50 Women Game-Changers in Food - #4 Martha Stewart - Spaghetti 101



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...When I first saw Gourmet's list of the most influential women in food, I was genuinely surprised to see that Martha Stewart ranked higher than some of the other women on the list. I thought about it for a while, and, once I put my personal prejudice aside, I had to conclude that the choice and positioning of her name was probably right on the mark. While she may not be a great cook or writer, and never sparked a movement within the culinary world, the communication empire she built redefined the role of middle-class homemakers and the importance of food and entertaining in their lives. Her definition of the good life included wonderful food served in beautiful surroundings by a creative hostess who knew how to cook and entertain in a gracious and elegant manner. She was able to sell that vision to middle-class America and her empire was born. She created menus and recipes and then sold the dishes and linens on which they could be served. She was a workhorse and a powerhouse who strove for excellence in everything she did and, in doing that, changed the standard by which American homemakers judged themselves.

Picking a recipe that represents the work of this singular woman was not an easy task. There are thousands of them and not all the recipes that bear her name are actually her creations. I wanted to feature one that she considered to be the best of its kind. About 10 years ago, Martha did a series of shows that she called Cooking 101. In these shows she developed a series of recipes that she used to teach basic cooking techniques or highlight favorite family foods. This recipe comes from that series of programs, and, at that time, it had the distinction of being her most popular recipe. If you try this you'll see why. It is very easy to make. The dish has a spare elegance and it really is outstanding when it's made with San Marzano tomatoes and imported pasta. The recipe serves three people, but it can easily be doubled and you can have it on the table in 30 minutes. This is peasant food at its best. Here's how its made.


Martha Stewart's Spaghetti 101...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons + 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, drained
8 ounces thin, best-quality spaghetti
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, cut into 1/8-inch-thick pieces
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley leaves, loosely packed and torn
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, optional

Directions:

1) In a tall stockpot, bring 3 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil.
2) Use a food mill or potato ricer to crush tomatoes. Reserve juice from breakdown of tomatoes.
3) Drop spaghetti into boiling water; stir. Cook until al dente, about 11 minutes, or according to package instructions.
4) Place a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat; add oil. Add garlic to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden, about 30 seconds. Add red-pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until garlic is medium golden, about 1 minute.
5) Increase heat to high. Tilting pan at an angle, add tomatoes and their juices. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until tomatoes begin to thicken, 5 to 6 minutes.
6) Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup liquid in case sauce gets too dry. Add pasta to sauce in saute pan; cook until sauce begins to cling to pasta, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil; cook 30 seconds more. Divide among bowls, and sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Yield:2 to 4 servings.

Additional recipes and tributes to Martha Stewart can be found on these excellent blogs.

Val - More Than Burnt Toast
Joanne - Eats Well With Others
Taryn - Have Kitchen Will Feed
Susan - The Spice Garden
Claudia - A Seasonal Cook in Turkey
Heather - girlichef
Miranda - Mangoes and Chutney
Jeanette - Healthy Living
April - Abby Sweets

Everyone is welcome to participate. If you'd like to join us next Friday when we salute M.F.K. Fisher let me know via email.

10 of the Most Famous Computer Hacks of All Time


Hackers are a very diverse bunch, a group simultaneously blamed with causing billions of dollars in damages as well as credited with the development of the World Wide Web and the founding of major tech companies. In this article, we test the theory that truth is better than fiction by introducing you to ten of the most famous hackers, both nefarious and heroic, to let you decide for yourself.

Here's our Top 10 of the Most Famous Computer Hacks of All Time.

Black Hat Crackers

The Internet abounds with hackers, known as crackers or "black hats," who work to exploit computer systems. They are the ones you've seen on the news being hauled away for cybercrimes. Some of them do it for fun and curiosity, while others are looking for personal gain. In this section we profile five of the most famous and interesting "black hat" hackers.

1 - Jonathan James

James gained notoriety when he became the first juvenile to be sent to prison for hacking. He was sentenced at 16 years old. In an anonymous PBS interview, he professes, "I was just looking around, playing around. What was fun for me was a challenge to see what I could pull off."

