This is an easy recipe that also allows you to make use of those crumbs that accumulate in the bottom of the taco chip bags! (My husband really loves taco chips, so maybe we end up with more crumbs than your average household. . .)
1 pound hamburger
1 small onion chopped
taco seasoning or chili seasoning
1 cup sliced black olives
2 cups crushed taco chips
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup of warm water
1 package of dry yeast (or 2 teaspoons bulk yeast)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup dry oatmeal
Cook hamburger, add onions and add taco seasoning or chili seasoning to taste. Add olives and sour cream. Heat well.
Crust: Dissolve yeast in warm water, add remaining ingredients and roll out to fit a large pie pan.
Sprinkle one cup of crushed taco chips over the crust. Add meat mixture. Put remaining taco chips on top of the meat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the chips.
Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Note: If you would rather not use taco seasoning or chili seasoning (due to problems with acid reflux or heartburn), I have used catsup in the recipe. My husband and I laugh about it because in one of those "you know you live in Wisconsin if" things, one of the items is, "you know you live in Wisconsin if you think catsup is just a little too spicy." Norwegians don't seem to care much for really spicy food. My husband is not of Norwegian descent, but I am . . .
Often times when someone hears about worm farming for the first time they think about how it could easily generate revenue with little effort. Perhaps the thought of having a personal supply of nutrient-rich soil for the garden or flower beds sounds appealing. Either way, it's important to know how to set up a proper worm farm your specific reasons.
To understand how to set up a worm farm, the benefits worms provide must first be established. Worm farming provides nutrient-rich soil yielding a higher growth rate for vegetables, flowers and other plants. A natural technique for composting with worms is beneficial to the environment as it helps eliminate the overfilling of landfills. Some worm farms are established for the purpose of providing live bait to fishermen, exotic pet owners, and even aquarium fish owners.
With the purpose of the worm farm in mind, the set up can begin. Worm bins are readily available for purchase on the Internet. Various sizes, shapes, and colors add to the selection. Current large-scale worm farmers will often sell small setups for a comparable price.
Other than purchasing a unit online or through a commercial worm farmer, setups can be made at home out of a number of household items. Plastic tubs or large wooden boxes can be altered and provide a perfect home for these working worms.
Multiple layers are needed to provide a space for the liquid at the bottom. The liquid will run off the soil above and can be drained via a tap or hole at the bottom of the container. Within the upper layer of soil, the worms can move about towards the material to be composted.
The numerous models that can be purchased are also available for indoor use for those with limited or no outdoor space. Worm bins can typically be stacked for adding more worms later on.
Appropriate bedding will need to be provided for the worms to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Peat moss or coconut fiber containing a small amount of compost material is well accepted. Bedding should always be moist for worms. Many prepackaged worm bins come complete with bedding and set up instructions.
Location of the bin is important as well. Worms are unable to tolerate extremes in temperature. A location where the temperature can be controlled between 72 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or choosing a fully insulated system, will help keep the worms healthy and happy. The level of moisture within the bin can be affected by location too.
When a unit is chosen and prepared, the worms will need to be added to start the farm. Various worms are readily available. Red Wigglers are the best choice for composting farms while European Night Crawlers are best for live bait.
When worms are purchased, they typically come with acclimation instructions. An important step is to be sure the bedding and unit are fully prepared before the worms arrive for placement within the farm.
Feeding the worms is the fun part. They can consume any number of items to be used as compost including fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, paper products, cotton rags, soaked cardboard boxes, leaves, dirt, and hair. Items should be cut down to manageable sizes. Fruits should be sliced into strips for easier consumption by the worms.
Provide a layer of items to be consumed on the top layer of the soil. To avoid overfeeding, only add more food when most of the previously fed food has been eaten.
Worm castings can be found in the bottom layer of the soil. This natural fertilizer can be added directly to flower beds and gardens. A liquid fertilizer can be made by adding water to castings for plants and flowers that prefer to be fed directly at the roots.
Worm farming is relatively low maintenance. If the habitat is less than desirable, the worms will often simply crawl away in search of better living conditions. Keeping the temperature constant, moisture at an appropriate level and food readily available will help ensure a healthy and happy supply of working worms.
It is said that the acquisition of knowledge on any subject that you are interested in only increases your appreciation for it. This can easily be said about the finest of scotches as well.
There seems to be a trend building with aficionados flocking the rolling countrysides in Scotland just to sneak a sample of the gold they seek. As one must experience to appreciate, it appears that this is a task for the strong-willed in this subject.
One could imagine many trips booked from abroad flocking Scotland’s coastlines in search of the malt that has only been heard of and not been tasted. This is not merely just a trend, to the Scotch enthusiast, it is rather a mission. To be experienced in the fine subtleties of these malts and blended scotch whiskeys is to many a dream. Some could not even imagine the soft roll that many of these great spirits have to offer to the tongue.
