

Serves 6 to 8. This is a cold pasta dish.

Ingredients:

1 (12-oz.) box Fresina’s Fleur de lis Pasta, cooked al dente and drained
1 lb. boneless grilled chicken strips (or 1 lb. boiled and peeled shrimp)
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 to 2/3 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
1/3 jar spiced herb garlic cut in large pieces, found at Fresina’s
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped or julienned OR roasted yellow bell peppers to taste
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Yellow bell pepper ring, for garnish
Whole black pitted olives, for garnish
Yellow grape tomatoes, for garnish
Additional Romano cheese for garnish

Dressing:

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 tbl. Dijon mustard.


Directions:

Place salad ingredients in large salad bowl.

Whisk dressing ingredients together and toss with pasta.

Garnish top of salad with yellow bell pepper rings with whole black olives in the center. If available, place yellow grape tomato halves around outside rim of serving bowl. Add additional Romano cheese on top.

Fresina’s New Orleans Black & Gold Pasta

From: Fresina’s Pasta Co.

Serves: 6 to 8. The pasta can be served warm or cold.

Ingredients:

1 (12-oz.) box Fresina’s Fleur de lis Pasta
1 lb. Italian sausage
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 yellow bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
2 yellow squash, very thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 ozs. pitted black olives, sliced
1/3 to 1/2 jar Fresina’s White Bianco Pasta Dressing
Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated


Directions:

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (firm to the tooth). Drain and set aside.

Cook sausage in skillet starting with 1/4-inch water in the skillet, over medium heat. When all the water in skillet has evaporated, add the 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and continue cooking until sausage is cooked through and browned. Remove sausage when done and cut into thin slices.

Add garlic, onion and yellow bell pepper to same skillet and continue sautéing until crisp-tender. If necessary add a little more olive oil.

Add the sliced squash and cook slightly.

Gently toss in the sausage, olives, and fleur de lis pasta. Carefully, mix in the White Pasta Dressing, adding more if desired.
You can add black pepper or crushed red pepper for a little more “kick” — no pun(t) intended. Taste for seasoning, adding salt if needed.

Top with Pecorino Romano Cheese and serve warm.

Note: If you have to reheat, do not cook for a long time. You want to have it warm but not bubbly. The dressing will separate if you cook for an extended time at high heat. Reheating in the microwave for a short time is fine.




Toffee Bars

From: Heather Schaefer, “Notably Nashville” published by Junior League of Nashville, Tenn.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

15 whole graham crackers
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts (Schaefer uses pecans)
12 ozs. (2 cups) milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the graham crackers in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet.

Melt the butter in small saucepan and add the brown sugar and nuts. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Pour the hot mixture evenly over the graham crackers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let melt. Spread the soft chocolate over the toffee carefully.

Cool completely on a wire rack. Break into pieces.


*** All photos from 2theadvocate


*** 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:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
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

Cake Tuesday: Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake

Check out what heavenly confection you can do with a simple cake mix.

From Denny: We love lemon recipes at our house so when I came across this one you can imagine it caused quite a stir around here! There is something about the combination of cream cheese and lemon that is simply divine. Then add coconut to the mix and your taste buds are orbiting around the planet "formerly known as" Pluto.


Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake

From: Ellen Gilmore, published in 2theadvocate

Makes: 1 bundt cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

Yellow cake mix
3/4 cup apricot nectar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 capful almond extract

Filling:

2 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbls. lemon juice
1 cup flaked coconut

Glaze:

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 tbls. lemon juice
2 tbls. apricot nectar


Directions:

Mix cake ingredients. Beat as directed on cake package. Grease and lightly flour a bundt pan. Fill with cake batter.

Combine filling ingredients. Beat until smooth. Spoon filling onto top of batter in pan, being careful not to touch the sides of the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Finish cooling on a rack or plate.

Combine glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cooled cake.


*** Photo of bowl of lemons by Jill Clardy @ flickr


*** 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:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
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

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 12 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






From Denny: It's been a wild ride changing internet providers and I was off line for 10 days. I tell ya when you slow down to snail time it takes a while to gear back up to a fast pace. So, rather than try to catch up I've decided to round up what there is and not sweat what there isn't. Gee, can you tell I absorbed "Greek Time" when I visited Santorini several years ago? Greek Time is extremely slow, unhurried and a definite "I'll get around to it" attitude. :)



Recent Post Roundups:

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 15 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 8 Aug 2010



The Social Poets:

Who Will Be Prez Obamas Next Chief of Staff? - Check out the leading contenders who can make or break the Democratic agenda.

Middle East Peace, Koran Burning, Iraq War Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - The threatened burning of 200 Korans took center stage this week over the Middle East Peace process with the public and the cartoonists.

America and The Economy Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - America's economic sugar high is a rocky roller coaster ride that no one knows where it will go. Check out the latest cartoonist opinions.

The Understanding poem - Libations Friday 10 Sept 2010 - We build Peace in our lives a moment at a time - and this is a poem story of how it can start early in childhood as it did for me.

Call to Christians And Muslims Against Violence From Threat to Burn Koran - Phony Christian pastor incites international violence for threatening to burn the Koran.

Economy, America and World Politics Cartoons - 7 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's amusing cartoon commentary on our American politics.

