tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26606413452412199242024-03-13T20:42:18.166-07:00Caker CookingIt's not about cakes. From casseroles to canned corn, this is the best of the worst of mangiacake cuisine.Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-22132328543507525692023-07-28T13:41:00.001-07:002023-07-28T13:41:21.190-07:00Welcome to Caker Cooking!<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do you like casseroles? Is Cream of Mushroom soup a vegetable in your world? Do you consider JELL-O a side dish? Then this site is for you!</span></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Although my arteries forced me to stop blogging at the end of 2014, there’s lots for you to explore on the site, including over 250 recipes from over 60 community and church cookbooks. Some recipes are delicious. And some are…well, let’s just say the journey is always interesting. And beige. Very, very beige.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I still post occasionally if I feel the world needs it. (Mind you, I'm not asking the world if it agrees.) But sometimes, a good casserole can turn a bad day around. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm always happy to respond to comments or questions. I hope you enjoy your visit. Happy (caker) cooking!<br /><br />Brian</span></div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-56417856457294486652023-07-03T17:39:00.006-07:002023-07-03T17:43:20.737-07:00Best Macaroni and Cheese<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVoWKW_g_TU-Jm2A8x7sfBpRnBGbunvlt-LXMYGKIDdXZ76wpdISH-dHTIcYHN7LRyfA4m3t1DWv7ikNih5T_w6w83kCUIqQfyPcNJQAaY-VOnXfvPEK8ZiVpIor10gAwT9yoJDu3fK9983jAwj4o6UUxIS-ZVyQPG3omvbl44JGcyeykFYSkCp5eBoQ/s3955/BEst%20Macaroni%20and%20Cheese.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2383" data-original-width="3955" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVoWKW_g_TU-Jm2A8x7sfBpRnBGbunvlt-LXMYGKIDdXZ76wpdISH-dHTIcYHN7LRyfA4m3t1DWv7ikNih5T_w6w83kCUIqQfyPcNJQAaY-VOnXfvPEK8ZiVpIor10gAwT9yoJDu3fK9983jAwj4o6UUxIS-ZVyQPG3omvbl44JGcyeykFYSkCp5eBoQ/w640-h386/BEst%20Macaroni%20and%20Cheese.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I was growing up, macaroni and cheese was considered one of the four food groups. The other three being ketchup, grape Kool Aid and Rice-a-Roni. Kraft Dinner has been the leader of the mac pack for years, but with so many other varieties on the market, I thought it was time to see how KD holds up to the competition.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I rated 14 brands of boxed macaroni and cheese. It was epic - and cheesy - but this was important work. Check out the results of my latest taste test by visiting my <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/best-macaroni-and-cheese">author blog</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-29244275971716485942022-12-15T17:09:00.001-08:002022-12-15T17:09:21.304-08:00Fruit Cake Taste Test<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitndcodNZBpiYDbDW2yrTw0Fe6G_ZfpuJ4WLkXywEgH1uPyF1T1y_tcbNN5fWnnqCKs4rg0edq-V3MbARXGjHJCpfYCsmSvOKkizSiLFRmA1s4kgr1hterNfKe48RXq6xaYsCG3XYyi9OdUxQpt1zBdrb8DMyByEN4tNVIFAo2tR_QM-IYoYN9NNGI/s4000/Fruitcake%20Taste%20Test.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitndcodNZBpiYDbDW2yrTw0Fe6G_ZfpuJ4WLkXywEgH1uPyF1T1y_tcbNN5fWnnqCKs4rg0edq-V3MbARXGjHJCpfYCsmSvOKkizSiLFRmA1s4kgr1hterNfKe48RXq6xaYsCG3XYyi9OdUxQpt1zBdrb8DMyByEN4tNVIFAo2tR_QM-IYoYN9NNGI/w640-h426/Fruitcake%20Taste%20Test.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Do you love fruitcake as much as I do?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(insert cricket FX)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, for the three people that do, I recently did a fruitcake taste test. I sampled 7 commercial brands plus 2 homemade versions - including my grandmother's made with mashed potatoes. I don't consider the mashed potato thing all that caker. Maybe if they were instant mashed potatoes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you're curious about the results, head on over to <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/fruitcake-taste-test">my author blog</a> and dig in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Happy Caker Holidays!</span></p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-53392072839659233732022-11-20T08:58:00.003-08:002022-11-20T09:28:43.493-08:00Bazaar-o-Rama 2022 Week 3<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1L2FZBgn7XDi5ye8-mDWNogEGTCVrDJlzhiaafkqm_ti2EF06SNEy1L377uzqeWsfiXBNqR7asyG9z0TsxQoULTcXfM950erO7gIrLBGFzqVLDd9Gf1tC1zT3CHgEBO260UPix8PL65gFPXJMIIeNKrd4ua1sLR8JDgU1-kn3FOYKbzTUPDIAonJ/s4000/IMG_2701.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1L2FZBgn7XDi5ye8-mDWNogEGTCVrDJlzhiaafkqm_ti2EF06SNEy1L377uzqeWsfiXBNqR7asyG9z0TsxQoULTcXfM950erO7gIrLBGFzqVLDd9Gf1tC1zT3CHgEBO260UPix8PL65gFPXJMIIeNKrd4ua1sLR8JDgU1-kn3FOYKbzTUPDIAonJ/w640-h480/IMG_2701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, it wasn’t quite the bazaar bonanza I was hoping for this week. I’ve had some problems finding bazaar listings online. Someone needs to start a website devoted to bazaar listings. And that someone is me. I’ll make my millions yet. In any case, here’s this week’s round-up.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoTxQ3PVDQDVdDy39bCnlCQYbYUrzOJPPbPkxaPTyKXGcxZ36iYkvAb4NevnFgaZK3Pme29NaHSsgZllbN7f2gZzNSniVjeMTm3uTO9EhX0kF76Wkylha5wUPoja-HVezAMOpSZjFCUOgi1nlW4eyOlkIC_XOnPztVL9pE-KLlN19kWW9ylXdEOFe/s4000/Turkey%20Pies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoTxQ3PVDQDVdDy39bCnlCQYbYUrzOJPPbPkxaPTyKXGcxZ36iYkvAb4NevnFgaZK3Pme29NaHSsgZllbN7f2gZzNSniVjeMTm3uTO9EhX0kF76Wkylha5wUPoja-HVezAMOpSZjFCUOgi1nlW4eyOlkIC_XOnPztVL9pE-KLlN19kWW9ylXdEOFe/w640-h426/Turkey%20Pies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Turkey Pies</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s a little-known fact that the rock group Warrant originally called their “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjyZKfdwlng">Cherry Pie</a>” hit “Turkey Pie.” But the lyrics, “She’s my turkey pie, Put a smile on your face, Ten miles wide, Looks so good, Bring a tear to your eye, Sweet turkey pie” were deemed too controversial. These pies were 4 dollars each and they better have bottom crusts. That’s all I’m saying.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHxv4QE3r57LoFdnbYn204_Q3JH0zPfNQrkjw44_3iXvfR7yM6Ol08qN2oYhrRlhDydTTY7rTKjLluY_ipUoCNKbzbtAzOcTehTbKfOqSjhCWMsd-r3RFoUZuw3TbI7426gO93ulF7_y7OTWTo8ZKjyuEqBjjH65wD-uU8cxBaJnPwzLaU5sQg6DW/s4000/Knit%20Bells.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHxv4QE3r57LoFdnbYn204_Q3JH0zPfNQrkjw44_3iXvfR7yM6Ol08qN2oYhrRlhDydTTY7rTKjLluY_ipUoCNKbzbtAzOcTehTbKfOqSjhCWMsd-r3RFoUZuw3TbI7426gO93ulF7_y7OTWTo8ZKjyuEqBjjH65wD-uU8cxBaJnPwzLaU5sQg6DW/w640-h426/Knit%20Bells.JPG" width="640" /></b></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Knit Bell Ornaments</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We had these on our Christmas tree in the 70s. I wouldn’t be surprised if these bells are the exact same ones. Some of these bazaar items have been circulating for generations. These were 25 cents for the pair.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTU0gX6bd7qd_9WEMGMsko6S0w9N2-ZlRvwuuUMnLtc5RUcKi9m2WeagOITPBobceDTCF5O8kCzjq4FvoRYvAcz1H10CRAjpcDqidCtKhBkFaT3P28fOT8pj-rTFApL-P1tMlqneBKY0dEREBnNiRx3-RbraCsCbjpjsZ4p1RuwE5aTHmiGmO0GOG/s3958/Tarelli.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2636" data-original-width="3958" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTU0gX6bd7qd_9WEMGMsko6S0w9N2-ZlRvwuuUMnLtc5RUcKi9m2WeagOITPBobceDTCF5O8kCzjq4FvoRYvAcz1H10CRAjpcDqidCtKhBkFaT3P28fOT8pj-rTFApL-P1tMlqneBKY0dEREBnNiRx3-RbraCsCbjpjsZ4p1RuwE5aTHmiGmO0GOG/w640-h426/Tarelli.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Tarelli</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I went to an Italian bazaar and picked these up for my Italian husband. If only to prove to him that bazaars aren’t just cabbage rolls and peanut butter marshmallow bars. These were 5 dollars, which seemed a bit expensive. But over the years, I’ve learned to never question an Italian about their food. Especially if you’re someone who grew up eating lasagna made with cottage cheese and Ragu. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgoCUjlMzUNiN33I2rUiVtyJIKtLbA4a8AsJUMMJ2XC9MNYeLvkySUzvNvzOTDfPMjXsrjeM2-Gt9o81OqJ4onG354GcNgrVwd_aquiXMWNSBwNC9wD0AR-2c5hZEvJAo3CKMyg-WblqwqCSDXUlxyZady-Ka3Xq7CpEiBCCvyEUhXhPzCqiRJsG/s4000/Candy%20Cane%20Pipe%20Cleaner%20Ornament.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgoCUjlMzUNiN33I2rUiVtyJIKtLbA4a8AsJUMMJ2XC9MNYeLvkySUzvNvzOTDfPMjXsrjeM2-Gt9o81OqJ4onG354GcNgrVwd_aquiXMWNSBwNC9wD0AR-2c5hZEvJAo3CKMyg-WblqwqCSDXUlxyZady-Ka3Xq7CpEiBCCvyEUhXhPzCqiRJsG/w640-h426/Candy%20Cane%20Pipe%20Cleaner%20Ornament.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Candy Cane Ornament</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There aren’t nothing you can’t make with a pipe cleaner and some imagination. This year, I’ve decided to make propellor bead pipe cleaner ornaments and attach them to my Christmas gifts. I can already hear the recipients. “You shouldn’t have, Brian. No, you really, <i>really</i> shouldn’t have.” This was 25 cents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’m not sure if I’ll be able to head out into the bazaar world next weekend as I’m going out of town. So, this may be the last Bazaar-o-Rama post of 2022. If it is, thank you to both of my readers for joining me on this journey. And here’s to Bazaar-o-Rama 2023! In the meantime, I’ll start working on that website.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-40400222614252213772022-11-13T09:19:00.006-08:002022-11-13T10:27:04.002-08:00Bazaar-o-Rama 2022 Week 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoG6xdYVFqSiWsY-xzS6eWsVIzvGm_7A7Tt2OCcm3ZBLzHuJNMD2HbUMPn0Py9uDUIPstbpt4iAHbNDqlIJCeqQzbQ4U_znPN8egmhWSxOw-R06ztzsU8hJVuPbSOcNNCecnb_yMhc59GAh4hSlBhBNOtXBPNQPrOWsT3eCwgX4QO2m7vg1CUSkLK/s3829/Holiday%20Angel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3829" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoG6xdYVFqSiWsY-xzS6eWsVIzvGm_7A7Tt2OCcm3ZBLzHuJNMD2HbUMPn0Py9uDUIPstbpt4iAHbNDqlIJCeqQzbQ4U_znPN8egmhWSxOw-R06ztzsU8hJVuPbSOcNNCecnb_yMhc59GAh4hSlBhBNOtXBPNQPrOWsT3eCwgX4QO2m7vg1CUSkLK/w640-h422/Holiday%20Angel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This weekend, I drove three hours to a bazaar. But I had a good reason. My hometown church was having its annual bazaar. This is the OG bazaar that started it all for me. I hadn’t been back in years and it was nice to chat with women who had known my mom. I also landed some great deals. As Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.” Now if I could just score some ruby slippers…</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSLinc9U9Hhr28sIL6MPlt7u3mp41HAPNtmKikokpzgd8zLfiR87mAoFuXqoObyECVCQ-8QHkOEa5WvuFFi7mWM0sWnf9kKF608bSXGbsbtK-tQyxgVr3SaW3oNfVSs-xvq6sjaVv3AQuhGe_NqTC2C4NPXbDlxYSYrZygEuHk0YjcIHNedZAcFxq/s3902/2000%20Mailbox%20ornament.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="3902" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSLinc9U9Hhr28sIL6MPlt7u3mp41HAPNtmKikokpzgd8zLfiR87mAoFuXqoObyECVCQ-8QHkOEa5WvuFFi7mWM0sWnf9kKF608bSXGbsbtK-tQyxgVr3SaW3oNfVSs-xvq6sjaVv3AQuhGe_NqTC2C4NPXbDlxYSYrZygEuHk0YjcIHNedZAcFxq/w640-h426/2000%20Mailbox%20ornament.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Mailbox Ornament</b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To make this handmade mailbox ornament more historically accurate, I'm going to insert a note that reads "BEWARE Y2K!!!" This was 25 cents.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPcwG_L1oNxSrFRDM9w2I22ebW8hTfjV0QEvP8pH_5vl8U8byhXrLJdus5Eldi-C6CARAZCZbMoOGqEEu4YZIqBWpfZAn2VnfRjonnenYfYKuzWqB_hE8Mn_8ffx8CDsWl9sfh14nSf9dkitpZNCBdNrPTf9stvOOywRkXUjjQSJxpDFj9oAjzZF0/s4000/Clothes%20hanger.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPcwG_L1oNxSrFRDM9w2I22ebW8hTfjV0QEvP8pH_5vl8U8byhXrLJdus5Eldi-C6CARAZCZbMoOGqEEu4YZIqBWpfZAn2VnfRjonnenYfYKuzWqB_hE8Mn_8ffx8CDsWl9sfh14nSf9dkitpZNCBdNrPTf9stvOOywRkXUjjQSJxpDFj9oAjzZF0/w640-h426/Clothes%20hanger.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Clothes Hanger</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One Christmas, my grandmother from Saskatchewan came to visit. I have a photo of her wearing a housecoat and a hairnet, making these clothes hangers. This explains my soft spot for these hangers. And why I wear hairnets. This was 1 dollar.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvlZgcevzC40CWhN9vnV92WtblCOrCyCBgNCebFMb5-t58HBdKAFBDEWdLLzT1M3YbwWOIXYo7ZWPO_M5K7kZYeDjUlXlWQ2RCqp1RiPm7XMisU97_Q5RkxBbd9lRX5ZZG_Lla4UpIJ6gpXe3Ly9TKxLLaKrVPrMjXmAvR2ec4hyD9ayKLu-SeBkL/s4000/Butter%20Tarts.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvlZgcevzC40CWhN9vnV92WtblCOrCyCBgNCebFMb5-t58HBdKAFBDEWdLLzT1M3YbwWOIXYo7ZWPO_M5K7kZYeDjUlXlWQ2RCqp1RiPm7XMisU97_Q5RkxBbd9lRX5ZZG_Lla4UpIJ6gpXe3Ly9TKxLLaKrVPrMjXmAvR2ec4hyD9ayKLu-SeBkL/w640-h426/Butter%20Tarts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Butter Tarts</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You better get those tarts quickly,” I was told. “They’re selling fast.” They only had the raisin variety left, which was fine with me. I don’t believe in tart discrimination. I paid 7 dollars for 6 tarts. The crust was perfection.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B_9fltrfEi936IxVqLmr43Z3HXVrSYBEP2ZLaaEeYwDDlCqK-w_TWRrGznVIMb0Yvn1IzbsDrAfbfNA1PCPy0OmyfjQFj3gU7dkpEjp-j8F5el9kTK0guvKfEsY_cxZSMyZpvI_PssISF7dQ75-nqfD4iKBl15ajFq4KcfgRt1fb4vf6mPlcZ1Ce/s3793/Hand%20Chopper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="3793" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B_9fltrfEi936IxVqLmr43Z3HXVrSYBEP2ZLaaEeYwDDlCqK-w_TWRrGznVIMb0Yvn1IzbsDrAfbfNA1PCPy0OmyfjQFj3gU7dkpEjp-j8F5el9kTK0guvKfEsY_cxZSMyZpvI_PssISF7dQ75-nqfD4iKBl15ajFq4KcfgRt1fb4vf6mPlcZ1Ce/w640-h436/Hand%20Chopper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hand Chopper</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s a fact: I’m a terrible chopper. Whatever I chop ends up differently sized. But thanks to my new chopper, I’ll have the most symmetrical nuts in town. This was 75 cents.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQQuooy5wkZf4s_-13RGUH9K_KzY7wpwafHtc-1Z7K42wnQEUfzhgCH2BebE4hMLQH-_MVVeRy3JVxnKWiLqMLtPmcvALIqzCIcHXa8LNOX117s2xo9M6xU-7rMXeqD5FRRbNKWR_gS4WOKwdTzzZlRjm8bFm3oz3faLOVnwF0xktqSrxdQZSGRhl/s3845/Pizza%20Soup%20Lasagna%20Soup.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="3845" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQQuooy5wkZf4s_-13RGUH9K_KzY7wpwafHtc-1Z7K42wnQEUfzhgCH2BebE4hMLQH-_MVVeRy3JVxnKWiLqMLtPmcvALIqzCIcHXa8LNOX117s2xo9M6xU-7rMXeqD5FRRbNKWR_gS4WOKwdTzzZlRjm8bFm3oz3faLOVnwF0xktqSrxdQZSGRhl/w640-h424/Pizza%20Soup%20Lasagna%20Soup.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Frozen Soups</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I went to another bazaar on my way out of town. They were selling a variety of frozen soups. I bought pizza soup and lasagna soup. I’m married to an Italian and can guarantee these won’t go over too well. They were 5 dollars each.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBei_7kj_34z4onBRTtZIp4Tpif5CMUh9-fUanNS4Jtm38HWFwl2XxZUaJ4iMOtj_O4zT1sOqLcSDTSl5Nze6kTQ5Qm3GiqDO_KbN1X8fDhtVTjwJrp7JhDLcZdAvT1uMIPLbfRrklMw-62rQWuzrlXsq9276QpFI03RvMCYAtCxhDDCbhl1efTUnL/s4032/Chili%20Dog.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBei_7kj_34z4onBRTtZIp4Tpif5CMUh9-fUanNS4Jtm38HWFwl2XxZUaJ4iMOtj_O4zT1sOqLcSDTSl5Nze6kTQ5Qm3GiqDO_KbN1X8fDhtVTjwJrp7JhDLcZdAvT1uMIPLbfRrklMw-62rQWuzrlXsq9276QpFI03RvMCYAtCxhDDCbhl1efTUnL/w640-h480/Chili%20Dog.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Chili Dog</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like running any other marathon, it's important to take the time to fuel up when bazaaring. This chili dog really hit the spot. So did the heartburn an hour later. But Jack and Diane would’ve approved. It was $3.50.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVl-_p9oMjn58soKDZsJt70Rqe4OSdG7PbqeWOLSehjBJ8EFHUcwErIRFXeWke29t81Jk4Sd-FXME7W7Xeu4E35oAA5V_2DNgIwUz_gPfgUMaBvnzZlgpBSIqxxQn9OkSmsqc58mL4W7U7vrJbQl5PtUjAjLlJJ64eJiDpEkrogxJoHQMKm-MnmOy/s4000/Master%20Mind%20Game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVl-_p9oMjn58soKDZsJt70Rqe4OSdG7PbqeWOLSehjBJ8EFHUcwErIRFXeWke29t81Jk4Sd-FXME7W7Xeu4E35oAA5V_2DNgIwUz_gPfgUMaBvnzZlgpBSIqxxQn9OkSmsqc58mL4W7U7vrJbQl5PtUjAjLlJJ64eJiDpEkrogxJoHQMKm-MnmOy/w640-h426/Master%20Mind%20Game.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Master Mind Game</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For any millennials reading this, Master Mind was a game people played before D batteries were invented. I’m creating my own board game where people debate various hot topics. I’m calling it Master Debater. The tag line will be, “Stay home tonight and Master Debate.” This was 2 dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">See you next week for a round of more bazaar treasures!</span></p></div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-7162584351446126732022-11-06T05:16:00.002-08:002022-11-06T05:19:16.607-08:00Bazaar-o-Rama 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDRetzDV2M-fUx2CgAfJU-A3Jq-lPxP2hTx6WN97VJY5KAaFVN3mx7YRPII_ZR4VEN3TB4MIkINod-8Q8eXbnYoalX_OSHxwq7Ijey3ws-bi7ldXORsAItuCz-G_rOZv1tbT_HrZ3xEMDRGkzVjMHPE8A_dYP4Q6WbWt24xX8ThFViMEmTs6BDMrn/s3024/IMG_2094.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3024" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDRetzDV2M-fUx2CgAfJU-A3Jq-lPxP2hTx6WN97VJY5KAaFVN3mx7YRPII_ZR4VEN3TB4MIkINod-8Q8eXbnYoalX_OSHxwq7Ijey3ws-bi7ldXORsAItuCz-G_rOZv1tbT_HrZ3xEMDRGkzVjMHPE8A_dYP4Q6WbWt24xX8ThFViMEmTs6BDMrn/w640-h458/IMG_2094.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I<span face="Calibri, sans-serif">t’s been a long two years, but I’m happy to say that bazaars are back, baby!</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I can’t tell you the joy I felt the other day, stepping into my first church basement since COVID, and smelling that percolated coffee. To mark this momentous occasion, I’m resurrecting Bazaar-o-Rama, my annual church bazaar tour, on Caker Cooking. I don’t know if most bazaars are coming back, but I’ll do my best to hunt them down throughout November and post my treasures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, what did I score on my first week out? </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy6NJPONOewCTNFcUI0qqe5MnFQs7-jpTZD7ZdddeQJSRuFFrpkBx-Uc8PlJTJHtPXPCvlgz6j90dyMi8j_s_X1EI4PAwfYbOR0qU00UhHXcxL9KxCmU-IrDB9xxm3ro-zoI1JDDpYjfDtR0kTUPbcp8VTer2CmMU3IFhC4PNggRv4w8I3V-kAV5M/s4000/Lifesaver%20ornament.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy6NJPONOewCTNFcUI0qqe5MnFQs7-jpTZD7ZdddeQJSRuFFrpkBx-Uc8PlJTJHtPXPCvlgz6j90dyMi8j_s_X1EI4PAwfYbOR0qU00UhHXcxL9KxCmU-IrDB9xxm3ro-zoI1JDDpYjfDtR0kTUPbcp8VTer2CmMU3IFhC4PNggRv4w8I3V-kAV5M/w640-h426/Lifesaver%20ornament.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Lifesaver Ornament</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Do you think the Butter Rum Lifesavers are still okay to eat?” I asked the lady behind the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“I don’t think so,” she said.This was 25 cents.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW6wTDhhfXoGzyvWN6j-cxjzAMUihARFF3ZNFV0iMDfKT2PsVSKZlV23BTivHXuQ8La1HUQtcuGhMFr4mr5uY232jOK15biVcfzaShlkq0m981mZNRWU-H66CF3N1OO6o8kNmoX0VWAU4s20EIH4AU2BZD81wXrvp-OjN40dzi7VAI8Yrb2H5wWpw/s4000/shower%20cap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW6wTDhhfXoGzyvWN6j-cxjzAMUihARFF3ZNFV0iMDfKT2PsVSKZlV23BTivHXuQ8La1HUQtcuGhMFr4mr5uY232jOK15biVcfzaShlkq0m981mZNRWU-H66CF3N1OO6o8kNmoX0VWAU4s20EIH4AU2BZD81wXrvp-OjN40dzi7VAI8Yrb2H5wWpw/w640-h426/shower%20cap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Shower Cap</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At first, I couldn’t figure out how to put this on. But thanks to the internet, I’m now walking around my house looking like Little Edie. Just when the neighbours thought I couldn’t get any gayer. This was 6 dollars.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlbEtmHw9AUWdJm5RVl7c8o5XW7Ahc0-yJsv4GRQb7XBVlQ-erNp_o0ng5iut1O1WrU2ZhArjvfhHQLCFNH7968m_CpphXCS0oUlCZA6XQ_2rLL1ZBtHrBEuo66Nkdnz4S5ul2EorpebenuYw27gfKzCrpnpuzA8emTOGmzzO2xqgvlP7Dlf7tyoc/s4000/Noel%20magnet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlbEtmHw9AUWdJm5RVl7c8o5XW7Ahc0-yJsv4GRQb7XBVlQ-erNp_o0ng5iut1O1WrU2ZhArjvfhHQLCFNH7968m_CpphXCS0oUlCZA6XQ_2rLL1ZBtHrBEuo66Nkdnz4S5ul2EorpebenuYw27gfKzCrpnpuzA8emTOGmzzO2xqgvlP7Dlf7tyoc/w640-h426/Noel%20magnet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Noel Fridge Magnet</b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is a perfect way to remind yourself that it’s Christmas every time you go to the fridge for your third round of eggnog. This is also a great gift for anyone named Leon who reads bottom to top. This was 25 cents.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t3UhSV_CjsKTUYMYW-BYyS89skLeLmIznAYl0dgdQAsTkOf_F9emVUKvGV3sbfD4Kp-9ukW7O93wd8sDXVos1uFnBH6AANLbkxGuFrRiD7yLvo4Wox9-pH1O7scLYztkWWTuLO9indB-sClOo-KvrAp-d6Msdb-YuAW2CpZn5Xr2ZbymQKDxDXfs/s4000/Blue%20mittens.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t3UhSV_CjsKTUYMYW-BYyS89skLeLmIznAYl0dgdQAsTkOf_F9emVUKvGV3sbfD4Kp-9ukW7O93wd8sDXVos1uFnBH6AANLbkxGuFrRiD7yLvo4Wox9-pH1O7scLYztkWWTuLO9indB-sClOo-KvrAp-d6Msdb-YuAW2CpZn5Xr2ZbymQKDxDXfs/w640-h426/Blue%20mittens.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mittens</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These handmade mittens fit like a glove and were a steal at 6 dollars.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01okXrHkojqwZ_Org8VEij1q4XhVmfxFdnoUyq-O2-irF-1javaVyAXGtbW9QjBOe202BMQOVZdohrfWHEklvT3LX9JIYJzBQjAht_csMDxsKtc_00VvynFwe_68ZyUnGhCNK_kRvILoEEsPy4oubYVS6J4KVA5iVkxWcLCp70-MLscQeem1Oi6zm/s4000/Clothepin%20Angel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01okXrHkojqwZ_Org8VEij1q4XhVmfxFdnoUyq-O2-irF-1javaVyAXGtbW9QjBOe202BMQOVZdohrfWHEklvT3LX9JIYJzBQjAht_csMDxsKtc_00VvynFwe_68ZyUnGhCNK_kRvILoEEsPy4oubYVS6J4KVA5iVkxWcLCp70-MLscQeem1Oi6zm/w640-h426/Clothepin%20Angel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Clothespin Angel</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who see a clothespin as something for hanging clothes. And those who see a clothespin and say, “Hold on a minute. Let me get my tulle.” This was 25 cents.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOuRXnS1Tsbo_qwS2w00urRNqfj3E8bglGATMnSnc_ODt9nwhcqBvt65vWcfk-ldq5CNiqADR1ElB6hn_sj4eFMUcFkPdO3GqC6ospA4BKedrXQOovWj0AM1RTKr0xjTAk4cL9JVJly4SH0rZbCscT4okxDhT-2NuM_KAqL404qHNciDG5elyILbl/s3884/King%20Sherborne%20drawing.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="3884" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOuRXnS1Tsbo_qwS2w00urRNqfj3E8bglGATMnSnc_ODt9nwhcqBvt65vWcfk-ldq5CNiqADR1ElB6hn_sj4eFMUcFkPdO3GqC6ospA4BKedrXQOovWj0AM1RTKr0xjTAk4cL9JVJly4SH0rZbCscT4okxDhT-2NuM_KAqL404qHNciDG5elyILbl/w640-h428/King%20Sherborne%20drawing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ink Drawing</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My best find! This signed print shows the intersection of King and Sherborne in Toronto, the city where I live. It’s signed by the artist and dated 1972. I’m going to get it reframed and it will be worth millions. This was 2 dollars.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0QEoJnqOGB4hxGOIKXlHlIUobia59k26si1T4FpNP8HDlM5jmuWiLp9mHXAOCNwyLUKK0ZaD591pUFYTq7NnYrAI8ppW_fKnhfenigvg985SX32GDUIPh1Rpq41mSGofGZawdHg3un1hdyl-tV0ylv_g1cuHBqHHV9dizgmZWp4HM6aVMK8EtUoF/s4000/Bottle%20opener.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0QEoJnqOGB4hxGOIKXlHlIUobia59k26si1T4FpNP8HDlM5jmuWiLp9mHXAOCNwyLUKK0ZaD591pUFYTq7NnYrAI8ppW_fKnhfenigvg985SX32GDUIPh1Rpq41mSGofGZawdHg3un1hdyl-tV0ylv_g1cuHBqHHV9dizgmZWp4HM6aVMK8EtUoF/w640-h426/Bottle%20opener.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jar Opener</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This comes in handy when you have arthritis and you’re trying to open a jar of pickles. It also comes in handy if you’ve had a gummy and you’re trying to open a jar of pickles, a jar of Nutella, a jar of peanut butter and a jar of Miracle Whip.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaytl1ASnBANGiqvfmRLqeXcFolaEA-sTlRWhoF9TQf73GBcksuO9rmJqtrKGN-30cExUwXdSWmLMA87KpYHkMNRvl5tNtNDCV30FpzFGEjVKY3BkdsEuhQcZVes_XpGBXQU7lApf5i7d8k1x3ZoZq3fD0-vHVXvMFvhBVGeleNb4RpI2f44BHDyt/s3917/New%20Brunswick%20Recipe%20Book.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="3917" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaytl1ASnBANGiqvfmRLqeXcFolaEA-sTlRWhoF9TQf73GBcksuO9rmJqtrKGN-30cExUwXdSWmLMA87KpYHkMNRvl5tNtNDCV30FpzFGEjVKY3BkdsEuhQcZVes_XpGBXQU7lApf5i7d8k1x3ZoZq3fD0-vHVXvMFvhBVGeleNb4RpI2f44BHDyt/w640-h426/New%20Brunswick%20Recipe%20Book.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Old New Brunswick Kitchens Cookbook</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There’s a recipe in this for Pressed Pig’s Feet. It begins, “Ask the butcher to leave toes on.” I’m sorry, New Brunswick, but you lost me there. This was 25 cents.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB-Vnm7qp3-x0l4eVX61L1tef1-12548RXSCrEGxUS-yqzV1wUgQPU1eIkVcxzOM_XolVYI0j8O8oLEjGriHknb-A4j5X-bSOC0xMJ_2pc5tzUe_CrAV0ewG-dnwxP3H5X34BgqXa8JSzJP0ThmP24uKAHddxU5c2aJDI1eDKuLuBK3-XWrJ77KKz/s4000/Assorted%20cookies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB-Vnm7qp3-x0l4eVX61L1tef1-12548RXSCrEGxUS-yqzV1wUgQPU1eIkVcxzOM_XolVYI0j8O8oLEjGriHknb-A4j5X-bSOC0xMJ_2pc5tzUe_CrAV0ewG-dnwxP3H5X34BgqXa8JSzJP0ThmP24uKAHddxU5c2aJDI1eDKuLuBK3-XWrJ77KKz/w640-h426/Assorted%20cookies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Assorted Cookies</b></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There was a Cookie Walk at this bazaar. Which means you select the cookies you want. I made sure to pick up a Shortbread with a Maraschino Cherry sliver and a Chocolate Haystack. One dozen cookies were 6 dollars.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOG4DnAsXz1xQwwVwbZV6YVwgteQEsPwK8JfGgEhfusoLQwXl6-BhgLe2VEfGXmWTJqItELrdI8nlQFsntkUxMgo2qguCIOGdYLDwUewZ66HedrWWfChAOPt3XNUj4wk29dKBKQLKsBzgcPk6mw5QaqSLBzB5sVGP5OOcbcyM3Ih8YlwQCKl-banV/s4000/Booze%20Infused%20Cakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOG4DnAsXz1xQwwVwbZV6YVwgteQEsPwK8JfGgEhfusoLQwXl6-BhgLe2VEfGXmWTJqItELrdI8nlQFsntkUxMgo2qguCIOGdYLDwUewZ66HedrWWfChAOPt3XNUj4wk29dKBKQLKsBzgcPk6mw5QaqSLBzB5sVGP5OOcbcyM3Ih8YlwQCKl-banV/w640-h426/Booze%20Infused%20Cakes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Booze Infused Cakes Cookbook</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This book is guaranteed to have your guests proclaiming, “Thiz cake is juzzz great!” This was 25 cents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ1d0uSsvh-a5gTm_GblaMfLlluIhW6m2tH9v_dVnj5UAW8IAtzAdcj0-3MKHNnDVlZO85ecMERJ5EUMz1-M67KEiW0ICLzmEMJB6ErcNd-wU_RijF7qfP4OvWu-9jgpoNO70n8AtH_ecThijkW6pS9vL0nBj4Qk4X6L2dC8ZunQUfBl8pIjMCZmc/s4000/Irish%20Soda%20Scone.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ1d0uSsvh-a5gTm_GblaMfLlluIhW6m2tH9v_dVnj5UAW8IAtzAdcj0-3MKHNnDVlZO85ecMERJ5EUMz1-M67KEiW0ICLzmEMJB6ErcNd-wU_RijF7qfP4OvWu-9jgpoNO70n8AtH_ecThijkW6pS9vL0nBj4Qk4X6L2dC8ZunQUfBl8pIjMCZmc/w640-h426/Irish%20Soda%20Scone.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Irish Soda Scone</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Every time I go to this bazaar, they have Irish Soda Scones for sale. Every time, I buy one. Every time I taste it, I don’t like it. Some Irish traditions are hard to break, I guess. This was 75 cents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What will I find on my next bazaar outing? Stay tuned to find out! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And if you want more Bazaar-o-Ramas from days of yore, check out my posts from <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/bazaar-o-rama-14.html">2014</a>, <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/baz.html">2013 </a>and <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/bazaar.html">2012</a>.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-45878595960304030612022-10-08T05:31:00.004-07:002022-10-08T05:33:43.670-07:00Macaroni Salad Taste Test<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6_xWmMTtPu_apZIidF3kTQSkUgpUMr4Wlf2zXVhtemDm8FKbCStokmQzqrSMF0NiPEklbIOhJV_P5WlTjjsuWkSy9WHji0gsUrzSSEI_gwqMagfg1zdJxRn7MBU_JR_GsDM0fy510P4_fFjmSf1SDxUuJ5vVa3fh_cWyTCrJt6bgCFWVceQkiAqF/s3910/IMG_3488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2495" data-original-width="3910" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6_xWmMTtPu_apZIidF3kTQSkUgpUMr4Wlf2zXVhtemDm8FKbCStokmQzqrSMF0NiPEklbIOhJV_P5WlTjjsuWkSy9WHji0gsUrzSSEI_gwqMagfg1zdJxRn7MBU_JR_GsDM0fy510P4_fFjmSf1SDxUuJ5vVa3fh_cWyTCrJt6bgCFWVceQkiAqF/w640-h408/IMG_3488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Recently, I was on CBC Radio's The Next Chapter. The host, Shelagh Rogers, mentioned a macaroni taste-test I conducted. You can can out my investigative report by visiting my <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/2022/6/28/macaroni-salad-taste-test">author site</a>. While you're there, check out the results of my recent <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/2022/10/6/apple-cider-taste-test">apple cider taste test</a>, as well. The excitement never ends!</span></p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-20252415204004367132021-11-24T04:21:00.003-08:002022-04-02T14:55:52.679-07:00Edibles Christmas Angel<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With bazaars cancelled again this year, I’ve been serving up bazaar craft ideas and classic recipes all month long. Sadly, we’ve arrived at the final post. But I’m leaving on a high note.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I was growing up, all drugs had a bad rap. And kids who did drugs wore lumberjackets, smoked Player’s Filter and kept their eyes hidden under a fringe of hair. They also carried switch blades and were named Mitch. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But since becoming legalized in Canada in 2018, there are now more recreational cannabis shops than Starbucks. On my street, anyway. And there’s only so much a Pumpkin Spice Latte can do to take the edge off. In fact, nothing is more relaxing than taking an edible on Saturday night, putting on an Anne Murray LP, doing some crafts, and watching the unicorns prance around the living room to “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3VIPorLmGo">Daydream Believer</a>.” </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XJjpXO2NNg/YZrmDPRmMjI/AAAAAAAAEKw/abi8UncI-IYSUu1LPuL6Gksw9u5dAlbCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Edible%2BAngel%2B1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XJjpXO2NNg/YZrmDPRmMjI/AAAAAAAAEKw/abi8UncI-IYSUu1LPuL6Gksw9u5dAlbCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Edible%2BAngel%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No comment about the mess. I'm an artist, after all.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Originally, this craft idea, taken from my 1976 copy of "Woman’s Day: Best Ideas for Christmas," was called a Candy Carrying Angel. But I’ve decided she needed to catch up with the times. So allow me to introduce you to the Edibles Christmas Angel. Fill her box with goodies and I guarantee this will be your most chill holiday season ever. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1i6nswZZW64/YZ2F7OVP53I/AAAAAAAAELE/v565KZrmyR8zCWQ2UpzVU0hHqHRtfzpwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Edibles%2BAngel%2B5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1i6nswZZW64/YZ2F7OVP53I/AAAAAAAAELE/v565KZrmyR8zCWQ2UpzVU0hHqHRtfzpwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Edibles%2BAngel%2B5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To make your Edibles Christmas Angel, simply roll some cardboard into a cone, cover it with wrapping paper, make a Styrofoam ball head, add some wings, attach her arms, glue a box to her hands, and voila! (Okay, she wasn’t that easy. The arms were a pain to get right. But you’ll figure it out. Eventually.)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cUdGhHszc4/YZ2GC9b2IvI/AAAAAAAAELI/xRGPlndoDy4iHLwLsfktjMhBKajxBREDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Edibles%2BAngel%2B3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cUdGhHszc4/YZ2GC9b2IvI/AAAAAAAAELI/xRGPlndoDy4iHLwLsfktjMhBKajxBREDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Edibles%2BAngel%2B3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Set her in the middle of the buffet table and I guarantee the Edibles Christmas Angel will be the most appreciated – and popular – guest at your holiday party. And yes, Mitch would approve.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYYhiD3_xhM/YZ2GKiwXZcI/AAAAAAAAELQ/RpGa7UkaoNkd41Uo598wWPuk5ZpdBKGoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Edibles%2BAngel%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYYhiD3_xhM/YZ2GKiwXZcI/AAAAAAAAELQ/RpGa7UkaoNkd41Uo598wWPuk5ZpdBKGoQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Edibles%2BAngel%2B4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Come fly with me.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">n terms of a recipe, I recommend Cocktail Meatballs. Don’t let the grape jelly/chili sauce combo scare you. These lil' balls are addictive and perfect for your impending munchies. Just don’t swallow the toothpick. I’m speaking from experience. Get the recipe <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/12/cocktail-meatballs.html">here</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glgDCVHlka4/YZ2IPCTHglI/AAAAAAAAELc/KvlsFKbMorI-Yvc8lRCxiTcqDimS4JSVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Cocktail%2BMeatballs%2B2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glgDCVHlka4/YZ2IPCTHglI/AAAAAAAAELc/KvlsFKbMorI-Yvc8lRCxiTcqDimS4JSVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Cocktail%2BMeatballs%2B2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to everyone for joining me for this special Caker Cooking reboot! I wish you both the best for a safe, happy and vitamin-free holiday season. We’ll see you next year at a bazaar knit table. I’ll be the one crying tears of joy and buying a pair of ill-fitting knit slippers.</span> <o:p></o:p><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7H2AnArzO_4/YZ4pNEVEH9I/AAAAAAAAELs/-n999ny2miIYKH6T2oX1GFpWzdH2U5SpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1597/wpman%2527s%2BDay.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1133" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7H2AnArzO_4/YZ4pNEVEH9I/AAAAAAAAELs/-n999ny2miIYKH6T2oX1GFpWzdH2U5SpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w142-h200/wpman%2527s%2BDay.JPG" width="142" /></a></div><br />Craft source: Woman's Day Best Ideas for Christmas. You can see their version of the Candy Carrying Angel on the cover. But I think we know whose angel reigns supreme. </div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-67901007505192990882021-11-18T05:07:00.003-08:002022-03-13T10:35:21.779-07:00Paper Bag Holiday Cards<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Bazaars may be cancelled for another year, but I’m keeping the spirit alive with bazaar crafts and classic recipes all month long!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When did greeting cards get so expensive? The other day, I was buying a Get Well Soon card for myself and it was almost seven dollars! It wasn’t even one of those musical ones that play “Roll Out the Barrel.” Sorry, Hallmark, but your prices are making me “return to sender.” LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So when I saw the idea for stationary made from paper grocery bags in my 1976 copy of “Woman’s Day: Best Ideas for Christmas” magazine, I thought, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUj9frKY46E">Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours</a>.” Besides, what says “I care (and I also have a lot of paper bags)" more than a handmade holiday card? </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdbYANC-BUY/YZKjgvxw2tI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/EIINxaqhsjM1ZtSwVZCeBEH3T0KzJm_bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2BEnvelope.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdbYANC-BUY/YZKjgvxw2tI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/EIINxaqhsjM1ZtSwVZCeBEH3T0KzJm_bgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Paper%2BBag%2BEnvelope.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks like a space ship. But it's the envelope pattern.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At first, I was a bit nervous as the instructions said to iron the paper bags to get the creases out. I didn't want to burn my house down. But then I remembered I once made <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/02/paper-bag-apple-pie.html">Paper Bag Apple Pie</a> and survived. So I figured it was safe.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These can be a bit complicated in terms of the measurements. As someone who failed Grade 10 math, I’m not ashamed to admit there were some tense moments while making the envelopes. But I persevered. A little rum and eggnog helped, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozG1e2147Gg/YZKj4RUsLVI/AAAAAAAAEIY/WVI1cKsndfQdo-vzhWP5IE2QcVa1U2Y6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2Bcard.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozG1e2147Gg/YZKj4RUsLVI/AAAAAAAAEIY/WVI1cKsndfQdo-vzhWP5IE2QcVa1U2Y6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Paper%2BBag%2Bcard.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has that minimalistic look. I wouldn't recommend it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the cards, cut them out and then fold over the long edge. Decorate the cards with a gay ribbon or some leftover Christmas wrapping paper. I also accented my envelopes to match my cards. And look at these professional results!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKEVlU625so/YZZQyP1QOPI/AAAAAAAAEKM/Kz8gvRGtYowq6VOByp6vPNewbIjsePasACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2Bbag%2Bholiday%2Bcard%2B1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKEVlU625so/YZZQyP1QOPI/AAAAAAAAEKM/Kz8gvRGtYowq6VOByp6vPNewbIjsePasACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Paper%2Bbag%2Bholiday%2Bcard%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">No doubt these cards will be tear-stained as soon as they’re opened by my family and friends. “That Brian,” I can just hear them sighing. “So thoughtful. And so darn cheap.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPuvo_Vp4XM/YZZQ5lshkkI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/JP5drYtTFScHC1R_X2yIFN2wkzv7PEItQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2Bbag%2Bcard%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPuvo_Vp4XM/YZZQ5lshkkI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/JP5drYtTFScHC1R_X2yIFN2wkzv7PEItQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/Paper%2Bbag%2Bcard%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only made five as that's how many friends I have.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The best thing about these handmade cards is that you can personalize them with a message that’s unique to the receiver. No more of that generic “Wishing you the best of the season” crap. Now you can <i>really</i> tell someone how you feel. And isn’t that what the holidays are about? </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xRWNKD9ehk/YZKo2jP3vWI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/zvtxHeiSB1oy9Ct2Bw8iG4jXmWP7bt67wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2925%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xRWNKD9ehk/YZKo2jP3vWI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/zvtxHeiSB1oy9Ct2Bw8iG4jXmWP7bt67wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2925%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cH0QJIrp79Y/YZKlUDdEg-I/AAAAAAAAEI8/8TRItdl3hsEzgwHp1QJ8vKoLyUgzdpUQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cH0QJIrp79Y/YZKlUDdEg-I/AAAAAAAAEI8/8TRItdl3hsEzgwHp1QJ8vKoLyUgzdpUQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATlICTE-RNw/YZKlcjCUexI/AAAAAAAAEJE/ig4MfXcnJwEwX9DZ1U_gJvaW1drS4Jj1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATlICTE-RNw/YZKlcjCUexI/AAAAAAAAEJE/ig4MfXcnJwEwX9DZ1U_gJvaW1drS4Jj1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds6v94G-XMY/YZKlmR60SII/AAAAAAAAEJM/qyA2jIImaio1rqAjfqrWW-0AmaqU1qu_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="2048" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds6v94G-XMY/YZKlmR60SII/AAAAAAAAEJM/qyA2jIImaio1rqAjfqrWW-0AmaqU1qu_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h408/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8UD3qWNGI4/YZKlvSVxxNI/AAAAAAAAEJU/jAhBqJPNDuUPzSPLAiiz-CBMIN_5GyEMACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8UD3qWNGI4/YZKlvSVxxNI/AAAAAAAAEJU/jAhBqJPNDuUPzSPLAiiz-CBMIN_5GyEMACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Paper%2BBag%2BCard%2B7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For my recipe pairing this week, I’m sticking with the paper bag colour scheme and serving up the recipe for Eggnog Dessert. Yes, it looks like a giant blister. But that shouldn’t stop you from “popping” it into your mouth. Get the recipe <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2013/12/eggnog-dessert.html">here</a>. And speaking of eggnog, check out the massive <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/2020/12/20/eggnog-taste-test">Eggnog Taste Test</a> I did last year.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkjDU1tgx6k/YZKmBV8HxnI/AAAAAAAAEJg/_ALMPxoxC5QMhnpMOQM2k9zq7i9hkhouACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Eggnog%2BDessert.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkjDU1tgx6k/YZKmBV8HxnI/AAAAAAAAEJg/_ALMPxoxC5QMhnpMOQM2k9zq7i9hkhouACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/Eggnog%2BDessert.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have one more week to go! What will be my final bazaar craft? Here’s a hint: I guarantee this craft will have you “flying high.