So as the days get longer and the temperature goes up so does the desire to put delicious frosty things in our mouths. I have always been a fan of ice cream, but now i love it even more than ever. I also am a big fan of the popsicle. It isn't even a matter of reliving youth or any other sort of mumbo jumbo. I JUST LIKE THEM! Mata loves popsciles or any other frozen variation of flavored water ten time more than i do!
I picked up a copy of Vegan Soul Food at the library after fiddling around for new books and cookbooks to read. The recipes look tasty enough for me to buy the book if i find it cheap enough or check it out again when i need to add some variation to the daily food grind. The one tibit that i did keep from the book was the watermelon juice and popsicle ideas. I have some inexpensive molds from target that make mediocre pops, but i found a better set last week to try again. The watermelon juice is incredibly refreshing albeit very very sweet and goes well with vodka. I think that's what i'll do tommorrow while i hide out at home from the storm, juice my baby watermelon.
I bought an ice cream machine about 4 years ago when my spending habits were pretty poor and i had no regard for my credit card balance i found a cheap one at target at the end of the summer and bought it with the intention of one day making ice cream in my inexpensive maker. That time finally came! I recently started to take free cooking classes at williams sonoma and somehow got the inspiration i needed to do it myself. I had all the basic ingredients..milk, egg, cream, fruit, sugar, it just took me a few weeks to finally get past the right stack in the garage. I finally found it last friday and last friday night was the test run. I had some easy to use mixes and rock salt. Wendy contributed the ice, milk, electricity and willing test tastebuds. If you've ever used an old school machine you know how insanely loud the process can be. The canister may be spinning, but its at a slow speed which i interpret as really loud motor speed. Along with the spinning its scrapping ice and rock salt as the slowly melt and shift. The whole process really builds up to the finished product which is worth the effort. The ice cream was gone that night with the help of three more test subjects.
Saturday my mom did not come down for our usual misadventures since i'd spent my friday off at her house. I had also done major damage at the anniversary sale of a particular department store. i decided to venture to target to get some rock salt and the summer stuff was 75% off....that was enough reason to get a gel canister ice cream maker. That made it easier to make mango ice cream with the mangos Wendy gave me....The Joy of Cooking told me to puree my mango and mix it with sugar, vanilla and lemon juice and put it in the fridge to let the sugar dissolve. In the meantime i mixed cream, milk and sugar and dissolved the sugar. I mixed the two mixtures together, tossed them in the little ice cream maker and less than an hour later i had a very tasty summer treat. I made more last night, on the large scale...up next..Lychee sorbet!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Smokey Mac and Cheese!
I was craving mac and cheese last weekend and i decided that Wendy was going to partake. I happened to be at whole foods so i picked up some cream cheese and gorgonzola. I boiled my pasta, in this case it was ziti. I then chopped up some roasted garlic i found at wf and tossed that into a baking dish with the pasta and cream cheese. I then crumbled the gorgonzola and mixed it up again. i then added some freshly grated parmesano reggiano and mixed again. on top i put some more of the other cheese and a little bit of bread crumbs and tossed it in the oven. I took a shot of my homemade cherry vodka and dug in. I didn't plan on the smoky flavor but it made it amazing! No artificial smoke required!
No i haven't forgetten about you mister blog...
So it's been a hectic couple of weeks since the move. I have been cooking but with the shortage of employees on the evil island where i earn the money that feeds me i have been unable to sneak in time for blogging...
My most important culinary endeavor over the past few weeks though was to finally make JoAnn her birthday basket. By the time i was done her empty containers went back with kale and sweet potato enchiladas and cajun red beans. The birthday basket was loaded with rosemary infused olive oil, chocolate bread, banana waffles, watermelon juice, and strawberry fruit leather. I also plan on making some more goodies. most of the goodies i made spoil easy so i guess its good i'm giving a few later on to keep the delicious going. The chocolate bread came out of a thirfted bread machine book, the olive oil is pretty straight forward and the watermelon juice is just puree in blender and strain out pulp. I normally used to use the Whole Foods Whole Wheat waffle mix when i make my waffles but i was still motivated to make them myself without the powdered buttermilk. I used a recipe from the joy of cooking for the waffles and put too much baking powder and had to doctor a bit with milk, flour and sugar. The ones that i kept taste like french toast. I always add to my waffle mix banana and walnuts to make them extra tasty. The strawberry fruit leather gave me a chance to test out my new handy dandy $4 food dehydrator from goodwill. I pureed the strawberries in the blender and added a touch of lemon and sugar and laid the puree on some saran wrap on the trays for almost 16 hours for a tasty snack.
