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Author Archives: Georgia's Pampering

GoFundMe

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Well, I made the incredibly difficult step of starting a GoFundMe campaign to help on our adoption journey. The legal costs are minimal, but due to our matches being national, we will have to do some unexpected traveling.  We all ready spent a lot on all of the renovations we did last year, getting her room ready so she can move right in and then change it to her heart’s content later, and starting to gather school supplies.  Since we always figured it would be a local adoption, we didn’t expect to have travel expenses.  We will also have additional school supplies and may have to buy a wardrobe for Kiddo, since we have no idea if the foster family/facility will be able to send much along with her.  So, we set aside our pride and started the campaign, since providing for and bringing home Kiddo are the most important things to us.

 

We created three puzzles that have inspiring adoption phrases for Kiddo and any donations will be written on the back of the puzzle pieces.  Later on we will get double sided frames, so she can see not only the phrases, but how many people worked to bring her to her forever home and show her how much she matters.  She will not be “one of the forgotten”. 

 

First Puzzle Lid:

puzzle 1

 

 

Second Puzzle Lid:puzzle 2

 

Third Puzzle Lid:

puzzle 3

 

 

We’re fundraising locally for $10 USD per puzzle piece, but we appreciate any donation and any forwarding of our campaign information.  I’m notoriously bad about not being on Facebook, so if you are willing to share the information with your contacts, that would also mean the world to us. 

 

We have a match as far away as Georgia (thoroughly ironic, right?!), so we truly don’t know what to expect.  According to our new Social Worker, it sounds like we might be at the next step with one young lady that is thankfully closer, so please cross your fingers or say a prayer for us.  It would be amazing to spend the summer getting to know our daughter.  I created a static site page for the campaign and will put the updates on the campaign on there, so you won’t hear much about the fundraising again, unless you look at that page.  This blog wasn’t made with this in mind, and wasn’t even in the realm of my thoughts for a blog post actually, so I want to keep the blog my version of normal.  *laugh*  I’ll still post adoption updates themselves, because even if it falls apart and shatters me, I’m going to go all Mama Bear and yell from the hills if we get far enough to meet one of the girls soon!  

 

So, for the fun facts…Our GoFundMe campaign is www.gofundme.com/adopting-future-cornelison.  My site page for additional details and updates is www.georgiaspampering.com/fundraising-for-future-cornelison.  Again, we are so thankful for your time reading this, any sharing of this to your social media or people or churches you know, or any donations.  The support and encouragement has been such a help all ready, when we hit forks in the road, and lost our hope.  We have the most incredible support system and we appreciate each of you.

Without You

I found this pose on SL a few days back and couldn’t resist, since I’ll be able to use it for a lot of other purposes and change things up with different windlights. For now, though, during this season of life, it tells two parts to the same story, for me.

Luke is leaning against the door and represents the adoption process in general. The ones that walk away or don’t match, the ones who get chosen by their foster parents upon the declaration of interest; all those hard moments adoptive families face. While I’m touching the door, trying to keep some connection without fully losing this big piece of life. Until we get to the good part, now that we’re past that cheerful, exciting beginning stage, there’s time I just collapse, wrap an arm around myself to try to keep control, and feel like my future is right outside that door, but still lost to me right now. Not much different from a breakup, which is probably why this pose touched me so deeply.

Secondly, people don’t usually think about the toll it takes on a couple while walking through this journey. All too often we’re on different sides of the door. I can’t vouch for his feelings, but sometimes I feel so alone when that door is closed. He is more reserved and not as involved in the process. I can’t stop myself from loving some of these young ladies, their stories, at least a bit, and it’s devastating when it doesn’t work out. When we forget to work as hard on us as on everything else going on, we’re left on different sides of the door with very different feelings. We want to understand each other, but sometimes it just isn’t possible and so we just continue down the path, recommitting whenever we can. It’s so frighteningly easy to be holding the door or be the one walking away. Even a united front can end up on different sides sometimes, with different emotions and traumas caused by this whirlwind.

I thought the loss, the grief, and longing in the pose was the perfect representation right now. The middle of a beautiful story isn’t always pretty. But it’s still our story and we’re still reaching out, so that’s all that matters in the end.