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKoOvIOgEs/YZKoe0B8Z6I/AAAAAAAAEJw/b8ZCqmhXAkEMe2xiufIBMREa6X-m29tTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1597/Scan%2BNov%2B15%252C%2B2021%2Bat%2B1.34%2BPM.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1133" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKoOvIOgEs/YZKoe0B8Z6I/AAAAAAAAEJw/b8ZCqmhXAkEMe2xiufIBMREa6X-m29tTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w142-h200/Scan%2BNov%2B15%252C%2B2021%2Bat%2B1.34%2BPM.JPG" width="142" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Craft Source: Woman's Day Best Ideas for Christmas</p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-15266615628881694412021-11-11T04:02:00.001-08:002022-03-13T10:37:08.095-07:00Pill Bottle Ornaments<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Bazaars may be cancelled this month, but Caker Cooking is here to the rescue with bazaar craft ideas and classic recipes to celebrate the holiday season.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This week’s craft idea comes from the book “Don’t Throw It Away!” by Vivian Abell, published in 1973. Vivian’s book is a good reminder that one person’s trash is another person’s artistic statement. Mind you, I think she crosses a line at times. For example, her Wishbone Ornament is exactly what you think it is. Same goes for the olive pit picture frame. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjHzduDSwzo/YYqrrhlduQI/AAAAAAAAEHM/mRLVfS2p2u0WmN6vHI7uIhw5l-p4npBggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjHzduDSwzo/YYqrrhlduQI/AAAAAAAAEHM/mRLVfS2p2u0WmN6vHI7uIhw5l-p4npBggCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But when I saw Vivian’s instructions for turning prescription pill bottles into dazzling Christmas ornaments, I realized this woman is a genius! All you need are some empty pill bottles, miniature figurines, buttons, ribbon, and a vision.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9So3n9vyr9o/YYqr8nUAMlI/AAAAAAAAEHU/coWLs010UHoSrHtf31KPoCPvQtwbsgvrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9So3n9vyr9o/YYqr8nUAMlI/AAAAAAAAEHU/coWLs010UHoSrHtf31KPoCPvQtwbsgvrACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I found these miniature figurines at the dollar store which proves there aren’t nothing you can’t find at the dollar store. I named the ones below the McGillicuddy girls. Although, judging by their facial expressions, they look a little disturbed. I suppose that’s understandable, given the prospect of ending up inside a pill bottle for all eternity. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD64vWgnlmI/YYqsYZNJAWI/AAAAAAAAEHg/U2CLI_HcD8opIhKUylAhhusC1HAQVAM0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD64vWgnlmI/YYqsYZNJAWI/AAAAAAAAEHg/U2CLI_HcD8opIhKUylAhhusC1HAQVAM0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I chose the priest figurine because he reminded me of Richard Chamberlain from the TV miniseries, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGRGYOSXiqg">The Thorn Birds</a>.” Now <i>that </i>was some high drama 80s television.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTUJgxQj4sQ/YYqsKL-ecDI/AAAAAAAAEHY/JexhxOtw3IomcUZnvqlHS5UsRMB19HNcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTUJgxQj4sQ/YYqsKL-ecDI/AAAAAAAAEHY/JexhxOtw3IomcUZnvqlHS5UsRMB19HNcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">To make your ornament, simply add a bit of fluff to the inside of the lid, glue on your figurine, put the lid back on, turn it upside down and jazz hands it up with some gay ribbon, felt and buttons.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But why stop at pill bottles? I found an old urine sample bottle in my cupboard. It was my dog’s, and yes, it was unused. I think. Suffice to say, the McGillicuddy girls look <i>really </i>disturbed now.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1tH4D8DcL8/YYqsjsnI0xI/AAAAAAAAEHo/o0e7nUzh150ANIpNKYH5-VkUQEFL9aoHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2048" height="433" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1tH4D8DcL8/YYqsjsnI0xI/AAAAAAAAEHo/o0e7nUzh150ANIpNKYH5-VkUQEFL9aoHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h433/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While I was at it, I also made a snow globe out of a honey jar and used an old-timey reindeer ornament that I found at a bazaar a few years back. Adding a few teaspoons of glycerine thickens the water, so the snow falls more poetically. Speaking of snow, use finely crushed eggshells like I did. Warning: You’ll have to eat three hard-boiled eggs if you do. This wasn't a problem for me.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuKMzZQ0EFs/YYqs4_7H00I/AAAAAAAAEH0/p23pebQ0-AQ0Fsb6nGczschPHqg1lltXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuKMzZQ0EFs/YYqs4_7H00I/AAAAAAAAEH0/p23pebQ0-AQ0Fsb6nGczschPHqg1lltXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pill%2Bbottle%2Bornament%2B9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m pairing this week’s craft with the holiday classic, Green Bean Casserole. You should never feel guilty about eating this. It's loaded with vegetables: green beans, cream of mushroom soup and French-Fried onions. You can get the recipe <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/12/green-bean-casserole.html">here</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTIkKbz_aso/YYqtZ8QhkYI/AAAAAAAAEH8/qNKZOxIFknUPAxug0umKh-rP6PQ60j7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s639/green%2Bbean%2Bcasserole.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="639" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTIkKbz_aso/YYqtZ8QhkYI/AAAAAAAAEH8/qNKZOxIFknUPAxug0umKh-rP6PQ60j7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h486/green%2Bbean%2Bcasserole.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Save your paper grocery bags and we’ll see you back here next week with another craft idea and recipe.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScLjy0oEK28/YYqvZwP6-mI/AAAAAAAAEIE/DLFQWcPi9gsMXzEbiLrbI89QyJTZSV56QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1518/Scan%2BNov%2B7%252C%2B2021%2Bat%2B3.50%2BPM.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1079" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScLjy0oEK28/YYqvZwP6-mI/AAAAAAAAEIE/DLFQWcPi9gsMXzEbiLrbI89QyJTZSV56QCLcBGAsYHQ/w142-h200/Scan%2BNov%2B7%252C%2B2021%2Bat%2B3.50%2BPM.JPG" width="142" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Craft source: Don't Throw It Away!</p></div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-12275711471491057602021-11-04T04:11:00.014-07:002022-03-13T10:38:30.012-07:00Pretzel Christmas Ornaments<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Even though bazaars aren’t happening this year, Caker Cooking is back! Every week throughout November, I’ll post a bazaar craft that you can make at home. I’ll also pair it with one of my favourite Caker Cooking holiday recipes from years gone by.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t know about you, but, as a kid, I always thought pretzels were the most boring snack ever. Even more boring than dry-as-dust Melba Toast. Pretzels didn't come in different flavours, like chips, they were overly salty and no prizes ever came in the bag. But since coming across this Christmas craft idea in my 1978 copy of <i>McCall’s Christmas Bazaar</i> magazine, it’s time for me to rethink my pretzel prejudice. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RavSVMvpBi4/YYMqtfXlH8I/AAAAAAAAEFo/NA0zIDdwrYEDKKLSCKhy5dogJWX2yY2QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Pretzel%2BOrnaments%2B8.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RavSVMvpBi4/YYMqtfXlH8I/AAAAAAAAEFo/NA0zIDdwrYEDKKLSCKhy5dogJWX2yY2QwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Pretzel%2BOrnaments%2B8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bugle one would make a nice broach. So long as you're not averse to grease stains.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To make these elegant ornaments, you need an assortment of pretzel shapes and sizes as well as Honeycomb cereal, Ritz Crackers, Cheerios and Bugles. The original instructions called for balls of cheese, but can you imagine how those ornaments would smell in a few weeks? That’s one way to keep the relatives away this holiday season! LOL! So I opted for Corn Pops. Because when in doubt, always opt for Corn Pops. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The best thing about this craft is that no talent is required. And there’s no wrong way to do it. Create as many different shapes as your artistic spirit moves you. Just try not to eat too much of your supplies as you’re making them. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahHa2pAjGRc/YYMq6Lud-QI/AAAAAAAAEFw/4DKwgv0iGCsFt7RMD-f-0oSitdvwdCBaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pretzel%2Bornaments%2B7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahHa2pAjGRc/YYMq6Lud-QI/AAAAAAAAEFw/4DKwgv0iGCsFt7RMD-f-0oSitdvwdCBaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pretzel%2Bornaments%2B7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Be careful if you use a glue gun because I burned myself repeatedly. Let’s just say I uttered a few choice words that should never be overheard across the knit table at a church bazaar. The good news is that my skin is slowly starting to grow back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Add a gay ribbon to string them up and you're all set. The nice thing about these ornaments is that they’ll last forever, thanks to the preservatives.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNlofgPj7XY/YYPbSBON5oI/AAAAAAAAEG4/hPZ7HFnsH_4-C_zAMZxmQfhKhZ9Fw6kiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pretzel%2Bornaments%2B9.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNlofgPj7XY/YYPbSBON5oI/AAAAAAAAEG4/hPZ7HFnsH_4-C_zAMZxmQfhKhZ9Fw6kiACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/pretzel%2Bornaments%2B9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll have to nibble on a few to get the right shape.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In terms of a recipe, I’m pairing these pretzel ornaments with a Caker Cooking holiday classic: Santa’s Balls. </span><div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKphjtMMv28/YYMRPLn_kgI/AAAAAAAAEFU/AtOItQ1gvOkEgNE8SnEpzUNJRYVlfd9ogCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santa%2527s%2BBalls.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKphjtMMv28/YYMRPLn_kgI/AAAAAAAAEFU/AtOItQ1gvOkEgNE8SnEpzUNJRYVlfd9ogCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Santa%2527s%2BBalls.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold these balls gently. Never squeeze them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I made these back in 2014 and they’re really tender. As if Santa’s Balls would be anything less. Just don’t forget to roll them in shredded coconut to lend that air of authenticity. You can find the recipe <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/search?q=santa%27s+balls"><b>here</b></a>.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Come back next week for a "prescription" for the happiest holiday season ever!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmDOKCfyy6k/YYbBt6V6Z_I/AAAAAAAAEHE/-r3IDHm3ml4jevdIwEHc6SCZcBoB_slhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1432/McCall%2527s%2BChristmas%2BBazaar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1106" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmDOKCfyy6k/YYbBt6V6Z_I/AAAAAAAAEHE/-r3IDHm3ml4jevdIwEHc6SCZcBoB_slhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w154-h200/McCall%2527s%2BChristmas%2BBazaar.JPG" width="154" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Craft Source: McCall's Christmas Bazaar </span></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-10580607634961304422021-11-02T14:20:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:38:58.343-07:00Important Caker Cooking Public Service Announcement!<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s November 2021. Sadly, it looks like church bazaars won’t be happening for the second year in a row. (Goshdarn you, COVID-19!) But I’m here to the rescue. I’m resurrecting Caker Cooking for the month of November. </span></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Each week, I’ll feature a bazaar Christmas craft that you can make for yourself or give to a friend as a way of saying, “Hey. I care. I’m also frugal.” Talent is not required for these crafts, just a glue gun and your creativity. And some paper towel rolls. I’ll pair each craft with a classic Caker Cooking holiday treat, like a wine tasting where you get a cube of Velveeta. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">The fun starts Thursday, November 4</span><sup> </sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">with a craft that will have you seeing pretzels in a whole new way. </span></span></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">See you then!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-1739976213907199842020-05-31T16:03:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:41:14.428-07:00Chicken Mousse <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, we made it. The final recipe of my Caker Cooking 2020 revival. And what a revival it’s been! We’d laid a few <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2020/04/jell-o-pudding-eggs.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">eggs</span></a></span>, munched on some <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2020/05/beanie-weenie-bake.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">wieners</span></a></span> and chowed down on damp <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2020/04/miracle-whip-muffins.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">muffins</span></a></span>. It’s been a lot of work – and a lot of saturated fat. But it’s all been worth it. Sorta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I promised I’d save the worst <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> recipe for last and, as the <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhpu2N4rQZM" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">Eurythmics</span></a></span> asked, “Would I lie to you?” Most of us know there was a dark chapter in the ‘60s and ‘70s when people thought mixing Jell-O with bad things was tasty. Like olives. Or salmon. Or tomatoes. I don’t know if people were downing too much <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEhcVKlcX-g" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">Contact C</span></a></span> or inhaling <span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-pG4o_M6Ys" style="color: #954f72;">Aqua<span lang="EN-US"> <span lang="EN-US">Ne</span></span></a>t </span></span></span></span></span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">hair spray fumes, but clearly, something went wrong. Very wrong. </span><br />