I made the sweet potato and kale enchiladas again, some cauliflower that i boiled and then baked with a beachamel sauce that i melted in parmesan and smoked gruyere and some bread crumbs on top. I also marinated sauteed portabellas in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. I also steamed green beans and tossed them in my rosemary olive oil and sauteed yellow zucchini summer squash with oil and onion.
My most important culinary endeavor over the past few weeks though was to finally make JoAnn her birthday basket. By the time i was done her empty containers went back with kale and sweet potato enchiladas and cajun red beans. The birthday basket was loaded with rosemary infused olive oil, chocolate bread, banana waffles, watermelon juice, and strawberry fruit leather. I also plan on making some more goodies. most of the goodies i made spoil easy so i guess its good i'm giving a few later on to keep the delicious going. The chocolate bread came out of a thirfted bread machine book, the olive oil is pretty straight forward and the watermelon juice is just puree in blender and strain out pulp. I normally used to use the Whole Foods Whole Wheat waffle mix when i make my waffles but i was still motivated to make them myself without the powdered buttermilk. I used a recipe from the joy of cooking for the waffles and put too much baking powder and had to doctor a bit with milk, flour and sugar. The ones that i kept taste like french toast. I always add to my waffle mix banana and walnuts to make them extra tasty. The strawberry fruit leather gave me a chance to test out my new handy dandy $4 food dehydrator from goodwill. I pureed the strawberries in the blender and added a touch of lemon and sugar and laid the puree on some saran wrap on the trays for almost 16 hours for a tasty snack.
I made the sweet potato and kale enchiladas again, some cauliflower that i boiled and then baked with a beachamel sauce that i melted in parmesan and smoked gruyere and some bread crumbs on top. I also marinated sauteed portabellas in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. I also steamed green beans and tossed them in my rosemary olive oil and sauteed yellow zucchini summer squash with oil and onion.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
First meal...
So most of the move is done and i have one last load to move today. I hope the next time i move i have enough boxes to avoid the multiple unpack and repack game. I only had twenty odd boxes this time.
Anyway i made my first meal and i know i was required to post about it after i had it for lunch. It was my first supper. I didn't really have a last supper, just some scrambled eggs with tabasco and cheese and some of my toasted homemade applewheat. ( i have to catch up on posts and that will be one along with a yellowstone post). I didn't have any fresh bread and had rediscovered a can of butternut squash puree in my cupboard. I was tempted and after having recently read The Art Of Eating In i deciced to make the first recipe from the blog. http://noteatingoutinny.com/2006/10/15/dj-oconnors-moms-squash-rolls
It was my first attempt at working bread and it was wonderful!!! They were a pretty big hit at work too.
I also made a buffalo meatloaf that i seasoned with some two sisters gourmet garlic seasoning that made it really savory...although my grandfather said it was spicy. I also tossed some pasta with a little red sauce, parmesan and the last of the homemade ricotta.
Anyway i made my first meal and i know i was required to post about it after i had it for lunch. It was my first supper. I didn't really have a last supper, just some scrambled eggs with tabasco and cheese and some of my toasted homemade applewheat. ( i have to catch up on posts and that will be one along with a yellowstone post). I didn't have any fresh bread and had rediscovered a can of butternut squash puree in my cupboard. I was tempted and after having recently read The Art Of Eating In i deciced to make the first recipe from the blog. http://noteatingoutinny.com/2006/10/15/dj-oconnors-moms-squash-rolls
It was my first attempt at working bread and it was wonderful!!! They were a pretty big hit at work too.
I also made a buffalo meatloaf that i seasoned with some two sisters gourmet garlic seasoning that made it really savory...although my grandfather said it was spicy. I also tossed some pasta with a little red sauce, parmesan and the last of the homemade ricotta.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Over the move...
Because i cannot do anything else while these men that smell like goodwill move my furniture i'm typing this waiting for the right moment to go home so that i may wash myself and make a feeble attempt to look like something resembling a human for this interview...i should have rescheduled, but then again i need to some other distraction to keep me occupied while they moved they stuff anyway....