Stormy Beach

Gaming Logo

 

When I’m restless I tend to lately get on in the wee hours and wander the places listed in the destination guide or where my favorite SL bloggers have taken pictures at.  One forever night I went to a recommended beach and it was so beautiful.  There are a lot of areas to the sim, Gale Storm Retreat, but after checking out the country fun areas, the beach called to me.  I haven’t been back to a beach since just before my 15th birthday, right before we moved from CA.  And I miss the call of that wild and beautiful ocean.  So this is just a “oh, pretty pictures” post.  At first I played with my windlights, since I generally leave it on CalWL, so that’s why it’s a little lighter at first.  Then I turned on local WL and my jaw dropped.  I turned up my graphics while hanging out and imagined myself into the storm.  If you’re in the mood for a very fascinating place, you must check out this sim.  Like I said, this is only the beach.  There’s a barn dance hall, some fun little buildings, and join the group (500L, but you get GG poses and more…); once you join you can rez vehicles to drive their roadway, which is the best scenic roadway I’ve found so far in SL since I became a mesh only snob.  If you’re into building your flickr feed as an SL blogger, I highly recommend you visit.  You’ll find so many themes to work with.  And on we go…

 

First, I found my first pose and started playing with WLs.  Although this is far from the best, there’s something magical about it, so I kept the picture.  Plus, check out that skirt!  I’m hardly out of it since Facepalm put it out.  Jean skirt top with a sheer skirt that is uber feminine.  As fun sized as I am, I’d need to be on Gene Simmons’ shoes to wear something this long and flowy in real life! *laugh*

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After the Red Moments WL I hit the dusky and that’s when I realized that there was a storm experience built into the sim.  Turn to local WL, turn up graphics, and turn up your ambient noises.  *happy sigh*  This is the realization pic that there is something awesome going on…

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I finally got everything set and was so mesmerized I forgot to change pose even.  *grin* Gives me a chance to show off the killer Letis Tattoo I found while cleaning inventory the other night.  I lost that for a few months.  Anyway, check out the lightning, the sun beams poking through, the birds flying around the little stilt house, and the crashing waves.

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Back to the left is a cute little seating spot (which I also happen to have at home), where you can see the ramp leading to the ocean, the start of the beach, and really get a good view out into the storm clouds.

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Down on the beach were several seating areas.  While listening and watching I felt a bit nostalgic for those annual trips to the ocean, plus, it kind of mirrored how my mind and heart have felt lately with all of the roller coaster emotions.  When I found this pose I sat back and did the same thing.  Closed my eyes, bowed my head, and listened.  I threw every fear, financial worry, and swirling emotions out into the raging storm, and I let them rage until the weight lifted.  Maybe that’s what I missed most from my youthful trips to the ocean.  I always sat and mentally threw my problems into the ocean, and let them be wild, and when I picked up the last of them at the end of the day my heart and mind would be calm again.  I forget to lay down my problems to The Maker and instead I pray for strength to keep managing or learn to control.  I forgot to turn over my emotions to Him and tried to get help to be a strong fighter, when we’re doing His work.  He is giving us the chance to find and love someone without a forever home, and is arranging for us to find her.  Thank you, Aunt Ina, for helping me remember.  I was blessed to learn about this sim at just the right time.

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Curled up in the chair with the storm raging in front of Bre and I, I found some peace.

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Asian Peanut Butter Pork Recipe by Leah

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Asian Peanut Butter Pork.  Anything with peanut butter in my house is certain to be a hit and this is no exception.  I’ve made this Asian Peanut Butter Pork in the slow cooker before, but wanted to try it in the pressure cooker.  Even better!  Serve over rice and you absolutely HAVE to serve it with Once Upon A Chef’s fabulous Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing.

 

 

Ag

 

 

Asian Peanut Butter Pork Pressure Cooker

yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 – 2 lbs pork tenderloin

1 onion, sliced in rings

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp white wine vinegar

3 Tbsp water

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter

2 Tbsp chopped peanuts

1 lime, cut in wedges

prepared rice

PREPARATION

  1. Turn your pressure cooker to saute function and saute the pork on all sides, approximately 2-4 minutes per side.  Set aside.
  2. Add onion to the pot and saute until tender.
  3. Put remaining ingredients in the pot and add the pork.
  4. Cook 2 minutes then natural release for 15.
  5. Let the pork rest, then slice into medallions.  Serve over rice.  Top the pork with sauce, peanuts, and lime juice.