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<span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">This week, I give you the jiggly horror that is Chicken Mousse, taken from 1963’s </span><i>Joys of Jell-O</i><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">. A warning: there is very little joy here. Only misery. This recipe comes from the bowels of hell. </span><br />
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Check out these ingredients. It reads like Jason Voorhee’s grocery list: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 package Lemon Jell-O<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">½ tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 ¾ cups boiling chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dash of cayenne<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2 tbsp vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1/3 cup whipping cream<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1/3 cup mayonnaise<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 cup diced cooked chicken<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 cup finely diced celery<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 tbsp chopped pimento<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Dissolve Jell-O and salt in boiling broth. Add cayenne and vinegar. Chill until very thick. Whip the cream, then fold cream and mayonnaise into gelatin, blending well. Fold in remaining</i> <i>ingredients. Pour into 1-quart mold or individual molds. Chill until firm. Makes 4 servings.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Just look at this picture! Have you ever seen more dissimilar things standing next to one another? I considered submitting it to Awkward Family Photos.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I’ve never been more disappointed to see whipped cream in my life. It even looks like one of those hurricane radar images on the news. Gird your loins. There’s a Category 7 caker catastrophe headed this way LOL!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Everyone had an aunt who served these unholy Jell-O salads at family functions. Now that I think about it, it might have been a clever ploy to ensure no family ever came to visit you again. Looks like Great Aunt Millicent was more strategic than I thought.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I tossed out all my old Jell-O molds when I wrapped up this blog back in 2014. And given that the ol’ Val Vill is currently closed, I had to go with the best thing I could find – mini loaf pans. Granted, they’re not as pretty as a mold. Then again, I’m making Chicken Mousse, so…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The problem was that the portions ended up looking like bricks. So I’ve renamed this recipe The Devil’s Bricks. I think it’s more appropriate. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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But how did Chicken Mousse actually <i>taste</i>? Well, you might be surprised to hear but…not bad! The saltiness of the broth was the perfect marriage to the citrusy sweetness of the Jell-O and the chicken added – oh, who am I kidding? It was HORRIBLE!!! I literally shuddered every time I took a bite. And if you know anything about me – and this blog – that says a lot.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The main issue is that there’s just too much going on. You get the sweet Jell-O, then the tang of the mayo, then the creaminess of the whipped cream. And then there’s the celery…and the chicken. Every time I bit down, some new horror awaited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Worst of all, I think I invoked an evil spirit by making this. The other day, a bunch of black flies swarmed my kitchen window (more than usual, I mean), my Ronco Inside the Eggshell <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdonmCgg3lE" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">Egg Scrambler</span></a></span> went on the fritz and every time I eat, I get fiery pains in my stomach (more than usual, I mean). Call me paranoid but look at this picture and tell me an exorcism isn’t needed!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Before I get on the phone with Father O’Connor, I want to thank you for joining me on this revival. I hope you enjoyed some of these new caker recipes. And should the world find itself in need of another casserole in the days ahead, I’m only a can opener away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Until then, continue to stay home, stay safe and never, ever make Chicken Mousse. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-32574630168809102622020-05-24T15:42:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:43:04.929-07:00Tang Dessert<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I revived Caker Cooking last month, I promised dieticians across the country it would only be for a limited time. And I’m a <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> of my word. With things starting to get back to normal (Kinda? Sorta? Maybeish?), it seems like my work here is done. So, to wrap up this 2020 edition, I’ve saved the best – and the worst – caker recipes for last. Get ready for a bumpy – or is that burpy? – final two weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Like most children who needed dentures by the age of 10, I grew up drinking Tang for breakfast, alongside a bowl of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M87MzgTFyGc" style="color: #954f72;">Strawberry Shortcake</a> cereal swimming in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQb_dr8usFk" style="color: #954f72;">Nestle Quik</a> chocolate milk. I still remember the day when I first learned that orange juice actually came from an orange, not an envelope. It was more shocking than when Mother told me about the Easter Bunny. A.K.A. the worst 18<sup>th</sup> birthday ever.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This recipe for Tang Dessert, taken from the Knox United Church cookbook in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, got me all juiced up. The last time I made something with Tang was <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/06/reader-recipe-tang-pie.html">Tang Pie</a>, which was damn delicious. Would Tang Dessert prove to be a worthy successor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2 cups graham cracker crumbs<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">½ cup melted butter<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1/3 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Filling:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2 small packages orange or lemon JELL-O<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2/3 cup white sugar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2 cups Tang juice<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">15 oz chilled evaporated milk (see note)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>For the crust, mix everything together except for ½ cup crumbs. Press into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. For the filling, combine JELL-O, sugar and Tang. Heat until dissolved. Chill until partially set. Whip milk (must be chilled) and fold in. Spread on cooled crust. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Chill until set</i>. </span><i style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I couldn’t find Tang at the grocery store at first. Turns out it’s been downsized, like a Tide Pod. I know we live in super-concentrated times, but I missed tearing open the package, dipping my finger in and licking the powder off. On the plus side, I wasn’t walking around with Orange Finger Syndrome for the remainder of the week.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Can we all take a moment to appreciate the glory that is the graham cracker crust? It's often overlooked, but it’s been the foundation of desserts since time immemorial. Personally, I think the graham cracker crust is the best part of any dessert. In fact, I’d just as soon eat a pan of graham cracker crust. Hold on – I think I just invented something: Graham Cracker Crust Squares. Someone call Dragon’s Den!</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This recipe gave me a chance to whip out my Eaton Viking electric beater. I got it a few months ago at Val Vill for only five bucks. True, it emits a musty odour when it’s turned on, but I’m a middle-aged homosexual. I’ve smelled mustier things in my day LOL!</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, what was the verdict for Tang Dessert? No point in sugar-coating anything. It was freaking delicious! It’s easily one of the best desserts I’ve ever featured on this blog. In terms of taste, it was light, foamy and squishy with a subtle orange flavour. AND HOW ABOUT THAT GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?!? Just make sure you chill the evaporated milk so it whips up nice and light.</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You need to make Tang Dessert. Like, immediately. You can thank me later. I’ll accept boxes of Cap’n Crunch as tokens of appreciation. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This can only mean we’re left with the WORST caker recipe. What horrors await? Tune in next week for the final, gruesome reveal. It’s more disturbing than hair on a mole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While we’re on the topic of Orange Finger Syndrome...</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Until next week, stay home, stay safe and make Tang Dessert. Really.</span><br />
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<i><span>Note: I bought two regular-sized cans.15 ounces is just a bit over one can, so I think you could likely get away with just one. </span></i></span></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-85373086838169917082020-05-17T15:35:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:44:59.192-07:00Hamburg Casserole<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let’s face it – cakers aren’t exactly poets when it comes to naming our food. Over the years, I’ve featured recipes for <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2013/05/pink-thing.html">Pink Thing</a>, <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/11/reader-recipe-white-stuff.html">White Stuff</a> and <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2013/05/corn-ring.html">Corn Ring</a> on this blog. Names like that don’t exactly whet the appetite. And asking, "Now, who wants to taste my Pink Thing?" at the end of a meal may lead to your dinner guests scrambling for the door. I'm speaking from experience.</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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So it’s sometimes easy for me to pass on recipes on account of their uninspired names. But some recipes deserve a second look. Hamburg Casserole, featured in <i>Cooking Favorites of Cobourg</i>, didn’t exactly jump off the page at first glance. Then I spotted one ingredient that took this recipe from yawn to yowzers! Do you see it, too?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 pound hamburg<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 large onion<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 medium tin spaghetti<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 small tin peas <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">¼ pound sharp cheese, cubed (see note)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">½ cup tomato juice<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 small tin mushrooms<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Brown hamburg, saute onion and mushrooms. Layer in above order in casserole. Cover and bake at 325 for 1 hour.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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IT’S THE TIN OF SPAGHETTI!!! Pasta from a can was one of my favourite lunches as a kid. Specifically, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMVGI94VNO4" style="color: #954f72;">Alpha-Getti</a> (which helped build my literacy skills) and Chef Boyardee <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euo086SUjls" style="color: #954f72;">Beefaroni</a> which I usually ate with a side of white bread smeared with margarine. Because carbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Given that I’m married to an Italian, I’m forbidden from ever bringing canned pasta into the house. That and Little Caesar’s pizza. I mean, not even the crazy bread. Hashtag what the hell? But this recipe gave me a legit reason to go out and buy a can.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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One ingredient I wasn’t looking forward to? Tomato juice. Honestly, it’s the worst. I think I suffered too many traumatic banquet dinners growing up. Tomato juice was usually served with the first course (followed by an iceberg lettuce salad with French dressing in a small wooden bowl) and always came room temperature in those little juice glasses.The only redeeming thing about tomato juice is the can, which you can use to make a <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/12/carousel-o-cards.html">Carousel o' Cards</a> at Christmas time. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJevFf9MbE/XsEr_jRQt4I/AAAAAAAAD08/Ov-3NSXgo0wOHmGTySHrFTPxNPd5JEQJACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Hamburg%2BCasserole%2B3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJevFf9MbE/XsEr_jRQt4I/AAAAAAAAD08/Ov-3NSXgo0wOHmGTySHrFTPxNPd5JEQJACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Hamburg%2BCasserole%2B3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In spite of its lacklustre name, I have to say that Hamburg Casserole was one of the prettier caker dishes I’ve made. And colourful, too! You have your brown, your green, your beige, your orange and even a splash of red. That’s four more colours than most caker food! I think I over-pead it, though. The recipe called for a small can, and I got a standard sized one. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In terms of the taste, I’d have to say – pretty good. It was cheesy, hearty, pea-y and the canned spaghetti added a touch of wormy fun. Even the Italian went back for seconds, although I’ll get in trouble for saying that. Hamburg Casserole, your name might be meek but your taste is mighty!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I’ll be back next week with another tasty caker recipe. Until then, stay home, stay safe and never judge a casserole by its name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Note: A ¼ pound of cheese is about a cup.</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-61089831163366276432020-05-10T15:30:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:47:05.472-07:00The "Best" Easiest Square<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