James's major intrusions targeted high-profile organizations. He installed a backdoor into a Defense Threat Reduction Agency server. The DTRA is an agency of the Department of Defense charged with reducing the threat to the U.S. and its allies from nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and special weapons. The backdoor he created enabled him to view sensitive emails and capture employee usernames and passwords.

James also cracked into NASA computers, stealing software worth approximately $1.7 million. According to the Department of Justice, "The software supported the International Space Station's physical environment, including control of the temperature and humidity within the living space." NASA was forced to shut down its computer systems, ultimately racking up a $41,000 cost. James explained that he downloaded the code to supplement his studies on C programming, but contended, "The code itself was crappy . . . certainly not worth $1.7 million like they claimed."

Given the extent of his intrusions, if James, also known as "c0mrade," had been an adult he likely would have served at least 10 years. Instead, he was banned from recreational computer use and was slated to serve a six-month sentence under house arrest with probation. However, he served six months in prison for violation of parole. Today, James asserts that he's learned his lesson and might start a computer security company.
2 - Adrian Lamo

Lamo's claim to fame is his break-ins at major organizations like The New York Times and Microsoft. Dubbed the "homeless hacker," he used Internet connections at Kinko's, coffee shops and libraries to do his intrusions. In a profile article, "He Hacks by Day, Squats by Night," Lamo reflects, "I have a laptop in Pittsburgh, a change of clothes in D.C. It kind of redefines the term multi-jurisdictional."

Lamo's intrusions consisted mainly of penetration testing, in which he found flaws in security, exploited them and then informed companies of their shortcomings. His hits include Yahoo!, Bank of America, Citigroup and Cingular. When white hat hackers are hired by companies to do penetration testing, it's legal. What Lamo did is not.

When he broke into The New York Times' intranet, things got serious. He added himself to a list of experts and viewed personal information on contributors, including Social Security numbers. Lamo also hacked into The Times' LexisNexis account to research high-profile subject matter.

For his intrusion at The New York Times, Lamo was ordered to pay approximately $65,000 in restitution. He was also sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of probation, which expired January 16, 2007. Lamo is currently working as an award-winning journalist and public speaker.
3 - Kevin Mitnick

A self-proclaimed "hacker poster boy," Mitnick went through a highly publicized pursuit by authorities. His mischief was hyped by the media but his actual offenses may be less notable than his notoriety suggests. The Department of Justice describes him as "the most wanted computer criminal in United States history." His exploits were detailed in two movies: Freedom Downtime and Takedown.

Mitnick had a bit of hacking experience before committing the offenses that made him famous. He started out exploiting the Los Angeles bus punch card system to get free rides. Then, like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, dabbled in phone phreaking. Although there were numerous offenses, Mitnick was ultimately convicted for breaking into the Digital Equipment Corporation's computer network and stealing software.

Mitnick's mischief got serious when he went on a two and a half year "coast-to-coast hacking spree." The CNN article, "Legendary computer hacker released from prison," explains that "he hacked into computers, stole corporate secrets, scrambled phone networks and broke into the national defense warning system." He then hacked into computer expert and fellow hacker Tsutomu Shimomura's home computer, which led to his undoing.

Today, Mitnick has been able to move past his role as a black hat hacker and become a productive member of society. He served five years, about 8 months of it in solitary confinement, and is now a computer security consultant, author and speaker.
4 - Kevin Poulsen

Also known as Dark Dante, Poulsen gained recognition for his hack of LA radio's KIIS-FM phone lines, which earned him a brand new Porsche, among other items. Law enforcement dubbed him "the Hannibal Lecter of computer crime."

Authorities began to pursue Poulsen after he hacked into a federal investigation database. During this pursuit, he further drew the ire of the FBI by hacking into federal computers for wiretap information.

His hacking specialty, however, revolved around telephones. Poulsen's most famous hack, KIIS-FM, was accomplished by taking over all of the station's phone lines. In a related feat, Poulsen also "reactivated old Yellow Page escort telephone numbers for an acquaintance who then ran a virtual escort agency." Later, when his photo came up on the show Unsolved Mysteries, 1-800 phone lines for the program crashed. Ultimately, Poulsen was captured in a supermarket and served a sentence of five years.

