Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food

30 May 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 30 May 2010

*** Check out what's happening at all 14 of Denny's blogs: news, politics, political cartoons, poetry, great recipes, science and health news, photography, humor and spiritual thoughts from great quotes.



Cup of coffee from Brazil by il Quoquo @ flickr




The Social Poets:

Obama Cowers to BP: Rejects Super Tankers for Gulf Clean Up

Whats Happening in America This Week: BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 29 May 2010

Peace Upon The Land poem – Libations Friday 28 May 2010

Check It Out: Rolling Stones Mag Names 5 Best Songs Ever

BP Oil Spill: White House Updated News - 24 May 2010

Transcript of White House Press Briefing on 24 May 2010

Roundup of Late Night Funnies and Funny Videos - 24 May 2010

Funny Video: Outgoing British Leaders Walk of Shame After Election

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Glenn Beck for Comparing Himself to God and MLK


Funny Video: Jon Stewart Sees BP Fixing Oil Spill with Stupid Anagrams

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 23 May 2010




Dennys Global Politics:


American and World Politics Cartoons - 29 May 2010


Child Porn Social Site Busted - News Headlines 27 May 2010

Use NASA 4 Oil Spill Help, Corrupt MMS, Lightning Rod Rahm Emanuel - News Headlines 26 May 2010




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


What Is Your Quality of Listening to Truly Benefit From the Hearing?





Photo by Helen Maria Bjornsd/Nordic Photos/Getty Images


The Soul Calendar:


Passionate Volcano Chasers: Photographing Eruptions Around the World

Why Black Holes Burst With Light When Galaxies Merge




The Healing Waters:





*** Photo by asobitsuchiya @ flickr



Heart Health: Beware of Sugar Pirates in Your Diet

Coming Soon: Get an Orgasm Boost with Female Viagra




Humor blogs:


Tea Party and Rand Paul Cartoons - 29 May 2010

Funny Facebook Cartoons - 29 May 2010




Romancing The Chocolate:






Cream Cheese n Sour Cherry Filling 4 Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Cream Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Battle Belly Fat: Fudgy Dark Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate French Toast

Simple Summer: 2 Super Easy Spaghetti Sauces



Comfort Food From Louisiana:


Seafood Recipes: Crawfish Casserole, Crawfish Corn Bread, Crawfish Tortellini

Easy Recipes: 4 Versions of Crawfish Pie



Unusual 2 Tasty:

Battle Belly Fat: Pan-Seared Shrimp Tacos, Crunchy Crust "Mac n Cheese,” Oven Fries

Spicy Shrimp Fra Diavolo Sauce Used 3 Ways: Seafood, Chicken, Polenta

Elegant Cheap Dishes From Manhattan Chef: Chicken With 40 Garlic Cloves, Salad and Dessert

2 Crowd Pleasing Easy Casseroles: Mexican Lasagna, Turkey Tetrazzini




Visual Insights:


Memorial Day Madness Cartoons - 29 May 2010





Poems From A Spiritual Heart: This is a poetry only blog so the poems don't get lost in the noise of all my other posts on The Social Poets. So, if you are in the mood just for a quick read of some simple poetry I'm parking it here after it debuts on the Libations Friday segments.


Peace Upon The Land

The Mystics Arrive

We Are All Sleeping Beauties

Legacy of Love

Honoring Ourselves

Pollen Storms

Snowing The Perfect Balance

The 11 Choices

The Smallest Earth Day Poem

Three Endings and One Beginning

One Mother and One Child

Release Your Dreams and Spring into Life



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

28 May 2010

From CBS: Make Ahead Memorial Day Dishes

*** Some easy simple dishes sure to please a crowd for your weekend gathering!




From Denny: Katie Lee, contributor to The Early Show on CBS, has some great ideas here for simple quick entertaining. Who wants to be cooped up in the kitchen when friends and family arrive for Memorial Day festivities? She has some simple and tasty solutions to that dilemma.

Her simple dump-cover-and-cook-for-two-hours chili is a life saver for busy people. Katie prefers not to brown the meat so you don't end up with lumps of meat on your hotdog. She also says leftover chili is good on spaghetti noodles for another meal or you can put it in the freezer for another hotdog weekend.

I like her broccoli salad as it has such a balance of tastes: sweet, salty, sour and crunchy. It definitely is a WOW! factor your family will enjoy as it has grapes, raisins, pecans, poppy seeds and bacon in it along with the broccoli. When I make a broccoli salad I like to slice the florets lengthwise for convenient eating. They also are easier to coat with the salad dressing.

Her dessert is simplicity itself and yummy. It's a simple grocery store chocolate swirl pound cake sliced lengthwise in thirds. She softens some vanilla ice cream and places that and some cookie crumbs on each layer and freezes the dessert in a plastic wrapped loaf pan. Slice and serve when your hungry crowd has finished feasting on chili dogs. This is a simple summer menu you can make ahead to enjoy your weekend all summer long.



