Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Cuties

Sally flung a craving on me with her post on the little blue stickers on these tangerines.


These 'cuties' are so good. The are easy to peel and just the right size for a 'pick me up' snack. I think we have gone through two bags.

Then I had a brilliant idea. . .

I am going to make a gluten free orange cake using this Citrus Olive Oil Cake recipe. I may have to tweek it a bit ~ I will let you know how it turns out.

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Saturday, April 27, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ ZOOM

The PhotoHunt for today is Zoom ~
I would like to be zooming around on this boat  . . .

But, 'Knot Today' . . .

I had to satisfy myself with zooming in for the photo.

Another beautiful sunset in Orange Beach.

Check for all the other Zoom Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, April 22, 2013

Traveling Tuesday ~ Steppin'

It's Traveling Tuesday ~ and I am on the countdown to Italy and the Amalfi Coast.
 22 days before I leave for Positano.

I look forward to the beauty of this village built on the side of the coast.
The food, The people, The limoncello.
 I was there just last year and there is one thing that has me worried.
THE STEPS ~

Painful steps.
Everywhere you go there are hundreds of steps.
 
I am really going to have to get to the gym and on the oliptical . . . and pray my knees hold up.
Note to self: Pack the aleeve and BenGay.

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, April 20, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Wither

The PhotoHunt for today is 'wither'

Which is what happens as they age the pecorino cheese ~ these blocks of cheese have been packed with bay leaves or straw to give them a unique flavor.

I am ready for a plate of this local cheese.

And maybe a bottle of this as well . . .
In another month . . . I'll be back in Italy.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Friday, April 19, 2013

# Boston Strong

We have all been glued to the TV today ~
the last several days have been unbelievable.
The tragedy of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, and now this manhunt . . .


Our prayers for those affected.
and for Boston Strong!

Monday, April 15, 2013

PillowCase Dresses

I have jumped onto the PillowCase dress wagon . . .
 These little dresses are so fun to make and the possibilities are endless.

Seriously.
Once you start buying pillowcases, you can be making dresses for a while.

The instructions are simple . . .
Use the hem of the pillowcase as the hem of the dress. The top is cut to size and simple armholes are made. (measure from the neck to the length you want and add two inches)
The top edge is turned under making a casing for a ribbon or tie. The underarms are turned in a tiny hem stitch.

Then you can embelish with ruffles and trim . . .

The only thing cuter is Hope running around in her pillowcase dress ~ and for some reason, I can't find a single picture of that.
Not to worry . . . there will me more to follow.
LuLu is on a roll ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Saturday, April 13, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Scrumptious~

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Scrumptious'

The perfect opportunity to scrounge through my photos from London . . .
The local market in Sloane Square was a scrumptious place to do our Saturday morning shopping.

Little pies from 'Little Jack Horner'

Scrumptious locally grown tomatoes . . .
and fresh eggs.
I see a proper breakfast right around the corner.

Literally . . . just a walk around the corner.

Check for all the other  Scrumptious Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Saturday, April 06, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Quirky~

The PhotoHunt for today is Quirky . . .
I wonder if these uniforms of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican have always seemed so quirky? The design dates back to the 17th century.

The colors are the red yellow and blue of the Medici family.
Michelagelo is credited with the design of the uniforms . . . although there are some that dispute this (it makes for a great story)

Each uniform is individually made for each guard. They are constructed of 154 pieces and weigh 8 pounds (according to Wikipedia) the strips of fabric that make up the pants and sleeves with flow and confuse the enemy when defending the Vatican.
These guys might look a little quirky, but are trained as well as our special forces.
They do look a little quirky ~ but fabulous.

Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Cooking Light ~ April Fools in the Kitchen

This month for our virtual Supper Club, we've decided to celebrate April's Fools with a 'Deceptively Easy Gourmet Dish'.
Deceptively easy? That is right up my alley.
I searched Here on Cooking Light for the perfect recipe. A rich chocolate souffle ~ that is deceptively easy?
I'll give it a go . . .


 Rich Chocolate Soufflé Cakes with Crème Anglaise
Cooking spray
8 teaspoons sugar
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 tablespoons sugar
CrèmeAnglais
3 large egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350º.
To prepare soufflé cakes, lightly coat 8 (4-ounce) ramekins with cooking spray. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon sugar.
Combine 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.
Add chocolates, stirring with a whisk until chocolates melt. Combine 1/2 cup cocoa, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Add cocoa mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring with a whisk. Whisk in 2 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently stir one-fourth egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon chocolate mixture into prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in a large baking dish; add hot water to dish to a depth of 3/4 inch.

Bake at 350º for 15 minutes or until puffy and slightly cracked. Remove ramekins from dish, and place on a wire rack.

To prepare crème anglaise, combine 3 eggs and beat until pale yellow (about 3 minutes).
Heat milk in a heavy saucepan over medium g yolks and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, whisking until thick heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat.
Gradually add hot milk to egg yolk mixture, stirring with a whisk. Return egg yolk mixture to pan; cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until slightly thick and mixture coats the back of a spoon, stirring constantly (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Serve with soufflé cakes.

I did make these ahead, and took them the next day to a friend's.
I heated the individual souffle's in the oven just before serving, then topped each with the cream anglaise. They were light and creamy ~ perfectly delish.
No one would believe how easy they were.



 

Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Deceptively Easy Virtual Supper.
Jerry has Phylo Wrapped Asparagus with Proscuitto
Val is making Caramelized Espresso Frappe
 Susan is bringing Ham, Corn and Cheese Souffle
Sara is making Ceviche de Camaron
Roz  has made a Pork Saltimbocca with Polenta
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi
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