Since serving time, Poulsen has worked as a journalist. He is now a senior editor for Wired News. His most prominent article details his work on identifying 744 sex offenders with MySpace profiles.
5 - Robert Tappan Morris

Morris, son of former National Security Agency scientist Robert Morris, is known as the creator of the Morris Worm, the first computer worm to be unleashed on the Internet. As a result of this crime, he was the first person prosecuted under the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Morris wrote the code for the worm while he was a student at Cornell. He asserts that he intended to use it to see how large the Internet was. The worm, however, replicated itself excessively, slowing computers down so that they were no longer usable. It is not possible to know exactly how many computers were affected, but experts estimate an impact of 6,000 machines. He was sentenced to three years' probation, 400 hours of community service and a fined $10,500.

Morris is currently working as a tenured professor at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He principally researches computer network architectures including distributed hash tables such as Chord and wireless mesh networks such as Roofnet.

White Hat Hackers

Hackers that use their skills for good are classified as "white hat." These white hats often work as certified "Ethical Hackers," hired by companies to test the integrity of their systems. Others, operate without company permission by bending but not breaking laws and in the process have created some really cool stuff. In this section we profile five white hat hackers and the technologies they have developed.

1 - Stephen Wozniak

"Woz" is famous for being the "other Steve" of Apple. Wozniak, along with current Apple CEO Steve Jobs, co-founded Apple Computer. He has been awarded with the National Medal of Technology as well as honorary doctorates from Kettering University and Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, Woz was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in September 2000.

Woz got his start in hacking making blue boxes, devices that bypass telephone-switching mechanisms to make free long-distance calls. After reading an article about phone phreaking in Esquire, Wozniak called up his buddy Jobs. The pair did research on frequencies, then built and sold blue boxes to their classmates in college. Wozniak even used a blue box to call the Pope while pretending to be Henry Kissinger.

Wozniak dropped out of college and came up with the computer that eventually made him famous. Jobs had the bright idea to sell the computer as a fully assembled PC board. The Steves sold Wozniak's cherished scientific calculator and Jobs' VW van for capital and got to work assembling prototypes in Jobs' garage. Wozniak designed the hardware and most of the software. In the Letters section of Woz.org, he recalls doing "what Ed Roberts and Bill Gates and Paul Allen did and tons more, with no help." Wozniak and Jobs sold the first 100 of the Apple I to a local dealer for $666.66 each.

Woz no longer works full time for Apple, focusing primarily on philanthropy instead. Most notable is his function as fairy godfather to the Los Gatos, Calif. School District. "Wozniak 'adopted' the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment."
2 - Tim Berners-Lee

Berners-Lee is famed as the inventor of the World Wide Web, the system that we use to access sites, documents and files on the Internet. He has received numerous recognitions, most notably the Millennium Technology Prize.

While a student at Oxford University, Berners-Lee was caught hacking access with a friend and subsequently banned from University computers. w3.org reports, "Whilst [at Oxford], he built his first computer with a soldering iron, TTL gates, an M6800 processor and an old television." Technological innovation seems to have run in his genes, as Berners-Lee's parents were mathematicians who worked on the Manchester Mark1, one of the earliest electronic computers.

While working with CERN, a European nuclear research organization, Berners-Lee created a hypertext prototype system that helped researchers share and update information easily. He later realized that hypertext could be joined with the Internet. Berners-Lee recounts how he put them together: "I just had to take the hypertext idea and connect it to the TCP and DNS ideas and – ta-da! – the World Wide Web."

Since his creation of the World Wide Web, Berners-Lee founded the World Wide Web Consortium at MIT. The W3C describes itself as "an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff and the public work together to develop Web standards." Berners-Lee's World Wide Web idea, as well as standards from the W3C, is distributed freely with no patent or royalties due.
3 - Linus Torvalds

Torvalds fathered Linux, the very popular Unix-based operating system. He calls himself "an engineer," and has said that his aspirations are simple, "I just want to have fun making the best damn operating system I can."

Torvalds got his start in computers with a Commodore VIC-20, an 8-bit home computer. He then moved on to a Sinclair QL. Wikipedia reports that he modified the Sinclair "extensively, especially its operating system." Specifically, Torvalds hacks included "an assembler and a text editor…as well as a few games."