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Almost forgot...
I made homemade ricotta on tuesday too using this recipe
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-fresh-ricotta-316867/
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-fresh-ricotta-316867/
Just one more day...
So i'm about a day and a half away from leaving for Yellowstone. I'm so exhausted that i'm not even psyched...I think slow weeks at work are more exhausting because i have to come up with shit to make me look like a worthwhile employee and someone worth saving from the chopping block. I've more or less packed. There are a few things i'm considering picking up for the pantry on wheels that is one of my suit cases. I already have a fruity trail mix, granola bars and milk boxes for breakfast, and some hard cheese. I'm pretty much set for clothes other than one or two items that require a washing. I have to scotchgard my boots...don't know if i'll get around to that...and guess what...it was snowing in the park this week.
I haven't really gone anywhere major in the past week but i have done a lot of cooking.... Wednesday's corn muffins were the first experiment. I had one ear of corn left that was cut off the cob and a box of jiffy lying around. I had some leftover cream that i subbed for the milk and added an egg and butter and baked them. They were gone pretty quick.
My dad's 30 years of service pin ceremony was Thursday morning and since i'd taken the time off i figured i'd use it to go thrifting! My aunt had some free time too and we hit Flamingo Plaza. One hour and 25 bux later i had a brand new sweater, another sweater, two cookbooks and another one of those jars to go with the other three. Thursday i also went to IKEA with Wendy and indulged in thier Macaroni and Cheese. I cannot in anyway replicate it so i always have some when i go there.
Friday i sauteed some asparagus in olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder and made some blueberry muffins. Hands down they have to be the best sweet thing i've baked ever that wasn't a loaf of bread. I'm notorious for making baked goodies that taste a little off. I think i broke the trend. I used a recipe from the joy of cooking and package of blueberries that were almost past thier prime. Next time i'm going to sprikle sugar on top and avoid the toaster over to i don't end up with another enormous burn.
Saturday i worked OT so i wasn't home very much and was forced to eat out...nothing memorable either. I had some bland chicken chili at Macy's and half my mom's tuna melt. At least i had picked up a container of sushi at whole foods to fulfill my craving. Wendy called me and asked what i was up to when she got out of work and we canvassed one of our favorite goodwills. That was incredibly sucessful i walked out with 3 dresses, a shirt, a scarf and a basket for twenty bucks. Sunday Wendy had some old friends over and i made a chocolate loaf in the bread machine. I love my bread machine and my new cookbook! The loaf was great and it went well with the burritos, mac and cheese, cupcakes, and key lime pie!
I went home that night and made another loaf for Monday night. On Monday i went to Lydia's new place to watch 24 and i made cucumber sandwiches on egg bread. The previous occupant of that apartment happened to show up and had brought gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in bacon....I HAVE TO MAKE THEM!
Tuesday was clean out the fridge night and i made potato bread, cheesy mashed potatoes, sauteed kale with roasted sweet peppers and onions, chopped strawberries and tomatoes, and blached some peaches to freeze.
Wednesday i made this tasty pasta with baby broccoli and a walnut riotta paste, packed the last of my stuff and got my last minute things for the trip.
Tonight i'm giving in and getting chinese. I'm done cooking and i'm not getting a share so when i get back i'll be going through what i have left. I have some carrots, celery and onions that are going to be chopped and frozen for a soup base tonight and i'm done!
I wish i could play hooky tommorrow
I haven't really gone anywhere major in the past week but i have done a lot of cooking.... Wednesday's corn muffins were the first experiment. I had one ear of corn left that was cut off the cob and a box of jiffy lying around. I had some leftover cream that i subbed for the milk and added an egg and butter and baked them. They were gone pretty quick.
My dad's 30 years of service pin ceremony was Thursday morning and since i'd taken the time off i figured i'd use it to go thrifting! My aunt had some free time too and we hit Flamingo Plaza. One hour and 25 bux later i had a brand new sweater, another sweater, two cookbooks and another one of those jars to go with the other three. Thursday i also went to IKEA with Wendy and indulged in thier Macaroni and Cheese. I cannot in anyway replicate it so i always have some when i go there.