Spending time with true connoisseurs of scotch and single malts gives you valuable insight as to what to look for in a full-bodied fine scotch. They have made it a life ambition to seek out and test what the worlds finest has to offer. Many of these great spirits, of course, are not easily obtainable some run very steep in price and are on the wish list of some of the great testers of fine scotch everywhere. Generally, they have first dibs, as the company will wait in anticipation for a vote of confidence and endorsement.
So too are the batches that are still maturing that so many people are waiting for with absolute excitement. Given the time it takes for some of these blends to reach an acceptable maturity where it will be appreciated it is only natural that many testers keep close tabs on the process and look for hints of up and coming blends that can be comparable.
As many professional testers will state, the best of the best still and most likely will always come from Scotland as they have mastered this art with a precision and dedication second to none. Testers will admit when they have stumbled on a gem from another country but honestly, have not found that diamond in the rough all that many times.
So instead they give honest and professional opinions to the public, the benders, and distillers themselves, taking into account how harsh possible poor media coverage can be.
Metal garden furniture has come a long way from the days of the woven seats and backs. Aluminum and wrought iron garden furniture have a new look. You don't have to buy those flimsy lawn chairs and loungers that you grew up with anymore. Metal garden furniture has taken on a look of dignity and beauty. The aluminum line of the metal garden furniture is more enduring than it was in the past.
The braided aluminum line has a polished quality that the aluminum line of the metal garden furniture was lacking. The aluminum line of the metal garden furniture is sturdy and durable while retaining its lightweight quality. It is easily moved around. This metal garden furniture is not required to be stationary in one location. This allows you flexibility when planning a backyard affair. You may need to add room for additional seating or clear a floor area to accommodate dancing.
The colors of the cushions and the frame will beautify the décor of your patio, garden or lawn. There are pieces of metal garden furniture available in the aluminum line that will meet your every need such as the conversation sets, the dining sets, additional chairs, and tables, as well as hammocks and swings. The aluminum frames are rust proof making them weather resistant. There is little to no care required to maintain the dignified beauty and cleaning is as simple as spraying the furniture with a hose. The aluminum line of the metal garden furniture is a wonderful asset to any patio or backyard.
As with the aluminum line, the wrought iron and steel lines of the metal garden furniture have a look of dignity and grace. They differ from the aluminum line by their weight. The wrought iron and steel lines of metal garden furniture are made of a denser metal than the aluminum line adding to the look of sturdy durability. The flexibility of mobility is not an option with this furniture, but you have the comfort of security. The frames of the iron and steel lines of the metal garden furniture are mostly black, but the selection of colors for the cushions will add the polish to this graceful style of metal garden furniture. The array of piece and sets available in these lines of metal garden furniture is not lacking. Allowing you to furnish your patio, garden or backyard to its full potential.
There are the conversation sets, dining set, add-on chairs and tables, bars with chairs, and benches. Maintenance for the wrought iron and steel metal garden furniture is minimal. As always check with your retailers for any specific care or maintenance required to maintain the polish beauty of your furniture. Umbrellas are available to add to your sets to protect you and your guests for the heat of the afternoon sun. Wrought iron and steel metal garden furniture will be a timeless treasure that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come. It is available at your local home improvement stores, department stores, and discount department stores.
Amuse-bouche is becoming the hottest trend in foods and entertaining. If you enjoy offering your guests interesting fare that always gets raves you should consider learning about the seduction of amuse-bouche.
WHAT IS AMUSE-BOUCHE?
The word amuse-bouche is a French expression, literally translated "mouth-amuser". And no wonder - amuse-bouche are snappy, single bite creations which combine intense taste sensations in an artistic form.
Amuse-bouche is different from your typical hors-d'oeuvres. It is most often offered when guests are seated at the table. Amuse-bouche not only offers guests something to taste while waiting for the dinner but also sets the 'flavor' of the evening. The amuse-bouche should compliment the dinner as well as give guests a sample of the quality of the meal to come.
WHAT CAN I MAKE FOR AMUSE-BOUCHE?
Amuse-bouche concentrates on flavor; often combining simple, intense flavors alongside rich, multi-faceted ones. The focus is on savoring and appreciating the full flavor of a single bite; much as you savor the intensity of a shot rather than having a full cup.
The amuse-bouche can be a combination of bite-size, single ingredient bites arranged artfully on a plate or a combination of flavors offered as one serving on a Chinese spoon. You may also choose a rich, flavorful soup (such as vichyssoise) presented in a shot glass along with a spoon.
The key to a good amuse-bouche is quality ingredients. Whether you're offering simple mandarin slices alongside a savory salmon mousse or a skewered shrimp with a complex marinade, you will want to use the highest quality and most decadent ingredients you can obtain.
PRESENTATION
Second only to quality ingredients and full flavor is a presentation. Amuse-bouche follows the French tradition of artistic presentation. Find amuse-bouche ideas online and take note of the visual presentation. While not complex, the resulting impression is one of style and attention to details. Garnish sparingly and preferably use a simple white plate for optimum presence.
If you are so inclined you may wish to entertain your guests with a variety of amuse-bouche at an evening gathering rather than simply a prelude to a sit-down dinner.
You may also choose to complement your amuse-bouche with a well-chosen wine. Some recipes will indicate a suitable wine or you can base your selection on the dominating flavor of the amuse-bouche.
There are several fine recipe books to guide you as you begin exploring the pleasures of amuse-bouche, but let your creative spirit shine as you take inspiration from the simple pleasures of flavor and entertaining and create your own unique 'mouth-amusers' for your guests.
After the landscaping of your garden, patio or lawn area is completed; you will want to start thinking about garden furniture which means you will be making a trip to your favorite home improvement store or large department store to see what is available. Garden furniture compliments the atmosphere and décor of the garden, patio or lawn setting of your backyard. The different of garden furniture you have to choose from will appeal to men and women alike. The garden furniture of today is built for comfort and durability, as well as fashion and style.
You certainly want to match the garden furniture with the décor of your garden. Garden furniture will compliment the landscape of your backyard by turning your favorite backyard area into an outdoor dining room with a bar, or into a conversation pit that lends itself to stimulating as well as intimate conversations in front of a small roaring fire. Choosing garden furniture is like choosing living room furniture and /or dining room furniture for your home. Your proposed use of this area will directly impact the decision of the garden furniture you choose. You may want to furnish an area with a living room setting for reading and relaxing or visiting with guests. You may want to have a formal dining area for outdoor dinner parties or for those large family cookouts. A large enough area would allow you to do both. You will want to ensure that you and all of your guests are comfortable without overcrowding your garden or patio area.
Garden furniture is made of an array of materials, such as teak, wicker, different metals, and wood. It can be elegant and comfortable. That is why it is very important that you put a good deal of thought and consideration into your purchase. You will want to consider the care that would go into your garden furniture. Different materials require different types of care to maintain the look that you want to achieve. All of the materials used in the making of garden furniture are made to withstand the elements of the outdoors. Since you will want to keep them ever ready for your next get together with family and friends, the maintenance and care required for maintaining the condition of your garden furniture are very important. Your garden furniture will be a very important asset to your home and you will want the look of your garden furniture to last for years to come.
You will want to consider the comfort of yourself and your guest when choosing your garden furniture. Cushioned chairs, love seats, sofas, bench seats, swivel or slide rocking chairs, and loungers are just a few of the choices you will have to pick from. Garden furniture also has sofas, love seats, settees, and bench seats, with and without backs, to choose from. The small side tables will offer you and your guest a place to put your drinks and snack while giving you a spot to place a plant. Garden furniture comes in a wide variety of colors ensuring that you will be able to find the perfect color to add just the right amount of splash to your garden area. You can purchase garden furniture as a collection or just pick the matching pieces you need to accommodate your space.
For your outdoor gatherings with dinner or lunch on the agenda, you will want to choose your garden furniture for the types of gathering you will be planning. There are tables large enough to seat several people for dining purposes. The round tables will seat four to six comfortably; whereas the oblong with pull up chairs will seat ten to twelve comfortably for a more formal dining setting. If you plan formal or informal adult entertaining you may need an outside bar to accommodate your guests. You will find you will have several styles to choose from along with bar stools to complement the bar.
Although there are several types of wine that you buy, one of the most unheard of is ice wine. Icewine is a very rare form of wine, a wine that is produced under certain types of weather conditions. Icewine is mainly produced in the Pacific Northwest region, where the weather conditions are right for the wine http://www.autofreeinsuranceonlinequote.org
As ironic as it is, ice wine is produced in very small quantities. With the wine requiring only the fines of quality and a lack of availability, the product is extremely rare indeed. Truth be told, there are only a lucky few who are actually able to purchase the wine. Icewine, due to the scarce amount, can be extremely expensive and out of the price range for a majority of us.
Much like the beauty of owning a diamond, ice wine is something that many of us hope and dream to experience at some point in our lives. Although the materials are rare, the weather conditions are even more crucial to producing this wine. Once the right weather conditions arrive, the winemaker prepares to produce this extremely rare and priceless wine.
The basic requirements needed to produce ice wine are fully ripened grapes and a temperature of around 5 degrees C. The temperature needs to stay that way for several days so that the winemaker can complete the process of making the wine. Grapes that are frozen during these extremely cold temperatures are hand plucked at night by the winemaker and his assistants.
To produce a bottle of ice wine, full vine grapes may be required. Once the grapes have been collected, they are gently pressed, in order to collect the running juice only. The temperature creates the frozen water crystals, which are fermented along with sugars and the particles that are found in the free running juices. Through this process, the wonderful and rare ice wine is created.
If you have been looking to try ice wine, finding it may be very difficult. As you probably already know, most alcohol and wine stores don’t sell this rare wine. Finding it online is very hard to do as well unless you catch it at the right time. Even then, if you are able to find it, it can easily cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single bottle.
The best way to experience ice wine is to find the right winemaker in the Pacific Northwest region. Even though bottles go extremely fast once they have been made, you may be able to catch a winemaker with some on hand. Be prepared to spend a hefty amount though. Although it can cost a lot and be extremely hard to find - the taste of ice wine makes it well worth the effort.