Torvalds created the Linux kernel in 1991, using the Minix operating system as inspiration. He started with a task switcher in Intel 80386 assembly and a terminal driver. After that, he put out a call for others to contribute code, which they did. Currently, only about 2 percent of the current Linux kernel is written by Torvalds himself. The success of this public invitation to contribute code for Linux is touted as one of the most prominent examples of free/open source software.

Currently, Torvalds serves as the Linux ringleader, coordinating the code that volunteer programmers contribute to the kernel. He has had an asteroid named after him and received honorary doctorates from Stockholm University and University of Helsinki. He was also featured in Time Magazine's "60 Years of Heroes."
4 - Richard Stallman

Stallman's fame derives from the GNU Project, which he founded to develop a free operating system. For this, he's known as the father of free software. His "Serious Bio" asserts, "Non-free software keeps users divided and helpless, forbidden to share it and unable to change it. A free operating system is essential for people to be able to use computers in freedom."

Stallman, who prefers to be called rms, got his start hacking at MIT. He worked as a "staff hacker" on the Emacs project and others. He was a critic of restricted computer access in the lab. When a password system was installed, Stallman broke it down, resetting passwords to null strings, then sent users messages informing them of the removal of the password system.

Stallman's crusade for free software started with a printer. At the MIT lab, he and other hackers were allowed to modify code on printers so that they sent convenient alert messages. However, a new printer came along – one that they were not allowed to modify. It was located away from the lab and the absence of the alerts presented an inconvenience. It was at this point that he was "convinced…of the ethical need to require free software."

With this inspiration, he began work on GNU. Stallman wrote an essay, "The GNU Project," in which he recalls choosing to work on an operating system because it's a foundation, "the crucial software to use a computer." At this time, the GNU/Linux version of the operating system uses the Linux kernel started by Torvalds. GNU is distributed under "copyleft," a method that employs copyright law to allow users to use, modify, copy and distribute the software.

Stallman's life continues to revolve around the promotion of free software. He works against movements like Digital Rights Management (or as he prefers, Digital Restrictions Management) through organizations like Free Software Foundation and League for Programming Freedom. He has received extensive recognition for his work, including awards, fellowships and four honorary doctorates.
5 - Tsutomu Shimomura

Shimomura reached fame in an unfortunate manner: he was hacked by Kevin Mitnick. Following this personal attack, he made it his cause to help the FBI capture him.

Shimomura's work to catch Mitnick is commendable, but he is not without his own dark side. Author Bruce Sterling recalls: "He pulls out this AT&T cellphone, pulls it out of the shrinkwrap, finger-hacks it, and starts monitoring phone calls going up and down Capitol Hill while an FBI agent is standing at his shoulder, listening to him."

Shimomura out-hacked Mitnick to bring him down. Shortly after finding out about the intrusion, he rallied a team and got to work finding Mitnick. Using Mitnick's cell phone, they tracked him near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The article, "SDSC Computer Experts Help FBI Capture Computer Terrorist" recounts how Shimomura pinpointed Mitnick's location. Armed with a technician from the phone company, Shimomura "used a cellular frequency direction-finding antenna hooked up to a laptop to narrow the search to an apartment complex." Mitnick was arrested shortly thereafter. Following the pursuit, Shimomura wrote a book about the incident with journalist John Markoff, which was later turned into a movie.
  • Reference/Source: Focus.com by IT Security Editors

10 of the Most Effective Flirting Tips

According to Wiki, flirting is a playful, romantic or sexual overture by one person to another subtly indicating an interest in a deeper relationship with the other person, and can involve verbal communication as well as body language. Body language can include flicking the hair, eye contact, brief touching, open stances, proximity etc. Verbal communication of interest can include the vocal tone, such as pace, volume, intonation. Challenges (teasing, questions, qualifying, feigned disinterest) serve to increase tension, test intention and congruity.

Flirting usually involves speaking and behaving in a way that suggests a mildly greater intimacy than the actual relationship between the parties would justify, though within the rules of social etiquette, which generally disapproves of a direct expression of sexual interest. This may be accomplished by communicating a sense of playfulness or irony. Double entendres, with one meaning more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.