*Note: Recipe created using the Power Pressure Cooker.  Time and button functions may vary with other brands of pressure cookers.

Loving Adoption

 

Although it is such a hard process, and trauma is wrapped up in every edge, it’s absolutely beautiful. The dreams, the hopes, the ability to love another person so completely, and a new season to life.

The adoption process creates a unique bond for the prospective (and hopefully eventual) parents, and we can sometimes see that another is on this journey too. We’re part of a community that we never really expected.

In light of the intriguing traits and behaviors we can see, and totally understand, I wanted to share an incredible post by Kathy Lynn Harris,Dear Moms of Adopted Children“.

Fundraising in SL

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Since I’ve had fundraising and donations on my mind lately, debating what may work in a small town and with my not being able to campaign in person, I’ve been a little more aware than usual about SL fundraisers.  I have attended a ton in the years I’ve been on.  Relay for Life is one of the main ones I go to on a regular basis and then one for a friend to raise money to get her trained medical assistance dog.  There are always fundraisers going on and what’s really cool is just how generous people can be.  The exchange rate for a Linden (SL currency) is 1 USD for 250L (lindens – currently; the exchange rate fluctuates).  With such a wide exchange rate, people don’t usually bat an eye at dropping 2500-5000L when it’s a touching need.    Although it’s a relatively small donation in USD, there is massive exposure, so a person can get some true help, and it’s awesome to read the stories about how the donations helped.

 

Anyway, I went to two this past week and one the week before.  One was a Sci-fi themed Relay for Life event and another was a group of designers that got a silent auction together to help a friend designer who is facing some very scary medical costs and issues.

 

This is a shop during Fantasy Faire with some donations for the American Cancer Society.  I’m absolutely fascinated by this designer’s artistic ways of bringing beauty into SL.  I bought the light systems, except for the rays of light coming down on the left side.  *scratches neck self consciously* I’m kind of obsessed with the designer right now and am slowly buying a lot of their artistic decorations to incorporate into our second lives.  Plus, this looks like the perfect place for fairies to jump from star to star or angels to hover in pure beauty while watching over their ward.  *sigh*  I absolutely love the artistic creativity in SL just as much as the generosity.

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Then I hit the Sci-Fi Relay for Life.  I’ll confess and you can throw tomatoes at me (I’ll bring the spices and we’ll have a mild salsa), but I generally prefer Star Trek and The Orville-type versions and not the Star Wars kind.  I don’t know why, but just recently discovered this.  I still usually really enjoy this event and the “space” creativity is so much fun.  This year just didn’t have the same feel for me, but I’m hoping it was really successful.  I got a few fun space-based poses and props from a favorite designer that was donating part of her proceeds, but mostly I just appreciated the designs.  There were space ships flying all over, but I somehow never got a good shot.  I actually sat in the diner and used my cam to explore that area of the sim, honestly.  The designer did an amazing job on the detail.  Plus, there were wolves walking around in Next Gen uniforms and that was a community that I am not very knowledgeable and sound like a freak when I try to make small talk.  *facepalm*

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I have several pictures of the event for the sick designer.  It really hit home that her body has turned against her and is killing her if she can’t get the money together to have a special procedure.  With all of my health issues, I cried a few times while reading the explanation and seeing the pics of her avi that an SL photographer took to sell for donations.  The photographer made sure that there was one very broken type, while all of the others were incredibly empowering and optimistic, and very phoenix rising from the flames.  Ugh, I’m going to have to stare at the ceiling if I write much more.  Anyway, it was a neat silent auction and the extra venue they had (which was empty because it wasn’t event time, thankfully, since I’ve been extra introverted even on SL lately) was so nostalgic, although I’m not THAT old to have caught it the first go around.  So Z, no smart mouth comments about my age and nostalgia.  I’m not over 40 yet, so don’t start. *laugh*   It did, however, remind me of all of the Soda Shop Oldies infomercials that still play now, with clips of the singers in the beautiful venues, which I watched with my parents throughout the years (and listened to).  All sexy Rat Pack-kind of beauty.  So I actually hung out at the venue for the beautiful scenery as I cleaned up some of my latest inventory.