Friday i sauteed some asparagus in olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder and made some blueberry muffins. Hands down they have to be the best sweet thing i've baked ever that wasn't a loaf of bread. I'm notorious for making baked goodies that taste a little off. I think i broke the trend. I used a recipe from the joy of cooking and package of blueberries that were almost past thier prime. Next time i'm going to sprikle sugar on top and avoid the toaster over to i don't end up with another enormous burn.
Saturday i worked OT so i wasn't home very much and was forced to eat out...nothing memorable either. I had some bland chicken chili at Macy's and half my mom's tuna melt. At least i had picked up a container of sushi at whole foods to fulfill my craving. Wendy called me and asked what i was up to when she got out of work and we canvassed one of our favorite goodwills. That was incredibly sucessful i walked out with 3 dresses, a shirt, a scarf and a basket for twenty bucks. Sunday Wendy had some old friends over and i made a chocolate loaf in the bread machine. I love my bread machine and my new cookbook! The loaf was great and it went well with the burritos, mac and cheese, cupcakes, and key lime pie!
I went home that night and made another loaf for Monday night. On Monday i went to Lydia's new place to watch 24 and i made cucumber sandwiches on egg bread. The previous occupant of that apartment happened to show up and had brought gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in bacon....I HAVE TO MAKE THEM!
Tuesday was clean out the fridge night and i made potato bread, cheesy mashed potatoes, sauteed kale with roasted sweet peppers and onions, chopped strawberries and tomatoes, and blached some peaches to freeze.
Wednesday i made this tasty pasta with baby broccoli and a walnut riotta paste, packed the last of my stuff and got my last minute things for the trip.
Tonight i'm giving in and getting chinese. I'm done cooking and i'm not getting a share so when i get back i'll be going through what i have left. I have some carrots, celery and onions that are going to be chopped and frozen for a soup base tonight and i'm done!
I wish i could play hooky tommorrow
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Missions....
I am the self proclaimed queen of the mission and it seems i am always on some sort of mission....
Monday's mission was soup. It was the perfect weather and not only had Wendy invited me over to cook it i had just picked up my share. I had some zuchini and yellow squash that were begging to be made and the rest of my basic soup fixins. When i had finally finished unpacking and putting away my share it had started to pour again. I decided to shower and see if it would let up. Of course it didn't do i resolved to wear rain friendly shoes and make a run for it, and as always, the rain slowed down when i got in the truck. I thought i was in the clear, but the next half hour was a torrential battle to get to Wendy's. In between sheets of rain i couldn't see the lane divisions in the under construction mess that is the poor excuse for a highway i am forced to travel on daily. I breathed a big sigh of relief when i made it though. Wendy had also left me her parking spot and after five minutes of raining i put my rain boots on and grabbed the food bag and laughed the whole way running in the rain. It was refreshing but kind of cold.
To make the soup:
1/2 head of garlic
1 large onion
Olive Oil
Large can of diced tomatoes
1 carton of Low Sodium broth
any veggies cooked or uncooked that you have lying around and need use and any spices other than salt that you think compliment the mix.
Sautee the garlic and onion until the onions are soft in olive oil at the bottom of your soup pot. If you have carrots or any other really hearty veggies that need to be softened you can sautee those for five minutes to soften them up. Toss in the broth and the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Toss in any uncooked veggies and lower the heat. This time i used the zucchini, and yellow squash. Let that simmer for about twenty minutes. Add salt and spices to taste. If you use low sodium broth get ready to resalt a few times.
After the simmer you can add any cooked veggies you have lying around. I happened to have corn on hand as well as some rutabaga and green beans. Those made it into the pot as well. After it has been spiced and flavored to your liking you can toss plain kettle or potatos on top for a crunchy addition if you didn't add potatos already. I think that speeds up the cooking time because potatoes take forever to cook. Leftover french fries do make a good addition to the soup because they are already cooked and are soft. The tomato base works well for a veggie soup and adds some complexity to the flavor. You can also garnish with lime, cilantro or sour cream depending on your taste preferences and combinations.
