Meemo's Kitchen

As you may have discovered, in much the same way I did, Google has removed my blog Meemo's Kitchen without any notice after five years of almost daily posting. They (Google) pulled several (mostly sandwich) recipes back in January and then again most of my recipes in late August. Two days later I received an email stating they have pulled the blog entirely, no explanation.

The recipes in question all had the same name as a well known party with several books on cloned restaurant recipes. This person has a reputation on many sites and forums as being an internet bully. I guess I should have given the recipes different names, but Red Robin California Chicken Burger may taste the same if it was named Chicken, Cheese and Guacamole Burger  it just wouldn't be as easily identified as a copycat or restaurant recipe.

I can't thank Meemo's many supporters enough. You have encouraged me to keep posting during times when I thought I just couldn't keep going working 10-12 hr days and posting each evening. The many supporters that took the time to post comments were always there with encouragement and support when I seemed to need it most. Thank you all.

I hope you will continue to support Meemo's Kitchen. Please keep watching for a new site. I may open another blog or possibly continue the slow process of creating Meemo's own site
MEEMOSKITCHEN.COM.

For those of you who would like to be contacted when I have a site or new blog up and running please send me an email with MEEMO in the subject line and I will send an email with the new link when it's up and running. You can email me by clicking the icon on top of the right sidebar.

Thank you again for your support.

Pattie Kaykes

LIKE LIPTON ONION SOUP MIX

Like Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Use this low cost copycat for onion soup mix the same way you would use the package dry mix.

3/4 c. dried minced onion
1/3 c. beef bouillon
4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed celery seed
1/4 tsp. sugar

Combine ingredients. Store tightly covered.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

CLASSIC COCOA MIX IN A JAR

Layer the ingredients for a nice presentation. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. You can include a book and/or nice mug with your mix.

Classic Cocoa Mix In A Jar

Yield: Makes 1 quart mix or 12 servings hot cocoa

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Layer sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, salt, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

Include the following instruction for preparation: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

FRIENDSHIP SOUP MIX IN A JAR

Need a quick last minute gift that won't cost your first born?

If you can't find a container as shown above, you can put it in a celophane gift bag or a mason jar. You can also tie a wooden spoon to your container. Be sure to include the directions for preparing the soup.

Friendship Soup Mix in a Jar

From Allrecipes.com
1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup quick pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried onion flakes
2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta or other tiny pasta

In a 1-pint or 1-1/2-pint jar, layer split peas, bouillon, barley, lentils, onion flakes, Italian seasoning, rice and bay leaves. Wrap pasta in plastic wrap and place in the jar. Seal tightly.

Attach a label to the jar with the following instructions:

Friendship Soup additional ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef; black pepper to taste; garlic powder to taste; 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste; and three quarts water.
To prepare soup: Remove pasta from top of jar and set aside.
In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain excess fat. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water and soup mix. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Stir in the pasta, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender

HONEY BAKED HAM - ALMOST

Another recipe for Honey Baked Ham. This recipe also uses a small butane torch (like Julia Child used for Creme Brulee) to caramelize the sugar glaze. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL using the torch.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post for Family Circles version of Honey Baked Ham you can save a tidy sum (approximately $35 on a 7lb ham) making your own.

Honeybaked Ham Glaze
1/2 spiral cut smoked ham (about 7 lbs. fully cooked)
1 Cup sugar
1/4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon ground clove
1/8 Teaspoon paprika
1 Dash ground ginger
1 Dash ground allspice

Mix sugar and spices together in a small bowl.

Pour the sugar mixture onto 2-3 large pieces of wax paper and spread it around evenly.

Roll the ham in the sugar mixture, coating it evenly.

Place the flat end of the ham on a plate. Use a butane torch with a medium flame and caramelize the sugar. Move the torch quickly over the sugar mixture so the sugar bubbles and caramelizes. Be careful not to burn the ham. Rotate the plate to reach all around the ham and caramelize the sugar on the enire ham. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL using the torch.

LIKE HONEY BAKED HAM - FAMILY CIRCLE RECIPE

This recipe is from Family Circle Magazine.

Starting with a spiral cut ham will make this easier. A (7) lb. Half Ham (Serves 10-14) from Honey Baked Ham will cost you $49.95 , if it is not shipped. A sprial cut ham from Safeway at 1.69 a pound (SALE PRICE) will be about 11.83 for the ham alone. If you make your own honeybaked type ham it will be well under 15.00, depending on the cost of the ingredients for the honey type glaze. That's approximately a $35.00 savings, so try making your own ham this year, it's worth it!

