mobileCategory: food
03/21/06 08:20 - 30ºF - ID#24957
Kara's Lasagna
My first attempt at this classic Italian dish turned out fine. I have a few special twists in mind for the next time I make it, though.
Ingredients
Lasagna noodles (one box, 12-15 depending on the size of your cassarole dish)
One jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara
One container of ricotta cheese (15 oz)
One box, frozen spinach (thawed and drained very well)
Garlic, minced
Salt, pepper, basil and oregano
1 egg
Romano and/or parmesan cheese (1/2 cup)
Mozzarella cheese
Mushrooms, tomatoes
Sausage, cooked
Steps
I dipped the noodles in boiling water for a minute or two to soften them up, then placed them on a cookie sheet sprayed with olive oil - otherwise they'll stick! I saw on Giada's Everyday Italian that you can boil the noodles al dente and roll them up with filling in side - that is what I want to do next time.
In a large bowl, whisk one egg, then add the ricotta, the thawed spinach, the garlic (to taste) the salt, pepper and spices (I did about a teaspoon of each, with more to taste), and parm cheese. Combine (I used my pastry blender - a potato masher could work too).
Spray the bottom of a 8x11 or 9x13 baking dish with olive oil.
Make a layer of sauce, about 2/3 cup.
Make a layer of the noodles, overlapping the edges slightly.
Add a layer of the cheese mixture.
Add a layer of sliced mushrooms, or tomatoes - or any other veggies. Zucchini would work nicely.
Add a layer of sauce, about another 2/3 cup.
Another layer of noodles.
Another layer of cheese.
More sauce.
More noodles.
More cheese.
Sprinkle the top with mozz cheese, if you wish.
Bake in a preheated oven (400 degrees) for 50 minutes; cover with foil for the first 35 minutes; remove the foil and keep checking it - any exposed noodles will become dry and crunchy.
Serve with extra sauce; I'd recommend a light salad as a side dish. This meal has so much cheese my arteries were crying out in pain when I ate it.
Ingredients
Lasagna noodles (one box, 12-15 depending on the size of your cassarole dish)
One jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara
One container of ricotta cheese (15 oz)
One box, frozen spinach (thawed and drained very well)
Garlic, minced
Salt, pepper, basil and oregano
1 egg
Romano and/or parmesan cheese (1/2 cup)
Mozzarella cheese
Mushrooms, tomatoes
Sausage, cooked
Steps
I dipped the noodles in boiling water for a minute or two to soften them up, then placed them on a cookie sheet sprayed with olive oil - otherwise they'll stick! I saw on Giada's Everyday Italian that you can boil the noodles al dente and roll them up with filling in side - that is what I want to do next time.
In a large bowl, whisk one egg, then add the ricotta, the thawed spinach, the garlic (to taste) the salt, pepper and spices (I did about a teaspoon of each, with more to taste), and parm cheese. Combine (I used my pastry blender - a potato masher could work too).
Spray the bottom of a 8x11 or 9x13 baking dish with olive oil.
Make a layer of sauce, about 2/3 cup.
Make a layer of the noodles, overlapping the edges slightly.
Add a layer of the cheese mixture.
Add a layer of sliced mushrooms, or tomatoes - or any other veggies. Zucchini would work nicely.
Add a layer of sauce, about another 2/3 cup.
Another layer of noodles.
Another layer of cheese.
More sauce.
More noodles.
More cheese.
Sprinkle the top with mozz cheese, if you wish.
Bake in a preheated oven (400 degrees) for 50 minutes; cover with foil for the first 35 minutes; remove the foil and keep checking it - any exposed noodles will become dry and crunchy.
Serve with extra sauce; I'd recommend a light salad as a side dish. This meal has so much cheese my arteries were crying out in pain when I ate it.
Permalink: Kara_s_Lasagna.html
Words: 343
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: timewaster
03/17/06 03:24 - 29ºF - ID#24956
Drawball
Drawball 
is like a massive, awesome version of wannaspell , but with a paintbrush instead of letters.