Tuesday's mission was to find the supplies that was lacking for JoAnn's birthday basket. I am making everyone a homemade basket for the next year (maybe longer depending on how it works out) for birthday gifts. JoAnn of course is the guinea pig, and she has already told me her preferences. I planned on flavored oil, bread, crackers, cereal, waffles, and whatever other creations come to mind before i hand it over. It will be chock full of homemade goodness! I needed the bottles for the oil and i have been aggresively searching for them but haven't had too much luck in finding empty bottles at thrift stores with good stoppers. I also needed a basket. Last night i went to my closest goodwills and found something else i needed!!! I found some Italian glass jars with the rubber gaskets that seal for my flour. I found three that were 2 dollars each and just needed new rubber. After the goodwills and a slight detour to make the final purse/sunglasses decision i went to the container store and found the gaskets, some bottles and clear bag for my yellowstone trip and the bottles for the oil. I haven't found any labels i like in particular so i'm going to get creative with what i got. I really like challenges like this and who knows....maybe i find another think to add to my dream business!
and btw...if someone shows me how to do links and stuff i could post pictures of the finds and final product and food stuffs!
Monday's mission was soup. It was the perfect weather and not only had Wendy invited me over to cook it i had just picked up my share. I had some zuchini and yellow squash that were begging to be made and the rest of my basic soup fixins. When i had finally finished unpacking and putting away my share it had started to pour again. I decided to shower and see if it would let up. Of course it didn't do i resolved to wear rain friendly shoes and make a run for it, and as always, the rain slowed down when i got in the truck. I thought i was in the clear, but the next half hour was a torrential battle to get to Wendy's. In between sheets of rain i couldn't see the lane divisions in the under construction mess that is the poor excuse for a highway i am forced to travel on daily. I breathed a big sigh of relief when i made it though. Wendy had also left me her parking spot and after five minutes of raining i put my rain boots on and grabbed the food bag and laughed the whole way running in the rain. It was refreshing but kind of cold.
To make the soup:
1/2 head of garlic
1 large onion
Olive Oil
Large can of diced tomatoes
1 carton of Low Sodium broth
any veggies cooked or uncooked that you have lying around and need use and any spices other than salt that you think compliment the mix.
Sautee the garlic and onion until the onions are soft in olive oil at the bottom of your soup pot. If you have carrots or any other really hearty veggies that need to be softened you can sautee those for five minutes to soften them up. Toss in the broth and the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Toss in any uncooked veggies and lower the heat. This time i used the zucchini, and yellow squash. Let that simmer for about twenty minutes. Add salt and spices to taste. If you use low sodium broth get ready to resalt a few times.
After the simmer you can add any cooked veggies you have lying around. I happened to have corn on hand as well as some rutabaga and green beans. Those made it into the pot as well. After it has been spiced and flavored to your liking you can toss plain kettle or potatos on top for a crunchy addition if you didn't add potatos already. I think that speeds up the cooking time because potatoes take forever to cook. Leftover french fries do make a good addition to the soup because they are already cooked and are soft. The tomato base works well for a veggie soup and adds some complexity to the flavor. You can also garnish with lime, cilantro or sour cream depending on your taste preferences and combinations.
Tuesday's mission was to find the supplies that was lacking for JoAnn's birthday basket. I am making everyone a homemade basket for the next year (maybe longer depending on how it works out) for birthday gifts. JoAnn of course is the guinea pig, and she has already told me her preferences. I planned on flavored oil, bread, crackers, cereal, waffles, and whatever other creations come to mind before i hand it over. It will be chock full of homemade goodness! I needed the bottles for the oil and i have been aggresively searching for them but haven't had too much luck in finding empty bottles at thrift stores with good stoppers. I also needed a basket. Last night i went to my closest goodwills and found something else i needed!!! I found some Italian glass jars with the rubber gaskets that seal for my flour. I found three that were 2 dollars each and just needed new rubber. After the goodwills and a slight detour to make the final purse/sunglasses decision i went to the container store and found the gaskets, some bottles and clear bag for my yellowstone trip and the bottles for the oil. I haven't found any labels i like in particular so i'm going to get creative with what i got. I really like challenges like this and who knows....maybe i find another think to add to my dream business!
and btw...if someone shows me how to do links and stuff i could post pictures of the finds and final product and food stuffs!
Lame attempts at getting drunk in a theme park....
So after i cooked up a storm and cleaned out the fridge i tried to eat it all and failed...miserably before i left on my trip. I was able to take the enchilada's to my mom's though and we added chicken and some more cheese and made them go down easier.
