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Shaking while Baking

Tips, tricks and easy recipes to keep you entertaining

by Patti Hager (pattinky)

Well, it’s been a while since we’ve enjoyed an issue of Virtuality.  I’m glad to see that Carol (pwnkle) and Peg (tnpeg) are reviving it.  Now I just need to get myself into gear so I can contribute something this issue.

Most people who know me know that I like to entertain.  I love preparing wonderful dishes whether they be a new appetizer, a delicious main course or an extravagant dessert.  There’s nothing like watching your friends and family enjoy the feast you’ve prepared for them.

Of course this can cause a lot of stress and we all know what stress does to a Parkie.  I’ve been there many times.  So I try to find ways to reduces the stress so I can continue to entertain.

One of the biggest stress builders for me is cleaning the house.  It never fails that I’m totally off when I go to do the cleaning for an event at the house.  I begin to panic thinking it’s not going to get done.  This panic causes more stress causing a vicious circle.   Here are a few ideas to get you that needed help to tidy up the house:

1)       For birthdays, anniversaries and other gift giving events, instead of getting another blouse, bottle of perfume, small appliance, etcetera, ask for a certificate from the gift giver entitling you to X amount of hours of help or specific tasks that will be done.

2)       My nieces and nephews have to do service hours and because of my disability, when they clean my house it counts towards those hours.  They enjoy doing their hours for me because they are comfortable with my Parkinson’s where they may not be with others.

3)       Exchange services.  My sister is always having trouble with her computer.  Instead of her taking it in for service I take care of the problem and she cleans an equal amount of time for me.

4)       See if you can get a cleaning service to just take care of the most visible things.

5)       If you do the cleaning yourself break it down in small parcels.   Each day devote 2 hours to cleaning and take care of 1 or 2 small areas.

Hopefully one of these will get your house ready with the least amount of stress for you.

Okay your house is ready, now what to serve.

Start with a Simple Salad

You can buy your greens already prepared in a bag.  Add any extras that you like (croutons, olives, etc.) and dress with a bottle  dressing.

Next serve a quick an easy lasagna dish.

                        INGREDIENTS – serves 6 to 8

                                    1 to 2 lbs of ground beef

                                    42 oz of plain pasta sauce

                                    1 tbs Italian seasoning spice

                                    3 cloves of garlic, minced  (I buy the minced garlic in a jar) Use more or less garlic according to your taste

                                    1 pkg lasagna noodles

                                    16 oz small curd cottage cheese

                                    18 oz sliced mozzarella cheese

                                    8 oz  shredded parmesan cheese

Sauté ground beef until brown in a large skillet or pan.  Mix in pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and garlic.  Simmer 2 – 3 minutes.   Layer 1 ¼  cups of meat sauce, lasagna, noodles, 2/3 cups cottage cheese, mozzarella slices to cover  (6 slices)  and ¼ cup  parmesan cheese in a 13x9 inch microwave safe baking dish.    Repeat 2 more layers in that same order.  Top with remaining  sauce .  Cover with well with plastic wrap.  Microwave on high for 15 min.   Remove plastic wrap and arrange 6 slices of  mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese over mozzarella.   Cover with plastic wrap and heat until the  noodles are tender.  Uncover carefully and let stand about 10 – 15 minutes before serving.  Serve with garlic bread. 

For Dessert let’s WOW them with Tiramisu

                        INGREDIENTS – serves 6

                                    12 tps plus 2 tbs of Kahlua or any coffee liquor

                                    18 soft ladyfingers

                                    1 container mascarpone cheese at room temperature

                                    1 tbs of granulated sugar

                                    12 oz of refrigerated prepared vanilla pudding

                                    6 tbs of a frozen nondairy whipped topping

                                    Cocoa powder

Line 6 glass one-cup custard cups with plastic wrap. Spoon 2 tsp coffee liquor in each cup.  Soak 3 ladyfingers in each cup turning to coat each side.  Arrange ladyfingers around insides of cup and set aside.  Wisk together mascarpone, sugar, and remaining 2 tbs of coffee liquor until smooth.  Whisk in pudding.  Divide between cups. Cover tightly and refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.  Uncover cups and invert on plate.  Remove plastic wrap.  Top with frozen whipped toping and dust with  cocoa powder just before serving.

ENJOY!

If you would like to share any of your tips, tricks or easy recipes please e-mail them to me at patti@eos.net