Tips for Using Coffee Filters

My favorite iced tea blend is Apricot Lavender!

We're not big coffee drinkers here, but I do keep a supply of coffee filters for:




1.  Covering my food in the microwave.  I feel   it's safer than using plastic wrap.
2.  Steeping loose-leaf tea to make a big pitcher of iced tea.
3.  On the bottom of popsicles, ice cream bars, etc., to catch drips.
4.  Using one in my strainer to make it extra fine.
5.  Protecting china dishes.
6.  As a buffer between skillets and other cookware.

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Tips, Tutorials and Tidbits
Mix It Up Monday

Clip the filter shut with a plastic clip.

Cream Biscuits

In honor of our 42nd anniversary, I used a plate that my late Great Aunt Kitty gave to me.  This one was actually painted by her teacher.

These excellent biscuits, courtesy of James Beard, are wonderfully easy because you don't have to cut in any butter for the heavy cream takes the place of the fat.  I love this recipe, also, because you don't have to roll them  out...they're just patted to form a square or a circle.   Ditch that box of prepared biscuit mix and whip up a batch of these and serve with your favorite jam with a cup of tea.  Or in my hubby's case, it's biscuits with sausage and gravy!

Ingredients

	2	cups flour
	1	tsp. sugar
	1	tsp. kosher salt
	1	Tbsp. baking powder
	1 to 1½	cup heavy cream
	1	Tbsp. butter, melted

 

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl, stirring with a fork to blend. Slowly add the cream, stirring constantly, until the dough holds together.
2. Knead gently on a lightly floured surface for about 1 minute. Pat the dough into a ½-inch thick round and cut into 12 wedges, or squares.   Arrange the biscuits 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet and brush the tops with the melted butter.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Serve warm.

My aunt did paint this pretty cup with forget-me-knots.

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Mix It Up Monday!
On the Menu Monday                                                                
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage
Your Cozy Home Party
Cowgirl Up!
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
Table Top Tuesday
The Bunny Hop
Let's Dish!
Tablescape Thursday
Full Plate Thursday
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck
Seasonal Sundays

Patriotic Ravioli with Light Alfredo Sauce

For my 4th of July table, I used my basket of geraniums, with Cody, a Brass Button Bear.

I made this Big Star quilt table topper.

I used one of my favorite sets of dishes, Brentwood, by Adams, which are English Ironstone, insulated red tumblers from Wal Mart and ruby red King's Crown wine glasses, bought off ebay several years ago. The star tealight holders are from Wal Mart and the red flatware is by Cambridge, from Homegoods.

Pitcher is from a good friend and it is from  Marshall, TX.

I saw this fun ravioli at Costco recently and had to buy it.  It is so colorful and really delicious.  I wanted to make a light alfredo sauce to complement it.  Here's the recipe that I put together, after reading several on the internet. 

Ravioli of your choice, cooked according to package directions

Sauce:

1 can evaporated skim milk
1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2-3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/8 t. pepper
1/8 t. garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

Gradually combine milk and flour; stir in broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until hot. Blend in cheese, pepper and garlic powder.

Serve over ravioli or other pasta.

Happy 4th everyone!!

I am sharing this with:

Mix It Up Monday!
On the Menu Monday
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
The Bunny Hop
Let's Dish!
Full Plate Thursday
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck
Seasonal Sundays