In Berne for the Weekend

We had a great time this weekend visiting Jtte and Ralph, Fran and Henry, and from Colorado, Glen, Clara, Rachel and Nick.  Tonight we had steak dinner at J + R's and then watched the dvd of Irene's high school performance of Chicago.  Here is a picture with Irene right in the middle in the white dress:

Dad had recorded it for us when he and Mom came to see it.  We also had fun walking around in Fran's woods, and we put a big stone near the tree where Albert and Cody's ashes are.  We had lots of fun playing Catch Phrase.  We only see Glen and Clara's family every couple of years, so it went by too fast.

My Family

Coffee Creamers

Plain Coffee Creamer
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (or Half and Half)
Cut with regular milk, skim milk or evaporated milk and mix well.



Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Cream
1 can low fat sweetened condensed milk (or regular) 
1 ½ cups nonfat milk 
1 tablespoon vanilla 
Mix in a blender.
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/copycat-french-vanilla-liquid-coffee-creamer-191026#ixzz1lviYG6m9



Chocolate Mint Coffee Creamer
3/4 cup non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Put all ingredients in container and shake well.
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/128/



Pumpkin Spice Creamer
1 cup fat free half & half (skim milk works better because the pumpkin will thicken it up significantly)
1/2 cup pumpkin
Truvia or sugar to taste (1-2 tbsp)
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Heat the half & half, pumpkin and sugar (or Truvia) until it bubbles. Whisk together and add the vanilla and spices.
http://accidentalmommies.com/pumpkin-spice-creamer-recipe/



Cappucino Creamer
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
Mix and keep in airtight container.
http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/kitchen-basics/66766-homemade-coffee-creamer.html



Chocolate Raspberry Creamer
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
14 oz. milk
2 teaspoons cocoa powder 
2 tablespoons raspberry syrup


Mocha Coffee Creamer
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon orange extract 
In a jar with a screw-top lid, combine all ingredients and shake well to blend. 
http://busycooks.about.com/library/recipes/blflavcoffcream.htm



Mocha Creamer
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp agave nectar or honey
1 tsp water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup half and half or cream
1/2 cup milk (any kind)
Directions:
1.In a small pot over low-medium heat, stir together the cocoa powder, agave nectar, water, and salt until the cocoa is dissolved into the water and agave.
2.Once the mixture is smooth, pour in the cream and milk, and heat over low until the mixture is warm and bubbles are beginning to form around the edge of the pan.
3.Remove from heat and pour into an air-tight container. Cool and store in the refrigerator.
*Note: This creamer will separate a little bit in the fridge – chocolate layer on the bottom, cream on top. Give it a good shake before using.
http://www.branappetit.com/2012/02/06/salted-chocolate-coffee-creamer/

Baklava

I have made this several times, and it is a family favorite.  It makes a lot, so plan on sharing!
1 1/2 lbs finely chopped nuts - recipe calls for walnuts, but we prefer to have a few different kinds of nuts.  Also, I like to brown them a little on a frying pan before using them.
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2 packages (16 oz each) phyllo dough
1 lb butter, melted, divided.
SYRUP:
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup honey
1 Tbl grated lemon or orange peel

In a bowl, combine toasted nuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.  Set aside.  Brush a 15x10x1 in baking pan with some of the butter.  Unroll each package of phyllo sheets; trim each stack to fit in pan.  Cover dough with plastic wrap and a damp cloth while assembling.  Place one sheet of phyllo into pan; brush with butter.  Repeat 14 times.  Spread with 2 cups nut mixture.  Layer with 5 sheets of phyllo, brushing with butter between each.  Spread with remaining nut mixture.  Top with one sheet of phyllo; brush with butter.  Repeat 14 times.  Cut almost all the way through into 2 1/2 inch squares.  Cut each square almost all the way through, in half diagonally.  Brush remaining butter over top.  Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring the syrup ingredients to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes.  Strain and discard peel; cool to lukewarm.  Pour syrup over warm baklava. Yield 4 dozen.

Irene in Chicago

Irene in her makeup after rehearsal for Chicago.  Tonight is the finale.  Bart and I are going, with Fran and Henry, Millie Hyldahl, Penny Fram, Kim Merchant, Gail Mortimer, and Bernie and Matt Gillett.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Taco Casserole

1
Taco Casserole
lb ground beef turkey
2 tbsp homemade taco mix (see below)
1 can of hunts petite diced tomatoes
1 can of corn (or frozen corn, or fresh corn...) 
2 boxes of cornbread mix

Preheat oven to 400F.

Brown meat, drain. Add tomatoes; add taco seasoning,  warm through. Mix in corn. Pour into pan.

Make corn bread mix as directed on box, and pour liquid on top of mixture in pan. 

Cook for 20-30 minutes.  Everything else is prepared, so you really just need to make sure the corn bread is cooked thoroughly.
Now for the seasoning.

Mix all ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper