Foothammer

Foothammer http://foothammer.multiply.com/ In the movie 'Payback', starring Mel Gibson, there is a scene where Mel is being persuaded to give information on the whereabouts of Johnny, Mr. Fairfax's prostitute enamoured son, with the authority of a hammer designed specifically for feet. I hope you enjoy your stay. In the blog will be miscellaneous thoughts, recipes, and whatever. In the calendar will be events I have, with descriptions if I have any, and after-the-fact impressions or re-caps. To read recipes only, go into my blog section, and clic on a tag that says 'recipe', and all the recipes will be displayed. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:47:27 -0000 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:36:18 -0000 Foothammer http://multiply.com/mu/foothammer/logo http://foothammer.multiply.com/ 100 100 Recipe: Pizza Dough http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/84/Recipe_Pizza_Dough 1 cup warm water 1 pack active dry yeast 2 1/2 - 3 cups flour 2 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt Combine water, yeast, 1 1/2 cups flour in a large bowl.  Add oil, salt, and gradually add the remaining flour.  Knead until it holds its shape - about 5 minutes.  Transfer the dough back to the bowl, and let rest for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.  Divide dough into two-plus parts in balls.  Let rest, covered for 15 minutes.  Roll it out. (Place toppings as desired on top) Bake at 500F for 20 - 25 minutes.   http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/84/Recipe_Pizza_Dough Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:36:18 -0000 Recipe: Golden Flax Bread http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Recipe_Golden_Flax_Bread Golden Flax Bread 3/4 cups water 2 Tbsp butter (can be replaced with 6 Tbsp milled flax and 2 Tbsp water) 3 Tbsp molasses 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp milled flax seed 2 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 Tbsp powdered milk 1 1/2 tsp yeast Knead together for 5 - 10 minutes.  Let rise for 45 - 60 minutes.  Punch down.  Put into greased baking pan.  Let rest for 30 minutes.  Place in oven @ 375F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.   http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Recipe_Golden_Flax_Bread Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:32:44 -0000 Recipe: Bosnia Bread http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/82/Recipe_Bosnia_Bread Bosnia Bread This is a recipe my friend TB learned while volunteering at Jubilee Place, which works with refugees.  It's simple and easy to make. 8 cups flour 1 tbsp salt 1/2 tbsp yeast 4 - 4 1/2 cups warm water Mix ingredients with one hand (I don't know if this is necissary, but it's fun).  Cover for 3 - 8 hours with warm wet cloth.  Grease 2 pans lightly.  Stir down dough (don't punch), and scrape into the pans.  Let the dough rest in the loaf pans for 20 - 30 minutes.  Put the pans into a COLD oven.  Turn the oven to 500F for 15 minutes, then turn down to 300F, and bake for an additional 45 minutes.  This bread has a great crispy crust, and a light and fluffy inside.  Substitute up to half the flour with whole wheat flour. http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/82/Recipe_Bosnia_Bread Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:29:45 -0000 Recipe: Koulourakia (Sesame Cookies) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Recipe_Koulourakia_Sesame_Cookies Koulourakia (Sesame Cookies) Good to freeze in airtight container. 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp vanilla 3 eggs 5 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup sesame seeds Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Beat the eggs, reserving 1 Tbsp for glazing the cookies later and add the remainder to the butter mixture, beating well.  Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mix to form a soft dough.  Knead a little with hands (if it's sticky, place in refridgerator for an hour - do NOT add more flour).  Scatter some sesame seeds lightly onto your working surface.  Shape pieces of dough into thick pencil shapes and roll through sesame seeds to coat them.  Double over the rolled dough and twist, forming into rings, figure eights, or coils.  Place on a greased baking sheet and glaze with reserved egg, beaten with some milk.  Bake for 15-20 minutes @ 375F, or until gold... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Recipe_Koulourakia_Sesame_Cookies Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:22:16 -0000 Recipe: Briami (Veggie Casserole) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/80/Recipe_Briami_Veggie_Casserole Briami (Veggie Casserole) 1 kg zucchini (or 1 lb zucchini and 1 lb eggplant) 1 lbs potatoes 2 green capsicums 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 cups chopped, peeled tomatos 1/2 tsp sugar 2 onions, sliced salt, pepper 2 tbsp parsley 2 tsp dill or fennel 1/2 cup olive oil Feta Cheese Directions: Cut zucchini, eggplant, potatos into 1cm thick slices.  