Art Portfolio

Just posting some pictures as a simple porfolio

Key Organizer - On the Cheap!

I've looked at a number of options for organizing my keys rather than having a jumble in my pocket. Keysmart, Orbitkey, Keydisk, but I just couldn't justify the cost. So I started looking at some DIY options. And really I couldn't find anything that was a super easy walkthrough, just general suggestions in forums. So if you have a number of keys and want a cheap option better than a keyring, check out my story and step by step below! My final cost for this (6 keys) was $9.07, plus now I have a whole bunch of extra bolts. It would have been cheaper if I didn't have to buy a whole pack of nuts and bolts... but I couldn't find small enough bolts in the bulk bins. I got everything at a whim at Home Depot. This is super easy to do, I didn't even need any tools!

What you will need:



2 mending plates (you may want to remove the stickers - I forgot the first time around and had to take it all apart. Pro tip - if you end up with sticky residue - soak it in some rubbing alcohol and wipe it off with a cloth. Super duper easy)
2 1/8 x 1 inch flat socket head stove bolts (+ nuts). I like Robertson because that's how every bolt should be everywhere. But you can pick what you like.
7 rubber washers (this is for my 6 keys, 1 key is rubber coated so only needed a washer on one side)
Your keys

Steps:

1. Take one mending plate and place the bolts through each whole at the ends. Make sure the head is going into the recessed side, not the flat one.




2. Place a rubber washer on each bolt.



3. Place a key on each bolt, confirming that the flat side of the keys are opposite each other. This will make it easier to fit and use your keys.



4. Place another washer on each bolt.



5. Continue the same pattern until all your keys are on. You want to have the same number on each side. If you have an odd number of keys use another washer to space the gap.



6. Place the second mending plate on the bolts.



7. Place the nuts on hand tight. You may want to play around with the tension a bit so they spin how you like them to. Did anyone notice the Hollywood magic? :p


I'm considering getting acorn nuts to cap the bolts a bit better but this was just a really fast run of things. I expect I'll also get rid of the squared edges on the mending plates at a future time as well.

Post in the comments if you have any helpful suggestions. :)

Enjoy!

Honey Mustard Baked Potatoes (and Carrots)

So.... remember how I said I would post this recipe soon? Well... that was in May. But soon is relative, right?

This is a delicious recipe! I paired them with my Cajun Chicken recipe here. 

As with most things I make, this is a pretty simple recipe. Here si what you will need:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsps grainy mustard

The number of potatoes and carrots is up to you. Depending on how many I'm making it for I do between 2 and 4 carrots and 4 and 8 potatoes. 

Cook this for 35-40 minutes at 350F and you should be good! A wonderful side for many a dish. 

Star Wars Gummies!

Want to take a bite out of the dark side?

                                   

Then make these delicious gummy candies! I derived this from this video on YouTube here. I found trying to follow the recipe on the video was a bit tricky so I thought I would blog out a recipe. 

Here are the ingredients you are going to need:

• 1/2 cup COLD water (some ice cubes could help with this)
• 1/4 cup corn syrup - preferably the clear kind as I bought the yellow stuff and it changes the colour of your candies
• 1 pack JELLO - I used raspberry
• 2 packs of unflavoured gelatin (I used Knox)
• Flavoured vitamin C tablets (optional)

Steps

Measure out half a cup of water.

Adding ice cubes will make it extra cold. This helps everything to mix well. Plus it looks really cool to put the Millenium Falcon in a measuring cup. 

After the ice has melted, add 1/4 cup of corn syrup. Stir it with a fork until everything is mixed together. Pour it into a saucepan! Don't turn on the heat!

Now pour in all the gelatin - the flavoured Jello and the unflavoured gelatin.

Still don't turn on the heat! Mix the gelatin and the liquid. It will be chunky for a bit but keep mixing!

Leave it for a bit and crush up the vitamin C tablets if you are adding them. You can also add powdered citric acid. If you like it sour add 2 tsp.

You'll want to crush them into as fine a powder as you can. Just like the Rancor crushed the bones of Jabba's enemies.

