I got these two recipes from the Yahoo recipe site. If you have the patience - try them out and decide the winner for yourself.
A. Title: CRICKET'S SPAM QUICHE
Categories: Meats, Eggs
Yield: 4 servings
1 c Coarsely chopped mushrooms
5 T Butter/margarine
1 c Finely crushed stone wheat
-crackers
1/4 c Green onions, sliced
1/4 c Brown onions, chopped
3/4 c Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 c Medium Sharp Cheddar cheese,
-grated
3/4 c Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 c Ricotta cheese
4 ea Eggs
1/4 t Cayenne pepper
1/4 t Paprika
1/4 c Milk
1 ea Cooked artichoke
1/4 c Green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c Red bell pepper, chopped
1 cn Spam, shredded
1. Saute mushrooms in 3 Tbs butter until limp.
2. Stir in the crushed crackers, then turn into well greased 10-inch round
quiche pan.
3. Press mushroom mixture evenly over bottom of dish and up the sides.
4. Melt remaining butter, add onions, saute and add shredded Spam. Layer
shredded cheeses and Spam in dish.
5. In blender, whirl the eggs, ricotta, milk and cayenne until smooth.
6. Pour Into crust and sprinkle with paprika. Place sauteed red and
green bell peppers on top. Bake in oven at 375 for 40 to 45 mins.
7. Garnish with cooked artichoke.
B. TITLE- New Delhi Spiced Chicken
Recipe By : Jo Anne Merrill
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:40 Categories : Ethnic Poultry Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ ------- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon chili powder -- * pure
black pepper -- to taste
3 tablespoons Pure butterfat -- or margarine
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves -- cubed
2 onions -- chopped fine
2 tomatoes -- chopped
2 green bell peppers -- chopped fine
1 celery stalks -- chopped fine
3 parsley sprigs -- minced
2 garlic cloves -- minced
1/3 cup seedless raisins
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
* Pure chili contains only chili powder. There are no other spices in it.Strengths vary from mild to fiery hot. If you cannot find pure chili for this recipe, try regular chili.
1. Heat two tablespoons butter or margarine in a large skillet. Placefirst six ingredients (all the spices) in skillet and brown for 1 minute over high heat.
2. Have the chicken breasts boned, skinned and cut into bite-sized cubes. Place chicken in skillet with browned spices; stir to coat well, then brown 1 minute longer or until chicken has turned white on the inside (cut a piece to check). Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Add remaining butter to pan and saute onions over high heat until limp.
4.Add remaining ingredients, including browned chicken, and cook over medium heat until celery is tender but still slightly crisp. Vegetables will give off some juiciness as they cook.
Serve over brown rice. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Serving Ideas : Serve with brown rice and cucumbers in yogurt dressing.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
EASTER
By DEEPAK MENON - A POEM
Recorded History tells of 20 pieces of Silver
And records a last supper just the day before
When the man from Galillee spoke of a betrayer
Who would not keep betrayal in abeyance any more!
.
So it came about and a troop came to a garden
And carried away the man who rode on a mule
To be judged by whom we may call a Roman Warden
Who was a proxy sent, the promised land to rule
.
Judgement was swift as is always wont to be
When humans sense their glory false is in danger
And with two petty thieves our hero was instantly
Sentenced to to be crucified like a criminal stranger
.
Knowing it was the Zenith of the plan of the Lord
He carried a cross himself up the fateful hill
A crown of thorns, cresting his bloody brow so broad
With even a cup of water offered on the way, spil’d
.
By brutal overseers of the tyrannical rulers of the land
Who lashed the valiant preacher of the ultimate grace
And forbade any from the crowds, from lending him a hand
All the way to the terrible fateful dreaded place
.
Where was finally planted the cross they had carried
And with nails driven through their feet and hands
They were crucified, and the tyrants never tarried
And swept away to desecrate other people’s lands
.
And on that Good Friday the heavens opened their doors
Shedding rain like the tears of the angels of the Lord
Carrying the preachers blood across the plains and moors
To mingle with and change water to the nectar of the lord.
.
And the diseases afflicting the exploited masses of the Earth
Were washed away; Lepers became whole again
But there was only sadness over the land, without any mirth
As the heavens continued to pour the Lords tears like rain
.
“Good Friday” passed and gave way to another day
And the lifeless remains of the Immaculate Conception
Carried into a cave and thrown inside and inert they lay
A boulder blocking the entrance marking the trepidation
.
Of the keepers of the flag of injustice and tyrannical rule
Who feared that the sight of the body itself could be
A trigger for the masses to rise against the unholy rule
Yes, the cowardly tyrants - feared even what they could not see!
.
But came the Lord's day of rest, and he reached out with love
Rising from the floor, moving the boulder with a gesture
He emerged from the cave and set to flight the whitest dove
Carrying his message of love glittering with ethereal lusture
.
To the corners of the world and the Disciples outside in wait
Rose as one with amazed wonder in their incredulous look
As they watched him ascend to Heavens Golden Gate
Leaving his message of truth and love in his immortal book
.
A testament of love for the peoples of the Earth
A vision to cherish, when awake or in slumber they lay
For the millennia to follow, since the Christ took birth
And for His return the millions do pray, on Easter Day
Recorded History tells of 20 pieces of Silver
And records a last supper just the day before
When the man from Galillee spoke of a betrayer
Who would not keep betrayal in abeyance any more!
.
So it came about and a troop came to a garden
And carried away the man who rode on a mule
To be judged by whom we may call a Roman Warden
Who was a proxy sent, the promised land to rule
.
Judgement was swift as is always wont to be
When humans sense their glory false is in danger
And with two petty thieves our hero was instantly
Sentenced to to be crucified like a criminal stranger
.
Knowing it was the Zenith of the plan of the Lord
He carried a cross himself up the fateful hill
A crown of thorns, cresting his bloody brow so broad
With even a cup of water offered on the way, spil’d
.
By brutal overseers of the tyrannical rulers of the land
Who lashed the valiant preacher of the ultimate grace
And forbade any from the crowds, from lending him a hand
All the way to the terrible fateful dreaded place
.
Where was finally planted the cross they had carried
And with nails driven through their feet and hands
They were crucified, and the tyrants never tarried
And swept away to desecrate other people’s lands
.
And on that Good Friday the heavens opened their doors
Shedding rain like the tears of the angels of the Lord
Carrying the preachers blood across the plains and moors
To mingle with and change water to the nectar of the lord.
.
And the diseases afflicting the exploited masses of the Earth
Were washed away; Lepers became whole again
But there was only sadness over the land, without any mirth
As the heavens continued to pour the Lords tears like rain
.
“Good Friday” passed and gave way to another day
And the lifeless remains of the Immaculate Conception
Carried into a cave and thrown inside and inert they lay
A boulder blocking the entrance marking the trepidation
.
Of the keepers of the flag of injustice and tyrannical rule
Who feared that the sight of the body itself could be
A trigger for the masses to rise against the unholy rule
Yes, the cowardly tyrants - feared even what they could not see!
.
But came the Lord's day of rest, and he reached out with love
Rising from the floor, moving the boulder with a gesture
He emerged from the cave and set to flight the whitest dove
Carrying his message of love glittering with ethereal lusture
.
To the corners of the world and the Disciples outside in wait
Rose as one with amazed wonder in their incredulous look
As they watched him ascend to Heavens Golden Gate
Leaving his message of truth and love in his immortal book
.
A testament of love for the peoples of the Earth
A vision to cherish, when awake or in slumber they lay
For the millennia to follow, since the Christ took birth
And for His return the millions do pray, on Easter Day
Sunday, April 01, 2007
THE EMPTY HALLS AGAIN FULL OF LOVE - a poem by me
She explores the halls of her inner being
Full of the vestiges of could have been dreams
Now the halls are deserted and no one is seen
Agoraphobic panic fills he,r as she silently screams
.
.Screams against the emptiness, now filling her soul
crying for golden memories, of her past to come alive
To once again show her the gates of her golden goal
Where once, the beautiful garden of love did thrive..
.
But the sands of time were scattered by a howling wind
A long time ago, when brightly shining was love's light
and the ardour of love was slowly eroded and thinned
Till came a darkness, to empty the halls like a blight.
.
Many empty years passed, in battling that inner yearning
for a glory slowly fading, into the dim and dark past.
Till, from far away, came a little light brightly burning
and into the darkness, a glimmer of kindling love cast.
.
The shadows faded, and the sky again surely lightened
Fear receded into the darkness again, giving rising hope
Of another Paradise, with expectations more heightened
and life was no longer a sorrow needing tears to cope..
.
Because from the far away horizon, came a reveling crowd
Of strangers, with friendship and affection in their heart
And the songs of friendship reverberated clear and loud
Singing, that from her internet friends she would never part!!.
.
Composed by Deepak Menon (demoninlove) specially for a
a kind gentle and loving internet friend, directly on her blog
on 25th Feb 2007 as a comment response to an entry on her
blog which seemed to reflect some despondancy in her .....
Full of the vestiges of could have been dreams
Now the halls are deserted and no one is seen
Agoraphobic panic fills he,r as she silently screams
.
.Screams against the emptiness, now filling her soul
crying for golden memories, of her past to come alive
To once again show her the gates of her golden goal
Where once, the beautiful garden of love did thrive..
.
But the sands of time were scattered by a howling wind
A long time ago, when brightly shining was love's light
and the ardour of love was slowly eroded and thinned
Till came a darkness, to empty the halls like a blight.
.
Many empty years passed, in battling that inner yearning
for a glory slowly fading, into the dim and dark past.
Till, from far away, came a little light brightly burning
and into the darkness, a glimmer of kindling love cast.
.
The shadows faded, and the sky again surely lightened
Fear receded into the darkness again, giving rising hope
Of another Paradise, with expectations more heightened
and life was no longer a sorrow needing tears to cope..
.
Because from the far away horizon, came a reveling crowd
Of strangers, with friendship and affection in their heart
And the songs of friendship reverberated clear and loud
Singing, that from her internet friends she would never part!!.
.
Composed by Deepak Menon (demoninlove) specially for a
a kind gentle and loving internet friend, directly on her blog
on 25th Feb 2007 as a comment response to an entry on her
blog which seemed to reflect some despondancy in her .....
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
It's a choice not to say those hurtful worsa
Love is a strange mix of things. It has to be put before all else. It can't be
allowed to get run down and neglected. At the beginning of love... things
are often easy. Maintaining it , however, is a conscious choice. It's a choice
as to whether you take the time , thought , energy, and consideration to
make love continue as it was in the beginning. It's a choice not to walk away
when the ugly side of commitment appears. It's a choice not to say those hurtful
words that YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK.
So , again, what is love? I suppose there are many stages of love, but to get
to the lasting kind takes alot of hard work, dedication, and
commitment . The lasting kind requires you to work as hard
at the relationship as you would to getting a promotion or a raise.
The lasting kind requires a reciprocal agreement to put the othe
r persons needs before your own. The lasting kind takes the most work,.
but is also the most beautiful and fulfilling.
Author unknown.
And after reading that on Kathy’s friend Sophia’s Blog I thought that I would post some proverbs I had written on my blog on the subject of Lovers who are generally incurably afflicted with the Love thing …
LOVERS
14.1 Lovers see only with their hearts. Blind to
everything else, they cannot avoid the pitfalls
inevitably scattered along the path of life.
.
14.2 The love of a lover is akin to the worship
of a worshipper. Both are oblivious to
the flaws and pits in the façades of their
respective idols - which are all too apparent
to the non lover or the non worshipper.
One who can see the flaws is neither a lover
nor a worshipper.
.
14.3 The power of love can make or destroy worlds.
The history of our mother earth would be
drab indeed, if it were not so lavishly
bejeweled with sparkling episodes of the antics
of lovers.
. . . .Deepak Menon
allowed to get run down and neglected. At the beginning of love... things
are often easy. Maintaining it , however, is a conscious choice. It's a choice
as to whether you take the time , thought , energy, and consideration to
make love continue as it was in the beginning. It's a choice not to walk away
when the ugly side of commitment appears. It's a choice not to say those hurtful
words that YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK.
So , again, what is love? I suppose there are many stages of love, but to get
to the lasting kind takes alot of hard work, dedication, and
commitment . The lasting kind requires you to work as hard
at the relationship as you would to getting a promotion or a raise.
The lasting kind requires a reciprocal agreement to put the othe
r persons needs before your own. The lasting kind takes the most work,.
but is also the most beautiful and fulfilling.
Author unknown.
And after reading that on Kathy’s friend Sophia’s Blog I thought that I would post some proverbs I had written on my blog on the subject of Lovers who are generally incurably afflicted with the Love thing …
LOVERS
14.1 Lovers see only with their hearts. Blind to
everything else, they cannot avoid the pitfalls
inevitably scattered along the path of life.
.
14.2 The love of a lover is akin to the worship
of a worshipper. Both are oblivious to
the flaws and pits in the façades of their
respective idols - which are all too apparent
to the non lover or the non worshipper.
One who can see the flaws is neither a lover
nor a worshipper.
.
14.3 The power of love can make or destroy worlds.
The history of our mother earth would be
drab indeed, if it were not so lavishly
bejeweled with sparkling episodes of the antics
of lovers.
. . . .Deepak Menon
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
SONNET NO 7 by me Entry for January 02, 2007
- Many rungs has the ladder which I ascend
Lost in clouds is the peak where lies my goal
Will not some Angel its wings to me lend?
For I dare not tarry lest Earthward I roll !!
And that Heaven for whose glory I do aspire
That land of the Nectar of Immortality
May prove to be a fable of some great liar
A graveyard of souls lost in morality
Yet the call of the faraway bells, which chime
A melody that moves faint chords deep within
Fills me with an irresistible longing for a time
Lost in the past – yet somewhere still existing
And so in the searching the meaning of life lies
Waiting to be found before the light of day - dies
............................................By Deepak Menon
Saturday, December 30, 2006
A Quatrain by Omar Khayyam Entry for December 31, 2006
Ah Love! could thou and I with Him conspire
To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire,
....Would not we shatter it to bits and then
Re-mold it nearer to the Heart's Desire!
To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire,
....Would not we shatter it to bits and then
Re-mold it nearer to the Heart's Desire!
-
...........Translation by Edward Fitzgerald in his
...........Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Christmas!! Written By My Incredible 90 Year Old Aunt - Entry for December 17, 2006
Christmas!!
By
Promilla Ghose
Not only today, but each day He is born anew
To help us reach our life’s measured goal;
To touch our fevered pulse and secret might imbue
For those who killed His body, could not kill His soul.
Each year He comes, not in a manger laid
On wisps of hay strewn about the place,
Or lies in the arms of a humble lowly maid
With God’s glory shining in her face.
No wise men bring their gifts of frankincense and myrrh
Nor shepherds sing their early hymns of praise,
Proud Herod sleeps, and does not move nor stir
His tryst with death is kept, cold is his gaze.
Each year He comes the Prince of Peace
And walks along Life’s road with you and me,
He lays His hands on anguished brows to cease
The turmoil of a seething world that be.
Not in lonely byways, but on broad paths of life,
In hospitals and schools, in lepers’ living graves
He puts forth His hand of solace in the strife
And cheers the falling warrior who his life’s battle braves,
He lives in human hearts when kindly words are spoken
Or cheering words of comfort that are said,
He lifts and helps a bruised life that’s broken
For only the Living can resurrect the dead.
By
Promilla Ghose
Not only today, but each day He is born anew
To help us reach our life’s measured goal;
To touch our fevered pulse and secret might imbue
For those who killed His body, could not kill His soul.
Each year He comes, not in a manger laid
On wisps of hay strewn about the place,
Or lies in the arms of a humble lowly maid
With God’s glory shining in her face.
No wise men bring their gifts of frankincense and myrrh
Nor shepherds sing their early hymns of praise,
Proud Herod sleeps, and does not move nor stir
His tryst with death is kept, cold is his gaze.
Each year He comes the Prince of Peace
And walks along Life’s road with you and me,
He lays His hands on anguished brows to cease
The turmoil of a seething world that be.
Not in lonely byways, but on broad paths of life,
In hospitals and schools, in lepers’ living graves
He puts forth His hand of solace in the strife
And cheers the falling warrior who his life’s battle braves,
He lives in human hearts when kindly words are spoken
Or cheering words of comfort that are said,
He lifts and helps a bruised life that’s broken
For only the Living can resurrect the dead.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Every one knows that you're right - just a point to ponder over
Don't steamroll anyone who happens to disagree
with you.
You're right, but you don't need to advertise it with
quite so much gusto.
with you.
You're right, but you don't need to advertise it with
quite so much gusto.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
UNKNOWN - A poem by me
UNKNOWN
He picked up the child in tender arms
The child that had been lying on the road
While thousands of people scuttled by
Not caring, not daring to add to their load
.
He ran doggedly as fast as he could
To the government hospital - Oh so far!
For he knew that it would do no good
Since his empty pockets would them bar
From the Doctors whose clinics lined the way
With nursing attendants in spotless white
Keeping at bay the poor, who dared to stray
Near their exhalted palaces by day or night
Flashes of red and green and white whizzed by
Each driven by eyes hastily averted
Ears invisibly muffed against his unuttered cry
For help, as his own dying heart blurted
Its fading beat into the thin cold air
Then into the hospital he somehow staggered
Helping hands lifted the child fair
He collapsed on the floor, pale and haggard
Weeks passed, a body for cremation was taken
From the icy morgue where it had been shown
To numberless people, who their heads had shaken
A neat label was pinned on it - UNKNOWN
. . . . . Deepak Menon
Thursday, November 02, 2006
A top secret joke I heard from someone ...
TOP SECRET
You've all heard of the Air Force's ultra-high-security, super-secret base in @@@@@, known simply as "Area 51?"
Well, late one afternoon, the Air Force folks out at Area 51 were very surprised to see a Cessna landing at their "secret" base. They immediately impounded the aircraft and hauled the pilot into an interrogation room.
The pilot's story was that he took off from ******, got lost, and spotted the Base just as he was about to run out of fuel. The Air Force started a full FBI background check on the pilot and held him overnight during the investigation.
By the next day, they were finally convinced that the pilot really was lost and wasn't a spy. They gassed up his airplane, gave him a terrifying "you-did-not-see-a-base" briefing, complete with threats of spending the rest of his life in prison, told him ***** was that-a-way on such-and-such a heading, and sent him on his way.
The next day, to the total disbelief of the Air Force, the same Cessna showed up again. Once again, the MP's surrounded the plane...only this time there were two people in the plane.
The same pilot jumped out and said, "Do anything you want to me, but my wife is in the plane and you have to tell her where I was last night!"
You've all heard of the Air Force's ultra-high-security, super-secret base in @@@@@, known simply as "Area 51?"
Well, late one afternoon, the Air Force folks out at Area 51 were very surprised to see a Cessna landing at their "secret" base. They immediately impounded the aircraft and hauled the pilot into an interrogation room.
The pilot's story was that he took off from ******, got lost, and spotted the Base just as he was about to run out of fuel. The Air Force started a full FBI background check on the pilot and held him overnight during the investigation.
By the next day, they were finally convinced that the pilot really was lost and wasn't a spy. They gassed up his airplane, gave him a terrifying "you-did-not-see-a-base" briefing, complete with threats of spending the rest of his life in prison, told him ***** was that-a-way on such-and-such a heading, and sent him on his way.
The next day, to the total disbelief of the Air Force, the same Cessna showed up again. Once again, the MP's surrounded the plane...only this time there were two people in the plane.
The same pilot jumped out and said, "Do anything you want to me, but my wife is in the plane and you have to tell her where I was last night!"
Monday, October 09, 2006
Mustapha the Boxman
His father used to come to our house with the
wonderful home baked Cakes in the mud ovens
he made. The cakes were a rich brown and filled
with raisens and nuts and were so divine that no
one ever can forget them. His father used to carry
the cakes with home baked biscuits called Naan Khatais
and other flat homebaked biscuits in a small tin box
which he used to carry on his head all over the house.
He was known as the "Boxman" and then many years ago
he died. His son Mustapha took over the box and today
looking almost exactly like his father - he carries the box
on his head from place to place always on foot which seems
like an incongruity in this age of fast cars and faster bikes
whizzing past the solitary boxman - a living relic of the age
of wonders now long past.
Mustapha always comes to our house like his father before
him and takes orders for the cakes with a small advance
a month or two before Easter and Christmas as well as the
new year and Diwali and Rakhee and Id and all the other
big festivals of this great multicultural country - India.
A few days ago he came to our house and like always we
bought a cake - this time it exceeded every expectation -
perhaps the best he has ever made and I am still regretting
that I did not buy some more .....
These are the photos I and Abha took with him with his
cakes and his box......What Nostalgia - being with this simple
man - still brimming with smiles and humour despite his
most arduous life ....
Monday, October 02, 2006
Mozzarella Cheese Recipe - Try it out and send me a sample Ha Ha
Recipe for making homemade mozzarella cheese.
Makes about 4 8oz balls
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 gallons milk, pasteurized and cooled to 90F
7 tablespoons cultured buttermilk
6 tablespoons yogurt
Rennet to coagulate 2 gallons milk (1/2 Hansenstablet) dissolved in about
1/2 cup Cold water.
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Mozzarella is one of several kinds of "plastic-curd" cheeses, originating in
Italy. In making them the curds are kneaded, which expels whey and produces
plasticity. Because of their dense texture they keep well in warm climates and
are ideal for smoking. Provolone is an aged version of a plastic-curd cheese.
Mozzarella is one of the most versatile cheeses to make at home,
since it tastes wonderful freshly made, freezes well, and can be used like an
aged cheese incooking, melting readily when heated.
Start this cheese in the evening.
Maintain the milk at 90^F in a double boiler.
Mix the buttermilk and yogurt separately with a little of the milk to remove
lumps, then blend into the rest of the milk.
Add the rennet solution and mix thoroughly.
Let sit until the curd sets and breaks clearly when tested with a finger a
bout 20 to 30 minutes.
Cut the curd into 1/2 inch cubes as evenly as possible.
Maintain at 90^F for 15 minutes, stirring with a clean hand.
The curds are fragile because they have not been cooked, so stir very gently,
just enough to keep them from matting together.
Gently pour the curds into a cloth lined colander.
When the whey has drained, the curd should be in one solid piece.
Rinse in cold water, then soak in a pan of cold water for 15 minutes.
If it is a big batch, cut the curd into several blocks, 4 or 5 inches square.
Drain off most of the water, then refrigerate the curds, or keep in
a cool, 40^F place.
Leave them in a colander or other container that allows drainage.
(Commercially, mozzarella curds are shipped to delicatessens
at this stage, where the cheese is finished.)
The next day, warm the cheese to room temperature so it will ripen, or
become more acidic.
After an hour or so, test the cheese for acidity as follows :-
Cut off a small piece of cheese and cut it into three 1/2 inch cubes.
Heat several cups of water in a sauce pan to 165^F.
