Quick and Easy Beef Manhattan

Make a hearty open face sandwich for lunch or dinner in under 10 minutes.

In researching the origins, I found that this has very little to do with Manhattan and originated in Indiana in the '40's and is more and Indiana dish.  Regardless, it is still good.

I will do the breakdowns per serving and you can multiply it as needed

Ingredients:  

• 1/3 to 1/4 lb of roast beef
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of prepared mashed potatoes
• 1 jar prepared gravy (makes about 4 servings)
• 1-2 slices of bread

I started used instant mashed potatoes and made them according to the the instructions on the box.

I used sliced roast beef from the deli but leftover potroast works well also.  Put on a microwave safe plate and nuke on high for approx. 2 mins.

For the bread, use 1 to 2 slices per person as the base.  To toast or not to toast is a personal choice, I usually toast very lightly in the oven for a minute.

Open gravy and warm on medium heat on the stove.

Put 1 to 2 slices of bread or toast on a plate.

Put a large scoop of mashed potatoes on top.                         

Use a fork to put slices of roast beef on top of the bread or toast.

Ladle gravy over the top of the roast beef, then serve.

Bejeweled Mini Hair Clips

Turn dollar store mini hair clips from littly girly to glitzy glam with some paint, jewels and glue.

There are several hairstyles that I want to try where I need several small pins or clips, but the only ones that I found were the kind for little girls and in multi-colors which would clash with most of my outfits, so I decide to glam them up to make them more adult and classy looking.

Items used:

• 
  
  1 pkg. mini hair clips
  
  
  
• 
  
  Metallic acrylic paint (silver and/or gold)
  
• Small plastic Jewels (Dollar Tree, 130 for $1)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Foam Paint brush
  
  
  
• 
  
  Strong glue (I used Amazing Goop)
  
  
  

I poured paint into a plastic juice can lid and then dipped the brush in until well saturated, then opened up the clip clamp and dabbed the paint on the inside of each clip, then allowed it to dry.

After the inside was dry, I painted the tops, just dabbing them to cover, but not so much as to gum up the the spring, then allowed that to dry.

Then paint the outside of the clips and allow to dry. 

I did this three times for each clip to cover them uniformly.

I picked out the jewels that I wanted to use for each clip, then I put a dab of glue on one side then affixed the jewel to it and allowed it to dry and you are ready to rock and roll with them.

Easy Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad

A crisp, sweet salad that only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and very low in calories if artificial sweetner is used.

Thankfully we have had unseasonably warm weather where I live which left me yearning for summer, so I made I made what is traditionally more of a summer salad to brighten up lunch.

This is based on a recipe at Recipezaar:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Cucumber-Tomato-and-Onion-Salad-82461

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cucumbers
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 6 packets artifical sweetener (or 3 TBSP Sugar)
• 1/2 cup vinegar 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed  

How you chop the cucumber and onion is a matter of preference; I usually cut lengthwise half, then each half in half horizontally.
 



Chop up cucumber












Chop up onion

Open up can of diced tomatoes, drain off excess liquid (I used Fiesta Mexican, which made it have a more hot and spicy flavor, but if you have never made anything like this before, you would probably want to just try plain diced tomatoes.

Combine cucumber, onion and tomatoes in large bowl

 In a separate bowl, add 6 packets of artificial sweetener (or you can use 3 TBSP of sugar)

 Add 1/2 cup water

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)

 Add 1 tsp. of Dill

Mix water, vinegar and Dill together to make the dressing

 Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss until well coated, then refrigerate at least 2 hours (best if left to sit overnight).

Serve with at slotted spoon to drain excess liquid.

WALDORF SALAD - TRAILER PARK VERSION

This is the trailer park version of the famed salad that was served and made famous at the Waldorf Hotel in NY as it uses cheap peanuts instead of pricer walnuts and Miracle Whip and whipped topping instead of real mayonnaise.   This makes large bowl suitable for a carry in or family get together.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apples diced
• 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
• 1/4 lemon juice (or juice from 2-3 fresh lemons)
• 1 cup peanuts
• 3/4 cup Miracle Whip
• 3/4 cup Whipped Topping
• 3 TBSP Sugar

Chop apples into cubes - I used an apple corer first to remove the core, then cut the wedges into cubes.

Pour the lemon juice over the apple wedges and toss (prevents the apples from turning brown)

Dice the celery (sorry, pic for this did not turn out)

In a separate bowl, mix the whipped topping, Miracle Whip and sugar together to make the dressing.

In a large bowl combine the apples, celery and dressing mixture and stir until apples and celery are well coated, then add the peanuts and toss until well mixed.   Put in the refridgerator for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the dressing to soak in.

FRANKENBERRY BARS

This is from a food blog that I follow, Baking Bites and it is fun and easy treat to make and great for an after school snack.

 As I am participating in the Countdown to Halloween, I have posted the how-to over at my other blog.

http://uniqueunusualandinterestingart.blogspot.com/2009/10/frankenberry-bars.html

Yummy Mummy Bites

The how-to for these tasty treats is at my other blog as I am participating in the "Countdown To Halloween".  Please check it out at:
http://uniqueunusualandinterestingart.blogspot.com/2009/10/yummy-mummy-bites.html

Laced Up Chignon - As Seen on Rodarte’s Fall 2009 Runway Shows

Chignon's and buns were featured in Rodarte’s Fall 2009 Collection

http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/2009-Fall-Hair-Trends

Instead of wrapping with with thread, I used the tutorial for "Elegant Prom Hair" at Girly Do's By Jenn
http://www.girlydohairstyles.com/2009/08/elegant-prom-hair-style.html

To achieve this look you need:

• Medium to long hair
• 8-12 Small elastic bands (I used ones by Scunci)
• Comb or brush
• Bobby pins
• A friend to assist (optional) or large mirror and a smaller mirror
• Hairspray

Instead of wrapping with with thread, I used the tutorial for "Elegant Prom Hair" at Girly Do's By Jenn

http://www.girlydohairstyles.com/2009/08/elegant-prom-hair-style.html and it has step-by step pictures that are easy to follow.

You can do this on your own, but it would be much easier if you have an extra pair of hands and eyes or you will have to keep using a mirror to keep checking it to see how it looks before progressing.

1.  Brush hair back into a ponytail and secure it with elastic (I centered it in the back of my head, but you could place it anywhere you like.

2.  Separate the pony tail into two to four sections (I only separated into top and bottom strands) and secure those strands with elastic.

3.  Separate each of the sectioned pieces in half again and join it to the piece that is adjacent to it in the other sectioned off strand and secure those with a piece of elastic.  Continue with remaining pieces of sectioned hair.

4.  Tuck ends under and secure with bobby pins.

5.  Lightly spray the entire head with hairspray.

PARTICIPATING IN "COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN"

During the month of October I am going to be participating in "Countdown to Halloween" and will posting Halloween related items on my other blog.

http://uniqueunusualandinterestingart.blogspot.com/

Here is the link to "Countdown to Halloween"

http://www.countdowntohalloween.com/

Happy Halloween!