Watch CBS News Videos Online






Chili Dogs with Buttermilk Coleslaw

Katie Lee: This recipe makes a lot of chili. Whatever you don't use for the dogs simple freeze and use at your next barbecue or even toss it with some pasta for a simple weeknight dinner.

Use any kind of hot dogs and buns you like. Whether they are grilled, boiled or baked this chili kicks up even the best hot dogs.

INGREDIENTS: For the chili

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 onion, peeled and grated
1 12-ounce can tomato paste
1 16-ounce can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

METHOD:

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the beef (do not brown first), grated onion, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, chili powder, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined. Add bay leaves. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 2 hours. Stir in white vinegar and simmer another 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

For the coleslaw:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 head green cabbage, finely shredded
2 large carrots, grated

METHOD:

Whisk together the mayonnaise, brown sugar, vinegar, buttermilk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbage and carrots and toss to combine. Cover and chill until serving time.

Top hot dogs with chili and coleslaw. Serve with traditional condiments, like mustard, chopped onions, and pickle relish.







Baked Beans

INGREDIENTS:

3 slices bacon, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
3 (15-ounce) cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup lightly-packed brown sugar
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon and set aside. Add onion and bay leaf to the pot and cook until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add bacon and remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined. Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Stir before serving.





Broccoli Salad


Katie Lee: If I was stranded on a deserted island and could choose only one
vegetable to sustain me, it would be broccoli. The cruciferous veggie has always been my favorite and I go crazy for this broccoli salad. I love the combination of the fresh grapes with the chewy raisins, the crunch of the pecans, and the salty bacon flavor. The dressing is so good, you may want to double the recipe and keep half in the refrigerator for another salad later.

INGREDIENTS:

5 cups bite-size broccoli florets (about 2 bunches)
2 cups seedless red grapes cut in half lengthwise
1 cup golden raisins
6 scallions, trimmed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 3 thick slices)

For the dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon poppy seeds

METHOD:

In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the broccoli until it is just tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Cool in ice water for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well.

In a large salad bowl combine broccoli, grapes, raisins, scallions, and pecans. In a separate bowl, mix all of the dressing ingredients. Add the dressing to the broccoli and toss to coat. Top with crumbled bacon and serve.






Cookies 'n Cream Ice Cream Cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 chocolate pound cake
1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened
1 cup crumbled chocolate cookies
Confectioner's sugar, for serving

METHOD:

Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap so that it hangs over the edges.

Use a serrated knife to slice the pound cake horizontally into thirds. Place top layer of cake in the bottom of the pan, cut side up. Sprinkle with half of the cookie crumbs and spread half of ice cream on top. Top with middle layer of cake. Repeat with remaining half of cookies and ice cream.

Wrap tightly with plastic. Freeze at least 6 hours and up to overnight. Remove cake from freezer 20 minutes before serving. Turn cake out of pan and remove plastic wrap. Dust with confectioner's sugar and serve.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

27 May 2010

Check It Out: Rolling Stones Mag Names 5 Best Songs Ever




*** Rolling Stone Magazines choice for the 5 Best Songs of All Time with music videos.

From Denny: I just spent a couple of hours running down some great music video of the Rolling Stones Magazine's choices for the 5 Best Songs Of All Time. They are putting out a special collector's issue tomorrow that has the best 500 songs of all time. Most of it is grounded in the 60's and 70's but some also in the 2000s decade.

I parked this special post over at Dennys Art Sanctuary where some history of the making of the songs is discussed:

***Rolling Stone Magazine Names 5 Greatest Songs of All Time


Take a look and feel free to put up your choices of the all time best songs in the comment section! :)

Photo by Jsome1 @ flickr

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

26 May 2010

Funny Posts to Get U Thru Your Work Week - 26 May 2010



Chew on some funnies today...


From Denny: Hey! It's Wednesday and you still need to finish out the work week with a laughing attitude that will dismay your boss, wilt your spouse with relief and annoy your teenage children. Take a look at this short list of posts on several of my blogs this week for your laugh of choice!


BP Oil Spill Funny Quotes and Jokes: Cheeky Quote Day - 26 May 2010

Roundup of Late Night Funnies and Funny Videos - 24 May 2010

Scary Video: Dumb Kid Alert

Hunh? Funny Political Cartoons 15 May 2010

Funny Story: New Funny World Myth


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

24 May 2010

Seafood Recipes: Crawfish Casserole, Crawfish Corn Bread, Crawfish Tortellini

*** Louisiana crawfish come from fresh water and are safe from the Gulf oil spill. Enjoy Crawfish Casserole, Crawfish Corn Bread and Crawfish Tortellini this crawfish season!




