Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Casserole

My family loves breakfast casserole and I always make it when our family comes to visit. I love how EASY this recipe is! I am so excited to try it soon!

Ingredients:
1 dozen eggs
1 cup milk
1 package (32 oz.) of frozen hash brown potatoes
1 lb of bacon – cooked, drained and cut into pieces
1 lb of sausage, browned and drained
1/2 cup green onions – diced
1 green pepper – diced
3/4 pound cheddar cheese – shredded
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Layer potatoes, bacon, onions, green pepper and cheese in the crockpot in two or three layers.
2. Add cheese.
3. Beat the eggs, milk and mustard, salt & pepper together.
4. Pour over the whole mixture.
5. Cook with slow cooker on low for ten to twelve hours or until eggs are set and thoroughly cooked.

Classic Creme Brulee

 

 

 

Ingredients

8	egg yolks
1/3 c	sugar
2 c	heavy cream
1 tsp	vanilla extract
1/4 c	white sugar (for the caramelized tops)

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 300.

2

In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick and pale yellow.

3

Add cream and vanilla, and continue to whisk until well blended.

4

Strain into a large bowl, skimming off any foam or bubbles.

5

Divide mixture among 6 ramekins or custard cups.

6

Place in a water bath, and bake until set around the edges, but still loose in the center, about 40 to 50 minutes.

7

Longer baking time will be required for larger, deeper ramekins.

8

Remove from oven and leave in the water bath until cooled.

9

Remove cups from water bath and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days.

10

When ready to serve, sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of sugar over each custard.

11

For best results, use a small, hand-held torch to melt sugar.

12

If you don't have a torch, place under the broiler until sugar melts.

13

Re-chill custards for a few minutes before serving.

Adult Truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay Jewelers.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid High Crime Areas" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever..

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. Ladies quit Laughing!

Heal the past, live the present, dream the future. Enjoy life!!!

Chamomile Lavender Mint Iced Tea

Is it tea, herbal infusion or tisane? According to Wikipedia, only a beverage made from the leaves and buds of green tea is called tea.

The term "herbal tea" usually refers to an infusion or tisane of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs or other plant material that contains no Camellia sinensis

I have a preference for black tea over herbal teas, but I really like chamomile. So I added to my garden two plants last year.

My changes are noted after the original recipe.
I quartered the recipe to see if I liked it before making a pitcher full.
Very nice served chilled but equally enjoyable hot!

Yield: Makes 14 cups

Ingredients

• 1 loosely packed cup fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried chamomile (or 4 chamomile tea bags)

Preparation

1. Crush mint leaves and put in a 1-gal. lidded jar. Add lavender and chamomile.

2. Fill jar with water to within 2 in. of rim. Cover and refrigerate 6 hours. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined colander into pitcher for serving.

My Changes

Heat to boiling 4 cups of water
Add
1/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves
1/2 tsp. lavender
1/8 cup chamomile flowers but I think I could have doubled this
After steeping 5-7 minutes, I thought it made a flavorful hot tea.
I allowed it too cool completely without straining and did not think it became bitter or too strong.
Sweetened with honey and served over ice.

If you have a chamomile tea recipe, I'd love if you would shared it!

Jasmine Green Milk Tea Boba

Jasmine Green Milk Tea Boba

I first had boba tea back in high school when my friend Annie took me to an Asian cafe in our hometown. Boba is made from tapioca and or jelly balls, and the balls can be dark brown or multi-colored, like the ones here. At first I was surprised by the little gummy tapioca pearls coming up the straw and had a hard time not swallowing them straight away. But after a few sips I was able to get the hand of swallowing the milk tea and chewing on the little gummies. Then when I went to LMU I found a little creperie right off campus that makes the BEST boba tea. My favorite was the jasmine milk tea boba, which I have recreated right here. I saw these tapioca pearls today at Simpang Asia for 2 bucks, and because I have little to no self control, I bought them and made this boba tea straight away. They're such fun and cute drinks, and pretty easy to make too. Enjoy them :)

 

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup Tapioca Pearls

2 Cups Water

1 Cup Brewed Jasmine Tea or Jasmine Green Tea Blend, chilled

1 Cup Whole Milk

1 Teaspoon Sugar

Prepare the tapioca pearls according to the directions on the package. For mine, I boiled 1/3 cup of uncooked boba in 2 cups of water for 1 minute uncovered and then an additional 7 minutes, covered. Drain the boba and set them aside.

Take out two glasses. Pour half of the tea in one glass and half of the tea in the other. Do the same with the milk and the sugar. Mix each glass well with a spoon until the milk, tea and sugar are completely blended. Add half of the boba to one glass and half to the other. Allow the boba to settle to the bottom of the glass. Serve cold.

Doctor advice for living life-funny

Love this Doctor!  

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: Oh no. Wine made from fruit. Brandy distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two body, your ratio two to one.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain...good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetable be bad?

Q : Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Oh no! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is shape!

Well... I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans...

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.


CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Girls Who Get Loud During Sex Have More Fun

Girls Who Get Loud During Sex Have More Fun

It always seems like the guys get the lion's share of luck in the bedroom, doesn't it? They don't have to worry about getting pregnant. They don't have to worry about clitoral vs. vaginal orgasms. The list goes on. But ladies, sing it loud, we have got some good news!
Turns out the research reveals that womankind owns the title of top volume in between the sheets. That's right, women are louder during sex than men -- some 94 percent of ladies admit it, and 70 percent of men agree.
Now some folks are instantly jumping to the "ooh, must mean she has to fake her orgasms" conclusion. But I think there's a better reason for this phenomenon, a much, much better one for femalekind. Before you get all nervous and start trying to tone it down, you might want to consider this.
Ever read an article with a sexpert? It seems like they are constantly advising us that if we want to get satisfaction in bed, we need to own our sexual experience. Remember the phrase you learned back in kindergarten about how honesty is the best policy? It applies during sex too.
So let's take this back to naughty ladies getting noisy, shall we? There may be ladies out there who moan and groan so they can fake the big O, but the way the actual experts talk, being loud is a good thing ... heck, it seems like the one way to prevent having to fake it.
Ladies, if you're loud during sex because you're telling him what feels good and what doesn't, it doesn't make you a controlling, bossy you-know-what. It makes you a good lover and him an ever better one. And that's what's going to get you to orgasm, not lying there quiet as a churchmouse while he makes your nipples feel like tenderized hamburger.
Just think about it: men don't have the same anatomy, so of course they need feedback. Would you know how to give a good blow job if no guy ever told you "ouch, teeth, no" or the like? Exactly.
So scream it loud and scream it proud!
Spill: who's louder during sex in your house?

Not Your Mama's Cookies!

Serves:

depends on the size of cookie. I got 40.

 

Prep Time:

20 Min

Cook Time:

20 Min
Ingredients

 2 c

cake flour

 1 3/4 c

bread flour

 1 1/4 tsp

baking soda

 1 1/2 tsp

baking powder

 1 1/2 tsp

salt

 2 1/2 stk

butter, room temperature ( not margarine)

1 1/4 c

light brown sugar, packed

1 1/4 c

sugar
2

eggs, large, room temperature

 2 Tbsp

vanilla
5 oz

ghiradelli dark chocolate (60 - 80% cacao) squares ( or one bag )
 5 oz

reese's peanut butter chips (half a bag)
mini pretzel sticks
sea salt

Beth's Notes:
I was in search of the perfect cookie base in order to build my perfect cookie. Printed in the NY times, a few years ago someone asked all of the best bakers what their secrets were and put together HIS perfect cookie. Well, I took his base and added my own spin on it. These cookies could also be called "willpower cookies"! After you make them, you let the batter sit in the fridge for over 36 hours!! (Trust me it's worth it!!) AND then once you do bake them, you need some willpower not to eat all of them! I hope you give this recipe a chance, you won't be sorry.

Directions

1
 Allow butter and eggs to come to room temp. I usually take them out about 2 hours before I'm ready to use.

Chop chocolate squares into rough chunks, set aside.

Mix dry ingredients (flours, baking soda/powder and salt) together and set aside
 2
 In mixer, cream together sugars and butter for about 5 minutes, until they are light and super creamy. (seems like a long time, but this is worth it) Add eggs one at a time and blend after each addition until well mixed. Stir in vanilla.
Switch mixer to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients just until mixed in.
Fold in the chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips. (Walnuts or almonds or pecans would be awesome in this!! I couldn't add any bc no one in my family likes them, except me)
3
 At this point, this is where the willpower comes in!! Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of batter and then place another piece of wrap over the top of bowl and refrigerate for 36-72 hours!!!! I know, I know. But this step is well worth it. It gives all of the flavors time to "marinate" and get to know one another. The cookies are rich and so flavorful. It adds caramel notes of flavor because of the butter and brown sugar...... yum, I'm drooling lol

4
 Finally, the day is here and you can bake them!!

Preheat oven to 350*

**During cooking process, keep the batter in the fridge to keep cold and always use a COLD baking sheet.

Line baking pan with parchment paper.

Break pretzel sticks. I broke mine into half and then half again. But it's up to you and it depends on the size of your sticks. You don't want them too small, bc you want to be able to taste them.

Using an ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out dough. If it is too hard, run the scoop/spoon under hot water for a second. Shape dough into ball and place on prepared cookie sheet. Don't crowd the cookies, bc they do spread.
Take your broken pretzels and stick them in the ball at random places. I used 4-5 pieces in each cookie. (you add the pretzel pieces now instead of when you make the batter, bc you don't want them to get mushy and still have a crunch)
 Sprinkle sea salt on the top of each cookie (this just takes the cookie up up and away!!)
5
 Place cookies into oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Check on them at 15 minutes. Mine took all of the 20 minutes to cook.
 Let cool for a few minutes then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling......if you can wait, lol

Finally you can enjoy the best cookie you've ever tasted! Try not to burn your mouth on the hot cookie!!