Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Feb 26

Nico’s Salmon Cakes

I’ve received a few requests for this one, and I had to wait until they were back on the menu to snap some pictures. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions 🙂

Here is what you need:

  • 1 7.1 oz Pouch of Salmon, I use Chicken of the Sea
  • 2 Large Egg Whites
  • Dash of Salt
  • Dash of Pepper
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
  • 1 Cup Bread Crumbs (I use homemade ones)
  • Vegetable Oil for Frying
  • Large Skillet
  • Spatula, Whisk
  • Paper Towel lined plate, and that salt shaker one more time
  • Large Bowl

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Start by preheating your oil. I have mine set on medium heat, you only need a little bit of oil for frying, just fill your pan about 1/4 deep. While the oil is heating, separate your egg whites and give them a good mix in your mixing bowl.

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Add in your seasonings, and give it another good mix. Add in your salmon, and mix well with CLEAN HANDS, breaking up any large pieces of Salmon. Add in your bread crumbs and continue mixing.

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At this point your cat will pay a visit to the kitchen, and demand a salmon cake. Ignore the cat, and Roll your Salmon mixture into a ball, about the size of a large meatball. Give it a slight squish, and continue making the cakes.

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Carefully place the salmon cakes in the preheated oil, and fry until they are golden brown on one side. Check them often, so they do not burn. Give the cakes a flip, and then one more squish, to make an even Salmon cake. They only take a few moments on each side, but feel free to let them cook to your family’s preference. My hubby likes his Salmon Cakes well done 😉

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Once you have your desired doneness, place the Salmon cakes on the paper towel lined plate and salt them. Serve the Salmon Cakes warm along with your favorite sides.

 

My batch made 5 large cakes, but sometimes I like to make mini-cakes for my toddler. They are pretty tasty, and an inexpensive meal to make too. Just watch out for the demanding house-cat. I guess he can have the leftovers, if you have any 😉

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 23

A Big Breakfast :)

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Today I rocked it out in the kitchen, and whipped up a Big Breakfast for James. I made Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Toast, and a Caramel Coffee too. Thade had Toast guys (gingerbread men shaped toast) and Bacon also. I even took the time to have breakfast today, I usually skip the meal and just go for the coffee.

We’ll be going grocery shopping just as soon as the ice has melted a bit outdoors. It is still so slick outside. I jumped on a big ice pack last night, and it didn’t budge.  It was fun skating to the front door though 😉

Feb 21

Little Jobs

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Thanks to all of the Ice, I decided it would be a good day to stock up the freezer. I made a big batch of Homemade Waffles, and even Thade liked them. The recipe made 15, and 12 made their way into the freezer for future tasty breakfasts.

 

This afternoon I’ve been working on a really odd project in the Dining Room, caulking around the wood-work, and the windows. I think the caulking around the windows will help seal out any sneaky cold air, and the caulking around the wood-work looks great. If I can get all of the prep-work finished maybe then we can get to painting around here.

 

The only problem with looking for seams to seal is that it is hard to stop. I then made my way into the kitchen, to caulk the cabinets, and baseboards too. I had better stop before I get a gigantic headache. It does look nicer, even though it doesn’t look like I did anything 😉

 

This afternoon I hope to get my neglected Sewing Machine out and fix the upstairs bathroom curtain. I need to find a nice place to sew though, Dylan is not a fan of the noisy machine 😉 It looks like a lot of little odd jobs that I had better get to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 19

More Treats from Nico’s Kitchen

The last few weeks, I’ve been attempting to make Homemade Pies from Scratch. My Great-Grandmother was the World’s best Pie Maker. She would make these amazing Coconut Cream Pies piled high with Meringue. Sometimes she would have to make 2, because I would eat all of the Meringue off of them, but she didn’t mind.

I have a love of Apricot pie, which I’ve just learned that my Great-Grandmother loved to make also. She was also a cook at the high school that my Mom went too, my Great- Grandma would make enough Apricot Pie to feed 500 kids. It was one of her favorites, I guess that is why I love it so much too 🙂 It is hard to find though, and expensive when you do find them. So I have been on a quest in my kitchen to make Homemade Pies just as good as my Great- Grandmother’s.

My First Attempt: Homemade (crust and all) Peach Pie

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O.k. so it wasn’t the prettiest Peach Pie, but oh my goodness it was so tasty. The crust was perfectly flaky, and the filling was Peach Perfection. That pie completely ruined me on ever purchasing a store bought pie, or even a trip to our Local Tea house that serves really expensive pie. Yep I was hooked, and ready to bake again 🙂

Second Attempt: Nico’s All-Time Favorite Apricot Pie (from scratch)

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All I can say is WOW this one was definitely the winner! Even my hubby (who isn’t a fruit pie fan) loved this one! I used my Mom’s Longaberger dish to bake the pie in. I was a little nervous about baking in someone else’s pottery, I have a big fear of breaking dishes. The Deep Dish Longaberger Pottery did just the trick, and the pie turned out perfectly. Even the crust was prettier, and the filling was Apricot-tastic 🙂 I’ll be baking this one again soon.

Mine were pretty close to my Great Grandmother’s, but her’s will always be very favorite. My brother has a birthday coming up soon, and I’m going to attempt the Coconut Cream Pie with Meringue for him. I might just have to make two, its a tradition after all 😉

Feb 16

Baking the Cake

Today I had plans to make a 4 layer cake for my birthday. I was going to alternate White Cake (dyed pink), and Chocolate Cake, and smother the entire cake in Vanilla Icing. I’ve got the Perfectly Pink Cake out of the oven, and I’m a little nervous about attempting to cut it in half. My birthday cake might just turn into a 3 Layer Cake instead 🙂

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I also went to Walgreens today to buy a few more packs of Diapers, and my friend told me that all of the Valentine’s Day candy was on sale for %50 off! I bought a few, well maybe more than just a few of the treats. I think I’ll share the goodies with our company tomorrow.