Photo by adie reed @ flickr



From Denny: With all the high drama unfolding out in the Gulf of Mexico from this BP oil spill the past month, people are confused as to which seafood is still safe to eat. Farmed crawfish come from inland fresh water ponds and are the primary source for the crop. Those inland sources are far from coastal contamination.

The government has prohibited fishing in specific areas of the Gulf affected by the oil spill. Fortunately, there are fresh water Louisiana fish and crustaceans still to be enjoyed this summer like crawfish and catfish.

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain, gave the OK on Louisiana crawfish this month. He says our crawfish are not affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil leak.

Robert Romaire, LSU AgCenter aquaculture professor, said “Crawfish are raised in freshwater ponds and the Atchafalaya Basin,” Romaire said. “There are no crawfish ponds sufficiently close to the coast that can be impacted by the oil spill. Actually,” he added, “LSU AgCenter statistics from the past decade show a large percentage of the crawfish crop is harvested from ponds. More than 98 million pounds of crawfish came from domestic ponds in 2009,” Romaire said. “The wild crawfish crop accounted for nearly 15.5 million pounds.”

What about purchasing frozen or fresh crawfish tail meat? Remember, it's USDA-inspected and approved - and in proper cold storage.

For anyone living in the New Jersey area who like to go to the Crawfish Fest festival slated for June 4 - 6, check out CrawfishFest.com. Louisiana live crawfish will be shipped from crawfish farms only to the festival. Raw or grilled Louisiana oysters may have to be removed from the 2010 Crawfish Fest menu. That determination will be made closer to the festival date. They have been holding this festival for 21 years now.

After you go to a crawfish boil or two Louisiana folks usually start the round of various popular crawfish dishes. These three are easy to make and delicious crowd pleasers. If you don't have crawfish in your area you can substitute your favorite fresh seafood like clams, shrimp or fish.

Recipes Featured:

Crawfish Casserole
Crawfish Corn Bread
Crawfish Tortellini







LeBlanc Crawfish Casserole

From: Laura LeBlanc was featured in the October, 1993 Food Focus cookbook “Making Memories” and was another “Best of the Best” recipe selection for 1993

Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

1 stick margarine plus 2 tbls. margarine
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 large onion, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1 cup canned sliced mushrooms, drained
2 tbls. finely minced garlic
2 lbs. peeled crawfish tails
1 (103/4-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
2 to 3 cups cooked rice
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 dashes white pepper
1-1/2 to 2 cups grated Velveeta cheese
1 cup canned fried onion rings


Directions:

1. In a small skillet, melt 1 stick margarine. Cube cream cheese and add to the melted margarine. Stir over low heat until cream cheese is melted. Set aside.

2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons margarine and sauté the onions and bell pepper until vegetables are tender. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Add crawfish tails and cook until heated through.

3. Add the mushroom soup and 2 to 3 cups cooked rice. Stir the cream cheese and margarine mixture into the crawfish mixture. Stir and season to taste with peppers.

4. Place mixture in greased (4-quart) casserole or several casserole dishes. Top with grated Velveeta cheese and fried onion rings. Bake in 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Note from Laura LeBlanc: Freezes well and can be made a day before you need to serve it. Shrimp can be substituted for crawfish.

Testing note: Food editor Tommy Simmons made the recipe as directed and then transferred the cooked crawfish and rice casserole to a slow cooker to keep it hot for serving at a church luncheon.





Crawfish Corn Bread

From: “River Road Recipes IV Warm Welcomes” published by the Junior League of Baton Rouge

Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup (4 tbls.) butter
2 jalapeño chilies, chopped
2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 tbl. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 cups (6 ozs.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 (15-oz.) can cream-style corn
1 cup milk
1/2 cup pecan oil or vegetable oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 lb. peeled crawfish tails


Directions:

1. Sauté the yellow onion, bell pepper and green onions in the butter in a skillet until tender. Stir in the jalapeño chilies.

2. Combine the cornmeal, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a bowl and mix well.

3. Stir the cheese, corn, milk, oil and eggs into the cornmeal mixture. Add the onion mixture and mix well. Stir in the crawfish tails.

4. Spoon the batter into a greased 9-inch cast-iron skillet. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until light brown. Serve with a bowl of soup and/or a mixed green salad. You may bake the cornbread in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.





Crawfish Tortellini

From: Frances Cangelosi and was selected as one of The Advocate Food section’s “Best of the Best” in 2003

Serves: 6 to 8. This dish freezes well.

Ingredients:

1 stick butter
1 medium onion, chopped fine
2 pods garlic, minced
1-1/2 to 2 lbs. crawfish tails rinsed very slightly
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley
1-1/2 pints whipping cream
1 to 2 tbls. cornstarch dissolved in a small amount of water or milk
3/4 of a (20-oz.) pkg. of fresh tortellini with cheese
Salt
Red pepper


Directions:

1. In the butter, sauté the onion and garlic.

2. Add crawfish tails. Cook about 5 minutes.

3. Add Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, whipping cream and dissolved cornstarch. Stir into a sauce and heat until thick.

