Barbecue Franks And Beans

For this pot of franks and beans I soaked a half bag of dried pinto beans overnight than simmered the pot on medium-low heat for 2 hours until the beans tenderized. I used turkey franks and tossed in carrots for color and vitamin A. You can easily use canned beans to reduce your cooking time by 1 1/2 hours, which I do sometimes. The sauce thickens more as it cools. 

An old summer standby: On the 4th of July baked beans were on sale because the supermarket knows what people want to eat at a cookout. However, I returned cans of a popular brand to the grocery shelf because they contain too much sugar for my liking. Instead, I bought 5 cans of regular beans and made my own recipe of Barbecue Franks and Beans without adding any sugar. Barbecue sauce is sweet enough! And so, the dish was delicious. Here is the recipe for your next cookout:

Know that you can: Begin with a package of dried beans, but I did not think that far ahead, therefore used canned beans. Canned beans save the time of overnight soaking and are cooked and tender straight out of the can. (In other words, who the heck knew yesterday, come today I'd make baked beans?)  

Barbecue Franks And Beans
(About 4 servings)

Ingredients:

2 cans (15 ounce) beans (Any bean will do: navy, pink, pinto, Roman, etc.)
1 onion, diced
2 stocks of celery, sliced
2 carrots, diced (I like vegetables for oomph!)
1 large chicken bouillon (Use beef, pork, any flavor of bouillon.)
barbecue sauce to taste (I had about 1/2 cup of Kraft's hot barbecue sauce to clear out of the refrigerator. Sometimes I make my own BBQ sauce also.)

1 small can tomato sauce

1 squirt of tomato paste, if you have it (Leave out if you don't.)
Spices to taste: I used my Cajun spice mix and an extra sprinkle of dried powder garlic

1/4 teaspoon of cumin
2 - 3 franks, sliced (beef; or turkey franks. Turkey franks went into this batch. I grilled the franks with a 1/4 teaspoon of cumin in a pan 1st. When lazy I simply slice and toss them into the pot, but grilling separately adds a depth of flavor. Portions: If I use 5 cans of cooked beans or 1/2 package of dried beans I'll toss the entire package of franks into the pot and increase the amount of cumin. So eyeball how many franks to add ... to end up with the right ratio of franks to beans to barbecue sauce. Make sure you are left with some liquid in the pot.)

Photo: Frenchs

Directions:

1) On the stove top toss the beans, diced onion, celery, carrot, bouillon, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce/ paste, spices and sliced grilled franks with cumin into a pot. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until the mixture thickens. 

Eat hot. I served it with corn on the cob and my own version of Cole slaw.

Easy-breezy, no-fuss meal. "Delicious" doesn't always require lots of thought and time to pull together. BBQ beans can be cooked on the stove top or baked in the oven. Oven baked beans will require about 30 - 40 minutes depending on quantity. The stove top is faster. Both ways work! So glad I didn't settle for overly sweet, ready-made baked beans, but flavored my own.

Beans are tasty, filling and healthy. Let's eat more beans this summer! Make meat a side, or enhancer of a dish. Eating less meat is good for you, your budget and the environment.

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Madewell Summer Dresses

It's a scientistic fact: The Earth is getting warmer. New York City is expected to hit 94 degrees F today!  Madewell, a sister company of J. Crew, has summer dresses to keep you cool during any heat wave ahead. The style is casual smart. In a nutshell: Comfortable, flattering and effortless. Here are three to consider because we like looking at dresses, don't we?:

1) The Fern Silk Faux Wrap Dress above↑in spiced rose has slender straps, a v-neck and pleats with a stylish flowing bottom.

2) Lakeshore Button Back Dress - A brilliant royal blue shift dress with a V-neck back and oversized buttons make the viscose fabric dress super cute.

3) Strawberry Print Pintuck Ruffle Dress - Chic black canvas featuring strawberry prints. It's 100% cotton. A split square neck with a ruffle outline makes it fun to be a lady!

Simple ... with unexpected details, no? Stylin' in the summer heat! Do you have a favorite?


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Suitcases, Umbrellas And Travel Organizers

With summer here, many of us will hit the road. Let's do a roundup of luggage and practical organizers to make leaving home a little easier: 

Biaggi Leggero 22" Foldable Spinner Carry on suitcase (top↑) is light, holds lots of stuff and folds up when not in use to store in a small space. With interior and exterior compartments.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel 45L - Many travelers prefer duffel bags that go into an overhead bend or under a seat. Lightweight, durable, and made of water repellent material with zip pockets to organize all your things.