Here's Top 10 of the Most Effective Flirting Tips. Give it a try!

10 - Flirting is an attitude

A good flirt is self-confident and not afraid to take risks. Be enthusiastic and positive, it works!

9 - Start a conversation

The best opening line is saying hello.
Talk about the surroundings, ask a question, ask for help, state an opinion.
8 - Have fun

Be playful, light-hearted and spontaneous.
Show your vulnerability.
7 - Use props

Never leave home without a prop.
Props are natural conversation starters. They encourage conversation and others will be compelled to start talking to you.
Great props include: dogs, kids, unusual jewelry, a irresistable scent, a sweatshirt with your favorite passion or personalized Hoodie with your Rhinestone Initial or T-Shirt with your Rhinestone Initial ties, Guy's Personalized Sweatshirt hats, or an interesting book or newspaper.
6 - Be the host

Change your behavior from the role of guest to host.
You are not the passive person in waiting, but rather the welcome committee.
5 - Make the first move

Move closer to the person you want to meet.
Say hello!

4 - Always Listen

You have two ears and one mouth because you should listen twice as much as you speak.
Listening is a true art. Your flirting partner will be drawn to you.
Everyone loves to be heard.
3 - Eye contact

Make eye contact, but please look your partner in the eye gently (no more than 2-4 seconds) and then glance away.
Don't stare - it's always a turn off.

2 - Make Compliment

Compliment your flirting partner. The best compliments have the element of surprise.
The "flirtee" will know that you really noticed them.
Remember, your compliments must be honest, sincere and genuine.
When you receive a compliment the best response is merely, Thank You!
1 - Don't forget to Smile

It is contagious.
It will make you so much more approachable.
A smile lights up your face and draws people to you. You will be a people magnet.

Relish the Relish - Two Hot Dog Toppers



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...It's a miracle that any of us raised in the 40's and 50's lived to tell the tale. We biked without helmets, skated without knee pads and rode shotgun without seat belts. Folks were not yet health conscious and, unless your mother was a dietician, pantry shelves sagged under the weight of newly introduced dips, chips and spreads. Casseroles ruled the day and a quick dinner of hot dogs and chips was not unusual. One of the treats of the time was a cheese stuffed hot dog wrapped in bacon. When I stumbled on a recipe for them written by Emeril Lagasse , I really had to laugh. The lowly hot dog had come full circle. As bad as these might be for you, they are delicious, and had Proust sampled one, culinary literature might forever have been changed. Over the next few days, folks are going to consume a lot of hot dogs, so, I thought this would be a good time to share some recipes for condiments to serve with them. As it happens, I have two recipes for relish that I think you'll enjoy. They are easy to make and will allow you to put your own stamp on the hot dogs you serve this holiday weekend. Here's how they're made.



Cranberry and Sauerkraut Relish...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

Directions:
In a small saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add cranberry sauce, mustard, sugar, garlic powder and pepper sauce. Cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until cranberry sauce is melted. Add sauerkraut; heat through. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate Yield: 1-1/2 cups.



Quick Pickle Relish...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Michael Chiarello

Ingredients:
1 cup diced dill pickle
1/4 cup hot/sweet mustard
1 tablespoon pickle brine
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Optional: 1 teaspoon drained, chopped pimento

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, stir and serve with hot dogs or hamburgers.







One Year Ago Today: Red Pepper Relish















Two Years Ago Today: Parmesan Crisps








You might also enjoy these recipes:
Sweet or Savory Pickle Relish - Cooking with Corey
Sweet Pickle Relish - Stefani's Cooking Spot
Dill Pickle Relish - The Tasty Kitchen
Corn Relish - Simply Recipes
Pickled Pepper Relish - One Perfect Bite

10 of the 20 Best Songs of All Time

According to popmatters.com, here's the Top 10 best songs of all time. Check it out if yours is on the list.
10 - Ray Charles “Cryin’ Time”


Another vintage 1960s song that gave people something to slow-dance to, as Charles’ wistful voice transformed the mournful tune into a crossover hit.




9 - Roger Miller “King of the Road”


A quirky, laid-back singalong song that was novel enough in the `60s to draw rock-crazed crowds back into country music. Miller was the perfect foil for the British popsters of the day.