Remove seeds and white membrane from capsicums and slice.  Mix garlic, tomatoes and sugar.  Oil an oven dish and arrange some onion on the base.  Add a layer of veggies and top with the tomato mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.  Repeat until all the ingredients are used.  Top with feta cheese.  Cover and cook @ 350F for 1 1/2 hours, removing the cover for the last 15 minutes.  Garnish with parsley or fennel.  Serve on its own or as a side dish to roast beef.   http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/80/Recipe_Briami_Veggie_Casserole Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:29:19 -0000 Recipe: Spinach Quiche in a Bun http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/79/Recipe_Spinach_Quiche_in_a_Bun Spinach Quiche in a Bun I made up this recipe for a cooking workshop I led for my youth group at CoTW.  4 buns 1 pack frozen spinach (1/2 lbs) 3 tbsp margarine green onion 4 eggs 1 cup heavy cream Cut off top of buns, and squich the centre of the bun in and to the sides and bottom so as to make it hollow, forming a bowl.  Saute onions in butter, add spinach.  Beat the eggs and cream; add the onions/spinach.  Pour equally into the buns, top with grated parmesan cheese, and bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes on a baking pan.  Watch out for leaking.   http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/79/Recipe_Spinach_Quiche_in_a_Bun Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:24:07 -0000 Recipe: Won Ton (and Won Ton Soup) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/78/Recipe_Won_Ton_and_Won_Ton_Soup Won Ton (and Won Ton Soup) 1/2 lbs ground pork 1/2 lbs shrimp, finely chopped (can be subsituted with 1/2 lbs more ground pork) 5 waterchestnuts, finely chopped (optional) 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped 2 tbsp green onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp soy sauce salt, pepper won ton skins 1 egg, beaten Mix pork, shrimp, and veggies with soy sauce, salt, and pper.  Put a small spoonfull in a won ton skin, dip fingers in egg and rub on four corners; bring together to meet at the top; bring in edges, and seal with egg as needed.  (Another folding method is below.)  You can freeze these: place on greased baking sheet, uncovered in freezer until hard.  Transfer to freezer bag.  Keeps up to two months.  SOUP: Drop individual won tons into boiling water for 3-4 minutes.  Put in soup broth and add chopped green onions.  Also add noodles, broccoli, chopped carrots, and bean curd.  --------------- Second folding method: Place filling in skin.  Fold bottom corner to... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/78/Recipe_Won_Ton_and_Won_Ton_Soup Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:18:25 -0000 Recipe: Spanakopita (Spinich Pie) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/77/Recipe_Spanakopita_Spinich_Pie Spanakopita (Spinich Pie) 1 kg spinach 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup chopped onions 125 g feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup cottage cheese 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 tsp nutmeg salt and pepper 250g filo pasty olive oil for assembly You can use fresh or frozen spinach.  If fresh: wash, cut of stems, shred coarsely, cover and steam in double boiler for 8 minutes to wilt.  Drain off moisture, and place in bowl to cool.  If frozen: place in bowl to defrost - it will already be wilted. Gently fry onions until soft, add to spinach.  Stir in cheeses, herbs, eggs, nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Lightly oil oven dish 35 x 25 cm (14" x 10") and line bottom with five sheets of filo pastry, brushing each one lightly with oil (see filo handling instructions below).  Add spinach filling, spreading evenly.  Moisten the edges of the top layer of filo with water, and place the remainder of filo on top, brushing each sheet with oil.  Trim ... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/77/Recipe_Spanakopita_Spinich_Pie Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:09:47 -0000 Recipe: Ginger Beef http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/76/Recipe_Ginger_Beef Ginger Beef An unsuccesful attempt to recreate a restaurant favourite: Crispy Ginger Beef.  It's still good, but not the same. 1 lbs sirloin steak 1 cup onions, sliced 1 tsp. garlic cloves 1 tbsp fresh ginger 1 tsp cornstarch 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup nuts (cashews, peanuts, almonds) 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp sugar 1 tbsp soy sauce Directions: Cut beef into 1" x 1/2" x 1/4" pieces.  Chop ginger and garlic finely.  Mix cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, lemon juice into 1/2 cup of water.  Chop nuts as finely as possible (I use a blender).  Heat 2 tbps peanut oil in wok until it smokes.  Add salt.  Add onions and mix.  Push onions to side, and add ginger and garlic, mixing with oil in pan.  