This is an awesome recipe for chicken fried steak that I got from my mom (courtesy of Southern Living). We had it for dinner tonight and it was amazing (not to mention cheap!).
Ingredients:
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
1 1/4 C. flour, divided
2 t. salt, divided
1 1/2 t. pepper, divided
1/2 t. baking powder
4 3/4 C. milk, divided
2 eggs
1 C. oil (peanut, canola or vegetable)
4 cubed steaks
Heat oven to 225. Place a cooling rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet.
1. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper (or Everglades seasoning, if you have it).
2. Combine crackers, 1 cup flour, 1 t. salt, 1/2 t. pepper and baking powder in a shallow dish.
3. Whisk 3/4 cup milk and eggs in another dish.
4. Dredge steaks in cracker mixture, being sure to press crackers into steak. Next dip steaks into the milk and then dredge in cracker mixture again.
5. Pour oil into a skillet (NOT non-stick, you need the crumbs for the gravy, I use my cast-iron skillet and it works great) and heat to 360 degrees.
6. Fry steaks for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
7. Put steaks on cooling rack inside rimmed baking sheet and keep warm in oven.
8. Drain the oil, reserving at least 1 T. oil plus the bits/crumbs on the bottom.
9. Add 1/4 cup flour and whisk for 1 minute.
10. Gradually add remaining 4 cups of milk, 1 t. salt and 1 t. pepper. Whisk constantly for 10 - 12 minutes, or until desired thickness.
The only thing missing from our meal tonight was mashed potatoes. This recipe makes a TON of gravy, so don't forget the taters!
Enjoy!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Country Studies
The kids and I are starting something new this week. We're picking a different country each week an focusing on different aspects of that country each day. Sean asked to start with Japan, so that's what we're doing.
Since this is the first country, the whole process is still in the tweaking stage. I did find a really cool kid's website about Japan. Also, if you need a blank map of Japan (for whatever reason), you can find one here.
Since this is the first country, the whole process is still in the tweaking stage. I did find a really cool kid's website about Japan. Also, if you need a blank map of Japan (for whatever reason), you can find one here.
Gas-grill Lighting 101
Damian and I have a gas grill that we absolutely love! A little while ago we thought the burners needed to be replaced, but with a lot of elbow grease and patience, Damian was able to get the grill up and running again. Much to my delight. But that's not the point of this story. I'm just setting the stage with the fact that we have a grill.
In the past I have cooked many things on this grill with pretty decent results. This means I have LIT the grill as many times.
Yesterday being Father's Day and all, I decided to grab some steaks to grill out as a special treat. Damian had made burgers the day before without a hitch. So anyway, last night I go outside to light the grill (once we were sure we weren't going to get rained on, it had rained almost all day).
I opened the lid and turned the burners (all 4 of them) to the light position. Apparently you're only supposed to do it with 1 burner, but I'm pretty sure in the past I've done it with more than one. NO LONGER! Anyway, I pressed the ignite button and nothing happened. So then I checked to make sure the gas was on.
I actually don't know if it was or not bc it was dark out. I went back and forth a couple of times with turning the gas on/off and then I finally grabbed a flashlight to be sure. All this time the lid has been up and all 4 burners set to 'light'. I had also pressed the ignite button a few other times. But those times don't really matter since nothing happened.
What matters is the last time I pressed the button. I experienced what amounts to a small explosion in my face, I guess. There was a loud POP and a bright flash of light and the next thing I knew I had jumped 10 feet away from the grill. Turns out the gas had been coming out of all 4 burners and building up and when the ignition button finally worked it went off.
Scared me to death. But it did manage to get the grill lit. And singe the hair on my right arm. And a little on my eyebrows. And right around the top of my head. And make a nice gas flavor in the back of my throat for awhile. Burnt hair doesn't smell all that great. I'm just glad that nothing caught on fire or anything.
So here's what I learned:
1. Only turn ONE knob to 'light' to begin with.
2. If the ignite switch doesn't work, wait a minute and try again.
3. Once the first burner is going, turn the others on.
4. If you have long hair, always keep it back when lighting a grill! I'm sure glad I did.
In the past I have cooked many things on this grill with pretty decent results. This means I have LIT the grill as many times.
Yesterday being Father's Day and all, I decided to grab some steaks to grill out as a special treat. Damian had made burgers the day before without a hitch. So anyway, last night I go outside to light the grill (once we were sure we weren't going to get rained on, it had rained almost all day).
I opened the lid and turned the burners (all 4 of them) to the light position. Apparently you're only supposed to do it with 1 burner, but I'm pretty sure in the past I've done it with more than one. NO LONGER! Anyway, I pressed the ignite button and nothing happened. So then I checked to make sure the gas was on.
I actually don't know if it was or not bc it was dark out. I went back and forth a couple of times with turning the gas on/off and then I finally grabbed a flashlight to be sure. All this time the lid has been up and all 4 burners set to 'light'. I had also pressed the ignite button a few other times. But those times don't really matter since nothing happened.