Add in the crushed tablets. Stir until they are starting to dissolve. Turn the heat on! Medium low is best, you don't need a lot of heat here, and it is best not to burn it. 

 Keep stirring until it is nice and smooth. There were a number of steps here but this probably shouldn't take more than 10 minutes or so.

Pour the hot liquid into a cup or other heat resistant tall clear glass. This will allow the impurities to float to the top of the glass. If you did this right there won't be much! Skim it off with a spoon. I like to put it aside and eat it... very sweet. But you can just get rid of it if you want.

Pour the liquid into a condiment bottle so you can easily control the flow into the moulds.

 Pour the goodness into the moulds! Make sure to fill them just a little too full. They will shrink as they cool. I found a six pack of these on Amazon.ca here.

 Let them sit out for 4-5 hours, then pop them out of the moulds! Enjoy the fruits of your labours!

Cajun Chicken

I paired this with my honey mustard baked potatoes recipe. I'll add the recipe soon.

Like flavour and spice, but don't want to melt your face off? This is a perfect dish for that. Simple and delicious.

Here is what you will need:

• 2 large chicken breasts (fresh or frozen, I used frozen)
• Oil for cooking the chicken (I used olive oil, ~2 tbps)
• 1/2 tsp of the following:
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• paprika
• salt (optional)
• Dash of cayenne pepper

Here's how to make it:

Step 1
Put some olive oil in a pan. Turn heat on to medium.

Step 2
Toss in your chicken! Cook covered for more tenderness.

Step 3
While the chicken is cooking make up the Cajun spice. Mix all spices in a small bowl.

Step 4

About the time the chicken is getting white on top flip the chicken.    

                                                

Step 5

Sprinkle about half the seasoning on the cooked side. Put the lid back on.

Step 6
Give the chicken another few minutes. Flip again. Put the rest of the seasoning on the chicken. Do not put the lid back on this time. You may notice the bottom of the pan is getting some dried up spice and chicken juices built up. Deglaze it with some water or whatever you feel inclined to use. Don't use too much...

Step 7
Flip the chicken again to get the top properly seasoned. Slide it around a bit to coat, get any bits of seasoning that are on the bottom of the pan and put them on the chicken. You're done!

Franks hash browns!

So. This is probably going to be my simplest recipe I will ever post. These are a super quick  breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. Or snack. Eat them any time day or night! Without further ado...

Franks Hash Browns!

All you need to do is throw some hashbrowns in a pan with some oil or butter. Cook until crispy (8-10 minutes probably). Toss in however much or little Franks red hot sauce you like. I do about 2 tbsp. Coat the Browns real nice. Then grate your favourite cheese on top and let it melt. Done!

Lettuce Chicken Wraps

These are so delicious and light. Delectable. Savoury! And simple. Here's what you are going to need:

• 3 chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• Olive oil for cooking
• 1/2 of a red onion
• 2 red peppers
• 200g Mushrooms
• Lettuce
• Italian dressing

And here is how to make it:

1. Put some olive oil in a pan and turn the heat up to medium. Slice up the chicken breasts into half inch strips and throw them in the pan. Toss with black pepper. Don't overcook them - should be pretty quick as they are sliced pretty thin. 
2. While the chicken is cooking, slice up the onion and red peppers. 
3. Once the chicken is done, set aside on a plate. Throw red peppers into the pan for a minute or two. Then throw in the onions.
4. Cook together for 3-5 minutes depending on your desired tenderness. You may want to put in a bit more olive oil at this point to de-glaze some of that deliciousness. In the last minute or two add the mushrooms. Cook longer if you like them really tender.
5. Throw in the chicken to heat it up again.  
6. Carefully peel a whole lettuce leaf (or as many as you're going to eat... I can pretty much guarantee you're going to want more than one...) Wash, drain and pat dry on some paper towel. 
7. Put some of the chicken and veggie mix into the lettuce. Drizzle with Italian dressing. Wrap it up!

Eat! Enjoy! Savour!