Mothership's Open Salon Blog

Foodie Tuesday: Chicken Kiev

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:02:37 -0500

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CHICKEN KIEV

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
½ teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup flour
1 large egg
1 ½ cups dry bread crumbs
½ cup oil

Preheat oven to 350°.

Directions:

Pound chicken between wax paper until it is the same thickness through out the breast, about 1/4 inch. Season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine butter, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, chives, garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cream together until well mixed.

Divide the mixture evenly between the four chicken breasts, spread in center of each one. Roll the chicken up tightly and secure with a toothpick.

Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, beat the egg with a fork.

In a third bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the other tablespoon of parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip into the egg, and roll in the bread crumbs.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use tongs to place the chicken in the hot oil and fry until the bottom sides are brown (about 3-4 minutes). Turn and brown the other side of each chicken breast for 2-3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Serve. Servings: 4

Foodie Tuesday: "Catcher in the Rye" Appetizers

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:02:09 -0500

This is one SUPER Superbowl Snack!

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground chuck

1 pound fresh, ground pork sausage

3 tablespoons minced onion

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pound Velveeta

2 loaves or packages of cocktail rye bread

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350°. Line baking sheet or coat with non-stick spray.

In a large skillet, cook beef, sausage and onion over a medium heat until meat is browned and cooked through. Drain fat. Stir in garlic powder,

Worcestershire, black pepper, and process cheese into the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined.

Place cocktail rye slices single layer on baking sheet. Spread 1 tablespoon of mixture onto each slice of cocktail rye. Toast in oven just until cheese begins to bubble (5-10 minutes). Remove to platter. Serve warm.

Serves: 10-12

Foodie Tuesday: Ellen's Onion-Garlic CHEX Mix

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:01:36 -0500

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9cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex® or Wheat Chex® cereal (or combination)

2cups bite-size pretzel twists

1cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces

1 10 ounce can Planter’s Deluxe Mixed Nuts (no peanuts)

1 6 ounce can French’s French Fried Onions

1 stick butter, melted

1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1package (1 oz) Lipton Onion Soup Mix

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Heat oven to 250°. In large bowl, mix cereals, pretzels, bagel chips nuts and onions; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Serves 6-8

Happy Birthday, BABY!

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:01:46 -0500

VERBAL REMEDY

So many

disconnected

birthdays

lost to us

then

November 1995

unexpectedly

your

disembodied voice

evoked memories

that

unnatural rending

from

devastating

long—ago

coupled with

possibilities

un-hoped-for

tomorrows

one’s

entire lifetime

re-lived

disclosed

inter-woven

into

the tapestry

the other

cadence

gestures

expressions

reflected and absorbed

replenished

ever-present

yet

unacknowledged void

the tentative dance

began

inquiries

responses

could have beens

might have beens

never weres

what was

what is

what may bes

once out of sync

with practiced

choreography

after

finding our timing

we continue

to tap

euphoric challenge

Outing Myself...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:01:48 -0500

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...or forcing myself to get out there...

"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."...

~Bob Dylan~ All Along the Watchtower

I've discovered that I am not meant for solitude nor idleness...is anyone?

My Midwestern parents raised responsible offspring , emphasizing and instilling a strong work ethic. I began gainful employment as a 16 year-old, high-school sophomore, working 32 hours a week , in addition to classes, homework and extra-curricular activities.

I worked full-time through Summer breaks, during my first two years of college, married young and supported my husband and myself, as he earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa.

While raising our three sons, I operated an in-home, day-care center, for thirteen years, caring for 39, pre-school-aged children, over the years. (as well as their older sibs, after school and during Summer breaks)

After our 20-year marriage failed, I left with $1000 and went back to school. I earned two degrees and began my career in heath care. I re-married and supported both of us for half of our marriage.

Following my husband’s illness and death, I continued to support myself for another 10 years, until I lost my employment over 2 years ago. I sold my home in Iowa, (purchased on my own, thank you very much) stored my furniture and other treasures and moved into my sister’s home in Illinois, (bless her and my other supportive siblings) planning to find employment and start anew.

THEN…the financial/ employment crisis hit with a vengeance.

At first, I viewed my unemployment status as a temporary, “break.” But, as month after month rolled past, with no gainful employment in sight, I began to isolate far too often and far too deeply. OS has offered daylight and the opportunity to maintain and hone my writing skills, and to maintain my sense of connectedness and self-worth.

Don’t get me wrong. I know that I am accomplished and skilled professional. Over the course of my career, I have been honored to be a companion resource for numerous, vulnerable clients, as they discovered their own pathways back toward healthy, productive lives.

In other capacities, I have lectured at the AMA and Catholic Conference of Bishops, have attended Capitol Hill receptions on end-of life care and personally authored the 109 page, Stewart Communications component of the Final Evaluation for the 2000, PBS, 6-part Series, On Our Own Terms: Moyers On Dying, submitted to Public Affairs Television. (Bill and Judith Moyer’s parent broadcasting company) In short, I recognize that after working hard to attain 'it', I’ve got "it." Unfortunately, “it” is not in great demand at the moment...neither my "it," nor that of thousands of other dedicated, skilled, displaced wage-earners.

Being a visual artist and poet, and an avid reader, I have found that my time away from the daily hustle and bustle has afforded me ample time to enjoy these pursuits, as never before. Still, there is an increasingly persistent, inner pull (and financial necessity) to resume my career. I began my professional life, relatively late, at age 42, so though I have amassed nearly 20 years experience, I am convinced that I still have many productive years ahead.

Bottom line: I am determined to get back out there. After nearly 12 years of independence, there is a new, magnificent man in my life, with whom to dream and plan. But, above all…I’ve missed me.

By the way, “me” is highly flexible and adaptable, so whatever is out there, wherever it is offered, I’m game… “Would you like fries with that?”

O.K. Life! One more time…Bring it on!

Mothership's Open Salon Blog

Foodie Tuesday: Chicken Kiev

CHICKEN KIEV

Foodie Tuesday: "Catcher in the Rye" Appetizers

This is one SUPER Superbowl Snack!

Foodie Tuesday: Ellen's Onion-Garlic CHEX Mix

Serves 6-8

Happy Birthday, BABY!

Outing Myself...

"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief, "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief. Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth, None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke, "There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate, So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."...

~Bob Dylan~ All Along the Watchtower

"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."...