Put in the cubes and stir for 5 minutes.
Remove the cubes and mold them together like modeling clay.
Reheat the lump of cheese in the water for a minute, then remove and
work or mold it together a little more.
After repeating several times, try to pull the curd apart.
If it breaks or tears, and clouds the water, it is under-ripe.
Wait an hour or so and test again.
When it pulls into a long rope and can be molded together again, it is
ready.
It will have a glossy surface and* will cloud the water only slightly.
The whole cheese is treated somewhat like the test sample to finish it.
Cut it into small cubes and put them in a pan.
Heat water to 170^F and pour enough over them, to cover the curds
by about 2 inches. Keep a thermometer in the pan and let the
temperature drop to 135^F.
Press the cubes together, and then knead the cheese, by stretching
and pulling it, as if working modelling clay. It should become
"plastic" and stretch into long strands.
When it does, shape into half pound balls, or make a thick rope, fold
it in half, and twist several times to make a decorative oblong cheese.
Mozzarella can be dipped in hot water to make a glossy surface,
or wrapped in cheese cloth to protect it.
To keep the cheese very fresh tasting for up to a week, keep it
in a bowl of water in the refrigerator, and change the water every day.
To salt mozzarella for longer keeping, or to prepare it for smoking,
soak it in brine for 4 or 5 hours (See Brined Cheese) The whey from
mozzarella is perfect for making ricotta because it does not have a chance
to develop much acidity.
Smoked Mozzarella: Mozzarella and other firm cheeses can be
cold smoked for flavor. Salting and smoking both help preserve the cheese
by drying it, and discouraging bacteria and insects. Set the cheese on a rack
in the smoker, or wrap in cheesecloth and hang it. Keep the temperature
below 90^F to prevent sweating off butterfat or melting.
Smoke at 60 to 85^F for 4 to 15 hours.
Brined Cheese: Press the cheese for 5 or 6 hours, or overnight, without
salting it. Make enough brine to cover the cheese by about an inch, using
4.1/2 Tablespoons of plain salt for every quart of water needed. Soak the
cheese from 12 to 24 hours. A small cheese requires less time than a large
one. Turn the cheese once or twice to ensure that the brine penetrates
all sides. Drain for about an hour on a cloth covered rack. Cover and
refrigerate. Keeps for a week or more, longer than most fresh cheeses.
. This recipe was Posted on GEnie Food & Wine RT Aug 22, 1992 by
COOKIE.LADY [MUMSIE] and the recipe is available at http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mozzarellar...
Have a great time trying it out and don't forget me ....
Makes about 4 8oz balls
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 gallons milk, pasteurized and cooled to 90F
7 tablespoons cultured buttermilk
6 tablespoons yogurt
Rennet to coagulate 2 gallons milk (1/2 Hansenstablet) dissolved in about
1/2 cup Cold water.
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Mozzarella is one of several kinds of "plastic-curd" cheeses, originating in
Italy. In making them the curds are kneaded, which expels whey and produces
plasticity. Because of their dense texture they keep well in warm climates and
are ideal for smoking. Provolone is an aged version of a plastic-curd cheese.
Mozzarella is one of the most versatile cheeses to make at home,
since it tastes wonderful freshly made, freezes well, and can be used like an
aged cheese incooking, melting readily when heated.
Start this cheese in the evening.
Maintain the milk at 90^F in a double boiler.
Mix the buttermilk and yogurt separately with a little of the milk to remove
lumps, then blend into the rest of the milk.
Add the rennet solution and mix thoroughly.
Let sit until the curd sets and breaks clearly when tested with a finger a
bout 20 to 30 minutes.
Cut the curd into 1/2 inch cubes as evenly as possible.
Maintain at 90^F for 15 minutes, stirring with a clean hand.
The curds are fragile because they have not been cooked, so stir very gently,
just enough to keep them from matting together.
Gently pour the curds into a cloth lined colander.
When the whey has drained, the curd should be in one solid piece.
Rinse in cold water, then soak in a pan of cold water for 15 minutes.
If it is a big batch, cut the curd into several blocks, 4 or 5 inches square.
Drain off most of the water, then refrigerate the curds, or keep in
a cool, 40^F place.
Leave them in a colander or other container that allows drainage.
(Commercially, mozzarella curds are shipped to delicatessens
at this stage, where the cheese is finished.)
The next day, warm the cheese to room temperature so it will ripen, or
become more acidic.
After an hour or so, test the cheese for acidity as follows :-
Cut off a small piece of cheese and cut it into three 1/2 inch cubes.
Heat several cups of water in a sauce pan to 165^F.
Put in the cubes and stir for 5 minutes.
Remove the cubes and mold them together like modeling clay.
Reheat the lump of cheese in the water for a minute, then remove and
work or mold it together a little more.
After repeating several times, try to pull the curd apart.
If it breaks or tears, and clouds the water, it is under-ripe.
Wait an hour or so and test again.
When it pulls into a long rope and can be molded together again, it is
ready.
It will have a glossy surface and* will cloud the water only slightly.
The whole cheese is treated somewhat like the test sample to finish it.
Cut it into small cubes and put them in a pan.
Heat water to 170^F and pour enough over them, to cover the curds
by about 2 inches. Keep a thermometer in the pan and let the
temperature drop to 135^F.
Press the cubes together, and then knead the cheese, by stretching
and pulling it, as if working modelling clay. It should become
"plastic" and stretch into long strands.
When it does, shape into half pound balls, or make a thick rope, fold
it in half, and twist several times to make a decorative oblong cheese.
Mozzarella can be dipped in hot water to make a glossy surface,
or wrapped in cheese cloth to protect it.
To keep the cheese very fresh tasting for up to a week, keep it
in a bowl of water in the refrigerator, and change the water every day.
To salt mozzarella for longer keeping, or to prepare it for smoking,
soak it in brine for 4 or 5 hours (See Brined Cheese) The whey from
mozzarella is perfect for making ricotta because it does not have a chance
to develop much acidity.
Smoked Mozzarella: Mozzarella and other firm cheeses can be
cold smoked for flavor. Salting and smoking both help preserve the cheese
by drying it, and discouraging bacteria and insects. Set the cheese on a rack
in the smoker, or wrap in cheesecloth and hang it. Keep the temperature
below 90^F to prevent sweating off butterfat or melting.
Smoke at 60 to 85^F for 4 to 15 hours.
Brined Cheese: Press the cheese for 5 or 6 hours, or overnight, without
salting it. Make enough brine to cover the cheese by about an inch, using
4.1/2 Tablespoons of plain salt for every quart of water needed. Soak the
cheese from 12 to 24 hours. A small cheese requires less time than a large
one. Turn the cheese once or twice to ensure that the brine penetrates
all sides. Drain for about an hour on a cloth covered rack. Cover and
refrigerate. Keeps for a week or more, longer than most fresh cheeses.
. This recipe was Posted on GEnie Food & Wine RT Aug 22, 1992 by
COOKIE.LADY [MUMSIE] and the recipe is available at http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mozzarellar...
Have a great time trying it out and don't forget me ....
Monday, September 18, 2006
MAKE THE WILLOWS WEEP - a poem by me
. And what is that strange bird flying so fast
Staying ahead of us all from first to last?
Leading the multitudes to some obscure goal
And does the goal lie in the future – or in the past?
For most, the dark hidden future is the goal
Towards which they direct their chariots roll
But you, for whom the bird stopped long ere
Still long for the bells of the past to toll
But was the past for which you do aspire,
The lofty summit of your temple’s spire?
. As you do claim in your poem to the world
Or will the bird, prove you too - a liar!
For did you not drift away with the bird
For did you not ignore the cries you heard
. Of your eternal love of a moment ago
And why then did you return afterward
To this silent garden of the Eternal Sleep
Where the dust underfoot is the Eternal Keep
. Of one who remained clutching to the heart
The Memories which make the Willows weep
.................................................Deepak Menon
Staying ahead of us all from first to last?
Leading the multitudes to some obscure goal
And does the goal lie in the future – or in the past?
For most, the dark hidden future is the goal
Towards which they direct their chariots roll
But you, for whom the bird stopped long ere
Still long for the bells of the past to toll
But was the past for which you do aspire,
The lofty summit of your temple’s spire?
. As you do claim in your poem to the world
Or will the bird, prove you too - a liar!
For did you not drift away with the bird
For did you not ignore the cries you heard
. Of your eternal love of a moment ago
And why then did you return afterward
To this silent garden of the Eternal Sleep
Where the dust underfoot is the Eternal Keep
. Of one who remained clutching to the heart
The Memories which make the Willows weep
.................................................Deepak Menon
I WONDER IF YOU EVER HEARD - A poem by me
I wonder if you ever heard
The songs I sang for you
I wonder if you ever saw
The flowers I plucked for you
.
For you were always so far away
Even when by my side you sat
Thinking of the approaching storm
While I rambled of this and that
.
I wonder why you never saw
The house I built for you
To shield you from the clouds you saw
With bloody droplets of love true
.
Why then have you returned to see
This decrepit wreck sitting here
This shadow of what once was me
Why do you now shed a tear?
. .................................Deepak Menon 1998
The songs I sang for you
I wonder if you ever saw
The flowers I plucked for you
.
For you were always so far away
Even when by my side you sat
Thinking of the approaching storm
While I rambled of this and that
.