4. Boil tortellini according to package instructions. Drain.

5. Fold in sauce with the cooked tortellini. Season to taste with salt and red pepper. Serve immediately or put in a casserole to be heated at 350 degrees until heated through.

Note: Camille Cassidy makes this recipe often for family and guests. She usually doubles it to serve a crowd — sometimes making two double batches for a large group. She likes to add a little bit of liquid crab boil to the dish.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

23 May 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 23 May 2010



Cup of coffee from Brazil by il Quoquo @ flickr


From Denny: Thanks for visiting all my blogs! It's amazing how much the web has changed in only 18 months. Now people can read blogs without ever physically visiting - just read the posts in a reader.

At the top of the list here for each blog are the most recent posts. I've included many of the most popular posts you've enjoyed the past few weeks too.

I've just started up yet another interest blog for posts and news on music and art. Thank you for the great response! I had no idea people would respond so well to those couple of posts so quickly.

And special thanks to the folks who posted the Jazz Music poem up on social sites this week. Apparently, there are a number of music fans out there! :) Thanks for visiting The Social Poets!




The Social Poets:


America This Week: World Politics Cartoons and Commentary - 22 May 2010

Jazz Music poem - Libations Friday 21 May 2010

Funny Poet: Guy Wetmore Carryl

Funny Volcano and Weather Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 19 May 2010

Scientists: New Airport Scanners Not Safe

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 17 May 2010

Funny Video: Stewart Skewers Conservatives 4 Obama-Bush Comparisons

Funny Video: Colbert Lampoons Kagan Confirmation Hearing

Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs - 16 May 2010






Dennys Global Politics:


Political Cartoons: Local and World Economy

Actor Kevin Costner Pitches Solution to BP Headache, Intelligence Head Resigns, Why Kagan Elitist Good - News Headlines 20 May 2010

Russia Furious With America Over Afghan Drugs, Terrorism Financing Un-Islamic, White House Food - News Headlines 19 May 2010

Sticking It to Iran, Obama and Jobs Creation, Survey Goes Against New Oil Drilling - News Headlines 18 May 2010

Airport Scanners Safety Questioned, Iran Skirts Nuke Sanctions, Sex Criminals Indefinitely Detained - News Headlines 17 May 2010





The Soul Calendar:


Ground-Breaking King of the Lab: Venter Creates Synthetic DNA

Video: Check Out the River Monsters Swimming Near You


Bloggers: Get The New Google Buzz Buttons

Neuroscience: Want Your Man to Better Understand You? Try Empathy Nasal Spray



Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


Sometimes What You Sideline is a Good Thing

3 Quotes: Have You Validated Yourself Recently?

3 Positive Attitude Quotes to Help Shape Your World

Are You Stuck in Life Not Knowing Where to Go Next?

Mothers Day Quote From Rose Kennedy

How Can You Help Your Child Keep Their Balance And Yours?

Mothers Day Quote: The Funny Stages of Motherhood

4 Special Quotes to Anchor Your Dreams




Humor blogs - Dennys Funny Quotes, Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd:


Dark Humor: BP Oil Spill Cartoons - 22 May 2010

Outrageous: Graduation Debt Cartoons - 22 May 2010

Funny Video: Colbert On BP Oil Containment - No One Knows What The Flock They're Doing

Funny Video: Cartoonist Mocks Tea Party Hypocrisy

Funny Video: Betty White On SNL Monologue

Funny Video: Betty White, SNL Golden Girls Lampoon Lawrence Welk Show

Funny Video: Cover Up Your Sex Scandal With A New Batch Of Euphemisms

Terrorism and Times Square, Immmigration Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Hunh? Funny Political Cartoons 15 May 2010

10 Funny Odd Photos - cute animals and crazy dressed people!

Funny Video: TV Anchor Falls off Chair




The Healing Waters:


Controversial Successful New Treatment 4 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Injuries During Sex, Miracle Baby, Bad Drug Ad Snitches Wanted - Health News Stories - 14 May 2010

Funny Wall Street Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010




Food blogs - Romancing The Chocolate and Comfort Food From Louisiana:


Simple Summer: 2 Super Easy Spaghetti Sauces

Easy Recipes: 4 Versions of Crawfish Pie

Triple Chocolate Toffee Brownies

Elegant Cheap Dishes From Manhattan Chef: Chicken With 40 Garlic Cloves, Salad and Dessert

Sweet Breakfasts: Caramel Pecan Buns, Sweet Blueberry Drop Biscuits, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Tradtional Sandwiches Updated: California Tuna Melt, Egg Salad

