Easy DIY Play Dough

After going through tubs and tubs of store bought play dough, we've
finally made our own homemade play dough. The kids are ecstatic
because we now have a fresh supply of play dough as soon as our
stock runs out.

The kids just love love love making this play dough. There very few
ingredients so they just dump everything in the bowl and mix away.
Minimal to no supervision required. And because the ingredients are
your everyday pantry items, you need not worry about spending extra
to make the play dough. Just mix up all the ingredients and you're done.

There are different ways of making play dough. This version is quick
and easy to make. No cooking required! It's a small batch which means
it wont be around for very long. If you have littles, I'm sure you know
what I mean when I say that the stuff can get nasty as the kids play
with it. If you want a bigger batch, just double the recipe. Voila! The
homemade play dough is now double the fun.

Easy DIY Play Dough

* 1 cup flour

* 1/2 cup salt

* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tbsp cooking oil
* 2 tsp cream of tartar

- Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until well blended.

  Store in an airtight container.

Homemade Al Fresco Breakfast

I was in the mood for a really nice breakfast. The type that came along with an
overnight stay or so in some picturesque locale. Ahhh... The real thing will have
to wait... This went pretty well too.

Vegetarian Open Face: Tomato, Alfalfa Sprouts and Blue Cheese on Rye

Fruit Platter: Orange, Kiwi and Grape

Easy Tomato Soup

Some days I'm inspired to cook. On those days, you'll find me browsing
through my favorite sites, looking for something new to whip up for the
family. On other days... Well, let's just say the easiest dish to cook will do.

Easy Tomato Soup is just what it is, Tomato Soup plus your favorite
ingredients. It can be light or hearty, refreshing or comforting, simple
or complex; it all depends on what you decide to put in it for the day.


Easy Tomato Soup

* 1-2 tbsp olive oil

* 1/2 medium white onion, chopped

* 3 cloves garlic, chopped

* 250g beef

* 1 can tomatoes (your favorite kind)

* 1 celery stalk, cubed

* 2 medium potatoes, cubed

* 2 medium carrots, cubed

* 1 cup beef stock

* herbs (optional)

* Worcestershire Sauce (optional)

- In a sauce pot, drizzle the olive oil. Saute the onions until soft. Add the 

garlic and saute until soft.

- Add the beef. Saute until half cooked. Season with a little salt and pepper.

Add a few drops of the Worcestershire Sauce. Continue sauteeing until 

almost done.

- Add the veggies and saute for 1 minute.

- Add the canned tomatoes and the beef stock. Add a dash or so of your 

favorite herbs. Season with salt and pepper (if needed).

- Simmer with the lid on for 10-15 minutes or until the veggies are cooked.

Serves 4-5

Oh yes, I usually slice up the celery into sticks. I know a lot of people 

who find celery overpowering. Slicing them up into sticks makes it

easier for eaters and non-eaters alike.

The kind of canned tomatoes you use plus the combination of herbs you 

put changes the "regionality" of the soup. The last time I served this soup, 

I used regular canned tomatoes and Italian Herbs. The soup was yummy 

in an Italian way.

Today, I decided to use the extra can of Mexican Style canned tomatoes.

H bought them when they were on special. This seemed like the safest
recipe to try it on. I sauteed onions, garlic, and red kidney beans. I added
the tomatoes and a cup of water. This result was a nice Vegetarian Chili Soup.

I sometimes get asked about what goes in our kitchen. Foodie Fridays is a

peek at what gets served at our dining table.

Ham, Potato and Cauliflower Un-Omelette

I love omelettes. All you need is an egg or two, add a few choice ingredients

and voila, you have a quick, delicious and filling meal. Unfortunately, we haven't

had omelettes in a long time due to family food allergies.

I dubbed this the Un-Omelette because someone looked at the ingredients then 

asked, "Are you preparing an omelette?" I weakly replied, "Sort of"…  Admittedly, 

I created this dish because we were finally down to our last batch of holiday ham. 

Plus, we had this bowl of cauliflower that was taking days to finish. Oh what a relief

to have consumed all the holiday food, with nothing gone to waste. 

Ham, Potatoes and Cauliflower Un-Omelette

* 2 potatoes, diced

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1/2 medium white onion, chopped

* 6 slices ham, cut to bite size pieces

*1/3 cup cauliflower, chopped

* 1/4 cup milk

* grated or sliced cheese

- Place potatoes in a pan. Add water just enough for potatoes to get covered. 

Boil until half done. Set aside the half-done potatoes including its boiling liquid.

- In the same pan, add the olive oil. Add the onions and saute until translucent.

Add the ham and saute for a few minutes.

- Add the cauliflower, the potatoes and the boiling liquid. Cover and cook until 

the vegetables are cooked. Add water as needed.

- Pour in the milk and add the cheese. Stir for 1 more minute. Season with salt 

and pepper if necessary.

Serves 4-5

I was quite happy with how this turned out. I'm considering creating more

Un-Omelette combinations. I think it's important that you pre-boil the potatoes. 

The boiling liquid helps thicken the sauce. I also skipped the salt, I felt the 

ham and cheese had enough salt for the entire dish. No, the ham was not the 

salted kind; I just prefer my dishes low sodium style.

I sometimes get asked about what goes in our kitchen. Foodie Fridays is a

peek at what gets served at our dining table.