8 - Johnny Cash “Orange Blossom Special”


Of the many versions of this fiddler’s classic, anyone can sing along with Johnny Cash’s cover of THE best train song ever.




7 - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys “Faded Love”


If the twin fiddles of this Texas dancehall favorite don’t get you, move somewhere else. Quickly.




6 - Hank Williams Sr. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”


He had bigger hits, but Williams’ elemental ode to sadness has been covered by dozens of artists and taken to heart by millions of fans.




5 - Willie Nelson “Whiskey River”


How many concerts have you attended that started with TWANG, TWANG, TWANG, TWANG, then these two words? We thought so.




4 - George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today”


Death, unrequited love, third-party gossip, it’s all here—along with Jones’ hangdog baritone.




3 - Merle Haggard “Mama Tried”


Haggard was still a handsome rebel himself when this tale of misspent youth made us all a little restless.




2 - Patsy Cline “Sweet Dreams”


The gold standard of songs for Cline wannabes—it takes pluck to attempt her triumph of vocal range and emotion.




1 - Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire”


The horns, the tempo, Cash’s smoldering voice and June Carter’s dead-on songwriting remain as exciting now as in the 1960s.




  • Reference/Source: Popmatters.com by Shirley Jinkins and Malcolm Mayhew [20 September 2007]

Crusty Farm-Style Fried Chicken



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I was delighted when this recipe was reprinted by the editors of Farm Journal. I had originally seen it in one of their old cookbooks, and made it for the first time nearly fifty years ago. I was newly married and trying to capture the warmth and aura of country cooking in a very modest big city kitchen. Thoughts of that kitchen still make me smile. It had an ancient stove, a refrigerator and a sink with a drain board that was also used for assembly and chopping. I first made this chicken there. The recipe was great and I used it for years, but when our nest began to empty and calories had to be watched more carefully than the children ever were, the recipe was retired and fell out of sight and mind. I stumbled on it again last year and simply had to make it again. The biggest drawback was scaling ingredients to feed fewer people. I halved the ingredients and used two (2-1/2 pound) chickens to make this for our dinner. There were four of us at the table that evening and I still had leftovers for the following day. If you are unable to find packets of the powdered garlic dressing, an Italian mix can be substituted. I think those of you who try this chicken will love it. It is a perfect choice for holiday picnics or alfresco dining. Here's the recipe as it originally appeared in Farm Journal (AGWeb).


Crusty Farm-Style Fried Chicken
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Farm Journal

Ingredients:
3 (3 pounds) broiler-fryers..cut in pieces
2 envelopes garlic salad dressing mix (i.e. Good Seasons)
3 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons soft butter
1 cup milk
1-1/2 cups pancake mix
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:
1) Wipe chicken pieces with a damp paper towel. Combine salad dressing mix, flour and salt in a small bowl. Add lemon juice and butter, mix to a smooth paste. Brush chicken on all sides with spice paste. Store coated chicken in refrigerator over night.
2) About 1-1/2 hours before serving heat 1/2-inch of oil in large skillet. Dip chicken in milk, then coat with pancake mix. Lightly brown in hot oil. When browned place in a shallow baking pan, one layer deep. Spoon half of remaining dipping milk over chicken. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove foil, baste with pan drippings and bake 20 to 30 minutes more. Remove from Oven and serve immediately. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.







One Year Ago Today: Lemon Coleslaw













Two Years Ago Today: Red Cooked Pork






You might also enjoy these recipes:
Perfect Fried Chicken - Chef at Large
Double Dipped Fried Chicken - The Red Spoon
Southern Fried Chicken - The Galley Gourmet
Crispy Oven Fried Chicken - Living the Gourmet
Batter Fried Chicken - What's Cookin' Chicago?

