Gift ideas for University Freshmen

This started as a list to help a friend picking up presents for a younger sibling heading to college for the first time, away from the parents. But I have decided it's a good one to share, much like my camping list.

1. Cookbook (Just google college cookbook, you'll find dozens boast cheap, easy and tasty recipes) Alternatively you could suggest blogs you've come across like this one ;)
2. Quarters, rolls of them. Freshmen may not understand at first but weither they're used for parking or laundry they will be apperciated
3. Umbrella (espcailly if you live in a windy city like me and are constant breaking them)
4. Campus Gear: Wall calender, bookbag, clip board, hoodie...
5. Stress Ball
6. Vitamin C
7. Picture album / collage frame /scrapbook
8. Sewing kit
9. First aid kit
10. Slippers
11. Housecoat
12. Cork board /white board (with pins /white board markers)
13. Playing Cards
14. Shot glass
15. Lamp
16. Booklight /flashlight
17. Tool kit
18. Poster (for decor)
19. Eye mask
20. Ear plugs
21. A fan
22. Coffee perkulator

Blueberry-Peanut Cheesecake

This recipe came from a book called 500 Desserts by Ann Kay with the slight change of having peanuts rather then walnuts.

What you will need:

350g of blueberries
1 tbsp of honey or agave nectar
6 tbsp of sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
3/4 cup of cream cheese
1 egg
1 tsp of liqueur (optional)

For the base:
1 2/3 cups of peanuts
2/3 cup flour
pinch of salt
4 tbsp butter
5 tbsp brown sugar
1 egg yolk (I used the whole egg)

Starting with the base:

1. Ground peanuts (I used a potato smasher, works just fine, could also put them in a zip lock and roll over them with a can of a soup until satisfied.)
2. Mix ground peanuts, flour and salt in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk (I just put the whole egg in, didn't hurt!).
4. Fold creamed bowl slowly into peanut-mixture until well combined.
5. Press crumble into a greased 9 inch pie dish, covering completely and evenly.
6. Cover and chill for 30 minutes minimum.
7. Bake crust for 15 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit, let cool before adding filling.

The topping:

1. In a heavy frying pan combine blueberry, honey or agave nectar, 1 tbsp of sugar, lemon juice.
2. Cook for 5-7 minutes over low heat, stirring often. Berries should give off some liquid but retain their shape (I used frozen berries thus they gave off a lot of liquid, no worries).
3. In a new bowl beat cream cheese and  5 tbsp of sugar until fluffy.
4. Add an egg, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, the liqueur (if you choose) and the cream. Beat until blended.
5. Pour mixture into crust.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.
7. Cool on a wire rack.
8. Cover and chill for at least an hour
9. Spread blueberry mixture over the top.

Enjoy!

General Camping Supplies List

So this weekend we're driving about 5 hours to sleep in a tent on someone's lawn. And I'm really excited! Mainly for the people we're spending time with but there's also this Mussel Bed Soiree thing that's bringing us all together. Thus my post for you today is the camping supplies list.

A great way to go about camping with friends is to create a google spreadsheet (in google documents) and share with all the campers. Put everything you can think of in catergories blocked out by columns with a spare column in between for everyone to "sign up" to bring specific items. Clearly some items (like sunglasses) are going to be brought by everyone and only end up on the list as a good reminder.

Below is everything I could think up for a universal camping supplies list (obviously food is to taste):

*Shelter
Tent
Tarp (cover & ground)
Rope
Hammer
Hatchet
Dust pan/broom
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Air mattress
Air pump

*Cooking
Water
Ice
Stove /Propane
Lighter / Matches
Firewood
Grill
Fire starters(paper)
Plates/bowls/mugs
utentils/knives
Aluminium foil
Paper towels
Trash bags
Tupperware
Ovenmits
Pots/pans
Tongs
Skewers
Can opener
Dish pan
Dish cloths/towels
Dish soap

*Food
seasonings/condiments (BBq sauce, salt, pepper)
Marshmellows
Graham crackers
Chocolate
Hot chocolate
Tea
Steak
Raw Veggies
Skewers
hot dogs/buns
Soup
Trailmix
Eggs
Cereal
Milk
Bread
Jam
Corn
Hummus
Crackers
BOOZE
potatos
nachos (chips/salsa/sour cream)

*Clothes
Hiking shoes
sandles
jeans
shorts
tees /tanks
socks
hat
hoodie
underwear
pjs
Rain clothes
swimsuit
Gloves

*Personal
towels
wash cloth
soap/shampoo
tooth brush/paste
deodorant
brush
toilet paper
tylenol

*Other
Sunblock
Lantern w/ fuel
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Fly spray
Camera/battery
Books
Candles
Camp chairs
Sunglasses
First aid kit
Cards
Boardgames
Paper
Pen
Umbrella
Scissors

Vegetarian Pot Pie with Sweet Potato-Bechamel Sauce

The finished product!

I don't know if you've ever noticed but vegetable pot pie in the store is an outrageous price. At least around here, and you can only the single serving size (which comes 2 in a box normally). Thus, even though I love love love pot pie it ended up on list of food I only buy as a treat.

Then I figured out how to make pot pies only better. I even have a (not-so-)secret special sauce that came out of a mistake the first time I made them. You just must try this pot pie!!

You will need (for 2 pies):

• Root vegetables
• 4 small potatoes, 1 small turnip, 4 carrot, 1 parsnip (I actually forgot the turnip in mine, but it's all your own preference)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Olive oil to drizzle
• A handful of Broccoli
• A handful of Cauliflower
• 1 Sweet potato
• 1 package of Bechamel sauce (pictured below)
• 4 pie crusts (2 bottoms, 2 covers -they often come 2 in a box, thus 2 boxes)
• 4 hours (don't worry, it's mainly a waiting game that you can speed up if need-be)

Root veggies prep:

1. Peel and chop up all your root veggies into chunks (excluding the sweet potato).
2. Salt and pepper to taste on a baking tray.
3. Drizzle with oil.
4. Slow roast for three hours on 250 Fahrenheit.
1. In a rush? Though I haven't tried it I'm sure you could up the temperature and take out once they're all soft.
5.  Wait for 2.5 hrs before continuing.

Special Sauce Prep:

1. Peel and slice the sweet potato in smaller the better chunks.
2. In just enough water to cover the sweet potatoe in a large pot bring water to boil.
3. Once the sweet potatoe has lost most of it's shape /is soft enough to make into mush add the Bechamel Mix. You may need to add more water then the package says since you also have the sweet potato. The water can be replaced with milk if you like.
4. If it's not thick enough you may wish to add flour.
5. Adding any drippings from root veggies.

Steamed Veggies Prep:

1. Boil a medium sized pot of water
2. Add Cauliflower
3. Wait a minute then add broccoli
4. Wait max of 5 minutes and remove veggie from water.
5. Alternatively use a veggie steamer.

Final Stage:

1. Poke holes with a fork in each pie and bake for 10 minutes approx.
2. While on a baking tray fill 2 bottoms with an equal amount of root veggies (you may wish to chop your root veggies smaller)
3. Repeat with steamed veggies.
4. Pour sauce on top, don't worry if it's not level, just as long as it doesn't go over the sides.
5. Place your tops on, pressing sides together with a fork if possible.
6. Bake on 300 Ferenheit for 30-40 minutes.