What matters is the last time I pressed the button. I experienced what amounts to a small explosion in my face, I guess. There was a loud POP and a bright flash of light and the next thing I knew I had jumped 10 feet away from the grill. Turns out the gas had been coming out of all 4 burners and building up and when the ignition button finally worked it went off.
Scared me to death. But it did manage to get the grill lit. And singe the hair on my right arm. And a little on my eyebrows. And right around the top of my head. And make a nice gas flavor in the back of my throat for awhile. Burnt hair doesn't smell all that great. I'm just glad that nothing caught on fire or anything.
So here's what I learned:
1. Only turn ONE knob to 'light' to begin with.
2. If the ignite switch doesn't work, wait a minute and try again.
3. Once the first burner is going, turn the others on.
4. If you have long hair, always keep it back when lighting a grill! I'm sure glad I did.
Friday, June 15, 2007
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Sunday, June 10, 2007
Big Sister
Reagan can do so many big girl things now it's scary. Her latest deed was learning how to take Connor out of his crib. Safely. I gave her instructions and watched as she followed them. She's pretty good at it too.
She loves to help me with Connor, and she's equally excited about helping me clean her bathroom. The other day she was about to get upset because she thought I wasn't going to let her clean the counter in her bathroom!
Reagan and Connor were enjoying some time in the front yard while I cleaned out my truck.
Reagan also dotes on Sean. The doting has increased quite a bit since she finished up the school year. It's really cute. Although I think a better word would be amazing. It seems like we live in a day when too many people don't encourage sibling love and respect. It's definitely encouraged and taught in our home and so far the kids are living out that teaching.
If you can't tell from the sign, this was taken on our recent trip to SeaWorld. I may have actually posted this same picture earlier, but I don't remember. The salient point here is that Reagan and Sean posed like this for numerous pictures on that trip.
Connor knows he's in good hands.
I just remembered something. This weekend Reagan had the opportunity to spend the night at my folks' house. Sean wasn't able to stay and was upset because he was going to miss her. I assured him that he would fall asleep in the car on the way home and as soon as he got up in the morning we'd be back up at Mama and Papa's and he'd see Reagan again.
So this morning on the way there he asked who we were going to see. I listed off Aunt Katherine, Aunt Becca, Uncle Matt, Aunt Savannah, Uncle Philip, Anastasia and Lorien. To which he replies, 'and Reagan too?'
As we were turning onto my parent's street he commented, 'I can't wait to see Reagan again.'
She loves to help me with Connor, and she's equally excited about helping me clean her bathroom. The other day she was about to get upset because she thought I wasn't going to let her clean the counter in her bathroom!
Reagan and Connor were enjoying some time in the front yard while I cleaned out my truck.
Reagan also dotes on Sean. The doting has increased quite a bit since she finished up the school year. It's really cute. Although I think a better word would be amazing. It seems like we live in a day when too many people don't encourage sibling love and respect. It's definitely encouraged and taught in our home and so far the kids are living out that teaching.
If you can't tell from the sign, this was taken on our recent trip to SeaWorld. I may have actually posted this same picture earlier, but I don't remember. The salient point here is that Reagan and Sean posed like this for numerous pictures on that trip.
Connor knows he's in good hands.
I just remembered something. This weekend Reagan had the opportunity to spend the night at my folks' house. Sean wasn't able to stay and was upset because he was going to miss her. I assured him that he would fall asleep in the car on the way home and as soon as he got up in the morning we'd be back up at Mama and Papa's and he'd see Reagan again.
So this morning on the way there he asked who we were going to see. I listed off Aunt Katherine, Aunt Becca, Uncle Matt, Aunt Savannah, Uncle Philip, Anastasia and Lorien. To which he replies, 'and Reagan too?'
As we were turning onto my parent's street he commented, 'I can't wait to see Reagan again.'
Cool Gift
A friend of ours snagged this cool backpack carrier for us a few weeks ago. Damian and Connor took it out for a spin on Memorial Day. Philip, Reagan, Sean and I tagged along for the excitement.
Connor still has the faux-hawk thing going on. The wind helped a little in this picture.
I almost didn't get this picture because Reagan heard Damian tell me to get the camera out and take a picture of them so she turned around. The two of them love posing for the camera.
Connor still has the faux-hawk thing going on. The wind helped a little in this picture.
I almost didn't get this picture because Reagan heard Damian tell me to get the camera out and take a picture of them so she turned around. The two of them love posing for the camera.
Connor loves French fries
These pictures were taken a few days ago while Connor was enjoying some homemade French fries. I would say he enjoyed them!
The kids now refer to this as 'the face'. Connor first displayed 'the face' on Memorial day when my dad and brother were down to visit. Strangely enough, he was eating fresh French fries that day as well!
Another look at 'the face'.
The kids now refer to this as 'the face'. Connor first displayed 'the face' on Memorial day when my dad and brother were down to visit. Strangely enough, he was eating fresh French fries that day as well!
Another look at 'the face'.
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