Ah, there are days like that. Steve in Baltimore

Shaun, too bad the crab cake recipe didn't turn out :-( The LA Times has a recipe this week for crab cakes too that look good, also baked rather than fried. Where do you buy your crab? I look in our grocery stores, and all they have is the imitation Krab stuff. I've noticed packaged crab at Costco, pasteurized in a plastic container. Have you (or anybody else) ever tried it? I tried a new recipe tonight that turned out well for broccoli with garlic sauce. The sauce was fabulous and I'll make it again. I also tried a new Mongolian Beef recipe which was just so-so, I won't be making it again. Just goes to show you that you can't win 'em all :-) Becky * Exported from MasterCook * Garlic Sauce Recipe By : Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon light soy sauce 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce -- or according to taste (I use 1/2 teaspoon) 1/4 teaspoon Asian sesame oil 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon vegetable or peanut oil 3 - 4 medium garlic cloves -- finely chopped (4 teaspoons - 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic) Combine the rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauces, rice wine or sherry, chili sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl, stirring to combine. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until aromatic (about 30 seconds). Quickly restir the sauce, add it into the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring. (This will take about a minute). Re-stir the cornstarch/water mixture and add it to the sauce, stirring to thicken. Use the sauce in stir-fry dishes. Source: "http://chinesefood.about.com/od/sauces/r/garlic-sauce.htm" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : Made 8-20-10 Didn't saute garlic seperately, just mixed all ingredients together and heated until thickened.

Like Duane and Michael, I'm snowed in. Well, I'm at Elery's, he HAD to work to night, since he works for a big utility company here in Michigan it was something about load and keeping the lights on and the furnaces running. I'm really glad I insisted on bringing the Jeep down, I told him that it didn't matter if there was three FEET of snow, he could get to work in the Jeep, and he did, he just called to tell me it wa a long slow drive and he'd be home in the morning. Susie, I LIKE potlucks, we just had one at the office on Wednesday. Nancy, I hope you get a break soon, and those personnel problems at the store get resolved pretty darned soon. Cathy, a hayride sounds like fun, here it would have to be a snowmobile ride! Diane, have a drink for me, will you. That kahlua one sounds good..... alexa, I can't believe they didn't call off school, if you weather is anything like mine. Melissa, bake away, it's all the more fun with a little helper. Dedtired, you sound like I did several years ago, until I gave up a lot of pieces of "Christmas carp". Now I try to keep things a lot low key, and maybe someday I'll learn to like Christmas again. It hasn't happened yet, though. Sharon, I'm sorry about your dinner party. Elery and i were supposed to take Bud and makayla and the girls to the toledo Zoo today. That got cancelled yesterday, so I'm kind of bummed too. Em, my favorite Christmas movie is "The Muppet Christmas Carol" with Michael Caine as Scrooge, LOL. Lyra/Michael, have fun with the new gal, it sounds like you could be great friends. I sure hope you do get a little break in January, give you a chance to rest up. Grace, I'm glad your boy made it home, family is what makes Christmas special. Have a safe and happy weekend, everyone. Sunday Elery's kids and grandkids will be here for dinner and Christmas gifts, so tomorrow I'm making butterflake rolls, some homemade butter pecan ice cream and some cookies decorated like snowmen. Still no pictures, my camera hasn't made it back from Ohio yet where I left it. Hopefully I'll have it by Tuesday when Bud and Makayla come to help me bake. Annie

Modified sausage apple pie 1 pound ground pork sausage 1 (15.25 ounce) can apple pie filling 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese ******Eliminate the pie crust totally! Combine sausage, apple pie filling, cheese, season with cinnamon lightly. (the hint of cinnamon just makes it) Place in a baking dish that is lightly sprayed with Pam. Then bake in oven until bubbly. ****I served it with a bow tie pasta salad. Delicious! DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and combine with apple pie filling. Transfer to pie crust and top with cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until pie crust is golden brown