Chocolate Wonders: Kentucky Derby Pie, Make-ahead Chocolate Soufflé

Easy Moist Chocolate Mayo Cake From Bon Appetit

Video: Louisiana Chef Makes Crawfish Etouffee

5 Easy Recipes 4 Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

2 Crowd Pleasing Easy Casseroles: Mexican Lasagna, Turkey Tetrazzini

Awesome Cajun Barbecued Shrimp — New Orleans Style

Yummy Homemade Coconut Cream Pie

Awesome Sauces 4 Louisiana Seafood

Spring Into Grill Season: Mouthwatering Steaks

Chef Rocco Dispiritos Cheap Yet Healthy Comfort Food

Kid Friendly Recipes: Chocolate Quesadillas, Very Best Fudge




Visual Insights, photo blog:


Political Cartoons: Memorial Day - 22 May 2010

Supreme Court Nominee Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Dennys Funny Photo Gallery: The Nose Knows

Dennys Photo Gallery: Garden Views

Dennys Photo Gallery: Life is Just Plain Funny

Dennys Photo Gallery: How to Know Its Spring

Funny Odd Couples: Cats and Their Weirdo Friends

Dennys Photo Gallery: Spectacular Sunrises

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Blues in Our World

Photography, Beautiful Metaphor for Life: 17 Boats

Only White Theme: 26 Photos

Photo History: 1st Lady Gowns, Michelle Obama Donates Hers




Dennys Art Santuary:


The Stones, Otis Redding, Ronnie James Dio - Arts and Music News 17 May 2010

Featuring Marilyn Monroes Jazz Pianist Hank Jones - Arts and Music Headlines 18 May 2010


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

19 May 2010

Check Out 2 Funny Posts 2 Get U Thru the Work Week



British Petroleum giving "face" to President Obama about paying for their oil spill


From Denny: Check out some funnies and hike on over to one of my other blogs, The Social Poets, for some mid-work week fun!


Funny Volcano and Weather Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 19 May 2010 - Funny volcano and weather quotes, jokes, political cartoons and funny video all designed to make you laugh til your boss fires you for "excessive merriment."

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 17 May 2010 - Chock full of funny video clips from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and Betty White on SNL as well as the late night show jokes and quips.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

18 May 2010

Easy Recipes: 4 Versions of Crawfish Pie



Crawfish pie in New Orleans, Louisiana by Matt Lancashire @ flickr


From Denny: Crawfish pie is a fav in south Louisiana when the crawfish boils end. We start making crawfish versions of etouffee, stews, pastas and crawfish pies. You can make this simple pie with a filling of shrimp, fish or whatever your heart desires. Seafood is a favorite around here.

Because they are so ridiculously easy to make we use them for appetizers, brunch, lunch or dinner. Traditionally, they are made simply with onions, bell pepper, celery (the Holy Trinity) and lots of crawfish fat to flavor it.

Crawfish fat is usually not available so we flavor the pies with all kinds of creativity from canned soups, tomatoes and rice to help create a base for the filling.

One recipe filling for the pie featured here is made with a golden roux and two pounds of crawfish. Another recipe has no traditional roux but rather is thickened with the easy way of using cornstarch. Cornstarch also gives a cleaner direct flavor than a flour thickener which can tone down spices and meat flavors.

The Aunt Genny Hebert recipe is from a 90 year old lady from Breaux Bridge for popular individual crawfish pies. She used cream of shrimp soup and evaporated milk in her filling. Over the years this has proven to be a most popular recipe during crawfish season and all the gatherings associated with celebrating the season.

You can make your own crust or purchase pre-rolled pie crusts in the refrigerated section of your grocery store which many Louisiana cooks do routinely. The frozen food section also offers ready-to-bake pie crusts.

Most of these recipes finish the pies with fresh chopped green onions and fresh parsley.

The Drunken Crawfish Pie recipe is chock full of two pounds of crawfish to the point it's worth it to make your own pie crust just to contain all the goodness! :) The light roux also contains delicious brandy and heavy cream.





Individual Crawfish Pies From Aunt Genny Hebert

From: Genny Hebert of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, is provided by niece Kara Hebert

Makes: 15 or 17 individual pies


Ingredients:

1 stick margarine or butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (10-3/4-oz.) can condensed cream of shrimp soup
1 tbl. cornstarch
1 small can (5-oz.) evaporated milk
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 lb. crawfish tails
Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
15 to 17 (3-inch) frozen pie shells (I used Dutch Ann brand 8-per-box from Calandro’s Supermarket.)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt margarine or butter and sauté onion until tender. Add soup. Stir often.

2. In small bowl, add cornstarch and slowly stir in evaporated milk. Stir until well blended. Stir milk mixture into onion and soup mixture in saucepan. Continue to cook until everything is blended.

3. Add green onion, crawfish tails, salt and cayenne. Continue to cook 10 minutes. Fill pie shells and bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.





