Salmon En Croute

Kathleen Rear

no comments

November 4, 2011

I’ve simplified this seemly fancy schmancy dish for the week night. But really, it’s just plain simple from the outset.

Salmon En Croute

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

4 4oz. Salmon Pieces (skin off)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon Fresh or 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 package Puff Pastry (thawed)
Egg wash (1 egg beaten)
Flour

Start by patting the salmon dry. Then season with salt and pepper, spread each piece with Dijon mustard and, sprinkle with thyme.

Sprinkle your counter with flour; use enough so the dough does not stick. Gently unfold the puff pastry and sprinkle with flour. Roll out the dough so that it is about 2-3 inches wider and longer. Cut the dough in half, brush with the egg wash.

Place the salmon in the middle of the dough then, wrap the long sides around the salmon. Turn your little salmon packages over and slit the top several times to allow steam to escape. Crimp the open sides closed with a fork. Use the rest of the egg wash on the tops of the pastry.

Place your little “en croute” on a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until your puff pastry is golden brown.

Blue Cheese and Onion Spread

Kathleen Rear

1 comment

November 2, 2011

How was your Halloween? Ours was very nice. The kids had friends over for meat hand (thanks to notmartha.com) and I tried a new recipe for the appetizer course.

Blue Cheese and Onion Spread

2 4oz containers Cream Cheese (room temperature)
1 4oz containers Blue Cheese crumbles
3 tablespoons Caramelized Onion (You can purchase these or make them: I’ll have the recipe soon!)
1 teaspoon dried Thyme
1 teaspoon dried Basil
1/4 cup Heavy Cream or 1/2 & 1/2
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a bowl mix all ingredients well. Add a bit more cream if the cheese seems too stiff. Spoon into a pretty bowl or into the cranium of a plastic skull.

Happy Halloween!

Kathleen Rear

1 comment

October 31, 2011

Those who know me, understand that I love Halloween! I decorate with gusto and hand out full size candy bars, I dress up and allow my teenagers to go trick or treating. (provided they wear a costume, don’t trample the little kids and, are excruciatingly polite) This years festivities are hampered a little by the fact that it’s a school night and the forecast calls for rain. But only a little.

Gavin (14) will be dressed this year as a can of Spam and Kellen (16) will be serenading the neighborhood as a Mariachi; along with a friend from school who intends to bring his trumpet.

How AWESOME is it to be my neighbor I ask you?

I intend to fill you all in with all the fun tonight via my Facebook wall

Until then, here’s a few things to keep you amused:

Neil Gaiman’s very creepy short story, “How To Talk To Girls At Parties”

Check out Nightmares Fear Factory Flickr page:

What is in the room with these people? Not sure I want to know!

Link Love: Awesome Ideas

Kathleen Rear

no comments

October 28, 2011

I’ve been collecting awesome ideas to share with you. Yes, that’s code for messing around on Pinterest for hours. But these are really great ideas!


A light switch time capsule! Put this on the back of a light switch for future owners of your home.


These are available at Walmart, but I’ll bet I could MacGyver something with a lingerie bag and some stout elastic.


Yes to this, from projectsforpreschoolers.com (click pictures for links)


Duh, why didn’t I think of this? Thanks Martha!


Attention Disney lovers! If you write to a Disney character you’ll get a signed photo back. Perfect for the Princess Fanatic in your life!
Walt Disney World Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Have a great weekend everyone!

Meet Sophie Blackall

Kathleen Rear

no comments

October 21, 2011

As you know, I love the internet. I this series I’ll introduce you to the bloggers, vloggers and sites that inspire me.

Sophie Blackall is an illustrator mainly for children’s books. She was inspired to illustrate the “Missed Connections” personal ads you can find on Craigslist.

Sometimes funny and clever, at other times heartbreaking and poignant, the ads are given a wonderful humanity through Sophie’s drawings.

Check out the book to; and keep it in mind as a gift this Valentines Day!

Favorite Recipe Apps

Kathleen Rear

1 comment

October 19, 2011

Yesterday I was wandering the grocery store before lunch, hungry and trying to decide what to make for dinner. I don’t know about you but, shopping while hungry and without a meal plan is a very bad idea. I wind up with all kinds of crap by the time I get to the checkout. Staring at the butcher’s case with hungry eyes, I find myself unable to make a decision. So, it’s very useful to have literally hundreds of recipes I can call up right there in my smartphone.

I’ve been an AllRecipes.com fan for years. It’s the first site I go to when I want to try something new. They have a paid and free version, plus multi-language versions. The “Dinner Spinner” feature is fun to play with and very easy to use.


I snap up the new copy of Real Simple Magazine every time I see it at the newstand. Theirs is a free app but, the ads are not intrusive. You choose what basic ingredients you’re starting with then filter from there. The really cool thing about this app is once you find a recipe it compiles your grocery list and, if you want, sends it in a text message; an awesome idea if you need to send your list to someone else doing the shopping.

Ah, Nigella you can do no wrong in my eyes. Her app is just like her, pretty, classy and, a fountain of great recipes. Videos too! You can compile grocery lists and print them out. I suppose it goes with out saying that this is a paid app but it’s well worth the money.
If Nigella isn’t your style, I think most TV star chefs have an app; look them up!

Vegetable Tian

Kathleen Rear

no comments

October 17, 2011

Lovely, cheesy, baked vegetables; enough said!

Vegetable Tian

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

1 Onion
1 Clove Garlic
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2-3 Yukon Gold potatoes
2 Summer Squash
2 Zucchini
2-3 Tomatoes
1 cup shredded Gruyere Cheese
1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme
Salt and Pepper

Slice the onion and garlic, and, saute over medium heat, in the olive oil, for about 10 minutes.
Place the onions in the bottom of a baking dish.

Wash then slice all the vegetables to about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange the vegetable slices alternately in a fan or pin wheel shape over the onions, sprinkling each layer with salt and pepper.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.

Uncover the vegetables and sprinkle the top with the shredded cheese and thyme. Put it back in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes have cooked through and the cheese is brown and bubbly.

The great thing about this dish is you can make as much or as little as you want, which makes it great as a side for a crowd or for just a few.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Website Powered by WordPress.com.