Set in Grease Stains

Oh how I hate grease stains but we constantly get them on our clothes. I usually don't notice until after the clothes have been through the washer and dryer. A few years ago, I found a washed in grease stain on my step-daughter's sweater that belonged to my husband's ex-wife. I panicked because of the conflict this might bring so I did a little searching on the Internet and this is what I found. It's a smelly process but works like a charm! Let me know what you think.

1. Spray the stain with WD-40 and let it sit about 20 minutes.

2. Rub a drop or two of liquid dish detergent onto the WD-40 stain and rub in well.

5. Rinse and rub on a bit more dish detergent and then wash as usual

6. Repeat the process if needed

Ali

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Whenever I go to a Brazilian Grill, I can't get enough of the cheese bread. The texture is so chewy and unique. I found the recipe! The recipe makes bread as good as what you get in the restaurants. I don't usually post the step by step pictures only because I have a very old camera and I'm lucky to get one good picture but this time I have a few. But I can't seem to rearrange the pictures. I have I left them below for you to see. So without further adieu, I present Brazilian Cheese Bread!

Brazilian Cheese Bread

• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup milk
• Scant 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) tapioca flour
• 1/2 cup packed queso fresco cheese (Mexican farmer's cheese)
• Mexican farmer's cheese -
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt (or more to taste)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a mini-muffin tin. Put all of the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. You may need to use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender so that everything gets blended well. At this point you can store the batter in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until all puffy and just lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for a few minutes. Eat while warm or save to reheat later.

Here are the pictures from ending to beginning. I don't know why I can't seem to edit them.

Hmm Hmm Granola Bars

• Hmm Hmm Granola Bars

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, molasses or honey
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, olive oil or canola oil
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2-3/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds
• 1/2-3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with coconut oil or cooking spray and set aside.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, maple syrup, oil, brown sugar, cinnamon. Stir and cook until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, nut/seeds, raisins and salt.

Pour peanut butter mixture over oatmeal mixture and stir gently with a spatula until well combined. Transfer to baking dish, cover with parchment paper and press firmly into dish. Allow to cool completely (will cool faster in the refrigerator). Cut into squares or bars.

Enjoy!

Speaking of Chili

I love this Chili. It turns out great every time. I got the recipe from Emeril Lagasse on Food Network but simplified it a bit.

Here is my simplified version of it.

Start out by making Emeril's Seasoning. You will have extra for next time you make it.

Emeril's Southwest Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

White Bean Chili

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound dried navy beans, picked over
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped dried onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Emeril's Southwest Essence, recipe above
• 1 2/3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 (10-ounce) cans Diced Tomatoes undrained
• 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles, undrained
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro stems
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• Sour cream, for serving
• Grated Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, for serving

Directions

In a large kettle, soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches overnight. Drain beans in a colander and return to kettle with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Cook beans at a bare simmer until just tender, about 1 hour, and drain in a colander.

In a large kettle, heat the oil and saute the onion until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add Southwest Essence, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf and cook, stirring occasionally. Add the cornmeal and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, canned tomatoes, canned chiles, and cilantro stems and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. After it has cooked for 30 minutes, add the cooked beans. Add the heavy cream and cilantro leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes longer.

Serve the chili in deep bowls, garnished with dollops of sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and green onions to taste.

Chili Seasoning

I love this recipe for chili seasoning. It's easy enough to make a large amount to have on hand when you need it and doesn't have the preservatives and MSG that you find in prepared mixes at the store. I usually add this to my chili a tablespoon at a time until it tastes just right. This recipe doesn't make much so I quadruple it and keep in in an air tight container.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com, http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/chili-seasoning-mix-ii/Detail.aspx

German Pancakes with Grape Syrup

These are a family favorite. I think my kids would choose this meal over pretty much any other food!

German Pancakes

6 TBS melted butter

6 eggs slightly beaten

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

¼ tsp salt

Melt butter in a 9”x13” baking dish. Combine eggs, milk, flour and salt together in a bowl. Poor over in baking dish over the melted butter. Bake at 425 (or 400 if you like a thicker pancake) for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve with Grape Syrup. Serves 5.

Grape Syrup

In a 2 quart saucepan combine

1 cup sugar

2 TBS cornstarch

2 TBS lemon Juice

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

Add 2 cups grape juice (I usually use frozen concentrated grape juice but add only half the water to dilute it). Bring to boil and cook just until mixture becomes clear. Makes 2 cups.

Fixer Elixer

This is great stuff. It's great for when you have a cold or you are cold. It's great to use as a snack when you are trying to loose weight. It's great just as a refreshing healthy drink. You can add a little cilantro too if you want to include greens. Adjust the ingredients to your taste. This is pretty potent.

Fixer Elixer

Add the following to a blender

• 2 cups fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
• 5-10 cloves of Garlic
• 1-2 inches of Ginger
• 1/16 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup Raw Honey (see note)
• 1/4 tsp. Raw Salt

Blend until smooth and add 5 cups of very warm water. Blend again and enjoy!

Note: my raw honey is thick and hard so you may need to adjust depending on the consistancy of your honey