Going Private

I've been thinking about making my blog private for awhile. Mainly just because its a mad mad world out there and I'd like to know it's friends and family reading my blog and not any old "tom, dick and harry":-) So, please leave a comment, or you can email me your email that you log into blogger with, so I can add you as a viewer. Thanks for your cooperation, have a great day!

Wonder of the World

What an adventurous weekend we had. Last Saturday we spent the day at Niagara Falls. It was amazing. My parents came up from Colorado and we road tripped it to upstate New York. We took a great tour that started at the Cave of the Winds, where you can see us walking on the red decks that take you up to the base of the falls on the American side. The park service provided yellow ponchos and also rubbery sandals to wear. After a elevator ride to the bottom, we started on our way. The Hurricane Deck was crazy. M and L were brave and got right into the pouring water while D and I stood off to the side (still getting drenched of course) capturing pictures. We saw lots of rainbows in the falls, lots of water, seagulls and waves.

Mom and Skip

Then our tour guide took us over to a whirlpool, to see where the water goes out to the ocean.

Our poncho model.

Last but not least, was our fantastic ride on the Maid of the Mist. Decked out again, but in blue ponchos this time, we boarded the ship to take us right up next to the falls. First past the American side, than the Canadian side. Feeling the sheer power and spray of those falls was truly amazing. It was quite the experience.

After that we headed up to another look out spot, this is where we were standing out over the water. Definitely a fun and tiring day.

Potatoes!

Lately I have been trying to improve my cooking skills. After a trip to the local library I came home with 4 of Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meal cookbooks. I am proud to report that I have actually made a few of these.... and they turned out pretty good. Of course I still need more practice. Lately shopping at the grocery store has taken a little more time, as I have shopped for new ingredients, some I have never seen before! I must say this new venture has been well worth it. While most recipes are worth mentioning. I'm dedicating this post to one of my favorite side dishes: Potatoes! Rachel has 2 delicious recipes that I have tried and will definitely be making again and again. For my healthier readers I'm including another new favorite from my Weight Watchers cookbook. [Yes, I know I do not need to lose weight, but we might as well eat healthier right?]

The first is Green Onion Smashed Potatoes. The reason I like this one so much, is not only that it is so basic, but it is very specific. I used to always just eyeball butter and milk to my mashed potatoes, and they would come out in slightly different consistencies each time. I always felt like I had to use my mix-master to beat them to death to get them light and fluffy. In Ms. Ray's recipe I've found that smashing them with my actual potato masher, they are quite creamy and NOT lumpy. Surprise! The method I had been using to cut and boil my potatoes previously was also ineffective (are you thinking- how could anyone mess that up?) I may have used less than the 2lbs of potatoes for my small family of 4, but went by the recipe for the other ingredients. Here's this recipe & directions to enjoy:

Green Onion Smashed Potatoes

2 to 2 1/2 lbs starchy potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cut into chunks.

Salt

2 Tbsp Butter

1/2 cup Milk

4 Scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

Place the potatoes in a large saucepot, cover with water, and place over high heat to bring up to a boil. Once it is boiling, salt the water and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Once the potatoes are tender, drain and return to the pot. Add the milk and the 2 tablespoons of butter; season with salt and pepper and add the scallions. Smash with a potato masher or the back of a fork to the desired consistency. [from Rachel Rays' Just In Time cookbook]

The second delicious, and of course slightly fattening recipe is Cream Cheese Potatoes. Generally I am not a fan of plain or flavored cream cheese, but love it mixed in other dishes. I also almost never eat leftovers, but I ate leftovers of these!

Cream Cheese Potatoes

2 & 1/2 lbs potatoes, such as russets or Idaho, peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 cup milk

4 ounces cream cheese

1 small onion, finely chopped

Salt, to taste

2 tablespoons shopped fresh chives (optional)

In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and season with salt. Cover pot to bring potatoes to a quick boil, and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and return them to the hot pot to dry. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat milk, cream cheese and onion over medium-low heat until cream cheese melts and mixture bubbles. Pour into potatoes and mash to desired consistency. Add a little extra milk for softer potatoes. Season with salt and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped chives. [from Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals 2 cookbook]

Last but not least, is the easiest potato side dish: Steamed Red Potatoes. There really isn't anything special about this, except for it being completely EASY, and looking a little upscale (at least in my opinion) from say, a baked potato.

Steamed Red Potatoes

1 lb round red potatoes, quartered

2 tbsp water

Butter flavored spray (such as I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Add water, and cover. Microwave at HIGH 8 minutes or until tender. Coat with butter-flavored spray, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Yield: 4 servings. Points: 1. Exchanges: 1 Starch. [from Weight Watchers 5 Ingredient 15 Minute cookbook]

Enjoy!