The tricks to get into the drawing part:
- click "disagree" instead of "agree."
- you need to connect the dots in a certain order - start at one bottom corner, and make your way to the other. It may take you a few times, but you can get it.
The amount of "ink" is limited, use it wisely. Wikipedia says to let your ink levels accrue over a few days.
I wrote "IMPEACH" near the center. Can you find it? I wonder if it will stay there.
is like a massive, awesome version of wannaspell , but with a paintbrush instead of letters.The tricks to get into the drawing part:
- click "disagree" instead of "agree."
- you need to connect the dots in a certain order - start at one bottom corner, and make your way to the other. It may take you a few times, but you can get it.
The amount of "ink" is limited, use it wisely. Wikipedia
says to let your ink levels accrue over a few days. I wrote "IMPEACH" near the center. Can you find it? I wonder if it will stay there.
Permalink: Drawball.html
Words: 118
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: food
03/16/06 05:01 - 34ºF - ID#24955
Kara's Reuben Sandwich
In honor of St. Patrick's Day (and an upcoming trip to Ireland), here is my twist on that most Irish-American of sandwiches: The Reuben.
Ingredients
Focaccia bread
Corned Beef - freshly cooked or sliced from the deli
Thousand Island dressing
Colby-jack cheese (or any type of cheddar)
Marinated artichokes
Steps
Slice focaccia into squares; slice these squares lengthwise to open it up into two sandwich slices.
Pile one side of the sandwich with corned beef slices, a few pieces of artichoke, and a layer of cheese.
Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet until the cheese is melted nicely.
Serve with thousand island dressing.
It's that simple. I cooked up a hunk of (WIKIPEDIA - corned beef) last night, and wanted to have a snack of it before I freeze the rest. This is a sandwich inspired by the delicious panini at Panera Bread. The artichokes, a useful substitute for the traditional sauerkraut, gave an appropriate amount of crunch and flavor. I like the Co-jack cheese more than Swiss, anyway, so that's what I used.
Ingredients
Focaccia bread
Corned Beef - freshly cooked or sliced from the deli
Thousand Island dressing
Colby-jack cheese (or any type of cheddar)
Marinated artichokes
Steps
Slice focaccia into squares; slice these squares lengthwise to open it up into two sandwich slices.
Pile one side of the sandwich with corned beef slices, a few pieces of artichoke, and a layer of cheese.
Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet until the cheese is melted nicely.
Serve with thousand island dressing.
It's that simple. I cooked up a hunk of (WIKIPEDIA - corned beef) last night, and wanted to have a snack of it before I freeze the rest. This is a sandwich inspired by the delicious panini at Panera Bread. The artichokes, a useful substitute for the traditional sauerkraut, gave an appropriate amount of crunch and flavor. I like the Co-jack cheese more than Swiss, anyway, so that's what I used.
Permalink: Kara_s_Reuben_Sandwich.html
Words: 183
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: stuff
03/15/06 07:30 - 35ºF - ID#24954
Piles
I have a pile of stuff to do for the Ronald McDonald House
I have a pile of information for a certain special project.
I have a pile of wedding magazines, lists and related materials.
I have a pile of information for a (sigh) name change. At least I'll keep my initials, but it is an absolute mess to change my name.
I have a pile of shirts to decorate for a certain floor hockey team.
I have multiple piles of clothes to put away.
I have a pile of clothes to hang, and a pile of spring/summer clothes to sort through.
I have a pile of things to go to goodwill.
I have a pile of older wedding magazines (any takers? I'll deliver to north buffalo/amherst).
I have a pile of socks that may or may not have mates.
I have a pile of papers to file.
I have a pile of winter accessories that have, mercifully, been put in a closet until winter comes again.
And I have a puppy whose sole purpose this evening has been to step on, in or near every pile, knocking them over when she can.
I have a pile of information for a certain special project.
I have a pile of wedding magazines, lists and related materials.
I have a pile of information for a (sigh) name change. At least I'll keep my initials, but it is an absolute mess to change my name.