 

First though, I couldn’t resist bidding for a live performance by a country singer on SL.  Have I mentioned that I love how I can hear singers, thespians, authors, and musicians perform around the world even when I’m in pillow city to ease the pain?  I took a moment to utilize their hay area pose to chill and cam around for some other things to bid on.

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This is the auction area on the left, with the concert venue on the right, which is where I hung out for a few hours.

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I bought a lot of 100% proceed items and straight up donated to the nearby tip jar, and kept Bre in the praying position, so we could both offer a prayer for this bright soul who is looking at a young death if this doesn’t work.  My practical part of the brain was screaming about needing to save and be humble enough to ask for help, too, but my soul needed that, especially with all of the turmoil for the last few months.

 

Gaming tends to have such a bad reputation, but I hope this helps someone change their mind and see that there are some incredibly generous people who are helping people they will never meet in person.  In what some would say is just a game.  I’m proud to be part of this other world that reflects all of us.  You can find more edgy pursuits if you want to, but there are so many incredible people to support, meet, and even appreciate their talents.  It was really beautiful to go to three fundraisers within mere days and see the amazing generosity.  Sometimes all you can see is the bad and what needs reform when you look at the world.  I’m thankful to be part of another world that is huge, but has a small village, “we look after our own”, atmosphere in some places.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges Recipe by Leah

Leahs New Logo

 

Potato Perfection!  The potatoes are crispy with gooey cheese, served with a creamy ranch dipping sauce.  Want to win over a crowd?  Serve these!

 

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Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges

 

INGREDIENTS

12 slices bacon

4 lbs russet potatoes

2 Tbsp melted butter

2 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

8oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

8 oz aged white cheddar cheese, shredded

1 bunch scallions, diced

your favorite ranch dip

 

PREPARATION

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Cook bacon crisp and rough chop.  Set aside. Reserve bacon fat.
  3. Cut potatoes into uniform-size wedges.  Place potatoes in a large bowl and add bacon fat, melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.  Toss well to coat.
  4. Pour out potatoes onto a sheet pan in a single layer and roast for 15 minutes.  Flip and roast for another 10-15 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
  5. Cover the potatoes with white cheddar cheese, then bacon, then sharp cheddar cheese.  Place the pan back in the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
  6. Sprinkle with scallions and serve with ranch dipping sauce.

My Brain is on Vacation

Thankfully my health held out enough to attend Miss Ash’s graduation party.  It was so beautiful to see her step into the adult world and made me want to tear up a second time when I realized we would be doing this with Kiddo pretty quickly, since they seem to be getting older.  A few years and then I better campaign local colleges well.  *grin*

 

I will be seeing a new ENT this next week to see if he can correct the previously botched septoplasty and maybe help me not get infections continually.  Maybe I’ll get lucky and he will prescribe something to get over this upper respiratory infection finally, too.  Since the day my ex back handed punched my nose I haven’t been able to take a full breath, so it’ll be amazing if they agree to fix what was done wrong years back.  I’m crossing my fingers.  I’d cross my eyes too, “…but my mama said they’d stay that way, so I can’t”.  *laugh*

 

Things went all sorts of wacky with the adoption stuff last week and I can’t go into much of it.  However, we have a few good steps in with a few girls, so we might have a chance of moving Kiddo in before school starts.  I’m trying to learn to stay a bit detached while at this stage, despite my excitement and hope, because this is just becoming killer for me emotionally.  I packed up some of the things I had out, just to help not surround me with thoughts and fears, since I do that to myself enough without help.  *laugh* We will, however, be working on her desk come holiday weekend and will hopefully have that done and moved into her room.  Then I can finish the transformation into a makeshift gym in my office.  I think it’s part of finishing my nesting, but psych was definitely not the field of medicine I was interested in, so who knows.  We get a few more things done and the house is completely ready for Kiddo (inside) and ready for her personalization of her room, even.  We’re just a bit unsure about this traveling possibility.

