Monday and Tuesday entries

Well, once again I've got a project going on here at the house and, as usual, the one thing that gets pushed to the side is my journal.  Sorry folks.  But last week Meijer had a deal that I just couldn't pass up.  They had Dutch Boy paint on sale for $8 a gallon (satin finish). 

I saw that and was like "Woohooooo!"  Actually I was looking more for my sister (-in-law), Cathy.  Since they just moved into their new house and I knew she wanted to do some painting I was scanning the sale flyers for her.  But Ray and I have talked about painting the living room, which runs into the hall, which runs into the entry way...well, if I am going to paint the living room it means I have to do those areas and the dining room too.  LOL 

Anyway, we've been talking about doing it since we moved in....SIX years ago.  At the price it was kind of hard to pass up on the paint.  I bought 3 gallons (that was just 24 dollars! YEA!) and thought that would be enough (there are a lot of windows and doorways) but nothing has been done to these walls in almost 30 years and they just seem to be soaking up the paint.  So I'll probably have to get at least another gallon, if not two.

Anyway, I (once again) apologize for not getting my regular entries posted.  I'll start with the Monday recipe (I'll even throw 2 of them at ya) and then do todays Tuesday cleaning tip.  When I get done painting I'll try to remember to take some pictures of my little project and post them.

This first one I got when I saw an internet address on a bottle of Wishbone dressing, www.salad-lover.com, go to the link if you want to check for some more recipes.  But this sounds like a real complete dinner salad recipe...okay, okay...if ya got a man in the house...ya might want to throw an extra steak on the grill, lol.

BEEFY STEAK HOUSE SALAD 1-1/2 cups Wish-Bone ® Italian Dressing 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 boneless beef top sirloin steak, 1 inch thick (about 1 lb.) 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 small loaf Italian bread, (about 10 oz.) 10 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves

1. For marinade, blend 1 cup Wish-Bone ® Italian Dressing, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons cheese, 4 cloves garlic and Worcestershire sauce; set aside. Cut steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. In medium, shallow nonaluminum baking dish or plastic bag, pour 1/3 cup marinade over steak and red pepper; turn to coat. Cover, or close bag, and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes. Reserve remaining marinade.   2. Meanwhile, cut bread lengthwise into quarters, then cut each quarter into 1-1/2-inch pieces. On four 11-inch metal skewers, evenly thread bread cubes; set aside.   3. For dressing, blend remaining 1/2 cup Dressing, 2 tablespoons cheese and 1 clove garlic; set aside.   4. Remove steak and red pepper from marinade, discarding marinade. On 4 metal skewers, alternately thread steak and red pepper. Grill, turning occasionally and brushing frequently with 1/3 cup reserved marinade, 8 to 10 minutes or until steak is medium rare to medium doneness.   5. Meanwhile, generously brush bread with remaining reserved marinade. Grill bread kabobs, turning occasionally, 4 minutes or until golden brown and toasted. To serve, toss lettuce with dressing; arrange on serving plates or platter. Top with steak, red pepper and bread. Garnish, if desired, with additional Parmesan cheese.

Serves: 4 Preparation Time: 20 Minute(s) Marinate Time: 30 Minute(s) Cook Time: 8 Minute(s)

Now let's give you a recipe for a yummy, not too naughty, cheesecake and we're all set for dinner!

Citrus Cheesecake
Serves: 12
Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)

INGREDIENTS
Crust Ingredients
fat free cooking spray
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Filling Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 8-oz. packages nonfat cream cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup 1% milk
1/3 cup nonfat sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
1 teaspoon lime peel, grated
1 teaspoon orange peel, grated
3 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 300º F.

2. Prepare the crust: Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix crumbs, brown sugar and butter then firmly press mixture into bottom and 2 inches up the sides of the pan.

3. Prepare the filling: In a large sized mixing bowl, combine sugar and flour then add vanilla, cream cheese, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Add milk, sour cream, citrus juices and peels and beat until smooth.

4. In a separate mixing bowl, using clean and dry beaters, beat egg whites at room temperature at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg white mixture with cream cheese mixture.

5. Pour into prepared crust and bake at 300º F for 1 hour or until set. Remove from oven and let completely cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

6. Sprinkle with grated lemon, lime and orange zest before serving (optional.)

NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 177
Fat: 4.2 g
Carbohydrates: 26.3 g
Protein: 8.6 g

And finally...today's regular Tuesday entry, a little household cleaning tip.

                      

A cleaning tip, or two, that you may find useful.  As I say on my Web page, these are tips that have been emailed to me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I have not tried all of them and do NOT guarantee their effectiveness.  If you do try one and it works, or if you have another one that works for you, please let me know.

Lipstick: Use petroleum jelly for removing lipstick stains. Another possibility is to rub in a little vegetable shortening and then launder as normal.

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs!