Elle’s Niche

Wow!  It really has been a long break – Halloween!!!!  Time really flies.  Over the last couple of weeks I have been thinking of my first ‘after-break’ entry and there are so many thoughts on this…Today, the Mister and I took the kids on a little 120 mile adventure. 

Over the last few weeks (among other things) I have picked up machine embroidery.  My wonderful MIL has been doing it for years and has nudged me a few times.  I even bought a sewing/embroidery machine combo two years ago, but have only used it as a sewing machine.  That’s hard to believe!  I was working on a little logo this week and heard this terrible noise….OOPS!  My machine is yelling at me.  The safety device is on and I have no idea how to fix it!  A little internet research later… I found Ralph!  He is my savior!  He fixed my machine, gave me some great advice and a few laughs as well.  If you are in his area I would stop by. 

So while waiting for my machine, we took a little tour of the town.  We stopped by a little indoor flea market and I ran across this beauty!

She is in GREAT condition!  Mister said ‘whatever you want Honey!’ and I said ok!  A little internet searching on my phone and that baby was mine!   I mean, I did just have a birthday!  Happy Birthday to me!  It has some wonderful features:

• Swing-up working table for serger with support stand(store on door)
• Roll-out storage shelf for serger
• Drop leaf cutting table
• Two large drawers on metal runners
• Measuring tape (cm/inches)
• Lockable for child safety

And!!!!  The best thing about it……it was $27.00.  Yep!  That is right!  $27.00!!!!!  Ralph told me that I I had purchased this from a dealer it would have been in the $1800.00 to 2000.00 range.  Can you say BARGAIN!!!  I have always wanted one, but couldn’t justify the money.  Well, today I did!  Now to re-organize my sewing area!

Hope all is well out there in Bloggyland!  Until next time…

Yesterday and this morning I made bagels.  I love love love bagels!!!  I can’t get enough – especially when they are fresh!  Over the years I have tried several recipes and until yesterday, was not happy with any of them.  This recipe is wonderful.  It is nice to have them on hand and at $2.50 for four they are a great way to save a little.  The kids love them and right now Bug has four teeth coming in at the same time so they are wonderful for him to chew on.

So here you go….it is an adaptation from a recipe I found on Bagel Recipes.

Ingredients:

2 T of yeast (I use Fleishmans Bread Machine yeast)
3 T of sugar.
1 T of salt.
4 ¼ cups of bread flour.
1 ½ cups of water, 110 degrees.
Water, for boiling.
1 tablespoon of sugar.

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature allowed. When it is done preheating, turn the oven off, but leave the door shut. This will be where the dough rises after shaping.

Place the dough ingredients in your bread machine as directed by your manufacturer’s instructions. For my machine it is liquid ingredients first, dry ingredients next and yeast last.
Set the bread machine on the dough cycle – my machine has two dough cycles, one made just for bagels.

When your machine signals, remove dough to well floured surface and cut into 8 equal pieces (you can make minis by cutting into 16 pieces). Shape these pieces into round flattened mounds and with your thumb, poke a hole in the middle. Stick your finger in the hole and twirl around your finger until the whole is about two inches in diameter. This hole looks a little big now, but it will be ok.
Place your bagels on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Place in your oven to rest for about 20-25 minutes.

After their first rest, take them out of the oven and preheat your oven to 475°F. BE careful not to jiggle the bagels too much.
In a large pot, bring about 12 cups of water with the sugar to a full boil.
Once the oven is preheated put them in your oven for 5 minutes, turning over after 3.

Remove the bagels and reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Place 3 to 4 bagels in simmering water for total of 1-1 ½ minutes, turning over at the halfway mark.

Remove the 3 bagels from water and drain. I like to do this on a cooling rack to that all the water drains off the bagel. Continue this for all the bagels.
Place simmered bagels back on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 20 - 25 minutes or until brown.

You can add toppings (parmesan cheese, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, fresh Italian seasoning, minced onions) – whatever you like…It is best to do this in between the boiling and baking stage.  They can also be brushed with egg if you so choose.  They are also good without the whole for sandwhiches!  YUM YUM!!!

ENJOY!

He did pretty well…cried a little…but all in all a good experience!

Wow!  My second post in a day!  Has to be a record…Angela this one is for you!

These are the homemade hot dog buns I made this afternoon.  I must tell you they were really good and I think they would be great for other meals…They are little heavier than store bought, but oh so tasty!!  My search started for a recipe and after a little bit of research (by way of a few of my favorite sewing blog/sites) found what I think are a coupe of good recipes.  Eeny, meeny, miny, moe…Couldn’t decide so I used a little of several…

Here is the recipe.  I just threw everything in my bread machine on the dough cycle and let her go. 

Add the ingredients according to your bread machines manufacturer and be sure to beat the egg before adding.  After the dough cycle is done, throw onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 16 equal pieces – this can be adjusted from 10 to 16 pieces, depending on what size dogs you are using.  Form the dough into ‘loaves’ the length of your hot dogs.  Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in a pre-heated oven at your lowest temperature.  Make sure the oven is off – throw them in and let them rise for about 1/2 hour.  Take them out of the oven carefully and pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.  Bake for 10-12 minutes – they will be golden brown on the top.  You can bush them with egg before baking if you prefer.  Voila!

These would be great hamburger buns, dinner rolls, breakfast rolls with gravy, sandwich rolls…the possibilities are endless!  I think you could even wrap the hot dogs with the dough and bake together….Yum Yum! 

My little guy’s way of helping in the kitchen!

The picture is old, but the smiles are forever…

Last evening Heaven wrapped it’s arms around another beautiful soul…  We will miss you Papa…

Haven’t been here in a while…I am glad to be back!  So I was thinking about my return entry and what could be better than food!?

My Secret Potato Soup

(you will have to forgive the crappy picture – I forgot to take one in the beautiful bowl I served it in – Tupperware will have to do!)

Ingredients: (All measurements are approximate – I just throw things in the pot)

• 3-4 lbs potatoes (your favs will do!) – peeled and cubed
• 1-2 small sweet potatoes – peeled and cubed
• 2 medium onions – chopped
• 1 stick butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 table spoon brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper – freshly ground
• sprig of rosemary – about 1/2 tsp dried
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp dried yellow mustard
• splash of parsley – about 1/2 tsp dried
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (whole)
• water
• ham or bacon – previously cooked and cut up

Secret Ingredients: (These are the ones that the kids have no idea are in there)

• 2 cups sliced carrots (this can be canned corn if you prefer)
• 2 cups corn (this can also be canned if you prefer– can even be creamed corn)

Directions:

In a large pot, melt the butter and to it add the spices, carrots and corn and cook until onions are clear and caramelized.  I usually do this while I am preparing the potatoes – seems to be the perfect timing.  Empty into a bowl to cool. 

Add the cubed potatoes and sweet potatoes to the pot, along with the chicken broth.  Top off – just enough to cover the potatoes with water.  Bring to a boil and reduce to med-low heat to simmer for an hour, or until potatoes are tender. Add the ham or bacon.

Add the cool caramelized onions, carrots and corn to a blender and mixed until the consistency of runny mashed potatoes.  You can add a little of the broth fro the pot if necessary.  Add this blended mixture back to the simmering potatoes.  his will continue to simmer until the potatoes are soft.

If you would like to blend a little with an immersion blender, so this just before you take the pot off the heat.  That’s it!  You’re done!  Enjoy with this with sandwiches or some homemade rolls.  Yummy!