Small Lying Cat Bag

(Photo by nuno-runo blogspot.com)

I love this little cat purse over at  Nuno Life and there is a pattern and instructions on how to make it.  I think I might make it as a makeup bag without the straps for my friend Beth.
http://nuno-runo.blogspot.com/2010/01/cat-bag.html

Appetizer Wishlist

No, this isn't one I want to try - my son loves them but I hate the smell of them.  

There are appetizers that I want to try before my son graduates high school in 2012 as I want to come up with some good but unique things to serve for his graduation party to be served alongside the Funyuns, Cheese Curls and Doritos that I know he will want to have.   Man cannot live by Funyuns alone.





Walnut Pesto over at Smitten Kitchen - the combination of walnuts, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic with a dash of sherry vinegar sounds like it would be a unique and tasty appetizer on small french bread rounds or baguette.

Parmesan Cream Crackers also over at Smitten Kitchen - I had never thought about making crackers before - how cool it would be to serve them and say "I made them myself!".  It sounds doable enough - flour, cream, parmesan, salt and butter blended in a food processor to make a dough then roll out, cut, poke and bake - at least that is my fantasy.

Vegetable Dishes

Roasted Beets, Carrots and Potato Soup
http://recipesfrom4everykitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/puree-of-roasted-vegetable-soup.html

Calabacitas (Mexican-flavored vegetable side dish)

This recipe came in a newsletter that I subscribe to World's Healthiest Foods that I would like to try sometime as I like all the ingredients raw - will have to see if I like them as well cooked, or maybe try making it raw with the olive oil, garlic and chicken broth cooked as a dressing.


"Calabacitas

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, cut in half and sliced thin
• 4 medium cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cups zucchini , diced into ½ -inch cubes
• 2 cups yellow squash, diced in ½-inch cubes
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 oz can of diced green chili
• 1 TBS + 3 TBS chicken or vegetable broth
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 3 TBS fresh chopped fresh oregano (or 1 TBS dried oregano)
• salt and black pepper to taste
• *Optional: drizzle with olive oil before serving

Directions:

1. Slice onion and chop garlic and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out their health-promoting benefits.
2. Prepare all the vegetables.
3. Heat 1 TBS broth in 11-12 inch stainless steel skillet. Healthy Sauté onions in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
4. Add zucchini, yellow squash, remaining broth, green chili, and cook for another 3 minutes or so until vegetables are tender, stirring often. Add tomatoes and continue to cook for another couple of minutes.
5. Stir in herbs, salt, and pepper. Serves 4"