 

Thankfully adopting from foster care is cheap, if not free, but now that we are looking at matches as far away as Georgia, we have to figure in covering the cost to travel to meet and at least another for moving, if not another transitional visit.  That’s a lot of travel expenses!  Although we won’t be doing a few of the fundraisers that I was working on, we will soon be asking for donations for puzzle pieces!  I have three adoption sayings that are being printed and then cut into puzzles, and then we will ask (request, plead, beg…y’know, I have no pride left anymore anyway lol) for a $10 donation for a puzzle piece.  I’ll write the donor’s information on the back of a piece and I’ve raised a donation for the whole puzzle I will laminate it, and then do one of those wild frames where it’s glass on both sides and dangles down to look at, so the phrase is visible, but so are the names and tiny messages for the incredibly generous people who are helping cover these above-and-beyond costs for us.  I read up on a lot of these puzzle fundraisers and some are over $100 per piece, but I’m a small time gal and can’t imagine asking that kind of donation so I can write your name on a puzzle piece.  That one kind of boggles my mind, but massive kudos to the adopter that managed that!!  I don’t have nearly enough empowerment compared to you, madam!  Anyway, I’ll have shots of the puzzles once I get them in a few weeks and will start a little campaign for donations, although I won’t be spamming the blog for them after the first one, so don’t worry about that.  I just hope you’ll help spread the word for me and maybe if someone can afford that little bit extra, I’d be grateful to you both.  I’m trying to learn this whole funding donation site stuff, so I’ll have that all squared away in time for the puzzle piece project.  Goodness knows I pay via phone app constantly, so I plan to give a way to donate online for people like me.   *grin*

 

In the meantime, my mind is whirling on so many subjects and working through so many feelings, and I’m fighting this infection along with coming off of a medication that I discovered was the cause of a lot of the worsening of symptoms in the past 6 months.  Thankfully I love to research and advocate for my care, otherwise I might as pick out my hospital linens now.  There was no explanation for what was happening until I stumbled across this problem with the drug and the medications that are used due to my condition itself.  I’d rather have hypertension than catch hospital acquired pneumonia and die before I can unite our little family finally.  I have lots of projects, but I’m so restless I can’t stick to anything and don’t really have a lot of interest for watching shows.  It’s like the front half of my brain hamsters are on steroids and the back half are getting tossed back to the bottom of the wheel with each revolution because they’re laying there, panting and worn out, then a sudden thud that knocks the wind out of them as they slam back down.  *laugh* The words are useless unless I can paint a picture to get the idea across.  *wink*  So expect some random posts, most likely.  *grin*

 

By the way, have you ever thought that Stranger Things is kind of the new version of Goonies©?  Chunk is now a Rep and in his forties.  I guess we have to let the new generation have their own Goonies©.  I’m not giving up my original Newsies©.  It may be over a quarter of a decade, but my Kiddo is going to watch it and love the 18 year old Christian Bale, just mark my words.  LOL Yeah, one of the few things I listen to as I wander between projects.  “Never fear, Brooklyn’s here!”©

Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes with Dill Aioli Recipe by Leah

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This potato dish is mostly make-ahead.  I’ve prepared them in the morning, stuck them in the refrigerator, and roasted them when I got home at the end of the day.  They feel fancy, taste good, and have a simple list of ingredients that I always have on hand.

 

 

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Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes with Dill Aioli

INGREDIENTS

Dill Aioli

1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp olive oil mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

3/4 tsp dried dill

1/8 tsp garlic powder

salt, to taste

Potatoes

15 yellow potatoes (about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter)

2 3/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

PREPARATION

Dill Aioli

Combine all the ingredients and stir together.  Chill until ready to use.

Potatoes

  1. Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with at least an inch of water.  Add 2 tsp kosher salt to the water.  Bring the water to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook the potatoes until they are completely tender and can be easily pierced with a metal or wood skewer.  Make sure they are cooked through but don’t overcook.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking set up a layer of clean dishtowels on your countertop.  As the potatoes finish cooking, remove them individually from the water, and let them drain and sit for just a minute or two on the dishtowels.
  3. Using another dishtowel, gently press down on one potato with the palm of your hand.  They don’t need to be flattened much, just make sure they’ve opened.  Repeat with remaining potatoes.
  4. Lay parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet.  Transfer the potatoes carefully to the baking sheet and let them cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate or roast.
  5. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Sprinkle the potatoes with about 3/4 tsp salt and pour the olive oil over them.  Lift the potatoes gently to make sure some of the oil goes underneath them and that they are well coated on both sides.
  6. Roast the potatoes until they’re crispy and deep brown around the edges, about 30-40 minutes.  Turn over once gently with a spatula or tongs halfway through cooking.  Serve hot with the chilled aioli for dipping.