Knock-off Honey Baked Ham

1/2 spiral cut smoked ham (@ 7 lbs. fully cooked)

1/2 Cup pear juice
1/2 Cup orange juice
1/2 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup honey

Preheat oven to 375 ° F.
Place ham, cut end down, in a large baking pan.
Mix pear nectar and orange juice in a bowl. Bake ham for 15 minutes basting frequently with juices.
Mix brown sugar and honey together in a small bowl. Brush mixture over ham and bake for another hour or until internal temperature reads 140 °F.

Honey Baked Ham corporation uses a butane torch to carmelize the glaze to a crust. The ham is placed on top of a huge metal drum covered with foil and carmelized. It can be done aat home by turning the ham onto its flat end on a plate. Use a torch with a medium-size flame to caramelize the sugar. Wave the torch over the sugar with rapid movement, so that the sugar bubbles and browns. Be careful not to burn the ham. Turn plate so that you can run the torch over the entire surface of the ham. Be VERY CAREFUL when using the torch.

CHEX BOLD PARTY MIX

Though it doesn't compare to the original version Bold Party Blend is one of the more popular varations on Chex Party Mix.

Chex Mix® Bold Party Blend
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons powdered white cheddar*
1 teaspoon msg (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
6 cups of a blend of Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, pretzels, mini crackers, cheese-flavored crackers, mini breadsticks

*You can use the cheddar from the package of macaroni and cheese or a cheddar popcorn seasoning.

Preheat oven to 250°F.
Melt butter or margarine and pour in roasting pan. Whisk in oil and Worcestershire sauce Stir in seasonings. Gradually mix in chex, pretzels, mini crackers etc. Stir to coat cearal-cracker-pretzel blend evenly coated.

Bake one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool mixture about 3-5 minutes. Add mix to a large zip-top bag and sprinkle in about a quarter of the powdered white cheddar into the bag, seal it, and give it a good shake. Repeat this process until powdered white cheddar has been used.

Store in air tight container.

Microwave Directions:
Melt butter or margarine in large microwavable bowl uncovered on High. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in remaining ingredients, except cheese, until evenly coated.

Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool about 3-5 minutes. Add mix to a large zip-top bag and sprinkle in about a quarter of the powdered white cheddar mixture into the bag, seal it, and give it a good shake. Repeat this process until powdered white cheddar is used.

Store in air tight container.

BEAUTY YOU CAN AFFORD!

E.L.F. COSMETICS

With lipstick or mascara costing close to $20.00 for department store lines, and about $8.00 for drug strore lines, looking good can really put a dent in your budget.

Thanks to E.L.F. or Eyes Lips Face you can get quality cosemtics at great prices. Their original line is $1.00 per item with the exception of kits, of course. They have a professional line and a mineral line both have items priced between $3.00-$5.00 an item.
$1.00 per item is not an introductory or special one time only price. $1.00 is the everyday regular price for their full sized products.
I have tried and use E.L.F products and have been very please with the products. The mineral line is as good as the pricey Infomercial brand.

At $1.00 an item, you can really have some fun.

Sign up for their newsletter to be kept updated on special offers, coupons, and free shipping offers. Get together with a friend or two and save on shipping.

E.L. F.

HOMEMADE HAND SANITIZER

I have been neglecting this blog! Things have been a little hectic latey and I have found it too easy to say "I'll get a post up tomorrow". Well we all know how that turns out.

Anyway, since cold and flu season is here and the News has been reporting stories on Swine Flu (H1N1) and providing advice on common sense ways to avoid spreading disease.

One suggestion is to use hand sanitizer. This does not replace good old fashioned hand washing. Bacteria reside in the oily layer on our flesh and good old soap and water removes that layer, bateria and all. Hand sanitizer are used with not in place of hand washing. One last note hand sanitizers use alcohol (62%) to kill bacteria only. Virus's are a different "kettle of microbials".

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Since the top bands of hand sanitizer use 62% acohol any Isopropyl Alcohol with 70%-99% will be good.

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1 cup 70%-99% Isopropyl Alcohol

1/2 cup 100% Aloe Vera Gel

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Empty 12 ounce hand sanitizer container

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Mix together alcohol, aloe gel and using a funnel pour into empty had sanitizer container.

HOMEMADE NUTELLA - CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SPREAD

This recipes looked too good to pass up. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.


