We Love To Hate -- Semi Homemade with Sandra Lee

Ooh such a novel idea but what a bumble-head for a host! Though she attended University of Wisconsin, we Wisconsinites refuse to recognize her as one of ours.


I have seen her show a few times and am less impressed with each visit. She touts herself as a caterer and party planner. She is neither and never been. She has been a shill for QVC.

A recipe from her website:
Pink Linen Dusting Powder
10 Wonka™ red PixyStix® candy powder straws,Nestlé's®2 tbsp powdered sugar, C&H®
Prep time: 5 minutes
PREPARATION:Empty Pixy Stix® into a bowl.
Add powdered sugar and mix.
Using a fine mesh sieve, sift mixture into another bowl.
Repeat until mix is well combined and dusting powder is even in color.
Apply powder to yourself and the bed sheets with a new makeup brush or power puff. Enjoy!

I'll bet Sandra has ant infestations in her bedroom if she's dusting with PixyStix.

Now that it's holiday time, they have her looking especially sexed-up. Did you see the personalities get together for a holiday special? Bobby Flay actually rolled his eyes when he saw Sandra Lee walk in the room! He knows she has no talent, no skill in the kitchen. He couldn't even hide it for filming the show.

Wikipedia says, Critics are concerned with the abundance of alcohol used on the program. (In 2004, the show began including a regular segment titled "Sandra's Cocktail Time", and frequently showcases drinks with a high alcohol content.)

On eGullet
Soba: Sandra, fwiw, fills a niche: she fulfills the need for people to see how truly abysmal her brand of "cooking" is, so that when they experience the real thing, they'll flee for the hills and never ever look back.
lyz2814: -She decorated a store bought cake with canned frosting and CORN NUTS!


The tag line of her website says, Semi-homemade 70% premade, 30% fresh. Sandra is 100% grade-A ham.

It's The Holiday Season So Hoopdee Doo And Dickery Dock

I got my Christmas shopping done... finally! So now I can get back to blogging.

First, I need the thank Templar of Food Ninja for the great BBM3 package.


I enjoyed this exchange so much I may be tempted to stick my toe in the Blog By Mail pool one more time.

Templar's package was thrilling, I must say. I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland with all of the eat me, drink me instructions. The envelope on the outside of the shipping tube instructed me to open it first. In the envelope was a Canada Safeway grocery receipt (all veggies Templar... what gives?) with a note on the back telling me where to find my next clue which happened to be hidden in the archives of his blog.
Templar's instructions for opening the shipping tube:
1 Peel back the tape till you find the string with the black ends.
2 now sitting on the floor or in your favorite chair place the tube between your knees
3 grab the string closest to you left knee with your right hand
4 grab the string closest to right knee with your with your left hand
5 pull towards the middle..
I was really hoping line 6 was not something along the lines of kiss your @ss goodbye. And it wasn't!

Here is a list of all the great stuff in the tube sent by Templar:
Coffee Crisp candies (a bit similar to the texture of Kit Kat)
Homemade oatmeal cookies (these were nearly gone before I even tasted them. Delicious!)
Cheezies (super funky cheese aroma but they tasted really good)
Butter Rum Life Savers (I haven't had Life Savers in a very long time so this was a fabulous treat)
A snowman ornament for the Christmas tree (cute! I have been eyeing those too.)
Store fliers from Templar's area (I wish my groceries were that inexpensive!)
The shipping tube also had a couple of recipes written by Templar




Second, I need to thank Rachel via The Amateur Gourmet Secret Santa cookbook exchange for sending Alton.



Is Alton beginning to look like Elton?



Anyway... thank you, thank you to the generous Templar and Rachel.

...And don't forget to hang up your sock

Ask a Pastry Chef: Italian Pastry Lobster Tail

A question from Ann:
I came across an Italian pastry whose name meant "lobster tail". It looked more like a clam shell with its grooves winding around and around from a apex, spreading outward. The texture was crisp, fried not baked. The filling was ricotta flavored with orangepeel and citron chunks. Slightly sweetened. Do you know anything about it?

continue reading at Ask A Pastry Chef

Parent Control

You may have seen this emailed about. Thanks to Sharboobie for sending it to me.

Ebay in Time for Christmas

I'll bet they're low carb.

Original Cricket Snax
In Salt n' Vinegar, Bacon & Cheddar Cheese, and Sour Cream & Onion flavores to satisfy your urge for crunch!
They are better for you than greasy crisps and they do taste far better anyway
Please specify prefered flavour when ordering.
chirp... chirp!
This product is safe for human consumption. Insects are farm raised under the strictest conditions

I want to see the cricket farm but I'll bring my ear plugs.


A turkey dinner for sale on Ebay?

NO! It's a jello mold. Just add evaporated milk to achieve an opaque look. *gack*


Jones Soda Holiday Pack

You can find the Jones Soda holiday pack at Ebay, but if you buy it from a store or directly from the Jones website, the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Flavors in the national holiday pack are Brussels Sprout with Prosciutto, Cranberry Sauce, Turkey & Gravy, Wild Herb Stuffing, and Pumpkin Pie. If you're lucky enough to find a regional pack, you'll enjoy the flavors: Broccoli Casserole, Smoked Salmon Paté ,Turkey & Gravy, Corn on the Cob, and Pecan Pie. I might try these once, just for a thrill.
Oh, and holiday packs also come with Serving spoon, moistened towelette, and suggested wine list.



Remember a while back there were literally hundreds of freaky images for sale at Ebay created by masses of possessed toasters? Today, I couldn't find a single one. I guess the aliens must have loosened their grip on the toasters of world.


So there you go! Plenty of gift ideas for all the loved ones on your list.
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!