What's up with these people talking about all the “down” time they have during self-isolation? I don’t know about you, but I barely have enough hours in the day. Between panically tearing through the No Frills aisles like I’m on one of those grocery game shows to finding a face mask that doesn’t make my ears look like bat wings, I have ZERO "down" time. I can barely find time to binge-watch <i>Cold Case Files</i> episodes from 1999 on Netflix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In many ways, <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> food is perfect at a time like this. It’s cheap, fast and the preservatives mean it will stay fresh, unrefrigerated, for at least a year. Another bonus of caker food? It calls for as few ingredients as possible. In fact, the fewer the ingredients, the more accomplished we cakers feel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“Barb, these squares are delicious!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“Thanks, Marg. They only have three ingredients!”<br />
“<i>Three ingredients?!?</i> You’re a regular Julie Childs!”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This week’s recipe for The “Best” Easiest Square comes from the Canadian Bible Society’s Celebration Cookbook, probably the biggest coil-bound cookbook in my collection. I haven’t seen rings this big since I took that hula-hoop exercise class at the senior’s centre. </span></div>
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The Celebration Cookbook has given me a number of caker gems over the years, including <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2013/12/eggnog-dessert.html">Eggnog Dessert</a> (if you like the look of giant blisters, you’re in luck) and one of my all-time favourite recipes, <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-special-resurrection-rolls.html">Resurrection Rolls</a>. <o:p></o:p><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 box Ritz Crackers, rolled into crumbs<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 can Eagle Brand milk<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 package Shor Chippits<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mix well, spread into 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. (Don’t overbake or it will be dry.) May be served plain or with a butter icing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I try to include a cooking tip every now and then so this blog seems educational. You can roll your Ritz Crackers in the cracker bag, but before you do, make sure you cut a tiny hole in the bag first. Unless you want your kitchen to look like it was hit by a cracker blizzard. I’m speaking from experience. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sweetened condensed milk, also known as “caker glue,” is a popular ingredient found in many caker recipes, including fudge, Hello Dolly squares and any ball-shaped item on a Christmas platter. It’s also good straight out of the can on a Friday night after you’ve had a couple of glasses of Spumante Bambino. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I had some doubts when I pressed this into the pan. Mainly that that it was going to stick. But the recipe didn’t say anything about greasing the pan. Sure enough, it stuck. Not terribly, mind you. But enough that The “Best” Easiest Square came out looking more like The “Best” Easiest Trapezium.</span></div>
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I ended up putting them in the fridge before cutting the rest and that helped. I had also cooked them for exactly 15 minutes, so maybe going for the full 20 would’ve been better. If you make them, consider laying down some parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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These are really sticky. I wouldn’t serve them at a piano recital. Or at a bridal shower because your guests will end up walking around with napkin-tipped finger pads and that’s never a good look.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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But who cares about stickiness and shape when you’ve got something that tastes as good as these? <i>Hello?!?</i> They’ve got Skor and Ritz Crackers! Can you think of a better sweet 'n salty combo? They’re also pretty rich, so if you value your teeth, I’d skip on the suggested butter icing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Speaking of Skor, does anyone remember that commercial from the '80s where the brunette lady ate a Skor bar, started talking like an ABBA band member and turned blonde? If only hair colour was that easy to change in real life. It would’ve saved me from that unfortunate Sun-In chapter in my life.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We’ll see you back here next week with another limited ingredient recipe. Until then, stay home, stay safe and enjoy all that “down” time eating caker food.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-43068706368452148072020-05-03T15:42:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:49:12.671-07:00Beanie-Weenie Bake<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Every year since the dawn of time (or so it seems), I host an annual Caker Christmas party. I <s>force</s> invite Italians to make – and eat – <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> dishes. At the end of the night, I ask them to vote for the night’s best-tasting dish. For them, it’s like asking to choose the least offensive smell at a flatulence convention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At my 2019 party, the Italians voted Beanie-Weenie Bake as the best dish. So I’m excited to share this dish with you all. This recipe comes from 1969’s Beta Sigma Phi Casseroles, a mutha of a caker cookbook. There are 392 pages chock full of casserole recipes in categories like Chicken Spaghetti Casseroles, Ground Beef-Noodle Casseroles and, gulp, Egg Casseroles. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">¼ cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">½ tsp. dry mustard<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 tbsp. flour<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Evaporated milk<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 tbsp. vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 tbsp. molasses<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 can baked beans<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 package wieners, cut in forths<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Mix brown sugar, mustard and flour in medium sized bowl. Add milk to vinegar to make 2/3 cup liquid, stirring to keep blended. Stir milk mixture into dry ingredients; add molasses, stirring to mix well. Add beans. Pour into 1 ½ quart casserole; arrange franks on top. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serves 4. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The recipe for Beanie-Weenie Bake (not to be confused with the less popular Teeny-Weenie Bake) seemed straightforward enough, although the inclusion of evaporated milk puzzled me. I’ve always been puzzled by evaporated milk. Every time I open a can, I’m surprised it’s not empty.</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are two schools of thought when it comes to wieners: pork or beef. I prefer the beef ones because they’re not made with snouts. I suppose you could also use veggie wieners. A friend once told me that the texture and colour of veggie wieners remind her of pencil erasers. I can’t get that visual out of my head every time I eat one. I wish I could “erase” her comment. LOLZ!</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I tried to arrange the wieners standing up. The attention you pay to little details can mean a world of difference to your guests. “I see Brian took the time to make his wieners erect,” they might think as you bring the dish to the table. “That shows he really cares about me.” </span> </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Do I even need to report that Beanie-Weenie Bake is delicious? It’s a bit sweet, a bit salty and the wieners give a satisfying mouthfeel. The Italians were right! It’s a winner, baby! This dish had me wishing I was wearing a cowboy hat, playing my harmonica and pitching a tent on Brokeback Mountain.</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you want to see the complete menu from my Caker Christmas 2019 party, including what the Italians voted worst-tasting dish – and my epic cheeseball – check out my <a href="http://www.brian-francis.com/blog/2019/12/22/caker-christmas-2019">blog post</a>!</span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Speaking of Brokeback Mountain, here’s one of the unfortunate side effects of being a male homosexual: The compulsion to turn everything into a dance remix. I give you Exhibit A: </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We’ll see you next week with another home-on-the-range caker recipe. In the meantime, stay home, stay safe and always keep your wieners close at hand. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-1324888775780458682020-04-26T15:51:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:50:55.525-07:00Miracle Whip Muffins<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="calibri, sans-serif">There was a point in time when muffins were considered health food. Then one of those journalism TV shows did an investigative report (likely Dateline) and everyone lost their minds when they found out that a bran muffin has 4,502 calories and 348 grams of fat. Thanks for bringing down </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">the party, Stone Phillips.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Since then, muffins have been in the doghouse. At donut shops, people will even choose one of those cellophane-wrapped bagels with the two-inch wedge of orange cheese over a muffin. That’s how bad it is for muffins. But is it time for a muffin “miracle?”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This recipe for Miracle Whip Muffins hails from Wheatland Cooks Celebrate, a 1980 cookbook put out by the Wheatland U.C.W. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">¾ cups dates, cut small<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 cup boiling water poured over the above. Let stand until cool. Combine 1 cup of Miracle Whip salad dressing and 1 cup white sugar. Add the date mixture and 2 cups flour, pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Bake 20 minutes at 375. Make about 1 ½ dozen.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Miracle Whip? Really? You sure you didn’t mean mayonnaise, I wondered? I mean, mayo used to be a trend in cakes. It reached its height in the ‘80s with a chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe that made the rounds. You can almost hear the conversations at <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> dinner parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“<i>Mayonnaise?!?</i> But that doesn’t make any sense, Barb. Have you been sniffing those incense sticks again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It’s just that MW has that tang, you know? And who wants to munch on a tangy muffin? But one thing I’ve learned in all my years is that you can doubt your friends, doubt your parents, even doubt politicians. But never doubt a U.C.W. recipe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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They certainly looked and smelled okay, but it all comes down to the taste. And, as far as I was concerned, if these tasted good, it <i>would</i> be a miracle.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Friends, these muffins weren’t just good – they were delicious! The muffins were as damp as me watching a Ricky Martin video. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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They also had a rich, caramel-y taste. (Thanks, dates!) Just like a sticky toffee pudding. (Not that I’ve ever had a sticky toffee pudding). And not a hint of a tang in my muffin.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cooks of Wheatland U.C.W., you have reclaimed the rightful throne of the muffin! The second wave is upon us! Cast aside your donuts, put down your bagels, and kneel before the power of the Lemon Cranberry, the Banana Nut and the almighty Morning Glory! A new muffin dawn is upon us! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I’ll be back next week with another enchanting caker recipe. Until then, stay home, stay safe and eat your muffins while wearing yellow eyeshadow and dancing to this. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-40769078926205611082020-04-19T16:57:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:52:30.217-07:00Tortilla Pizza<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