I have a pile of shirts to decorate for a certain floor hockey team.
I have multiple piles of clothes to put away.
I have a pile of clothes to hang, and a pile of spring/summer clothes to sort through.
I have a pile of things to go to goodwill.
I have a pile of older wedding magazines (any takers? I'll deliver to north buffalo/amherst).
I have a pile of socks that may or may not have mates.
I have a pile of papers to file.
I have a pile of winter accessories that have, mercifully, been put in a closet until winter comes again.
And I have a puppy whose sole purpose this evening has been to step on, in or near every pile, knocking them over when she can.
Permalink: Piles.html
Words: 199
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: spring
03/09/06 02:16 - 53ºF - ID#24953
Spring is here?
Now that most of the snow has melted from our yard, I finally had the chance to do one of my most dreaded, most hated, most feared chores: dog poo duty.
I have a sturdy, easy-to-use scooper, which came in handy while picking up at least 15 pounds of the stuff. Note to self: next year, do this while the ambient outside air is still below freezing. Frozen bits are easier to deal with than mushy bits.
That being said, the temperature felt much higher than 52 degrees, and I was happy to be outside for - gosh, I think it took me twenty minutes.
So if you happened to drive on my street today, I was the girl in the pink jacket, muttering disgustedly to myself and talking to my muddy dog. If she had the capability, I swear she would have been laughing at me.
I have a sturdy, easy-to-use scooper, which came in handy while picking up at least 15 pounds of the stuff. Note to self: next year, do this while the ambient outside air is still below freezing. Frozen bits are easier to deal with than mushy bits.
That being said, the temperature felt much higher than 52 degrees, and I was happy to be outside for - gosh, I think it took me twenty minutes.
So if you happened to drive on my street today, I was the girl in the pink jacket, muttering disgustedly to myself and talking to my muddy dog. If she had the capability, I swear she would have been laughing at me.
Permalink: Spring_is_here_.html
Words: 145
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: help
03/08/06 04:00 - 23ºF - ID#24952
Carfax?
Does anyone have a carfax subscription (or whatever it's called). I need to look up a VIN. I'll spend the $19.99 if I have to, but I hope I don't have to.
(As an aside, if you type a VIN into Google, it automatically brings up the fact that it is a VIN, and provides a friendly link to Carfax.)
(As an aside, if you type a VIN into Google, it automatically brings up the fact that it is a VIN, and provides a friendly link to Carfax.)
Permalink: Carfax_.html
Words: 59
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: links
03/06/06 07:21 - 29ºF - ID#24951
Things I've seen
Cool links from this past week:
Zillow find out the worth of your house, and your neighbor's house.
What is tapioca? I shared a bowl of tapioca pudding this weekend; wikipedia says exactly what this delicious food is made from.
Subpixel rendering if you love photoshop, you'll appreciate this info. Also check out DesignFruit for some unique photoshop brushes.
Do you know what Tyler Durden would do?
Create and publish with lulu. It's been on my list of things to do for awhile.
The Six Thousand interesting people, every day or three.
Suckerfish when they work correctly, these CSS (with a 12 line javascript addon) menus are awesome.
Zillow
find out the worth of your house, and your neighbor's house.What is tapioca?
I shared a bowl of tapioca pudding this weekend; wikipedia says exactly what this delicious food is made from.Subpixel rendering
if you love photoshop, you'll appreciate this info. Also check out DesignFruit for some unique photoshop brushes.Do you know what Tyler Durden would do?
Create and publish with lulu
. It's been on my list of things to do for awhile.The Six Thousand
interesting people, every day or three.Suckerfish
when they work correctly, these CSS (with a 12 line javascript addon) menus are awesome.
Permalink: Things_I_ve_seen.html
Words: 147
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: survey
03/03/06 08:30 - 15ºF - ID#24950
Ajay's Survey
1. Did you support President Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003?
If yes, and knowing what you know today, would you change your answer?