Because we didn't want to pay for the extra hotel night and leave late after work on Friday, we all agreed that we (being my mother and her friend Sunshine) would just wake up extremely early and leave the same day. After quibbling over the time we would wake up and leave on Saturday I said we should be on the road by 6 am. Sunshine was on time and we managed to leave twenty minutes late. Not bad considering how sluggish my mom can be in the morning. I didn't have to jump on the bed to wake her up...This time. On the road we did the cheap thing and brought gourmet coffee from home and pre-made sandwiches to save some money. We made it to the resort (the value ones...why pay when you're only there to sleep and shower and the money you save on parking justifys the fact you pay a little more to stay inside) by 9:30am and they let us check in early. At that point i realzied that i didn't have my ticket and that i would not be making it to be Viking of the Day. If you go to Epcot, the World's Showcase opens later and that title is bestowed on the individual that makes it first in line for the Norwary ride.
So back to my ticket dilemma. I had a 3 day play pass that i had bought back in December to use when my mother and i planned on returning in the Spring. Spring is here and i hadn't used any days on my pass and somehow pulled it out of my wallet. Anyone that knows me well enough knows that my disney passes are always there in case of Mickey emergency. I only had the damn receipt from when i bought it. I called guest relations from the room and they told me i'd have to go to the guest relations window at the maingate of the theme park i chose to go to. I left sunshine and mother behind so i could get that taken care of while they changed for the park. I saw a t-shirt i have to get the next time i'm there....it has a picture of the monorail on it and says what they say when the doors open. I thought it was hilarious...but then again i get off on cheap thrills. When i finally get the to the front of the line and the wonderful disney associate is helping me she tells me she can't find my pass. I didn't freak. Afterall...this is disney...they invented bending over backwards. She called the resort where i'd bought it and everything. In the end i ended up with a 3 day park hopper that doesn't expire and a fast pass for my group. I am a winner because now i'll get to use up my whole pass!!!!!!
So we finally get into the park and start to check out the flowers! The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is one of those must see festivals. They were amazing. It wasn't just topiarys and plants arranged like characters....they used colored flowers and they continued to grow. It was beautiful! So after some wandering through the gardens it was time for our lunch reservation at Les Chef de France. That place is full of French man candy...i didn't even need to eat food. I was visually satisfied! I did have the Prix Fix lunch though and a Kir. The Kir was my first drink of the day and i think i will break down and replicate it at home. The French Onion Soup was great, especially with the endless bread! It was followed by Gruyere Mac and Cheese that was loaded with cream and nutmeg and will be challenge to replicate that rosemary topped perfection. Desert was profiteroles that i barely had room for! I do prefer them with cream but the vanilla ice cream was nice. We went back to the UK and i got some souveniers for those left at home and then wandered through Morroco. My mom and Sunshine enjoyed the music while i browsed the little shops. I wish that Morroco had more than just the belly dancing stuff and spices in the shop. I guess i'm greedy and want more.....
We then hit Japan. Anyone who has gone to Epcot with me knows that that lovely establishment is my weakness there...i bought more stuff for my friends and some little things for myself. I love my DOMO t-shirt....nuff said. I also had a glass of sake for the road. We then hit Italy which brought us sitting in the square basking in the sun and sipping Rosa Regale...i didn't have the requisite beer in germany or tequila shot in Mexico. I was getting looks already. I did get to have a yengling in China though....All exhausted we went back to the room and snacked...I had some delicious white cheddar cheetos for dinner!
The next day we hit scortching Animal Kingdom. Everest was amazing. That's one of my top 3 coasters. I want to go again when it's not so hot to be able to throughly enjoy the park. I didn't even have an ice cream float. We were all pretty sluggish for the day....we left early and that freed us up for dinner....so guess what...we went to Ohana in the Polynesian. It's family style all you can eat and ohana means delicious! That is probably the best shrimp i've ever had! And i will be going back!
Just before leaving on Monday morning my mom insisted on hitting the Victoria's Secret outlet in Orlando....I did some major damage...but i got the last of my favorite discontinued line. I have no reason to shop the semi-annual sale anymore.....
Because we didn't want to pay for the extra hotel night and leave late after work on Friday, we all agreed that we (being my mother and her friend Sunshine) would just wake up extremely early and leave the same day. After quibbling over the time we would wake up and leave on Saturday I said we should be on the road by 6 am. Sunshine was on time and we managed to leave twenty minutes late. Not bad considering how sluggish my mom can be in the morning. I didn't have to jump on the bed to wake her up...This time. On the road we did the cheap thing and brought gourmet coffee from home and pre-made sandwiches to save some money. We made it to the resort (the value ones...why pay when you're only there to sleep and shower and the money you save on parking justifys the fact you pay a little more to stay inside) by 9:30am and they let us check in early. At that point i realzied that i didn't have my ticket and that i would not be making it to be Viking of the Day. If you go to Epcot, the World's Showcase opens later and that title is bestowed on the individual that makes it first in line for the Norwary ride.
So back to my ticket dilemma. I had a 3 day play pass that i had bought back in December to use when my mother and i planned on returning in the Spring. Spring is here and i hadn't used any days on my pass and somehow pulled it out of my wallet. Anyone that knows me well enough knows that my disney passes are always there in case of Mickey emergency. I only had the damn receipt from when i bought it. I called guest relations from the room and they told me i'd have to go to the guest relations window at the maingate of the theme park i chose to go to. I left sunshine and mother behind so i could get that taken care of while they changed for the park. I saw a t-shirt i have to get the next time i'm there....it has a picture of the monorail on it and says what they say when the doors open. I thought it was hilarious...but then again i get off on cheap thrills. When i finally get the to the front of the line and the wonderful disney associate is helping me she tells me she can't find my pass. I didn't freak. Afterall...this is disney...they invented bending over backwards. She called the resort where i'd bought it and everything. In the end i ended up with a 3 day park hopper that doesn't expire and a fast pass for my group. I am a winner because now i'll get to use up my whole pass!!!!!!
So we finally get into the park and start to check out the flowers! The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is one of those must see festivals. They were amazing. It wasn't just topiarys and plants arranged like characters....they used colored flowers and they continued to grow. It was beautiful! So after some wandering through the gardens it was time for our lunch reservation at Les Chef de France. That place is full of French man candy...i didn't even need to eat food. I was visually satisfied! I did have the Prix Fix lunch though and a Kir. The Kir was my first drink of the day and i think i will break down and replicate it at home. The French Onion Soup was great, especially with the endless bread! It was followed by Gruyere Mac and Cheese that was loaded with cream and nutmeg and will be challenge to replicate that rosemary topped perfection. Desert was profiteroles that i barely had room for! I do prefer them with cream but the vanilla ice cream was nice. We went back to the UK and i got some souveniers for those left at home and then wandered through Morroco. My mom and Sunshine enjoyed the music while i browsed the little shops. I wish that Morroco had more than just the belly dancing stuff and spices in the shop. I guess i'm greedy and want more.....
We then hit Japan. Anyone who has gone to Epcot with me knows that that lovely establishment is my weakness there...i bought more stuff for my friends and some little things for myself. I love my DOMO t-shirt....nuff said. I also had a glass of sake for the road. We then hit Italy which brought us sitting in the square basking in the sun and sipping Rosa Regale...i didn't have the requisite beer in germany or tequila shot in Mexico. I was getting looks already. I did get to have a yengling in China though....All exhausted we went back to the room and snacked...I had some delicious white cheddar cheetos for dinner!
The next day we hit scortching Animal Kingdom. Everest was amazing. That's one of my top 3 coasters. I want to go again when it's not so hot to be able to throughly enjoy the park. I didn't even have an ice cream float. We were all pretty sluggish for the day....we left early and that freed us up for dinner....so guess what...we went to Ohana in the Polynesian. It's family style all you can eat and ohana means delicious! That is probably the best shrimp i've ever had! And i will be going back!
Just before leaving on Monday morning my mom insisted on hitting the Victoria's Secret outlet in Orlando....I did some major damage...but i got the last of my favorite discontinued line. I have no reason to shop the semi-annual sale anymore.....
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Food Hangover Feast
Monday night brought me to chef allen's with Wendy to take advantage of our groupon. The food tasted great going down but i was attacked my MSG the next morning. I had to leave work early because i felt so horrible. Thank you food hangover.
