ATM Thefts, More Medical.

News report about two guys who are systematically robbing stand alone ATM machines using an acetylene torch. They are hitting businesses all across Quebec and Southern Ontario and the police are now requesting information from the public. There is a video on this site which includes a film of the two men breaking into one of the ATM machines. They are being referred to as the torch gang. From the comments posted beneath the article it seems a lot of people are pro the robbers referring to their exploits as being similar to Robin Hood and calling the banks robbers. Whatever you think of banks, it is our money which is being stolen. I heard recently that the use of names such as the Torch Gang helps the public identify thieves and assists in their apprehension.
Sorry guys, I ate too much and tonight I am not in the mood for writing blogs, shame, shame. The friends we just visited find my blog very uninteresting anyway and can’t be bothered to read it, that hurts. Oh the pain LOL. We went to the doctor for Matt and he now has a colonoscopy scheduled for early December to which I am sure he is looking forward!! We sat in the office for an hour and a half before seeing the doctor. Thought it was a tad long. Wednesday we have more doc visits, sometimes that seems like all we do.
I think all true Englishmen (women) love Cornish Pasties, it’s a dead cert Matt and I do anyway and I just came across this variation on a theme. Sound delicious.

Chicken Cornish Pasties

Jennifer Innis' chicken Cornish pasties are a wonderfully flaky snack.
Courtesy of Food Network Canada
Yield: 12

Ingredients

Pastry

• 1 cup (250 ml) shortening
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) cold water

Filling

• 2 tablespoons (25 ml) olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds (750 g) ground chicken
• 1 cup (250 ml) diced onion
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced garlic
• 1 cup (250 ml) diced celery
• 1 cup (250 ml) diced sweet red pepper
• 2 cups (500 ml) grated carrot
• 2 cups (500 ml) grated parsnip
• 2 cups (500 ml) grated peeled sweet potato
• 1 can (10 oz/284 ml) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup (75 ml) packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (22 ml) chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

Pastry

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together lard and butter until creamy. Add salt and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine your all-purpose and whole wheat flours together. Add the flour to the creamed fats, 1 cup at a time, scraping sides of the bowl with each addition.
2. Add the water all at once and mix evenly. Quickly form dough into a ball. Use plenty of flour when rolling out, as the dough will be quite sticky.
3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. This pastry should roll out very smoothly and not fall to pieces. Knead a few times then cover with plastic wrap and chill until needed.

Filling

1. In large non-stick frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook ground chicken, stirring to break up meat, for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned. Drain off excess fat. Stir in onion, garlic, celery and red pepper; cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Transfer chicken mixture to a large saucepan.
2. Stir in carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, soup, chicken stock, vinegar, brown sugar, rosemary, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes or until liquid has absorbed and vegetables are tender. Set aside to cool before using. Makes about 6 cups (1.5 L).
3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove pastry dough from refrigerator. Divide into 12 equal portions. Form each portion into a ball. On generously floured work surface, roll one ball of dough into a 6-inch (15 cm) circle. Place 6-inch (15 cm) salad or dessert plate upside down on top of pastry circle; using small paring knife, trim excess dough away to form a perfect circle. Dust pastry circle with flour; set aside. Roll out remaining dough balls in same manner.
4. Place pastry circles on a lightly floured surface. Add ¼ cup (50 ml) chicken mixture to bottom half of one circle, leaving at least ½-inch (1 cm) bare around edge. Brush outer edge of pastry with beaten egg. Fold dough over and press edges together to seal. Crimp the straight edge of pasty with tines of a fork. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry circles. Freeze remaining filling for the next time you make pasties.
5. Brush tops of pasties with remaining beaten egg. With sharp knife, pierce a vent in top of each pasty. One baking sheet at a time, bake in centre of oven for 30 minutes.

Have a great day