Add beef and stirfry.  Immediately add above sauce mixture and cook until it thickens.  Serve with nuts sprinkled on top.  http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/76/Recipe_Ginger_Beef Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:59:37 -0000 Recipe: Spicy Carrot Soup http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/75/Recipe_Spicy_Carrot_Soup Spicy Carrot Soup Here's another soup recipe I created during my culinary creativity session.  It's a bit remaniscent of pumpkin pie filling. It freezes well. 2 tbsp virgin olive oil 2 lbs carrots, thinly sliced 1 small onion, diced 1/4 cup honey 1 tbsp grated ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground chilli powder 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground allspice 900 ml broth salt, pepper vanilla yogurt, fresh chives Directions: Heat oil in large pan over medium high.  Add carrots and onion; saute for 10 minutes or until borwn.  Stir in the honey, ginger, cinnamon, chilli powder, nutmeg and allspice; cook for 2 minutes or until very bubbly.  Add broth and 2 cups of water; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer for 20 minutes, until carrots are quite tender.  Transfer hot soup to a blender or food processor and puree in batches as needed.  Reheat.  Season with salt and pepper.  Garnish with yogurt and chives. http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/75/Recipe_Spicy_Carrot_Soup Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:54:39 -0000 Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Recipe_Sweet_and_Sour_Pork_Ribs Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs This recipe can also make plain sweet and sour pork (unbreaded). Marinade: 4 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp sherry (generous) 3 onions, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped Seasoning Sauce: 2 1/2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp water 2 tbsp vinegar 1 tsp cornstarch (or cornflour) 1/2 tsp seseme flour Directions: Chope ribs into 5cm pieces and marinade for 30 minutes or longer (I use a freezer bag to marinade in).  Deepfry the ribs until dark brown.  Drain on paper towel.  Mix the marinade left-over after the ribs are removed with the seasoning sauce.  With 1 tbsp of oil, stirfry the onion and garlic for 15 seconds.  Add the seasoning sauce and stir until thick.  Add the ribs, and mix well.  Serve with rice.   http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Recipe_Sweet_and_Sour_Pork_Ribs Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:49:50 -0000 Recipe: Maple Onion Soup http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/73/Recipe_Maple_Onion_Soup Maple Onion Soup I think I made up this variation of French Onion Soup, during a crazy phase of culinary creativity, but it's likely someone else thought of it too.  It freezes well. Ingredients: 3 tbsp oil 4 lbs sweet onions, thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup 100% maple syrup 900 ml beef broth 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves salt, pepper 6 slices baguette, toasted 2 cups old chedder cheese Directions: heat oil in large pan on medium heat.  Add onion, stirring frequently until the onions have carmelized (soft, brown, completely deflated of rigidity) - about 30 minutes.  Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.  Stir in maple syrup.  Add broth and half of the thyme, bringing it to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Preheat your oven broiler.  Divide the soup into 6 oven-proof bowls.  Top with the toasted slices of baguette, and equal amounts of cheese.  Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the ch... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/73/Recipe_Maple_Onion_Soup Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:42:12 -0000 Recipe: Cha Siu (BBQ Pork) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/72/Recipe_Cha_Siu_BBQ_Pork Cha Siu (BBQ Pork) - Thanks to Mom for this recipe: Porkchops 1/2 Tbsp salt 5 Tbsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, chrushed 2 scallions 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 Tbsp sherry 1 tsp five-spice powder red pigment Cut the pork into 1 1/2 inch wide pieces, and marinade for 30 minutes or longer.  I use a freezer bag for easy mixing, and to help keep the meat covered in the marinade.  Barbeque or grill the meat - or you can cook in your oven at 400F - 450F for 25 minutes.  Cut into small pieces.  Serve with rice or use in other recipes like fried rice, cha siu bau, etc. http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/72/Recipe_Cha_Siu_BBQ_Pork Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:35:52 -0000 Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/71/Recipe_Hashbrown_Casserole Hashbrown Casserole - Thanks to AB for this recipe: Ingredients: 1 bag frozen hashbrowns (fill your pan halfway) 1 onion, finely chopped mushroom soup (to moisten) milk (half can of milk per can of mushroom soup) Fried sausage or ham chedder cheese, grated Directions: Mix.  