Never boring

When I married Brent, he promised that our life would never be boring. Wow has he kept that promise! We are almost to the end of our two week vacation with Daniel and Ashely in China. (If you didn't know that they were living in Xiamin, China you need to read their blog at http://www.danielandashely-thisisus.blogspot.com/ . That's where all the pictures are.)

We've been in China, Thailand and are finishing up in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Having lived through friends going to the Vietnam War I never thought I'd be vacationing in Cambodia. It is amazing. Flooded from the 2 typhoons that went through earlier, but amazing. We will be visiting Ankor Wat tomorrow. Yesterday we were playing on the beach in Thailand and dodging rain storms.

Here's a toast to Brent for keeping life interesting and never boring!
Nedra

Pina Colada Salad

3 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
2 large cans mandarin oranges, well drained
1 large can pineapple tidbits, well drained
1/2 red onion diced
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled and cubed
toasted coconut, optional
Toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl or layer on a platter. Serve with Pina Colada Vinaigrette Dressing.

Pina Colada Vinaigrette Dressing
1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup Mr. & Mrs. T's Pina Colada Drink Mix
1/3 cup rice vinegar (or use apple cider vinegar for a stronger taste.)
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp dry mustard
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

In a blender combine all ingredients except the oil. Blend well until light and frothy. With the blender still on, slowly add oil in a steady stream. Keep blending until the dressing is emulsified and thickened.

Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

• 1 & 1/2 packages (12 ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or ½ tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp nutmeg and/or cloves)
• ¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gradually mix in the pumpkin. Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice until smooth and well blended. Chill until serving. Great with sliced apples or gingersnaps.

Tye Dye

Hey everyone,

I just got the dye information from Jonathan. So you can get the dye that he used at the reunion at http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3796-AA.shtml?lnav=dyes.html
Hope you are having a great summer.

Hamburger Jerky

Ingredients:
1 lb. Extra Lean Hamburger
2 t. Brown sugar
1 T. Liquid smoke
½ t. Garlic Salt
¼ t. Cayene Pepper
½ t. Seasoning Salt
½ t. Accent
½ t. Maple flavoring
1T. Tender Quick (this is the curing process so don’t leave it out, you can find it in the store by the salt). It is made by Morton.
Directions:
1. Mix together by hand. Do not over mix (the jerky will be brittle and fall apart if you do) .
2. Dehydrate until done. Time will vary depending on dehydrator and how much you make. Just note that it continues to dry some after you take it out of the dehydrator. When I make it I usually do about 5 pounds of meat and it takes most of the day to dry or if I put it in at night it will be done it the morning. (about 8 hours)
3. Anything can be altered depending on your taste. I have add more brown sugar for more of a teriyaki flavor or if you like it hoter add more cayene pepper.

This recipe orginated with Marla. We have really enjoyed it. Thanks Marla!

Secret Sauce for Salmon

We went to the Garland Salmon Fry (although it was really grilled salmon) last weekend. They have the best sauce for the salmon. Here's the recipe. It makes a ton, but stores in the fridge.

Butter Sauce
1 pound butter
4 TBSP Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce
8 TBSP Real Lemon Juice
2 chopped green onions
Pepper and Parsley Flakes to taste

Cook over Low Heat, DO NOT BOIL. Baste the salmon just before serving.
As Daniel said "Who knew fish could taste this good? Pass me more of the sauce."

Ashley Allen's Chicken Cacciatore

This is a recipe that Ashley and I really like. We like it over rice.

Sauce:

2 Cups of Water

1 16 oz Can of Tomato sauce

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce

2 TB Ketchup

1 small chopped onion

1 TSP. Vinegar

2 TB Heinz 57

Chicken:

8-10 chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into pieces

1 Cup of Flour

1 TSP salt

A little olive oil

Mix sauce together in a medium size mixing bowl.

Mix salt with flour and place in a large zip lock bag. Place chicken in bag and toss to coat.

Brown the chicken in a pan in olive oil.

Place the chicken in a 9x13 pan and pour the sauce on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour or 325 for 2.