Homemade Sausage ...p47

This is one recipe where I'll have to agree with the critic.  Maybe it's just cause we're so used to the spiciness of Texas now (think Elgin sausages:  Southside or Meyer's; or Chappell Hill), that the impact of cloves and cinnamon alone didn't fire us up.  No one seemed quite sure if I was trying to make hamburgers or some other bun-satisfying filler, so if you decide to try it yourself, be sure to follow the directions, and roll the sausage! 

And a word to the wise, if you're gonna make the critic sausage, she wants it rolled-fashion, not patty-wack.

Since I'd already made a ton, the next day I took what I'd patted once already, dumped it in a big bowl and added bucketloads of salt and crushed red peppers to "kick it up a notch" as Emeril says.  We all decided next time, we'd skip the beef and stick to pork.

Hardy Appetit!

Garden Harvest Squares ...p17

An appetizer akin to a cold veggie pizza - wonderful and wonderfully easy.  Be sure to pack the vegetables down a bit with your *clean* hands so they don't slip off on the munching.  I do think next time, I'll chop the broccoli and peppers up even smaller.  If there are leftovers, pop them in the frig - they're just as delicious the next day with a softer crust. 

Hardy Appetit!

Ketchup

Okay, so Ketchup is no longer just a kitchen necessity, but what I must do with my blog!

I've had a rough few weeks finding any extra time - I don't know why, other than fall brings so many demands on the mother of a senior!!!  For one, we unwittingly volunteered for what is probably one of the most time consuming Project Graduation fundraisers - the Flamingo Drill!  We thought it'd be a fun get together with other seniors to "land" flamingos on people's yards, but didn't dream having two sets of these creatures would entail driving anywhere in town almost every night to plant or pick up little pink birds!  The first night we were called back very late (think almost midnight) to retrieve the poor little wooden birdies before the recipient shoots.  We weren't sure if he was talking about us or them!  After a whole month, however, he was the only sourpuss, we're ready to pass them on to another sucker...I mean parent... and we've collected a nice donation to the seniors' graduation party.  Thanks, everyone. 

Fall almost means harvest, and though I have a tiny, tiny garden, I've been busy reaping, sowing cooler weather veggies and flowers, scattering hopeful spring flower seeds and making an attempt to can.  I've frozen tons of pesto and I'm lovin' the Okra!

So "Ketchup" is what I've done tonight, though writing about six different recipes doesn't quite keep me on task to finish in a year...but by golly, I'll try!  Be sure to try them yourself and add your own comments!

Hardy Appetit!