With everyone self-isolating, many parents are dealing with kids at home 24/7. And parenting is a lot harder than when I was growing up in the '70s. The main difference being that, these days, parents are supposed to pay attention to their kids. True story: When I was eight, I got lost in the living room shag carpet for four days before my parents noticed I was missing.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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What better opportunity to enjoy some wholesome family time making <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker </a>food? This week’s recipe for Tortilla Pizza comes from <i>Our Family Favourites</i>, published by The Stirling Primary/Junior School. I’m assuming the recipe was submitted by a child. (I’m really, <i>really</i> hoping so, anyway.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 whole wheat tortilla<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ketchup<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Grated cheese<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chili powder<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Spread ketchup on tortilla. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Sprinkle with chili powder. Microwave for about one minute or till cheese is melted. Roll up or cut into pizza slices. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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This recipe may seem simple enough, but as someone who worked at Pizza Hut, I can tell you that making pizza is never as easy as it seems. It’s important to layer things in the correct order. Otherwise, a blanket of cheese will come sliding off and burn your chin. </span></div>
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This pizza follows in the time-honoured caker tradition of pizza making. We turn anything into pizzas. English Muffins. Hamburger buns. Or, if we’re entertaining and have access to a toaster oven, Triscuits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I imagine many Italians reading this are biting their fists about the ketchup-as-sauce thing. And I don’t blame you. Everyone knows Ragu makes for a better pizza base. But in this recipe's defence, it does call for a whole wheat tortilla. I respect that. Because health.</span></div>
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I don’t own a microwave, so I baked the pizza for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Honestly, it was the one saving grace. The idea of microwaving this and eating hot ketchup was a little troublesome, even for me. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In terms of how it tasted, it’s not as bad as you think. The sauce was a little sweet. Then again, it’s ketchup, not sauce. But it had a nice chew. And you couldn't ask for a thinner crust!<br />
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I’m not sure what the chili powder added, but I’ve always been suspicious of that spice. I think it’s red-coloured dust. And I would’ve preferred a canned mushroom or two. But I'm one of those bon vivant types. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I hope you find time to make this pizza whether you have kids or not. And remember: Teaching kids about other cultures is, like, really important. From my family to yours, buon appetito!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We’ll see you next week for another wholesome recipe. Until then, stay safe, stay home and eat caker food. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-41721705445108357472020-04-12T17:09:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:54:11.959-07:00Scalloped Potatoes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
When it comes to times of stress and hardship, few things provide comfort like the combination of cheese and potatoes. How else can you explain Wendy's Bacon Cheese Baked Potato, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clSC3NiPwxA">O'Grady's Au Gratin</a> potato chips and the <a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html">caker</a> classic <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.com/2012/02/schwartzies-hash-browns.html">Schwartzie's Hash Browns</a>, a.k.a Funeral Potatoes?<br />
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This week’s recipe for Scalloped Potatoes comes from the 1976 “New Y Cook Book” from Owen Sound, Ontario. The recipe had an asterisk beside it which means it was a reprint from the 1930 and 1956 editions. In other words, you’re looking at another tried-and-true cheese n' tater caker classic!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Peel and slice enough potatoes for a 1 ½ to 2-quart casserole. Parboil for 5 minutes. Drain and place in casserole. Add a little chopped onion, if desired. Add the following:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1 can cream of chicken soup<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">½ to ¾ cup of Cheez Whiz<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Enough milk to make about 2 cups liquid<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When this is all combined, add to potatoes in casserole. Dot with butter and bake at 350 degrees. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I look for any excuse to buy Cheez Whiz. It’s perfect on celery sticks, Ritz crackers and toast. I also use it as lip moisturizer in the winter. In fact, Cheez Whiz is one of the four caker food groups, along with Cream of Anything soup, Saltines and shredded coconut. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The recipe was vague about the number of potatoes to use so I had to guess. Suffice to say, I bought too many. I ended up using about four and turned the rest into <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFuF2Tsg9HY" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">batteries</span></a></span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When I was growing up, my mom used to make scalloped potatoes but not that often. I think it was all the slicing. She was more the “boil-then-mash-the-hell-out-of-it” kind of gal.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The recipe also calls for Cream of Chicken soup, a variety that has always mystified me. First off, who knew that chickens produce cream? And secondly, what part of a chicken does the cream come from? On second thought, never mind. I don't need to know.<br />
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<o:p></o:p>I cooked the scalloped potatoes uncovered for about 45 minutes, just until everything started to get nice and brown around the edges. </span></div>
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When I served these to my Italian husband, he said, “I’m used to <span style="background-color: white;">Béchamel sauce</span> and nutmeg in my scalloped potatoes.” Honestly, the Roman attitude alone is enough to make me climb the walls!!! So imagine how sweet my victory tasted when Signor Nutmeg went back for seconds.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Seriously, these scalloped potatoes were fricking delicious. They were cheesy, creamy, salty, chickeny and kept my belly full for almost an entire hour. I’d make them again in a heartbeat. If I needed comfort. Or Cheez Whiz. In other words, I'd eat these every day.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Shout to the <span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.ymcaowensound.on.ca/index.cfm" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">YM-YWCA of Owen Sound</span></a></span>! Thank you for your good work – and your good food! I’ll be back next week for more culinary magic. Until then, stay home, stay safe and eat caker food.</span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-59449722480844134342020-04-05T16:18:00.001-07:002022-03-13T10:56:02.899-07:00JELL-O Pudding Eggs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Tough times call for good eating. And with everything going on in the world right now, who couldn’t use some comfort food? So, after shutting down this blog six years ago, I’ve decided to resurrect Caker Cooking for a limited time.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This decision doesn't come lightly. And it very well may mean the end of my marriage, especially since my Italian husband felt like he had long moved past the dark chapter of his life that was this blog.</span></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But these are extraordinary times. And we all must do our part to make the world a bit brighter. And saltier. So every week, I’ll post a brand-new </span><a href="https://cakercooking.blogspot.com/p/caker-faqs.html"><span style="color: blue;">caker</span></a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> recipe from my vast collection of coil-bound church and community cookbooks until things get back to normal. Or so I've promised.</span></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Hey! Who's that hopping down the bunny trail? Why, it's </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYY5jFnkX5g"><span style="color: blue;">P</span><span style="color: blue;">eter Cottontail</span></a>,</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> of course, carrying a basket full of . . . </span><i>JELL-O Pudding Eggs?!?</i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> What the heck? Is Peter smoking his carrots instead of eating them? Don't worry, kids. The JELL-O Pudding Eggs are only for the caker kids. The rest of you will still get the chocolate foil kind. And none of you will get those eggs with the nasty white crap inside. You know the kind I mean. Those should be banned.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">I found this recipe in a Kraft</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"> </span><i>What’s Cooking</i><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"> </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">magazine dating all the way back to 1994. So if you’re one of those “Gen Z” people, you’ll consider this a historical recipe. And yes, we had ovens back then. Only we had to heat them with coal and twigs. Luckily, you don’t need an oven for these eggs. In true caker fashion, they’re no-bake!</span><br />
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">1 package JELL-O instant pudding<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1/3 cup Parkay Margarine (see note)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3 cups sifted icing sugar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">6 squares each Baker’s white and semi-sweet chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Stir pudding, margarine and water together until smooth. Add icing sugar, a cup at a time until it forms a fall. Form into 1 1/2” egg shapes. Refrigerate until firm. Partially melt chocolate in separate bowls over hot water until 2/3 melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until melted and smooth. Dip eggs into chocolate and decorate. </span></i><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">Makes 24 eggs.</span> </span></i></span></div>
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No comments about what this looks like, please.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I was growing up, the best Easter eggs were the Laura Secord Easter Cream kind. I mean, there was so much sugar packed into one egg, I’d be bouncing off the walls Good Friday, Saturday <i>and</i> Easter Sunday. Even the crinkled paper strips they came packaged in could be used for a crimped hair wig.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I put a pudding egg next to a cherry tomato so you can see what 1 1/2" looks like. The cherry tomato is on the right. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After I dunked the eggs in chocolate, I put them on a rack to chill, but they got stuck to the rack on account of the hardened chocolate. There was a lot of swearing in my kitchen as I tried to work them free. The bottoms are a hot mess. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Decorating these eggs reminded me of when I used to go to the Big V and get my name inscribed on an Allan Easter egg by one of the cashiers on egg duty. That took talent. And God forbid you got a kid named Constantine.</span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think I did a very artistic job decorating my eggs. Ms. Secord, watch your back LOL!</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let your creativity run wild! Decorate your JELL-O Pudding Eggs with sprinkles, sequins, reinforcements for 3-hole punch paper, bits of grass, bird seed and those hard, silver balls that break your teeth. (Not that you'll have any teeth left after eating one of these.) Also, these eggs are pretty small. So unless your name is Pat, y'aren't fitting your name. Sorry, Constantine. </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These eggs were sweeter than the Laura Secord variety, if you can believe it. They also had the texture of Play-Do, but were a lot tastier.</span> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">WARNING: Do not hide these eggs around the house. Trust me, you don’t want to discover brown lumps behind the sofa in a couple of months, especially if you’ve forgotten that you made these eggs in the first place. It could lead to a lot of family tensions, more so if you don’t have a pet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I hope you all have a happy holiday weekend. Stay home, stay safe and we’ll see you next week with another delicious caker recipe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">*<i>Note: I can’t get with margarine. It’s soft plastic. So I used butter.</i> </span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-89371211407853459132014-12-29T04:01:00.001-08:002022-03-13T10:56:59.893-07:00Best and Worst Caker Recipes of All Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DP0dmXRZ7VY/VKCLyVsz_WI/AAAAAAAADQc/GnO7Z4ZGISo/s1600/Best%2Band%2BWorst%2BCaker%2BCooking.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DP0dmXRZ7VY/VKCLyVsz_WI/AAAAAAAADQc/GnO7Z4ZGISo/s1600/Best%2Band%2BWorst%2BCaker%2BCooking.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