Inside Out Inspired Meal by Leah

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(Before the recipe, Inside Out is copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures, via Pixar Animation Studios, which are all trademarked.  This recipe is inspired by the movie, but all characters and descriptions belong to Walt Disney Pictures.  They will not be marked individually, so this is a blanket statement of being inspired by their creations.)

 

Our Inside Out Disney Dinner was more a of a feast than a dinner.  When the movie first came out in theaters Disney reworked some of their Disneyland recipes to fit the theme of the movie.  That was so fun to me!  We have eaten some fantastic meals at Disneyland, so I’m always excited to try one of the Disney parks recipes.  I knew when we were planning the Inside Out movie night I’d want to find those recipes.  I’m so glad I did.  They were delicious!

 

 

Joy was Joy’s More-is-More S’mores  

Sadness was Sadness’s No-Cry-Comfort Food Mac and Cheese 

Disgust was Is-That-Broccoli? Pizza

Anger was Anger’s Hot-Headed Tuna 

Fear was Fear’s Panko-Protected Long Beans

 

 

Creative, aren’t they?  We also added some cotton candy for Bing Bong and multicolored sixlets for thought bubbles.

We enjoyed all of the recipes.  The macaroni and cheese was appreciated by both the children and adults.  The broccoli pizza was surprisingly good.  More surprisingly, my children didn’t pick the broccoli off, but actually ate it.  The tuna was “exploding in flavor”.  We’ll be making that one again soon.  The long beans were tasty, but I didn’t think they were worth the effort.  My family disagreed.  Our favorite, by far, was the S’mores bake.  That was unbelievably good.  Every single one of us said we were too full to have much dessert, ate our portion, and then went back for seconds!

 

 

 

Inside Out 1

 

Joy’s More is More S’mores

Chocolate and marshmallows fresh out of the oven just ooze happiness, right?

Inspired by the S’mores Bake at Disneyland Park’s Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue

yield: 8 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

1 (10.5 oz) box fudge brownie mix

1 (1 lb) bag large marshmallows

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp hot fudge sauce, warmed

8 graham crackers

 

PREPARATION

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Spray a 9×13 cake pan with cooking spray.  Prepare brownie batter per package directions and pour into prepared cake pan.  Bake 20-22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.
  2. Turn oven to broil.
  3. Place marshmallows over brownies.  Leaving oven door ajar, place marshmallow-topped brownies under broiler 1 1/2 – 2 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown, watching very closely to avoid burning.
  4. Drizzle hot fudge sauce over top of toasted marshmallows.
  5. Take half of the graham crackers and break them into planks; crush other half of graham crackers into crumbs.
  6. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over top of toasted marshmallows, and place graham cracker planks randomly into toasted marshmallows.  Serve immediately.

 

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Inside Out 2

 

Sadness’s No-Cry Comfort Food Macaroni & Cheese

For those times you need a good cry, try this mac.  With its FOUR cheeses, it’s better than tears.

Inspired by the Macaroni & Cheese at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Jiko – The Cooking Place

yield: 4-6 servings

 

 

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups whole milk

1/4 tsp coarse salt

8 oz shredded Italian four-cheese blend

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked and kept warm

 

PREPARATION

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add flour, strring until combined.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until golden (do not let brown).
  2. Add milk to butter mixture, whisking until completely smooth.
  3. Simmer mixture, stirring frequently, until sauce coats the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
  4. Add cheese to saucepan in bathches, stirring until completely melted.  Add salt and pepper, stirring to combine.
  5. Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl.  Add cheese sauce, stirring to combine.  Serve immediately.

 

 

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Inside Out 5

 

Disgust’s Is-That-Broccoli? Pizza

While broccoli normally triggers Disgust’s defenses, this version passes inspection.

