Crab/Clam Dip with Cream of Mushroom Soup

A few days ago I blogged about the Ranch Dip from Costco and mentioned that it reminded me of a dip that I used to make a looooong time ago.  cs commented and asked if I would provide the recipe, so here it is.  Maybe I'll actually make it again and can provide you with a photo . . . but don't hold your breath.   

It doesn't say so in the recipe, but I'm pretty sure you need to drain the can well because the dip was pretty thick.  I never did add anything more to make it fancy, but it was my go-to pot-luck dip, and people would usually ask for the recipe. 

Note:   Pal Fay asked if it needs to be cooked.  The answer is no, you just mix everything together.

 

Message to Belarus

 

Ranch Dip from Costco

Wendell and Landon looooove this dip from Costco.  It's around $10.50 for a 3-pack.

I tried it with a Frito.  I didn't dare eat more than the one chip.  It had a familiar taste . . . like a clam dip that I used to make waaaay back in the day that had Cream of Mushroom soup, mayo and cream cheese in it. 

Dd's Pork Chops

Dry brine:  Salt, black pepper, garlic salt.  Let sit in fridge 2 hours. 

Dredge in flour. Sear in HOT sillet with 1 TB butter and 1 tsp olive oil 3 minutes, flip over.  Sear 3 minutes. Turn off heat.

Allow to sit 5 minutes. 

Heroes

 

Cutting Onions Tip

I accidentally made a discovery the other day.  I was chopping an onion, my least favorite task, and dreading the impending tears.  Except the tears didn't come.  

I soon realized that the fan I had blowing on some frozen meat to the side of the cutting board was probably blowing away the noxious fumes. I was so happy and excited, and wanting to test out this phenomenon, that I ended up mincing and mincing and mincing that onion into tiny, itty bitty pieces.  Ho!!

Looks like Alton Brown already knew this.

I love this Vornado fan.  It has soft "blades" and folds up, and is small enough that I can tuck it away in a cupboard above the sink.  I bought it a long time ago at the swap meet for $3!

You should get one.

Mochi Gadget

Here's another $1 swap meet buy.  I tried it out the other day.

This says "1 minute".

This is around half power on my microwave oven.

The directions say to put just one mochi and fill with water (I think).

There's a line that shows the water level.

After zapping for 1 minute, you drain out the water.

I ate it with a shoyu/sugar sauce.  I liked how it turned out.  It didn't have the crunch you get when you fry it in oil, but it was good.  Plus, it's really fast to make and cleanup is easy.  I'd do it this way again next time I'm craving mochi.

Maybe you can find the gadget at Marukai.  Or just use the same method with a microwave bowl that you already have.  That way you don't have to find someplace to store the thing.  🤪

JOBY Gorilla Tripod

I got this at the swap meet for $1.  I was thinking that I could use it with my phone to film videos.  Never mind that I hardly shoot videos anymore.  It was just $1.  

Okay so, to get my $1 worth,  I shot this video.

Thai Green Curry

This shocked me that it came out so ono.

No. 1  It was really easy to make and  . . . 

No. 2  I made it using this kit that I got from Ross.  And it was only $3.49!!

This is what came in the kit.

I added 2 chicken thighs (sliced), a potato (microwaved and diced) and a can of canned tomatoes (drained).  I also added 1 tablespoon of fish sauce.

It was so yummy on top of jasmine rice. 

Swap Meet Stuff

These are my scores from this past weekend.

Boiled peanuts ($5).  Wendell loves these.  They're on the crunchier side and not real wet.

Igloo chiller ($1).  Good to give away cucumber kim chee in even though we already have choke chillers per Landon.

Small bread/cake (2/$6).  Yummy.  This vendor also has good cookies.  She's in row 12C.

Mochi cooking thing ($1).  For heating in the microwave.  You add water and drain (????).  I still haven't tried it yet.

Book (50 cents).  The plan is to use the cover to make a watercolor sketch book.

Whole thing for $5.  I like the seller.  Soft-spoken guy.  I bought a Kipling bag for $4 from him before.  Gave the bag to co-shopper Cathy who loves it.

Instant coffee ($6)

Whole thing for $6.  Try look at the regular price for the McCall's pattern.  $17.95!!!  Since when did patterns get so expensive!

Gold ribbon ($1).  I need this like I need a hole in the head . . . but Christmas is coming soon.

Okay, okay . . . hear me out.   Long story, kinda short . . . for some reason I ended up talking story with a seller.  I found out that he had lost his fiancé over a year ago, and that he had become reclusive ever since.  It was his first time selling at the swap meet, but he planned to return.

He mentioned that he was gonna visit his daughter in Vegas soon so I gave him a couple of my Ukrainian charms to give to her.  I wanted to support him by buying something so I picked up the tweezers to look at.  He said that I could have it.  So that's how I scored the tick removal tweezers. 

Dog Catches Bus by Herself

Wendell said that he saw this on Facebook.  I watched it twice, it's so cute. 

Pork Strips from Sam's

 Packaging looks familiar, yah.  It's the same company that makes lup cheong. 

It looked so interesting to me.

Wendell made it for after softball game pupus.  He followed the instructions and steamed it for 15 minutes.  Both Wendell and Landon were disappointed with the taste and texture.  I didn't even try.  

Wendell's Beef Broccoli

I really, really liked this Beef Broccoli.  It might've been the best Beef Broccoli I've ever eaten.  For real.  I think it was the brown sugar that appealed to my palate.

The recipe is from the Natasha's Kitchen site.  Wendell used left-over steak and added onions, mushrooms and green bell pepper which were not called for in the recipe.

Beef and Broccoli Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, very thinly sliced into bite-sized strips
• 2 Tbsp olive oil, (or vegetable oil), divided
• 1 lb broccoli, (cut into 6 cups of florets)
• 2 tsp sesame seeds, optional garnish

Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (loosely packed)
• 2 tsp garlic, grated (from 3 cloves)
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce, (or GF Tamari)
• 3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 
  
• Instructions

  1. Prep: Start cooking white rice first so it's ready when the stir fry is done. Cover and freeze steak 30 minutes for easier slicing.

  2. Combine all stir fry sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well to dissolve the sugar, and set aside.

  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp oil.  Add broccoli florets and sauté 4-5 minutes, partially covered with lid, stirring or tossing several times until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender then remove from pan. Tip: If you prefer softer broccoli, add 2 Tbsp water before covering with the lid and it will steam cook the broccoli.
  4. Increase heat to high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Add beef in a single layer and sauté 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through. Quickly pull out a piece to test for doneness.
  5. Add the sauce, reduce heat to medium/low and simmer 3-4 minutes. It will thicken. Add broccoli and stir to combine. Stir in 1-2 Tbsp water to thin the sauce if desired. Serve over white rice.
     
     

A Soldier

 

Gross?

I'm curious.  Does this gross you out?  

Dunno why but it grosses me out even though I know it's just chia seeds on a sponge.