lollipops

We, Evelyn and I, made 140 lollipops for the Taste of America at school.

They were easy to make, just very messy and time consuming. Overall, I would say 5 hours. You have to factor in cook time, chill time and wrap time. But for making a single batch, not much time at all.

We got molds, sticks, coloring and flavoring from Michaels. Found the recipe on line. There are thousands out there.

Give it a try and enjoy!

HARD CANDY LOLLIPOPS


2 c. sugar
2/3 c. light corn syrup
3/4 c. water
Oil flavors (optional)
Color (optional)
In a saucepan, blend sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, until mixture reaches 290 degrees. Remove pan from heat. Allow to stand until bubbles have simmered down. Add flavoring and color as desired. Too much stirring will cause syrup to solidify into a hard sugary lump. Mold into desired shapes in Pam-sprayed hard candy molds. Work fast.
Keep mixture warm over hot water. If mixture becomes too cold and thick it may be warmed for a few seconds in microwave. Put sucker sticks in molds before pouring mixture.

Mustard

I love mustard, especially spicy mustard or honey mustard. Then when I saw a sandwich shop named Mustard, knew it was one to try out. But it took me awhile.

The other weekend Evelyn and I were out doing errands. While in the Gateway center at Alicia and Jeronimo, this very tall man, on stilts, walked to our car. I rolled down my window and he handed us a menu to the newly opened Mustards. This very nice lady then proceeded to give us a sample cup of this very delicious fruit salad. We devoured the salad. It was superb! Then we browsed through the menu. Looks good.

Well, fast forward a few weeks. I was headed home from physical therapy today and it was getting close to noon and I was starved. I decided to get some lunch.......at Mustard. Now, I know there is one in Foothill Ranch by the Auto Center, but I was closer to Mission Viejo.

The menu is so big so I decided to ask the helpful guy behind the counter what he recommended. I opted for the grilled tuna sandwich. I don't like tuna runny with mayo. This was not. I got a sample first. The sandwich was served on toasted whole grain bread, which I also love. The sandwich was not a eat in the car while you are stopped at a red light sandwich, but more for sitting at a table sandwich. I devoured it and it was delicious. Served with a pickle too :)

I do give Mustard a thumbs up and will bring the family the next time. They also serve breakfast, soup, salads, panini (my fav) sandwiches, a great kids menu and side menu, and you can also create your own sandwich.

The website is www.mustardcafe.com. This location is at 24000 Alicia Parkway, Suite 22, Mission Viejo. It's right across the parking lot from Starbucks! Also in the shopping center is Washington Mutual, Illusions (where I get my hair done), Angels Scrapbook Garden (going out of business, 40% sale!!), Baja Fresh, and many other shops, oh and and ice cream shop......

Check them out and let me know what you think.

Trader Joe's Gingerbread Mix

This is a recommendation from my dad, double D, or D2 as I will refer to him here. My dad loves Trader Joe's as much as I do. Except where he lives, 2 Buck Chuck is a bit more than 2 bucks. Well, I guess that is the price they pay for not having to pay sales tax.

Earlier in the day I was talking with my dad. We always talk about new recipes we have tried. He mentioned that he had recently cooked up some of the TJ's gingerbread mix. He commented on how good it was, easy to make and that I should review it on this blog. I do totally agree with him. My dad is always right :)

I made some of the gingerbread mix at Christmas. I used mini loaf pans as I gave some to the neighbors in my yearly cookie and goodie boxes.

I recommend eating it warm and sprinkled with powder sugar. Oh my, it's making me hungry for some now. It also smells so wonderfully delicious when baking. mmmmmm m good.

Thanks for the recommendation D2!!

Dinner Time Made Easy

Evelyn and I went to Dinner Time Made Easy to prepare meals for the family while I am recouperating from my carpal tunnel surgery. We assembled all 14 meals in 1 1/2 hour. Evelyn made several of them herself.

They are conveniently located at 25260 La Paz - Suite L, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, telephone (949) 859-6500. Just south of the 5 freeway off of McIntyre.

Each month they offer a tasty menu of 14 easy to assemble meals. The website is easy to navigate through. You can pick your session and chose your meals on line. Your selections are wiating for you when you show up.

The meals are easy to assemble with all ingredients and instructions. It is easy to move from station to station. The assembled meals are stored in a large refrigerator while you complete the rest of your meals. The meals are assembled in either a covered aluminum pan or a ziploc bag. Cooking directions are on stickers which you place on the container. Makes it so easy.
The meal preparation areas are clean and all utensils are easily accessable.

Now, how is the food? We have already cooked the beef stroganoff. So easy to cook in the crock pot. We got 2 full dinners and still have some left over. Served it up with green beans and it was such an easy and delicious dinner.

The new owners very nice and helpful. We chatted a lot during our meal prep.

You can sign up on the website for their newsletter.

The kids and I did go last year over Spring Break. Kids are welcome. We enjoyed all the meals and were able to get 2 meals out of all of the meals we prepared.

I highly recommend Dinner Time Made Easy if you want pre assembled meals that are easy to cook and good too. They also pre assembled meals you can pick up. All you need to do is call or email ahead of time.

Now, speaking of surgery. I am having carpal tunnel surgery on Feb 19. I will be off the computer for a good week. After that, well, it's up to the doctor. I have done a lot of cooking in the last few weeks and am anxious to put on the recipes I made. It will happen, just later than expected. It's been a busy few weeks.

Happy cooking.

Book Review

"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

No, it's not a restaurant or a store, but a great book. And what is in the title? "Eat"

Reivew: In her ealy 30's Elizabeth had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want, but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This is the story of how she left behid all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a curshing dperession, she set out to examine 3 different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of 3 different cultures: pleasure in Italy (eat) devotion in Inida (pray), and on the Indonisian island of Bali (love), a balance between wordly enjoyment and divine transcendence.

I am almost through India and looking forward to Indonisia. Italy was fun and made me hungry to read about eating pizza and pastries and sitting at outside cafes.

Happy reading.

Homegrown Hospitality

Now you need to check out this link for Homegrown Hospitality. This is a crafty magazine which I love! I am also proud to say I know Stephanie. What a sweet, crafty, super gal she is. The next issue should be out soon. This magazine is stuffed full of great craft ideas, even some fun ideas for giving food gifts.

Smelling yummy

I am cooking away in the kitchen. Three things going at once:) And thinking up lot's of ideas in my head. I will post more later and this time I have taken some pictures.
If you cook it......will they eat it? That is always my burning question. Will let you know. Dinner is ready in about 5 minutes. Only time will tell.