LL Beam Ticket Organizer - Another weightless and slender travel accessory with oodles of slots and compartments to hold your ticket, boarding pass, identification and money.

Slimline Travel Umbrella - Compact from The Container Store, toss in a purse or jacket pocket. Strong when in use.

Case Elegance Vegan Leather Travel Jewelry Organizer -  I have reservations about this recommendation because rarely would I take jewelry on a vacation. The chances of it being lost, stolen or left behind are great since you are not at home or following your usual routine. When out-of-town, I wear one pair of earrings, a watch and inexpensive everything else. But sometimes you may need to be less cautious to spruce yourself up. This jewelry case is petite and should fit into a purse while protecting and organizing your extra rings, earrings, necklaces and pendents. 

Ziploc bags to keep toiletries, snacks, shoes and odds and ends organized. I don't buy special travel bottles or pouches for these items. Take your samples (what retailers give out for free) of makeup, soap, shampoo and hair conditioners in lieu of bottles or full sizes. After the goods are eaten or used, you can toss the Ziploc bags (as well as empty sample packets) to lighten your load!

Do you have a travel organizer to recommend?


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White Vinegar: The Perfect Household Cleaner

Buy a spray bottle at Home Depot or a hardware store to keep a white vinegar-water solution to grab as needed.

Cleaning is repeditive, no matter how well we do it. If we can save on the products we buy, it really adds up over time. An even greater consideration is safety. Lately I use white vinegar and water as an all-purpose household cleaner and it works! One bottle costs about 89 cents.

I have long known that white vinegar combined with baking soda keeps drains free flowing, but recently I tossed it into the bathtub, to attack soap scum without scrubbing. (Verses Scrubbing Bubbles, $5.) I sprinkle the baking soda along the sides and bottom of the tub, then spray white vinegar and water from a spray bottle on it. The mixture fizzles and all I have to do is wipe with a damp sponge to remove the soap scum. Rinse with clean water to finish, if you wish. 

It is safer to have a residue of baking soda and white vinegar

underfoot, as opposed to, unknown chemicals. (Sometimes I read stories of pets dying after licking their paws from chemicals used to clean the floors! It can't be good for humans either.)

For that reason, I began using white vinegar mixed with some water (a 3:1 ratio) to mop my floors, clean other bathroom fixtures, mirrors and the walls. Vinegar kills germs, yet is gentle on anything painted (like a toilet seat or walls), and it won't damage an expensive wool rug or wood furniture in the living room. 

Mopping the floor is a much easier process with white vinegar and water. A make-shift Whiffle mop helps with the task: I wrap 6 Bounty paper towels around a dry sponge mop. Staple at the edges to hold together. After spraying the floors with the vinegar-water mixture and mopping, tear off the dirty towels to toss in the trash. There is no real need to follow up with clean water, as vinegar dries in about a minute leaving no scent, or residue. The dirt gets lifted off and carried away by the paper towels!

There are no side effects to cleaning with white vinegar. It leaves behind no dirt, germs, contaminants, risks or allergy concerns.

Works to clean kitchen sinks, microwaves, refrigerators and counter tops also. (Coffee leaves behind one of the few tough stains, you may need a little bleach to remove. First you could try a vinegar-baking soda-hot boiling water mixture.)

Sooo. Say goodbye to separate chemical-based household cleaners. Hello one-stop smut blustering wonder: CH₃COOH (acetic acid), commonly known as vinegar. The old and new cleaning superstar!!


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A Pretty Rainbow Almond Cake

Photo: alwaysorderdessert - I'm using this image so you can see the raspberry preserves dripping between the layers of cake. Skip to the bottom for an easy-breezy way to make ganache.

When I see this cake the lyrics of "My Fair Lady" come to mind:"I feel pretty, Oh so pretty! ... I feel pretty ... and witty and bright!" Indeed. Moreover, as my long time readers know, I like the addition of nuts in a pastry to add extra oomph! Nuts are a tasty balance to the sweetness of sugar, adding a bit of protein too. 