I wonder why you never saw
The house I built for you
To shield you from the clouds you saw
With bloody droplets of love true
.
Why then have you returned to see
This decrepit wreck sitting here
This shadow of what once was me
Why do you now shed a tear?
. .................................Deepak Menon 1998
Thursday, September 14, 2006
IF EVER, OVER MY GRAVE, YOU GRIEVE - Poem by Deepak Menon
A moment ago your eyes personified life's joys,
...............great and small
Your face smiled at the world.
Your face still smiles, but like the smile painted on a doll
As absently, you brush aside a curl,
.
Of your carelessly ribboned locks of wavy lustrous hair
Falling in a cascade around your face.
And I see that the fire of love in your eyes, is no longer there
Vanished without a trace.
.
I know that, for some time you will continue to profess love
While you gently retreat,
From my life, knowing that, I have already suffered enough
While worshipping your feet.
.
I wonder if you will ever think about me in later years,
When another, you gently leave;
I wonder if your lovely eyes will well with reluctant tears,
If ever, over my grave, you grieve.
. . . . ........................ Deepak Menon
...............great and small
Your face smiled at the world.
Your face still smiles, but like the smile painted on a doll
As absently, you brush aside a curl,
.
Of your carelessly ribboned locks of wavy lustrous hair
Falling in a cascade around your face.
And I see that the fire of love in your eyes, is no longer there
Vanished without a trace.
.
I know that, for some time you will continue to profess love
While you gently retreat,
From my life, knowing that, I have already suffered enough
While worshipping your feet.
.
I wonder if you will ever think about me in later years,
When another, you gently leave;
I wonder if your lovely eyes will well with reluctant tears,
If ever, over my grave, you grieve.
. . . . ........................ Deepak Menon
Monday, September 11, 2006
STOP - RED LIGHT - FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD
TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE DISCIPLINED
INDIA OF TODAY ARE FOLLOWED BY
EVERY INDIAN REGARDLESS OF CASTE,
CREED,RELIGION,RACE,NATIONALITY
OR SPECIES !!!!!!
I got this from someone on the net andwanted to share it immediately ....
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
THE SMILE THAT YOU KEPT FOR ME
. . .By Deepak Menon
There was once a smile as sweet as honey
Yet it was wild as the sea
A smile that could set bells a ringing
The smile that you kept for me
.
An enigmatic smile it was at times
A smile at times lonely
A smile that brought cheer to my life
The smile that you kept for me
.
It was a smile that caused hearts to flutter
With envy and jealousy
When people saw it was not for them
The smile that you kept for me
.
A smile that brought out the best in me
Like courage and bravery
A smile that spurred me to greater heights
The smile that you kept for me
.
But time took its toll and it faded at last
As was never meant to be
And strained is that once beautiful smile
The smile that you keep for me
There was once a smile as sweet as honey
Yet it was wild as the sea
A smile that could set bells a ringing
The smile that you kept for me
.
An enigmatic smile it was at times
A smile at times lonely
A smile that brought cheer to my life
The smile that you kept for me
.
It was a smile that caused hearts to flutter
With envy and jealousy
When people saw it was not for them
The smile that you kept for me
.
A smile that brought out the best in me
Like courage and bravery
A smile that spurred me to greater heights
The smile that you kept for me
.
But time took its toll and it faded at last
As was never meant to be
And strained is that once beautiful smile
The smile that you keep for me
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Great people say and write great things ... So learn them if you can ..
SOME GREAT QUOTES BY GREAT MEN
.
1. Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.
Henry Ford.
2.I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.
Thomas Edison
.
3. Always continue to climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.
Oprah Winfrey
.
4. Ideas must work through the brains and arms of good and brave men, or they are no better than dreams.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
.
5. If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important.
Bertrand Russell
.
6. No rules for success will work if you don't.
Unknown
.
7. Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
Henry Kaiser
.
8. The best kind of pride is that which compels a person to do his or her best even when no one is looking.
Unknown
.
9. The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Vidal Sassoon
.
10. Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
.
11. When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.
John Ruskin
.
12. Warning to all Personnel: Firings will continue until morale improves.
Anonymous
.
13. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison
.
14. Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself.
Samuel Butler
.
15. One plays for the sake of work and works for the sake of leisure.
Aristotle
.
16. The work praises the man.
Irish proverb
.
17. Work your way up or rust your way out.
H Holton
.
I hope you liked this selection but always remember that though a lot of the quotes are about WORK - I never liked that silly thing Work because it is without a doubt the most boring task to do ...
.
Here is one I have just thought up :-
18. "Give 'em a smile and they'll take a mile"
Deepak Menon
29 Aug 2006 on my daughters birthday!
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