Caramel Apple Upside down cake

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Upside down cake

This cake is sweet and moist. My version is gluten free and dairy free.

Ingredients

Topping

1/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 14oz can of fried apples

Cake

1 1/3 cups gluten free baking mix
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup almond milk

Whipped Cream

1 cup coconut cream

2. tablespoons powdered sugar

Steps

1 Heat oven to 325°F. Spray bottom and sides of 8- or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.

2 In 1-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup margarine over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling; remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Pour into pan; spread evenly. Arrange apple wedges over brown sugar mixture, overlapping tightly.

3 In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and the salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup vegetable oil with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with almond milk, beating after each addition until smooth. Spread batter over apple wedges in brown sugar mixture.

4 Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat coconut cream on high speed until it begins to thicken. Gradually add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form.

5 Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Remove pan. Serve warm cake with whipped cream. Store cake loosely covered.

Now the real work begins

My beloved has returned from the rehab hospital, and already we had our first learning experience. Getting him into the house.

That was an exhausting chore. After I finish this post, I will be shopping for ramps. the problem wasn’t getting out of the car, it was up two small steps and over a tall threshold. He finally just sat down and scooted his way in. I then had to call the neighbor to get him from floor to couch. so glad that part is over.

Lunch was easy, cream of mushroom soup and some chocolate milk. Then some TV time and a nap.

His home care agency will contact me late today so they can come to see him tomorrow.  The other neighbor will be helping me put up a transfer pole in the bathroom. It is so good to have nice neighbors.

My next challenge will be to get him changed. You see his still very weak on the right side. He can’t stand or walk well yet. Yet,  I have hope that one day he will with the help of home health and Youtube.

I am also grateful that in our modern age, I can get just about anything delivered. With this virus stuff, I am not taking him out anyway. Not until our quarantine is up. Which in my state is April 30th.  That still gives me time to work on those biscuits.

A Week of Solitude

Well, some self-imposed, and some not. Restaurants closed, libraries closed, limited grocery store hours… The list goes on and on.

What’s left? The endless drone of politicians, day time talk shows, and the internet. So glad there is still the internet.  Some can still work, write, look at museum art, … dream.

At least if I am not going to the store every day I can save some money… right?  But I can’t go visit my partner either. He is still in lockdown rehab. The administrators tell me no visitors indefinitely, No visitors until there is a vaccine or a cure. My understanding is that is 12 to 18 months away. Oh, Lord. My poor man is going stir crazy. From his room to meals to therapy and back to his room. He’s bored and lonely. Brakes my heart.

A caregiver with no one to care for… Don’t get me wrong this is not a rant about feeling sorry for myself. In a way, this is time for me to meditate and get some perspective. because once is his home life will be crazy.

I have also been trying to think of ways to make some cash.  Open to all ideas that aren’t spammy, or criminal. Also, I need to stay here, at home. I am thinking of putting some writing skills to work. I just have to get up the courage to apply on Upwork, or Problogger. I am sure the competition will be great, but if I keep writing keep practicing, I will get there.

Hey, I tried to make biscuits this morning,  They looked a little strange when I took them out of the oven, Then I realized I didn’t add enough baking powder. They smell good anyway. I’ll share recipes and images when I get it right. Lots of time to practice.

 

 

Now What?

It’s been almost week since the Rehab hospital went on lock down along with the other nursing homes and the like. I having been able to see him which is nerve racking for me, and lonely for him.

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I worry about the lack of visits will hinder his progress and morale. There is still some short term memory issues. he is getting better with Duo. We can at least see each other that way, but hugs are medicine too.

I wonder with the panic of this virus what that’s going to do for the job market, I mean there is no doubt that once I get him home, that I will have to work from home. He can’t be unsupervised 9 to 10 hours a day, While I’m on the job and commuting back and forth.

Remember 911 when all the news outlets were showing the planes slam into the World Trade Center 24 /7? Being laid off, and not being able to go out reminds me of that time. My poor grandfather was a shut in then because of of polio, I went to visit that fall after they lifted the travel ban, I swear the poor man had PTSD. Is that what is next for us?

Worse case senario, they lift the restrictions soon and we can get back to figuring out “normal”again, If not, I wonder what will happe to the the elections, and will we under Marshall law? I hope that is just some paranoia talking.

Anyway the new normal is waiting, Waiting to see me my stroke patient, waiting to see how to take care of him at home. Wondering how I can generate some income. … And wondering if our social and political life will ever the the same.

that way.

A New Normal

Every year had good days and bad days. Every day has good moments and bad moments. It depends on what was said or done and perspective .

Last year I had two very bad days. The day I wad told my job was ending and the day my partner couldn’t get off the floor because he had a stroke. Somehow the first event didn’t seem so bad. A person can always get another job.

The new reality

Jobs are replaceable, the people in in your life are not. They are unique and some are more precious than others. Today it has been 4 months sine the stroke.

He is in rehabilitation. What’s called a skilled nursing facility. The feed him bath him and give him physical and speech therapy every day.

Every stroke survivor heals at a different rate. There is no one set of examples how the brain heals, but the sooner rehab starts after a stroke, the more likely the person will make a good recovery if not come back 80 to 100%.

There are other factors as well. The age and health of the person, a 60 year old will most likely have a better rate of recovery than a 90 year old. But you can’t count them out if they are capable of doing the work.

I’d like to think he’ll come home soon, but then the real work will begin for me, as well as finding new sources of income.

Welcome to my new reality.

