Ice Cream Sandwiches where Homemade Ice Cream meets Brownie meets Roasted Soda Crackers meets Angora Ridge

Last year when I was in the throes of looking for perfect homemade ice cream recipes, I found a couple of recipes for Ice Cream Sandwiches that I thought would be fun to make. Well, time moves along, and next thing I knew it was this summer. Then there was the wedding and now we are remodeling a mid-century modern home. After the wedding we decided to take a few days (in my case more than a few days) relaxing in Lake Tahoe. I was able to pull out some of my summertime recipes that I had saved on Pinterest. I ran across a very unusual ice cream sandwich recipe by The Baking Bird. It’s called Saltine Brownie & Bourbon Ice Cream Sandwiches. I like recipes that sound unique and use surprising ingredients. This recipe had several things that I thought were unique to an ice cream sandwich recipe…roasted saltine crackers, brownies and bourbon ice cream that is not made in the ice cream maker.

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July 16, 2013July 17, 2013

Karen Schmautz8 Comments

Low and Slow Pork Ribs or Saran Wrap Isn’t just for Weight Loss Anymore

Tender ribs with Broccoli Salad and red wine

So, it’s back to this…perfecting pork ribs. Yes!Chef! loved the last batch of ribs that he made, but he came across a technique that really intrigued him, so he had to try it. I’m always a willing guinea pig when it comes to most of his food and I will photograph anything he decides to cook.

Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel — Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel

Ha! Just kidding. They don’t have enough meat on their tiny little bones.

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July 13, 2013July 13, 2013

Karen Schmautz10 Comments

Mexican Sweet Mini Pepper Poppers (Say that three times fast?)…Toy boat, toy boat, toy boat…

We are excited to celebrate the Super Bowl this weekend because

1. Finally my NINERS have made it back to the bowl!!!

And, 2. some friends of ours have asked us to come down to their beautiful home in Sacramento and spend the weekend (pictures to follow.)

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January 30, 2013January 31, 2013

Karen Schmautz13 Comments

Orange Macadamia Cream Cheese Bread or That Name is Too long!

Orange Macadamina Cream Cheese Bread with Orange Syrup — Orange Macadamia Cream Cheese Bread with Orange Syrup

Well, here we are again. Blogging twice in one week has to be a record. But while we were at Lake Tahoe and a little cooped up because of the snow, I decided to make a sweet bread. It wasn’t particularly cold (40’s during the day), and we were able to get out every day and take Obie T. Dogg for a walk around the block, but we couldn’t really walk around the forest or go to some of our other favorite haunts, because there was just too much snow and some of the roads are closed during the winter. Plus, it was a three day weekend in a ski resort, so there were people everywhere!

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January 25, 2013January 25, 2013

Karen Schmautz7 Comments

Crock Pot Picadillo and a Cold Winter Day

Picadillo: ( “mince”) is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries and the Philippines (where it is known as giniling, and also Arroz a la Cubana) that is similar to hash. It is made with ground beef, tomatoes (tomato sauce may be used as a substitute), and other ingredients that vary by region. It is often served with rice or used as a filling in dishes such as tacos, savoury pastries or croquettes. The name comes from the Spanish word “picar,” which means “to mince” or “to chop”.

Well, now that we’ve cleared that little matter up…

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January 22, 2013January 25, 2013

Karen Schmautz14 Comments

“Fry” Day Pickles and Snow Days

20121028-_MG_9444-Editweb — Fried Pickles with Yogurt, Dill, Sriracha dipping sauce

Well, another couple of weeks have gone by and where was I? Oh yes! I was snowed in with a friend of mine for a couple of days, so no pics of Yes!Chef! making tasty things last week.

Every year a group of 7 ladies that I have known for years visit me at my cabin in Tahoe for a weekend retreat. We have been doing this for the last 9 years. Last year they came in the beginning of October. Some years they have visited in July or August. This year, they waited until almost the last weekend in October. The weather in Tahoe is always iffy in October and true to form, the first few days were balmy and beautiful. It chilled down in the evening, but daytime was wonderful.

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