Slumber Party

To celebrate my newly bought house, I am going to have all my best friend in my house for a slumber party!  And unlike the slumber parties of my teenage years, I am betting we actually SLEEP!  We are OLD you know!

I can't wait.

Extreme Home Makeover

The popular TV show, Extreme Home Makeover, came to the Norman area to build a house.  Emily and I were set to volunteer and got there too late (weather bad). 

We went back the next day and watched.  I was able to see Ty and some of the other hosts film some sections.  Can't wait to see the full episode!

It was neat to see such a transformation happen so quickly!

Chicken Fried Steak is Food For the Southern Soul

One of my best friends, Dana, called me to ask how I made my chicken fried steak.  It's super easy comfort food.  Here is my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 pds. Cube Steak
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk (plus 2 more for gravy)
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• Seasoned Salt,  salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

Steps:

• In one dish, beat the eggs with the 1.5 cups of milk. 
• In second dish add the flour, 2 tsp seasoned salt and pepper to your mixture.
• Place meat in the liquid soaking both sides.  Salt meat and then dredge in the flour mixture, coating both sides.  Dip again in the egg/milk and then again in the flour.
• In a skillet (cast iron works best) heat 1/2 cup of oil or so on a medium-high heat.  Drop a small pinch of flour and it the oil  and if it sizzles, it is ready.
• Cook on both sides until golden brown and the meat is done, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
• Drain on paper towel

 For the gravy:

• Pour off the grease into a heat-resistant bowl.  Without cleaning the pan, return about 1/4 a cup of the oil to the pan.
• Add about 1/3 a cup of flour.  You want to stir this until the mixture browns and thickens into a "roux'."
• If it is too thick, add a little more oil.  If it is too thin, add a little more flour.  
• One golden, add the two cups of milk, whisking consistantly. 
• Wisk to combine and the gravy will gradually thicken.  
• Taste it and add salt and pepper.  Salt is key--don't ruin a good gravy by under seasoning it.  
• Once it is thick, it is ready to serve!  (If you get it too thick, add a couple splashes of milk.) 

Baby, it's cold outside

This dreary weather make me crave comfort foods.  I think tonight I am going to make chicken and dumplings.  They are super easy.  Here is my family's recipe:

Chicken and Dumplings

• 1 whole fryer, or 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
   (boil until done and set aside to cool.  Save the broth.) 

Mix together:

• 4 cups of flour 
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper 

Next, add two cups cooled chicken broth.  Canned broth works well.

Mix until a ball of dough if formed.

On a floured surface, roll out dough thin, about 1/4 inch thick.

I use a pizza cutter to cut dough into 2 x 1 inch strips.

Meanwhile get broth up to a rolling boil (on a medium-high heat).  Drop the strips into the broth.

Dumplings will puff up and float at first.  You can press them down with a wooden spoon, but avoid stirring too much or the dumplings will disintegrate.  Continue cooking until the dough is cooked through, about 20 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste, and butter can be added if the broth is too watery.

While the dumplings are cooking, do-bone the chicken.  Cut into chunks (I just use my hands to pull into chunks.)  I suggest that you do NOT shred it.

When the dumplings are done, add the chicken and allow to warm through.

Set aside and allow to cool.  Broth will thicken upon setting.   

So true....

"There is no life change without life exchange."

Reunited and it feels so good!

Tami and family were back in the states for a short visit.  Natalie, Dana and kiddos loaded up and met me in Broken Arrow where we all got to spend the day with Tami's family. 

We had so much fun playing at the park (although it was cold).  It was good to get to be around Tami's kids, and I think Zeke and I are now best friends!

I am so blessed to have friends like this.  We are more than friends, really, and more like sisters....family.  I love you girls!

Counting Sheep

I got a new bed--a queen!  It's basically brand new and I got it at half the original cost.  It's amazing!  I can now sleep in on Saturdays in style!