Cottage Cheese Rolls



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I always tuck bread or rolls into my picnic hamper. I love the way the yeasty aroma permeates the basket and leaves no doubt that buried treasure lies within. I have a real weakness for good bread and can't imagine a proper picnic without a soft or crusty loaf as part of the meal. I first had these rolls at a block party when I was a child. They came from Hannie's German kitchen and they were still warm when she put them on the table. The rolls, obviously, created a taste memory that is not easily forgotten. I've since done some research, and learned that the rolls are much like those made in Central Europe in the days before World War II. I wanted to know why cottage cheese was used in the buns, and, unfortunately, came up with no good answers. While Hannie used cottage cheese to add protein to the bread, I was unable to discover why it was first used in those European kitchens. Chances are it was an afterthought, used to prevent the waste of cheese on the verge of spoiling. That is purely a guess on my part, but the history of the region suggests it is probably close to the mark. The cheese helps produces light rolls that have a vaguely sour taste. They are extremely good, but the dough, which rises quickly, is difficult to work with. It is very sticky. It will be hard to resist the temptation to add more flour than the recipe actually calls for. Resist with all your might. Some suggest using floured hands to knead the dough. I prefer to keep my hands wet. While, I know it seems counterintuitive, damp hands will do the trick and prevent too much flour from being added to the dough. Save for the stickiness, these rolls are easy to make. While, I think they are best from the oven, they keep well for several days if properly wrapped. The recipe can be doubled, and herbs such as dill or chives make a nice addition if you want to add additional flavor to the rolls. Here's the recipe.

Cottage Cheese Rolls... from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
1) Combine yeast and water in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
2) Heat cottage cheese in a small saucepan set over medium heat until it registers a temperature of 110 to 115 degrees F.
3) Add cottage cheese, egg, sugar, salt, baking soda and 1 cup flour to yeast mixture. Beat until perfectly smooth. Stir in remaining flour to form a firm dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
4) Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 15 pieces. Shape each piece into a roll. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
5) Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Yield: 15 rolls.








One Year Ago Today: Baba Ganoush














Two Years Ago Today: Blue Corn Muffins











You might also enjoy these recipes:
Homemade Hamburger Rolls - Food is Love
Multigrain Rolls - Annie's Eats
Warm and Buttery Olive Oil and Rosemary Rolls - The Recipe Girl
Sour Cream Yeast Rolls - Real Mom Kitchen
Honey Yeast Rolls - Plain Chicken

Top Tip #40 - TIPPER WEEK - T is for......Challenge

Morning everyone!

Its Tipper Week!!!  Yep, our whole team has some tips and fabulous creations to share with you!

Thanks to everyone who took part in last weeks Criss Cross it challenge - it was great seeing such variations on the theme!!

This weeks challenge is:

T is for.......?

As long as there is something on your creation that starts with a 'T' - then you can enter it into a challenge....eg, Thank you sentiment, tied bow, Tinkerbell, Teacher, Triple - could be three of something, Turquoise, Tearing/Torn Paper Technique,Twisted (ribbon, wire, paper)
....anything at all!!


This weeks sponsors are:


Simon Says Stamp
Photobucket
Simon Says Stamp is offering a $20 gift voucher to spend in their store!!
In business since 2002, Simon Says Stamp is striving to offer you the best selection of Rubber Stamps, Altered Art, Scrapbooking, Artist Trading Cards, and Paper Crafting Supplies in the world.  We stock over 100,000 items in our warehouses so that we can offer you quick service and one stop shopping at a great price!


Happy customers are the heart of our business.


We work hard to find and deliver to you the latest in stamping and paper crafting supplies!  Attending classes, workshops, and sales meetings around the world, our goal is to keep our product offerings fresh and current.  Make us your one stop easy shop - and we'll deliver right to your door! 

Featured Tipper Prize

Pizzazz Aplenty
Pizzazz Aplenty is run by Judy Bennet, and she is offering our Featured Tipper this fabulous stack of goodies..

Pkg of 3, Victorian Lady Cameos, Turquoise, Pkg of 2, Boy & Girl Cameos, Blue/Gray, Pkg of 6, Button Stick Pins, Pkg of 6, Small Heart Stick Pins, Pkg of 20, Crystal Gem Stick Pins Red, One pkg each of: 2mm, 3mm, 4mm Olive Green flatback Pearls, One pkg each of: 3mm, 4mm Dark Chocolate flatback Pearls, One pkg each of: 3mm, 4mm Olive Green flatback Rhinestones, 5 yards Only Olive Dream String, 10 yards Brown & White Baker's Twine, 1/4" x 25-yard roll Sheer Organza Ribbon, Mint Green
One Gel Picker.


