Saturday, September 11, 2010

Broadway!

Meet Broadway, the 7-year-old Thoroughbred having a bath and giving me the evil eye for the hosing him in the face. Hey, that big blaze has to be cleaned somehow and he really, really likes to roll in the mud. 


He's a fearless jumper that's usually laid back. At least until he was started on alfalfa three months ago to put a little weight on him. He's playful, competitive and a quick learner, which makes him a pretty terrific horse.   


   



Sunday, September 5, 2010

Oatmeal Pancakes

I'm always on the lookout for quick, satisfying recipes and this one certainly fits the bill: Whole Wheat-Oatmeal Pancakes. 


Assembling the dry ingredients the night before speeds things up Sunday morning and these keep well so you can reheat them during the week for a quick, healthy breakfast.


Based upon an Epicurious' Oatmeal-Buttermilk Pancakes recipe. Enjoy!


Ingredients:



  • 2 cups oats




  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour




  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar




  • 1 teaspoon baking soda




  • 1 teaspoon baking powder




  • 1/2 teaspoon salt




  • 2 1/2 cups buttermilk




  • 2 large eggs




  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted




  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract




  • 1 cup chopped pecans




  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)




  • 2 mashed bananas (optional)





  • Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter and vanilla in medium bowl. Add the bananas and cinnamon, if using. Add to dry ingredients; whisk until blended but some small lumps still remain. Add pecans. Let batter stand to thicken, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover batter and refrigerate.)
    Preheat oven to 250°F. Heat heavy large skillet over medium heat. Brush skillet with additional melted butter, lard or spray oil. Working in batches, ladle batter by 1/4 cupfuls into skillet. Cook pancakes until bottoms are golden brown and bubbles form on top, about 2 minutes. Turn pancakes over; cook until bottoms are golden brown, about 2 minutes.

    Thursday, March 4, 2010

    The Terrorist

    First, a word about The Terrorist. 

    Just before Houston's second cold spell in January, another orange male tiger cat showed up at the house. Considering the hubby, Dingus, and I already have two*,about the last thing we needed was a 4th cat. Two? Fine. Three? Pushing it. Four? Officially Crazy Cat People territory.

    Enter, The Terrorist. 11 pounds of long haired crazy cat that acted all sweet to get into the house and now terrorizes everyone and everything else in the house. He likes to hide behind corners and under beds and then jump you and climb your leg. Pretty funny unless you don't have pants on.  


    He's at that age that running water is just the most fascinating thing in the whole wide world, too, so watch out for sinks, showers and of course, TOILETS. 


    The Terrorist is a big fan of the Arm Attack. He SOP is to latch onto your arm (ok, my arm, he doesn't really do this to the Ding (short for Dingus, Simpson's reference used by my favorite character, Nelson)) while biting and kicking. He's fallen off the bed trying to grab me more than once. I like to use my palm to cover his nose...because it forces him to make a snorty pig sound. He he! 


    Anyway, it is time to find a glass of wine. Tonight's dinner is going to be a Boursin stuffed beef tenderloin filet with roasted asparagus and potatoes au gratin. No recipes, just slit your filet on the side and put in a huge pat of cold Boursin. Let me know what you stuff beef with, and OF COURSE I always want your cat stories!
     
    *Two big orange male tigers, plus old gray Fat Willie Cat and Broadway the horse. Someone told me we're at the limit for the number of pets allowed per household but I'm not gonna check that.