Stuffed Zucchini

1 pound ground beef

2 1/2 cups cooked rice

1 can tomato sauce

1 can tomatoes with garlic and olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

2 large zucchini

Gluten Free Gnocchi

Gluten Free Gnocchi

Once upon a time in Santa Rosa, CA at my one of my favorite little eatery’s, (Mary’s Pizza), I discovered something so tasty, so good…. I had to order it everywhere just to geta comparison. And of course I had to order it in Tuscany too.

If you don’t know gnocchi is a small dumpling. My favorite is made with potato and Parmesan cheese.   Mary’s by the way is also where i discovered celery and black pepper in the sauce.

Well, these days dairy and wheat flour really shouldn’t be in my pantry, so I am testing the gluten free version today.   I use regular russet potatoes, although I think Yukon would also make good gnocchi. It would be creamier I think.

4 russet potatoes about 1 1 2/pound

d 2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour

1/4 cup Dairy free Parmesan cheese, made from cashew nuts (see minimalist baker blog)

An egg, (for a vegan version use 1/4 cup canned chickpea water.

1 tsp. Sea salt

1/2 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Pepper

2 tsp of a good Italian seasonings blend.

1/4 cup virgin olive oil

The baked part kind of reminds me of duchess potatoes. Traditional gnocchi is boiled after the dumplings are formed.  If you think it’s time consuming, don’t worry, ‘it’s not.

Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut into pieces and add to a large pot of boiling water. Cook until tender, and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients including the “cheese”.

When the potatoes are cool enough to work with, mash and add the olive oil.   Mix into the flour mixture. Use your hands. To knead in the bowl until all the flour  has pulled away from the bowl. Continue kneading for another 5 minutes.

Halve the dough in have. You can wrap the second piece in foil and freeze for another time.  Make 1/2 inch dough balls. Use a fork to decorate, if you like.  Spray a lined baking dish with a little oil or cooking spray.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Flip and bake another five. They should be golden brown.  Serve with your favorite sauce, or add to soup.

 

Ten Years Later. …

Woo Yoo! This blog has been live for 10 years. OK, not active this whole time, but live. it only took a few minutes to recover and change the password. Great and we are back!

As i look back on my old posts from then, I noticed that my attitude and desires really haven’t changed that much, just the vehicle has a slight redesign. Still want my independence, still want to travel, and away to express my thoughts, maybe find a like minded community online. So no, not a lot has changed. I maybe a little wiser now, as I’ve seen another part of the country and had a chance o meet some new people, work in a new environment and culture. I guess though, i still can’t stand “drama” in some, and I would love to change that attitude of some of some of the people i talk to every day, bit that’s maybe a lost cause.

So what’s changed? More people are using WordPress , bit i still have a small following on my Blogger site, “Kimberlyscookingblog”, but that has many years of posts, and promotion behind it. And i want to rewrite many of the posts gluten free anyway.

So what will be here in this space Poetry, recipes, my personal thoughts, and recommendations, and spell craft.

So, all that being said, …

For that last few years I hav wanting to create the ultimate cookie. We all love cookies right? Well I am getting closer, with what I call “the Everything Cookie” the everything cookie has oatmeal, peanut bitter, raisins, chocolate chips, and coconut.

Start with

1 cup butter

2eggs

1/3 cup smoothie peanut butter

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 cup raisins

1 cup oatmeal

2 cups all purpose flour (can be gluten free)*

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup shredded coconut.

Start by soaking the raisins in hot water. Let them soak while putting the other ingredients together.

The Raven

Dark beauty moves and swirls in the mist

In her world time does not exist

She dances with ribbons three

While all chant so mote it be

All around the drummers beat

The dancers part and merrily meet.

Dark beauty rises with wings unfurled.

Rising higher she climbs fingers uncurled

Streaming behind her feathers three

While all chant so mote it be

She cries her call for all to hear

Ashes to ashes the dead draw near

Her dark gold eyes pierce the night

She soars and circles in flight

She circles the mists in spirals three

While all chant so mote it be

Transitions

Transitions can be tough. A transition is when you’re in between the past and the present. When your in between there can be moments of doubt and insecurity.

You can be easy to get distracted waiting for a new thing to come to fruition.

It’s said that when one door closes another opens. The hallway between can get confusing and full of doubt.

You think you know where you’re going, and you know you don’t want to go back to where you came. Sometimes you can’t. You’ve got to move forward.

But the little voice inside your head is screaming. Why? Because you are no longer in your comfort zone, and change can be scary.

It’s part of life, and we all face it at some time or another. To paraphrase an old quote if you’re not moving towards something, you are sliding backwards. So the trick is to get comfortable with discomfort. Yes, easier said then done. This is when you have to tell yourself small steps are ok.

In life we are either moving toward pleasure or away from pain. Once you understand your motivation, it’s easier to move.

Why did you want to to change? One scenario is because staying where you are has become unbearable. So in the scenario, you want to move away from what ever is unbearable, right?

And now we are in that hallway of the transition. The trick is not to be afraid, but to embrace the joy and excitement of moving toward something new.

OK, how? Keep focused on your “prize”. Do one small thing each day that will move you toward that goal. Maybe keep a journal of your progress or make a dream board if you are a more visual person. The point is to keep it in front of you.

If you are still afraid, talk to someone. Share your dream, wish, goal. Tell them how you want to make your life better.

Not everyone will understand, but it is not about them. This is yours.

If you would like to understand more about the transitions happening in your life, contact me, and we can talk about it.

Kimberly