Just so you know, I am always here to help improve your useful knowledge, so today I have answers to questions you may have never considered! Some research was necessary, here. Hope you can use this information. “How important does a person have to be before he or she is considered assassinated instead of just murdered?” What a good question. The death usually must have religious, political or social implications for an assassination. Just being famous doesn’t do it. For example, John Lennon was famous, but we don’t usually refer to his murder as an assassination. Now I hope you…
Author: Melanie Behrens
Here is dinner for tomorrow! ___ Bacon carbonara with chicken 1/2 lb. pasta fresh diced parsley or dried flakes 2 C cooked/cut up rotisserie chicken 1/2 C heavy cream 1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 tsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 1/2 lb. bacon fried crisp then crumbled 1 small onion finely chopped 1/2 C chopped mushrooms In a large bowl, mix eggs, cream, Parmesan, parsley, salt and olive oil in a bowl and set aside. Next, in a large frying pan, fry bacon until just crisp, then crumble and set aside as well. With 1-2…
At this point in my life there are very few firsts, but just last week, there it was. I was at an Ohio State football game where there was an emergency weather situation. I have been attending games at Ohio Stadium for way longer than I’d like to say, rarely missing any home game. It is the first time I have ever been directed to seek cover during a game. What a crazy thing that was. It was a hot day. I mean it was humid and 85 degrees and the Buckeyes were doing well in the home opener. The…
This week is a little different because I have four appetizer/dip recipes to serve as described, together or separately. ___ Appetizer dough balls 7-1/2 oz. pizza dough olive oil Beef dip Philly cheesesteak, chopped 1 C cooked beef mince 1/8 tsp. kosher salt black pepper to taste cooking spray 1 C diced onion 1 C diced green pepper 1/4 C mayonnaise 1/2 C light sour cream 4 oz. light cream cheese, softened 4 oz. shredded mozzarella “provolone” Spinach and artichoke dip 1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese softened 1/2 C mayonnaise 1/2 C sour cream 1/2 C chopped artichokes 1/2 C…
The world is always offering tips about how to live better. I came across these tips and decided to see if they will really help us. My research backs them up … mostly. These suggestions are said to help us have a happier, healthier life. Hmmmm: “People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don’t.” It appears a California researcher has discovered that laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the entire body, because it will increase levels of the hormone known as beta-endorphins. I’ll bet you’ve heard of it. Laughter also helps to increase the levels…
The peaches are wonderful now. Be sure to try this first recipe. ___ Tennessee peaches Filling: 5 C peaches, peeled and diced, fresh or frozen 2 C all-purpose flour 1 C sugar 1 C whole milk 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. nutmeg Topping: 3/4 C brown sugar 3/4 C sugar 3 tbsp. unsalted butter 3 C water 1/2 tsp. nutmeg ice cream/whipped cream/cool whip, optional Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. In a large saucepan over medium…
It’s time again for the annual “Stella Awards.” For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 79-year-old Stella Liebeck who in 1994 spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald’s restaurant in New Mexico, where she purchased the coffee. You may remember that while sitting in a vehicle, she took the lid off the coffee cup to add cream and sugar putting it between her knees. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right? She spilled the coffee on her causing third degree burns. She was hospitalized for eight days and had skin…
This is low carb week so here’s good stuff you can enjoy and maybe lose weight. ___ Low carb frosty 1 C heavy whipping cream 1 tbsp. almond butter 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 5 drops liquid Stevia 1 tsp. vanilla extract Mix all ingredients together using an eggbeater, until stiff peaks form. Place in freezer for about 30-60 minutes until barely frozen. Place frosty in a plastic freezer bag, cut one corner, and pipe into separate small cups. ___ Low carb chicken Parmesan 5 C cubed cooked chicken 1 C no-sugar-added marinara sauce 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 1…
Many people grow tomatoes in the summertime in Ohio. You might even do that, too. Actually, it’s an easy thing. Just buy the plants and find a good, sunny place to grow them. We use an extended area of a flower garden. After you put them in the ground, add some fertilizer and water, and soon you have tomato buds. Anybody can do it. But we have a problem. In our yard we seem to have a perfect location except for an unauthorized invasion. Critters in our backyard think the tomatoes are a treat. I think they come out at…
Here’s dinner for tomorrow night! ___ Plaza chicken 1 lb. spaghetti 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenders 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 tbsp. beef broth 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 tsp. cornstarch 4 tbsp. butter (divided) 2 C heavy cream or Half/Half Ingredients for seasoning: 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. parsley 1 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. adobo (found in Spanish section) In a large bowl, coat chicken evenly with all seasonings, set aside. In large skillet, melt only half the butter over…
Ever since the tragedy of 9/11, the federal government has been working on a more extensive ID for U.S. citizens. Now, just 15 years after Congress passed the Real ID Act to curb terrorism, finally, it is being implemented. I am talking about the new federal requirement for a thing called Real ID. Ohio is calling it Compliant ID, meaning we comply with the federal requirements. At this time only 26 states are compliant and the rest must fall in line quickly. Some actually filed objections on grounds of privacy and federal overreach. I think they lost that appeal. If…
Here are three appetizers for your next summer party. ___ Best queso dip 1/2 lb. pepperjack cheese, cubed 1/2 lb. American cheese (white), cubed 1 C whole milk (maybe more for thinning dip later) 8 oz. cream cheese 1/2 C regular sour cream 1 can Rotel 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. chili powder Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every so often. Or, in a medium size saucepan, combine all ingredients and stir often while it is heating up. Then, transfer to a 2-quart crockpot…
How many times do you get to do something really special for another human being? George Beeson’s family accomplished this for him. Fortunately they could do exactly what he wanted for a huge birthday gift – an unusual plane ride. George, a retired Union County farmer (that is, if any farmer ever really retires), just had his 90th birthday on April 4. He still lives on his farm on St. Route 31, but grew up in Vandalia, Ohio. He was born in 1928 and was one of 11 children. The farm he lived on was not far from the Vandalia…
How’s your sweet tooth? See if any of these recipes will work for you. ___ Creamy lemonade pie 1 can of evaporated milk 1 box of instant lemon pudding mix 2 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese 3/4 C frozen lemonade concentrate Pie Crust: 2-1/2 C graham cracker crumbs 1/3 C sugar 2/3 C butter, melted Or you can use 1 graham cracker crust, 9-in. (making this a no bake dessert) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all crust ingredients and whisk together until well combined. Press mixture into deep dish pie dish and make sure to…
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “It’s all about me.” Well, this week that’s the theme. In this column I often tell stories about my friend’s crazy lives, so now I’ve been encouraged to “fess up” about some of my wacky events. Actually I was more than encouraged. I was told it’s the least I can do for all those I may have moderately embarrassed, although that is never my intention. I’m pretty sure they were kidding about that. So here goes: Being impatient may be my worst trait and my big-gest fault. I’m impatient if the golfers in front…