Joon Appetit ~ Easy Coconut Custard Pie

Sometimes Running Out of Energy Comes in Handy.

When I read this recipe
I wondered if something
this simple could turn out
delicious.

But you will not have
that doubt and neither
will I
anymore.

I'm sure none of you have ever said
something like this before:
I've had this coconut in my freezer since last summer.

It just happens.
It's a mystery.

Fast forward to last week.
I made homemade crust early in the day.
By late afternoon I was not inclined
to stand over the stove making custard.

Then, this recipe on the coconut package caught my eye.
It was a sign.
I was hesitant, but tired
and, frankly, my dear,
determined to have pie for dessert.

It is delightful, rich, creamy
and unbelievably easy.

Be sure to let me know
how yours turns out.

ox
joon

Thanks again to Scout
for her photos of
our lovely pie.

Joon Appetit ~ Red Pepper Jam Tutorial

Lovely Red Pepper Jam ~ a True Treat

It's That Time of Year for Beautiful Red Peppers

Red Pepper Jam is so easy and rewarding.
Here we go...
Chop: 4-6 red peppers.
We used 4 here because ours were quite large.
Scout, who I would like to credit with and thank for all of the photography for this post, hand chopped these peppers. You can use your food processor or mini chopper, of course. We just don't have either at this time.

Sprinkle on & stir in 1 TBSP. salt
Let sit at least 3 hours.
More is fine, too.

Drain well.
We line our strainer with a piece of cheesecloth.
It is not necessary if your strainer has finer holes.

You can see the value of this step.

In a heavy, medium saucepan PLACE:
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar

ADD & STIR IN: your chopped, drained peppers

Heat to boiling.
Reduce heat.
Simmer on a low simmer, uncovered, for about one hour.

{Scout just wanted to include this photo.
She likes it. She thinks it's fun.
That covered pan in this shot is another pan.}

Ladle your jam into recycled jelly jars if you like.

{The kind that make you smile.}
You can store it in any refrigerator container.
It lasts for a LONG time.
I have no idea how long.
Ours is always gone in days.

Isn't it pretty?

This Jam makes a fabulous gift.
We always include a package of
Kraft Cream Cheese & a roll of Ritz Crackers.

Pure Heaven on a plate.


Please come back and let me know how your jam
brightened your day.

Until next time...

ox
joon

And Thanks Again to Scout for her photography and help.

Something Out of Nothing ... BookMark

Charlie Brown & Woodstock Think Cool

I made this out of a bank statement insert & a vintage illustration from one of the Charlie Brown Super Books of Questions & Answers. Do you remember those? They are so great. I love that our bank ~ local is the only way to go ~ is named FROST in Texas. Of course, I am partial to snowflakes, but that's another story. :) Since you can only see but a glimpse of the snowflake symbol, click HERE to view it in full.
And, seriously, look at their pretty insert.

From one sweltering friend to another...

I made this for my friend in Sierra Vista AZ this summer. Now she has moved. Maybe this will remind her of what she left behind and won't miss. Or perhaps warm her up come January in Colorado.

Until next time...

ox
joon

~~~~~~~~ Joon Appetit ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ Lemon Sour Cream Muffins ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ A Tutorial ~~~~~~~~

* So easy & delicious you'll make them often *

* the usual suspects *
* round up these simple ingredients *

* In a medium bowl MIX thoroughly *

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

{and yes, in fact, these muffins do defy gravity}

* MELT: 1/2 cup unsalted butter *

PREHEAT OVEN: 350*

{I turn it on warm first. This is how I melt the butter.}

* In a bowl that makes you smile BEAT with a fork: 2 eggs *

* Nicely done *

* You can light up a room with a dollop *

ADD:
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup + 2 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
lemon zest {to your taste}

* Lovely, isn't it? *

* MAKE A WELL in the center of your dry ingredients *

* ADD: The lemony mix & your melted butter *

* GENTLY STIR: Your butter & lemony mix about a little *
It's fun.
Really.

Alternatively
You can mix them together in your
bowl that makes you smile
prior to pouring into your floury well.

But I can't guarantee the fun level.

* LIGHTLY MIX: Your wet & dry ingredients together *
{Don't over mix now. Look at that fluffy batter.}

*LINE: 12-16 muffin cups with
your Wall*E paper liners *

OK. Use your plain pastels.
But it's not going to be the same
and I know you know that.

* How pretty are these muffins? *

* BAKE: about 18-20 minutes *

* You can add a lemon glaze if you like. *
{I did not here. But Evan did later.}

*** These freeze beautifully ***

Please come back and let me know how you liked these.
{and the tutorial}

until next time...

ox
joon

Upcycled PlaceMats ~ Personal History Theme

Jon Cody's Placemat ~ Close Up Views

I recently created these two placemats for the newlyweds. I based the design on some vintage
placemats we own and love. Everything about these has a memory connection including the fact that Jon Cody & Val have dined on ours many times and now that we live so far apart I wanted them to have a copycat version. I hope they'll enjoy thousands of happy meals with them and remember the good times and meals we shared together.

Val's Placemat ~ Close Up View

States Where They Have Lived
Are The Center Double Square
Jon Cody {above}
Colorado.Virginia.Oregon. New Hampshire.

Val grew up in New Hampshire
in the Upper Valley Area
which encompasses a section of Vermont,
which is, fortuitously, on this piece.
She & Jon Cody met there
in 10th grade. They've
been together ever since
and their current home, Massachusetts,
joins Vermont on Val's mat.

All of the squares were chosen for a reason, too. For example, the kitty pieces are scraps from the handmade mitts I made for them last year. They had just gotten their first kitty, Mr. Boo Radley. Notice that Jon Cody's kitty is manly. Val's has hearts. :) The pale aqua neon lizard squares were incorporated because they were once part of Jon Cody's favorite shorts when he was a wee spud.

All of the fabrics are leftover
from other projects and are 100% cotton.
I had a lot of fun making these prototypes.
I am going to make some extras for us next.

Hope you enjoyed the post.
Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time...

ox
joon

Joon Appetit ~ Curried Pineapple Rice

Try My Simply Special Rice Dish. It's Lovely.

Mix This Sauce & Set Aside:

1 1/2 cups homemade chicken stock
14 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
2 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP fresh lime juice
1 TBSP curry powder
1/2 t. salt {more or less to taste}
1 t. grated lime peel


1 1/2 cups long grain white rice {Mahatma Jasmine}
1 TBSP finely minced fresh ginger
3 TBSP unsalted butter

1/2 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
2-3 sliced green onions
1 1/2 cups diced pineapple

1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds

Place a heavy 3 quart saucepan over medium high heat.
Melt the butter.
Add the ginger and saute until the butter sizzles,
then add the rice.
Stir the rice until coated with the butter
and saute for about 5 minutes.

Add the raisins, pepper, green onion and sauce.
Bring to a low boil, stirring, then cover,
reduce the heat to a low setting and simmer
until all liquid is absorbed,
about 20 minutes.

Add the pineapple and almonds.
Serve at once.


This is fabulous left over, both warm and cold. For vegetarian version, simply substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock. May use fresh or canned pineapple. We used Dole canned. Either way, be sure it is drained well.

Please come back and let me know how you liked it.

ox
joon