More knitting, less cooking: Loretta's Effin Recipe.

Today in more knitting, less cooking, we have Loretta, author of the infamous Effin Scarf (more on that in a moment). First, let me offer up her yummy recipe. I can almost hear her saying, "I want to knit, but I guess first I've gotta get Shelley that effin recipe she wanted."

Actually, what she officially said is that this is her "go-to recipe for a crowd, bring-a-long, or when I want leftovers that taste as good as the first time. Easy to throw together which makes for more knitting time."

Loretta's Ham and Broccoli Casserole (from a Bisquick insert)
2 pkg (10-oz. each) frozen chopped broccoli
2 cups cut-up, fully cooked smoked ham
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
3 cups milk
4 eggs
Salt & pepper

Heat oven to 350. Spread thawed broccoli in ungreased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Layer ham and cheese over broccoli. Beat remaining ingredients with wire whisk until smooth. Slowly pour over cheese. Bake uncovered for 1 hour.

Note: I’ve used Reduced Fat Bisquick and lowfat and skim milk in this recipe over the years. Always turns out great.

So, next comes the evidence that Loretta gets a lot of knitting done between meals! She just finished this Lily's Lace Scarf in one skein of Mountain Colors Twizzle.



(Hint: This might be our Webby Wednesday deal tomorrow...)

Loretta knits for her daughter. A lot. I think this Gaptastic Cowl in two skeins of Vintage Chunky was made for the DD.



And I have a feeling DD might nab this one too - a one-skein scarf in Mille Colori Big (pattern is right on the ballband).


But Loretta is hanging on tight to these recently-finished projects. Here's her Jeweled Cowl in Kidsilk Haze (her second time to make this project).



The Vail Glamour Scarf from the Panache book has been a big hit around the shop.


And now for everyone's favorite Effin Scarf, the Loretta original pattern that looks so good in so many yarns. This one is made with one skein of Mountain Colors Merino Twist.


Love the photography, Loretta. But I must admit, I'd like to see you put your effin self in the photos more often ;-)

- Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com

More knitting, less cooking: Cassidy's cans.

Today in this installment of "More knitting, less cooking" we are featuring Miss Cassidy, her 10-Can soup recipe, and her daughter's darling little covered "can."


This is the Mara shawlette (free Ravelry pattern) that Cassidy recently made from Tosh Sock yarn, modeled by her utterly charming daughter.


Sidenote: these amazing photos make me want to steal Cassidy's Hipstamatic camera!

Mara actually calls for a DK yarn, which shows you how flexible the pattern is. (To see a Mara that Gina recently made from Blue Sky Suri Merino, check out the Sept. 13 post on our Facebook page).

Cassidy's also working on a Beekeeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits. She's using leftover sock yarns from her stash.



That quilt's gonna take awhile, so it's a good thing Cassidy has this ultra-fast recipe to rely on. Just open 10 cans, dump in the pot and get back to your knitting!

Cassidy's 10 Can Soup
2 cans Ranch style beans
2 cans Fiesta corn
2 cans white hominy (or, if you don't like hominy, add some black beans)
2 cans white chicken breast (or, it's great to de-bone a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken - if you can put down the needles for an extra five minutes)
2 cans Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 pkg. Knorr's veggie seasoning, or taco seasoning- both are great!

Open cans, dump in soup pot, simmer, enjoy!
I like to top mine with crunched tortilla chips and a bit of shredded cheese.

An easy recipe that won't go straight to your "can" - providing you take it easy on the cheese :) Enjoy!

Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com