Almond paste gives a rainbow cake a sweet nutty flavor. Although you can buy almond paste in a tin, homemade is cheaper, so let's begin with a how to recipe. Almond paste and Marzipan are similar. Here's the difference: Marzipan is equal parts almonds and confectionery sugar with a touch of corn syrup, It is often rolled out and used as fondant for cakes or shaped into candy. On the other hand, almond paste is 2 parts almonds to 1 part sugar. Almond paste can be stored in a tightly sealed (cover the top with a plastic wrap and a layer of foil) steel can in the refrigerator for about one month. Freeze it for up to 3 months.

Almond Paste

Ingredients:

Photo: Mandelin

1 1/2 cups almonds
Up to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (For a dry consistency; eyeball it.)
1 egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions:

Toss the almonds in a food processor, pulse, follow with the rest of the ingredients. Pulse until smooth.

Now let's make our oh so pretty cake!

Rainbow Almond Cake

2 sticks butter at room temperature (1 cup)
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
12 ounces almond paste (1 1/2 cups)
3 different - 1/2 teaspoon each of food coloring (red, green, yellow are traditional -- but you can use 3 different colors of your choice).
About 1/2 cup of raspberry preserves to spread in between the cake layers

3 cake pans -- line each with parchment paper if you wish. I usually simply oil and flour the pans. 

Directions:

1) In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.

Photo: Amazon

2) Next add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between.

3) Add the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda.

4) Follow by the wet: buttermilk, lemon juice and almond extract.

5) Finally, add the almond paste. Mix until uniform and smooth.

6) After the batter is made, divide and pour it into 3 separate bowls. Add the 3 different food colorings, one to each bowl of batter.

7) Poor the batter with 3 different colors into 3 separate oiled and floured cake pans (or lined with parchment paper).

8) Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until the centers are done.

9) Now the fun part: Stack the 3 colored layers of cake. Spread the raspberry jam in between each layer.

Chocolate Ganache Topping

Traditionally, a rainbow almond cake is toped with chocolate ganache. I never buy heavy cream and like to keep baking simple, therefore I use what I usually have in my cupboard, canned condensed milk (But if you have neither at home, feel free to buy heavy cream):

Ingredients:

Photo: myrecipes

15 ounce can condensed milk
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Heat your milk (or heavy cream if you buy it) in a saucepan on the stove top. Bring to a boil.

2) Turn off the heat and add the chocolate chips. Melt and stir. This should be all you need to do, but if not thick enough, you can turn the heat back on and whisk for a few minutes.

3) Pour over the cake and spread down the sides.

Makes a lovely birthday or anytime cake. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or milk!🎉🎈🎁


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How To Stop Robocalls And Telephone Scams

Photo: Dreamtime

So, it's getting to be too much. I get more robo/scam/telemarketing calls these days than personal calls; and, it's beginning to disrupt my home life. I've stepped out of the shower; paused an activity that needs my full attention; and interrupted food preparation to go answer a robocall. All for nothing!

What I mind the most about all these pesky calls is I've gone from being open, accessible and trusting to someone who feels hounded, a person who is now reluctant to answer the phone in my own home! And I no longer automatically pick up if I don't recognize the number calling. I resent the intrusion! It also makes my life more hurried, or frantic then it needs to be. It's time to fight back!

Silver Stars Communications

Today I called the Federal Trade Commission to ask what is the best way to stop these unwanted, in bad-faith callers from calling me.

1) The FTC said it's best not to answer the calls. Answering tells robocallers they have reached a target, and encourages them to keep calling.

2) Put your phone number on the Do Not Call List (which I did years ago so that businesses I don't do business with can't use me for telemarketing or solicitation purposes).

3) Next file a complaint with the FTC to report callers who ignore the Do Not Call List. Collect the information on your caller ID, such as telephone number, name and/or company, as well as, the date and time of the call, plus other helpful details like the number of times you are contacted per day by the party (i.e., telephone number) you are reporting.

The fastest way to file a complaint is online here (fill in the form). Another way is to call 888-382-1222 (and follow the prompts). The more of us who file complaints, the better the FTC can track and rid us of these nuisance and/or dishonest callers. Once again I'd like to know peace and joyful anticipation when my telephone rings.

Extra tips:

(1) Be careful not to give out any personal information should you happen to answer a robocall: "Is this Mrs. Johnson?" Avoid saying the word "yes," and hang up ASAP. Fraudulent callers record the word "yes" in order to scam people for long distance charges. How they can get away with the fraud is puzzling, but who needs the hassle of untangling a deception? 

(2) Don't answer mystery numbers with digits close to yours. Called neighbor spoofing, scammers acquire local area digits to trick you. 

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