Drunken Crawfish Pie

From: Mark Beridon

Serves 8. Recipe is from “Recipes to Bank On” 1990 Food Focus booklet. This recipe, submitted by Mark Beridon, won the Louisiana competition in the Crisco American Pie Celebration contest.


Ingredients:

Crust:

2-1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter-flavor
shortening
1/2 cup water

Filling:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 onion, chopped
2 tsps. finely minced garlic
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tbls. finely minced fresh parsley
2 tbls. chopped celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion tops
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 tbls. brandy
2 lbs. crawfish tails


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. To prepare crust: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is uniform. Add water about 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir with a fork until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into two equal parts.

3. On lightly floured surface, roll bottom crust into a circle 1/8-inch thick and one inch larger than an inverted (9-inch) deep-dish pie plate. Gently ease dough into pie plate, being careful not to stretch the dough. Set aside while preparing filling.

4. To prepare filling: Melt butter over low heat in a large skillet. Gradually add flour and cook slowly, stirring constantly until a light roux forms (about the color of caramel). Add onion, garlic, green bell pepper, parsley, celery and green onion tops. Continue to stir until vegetables are all very soft.

5. Add salt, black pepper, heavy cream and brandy. Mix gently but thoroughly and cook for 3 additional minutes over low heat.

6. Add crawfish tails and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool.

7. Spoon cooled filling into unbaked pastry shell.

8. On a lightly floured surface roll out top crust the same as bottom crust. Gently place top crust over filled pie. Moisten and seal edges. Flute as desired. Cut 6 slits in the top crust.

9. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

10. Cool 5 minutes and then serve.






Crawfish Pies (with rice in the filling)

From: Shelley Boudreaux

Makes: 2 (9-inch) pies. This was the crawfish pie her mother made. The following recipe calls for 2 pounds of crawfish tails and makes 2 single-crust pies. The pies have a nice thick filling. Serve one tonight and freeze the other one or share it with a friend.


Ingredients:

2 pie crusts
1-1/2 sticks butter
2 onions, chopped
1 bunch green onions, washed, dried and chopped
1/2 bunch fresh parsley, washed, dried and chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbl.)
2 lbs. crawfish tails
Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning or salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper, to taste
2 (10-3/4-oz.) cans cream of mushroom condensed soup
2 (10-3/4-oz.) cans cream of celery condensed soup
2 to 3 cups cooked rice


Directions:


1. Prepare pie crust in bottom of 9-inch pie dish. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In large skillet, melt butter and sauté onions, green onions, parsley and garlic until onions are soft.

3. Add crawfish tails and season to taste. Cook, uncovered for about 10 minutes.

4. Add cream of mushroom and cream of celery soups. Cook another 5-10 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and gently stir in at least 2 cups of cooked rice. You will have to judge if it looks too soupy, and if so, add more rice. Allow the filling to cool slightly.

6. Spoon into prepared pie crusts. Crimp top edge of pie or gently fold it over the pie filling.

7. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until pie crust is nicely browned and pie is heated through. If after 15-18 minutes pie crust is getting too browned, cover top edges with strips of foil to prevent burning. Cool about 5 minutes before serving.






Crawfish Pie

From: Corinne Cook, 2theadvocate.com food writer

Serves: 4 to 6


Ingredients:

2 unbaked pie crusts (I used the Just Unroll Pillsbury Pie Crusts)
1/2 stick butter
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. crawfish tails
2 tbls. cornstarch
1 or 2 tbls. water, if needed (if filling is too dry)
1 small bunch green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt, black pepper and red pepper, to taste


Directions:

1. Place unbaked pie crust in bottom of 9-inch pie dish and set aside.

2. In large skillet, melt butter and add onion, celery and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until vegetables are soft. Stir often to prevent burning.

3. Add crawfish tails and stir to mix. Stir in the cornstarch. Stir until smooth and well mixed. Mixture will thicken slightly. If mixture appears too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons water. You don’t want it too soupy; mixture will thin during baking.

4. Add green onions and parsley and season to taste. Pour filling into pie crust.

5. Top pie with second pie crust. Crimp both edges of pie together. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut three or four slits into the top of the pie crust.

6. Place in preheated 350-degree oven for about 25-35 minutes or until crust is browned and filling is bubbly.






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16 May 2010

Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs - 16 May 2010



Cup of coffee from Brazil by il Quoquo @ flickr


From Denny: This sure has been quite the week with the drama unfolding out in the Gulf of Mexico with the BP oil spill off my Louisiana coast. The cartoonists have had great fun lampooning the various lies and finger pointing from the CEOs involved. The better news is that BP is finally making a bit of headway on corralling some of the oil for clean up, siphoning it into a tanker.