From the LA TIMES comes this slightly tweaked recipe for Nutella.
The original recipe calls for Hazelnut oil. This is pricey and hard to find. If you have it on hand by all mean use it in place of the other oils suggested. Also suggested in the original article was Scharffen Burger Chocolate. If it's not in your pantry or budget, Hershey's European Dark Cocoa will work great.
Toasting the nuts really brings out their flavor, but if you prefer to skip this step it is ok. I suggest you do toast and remember to watch so you don't burn your hazelnuts.
Years ago I use to purchase a peanut-chocolate spread. You can use peanuts (regular roast, not dry roasted) in place of the hazelnuts. Purchasing roasted peanuts will save you a little time by not having to roast. Use you're favorite nut to personalize to your taste.

Hazelnut-chocolate spread (homemade Nutella)
February 11, 2009
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: Makes about 1 1/2 cups

2 cups raw hazelnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons light olive or canola oil

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread the hazelnuts evenly over a cookie sheet and roast until they darken and become aromatic, about 10 minutes. Transfer the hazelnuts to a damp towel and rub to remove the skins.

2. In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts to a smooth butter, scraping the sides as needed so they process evenly, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the cocoa, sugar, vanilla, salt and oil to the food processor and continue to process until well blended, about 1 minute. The finished spread should have the consistency of creamy peanut butter; if it is too dry, process in a little extra hazelnut oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Remove to a container, cover and refrigerate until needed. Allow the spread to come to room temperature before using, as it thickens considerably when refrigerated. It will keep for at least a week.


Each tablespoon: 109 calories; 2 grams protein; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 9 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 13 mg. sodium.

BONEFISH GRILL® CITRUS HERB VINAIGRETTE

A bottle of salad dressing can cost around $4.00. Try making this fresh at home, it will cost a lot less.

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Bonefish Grill® Citrus Herb Vinaigrette

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2/3 Cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 Cup light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

4 Teaspoons minced garlic

1 Tablespoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard

2 Teaspoons orange juice

2 Teaspoons lemon juice

2 Teaspoons minced fresh parsley

1/2 Teaspoon dried basil

1/4 Teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 Teaspoon grated orange peel
1/4 Teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 Teaspoon salt

1/8 Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients except for the oil in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Whisk well. Allow mixture to rest for 15 minutes. Slowly whisk in oil, pouring it in a steady stream and whisking continuously to make an emulsion.

Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.

Makes 1-1/4 cups.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

I have a house full of guests for the holiday weekend

so I am going to cheat a little on this post.

For your 4th of July menu I am posting a couple of links to my other blog for a few ideas for burgers and lemonade.

Some great Burger recipes

Some Lemonade ideas

(some lemonade recipes with and without alcohol)

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th.

PEPPERMINT SUGAR SCRUB

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

This is great for softening skin on elbows, feet and knees.

Be sure you do not apply this to any sensitive skin.

1 cup sugar

5-10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1/2 cup of Sweet Almond Oil

Mix together all ingredients and scrub freshly washed feet elbows and knees to smooth and soften.

CHERRY LEMON COOLER

Try serving this tasty drink from Northwest Cherry Board, at your next barbecue or picnic for a nice change from sugar laden soda.

If you use fresh lemons you will need 8-10 lemons for 1 cup of lemon juice.

Cherry Lemon Cooler
Yield:4 servings

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved and pitted
1 cup fresh lemon juice, refrigerated
Crushed ice
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda or seltzer
Northwest fresh sweet cherries with stems

Garnish

4 long stems fresh mint-optional

Combine water and sugar in small saucepan; add halved cherries. Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Strain syrup into container with tight fitting lid; discard cherries. Refrigerate syrup until cold.

Fill a tall 12 to 16-ounce glass with ice. Pour 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/3 cup syrup over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with cherries and mint. Makes 4 servings.

Tip: Leftover syrup may be stored, refrigerated, up to one week.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 140 Cal., 0 g pro., 0 g fat, 37 g carb., 0 mg chol., 1 g fiber, 28 mg sodium.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN AND POPCORN SEASONINGS

Microwave popcorn is easy and convenient but there have been some health concerns lately, including "Popcorn Workers Lung". With the convenience comes a price tag. You can make your own microwave popcorn for pennies vs the high cost of microwave popcorn found out your local retailer. It can cost between 1.99 to $3.99 a box.

With homemade you choose the ingredients, no worries about microwave popcorns artery-clogging hydrogenated oils. Use heirloom varieties, gourmet or organic popcorn if you prefer. You can sprinkle lightly with salt or add your favorite flavoring. Have fun and enjoy a snack healthy. I have listed some suggestions for different seasonings following the popcorn directions.

My popcorn cost $2.29 for 20 oz. of Jolly Time Organic. The pack of paper bags cost $1.69 for 50. Cost is approximately .30 per bag.