Inspired by the “Congratulations San Francisco, You’ve Ruined Pizza” at Pixar Animation Studios’ Luxo Cafe

yield: 10-inch pizza

 

INGREDIENTS

store-bought pizza dough

1/2 can San Marzano tomatoes

1/4 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/2 garlic clove, smashed and minced

1/2 garlic clove, thinly sliced

2 oz marinara sauce

semolina

zest and juice from 1/4 lemon

grated mozzarella cheese

chile flakes

Parmesan reggiano

sea salt, to taste

extra virgin olive oil, to taste

 

PREPARATION

San Marzano Tomatoes

Drain a 1/2 can of San Marzano tomatoes and slice in half carefully.  Squeeze seeds out and grate the “meat” of the tomatoes on a box grater.  Season with sea salt and olive oil to taste.  Add 1/2 garlic clove, smashed and minced.

Slow-Cooked Broccoli

Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a large saute pan.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds.  Add broccoli, chile flake, and enough olive oil to coat.  Turn heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally until broccoli is cooked, but still has texture.  Fold in lemon zest and season to taste with lemon juice and salt.

Assembling Pizza

Heat oven to 425 degrees F.  Arrange store-bought pizza dough on a peel with a generous dusting of semolina.  Spread 2 oz marinara over dough.  Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the top to taste, then finish with chile flakes and broccoli.  Place in the oven on a pre-heated pizza stone or sheet tray.  Bake until the dough is cooked to your liking and the cheese is melted.  Grate fresh parmesan reggiano cheese over the pizza and serve.

 

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Inside Out 3

 

Anger’s Hot-Headed Tuna

It’s exploding with flavor – those Sichuan peppercorns have the same fiery spirit that fuels Anger.

Inspired by the Citrus & Sichuan Peppercorn-Crusted Yellow fin Tuna Loin with Vegetables and Carrot Coconut-Curried Infusion at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort Flying Fish Cafe.

yield: 4 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

peppercorn crust

2 Tbsp Sichuan peppercorns

1 tsp turbinado sugar or raw sugar

1 orange, zested and juiced

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 lime, zested and juiced

1/2 tsp, coarse salt

crusted tuna

4 (6 oz) tuna loin steaks

2 Tbsp canola oil, divided

Citrus-Sichuan Peppercorn Crust

Fresh Cilantro for garnish, optional

 

INSTRUCTIONS

peppercorn crust

  1. Pulse-grind Sichuan peppercorns in a small grinder until coarse ground.  Add turbinado or raw sugar, pulse to blend and slightly grind.
  2. Combine zest of orange, lemon, and lime in small mixing bowl.
  3. Add ground Sichuan peppercorn-sugar mixture to zest.  Add coarse salt and blend well.  Set aside.

crusted tuna

  1. Place large non-stick saute pan over high heat.  While pan is heating, lightly coat tuna steaks with 1 Tbsp canola oil and lightly dust evenly with prepared citrus-Sichuan peppercorn crust.  Do not overcoat.
  2. Add 1 Tbsp canola oil to pan and immediately add tuna steaks.  Cook evenly on both sides to create a well-caramelized crust, about 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.  Remove from pan and transfer to a small sheet pan to rest.  Tuna is best done rare to medium-rare.  For more well-done, finish off in a 375 degree F oven.
  3. Slice tuna steaks on bias.
  4. Garnish with cilantro as desired.  Serve immediately.

 

***

 

 

Inside Out 4

 

Fear’s Panko-Protected Long Beans

Vegetables? Never Fear.  Fried to a golden brown – this one is mouth-wateringly risk free.

Inspired by the Panko Crusted Chinese Long Beans with Sriracha Mayonnaise at Disneyland Hotel Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

yield: 4 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp seafood spice

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp coarse salt

4 eggs, beaten

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3/4 lb Chinese long beans or thin green beans, cut into 4-inch long pieces

2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

coarse salt, to taste

 

PREPARATION

  1. Combine flour, seafood spice, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
  2. Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
  3. Pour oil in a deep pot to a depth of 1-inch.  Heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.
  4. Moisten long beans; dredge in flour mixture.  Dip in beaten eggs, then roll in panko.
  5. Working in batches, gently place in hot oil until golden brown about 2-3 minutes, using tongs or a slotted spoon to gently turn beans every 45 seconds.
  6. Transfer fried beans to prepared baking sheet and season lightly with salt.