Absolutely not. There are no WMDs, Iraq had no connection to the attacks on 9/11 (though if you believe the ideas set forth in the Loose Change video, the attacks were staged events), and our soldiers are dying over there while companies like Halliburton are enriched by government contracts and oil profits.
2. Do you think this Administration deliberately overstated the threat
posed by Saddam in 2002 in making its claim to Congress? (ref. Gulf
of Tonkin resolution, 1964).
If "overstated" can also be interpreted as "lied," then yes.
3. Almost as many people were killed by Katrina as were killed in 9/11. Do
you think the reaction of this Administration has been even-handed to
these two events? If not, why not?
More people were killed in Katrina. More people were affected by Katrina. The economic and social impact of that hurricane will be felt for decades. The reaction to Katrina was abysmal and embarrassing.
4. Do you think the enmasse wiretapping of phonecalls of American citizens
by the Administration that has been revealed recently was illegal?
Yes. We have laws. This administration should use them.
5. Do you think gays should have the right to marry?
I think all people should have the ability to marry and have that union be recognized by state legal authority. If a church doesn't want to recognize a marriage, so be it - those are cultural traditions that the state does not have the right to mess with. 2 guys or 2 gals getting married won't affect my marriage, so leave them be.
6. Do you support a woman's right to unhindered access to abortion?
Of course. I think of it as the right to get medical treatment. See a definition of the pro-life movement at "[dict]hypocrisy[/dict]"
7. Do you support the idea of mandatory prayer in schools? If yes, would you
support a Muslim Imam leading the prayers in your child(ren)'s school?
No, unless it's a religious school.
8. Do you support the right of a person to grow a little bit of pot in
his/her home and consume it as s/he sees it fit? Assume the same
laws about DUI, DWI, etc. apply.
Eh - pot is less destructive than alcohol or hard drug abuse. I'd say it could be grown for personal medicinal use - once you start to sell it to others, go to jail or pay a fine.
9. Do you support the idea of a national healthcare system? Why, or why not?
Yes. Lack of health insurance is a leading cause of bankruptcy. I'd say to make the same health care plan that our illustrious congress critters have available to all Americans.
10.For self-identified Democrats/Republicans/Libertarians/Greens alike:
would your answers to any of the questions 1-4 above be different if
the President was (or was not, if you're Republican) from your party?
If yes, which ones and why?
I'm not registered in a political party. Corrupt politicians are endemic to all political parties, and the individuals in office do not affect my personal political opinions.
If yes, and knowing what you know today, would you change your answer?
Absolutely not. There are no WMDs, Iraq had no connection to the attacks on 9/11 (though if you believe the ideas set forth in the Loose Change
video, the attacks were staged events), and our soldiers are dying over there while companies like Halliburton are enriched by government contracts and oil profits.2. Do you think this Administration deliberately overstated the threat
posed by Saddam in 2002 in making its claim to Congress? (ref. Gulf
of Tonkin resolution, 1964).
If "overstated" can also be interpreted as "lied," then yes.
3. Almost as many people were killed by Katrina as were killed in 9/11. Do
you think the reaction of this Administration has been even-handed to
these two events? If not, why not?
More people were killed in Katrina. More people were affected by Katrina. The economic and social impact of that hurricane will be felt for decades. The reaction to Katrina was abysmal and embarrassing.
4. Do you think the enmasse wiretapping of phonecalls of American citizens
by the Administration that has been revealed recently was illegal?
Yes. We have laws. This administration should use them.
5. Do you think gays should have the right to marry?
I think all people should have the ability to marry and have that union be recognized by state legal authority. If a church doesn't want to recognize a marriage, so be it - those are cultural traditions that the state does not have the right to mess with. 2 guys or 2 gals getting married won't affect my marriage, so leave them be.
6. Do you support a woman's right to unhindered access to abortion?
Of course. I think of it as the right to get medical treatment. See a definition of the pro-life movement at "[dict]hypocrisy[/dict]"
7. Do you support the idea of mandatory prayer in schools? If yes, would you
support a Muslim Imam leading the prayers in your child(ren)'s school?
