Easy appetizers made with Grands biscuits

I promised to publish the recipe....but it's so much easier just to show you.  Disclaimer - this is NOT a vegan recipe, but could easily be adjusted, of course. 

Here are the ingredients...just a roll of sausage fried with onions and drained, cheese of your choice, a roll of Grands "flaky" biscuits, and some cayenne pepper!

The top right is a biscuit out of the box.  The other three are 1 biscuit, pulled apart to yield 3 thin layers.  It's a tedious process, but you'll get the hang of it.

Then you just start layering the filling - a pinch of sausage.

Some cheese on top.

Then I put a puff of cayenne pepper because my boys love some spice!

Then just start to "pinch" the dough to seal it.

All sealed up.

Put the "pinched" side down on a cookie sheet.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

And remove in about 10-12 minutes when golden brown!

Some ready to serve - some going to the freezer for later.    I can't eat them, but the boys love them!  You can also use sweet fillings, spinach/artichoke, use your imagination!  They freeze great, so you can make ahead and warm up anytime!

Bulls and Barrels

We went to the local sports arena for their "Bulls and Barrels" night.  Sorry, I didn't take my camera....only my ancient cell phone....

The opening flags.....brings back a few memories!

I tried to capture a cowboy on a bull, but they were too fast!

And here is the best shot I could get of a barrel rider!  Gonna have to remember the real camera next time!  A good evening though!

What to do with sprouts

Guess I shouldn't post stories about sprouting without showing you what I do with them!  Duane is not a big fan....so I usually take them to work with me.

They make a fine base for a veggie "toss"....I just take raw sprouts, cut up some raw veggies, cube some firm tofu, cover and heat for about 10 minutes in the microwave.

Then I make a sauce out of soy sauce, powdered ginger and some sugar.  All stuff I keep in the fridge at work.  Toss it together - it's a crunchy and yummy lunch!

Easy home sprouting lentil, mung and adzuki

I love, love, love me some sprouts!! I like them mostly tossed in at the end of cooking some stir-fly veggies. It's so easy and fun! I use just a regular 99 cent bag of dried lentils and mung/adzuki beans that I get at Grand Asia or Whole Foods. I've tried soybeans, but they tend to spoil really easily.

First step is an overnite soak in water.  Everything is done in the "dark".....if you leave them uncovered as they're sprouting, they'll start turning green from the sunlight!

Day 3 - clockwise from the left - lentil, mung, adzuki. I just take them out, rinse them two times a day. Leave them moist but not sitting in water.

And this is day 5! The lentil and mung bean sprouts are ready to use. The adzuki takes a bit longer - another 3 days maybe.

And here is my "sprouting chamber"....haha...just a shelf where I can stack them and close the door.  

Some random photos from Key West

The Key West trip is over....here are some random photos....


You know....US1 highway starts in Key West!!!

Another oyster meal for me - I'm the only one who enjoys these raw delicious products of the sea!

So, you probably know that Key West is a bit "different".....this nice photo was in the ladies room.  Not sure why it wasn't in the men's room......

Sunset pier

Reid and Laurie

Nice boats!

Night-time street

Unfortunately for Duane, Buddy and Reid....their wives were present!!

Pretty song at the Smokin' Tuna -  Scott Kirby sings his song "Little Blue Boat"

Even more Key West fun! Bat Tower and Key Deer tour

Yes, a week in 80 degree sunshine is a tough way to live!

We took a drive "up" the Florida Key chain one day.  I had read about a "bat tower" somewhere.  So, after a bit of searching, we found it.  Strange structure - it was apparently built in 1929 by a fishing resort owner who was concerned about the enormous number of mosquitoes.   So, he built this huge tower hoping that bats would control the mosquitoes.  It's probably 30' tall and  inside are hundreds of slats that were to be used by the bats to hang.  Only problem was, there were no bats.  None.  Nada.  Cool though!

We were also looking for the ever-elusive Key Deer. Similar to our "moose hunt" in Maine.....none were in evidence. We think they just put the "Warning - Key Deer next 3 miles" signs up for the tourists. While driving around aimlessly looking for the little deer, we came upon a couple of nature walks. Again, no deer. But, we did find this "Blue Hole" which was an old quarry.

Cool little alligator enjoying the pretty day!

Oh, Sharon and Buddy "say" they saw some Key Deer on their trip back to the mainland.  Sure they did.....


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Key West Sandbar Visit

When we lived in Boca Raton, we met some friends of Buddy and Sharon - Reid and Laurie. They lived in a house just a few miles south of us on a canal with their boat tied at their back door. We went out on their boat one day while Sharon and Buddy were visiting to a shallow area of the Intercoastal Waterway called "Boca Lake". It's so shallow and sandy that it attracts boaters for a refreshing pause. Here are some photos I snapped that day....scanned of course, since it was 1992!

 The boys in the bow of the boat (I assume staying out of the sun).  This might have been their first boat ride...I really can't remember.

Cute Richard!

 Reid, Laurie, Robert and Sharon on the sandbar (the floats were tied to the boat, I believe).

Back to the present!  Reid getting the boat ready for a little fun.



Laurie

They come to the Keys often (many times a year) and are very familiar with the mangroves. I would have been lost after two turns!

Their two dogs accompanied us....they are pretty old, but very used to boating.

Out at the sandbar, Reid calls the dogs off the boat.

Hard to see, but in the distance are Sharon, Buddy, Reid and the dogs.  The crystal clear water was ankle deep.

A lovely day!!

More Key West fun

The days all seemed to blend together on this trip!

Lots of walking...it's just too much trouble to find a parking space.  

Our kids might remember being forced to pose in front of this landmark about 15 yrs ago.....

We hoofed it to the Key West Garden Club....which is housed in/around an old fort.

Nice view from inside the garden club.

And we had a wonderful Cuban meal at the El Siboney restaurant that friends had told us to find in the midst of a residential district.  Yeah, I don't know what the "Indian Head" is all about either.....