What a mess! It was a good thing Leah and Amy had worked in the basement this summer and proceeded to pack a lot of my stuff into plastic totes. The water heater decided it had enough and since I don’t go down to the basement very often, of course, it had sprung quite a leak before it was discovered. The pieces of carpet soaked up a lot, however, there was fabric and books stored in cardboard boxes that absorbed quite a bit. It was clean water so much of could be dried except for some pieces that the dye wasn’t stable. We get so used to polyester we forget some fabrics don’t hold the color as well. With fans going and the furnace on and removing the wet carpeting it dried quickly. Hopefully, the new heater will last longer than the last ones did.
The garden is done for another year. Jon helped plant some of it and in the seed bucket was pumpkin seeds. He didn’t think we should plant them but I said what’s the difference if they run over the rhubarb. With very little care there developed two very nice pumpkins. The green pepper plants started to produce again after the rain. It was not a good year for gardening with so much moisture at times. At least we didn’t have to water it.
The Hospice Rummage sale is over for another year. One wonders where it all comes from. My purchases were less than usual as I decided I had plenty at home even if I saw some things that another time I wish I had bought. I did get a few books and have enjoyed three of them, the fourth had many more pages than I usually read but with the predicted winter coming perhaps I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a longer novel. I was told just this week that with the heavy crop of nuts and leaves on the trees we may be in for a lot of snow. Only time will tell. Tonight’s (Friday) football game won’t be the most pleasant to be sitting in the stands. I will listen on the radio with a book to read and a blanket for warmth. I have made a lot of stadium blankets for our family and they have had a lot of use either for warmth or just to make the bleacher seats more comfortable.
Potato Gratin with Peppers and Parmesan
2 pounds small red potatoes, sliced 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups Parmesan cheese, divided
10 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Ground black pepper
Parsley or basil, to garnish
Preheat oven to 350º and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with baking spray or olive oil.
Place the potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl and add 1 cup water. Cover and microwave for 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain the potatoes. Spread half of them in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Mix together and bell pepper, garlic, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Spread this mixture over the potatoes.
Whisk together the eggs, add the milk, yogurt, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and a generous quantity of black pepper. Pour about half of the egg mixture over the potatoes.
Lay the rest of the potatoes on top. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the potatoes, and top with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes or until the egg is puffed and golden around edges and fully cooked in the center. Sprinkle with chopped herbs. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Baking Powder Biscuits
2 cups flour
4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, unbeaten
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk
Sift flour and dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Add shortening and blend together until like cornmeal consistency. Pour milk slowly, stirring. Add egg. Stir to stiffen dough. Knead dough 5 times. Roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a biscuit cutter. Bake on cookie sheet 10-15 minutes at 450º.
Pumpkin Muffins
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, optional
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
Heat oven to 375º. Grease 12 muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat egg and stir in milk, butter, and pumpkin until blended. Stir in flour mixture until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into muffin tins, filling each at least 2/3 full. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove and cool on rack.
