Baked Bacon

 Well I found a new way on instagram to prepare a pack of regular bacon.  It says lay the slices out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  They can touch but not overlap to prevent the slices from sticking together.  Then bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes.  Lay the slices on paper towels to drain and discard the parchment paper and the fat.  I will be using this method from now on!  

Linking to Kathy's Food Wednesdays.

Kale Chips

 I haven't made kale chips in a while.

1 bunch of kale leaves, with the stems trimmed away.

3 tbs olive oil

 1/2 tsp salt

 1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

 1/2 tsp onion powder

 1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375F

On a tray lined with parchment paper, or a silpat (silicone baking) mat is fine

Mix all the ingredients together, bake for 20 minutes until the leaves are browned and crispy.

Pork Sirloin Roast updated method

 I tried a new recipe for making my dutch oven pork sirloin roast.  With my other method it seemed I was overcooking the meat and it took a lot of time.

2-4 lb pork sirloin roast

I marinated the meat with onion, garlic, sugar or honey (1 tbs), soy sauce, balsamic vinegar (2 tbs), salt, pepper, thyme, tomato paste, olive oil.

pre heat the oven to 450F

I lightly coat my dutch oven with oil than put it in the oven for 20 minutes.

Then I place the marinated meat into the dutch oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to 250F, pour in a can of chicken stock and a can of water. Cover and bake the meat for 25-30 mins per pound or 145F internal temperature.

Roasted Mushrooms

 I decided to roast some mushrooms and was not disappointed.

2 lbs mushrooms

1 tbs butter

2 tbs olive oil

3 tbs balsamic vinegar

2 tbs dark soy sauce

3 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

Place the cleaned mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Mix in all the ingredients above.  Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes.

Friday Art - Acrylic Paint Pens

 I bought these new acrylic paint pens just to see what they were like.  I did these rainbows over a lake to test the effects of acrylic and watercolour paint pens.  The drawing below is an acrylic paint pen rainbow.  The one after is a watercolour  brush pen rainbow.   I love the brush pen effect of the manuscript brush pens.  They are easily blendable too.

acrylic paint pen rainbow

watercolour brush pen rainbow

We are heading into the first long holiday weekend of the summer, enjoy!  It is the Victoria Day weekend.

This is a painting I did of my sister's departed cat that she lost last year.  Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off.

Also linking to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Pollination

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'May Flowers' month.  Her theme this week is 'pollination'.  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Meme Wednesday