SUMMER IS HERE

 Well we have finally reached the summer days.  Ours came in like a lion.  First the heat of a 2nd day in the 90sF and then abruptly around three pm the storm hit.  Furious, it was.  Thunder and lightning and pounding rain.  The good thing is the air cooled down immediately to 72 degrees.  We lost our cable but not our power which is a good thing.  I was able to make my big pot of mashed potatoes. I wanted enough leftovers to try a new recipe, Mashed Potato Cakes.  If it works like I hope it will, I won't have to grate potatoes to make my usual Lithuanian Belinkis which are potato pancakes.  The grating takes its toll on me so if I can find another way, I'll try it.  I will let you know soon.  

Have a wonderful summer my friends.

TATER TOT CASSEROLE

 Hello friends.  I know its been ages since I posted.  I have not been sewing lately.  Not really in the mood.  But I have been trying many new casseroles which I think you may like to try also.

TATER TOT CASSEROLE

9 BY 13 CASSEROLE DISH   PREHEATED 350* FOR 45-55 MINS.

INGREDIENTS:

1 LB SAUSAGE

32-OZ BAG FROZEN TATER TOTS

8 OZ SHREDDED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE

8 LARGE EGGS

1 CUP MILK

SPICES: 1/4 teaspoon SALT, BLACK PEPPER

1 teaspoon ONION POWDER, DRY MUSTARD

1/2 teaspoon OREGANO

PREPARATION:

IN SKILLET: BROWN SAUSAGE.  SET ASIDE.

IN LARGE BOWL:

ADD BAG OF FROZEN TATER TOTS

ADD COOKED SAUSAGE MEAT AND HALF THE CHEDDAR CHEESE.  MIX TOGETHER.

IN ANOTHER BOWL:  ADD EGGS, MILK, AND ALL THE SPICES.  WHISK TOGETHER WELL.

SPRAY 9 BY 13 BAKING DISH.  ADD THE BOWL OF TOTS, SAUSAGE WITH HALF THE CHEESE MIXTURE.

OVER THIS POUR THE EGG MIXTURE EVENLY ACROSS.

TOP WITH THE OTHER HALF OF THE CHEDDAR CHEESE.

BAKE IN 350* PREHEATED OVEN FOR 45-55 MINS. TIL ITS BUBBLING AROUND THE EDGES AND EGGS ARE SET.

LET IT SIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING.

THIS HAS BEEN A FAVORITE NOW FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH MY FAMILY AND ALSO MY NEIGHBORS.  EVERYONE LOVES IT.

THE SAUSAGE YOU USE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.  I LIKE A BIT OF SPICE SO I LIKE THE JIMMY DEAN REGULAR SAUSAGE SINCE ITS SPICY ENOUGH WITHOUT BEING TOO HOT.  SOMETIMES I USE JIMMY DEAN'S SAGE OR MAPLE SAUSAGE WHEN SHARING WITH A FEW WHO DO NOT LIKE ANY SPICYNESS AT ALL. 

IF YOU REALLY LIKE CHEESE, YOU COULD SPRINKLE THE TOP LAYER WITH MORE THAN THE 4 OZ OF CHEESE YOU HAVE LEFT.  

ENJOY MY FRIENDS.  ITS REALLY EASY AND TASTY

JUST WANTED TO SY HI!

I am still around and kicking.  I have not been sewing lately so nothing to show you.

The big news is I gave up my garden space.  It's been difficult doing the work to keep my garden neat.  Weeding is not so easy these days.  Time to let another resident enjoy the garden plot since there's a waiting list.  I am happy that I got a decent harvest of tomatoes this past season and made some frozen roasted garlic tomatoes to save in my freezer.  They sure add wonderful flavor to dishes when I make sauces.  

I have been reading a lot thru the winter and doing less housework.  Our local library has a librarian who comes to our building once a month to bring us books of our choice.  It's a good way to get to read books without the cost of buying them.  I have been making good use of this free service.

I am hoping to get back to sewing soon.  I have been drawing pictures thru the winter.  I have some new ideas popping up.  It's just a matter of getting myself in sewing motion.

Wishing you all a good season.