A Misguided Maiden Adventure with a side of Yum

So last time I was tinkering away on Misguided Maiden I was in a completely different place than I am now! It still boggles the mind how much can change in two years.

Two years ago I was enjoying time with this little guy...

Now this little guy is four! Yikes! When did that happen?

Two years ago I left a secure job for great job with a whole new set of adventures at this place...

Earthbound Farm

 Twelve months ago my family and I decided to do something crazy...like sell our house and leave our jobs crazy to move from here...

Stickerslug

to here...

Stickerslug

In the midst of that decision and after we put our house up for sale we found out we were having these...

Oh my indeed.

Since then those wee rascals are now getting big...

And now I have the pleasure of spending my days with them and him...

I also get to make this!

So I have two versions of making this one I made a few days ago that turned out to be longer and more tedious that I thought it would be... but I am stubborn and I was determined to make it delicious. I will share the difficult version with you in another post for all your purists out there.

But for those of you who are just semi purist...who also like their free time to be filled with other things then blending a million mangoes this recipe will be just for you.

It will quench your thirst on the thirsty days of summer.

So go ahead and pour your self a glass...

Or five.

Watermelon mango lemonade

Ingredients

Half of a large watermelon diced

2 cups of water

one container of simple mango lemonade

Start by blending your diced watermelon in your blender with your water until smooth.

strain out all of the fibers and seeds till you are left with just the watermelon juice.

You could stop here and you would have watermelon agua fresca but lets continue before you are too tempted.

Add your watermelon agua fresca to your mango lemonade, stir and serve over ice.

then kick back, relax, enjoy your beverage and try to share.

                                                                                                              Buen Provecho!

~Misguided Maiden

Two

Two Years...So much has happened in two years its hard to know where to start. But I am finally back with much to tell! I look forward to being back on here and sharing my love of all things homemade and handmade! More to come.

~ Misguided Maiden

Tonkatsu = Delicious

Ever heard of Tonkatsu? Its a breaded pork dish that is one of the more home-style Japanese meals out there. My husband loves it and with a little advanced prep it can be easy to make. This includes the sauce. 

Look at that yummy meal! Oh I am salivating....

So we start with boneless pork chops, cutting them nice and thin. Then we sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper.

Then you take your panko. A special bread crumb that is more coarse and makes for a crispier coat to your pork.

Coat your sliced pork with flour, dip in egg and them coat with the panko. Set aside till each are ready to fry.

Then lightly fry in oil over the stove until they are golden brown. 

For those who want to make large batches for future dinners you would only cook to set and the set aside to cool. Then flash freeze for future baking.

Then you would pop them into a 350 degree oven, frozen and cook until golden brown. 

If you are just frying some for a meal and not freezing, when you are done, set aside on a napkin lined cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven while you make the sauce.

Now the sauce is what really makes this dish. You can buy it at the store, or you can make it from simple ingredients that you might likely already have in your home!

Tonkatsu Sauce

3 Tbs - Worcestershire Sauce

2 Tbs - Ketchup

1 tsp - Soy sauce

6 Tbs - Natural Applesauce (no sugar added)

The secret is indeed the applesauce. YUM.

This sauce will store in the fridge for a week. Drizzle it over you meal for a tasty contrast.

Its also a meal the little ones will love too! I hope you try it out. Everyone could use a home cooked Japanese meal in their recipe archive!

Buen Provecho!

~ Misguided Maiden

Reading

My husband and I LOVE to read. 

So when I see our little guy taking on the same habit it makes my heart melt.

Getting lost in a book is the best way to stir the imagination. 

I can see my son's dialogue changing, his comprehension of things growing and his imagination blossoming. 

I hope you take time to get lost in a book this week.

~Misguided Maiden

Out in Nature: Setting up our fort

With this beautiful weather It was time to take our fort outside for a snack and some fun!

Of course our toy car had to come out with us... Specifically Lighting McQueen.

And we needed out cute and furry body guard.

Lastly, a lady bug surprise made this outing the best part of his day (he loves lady bugs).

I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors this week!

~ Misguided Maiden

In the Kitchen: Salad Beets

Not too long ago I was paying a visit with my parents. You know...so they can see this guy.

Well my mom made an awesome dinner (as she usually does) and in the salad were these beautiful and delicious beets.

As I devoured that salad and asked my mom where she bought the beets?
They were the cooked kind mind you.

She said...I made them in the oven. WHAT?!!?

So when I got back home I did too.

They were oh so good.

Beautiful, delicious, cheap and easy. Enjoy!

Salad Beets

Beets, Washed and patted dry

Water and Sugar

Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.

Place the beets in the oven and allow to slow cook for two hours. Remove and cool.

Peel beets and slice them to your desired thickness.

Place them into the container, storing them in sugar water at your desired sweetness.

They will keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.

Buen Provecho!

~ Misguided Maiden

Farewell...

So... much has been going on and I apologize for not being on here for sometime (I think my last post said something similar). Much has been occuring in the home and out of them home. I will post and update and get back into the swing of things soon. For now, I want to post something that I have been meaning to post for sometime.

Not too long ago we had to say goodbye to our youngest cat Mary Jane. She had a vigorus cancer at the base of the pelvis and we worked hard to fight it within reason to her well being and quality of life (including pain management). Unfortunately, she told us in was time to go... so we took her in together and said our goodbyes. It was such a hard thing to do...saying goodbye to a friend who has been such an intergral part of our lives and our growth. We will miss our little friend, our little wild one.

Until we meet again...

Misguided Maiden