Some headway is better than nothing and at least it has slowed down the rate of gushing oil and natural gas for the moment. Definitely better than using an atomic bomb to blow up the well like the crazy Russians suggested. There's a plan. Nuke the Gulf of Mexico and irradiate the ocean waters for the next thousand years. Fortunately, BP and the government are contemplating lesser crazy options.

As a result of the oil spill there are countless great political cartoons and funny videos by the likes of Colbert to enjoy. And Betty White was the toast of late night TV on SNL after turning in some hilarious performances. She then proceeded to go out all night carousing with the SNL cast after the show. She's almost 89 years old and there's no time to waste for having fun! :)






The Social Poets:


BP Oil Spill Funny Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Love Gift Poem - Libations Friday 14 May 2010

3 Funny Videos: Hilarious Betty White On SNL, Cartoonist Mocks Tea Party

Funny Wall Street Quotes and Jokes, Stewart Lampoons Wall Street - Cheeky Quote Day 12 May 2010

One Million Homeowners Walked Away: Can It Kill Our Economy?

Video: The Case For Walking Away From Your Mortgage

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 10 May 2010

Funny Video: Colbert Lampoons Conservative Preacher and His Rentboy

Funny Video: Stewart Slams Media, BP, And Hypocritical Politicians For Oil Spill Response

Funny Video: 2010 White House Correspondents Dinner with Prez Obama







Dennys Global Politics:


World Economy Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Russians Say Nuke BP Oil Spill, Hordes Leaving Facebook, Big Business Cheats, Obamas Tax Reform - News Headlines 13 May 2010

BP Found Cheating, Auto Dealers Sleazing Public, Voters Oust Porkers, Haiti Charities Stingy - News Headlines 12 May 2010

Hedge Fund Short Selling Caused Market Dive, Cameron New Brit PM, Govt Changes Approach to Oil Oversight - News Headlines 11 May 2010

Woman Chosen 4 Supreme Court, BP Sprays Chemicals into Oil Spill, Obscene Exec Perks - News Headlines 10 May 2010




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


3 Quotes: Have You Validated Yourself Recently?

3 Positive Attitude Quotes to Help Shape Your World

Are You Stuck in Life Not Knowing Where to Go Next?

Mothers Day Quote From Rose Kennedy

How Can You Help Your Child Keep Their Balance And Yours?

Mothers Day Quote: The Funny Stages of Motherhood

4 Special Quotes to Anchor Your Dreams




Food Blogs:


Triple Chocolate Toffee Brownies

Elegant Cheap Dishes From Manhattan Chef: Chicken With 40 Garlic Cloves, Salad and Dessert

Sweet Breakfasts: Caramel Pecan Buns, Sweet Blueberry Drop Biscuits, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake







Humor blogs:


Funny Video: Colbert On BP Oil Containment - No One Knows What The Flock They're Doing

Funny Video: Cartoonist Mocks Tea Party Hypocrisy

Funny Video: Betty White On SNL Monologue

Funny Video: Betty White, SNL Golden Girls Lampoon Lawrence Welk Show

Funny Video: Cover Up Your Sex Scandal With A New Batch Of Euphemisms

Terrorism and Times Square, Immmigration Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Hunh? Funny Political Cartoons 15 May 2010




Visual Insights photo blog:


Supreme Court Nominee Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010

Dennys Funny Photo Gallery: The Nose Knows




The Healing Waters and The Soul Calendar:


Injuries During Sex, Miracle Baby, Bad Drug Ad Snitches Wanted - Health News Stories - 14 May 2010

Funny Wall Street Political Cartoons - 15 May 2010



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

11 May 2010

Sweet Breakfasts: Caramel Pecan Buns, Sweet Blueberry Drop Biscuits, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake



Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns from a fellow foodie by the name of little blue hen @ flickr


From Denny: OK, these sticky buns may not be made from scratch yeast dough but hey! they are fast and easy to do and still taste good! They are especially handy when you need something fast in a pinch - like howling hungry kids or husband who can't wait long.

Try your hand at some simple drop biscuits infused with wonderful blueberries, fresh or frozen, for a change of pace and the good nutrition of "blue food."

My all time favorite is a favorite of our grandmothers: Pineapple Upside Down Cake. It used to be reserved for dessert. The coffee cake quality combined with juicy fresh or canned pineapple is a winner any time of day at our house!






Caramel Pecan Buns

From: Pillsbury

Serves: 5

Ingredients:

1 (17.5-oz.) can Pillsbury Grands! refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
2 tbls. butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. Bake rolls as directed on package. Reserve icing.

2. To caramelize pecans, melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat; add pecans. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until butter just starts to brown. Add brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts and bubbles, about 2 minutes. Spoon over hot buns.

3. Microwave icing on medium (50 percent power) 5 to 10 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle over warm buns. Serve warm.