Judy's Bio
Pizzazz Aplenty began with only a bit of bling and some ribbon, but in the last few months, we've added so much more... from cardstock to cello bags, as well as charms, stick pins, brads, buttons, cords, twines, laces, and over 20 colors in flatback pearls and rhinestones.  The newest additions are teardrop pearls, button stick pins, leaf pins, heart pins, resin cameos and flowers!
Please stop by for a look at our store: Pizzazz Aplenty
 

  
Prize offered to 1 lucky winner is : 3 packs of die cuts.
Crimson Cloud is a mother/daughter venture - a way to indulge our joint passion of cardmaking and crafting. We only sell products that we have tried, tested and love using. We have developed our own exclusive range of dies cuts, digital stamps, svg files and "Make Your Own Card" kits which reflect our styles of card making - and hopefully yours too!"




Now here are the teams tips and creations with the 'T' items!

T is for Tri fold, Three Characters

My tip:
I love using my Cricut but get really frustrated when the mat starts losing its stickiness and you stop getting a clean cut. I have discovered Crafters Companion's stick and spray. Just give you mat a quick spray and it is as good as new - and you don't have to buy a new mat!



  •  
  • Annette
  • Tilda, Two birds, Two flowers, Thinking of you
  • Tip: Stickles isn't just for fairy wings !
    You can also use its fine applicator to define the edge of papers.

Tip: When making a Teepee card make sure you have the same sizes on all pieces and that you glue your patterned paper on to the same side on all three pieces;)






Tortoise, Turquoise & Tan
Tip - Use tweezers to apply gems and small embellishments.


  • Janette
  • Tilda, Turquoise, Tattered Angels, Tiara, True Friend, Tag
  • Tip: Curl the wire end of your flowers around a thin paint brush to make into an embellishment instead of snipping it off.

Judy
Teenager card, Triple crystal gems, Taffy Pink Jumbo brads
Tip: Use a coffee filter to pour your embossing powder into - easy to pour back in the jar, and easy to toss away after!

  • Tip; When you want to blend colours using pro-markers, try holding the nib on the area so the colour bleeds.


  • T for Trio of Butterflies, Thank You Teacher
    Tip - Use nail varnish remover to take the stickiness off your scissor blades!

  • Tip: Sometimes picking a card technique first will inspire the theme of the card later
  • Tent Card Technique
  • (Teddy Bear, Tulips, "Tip-Toeing")
Maggie

Teddy Bear and a Tag
Tip:
When stamping repeatedly the same image rotate the stamp by 90 degrees.






T is for 'Teddy with a Trio of Butterflies and a Transparent Flower'!


Tip
Use Skeleton leaves to make flowers!
Curve the leaves so sit proud of your card. Use a big blob of silicone type glue in the centre (I use Bathroom Sealant!), adding a tiny dot to fix each leaf tip.

  •  
  • Paula
  • Tissue Paper Technique and Tealight Cake!
  • Tip: Do you buy kits and are dissatisfied with the contents? Make your own when you have a long stretch of time. Then when you are short on crafting time, but longing to do SOMETHING, pull out one (or two) of your homemade kits and craft away.
  • Tip - Try using your TH distress re-inkers on a tile for water colouring,
    I use an old glass bar from an old fridge, cleaned of course!
    T for Tangerine, Teal, Tim Holtz distress inks, Towing (butterfly) Two strips of Ribbon


  •  
  • Tammy Louise
  • Toddler Tearing tag, with toys, trinkets, teddy charm and tutu and Tim Holtz (dp)
  • Tip:Copic E19 is great for slight auburn streaks in hair color (very thin lines)
color your pearl stickers with copic markers any color you need ( and only have to buy white)



Please visit the DT's blog's for more info on their projects
and leave them a comment, DT Members love comments too...
...and really appreciate them :)

***********************************************
Don't forget to follow our rules;
~ Link to post and not just your blog ~
~ No backlinking ~

~ Max 3 entries each ~
~ Add 'TIP' after your name to indicate you also have a tip in your blog post ~

***********************************************

Challenge closes at 5pm UK time Monday the 5th of July 2011