Some people recommend using staples to close the bag, this could cause the bag to burn when the metal staples become hot, so do not use staples.

Do not leave popcorn in microwave unattended! Adult supervision is recommended if a child attempts this recipe.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN

1/4 cup popping corn
Popcorn Salt (you can use regular salt, but the fine popcorn salt is best)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 brown paper lunch bag

Add popcorn to bag and add desired amount of salt.

Fold top of bag over to close and shake gently.

Add olive oil, fold bag and shake.

Fold the top of bag over again and make a 1/2" flap.

Crease this sharply and fold over one more time.

A sharp crease will kelp keep the popcorn in the bag when cooking.

Place the closed bag on its side (the large side) in the microwave. Pop the corn until there are 3-5 seconds between pops.Remove from microwas and open bag to cool. Add butter, and or other flavorings, fold top of bag and shake.

Some Seasoning Suggestions

Any cheese you can "shake". American, Parmesan, etc.

Taco seasoning (the powdered kind in the packages).

Chili Cheese & Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Teaspoon paprika
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Garlic and Onion

1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

or try a sprinkling little sugar after popping. The salty sweet flavor combination is interesting and a good change of taste.

HOMEMADE CLOROX ANYWHERE SPRAY

If you purchase or have the 750ml trigger spray bottles you can make approximately 3 cups of this pricey product that you'll make yourself for only pennies.

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BE SURE TO LABLE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SPRAY BOTTLE CLEARLY!!!

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Homemade Clorox Anywhere Spray

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750 ml/24 ounces trigger spray bottle

2 teaspoons bleach

24 ounces water

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Mix bleach and water in bottle.
Shake to mix.

This recipe would make approx 3 cups

MCDONALD'S ICED COFFEES-VANILLA,CHOCOLATE, CARAMEL HAZELNUT

MCDONALD'S® ICED COFFEE

McDonald's flavored iced coffees include Vanilla, Chocolate, Caramel, and Hazelnut. Use your favorite favor. If you are going to purchase flavored syrups I suggest using Monin Natural Flavored Syrups. They have loads of flavors including those listed above, use your favorite.
If you have an espresso machine use 2 shots of espresso.

This first version is closest to the way they make these drinks at McDonalds

For a 24 ounce iced coffee
Brew coffee and refrigerate to cool.
Fill cup with ice.
Add 1 ounce flavored syrup of choice to ice.
Add 1/4 cup light cream.
Fill with cold coffee to top of cup.

The Following two versions are geared more towards the home kitchen. You can use what you have on hand. If you don't have any flavored syrups on hand there is also a recipe for a vanilla syrup you can make at home.



If you use the flavored syrup DO NOT add the sugar, unless you like your drink very sweet. If you prefer using vanilla flavored syrup but don't have any on hand, I have included a recipe for a vanilla syrup.



Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 1)

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
4 to 5 teaspoons good quality Instant Coffee Granules
3 teaspoons granulated sugar* (if using vanilla extract)
2 Tablespoons Natural Vanilla Syrup*
or
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (don't use imitation vanilla)
Ice cubes

Combine cream, coffee granules and sugar (if not using flavored syrup) in 2-cup glass measure. Microwave on high power for 1 minute; stir to dissolve sugar. Add vanilla syrup or extract. Pour over ice cubes.


* If using a flavored syrup do not add sugar, unless you like your iced coffee very sweet.

Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 2)

1/4 Cup double-strength coffee
sugar to taste (up to 1/4 cup)
1 Cup cold water
2 Tablespoon Natural Vanilla Syrup
or
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 Cup heavy cream or half and half.

If adding sugar, stir sugar with hot coffee until dissolved. Add water and remaining ingredients and refrigerate until cool. Fill glass 2/3 full of ice. Pour vanilla coffee over ice.

1 serving


Vanilla Syrup

2 Cups water
1-1/2 Cups granulated sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract - please do not use imitation vanilla

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Remove from heat and cool. Store in a covered container.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Stir some homemade granola into yogurt, sprinkle on ice cream, eat as is for a snack or pour milk over granola in a bowl for a healthy, tasty breakfast cereal.
Despite all the ingredients in this recipe you will still be saving big time over the cost of breakfast cereals, which is costing $4-$5 a box.
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Homemade Granola
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup light olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon-optional
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut,almonds and cinnamon (if using)together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

SOME DEALS

With any coupon, make sure it is honored by your location.

Sign up monthly for coupons from Auntie Annes Pretzels

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This coupon is only thru March

Jamba Juice Oatmeal For A Buck