Sweet Blueberry Drop Biscuits


From: White Lily

Makes: 12 biscuits

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups self-rising flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup chilled shortening
2/3 to 3/4 cup buttermilk or milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blue-berries, thawed and drained

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 500 degrees. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine flour and sugar in bowl. Cut in shortening until lumps are the size of peas. Blend in just enough buttermilk with a fork until dough leaves sides of bowl. Gently stir in blueberries.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet 1 to 2 inches apart. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with butter.








Pineapple Upside Down Cake by normanack @ flickr


Pineapple Upside- Down Cake


From: George A. Barry

Makes: 1 (9- or 10-inch) cake

Ingredients:

Topping:

5 tbls. butter
2/3 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1 (20-oz.) can pineapple slices, drained (or if preferred use crushed pineapple, drained)
9 maraschino cherries

Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
4 tbls. butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9- or 10-inch black iron skillet. Put the 5 tablespoons butter in the skillet and place in hot oven to melt the butter.

2. Remove from oven and evenly distribute the brown sugar over the melted butter in the bottom of the skillet.

3. Arrange pineapple slices over the brown sugar and place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.

4. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.

5. Beat the 4 tablespoons butter and 1 cup granulated sugar together. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until everything is light and fluffy.

6. Alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk, beating continually, until everything is mixed well. Pour the batter over the pineapple and cherries in the skillet. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.

7. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes, then invert the hot cake onto a plate. Cut into wedges to serve.


Note: The cake can also be made in a deep, 9-inch round cake pan or a 9-inch square cake pan. Eddie prefers using crushed pineapple and makes his cake in a square pan or doubles the recipe and makes the cake in a sheet cake pan.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

09 May 2010

Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs 9 May 2010




From Denny: This sure has been a wild ride for the news, the BP oil spill attempt at clean-up, the crazy British election and the huge sudden drop in the stock market. I gathered some of the better stories over at Dennys Global Politics.

You just have to read about the odd new health stories about empathy nasal spray for men and the strange neck treatment for PTSD relief. And the political cartoons were out in full force as social commentary on it all so you know I just had to park a number of those posts on several blogs for Saturday! :)

Hope everyone had a great Mothers Day! And thank you all for your great support!




The Social Poets:


Oil Spill Disaster Cartoons - Whats Happening This Week in America - 8 May 2010

One Mother and One Child poem 4 Mothers Day - Libations Friday 7 May 2010

Transocean Kidnapped Oil Rig Survivors, Coerced Signing No Legal Repsonsiblity

Funny Parenting Quotes 4 Mothers Day - Cheeky Quote Day 5 May 2010

BP Only Responsible to $75 Million 4 Oil Disaster By USA Law

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 3 May 2010

Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs 2 May 2010





Dennys Global Politics:

Greek Debt Crisis 4 The World: Political Cartoons 8 May 2010

1,000 Point Stock Market Plunge, Brits Still Tied After Election, Examining Obamas Humor - News Headlines 7 May 2010

USA Offshore New Oil Drilling Halted, New USA Terrorist Screening, 3-Way Tie in Brit Election - News Headlines 6 May 2010

Supreme Court Pick Hunt, Dems Whimp Out on Finanacial Fund 4 Reform, How You Get on No-Fly List, Obama Tough on Airlines - News Headlines 5 May 2010

Pakistan Trained Bomber, Obamas Workaholic Ways, Catholics Polled About Sex Abuse - News Headlines 4 May 2010

BP Oil Spill Coverage - News Headlines 3 May 2010





The Soul Calendar:


Funny Wall Street Cartoons - 8 May 2010


Video: Check Out the River Monsters Swimming Near You


Bloggers: Get The New Google Buzz Buttons

Neuroscience: Want Your Man to Better Understand You? Try Empathy Nasal Spray




The Healing Waters:


Controversial Successful New Treatment 4 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:


Mothers Day Quote From Rose Kennedy

How Can You Help Your Child Keep Their Balance And Yours?




Dennys Funny Quotes:


The Great American Immigration Debate: Political Cartoons - 8 May 2010

Funny Video: Health Care Rage-Ex by Cartoonist Mark Fiore

Funny Animated Cartoon on Economy: Crashiversary Video by Mark Fiore



Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd:


Times Square Terrorist Bomber: Political Cartoons 8 May 2010

10 Funny Odd Photos - cute animals and crazy dressed people!

Funny Video: TV Anchor Falls off Chair





Food blogs:


Tradtional Sandwiches Updated: California Tuna Melt, Egg Salad

Chocolate Wonders: Kentucky Derby Pie, Make-ahead Chocolate Soufflé

Video: Louisiana Chef Makes Crawfish Etouffee


Easy Moist Chocolate Mayo Cake From Bon Appetit





Visual Insights:


Dennys Photo Gallery: Garden Views

Funny Love-Hate Relationships of Fox News, Republicans, Tea Party, Airlines and Obama Cartoons - 8 May 2010


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
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