Courtney's Craft Corner - Learn to Knit

I'm launching a new section to my blog, Courtney's Craft Corner.  In these segments I'll be teaching you how to do various crafts.  This one is learning to knit.  Enjoy!

Knitted Bracelet Instructions

1. Slip Knot

2. Cast on 5 more stitches for a total of 6 stitches. 

3. Knit rows until it is long enough to fit around your wrist

4. Cast off and tie off

5. Sew the ends together with a darning needle, tie, cut extra yarn

6. Turn the stitching to the inside

Projects 2 & 3

Headband/Ear Warmer

1. Cast on 15 stitches

2. Knit until it long enough to fit around your head

3. Cast off leaving a long string of yarn. 

4. Tie off, and sew the ends together

5. Scrunch the seam and wrap the extra yarn around to form a bow.  

6. Ties end of yarn together to secure. 

Wash cloth. 

(use cotton yarn)

1. Cast on 4 stitches

2. Knit the first row. 

3. In each row after - Knit 2, add 1, then knit the rest of the row (adding 1 stitch per row) Do this until you have 38 stitches. 

4. Start decreasing with this pattern: Knit 1, combine 2, add 1, combine 2, knit rest of row

(This keeps the hole border pattern, while also decreasing a stitch each row) Continue this pattern until you are back down to 4 stitches. 

5. Cast off. 

Cranberry Dreams

The Folks at Cape Code Select challenged me to come up with some recipes using their Premium Frozen Cranberries and here is what I came up with.

Thanksgiving Pot Pie

(Recipe makes 3 individual pot pies) 

1- two crust package of pie crust

1 cup diced cooked turkey

1/2 cup Cape Code Select Premium Frozen Cranberries

2 Tbsp sugar

1 cup Country Green Beans (See recipe (here )

1 cup dry stuffing mix

1 1/2 cup Turkey Gravy 

* In a saucepan saute cranberries and sugar

*Roll out 1 pie crust and use a shape to cut 2 circles big enough to fit in the ramekins, combine scraps and roll out again to cut 1 more bottom crust for a total of 3 

*In a bowl combine turkey, cranberries, dry stuffing, green beans and gravy and mix well

*Distribute filling among ramekins

*Roll out the other crust and cut 3 circle tops

*Roll edges of each crust under and flute. 

*Brush with an egg wash. (optional: add decoration from pie crust scrapes on top)

*Bake at 350 for 30 min (If crust is not done bump temp up to 425 for 10 min or so) 

Cranberry Orange Scones with Grand Marnier Glaze

Scones:

2 cups Flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp baking powder

6 Tbsp cold butter cut into slices

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

The zest and juice of 1 orange

1 cup Cape Code Select Premium Frozen Cranberries 

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp Grand Marnier

Glaze: 

2 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

the zest and juice of 1 orange

1 Tbsp Grand Marnier

2 Tbsp heavy cream

*In a saucepan combine cranberries, 1/4 cup sugar and Grand Marnier, bring to a boil and let the liquid reduce

*In a mixer combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder

*Add the butter and mix until incorporated (into pea sized lumps)

*Add milk and cream and mix

*Add the orange juice and zest and mix

*Add cranberries and mix a final time

*Grease and flour a baking sheet and turn out dough

*Place flour on top and flatten with your hands

*Cut into 8 slices using a pizza cutter

*Bake at 400 for 22 min

*Re-slice the scones and put on wax paper to cool

*Meanwhile to make the glaze in a pot combine butter, brown sugar and orange zest and juice

*Stir until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. 

*Add Grand Marnier and Cream, allow to boil and reduce to a syrup consistency, constantly stirring to prevent burning

*Drizzle the glaze over each scone and enjoy 

Cranberry Orange Tazo Tea

*Brew some Wild Orange Tazo Tea according to the package directions

*In a pot combine 1/2 cup Cape Code Select Premium Frozen Cranberries, 1/4 cup sugar and

1 Tbsp Grand Marnier

*Boil and reduce to a paste consistency 

*Sweeten tea according to your preference

*Add 1 or 2 Tbsp Cranberry Paste

*Optional- garnish with whole cranberries and orange peel

*Optional- Spiked- add more Grand Marnier

Find out more about Cape Code Select Premium Frozen Cranberries here

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Fingerlickin' Chicken - Courtney's Hot Wings

Courtney's Hot Wings

1. fill deep fryer to max fill line with canola, vegetable or peanut oil and turn heat to 375 degree.  (Fry outside to avoid stinking up your house)
2. In a large bowl combine flour and seasoned salt
3. Add wings (40 count) and coat with flour or dredge
4. In a saucepan add 1/4 cup butter, 1 bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce and 2 Tbsp (or more) agave nectar or honey. Turn the heat to medium and stir until butter is melted and sauce is combined.  Turn heat to low to keep warm while wings are frying
5. When the oil it hot add wings (fry in shifts of 6-8 wings of similar size)
6. The wings are done when they float to the top and turn a golden brown color (anywhere from 4-7 or more min depending on size)
7. Remove wings and drain on a paper towel
8. Coat in sauce
9. Serve immediately with celery and ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

