recipe of the week: sweet potato fries

Things are finally slowing down a little at the Shanks household.   It was 40 degrees on Sunday here and sunny, gorgeous for Canada! So, we bought a grill to celebrate Spring is finally arriving.  (Well we hope its arriving, they say we can still get large snowfalls in April.  Let's hope not.  Pictures below of the grill)  I had one sweet potato left and decided to try making sweet potato fries.  I love ordering these at the restaurant and have wondered how to make them.  Well, ladies and gentlemen... its super easy!  and delicious!   The recipe from instructables says one sweet potato serves 2-3 people but if you love sweet potato fries like me you might one to cut two instead of one.

{the goods}
one large sweet potato
coarse sea salt (I used regular salt)
freshly ground black pepper, chunky
good quality olive oil
a peeler (I left the peeling on)
a sharp chef's knife
a cutting board
a large baking sheet (I used the one with sides)

{let's begin}
Set the oven to 450 deg. Rinse potato but don't soak.  (If you soak the olive oil won't coat) Cut the potato.  Cut the tips/ends off.  Then slice "hot dog style" down the middle.  Then take each half and slice up "fry style".  Thickness is up to you.  If you like more of a wedge then don't cut so many.  Repeat with other half.

 

Put fries in bag or bowl.  Add 1/4 cup olive oil and generous amounts of salt and pepper.  (Salt and pepper to your taste)  The fries to should have a drizzle of oil NOT drenched.  (If they are drenched they will be soggy)  Shake the bag or stir in bowl.  Transfer to baking sheet and evenly space.  Place in oven for 15 minutes.  Then turn and bake for an additional 10 minutes.  ***Watch them that last 10 minutes.  If you like them lighter than take them out a minute or two before the timer.

***I also cut up one regular baking potato.  The combination between the two potatoes looked nice and tasted great together.

the husband cooking on our new grill

"hey, what do you have over there?!"

 "has anything dropped yet?"

hand pattied burgers, yum!

DIY Reupholstering Seat Cushions

We have been busy moving into the new place!  I did stop and take some time to reupholster our dining room chairs.  We bought the chairs from IKEA over two years ago and they came with a standard white cushion.  UGLY!  I've been telling the husband I'm going to reupholster them for two years now!  Well here we are in 2012 and I'm trying to stick to my New Year's Resolutions.  (To stop putting things off!)  So, we went to IKEA yesterday afternoon and bought a few things we needed for the new place.  While there I spotted some fabric that is going to go great with our pillows on the sectional.

If you haven't reupholstered don't stress.  It is super easy.  You'll need about 2 yards of fabric (for 4 dining chair seats).  You could probably get away with 1 1/2 yards but I always like to have a little extra just in case.  You will also need a staple gun.  (This is where your husband comes in handy). Just pull off the old cover or staple right over it.  You'll need to make sure the fabric is ironed and smoothed out.  You don't want any wrinkles!  Then just turn the cushion over and start stapling.  The corners are hard but if you are any good at gift wrapping then you won't have any trouble with these.

**Disregard my mess in the background of these images.  We are still unpacking! 

Before

After

read of the week: having a mary heart in a martha world

My mother in law bought this book for me LAST christmas.  Last year, my New Year's Resolution was to start reading more.  My goal was three books (which I thought was a lot at the time).  Well I'm up to at least 4 starting in 2012 and its only the second month.  See?!  Some resolutions do work.

Anyway, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver is a great read for this time of year.  Here we are at the end of February and we have hit the ground running after Christmas catching up on all things pre holiday season.  Most of us are running around like chickens with our heads cut off.  (I know we are here in the Shanks household).  Its the shortest month yet seems to be the busiest for some reason.  Who has time to spend time with God? Each day? Yeah right!

The book is based on the famous story of Mary and Martha. Martha is the busy bee.  She is preparing a huge meal for Jesus and all of his followers in her home.  Her heart is in the preparation and being a happy hostess.  If the guests are comfortable then she is comfortable.  Mary is the more relaxed one.  She is more than content to just sit at Jesus' feet and listen while he is in their home.  This drives Martha crazy.  Thanks Mary for nothing!  She isn't doing anything to help prepare this big extravagant meal.  Yet, Jesus sides with Mary.  He wants us at his feet.  Easier said than done if you are a Martha!!

So, let me know if anyone is interested in borrowing my copy.  There is a great study at the end of the book for each chapter if you want to go deeper (which I also recommend).

recipe of the week: kale chips

Here I am trying to keep my New Year's Resolution and try some new foods.  Kale.  Its green, it looks like lettuce, and it seems like all the celebrities are using it.  I've never bought it though.  And its one of the "superfoods" my pregnancy books recommends eating for babies.  I like lettuce and spinach so why has it taken me so long to try kale?  All the celebrities seem to be eating kale chips nowadays so I decided to give this "miracle" food a whirl.

Baked Kale Chips
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min

Ingredients
1 bunch of kale

1 Tbl. olive oil (careful with the oil, you don't want them dripping!)
1 tsp. salt  (careful with the salt!)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 deg. F.  Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.  ***I didn't have parchment paper so I just coated the sheet with cooking spray.  With a knife or shears remove leaves from thick stems and tear into bit size pieces. (Kids can get involved here!)  Wash kale thoroughly and dry.  Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.  Bake until the edges are brown but not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes. ***Really watch this!! It only took mine about 8 min.

notice, mine got a bit dark.. I left them in for 10 min and it was too long!

They are supposed to be a healthy alternative to chips.  I can see that.  One bunch of kale really isn't enough though.  I would make two bunches for a family size portion.  I think these would be great as an appetizer paired with other "superbowl" type food.  They are super easy to make and fun.  My husband and I decided its sort of the same concept as green ketchup.  Still tastes the same but there is just something different about it.  Either you like it or you don't.  They are worth trying! 

Happy Healthy Eating!

recipe by allrecipes.com

something for the soul

My grandma, Annetta began giving all the women in her family Daily Guideposts for Christmas last year.  If you aren't familiar with these they are daily sweet lessons/thoughts/prayers for the christian life.   I've really gotten to enjoy (and look forward) to the 5 minute read each day.  I should have brought the book with me over Christmas while we were away visiting family.  So, I'm a bit behind in my reading.  I just finished Saturday, December 31, and I thought it was such a great reflection for NYE Resolutions.  I love this last paragraph,

"I realized that the real question confronting me wasn't, How did I spend last year? but How will I spend the next?  How will I use the most precious of God's gifts-life and time?  I can make long lists of things to accomplish and commit myself to New Year's resolutions.   But I really need to do only two things:  Love God with all that I am, and love my neighbor as much as I love myself.  This is all that really matters.  Lord, keep me from seeing my days as something I own but rather as a gift that comes from You." -- Scott Walker

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  Psalms 90:12

recipe of the week: roasted salmon with spicy cauliflower

Here's a New Year's Resolution for ya, I'm going to TRY and start posting a read of the week and a recipe of the week.  My blog is a work in progress so by all means, send suggestions and comments on how I can improve!  Also, don't forget to start following me!

Recipe of the week is.... Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cauliflower provided by Martha Stewart .   I'm also going to start experimenting with new (or rarely bought) foods.  Cauliflower is one of those.  I DO like the stuff, but it doesn't usually get added to my grocery list.

This ladies (and gentlemen) is a great weeknight meal.  Its super easy and FAST!  I paired the combination with green beans but asparagus or any other colorful food would like nice on the plate as well.  Note:  I always try and think about color presentation.  (Maybe its the interior designer in me) You don't really want to eat 3 white/orange foods now do you?  Yuck!  Adding a red, purple, or green can make the entire dinner a bit more appetizing for your guest, and you!

Roasted Salmon with Spicy Cauliflower

 Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 45 min (I was able to do mine in 30, see below)
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
4 garlic cloves
2 to 4 anchovy fillets (optional)
    ***I do not care for anchovies (actually I've never had one and don't intend to) so I left this out.
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons anchovy oil (from can of anchovies) or olive oil
    ***I used olive oil
1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and cut into large florets
4 skinless salmon fillets, (6 to 8 ounces each)
 
***The reason we only had 2-3 servings is because I only used 2 fillets
4 thin lemon slices, halved, plus 4 wedges, for serving
    ***If you have extra slices, put them in the fridge and serve in a glass of ice water later

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Gather garlic, anchovies (if using), and red-pepper flakes into a pile. Using a chefs knife, coarsely chop; season generously with salt. Using flat side of knife blade, mash mixture into a paste.

Place paste into a large bowl; add oils, and mix to combine. Add cauliflower, and toss to coat. Spread mixture in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until starting to soften, about 15 minutes.

Season salmon with salt and pepper. Remove baking sheet from oven; push cauliflower to sides, and place fillets in the center. Arrange two half-slices of lemon on each fillet. ***The lemons add a nice juicy taste to the fish and keeps it from drying out. Return to oven; bake until fish is opaque throughout, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

***My cooking sheet was large enough to push all cauliflower to one side and add the fish on the other.  This cuts your oven time down by half because you are cooking all items at the same time for a total of 15 min.