Nahm Tok

2 lbs boneless beef steak marinated, grilled, then cut into thin bite size slices

1/3 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup fish sauce

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 to 1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon coarsely ground dried Thai chillies

1 tablespoons finely chopped shallots

3 green onions, thinly sliced crosswise

A handful of fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

1 – 2 tablespoons roasted rice powder

Sticky rice

Steak Marinade (per pound of steak)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce

2 teaspoons sugar

Mix ingredients in shallow bowl or ziplock bag and marinate steak, turning as needed, for 1 to 3 hours before grilling.

Roasted Rice Powder

2 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice

Roast in skillet over medium high heat until lightly browned.  Crush Thai style with mortar and prestle or in food processor or spice grinder (should be very coarse, not a fine powder by any means)

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a gentle boil over medium high heat.  Add the grilled and sliced beef and stir to warm.  Remove from heat.  Add the fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, chili flakes, shallots, green onions, cilantro, and rice powder.  Mix well.  Serve on a deep serving plate.  Eat with sticky rice.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Serves 4 to 6.

If you are unsure of the chili spice, try 1/4 tsp at first and gradually increase  to taste.  ENJOY!

I have recently come across this book “Hip Knit Hats”, by Cathy Carron.  This book has 40 great designs, every one a wonderful, fun, not-to-difficult project.  The felted hats caught my eye.  Knit on large needles, with bulky yarn, simple pattern.  Throw in the top loader washing machine with hot water, and a couple cycles later, WHA-LA a hat felted, warm and funky!  Embellish with large felted flowers.  Wear it and brighten up any dark winter day!  While your at it start knitting hats for next Christmas, get a jump on the holiday rush!

The book has instructions for felting, but if you have a front loading machine, just heat up some water, to hot, not boiling, pour in a clean bucket, add a few drops of dish soap and stir with a wooden spoon, agitating until the fibers felt together.  Rinse, form and let dry, really quite simple.  There are several videos on You-Tube if you have any questions.

I love this book, give it a try!

<a href=”https://www.yogafit.com”>Yoga</a>

BRUSCHETTA

6 Tomatoes, chopped
1/2 Cup Basil leaves, chopped
1 – 2 cloves garlic, minced
dash Olive Oil

Mix all ingredients let sit for 5 min to blend flavors, serve on crackers, french bread or toast rounds. TASTY!!!

 Mix with fork:

4 cups apples

2 eggs over apples

2cups sugar

Then Add:

1 cup chopped nuts

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Stir, then sift

3/4 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups flour

Stir all ingredients together with a fork.  Bake in glass 9 x 12 pan at 325 for 1 hour.  Better double this recipe, it dissapears in a hurry!

This pattern came from the book reviewed in an earlier post, “Blankets, Hats, and Booties to Knit and Crochet”, by Kristin Spurkland.  This is an older book, but I love the patterns, and with a few changes in the colors of the yarns, old patterns look new.  This project was crocheted in DK light cotton, a really fun project while you sit!!!  If you are interested in cotton yarns, e-mail me, I can get beautiful yarns for a great price.

Well, summer is coming, perhaps you won’t be knitting, or crocheting for a few months, unless you break your leg!

I love being a mother, it is a sometimes thankless job, full of frustration and hard work, but when you find that you can make a difference and know you are loved, that is when this motherhood work is priceless.  I am happy to be a mother,  I wish all you moms out there a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

If you are looking for a good inexpensive book of ideas and patterns give this book a try, and stay tuned, when I finish my project I will post the image and you can judge for yourself.

Happy knitting!

OATMEAL BREAD

2 1/2 C. boiling water                                                                 2T. salt
2 C. Oatmeal                                                                                  3/4 C. Veg Oil
2 T. yeast                                                                                        4 eggs beaten
1 C. lukewarm water                                                                  2 C. wheat flour
1 C. honey                                                                                     White flour

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Pour boiling water over oatmeal and cool to lukewarm. Beat together with remaining ingredients, except white flour. Work in enough white flour to make dough workable, not sticky. Knead well. Grease top of dough and let rise. Punch down and let rise again. Shape into loaves. Let rise. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 min., then 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes more. Makes approx. 6 loaves.

Then came the children, I didn’t want to put them in a day care because of all the germs, so, I bought my Jane Fonda workout video and worked out in my living room during nap time. I even bought the leotard and leg warmers!

Then came Jazzercise, the kids were older and could go to the nursery. I found I loved working out to music.

The evolution of my workout routine has a lot to do with my life and what works. For the last 12 years I have been going to Step Aerobics class at the local YMCA. Recently I got my certification and began teaching Step Aerobic and Cardio classes. With a few toning classes as well. I am 54 years old, I am not the typical body type for a fitness instructor, however I am fit. Another new chapter in my fitness life. The point of me telling you all this is that fitness should be a lifetime pursuit. The goal is a healthy body and lifestyle. Whatever your age, you can benefit in many ways. I can keep up with and even pass up my now grown children!

Just to remind you to pay attention to your fitness and health.

Ann