Majority in Poll Say America Still Not Ready For Big Disasters - Our government has a long way to go to convince Americans it can handle large scale natural or man made disasters.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 23 Aug 2010 - Check out the latest jokes from late night comics this week, along with some of the most current cartoons and LOL funniest videos from the likes of Colbert and Stewart.

Funny Video: Stewart Rips Fox News Lies About Ground Zero Mosque - Comics have endless material ripped from true headlines, like Fox News creating controversy to keep from sinking lower in the news ratings.

Funny Video: Campy Bed Bug PSA - Leave it to Jon Stewart to ferret out the campiest PSA done on bedbugs.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

Ancient Healing Oil: Sandalwood - Modern technology life can be stressful and counter productive to spiritual growth. Try this essential oil to bring balance into your life.




Dennys Funny Quotes:

Prez Obama, Democrats, Trouble With Political Message Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - Cartoonists lampoon, and downright blast, the Democrats for doing a lousy job of getting out their message.

Funny Hunh?! Cartoons - 8 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's grinners to soothe your work week stress.

Funny Video: Bounty Mocks High School With Rap - Video: Bounty Brings It. Paper Towel Gang Keeps it Clean - great rap music video production for an ad.

Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010 - Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010




Visual Insights:

Dennys Photo Gallery: Swinging Good Fun! - Check out some wonderful photos from around the world validating how much we all have in common as children: we love to swing!

Arts: Fun Incredible Beach Art Photos - Check out the fun and funny creative designs for your latest version of the sand castle and sand art on your favorite beach.





Dennys Food and Recipes:


Celebrate: Yummy Southern Gulf Coast Shrimp and Crab Boil - Find out how easy it is to do your own shrimp and crab boil to celebrate the great seafood of the summer!


*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr (Brazil)


*** 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:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
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

Cake Tuesday: Super Sweet Heavenly Hash Cake

An easy to make rich chocolate, marshmallow and nuts candy formed to look like a cake. Great for holidays and gift giving!





From Denny: A Southern staple for sweet tooths - or a dentist's delight!

Louisiana is truly the Land of Seafood and Sweets (my term), so much so we are now the fattest state in America, a dubious honor for sure. My husband and I move away from Louisiana from time to time just to shake those extra pounds that are so easy to gain in this culture of eating and cooking and eating again! Because of the heat and humidity Louisiana is often an indoor culture except for the hardiest souls who hunt, fish, boat and water ski when the weather is accommodating.

New Orleans has to be the worst part of the state when it comes to a love affair with sugar - though folks in Alabama and Mississippi are Siamese sugar twins. The New Orleans culture revolves around sugar so much they would experience withdrawal symptoms if, Heaven forbid, sugar became a rarity. Trust me; they would cultivate something else like beets - or even worms if they thought it would work for their sugar - as these folks would simply not do without their sweet vice!

Heavenly hash “cake” is quite popular with home cooks. It is basically a marshmallow cake mixed with nuts and some chocolate and then bathed again in a chocolate glaze to seal the marshmallow. If you love marshmallows you will love this “cake.” About the only thing healthy about this cake is that marshmallows are made from egg whites, and, OK, lots of sugar.

While it’s far too sweet for me with my preference for European style less sweet products, in its defense I can say this “cake” is long on presentation when placed in a Bundt pan and given a lovely shape. It is also quite popular throughout the South.

In the Bundt pan version when the marshmallows were added they sunk in and mixed to create this marbling effect of chocolate, nuts and marshmallow as they stirred it. Once it was cool enough to hold its shape they must have turned it out and then given its chocolate glaze.

I’ve received this Bundt version as a Christmas gift all wrapped up in pretty cellophane with a lovely bow and then boxed in a large round tin. It was a wonderfully showy presentation. You can now purchase in the New Orleans area these mostly marshmallow “cakes” to gift others.

This is for serious sugarholics! When asked as to how long it's been around - it has made it's way around the South, who knows who originated it? At least for the past decade to achieve this kind of popularity and spread in the region.

Pralines are the original sweet of New Orleans that goes back to the 1800's like rice cakes (calas) and beignets. This crazy cake is much newer! I've only paid attention to it for the past decade; it might be a bit older. My guess is its from the 1990's as Bundt cake recipes and candies were big back then in that decade.

This version is done simply in a 9-inch x 13-inch pan, though you can change to several small or one large bundt pans. I suggest the very small bundt pans as this is one rich "cake." OK, it's really more of a candy poured into a cake form. Enjoy and watch your kids squeal with delight - while the adults are around the corner furtively eating it too! :)



Heavenly Hash Cake


From: James “B” Didier

Ingredients:

4 eggs, beaten lightly

2 cups sugar

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

2 cups pecans, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons cocoa


Directions: Combine eggs, sugar, butter, flour, pecans, vanilla and cocoa in large mixing bowl. Mix well.

Pour into ungreased (9x13-inch) pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.



Icing glaze:

Ingredients:

1 bag miniature marshmallows

4 teaspoons cocoa

1 stick butter, melted

1 pound box powdered sugar

8 teaspoons evaporated milk


Directions: Place marshmallows on top of baked cake. Heat in oven until marshmallows are melted.

Mix cocoa, butter, powdered sugar and milk and heat until spreading consistency. Spread over marshmallows. Cut into squares to serve.


*** Photo by Flirty Kitty @ flickr


*** 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:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
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