**If you don’t have a deep fryer you can fry in a pan on the stove.

Ingredients

1-2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breast

About 1 cup dry pancake mix

Seasoned salt to taste

Jarred Orange sauce

Orange zest (optional)

Rice and vegetable of your choice

Frying oil

1.     Cook the rice

2.     Fill up your fryer to the max fill line and turn on to 375 degree.

3.     Cup chicken into bite size pieces and dry thoroughly

4.     Mix pancake mix, seasoned salt and water to a soupy consistency

5.     Add chicken and stir to coat

6.     Steam your broccoli (or vegetable of your choice)

7.     When the fryer is ready drop 6-8 pieces at a time in (don’t crowd the fryer)

8.     When the pieces float to the top and turn a golden brown color

9.     Remove pieces and place on a paper towel to absorb the extra oil

10. Place chicken in a bowl and add the orange sauce

11. Add broccoli and more sauce if needed and stir

Serve immediately with rice.

Now That's a Party! - My Little Pony Party

For Themed Party planning details and Formula:  see link here

I Have boy/girl twins who both love MLP. So I wanted to make their party as gender neutral as I could.  I got several ideas from Pinterest and I made up several of my own.

My Little Pony Party

The Formula

Step 1. My Little Pony Theme

Step 2. Small group of my twins Friends and Parents

Step 3. The Framework
We had the party at our house

I used a Facebook event for the Invitation

Step 4. The Inner workings

We had a great time! An absolutely fabulous was to celebrate a 4th birthday!

Now that's a Party!

To see all pictures and ideas click here

Pasta La Vista, Baby! Mac-n-cheese 3 ways

Who doesn't love Mac-n-cheese?  This is a great recipe that is smooth and creamy, with variations.  Sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

Creamy Classic

1. In a saucepan over medium heat melt 1/2 stick of butter. 

2. Add 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese and stir until melted and gooey

3. Add 1 can of condensed cheddar cheese soup, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 tsp dry mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper.

4. Stir until creamy smooth and set aside

** This makes 2 small 8x8 pans or 1 large 9x13 (I freezes well, so you can save the other half for later)

5. Prepare your favorite pasta to al dente and place in you baking dish

6. Pour on the cheese mixture and stir well

7. Crush some cracker crumbs and sprinkle over the top, drizzle with melted butter 

8. Bake at 350 for 30 min. 

BBQ Chicken

1. Using a smoked whole chicken: remove skin, remove meat from bones and chop up. 

2. Place the meat in a bowl mix with your favorite BBQ sauce

3. Stir into the creamy classic recipe, top with cracker crumbs and butter and bake 

Seafood Medley

1. Prepare you seafood of choice (I used lobster tail and canned crab meat, but you could use shrimp or scallops or whatever you like)

2. In the cheese mixture I used gouda cheese instead of cheddar but that is optional

3. Mix together, top with cracker crumbs and butter and bake. 

Kids in the Kitchen: Baking

This is another video I did for Twiniversity Magazine.  The original article can be found at the link below. 

http://www.twiniversity.com/2015/07/kids-in-the-kitchen-baking-video-demo/

My kids have grown quite a bit since I made this video! 

I have great memories growing up being in the kitchen with my mom. I love to share that time with my kids as well. Being a former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, I know the importance of teaching your kids to know their way around the kitchen. There are many skills that can be learned from cooking, such as reading, math skills, science principles, and so much more. Spending time with your kids is the best part, but there are also educational opportunities if you look for them. 

Russian Tea Cookies

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup shortening, ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar
2. Add 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp almond extract and mix
3. Sift in 1 ¾ cup flour, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp baking powder and mix
4. Add ½ cup chopped pecans and mix again
5. Roll a small amount of dough into a ball and place a chocolate kiss in the middle. Form the dough around the kiss and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 9-12 min in a 350 degree oven
7. Let cool completely, then roll in powdered sugar

S’mores Cookie Bars

1. Cream ½ cup of softened butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar
2. Add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix
3. Sift in 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt and mix
4. Crush a package of graham crackers into crumbs and add ¾ cup to the bowl and mix
5. Take ½ of the dough and flatten into the bottom of a greased 8×8 baking dish
6. Break apart 4 Hershey chocolate bars and place over the dough
7. Place a layer of marshmallows over the chocolate
8. Spread out some of the remaining graham cracker crumbs and roll out the remainder of the dough. Carefully place it on top of the marshmallows.
9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 mins or until lightly brown. Let cool and cut into bars.

Sugar Cookie Pizza

1. Bake refrigerated sugar cookie dough according to the package instructions (or make your own)
2. Mix together 1 package of softened cream cheese and 1 container of marshmallow cream and spread over your cookies like frosting
3. Dice up a variety of fruits (bananas, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, mandarin oranges, etc.) and decorate your cookie pizzas with them