May Be Foodless Friday: Happy Birthday Val!

Welcome to May Be Foodless Friday. Today's post is Foodless since today is my younger sister's birthday, this post goes out to her.

This is Valerie on her birthday in 2007. Just before we moved to the midwest so my husband could attend grad school.
Valerie loves playing boardgames, getting her nails done,
she loves horses (she calls them cows), she also likes cows,
and she really loves her nephews (my sister has 4 boys).
This is my little sister with my baby when she came to visit (with my parents and brother). I have to tell you the story of my family come to see me and my baby. The first time they tried the freeway was closed in Wyoming (and Colorado) because of a HUGE snowstorm so they were unable to come that time and turned back. The second time they started out on Thursday, that night Valerie had a seizure and was put in the hospital. They kept her there and on Saturday the doctor came in to release her, my mom asked, "Valerie, do you want to go home" thinking that she would perk up to be leaving. She didn't perk up or even smile. They kept her in until later that afternoon when it hit my mom and she asked, "Valerie, Do you want to go see Crystal and the Baby?" She smiled and they soon started on their way to see us.

I love my sister, she is an amazing person! She came to see me even after being in the hospital (ok so it was really to see her nephew, but I'm okay with that!) I also think my mom is a saint! It took them 5 days to get from their house to mine - Thursday to Monday (they have to drive because of all the medical stuff they bring with them - not to mention wheelchairs and airplanes don't always get along.) Yet they came because to my mom family is that important and Valerie would have been mad at her if they hadn't. Hopefully when my husband finishes his degree and gets a full time job, we will be able to move closer to family. Valerie would love that (so would my mom).

Isn't this just so sweet?!?

I won't be seeing her this year for her birthday since she is 1311 miles or 19 hours and 53 minutes (that is time driving, going speed limit - no stops) away and life isn't permitting trips like that currently (which after what she went through to see me does make me feel like a horrible sister). I love you Val and we'll see you as soon as we can!

Happy Birthday Valerie!

May Be Foodless Friday: Baked Potatoes

Welcome to May Be Foodless Friday. Today we'll be discussing Baked Potatoes, which are easy, but time consuming - after all you have to let them cook in the oven for about an hour because we all know that microwaved potatoes are not that great, or do we? Time to rethink the microwaved potato.

For Christmas 2 years ago, my mother-in-law gave us a baked potato bag for the microwave. This wonderful home-made potato bag has made baked potatoes one of our 'quick' meals.

So how to get one of these wonderful potato bags? You can buy one (search for baked potato bag or sack), or make it yourself (or ask someone you know who loves to sew to make one for you). I have made a few and find that they are quite easy once you get going. When we get into a larger place and I get my sewing desk and machine back I will post pictures of how to make them. Until then if you have questions please feel free to contact me, there are also many places to find instructions online, each varies - just search for baked potato bag or baked potato sack.

How to make a Baked Potato Bag
Note: I am a beginner with a sewing machine so these won't be the most technical directions. I purposefully do not give dimensions as you can make them as large or small as you want to. I would hesitate to make it to too large (more than four potatoes at a time) though because I'm not sure how the potatoes would cook.

What you need

Sewing Machine
100% cotton Thread
batting*
100% Cotton fabric

*A couple of notes on batting, it would be best to get 100% cotton batting, however it is not necessary.
Also when buying the batting, if you buy low or medium loft you will need twice the amount. You will need to stitch the batting together to make it thicker.

Directions:
You will need one piece of cotton fabric that is twice as tall as the piece of batting. Place the batting on the wrong side of the cotton fabric, line up the edges on three sides. Fold down the top of the fabric to cover the batting (you should only see the design on the fabric now.) Sew the three edges . Fold in half so the sewn edges are together. Sew the two edges that have been sewn together and surge(I just use the zig-zag stitch). Turn bag so stitching is on the inside and you have a potato bag.

View of inside the bags. FYI I made green one and my mother-in-law made the red one.

I've seen some where they actually quilt the whole thing, which may not be a bad idea to keep the batting in place, because after quite a few uses it starts to slip down in the bag. Another way to counter this would be to use two pieces of fabric and stitch the batting to all the edges.

Another thing I have seen is having a lip to close the potatoes in the bag. I don't think it is necessary, as our potatoes cook just fine without it, but it does look nicer.

To use:
Wash & Dry Potato, DO NOT PRICK (you can wrap the potato in a paper towel if desired),
Place in Bag, Microwave using your microwave’s potato setting (if you don’t have one, start with 4 minutes). You want to squeeze the potato while still in the sack, if it is soft then it is done. Some potatoes may need additional time. If more time is needed continue using 1 minute increments until done.
Tip: to get your potatoes nice and fluffy, take your potato when it is still nice and hot. Bang* it on a clean surface (counter, cutting board, etc) a couple of times, it will split open after the second or third time. Place on a plate, open split more and fluff with a fork.

Caution: You may need to use a hot-pad to hold the hot potato while banging it.

*Seriously Bang it on the counter! Take out your frustrations on the potato, it works great! Doesn't that potato look nice and fluffy?

Additional Uses: Day old rolls, Acorn Squash, Carrots, String Beans
Wrap the following in a paper towel
Sweet Corn; Remove Husk
Sweet Potatoes

100% Cotton – Machine Washable – Cold
****** Microwaves ovens may vary do not leave bags unattended when using – you should not leave the potatoes in the bag as they will steam and get it wet. Not recommended for use in microwaves without a working turntable.