Totally Stolen....Pumpkin Jelly, Happy Halloween!

This is from 'The Green Chronicle' (Thank You) and is a neat idea for those that hate wasting pumpkin flesh, but want to go away from the usual bread and pancakes.

Pumpkin Jelly

1 medium sized pumpkin
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 orange
2 lemons
1 heaped tablespoon bruised ginger

 Directions
- Peel the pumpkin if necessary and remove the seeds from the flesh.
- Cut the flesh into dice.
- Put the grated rinds and juice of the orange and lemons into a large pan.
- Add the pumpkin, sugar and the ginger tied in a muslin bag and leave overnight.
- Pour off the excess juice and discard.
- Bring the pumpkin flesh, ginger and sugar mixture to the boil, and simmer for about 1 to 1 1/4 hours (remove ginger after 20 minutes or so) or until the pulp becomes almost transparent and the syrup quickly sets when tested on a cold plate.
- Leave to cool, then put into jars.

Iced Blended Coffee Stat!

I hate to admit to feening for that perfect cup of coffee, but I do.
Last week I visited my mother and as if I were a robot, proceeded to fix a pot of coffee without thinking. I tried my best to drink it all, but the sugar-free creamer she had made me want to vomit. I personally like half and half and raw sugar.

Anyhoooo, I ended up pouring what was left of the unsweetened, thick black stuff into an empty water bottle and storing at home in the fridge.

The next day as I prepared to make a fresh pot, a light bulb appeared over my head. I wanted a coffee like they make at that expensive ass Starbucks. Oh, so delicious (or as my family would say "Oishii").

Thinking like a barista on crack, I poured eight ounces into a blender with a few ice cubes and 2 teaspoons of raw sugar with a couple ounces of half and half. the blender roared for a few seconds and out poured manna, magically into my tall mug.

I was proud for not wasting and also proud that I managed to not spill a drop as it poured down my gullet. I even licked my lips to make sure.

Beanrito

I don't always eat meat. So there.

I decided to go meatless(not dairyless), today. It was not by choice, but time was an issue.
It was too easy.

What you'll need is:
One 15 oz can of black beans(rinsed)
One packet McCormick Original Taco Seasoning.
4 large flour tortillas
Lettuce, chopped tomato, salsa, chopped avocado, shredded cheddar, sour cream, and chopped onions were the garnish.

In a 2 quart saucepan, I brought to a simmer the black beans with 1/4 cup water and 3/4 packet of taco seasoning for 5 minutes. After they were heated through and the seasoning coated the beans, I used my microwave to heat the tortillas for 15 seconds.

I then took about 1/4 cup of the mixture and layered it in the tortilla with my choice( or my family's) garnishes.
Wrapped the suckers up like diapers and chowed down. I did miss my cold cerveza, but you can't have it all.

Linger Mints, Not what you think....

Here we go again.
A mint for the vagina. Please let me be dreaming. I thought we had enough to choose from for the lady parts. It's a little off topic, but messing with your nether regions can change the balance and give you more than a minty fresh sensation. Let's leave the mints to our mouths.