No, unless it's a religious school.
8. Do you support the right of a person to grow a little bit of pot in
his/her home and consume it as s/he sees it fit? Assume the same
laws about DUI, DWI, etc. apply.
Eh - pot is less destructive than alcohol or hard drug abuse. I'd say it could be grown for personal medicinal use - once you start to sell it to others, go to jail or pay a fine.
9. Do you support the idea of a national healthcare system? Why, or why not?
Yes. Lack of health insurance is a leading cause of bankruptcy. I'd say to make the same health care plan that our illustrious congress critters have available to all Americans.
10.For self-identified Democrats/Republicans/Libertarians/Greens alike:
would your answers to any of the questions 1-4 above be different if
the President was (or was not, if you're Republican) from your party?
If yes, which ones and why?
I'm not registered in a political party. Corrupt politicians are endemic to all political parties, and the individuals in office do not affect my personal political opinions.
Permalink: Ajay_s_Survey.html
Words: 529
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: college
03/02/06 09:35 - 25ºF - ID#24949
Alma Mater
I just attended an Admissions/Alumni event for (one of my) alma maters, Le Moyne College . They treated me right there; the outstanding liberal arts education, supportive scholarships and caring faculty that I had there for 4 years are a big part of the reason I am where I am today. And now I sound like an admission marketing piece.
Anyway, it was great to connect with a few of the prospective students and their parents. I haven't yet forgotten what it was like to be so young, but in seeing these "kids" I realize I do have a different perspective now than I did when I was that age.
I also had the chance to see other alumni from the area, some of whom I already knew. It is such a small world.
Beyond being able to share what my experiences at Le Moyne were, I went for the food. Ever since my first admission event as a high school senior, Le Moyne's admissions events have had fantastic desserts. Go Dolphins.
. They treated me right there; the outstanding liberal arts education, supportive scholarships and caring faculty that I had there for 4 years are a big part of the reason I am where I am today. And now I sound like an admission marketing piece.Anyway, it was great to connect with a few of the prospective students and their parents. I haven't yet forgotten what it was like to be so young, but in seeing these "kids" I realize I do have a different perspective now than I did when I was that age.
I also had the chance to see other alumni from the area, some of whom I already knew. It is such a small world.
Beyond being able to share what my experiences at Le Moyne were, I went for the food. Ever since my first admission event as a high school senior, Le Moyne's admissions events have had fantastic desserts. Go Dolphins.
Permalink: Alma_Mater.html
Words: 175
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: politics
03/01/06 10:22 - 25ºF - ID#24948
Crooks and Liars, all
I saw this on Yahoo news and DailyKos had the link to the video at Crooks and Liars .
The operative sentence in this story:
Bush didn't ask a single question during the final briefing before Katrina struck on Aug. 29, but he assured soon-to-be-battered state officials: "We are fully prepared."
Even Fox News is reporting on the "Katrina Eve" video. Draw your own conclusions.
. When veterans, NRA members, honest Christians and those traditionally in the republican base are standing up and saying WTF is going on, maybe this signals that something good can come from something so tragic. By "good" I mean a less-corrupt, more-fiscally and socially responsible mandate for positive change and growth. By "tragic" I mean our entire government right now.
and DailyKos had the link to the video at Crooks and Liars .The operative sentence in this story:
Bush didn't ask a single question during the final briefing before Katrina struck on Aug. 29, but he assured soon-to-be-battered state officials: "We are fully prepared."
Even Fox News is reporting on the "Katrina Eve" video. Draw your own conclusions.
. When veterans, NRA members, honest Christians and those traditionally in the republican base are standing up and saying WTF is going on, maybe this signals that something good can come from something so tragic. By "good" I mean a less-corrupt, more-fiscally and socially responsible mandate for positive change and growth. By "tragic" I mean our entire government right now.
Permalink: Crooks_and_Liars_all.html
Words: 151
Location: Buffalo, NY
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