This is it, folks. The last post for Caker Cooking. I can't think of a better way to wrap things up than by featuring the best and worst caker recipes OF ALL TIME!<br />
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Which dishes shone brightly? (Or beigely. This is caker food we're talking about, after all.) And which dishes jiggled their way down the dark road of hell?<br />
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Click <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/p/all-time-best-and-worst.html" target="_blank">here</a> to find out or click on the Best & Worst of All Time tab at the top of the page.</span>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-45372422323603262052014-12-22T04:02:00.001-08:002022-03-13T11:00:31.435-07:00Caker Christmas 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoL1KiBj3aY/VJc9BwTOofI/AAAAAAAADNw/SfmLQMKzAcA/s1600/Caker%2BChristmas%2BCake.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoL1KiBj3aY/VJc9BwTOofI/AAAAAAAADNw/SfmLQMKzAcA/s1600/Caker%2BChristmas%2BCake.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
As the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W42UisOWyE" target="_blank">Irish Rovers</a> say, “Wasn’t that a party?”<br />
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I held my annual Caker Christmas party the other night where I asked Eye-talians to make and eat <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/p/caker-faqs.html" target="_blank">caker</a> food. This year, I told my guests that I wouldn’t supply the recipes. They’d have to find their own. I was a little nervous, but they did me proud. The cultural divide between cakers and Eye-talians just got a little narrower, friends.<br />
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I asked people to bring their recipes so I could post them, but most forgot. So I’ll skip the recipes this year. Hope that’s okay. <strike>Besides, no one ever makes these dishes.</strike></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzca46BLMDQ/VJc94sKufdI/AAAAAAAADN4/37oXDW6MY9g/s1600/Nuts%2Band%2BBolts.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzca46BLMDQ/VJc94sKufdI/AAAAAAAADN4/37oXDW6MY9g/s1600/Nuts%2Band%2BBolts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Nuts and Bolts</b><br />
I first made this back in <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/2011/10/nuts-and-bolts.html" target="_blank">2011</a> and forgot how much the recipe makes. You’re looking at a roasting pan, a 9x13 pan and a pie plate. Needless to say, everyone got a pail as a parting gift. Only problem? The smell of Hickory Sticks stays on your fingers forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Spinach Dip</b><br />
Spinach Dip is awesome because there’s one less dish to wash. I mean, you could try washing a pumpernickel loaf, but it gets kind of mushy. I’m speaking from experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Meatloaf Muffins</b><br />
I’m not sure if that was the name or not, but these ‘lil guys were pretty tasty. Best of all, you can enjoy one for breakfast with your coffee and not attract funny looks in the food court.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Cheesy Stuffing Cups</b><br />
What a perfect accompaniment to Meatloaf Muffins! These had Stove Top Stuffing, cranberries and a binding agent. (My money’s on cream-of-anything soup.) I decided I’m going to invent a line of food shaped liked muffins. First up: muffin-shaped pizza! Speaking of pizza…<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Hash Brown Pizza</b><br />
Made by yours truly, the crust was hash browns and cheddar cheese soup and the topping was ground beef, tomato soup and cheese. Move over, Chef Boy-Ar-Dee. You may not be It-lee’s most famous chef for long! LOL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Potato Casserole</b><br />
This had layers of potatoes and ground turkey. There was also lots of cheese, which explains the pinched expression on everyone’s face by the end of the nigh</span>t.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzYSUwQkrNU/VJc_uZd-xrI/AAAAAAAADOo/mFxG2ioMxBs/s1600/Lobster%2BThermidor.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzYSUwQkrNU/VJc_uZd-xrI/AAAAAAAADOo/mFxG2ioMxBs/s1600/Lobster%2BThermidor.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Lobster Thermidor</b><br />
Lobster is a little high-end for most cakers. If we’re going to eat seafood, we usually grab a can of salmon. Or a tempura-battered fish stick. This tasted pretty good. I’m going to send the recipe to Red Lobster and take full credit for it.<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Carrot Casserole</b><br />
I made this because I thought people would appreciate a vegetable option. If you're wondering where the carrots are, they’re covered in Velveeta, butter and Ritz crackers – as all vegetables should. Two people said it was the first time they’ve eaten Velveeta and I could only wonder why there’s so much suffering in the world.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmUWJodjV8k/VJdALV4yRLI/AAAAAAAADO4/Y4N_8CrylPY/s1600/Cornbread.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmUWJodjV8k/VJdALV4yRLI/AAAAAAAADO4/Y4N_8CrylPY/s1600/Cornbread.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Frankfurter Loaf</b><br />
Presenting the winner of Best-Tasting Dish of Caker Christmas 2014! Folks, these are wieners baked inside a loaf of corn bread. The only thing missing was a carnie asking me if I wanted a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl. It was served with mushroom gravy. From a can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>7-Up Cake</b><br />
My Greek friend brought this. It’s a layer of berries with white cake mix on top with 7-Up poured over it. It wasn’t as good as <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/2011/08/dump-cake.html" target="_blank">Dump Cake</a>, but not bad, provided you don’t mind coughing up bits of dry cake mix.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pROW-hb2NjU/VJdAszdchuI/AAAAAAAADPI/3mEzcB5siY0/s1600/Sponge%2BToffee.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pROW-hb2NjU/VJdAszdchuI/AAAAAAAADPI/3mEzcB5siY0/s1600/Sponge%2BToffee.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Sponge Toffee</b><br />
One guest brought five packages of sponge toffee. Apparently, Eye-talians think you eat it with a spoon. It was fun watching people spend the evening trying to suck it off their teeth.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sgJBYZHwuE/VJdA5P62IZI/AAAAAAAADPQ/-f0M4LLgxfQ/s1600/Walnut%2BPie.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sgJBYZHwuE/VJdA5P62IZI/AAAAAAAADPQ/-f0M4LLgxfQ/s1600/Walnut%2BPie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Walnut Pie</b><br />
I made this. It has Ritz crackers, walnuts, egg whites and sugar. One guest said it was the best thing he ever ate. Another said it made him nauseous. Eye-talians are people of extremities.<br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UItpINTSMo8/VJdBC7ebDMI/AAAAAAAADPY/ee5TfiPAVxc/s1600/Christmas%2BCake.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UItpINTSMo8/VJdBC7ebDMI/AAAAAAAADPY/ee5TfiPAVxc/s1600/Christmas%2BCake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Cake Mountain</b><br />
My sister-in-law brought this. It’s Duncan Hines and the size of a shed. And yes, I had a piece for breakfast this morning. Time to get out the ol’ track pants. Speaking of track pants…</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5Kw_xKRnDA/VJdBOlS_9yI/AAAAAAAADPg/qr4djyf60Aw/s1600/Nutella%2Bbucket.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5Kw_xKRnDA/VJdBOlS_9yI/AAAAAAAADPg/qr4djyf60Aw/s1600/Nutella%2Bbucket.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Nutella</b><br />
My sister-in-law also brought this three-kilogram jar of Nutella. I put it next to a soup can so you can see how big this mother is. I did the math and there are 16, 140 calories in this container. Which is three fewer calories than I ate last night.</span><br />
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That’s a wrap! Just look at that tapestry of beige! I’m off to eat the leftovers. Then I'm going to eat, like, a lot of fibre. Come back next Monday for my best – and worst – caker dishes of 2014.<br />
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Happy holidays and happy eating!<br />
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Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-29669278124780971702014-12-19T04:00:00.004-08:002022-03-15T17:04:08.293-07:00Santa's Balls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're down to the <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/2014/11/caker-cooking-says-arrivee-derche.html" target="_blank">final</a> posts for Caker Cooking and if you take anything away from this blog, I hope it’s this: <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/p/caker-faqs.html" target="_blank">cakers</a> love balls. I’ve featured more ball-shaped food on here than any other shape. (Triangles being a distant second.) Some may wonder why, but I say, "Don’t analyze. Just eat."<br />
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When I saw this recipe for Christmas Fruit Balls, two thoughts came to mind: 1) more balls and 2) it’s nice that maraschino cherries are considered “fruit.” So I set out to make them. And while I was tenderly rolling these balls in my hands, I had another thought: these balls deserve a better name.<br />
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So I’ve christened them Santa’s Balls. Let’s just say the sprinkling of shredded coconut sealed the deal. Picture it: there you are in your apron and knitted slippers on Christmas Eve, announcing to your guests that you’ll be serving Santa’s Balls shortly and would anyone like a top up on their Kahlua? Talk about memorable holiday moments!<br />
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Speaking of memorable holiday moments, my Caker Christmas party is tomorrow night! I have no idea what my Eye-talian guests are bringing. This terrifies and excites me. Come back Monday when I post all the carnage.<br />
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½ bag white miniature marshmallows<br />
2 cups graham wafer crumbs<br />
½ cup red cherries, halved<br />
1-15 ounce can Eagle Brand milk<br />
1 cup chopped walnuts<br />
Mix altogether, chill overnight. Shape into balls and roll in coconut. (See note.) Store in covered container in the refrigerator.<br />
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Note: The mixture was pretty, er, hard when I took it out of the fridge. Let it warm slightly before attempting to roll Santa’s Balls in your hands.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E60DapU8e7E/T0D5mu81HKI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nDjKUbElX4s/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E60DapU8e7E/T0D5mu81HKI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nDjKUbElX4s/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" width="124" /></a></div>
Source: From the Lakeshore Ladies Kitchens<br />
<br /><br /><script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660641345241219924.post-15746335539522290862014-12-17T04:01:00.003-08:002022-03-15T17:05:45.366-07:00Cardboard Tube Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISJOGyJ9K58/VJDsOuIdINI/AAAAAAAADM4/Z7Fa_bQjfm4/s1600/Cardboard%2BTube%2BChristmas%2BTree.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISJOGyJ9K58/VJDsOuIdINI/AAAAAAAADM4/Z7Fa_bQjfm4/w640-h480/Cardboard%2BTube%2BChristmas%2BTree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
It’s a fact. I can’t wrap presents to save my life. I cut the paper all crooked, the scotch tape always gets stuck in my hair (that's after using it on my nose like a Biore strip) and just try writing out someone’s name on one of those teeny-tiny gift tags. Especially if that person’s name is Mephistopheles.<br />
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The upside to wrapping presents? You’re left with all those cardboard tubes. And when you have cardboard tubes, you have the makings for another wonderful <a href="http://cakercooking.blogspot.ca/p/caker-faqs.html" target="_blank">caker </a>Christmas craft. We don’t let anything go to waste. Cakers are the original recyclers.<br />
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Why, just look at this majestic Christmas tree. I bet you'd pay close to $20 for this at Sears. But I made it for mere pennies. You can decorate it any way you want. Just be careful when using the X-Acto knife. If you think wrapping presents with ten fingers is hard, just try wrapping them with nine.<br />
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Come back Friday for my final holiday recipe. Then it's my Caker Christmas party round-up on Monday!<br />
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Instructions:</span></div>
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1) Cut the cardboard tube into 1-inch pieces.</span></div>
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2) Watch your fingers or else you'll end up like this!</span></div>
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3) Glue the pieces together in the shape of a tree, spray paint the crap out of it and decorate with balls, ornaments, hair, whatever you fancy!</span></div>
Brian Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02779793839672812019noreply@blogger.com6