Top with cheese.  Bake at 350F for 1 hour, or until bubbly in the centre.  Let sit for 10 minutes. http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/71/Recipe_Hashbrown_Casserole Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:29:47 -0000 Recipe: Baked Goat's Cheese (Che~vre) http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/70/Recipe_Baked_Goats_Cheese_Chevre Baked Goat's Cheese (Appetiser/party food) Thanks to KB for this recipe. Ingredients: 5 cloves garlic Olive oil 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 4" round of goat's cheese 1/2 cup pinenuts Amply cover the bottom of a 6" baking dish with olive oil and bake at 350F, 5 cloves of garlic until brown and soft.  Remove from the oven, squash them with a fork, and take the mashed garlic and most of the oil of (to use).  Place 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary in the hot oil in the dish.  Over the rosemary, place a round of che~vre (goat's cheese), sprinkle 1/2 cup pinenuts, and then pour on all of this the oil and mashed garlic you removed.  Bake for 15 minutes or until hot, and pinenuts are toasted.  Eat with crackers, or on bread. http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/70/Recipe_Baked_Goats_Cheese_Chevre Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:26:57 -0000 Recipe: Empanada http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/69/Recipe_Empanada Empanadas (Courtesy of LP) I learned how to make these from a friend of mine, and make them frequently, freezing them and deep frying or baking them as I want to eat them. Dough: Mix together: 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar Add: 1 cup water Mix with hands: 1 tbsp butter Beef filling: Fry: 1/2 lb ground beef 1 onion 1 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp cumin (drain off fat) Other fillings: cheese (just fill with cheese); hard boiled eggs (fill with cut-up pieces of hard boiled eggs) Directions:  Make the filling before making the dough, in order to let it cool.  Kneed dough until soft and smooth, but not sticky.  Make balls 2-3 inches wide, and roll them into circles.  Fill with chosen fillings.  Fold dough over the filling to form a semi-circle; press down edges.  Picar: with thumb and forefinger, pinch and fold over dough along the edges, moving around the whole empanada - this ensures fillings won't leak.  Now you can deep fry the empanadas until they are ... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/69/Recipe_Empanada Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:19:39 -0000 (the) Misadventures of Mikael http://foothammer.multiply.com/links/item/8/the_Misadventures_of_Mikael Another of my blogs, dedicated to my misadventures, which, I was recently reminded of, are http://foothammer.multiply.com/links/item/8/the_Misadventures_of_Mikael Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:12:44 -0000 Faith Journal - Week 38 - September 23 to 29 http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/68/Faith_Journal_-_Week_38_-_September_23_to_29 Sunday, September 23, 2007 wk 38 2:37AM Increasingly more often, although it still fluctuates by weeks here and there, I find myself within a day where my prayers to God are so often that the day might seem like one long prayer or consisting of several large chunks of time spent in prayer.  I will be praying, and nearly done the thought/feeling/urge to pray, and something new will appear – and I’ll begin again with a new prayer.  Often they are my thoughts for the emergency vehicles which will start or connect a prayer – every time I hear one, I call on God to be present with the men and women in the service especially, but also for those whom they are helping, and those connected to those being helped.  Sometimes it is just a blanket prayer: “Be with them; bless them” – and other times I’ll go through each person I imagine could possibly be involved, imagining all that they must be thinking or experiencing.  I feel that at the very least, this awareness o... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/68/Faith_Journal_-_Week_38_-_September_23_to_29 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:40:58 -0000 Faith Journal - Week 37 - September 17 to 22 http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/67/Faith_Journal_-_Week_37_-_September_17_to_22 Monday, September 17, 2007 wk 37                                   “Encounter with God”                        Luke 6:27-42 “’There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear.’ (1 John 4:18)  Pause to meditate on God’s love.”                 Dear God, I love you, and am want to love you perfectly, as you love me perfectly.  God, I am fearful of loving and serving you, because it means – it requires me to die to my own wants and desires.  And I am afraid to die in that way – afraid?  or resistant?  But if I could love you perfectly, if I could accept and acknowledge Your perfect... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/67/Faith_Journal_-_Week_37_-_September_17_to_22 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:03:58 -0000 Faith Journal - Week 36 - September 9 o 12 http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/66/Faith_Journal_-_Week_36_-_September_9_o_12 Sunday, September 9, 2007 wk 36 6:42 PM Last night was a night of what I will now call intense Spiritual Battle, the cause of which, I think can be traced back to Friday evening, and some e-mails I sent out. I got home last night, and into bed, shortly after 1 AM, and fell quickly to sleep, I think.  What came next, I can only describe as a waking vision – I was awake, but half-asleep.  I don’t’ know if this waking vision was from God, or from the devil, but it stirred within me a deep resentment and bitterness, all of my carnal desires, and sinful delights I ever experienced or desired to do.  I was told very clearly that a romance will not work anyone else, just as it did not with LP.  The reason I was given was because I hold these relationships in such high regard – they are idols in my life; My desires –my dreams and hopes to raise a family cannot be my focus or mission, my goal in life.  This has always been my greatest ambition, my most pas... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/66/Faith_Journal_-_Week_36_-_September_9_o_12 Wed, 3 Oct 2007 22:06:20 -0000 Faith Journal - Week 35 - September 5 to 7 http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/65/Faith_Journal_-_Week_35_-_September_5_to_7 Wednesday, September 5, 2007 wk 35 11:58AM Dear God,                 live in me.  Help me to practise experiencing Your Presence all day, every day.  I want the focus of my life and all that I do to be on You!  From my dreams, my relationships and family, to my eating, walking, writing, reading, breathing, I want to focus entirely on you.  Only, I don’t know how, and I think that even if I did know, I could not without your grace constantly guiding me.  God, I WANT your grace!  You’ve offered it with the crucifixion of your Son, Jesus, help me to receive it!  Dwell in me.  Shin in me.  Grow in me!  I am NOTHING without you, and need you to be in my every breath or else I will not live a life that’s worthwhile; how could I?  Breathe into me your holy breath of life, and renew me moment by moment.  “Batter my heart three-personed God!” &nbs... http://foothammer.multiply.com/journal/item/65/Faith_Journal_-_Week_35_-_September_5_to_7 Wed, 3 Oct 2007 22:01:11 -0000 Global Bubble Tea http://foothammer.multiply.com/reviews/item/3 A new bubble tea place in Winnipeg, this place is spacious and quite chic. The bubble tea I had had a strong tea flavour, which I very much like - but I was still able to taste quite clearly the sweet plum flavour I chose. I sample some of my brother's pineapple flavoured green tea, and it too was very good. With it's clean-cut look, sweet bubbles, and near perfect tea, this is perhaps a new http://foothammer.multiply.com/reviews/item/3 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:30:41 -0000 music sung in pop http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/116/music_sung_in_pop This is, again, music sung a capella by just me. They are all mostly older recordings of mine, which I'd like to clean up a lot, but haven't had the time. All of my "practices" are a run-through of each part in the piece, layering the tracks, and seeing how they need to adjust to each other; these are all third or fourth practices. (I have to record at night when no-one at home is making any noise, so my time is limited) "Cage of Promises" and "The Eyes of a Child" are songs written by "The Real Group", I believe - and "Grow Old With You" is an improv arrangement I did of the song from "The Wedding Singer" with Adam Sandler. "Duct Tape's Versatility" was written by me for a Duct Tape song writing contest. http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/116/music_sung_in_pop Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:30:16 -0000 music of imogen heap http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/110/music_of_imogen_heap Imogen Heap is music by one woman. http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/110/music_of_imogen_heap Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:43:57 -0000 music of goldrapp http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/98/music_of_goldrapp I first heard of Golfrapp in a Keyboarding magazine my little bro. used to get (a birthday subscription from my biggest bro.) Later, I gained access to my biggest bro.'s music harddrive, and found them. Such a beautiful http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/98/music_of_goldrapp Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:29:58 -0000 music swankified by richard http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/83/music_swankified_by_richard My bro. Kon introduced me to Richard Cheese - he does "swankified" covers. http://foothammer.multiply.com/music/item/83/music_swankified_by_richard Sat, 7 Apr 2007 21:29:40 -0000