In my quest to rid my refrigerator of more food before i leave for Mickeyland this weekend, I used some old bacon and leftover cream to make carbonara the Nigella way:
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 cups cubed pancetta rind removed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth
4 eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg
Directions
Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta.
In another large pan that will fit the pasta later, cook the pancetta cubes in the oil until crispy but not crunchy. Pour over the white wine or vermouth and let it bubble away so that, after a few minutes, you have a small amount of salty winey syrup left. Take the pan off the heat.
In a bowl, beat together the eggs, Parmesan, cream, and pepper. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, but since you want it kept al dente start checking it 2 minutes before end of the recommended cooking time.
When the pasta is done, remove approximately 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Put the pan with the bacon cubes back on the heat and add the drained pasta, tossing well to coat with the syrupy pancetta. Take the pan off the heat again and add the eggs and cheese mixture, swiftly tossing everything to mix. Thin with pasta water, if needed. Grind over some more pepper and grate over the nutmeg to serve.
It tasted mighty fine to me. I also helped myself to a nice quick cucumber sandwich on my own fresh bread by toasting and then spreading cream cheese over the top and then layering thinly sliced cucumber. I some leftover rutabagas that i had steamed and tossed those in the toaster oven with some of my rosemary oil. Those tasted like slightly sweet fries, but not quite like sweet potato fries. I also killed the last of my roma tomatoes in the toaster oven by roasting them since i took the little bugger out to use anyway.....
I love what roasting does to tomatoes!!!! It sets free this deliciously sweet flavor that hides waiting to come out. Canned tomatoes have so much salt that you never get to taste the sweetness when you use them. I recently discovered it. If you use them in a pasta dish and can't take the excessive sweetness you can just grate some fresh parmesan and the buttery sharpness mellows out the sweetness of the tomatoes. Its incredible what olive oil, salt and pepper and a little bit of heat can do to tomatoes!
In my quest to rid my refrigerator of more food before i leave for Mickeyland this weekend, I used some old bacon and leftover cream to make carbonara the Nigella way:
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 cups cubed pancetta rind removed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth
4 eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg
Directions
Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta.
In another large pan that will fit the pasta later, cook the pancetta cubes in the oil until crispy but not crunchy. Pour over the white wine or vermouth and let it bubble away so that, after a few minutes, you have a small amount of salty winey syrup left. Take the pan off the heat.
In a bowl, beat together the eggs, Parmesan, cream, and pepper. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, but since you want it kept al dente start checking it 2 minutes before end of the recommended cooking time.
When the pasta is done, remove approximately 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Put the pan with the bacon cubes back on the heat and add the drained pasta, tossing well to coat with the syrupy pancetta. Take the pan off the heat again and add the eggs and cheese mixture, swiftly tossing everything to mix. Thin with pasta water, if needed. Grind over some more pepper and grate over the nutmeg to serve.
It tasted mighty fine to me. I also helped myself to a nice quick cucumber sandwich on my own fresh bread by toasting and then spreading cream cheese over the top and then layering thinly sliced cucumber. I some leftover rutabagas that i had steamed and tossed those in the toaster oven with some of my rosemary oil. Those tasted like slightly sweet fries, but not quite like sweet potato fries. I also killed the last of my roma tomatoes in the toaster oven by roasting them since i took the little bugger out to use anyway.....
I love what roasting does to tomatoes!!!! It sets free this deliciously sweet flavor that hides waiting to come out. Canned tomatoes have so much salt that you never get to taste the sweetness when you use them. I recently discovered it. If you use them in a pasta dish and can't take the excessive sweetness you can just grate some fresh parmesan and the buttery sharpness mellows out the sweetness of the tomatoes. Its incredible what olive oil, salt and pepper and a little bit of heat can do to tomatoes!
Five Guys in my mouth...
So i caved and failed miserably on my first night of trying to not eat out. I had made a mental note to pack a sandwich for my adventures with Wendy. Of course i forgot in my rush to change and get to her mother's house so we could transport her lovely new handed down bar. When we finally got to her apartment and the lovely orange cat had serenaded us with his meows we decided on Five Guys to satisfy our hunger that evening. Although i broke...i broke for less than five dollars and an angry tummy. I think i am not made for mass produced restaurant food as much as i was before...or maybe because i refuse to waste any food whatsoever gorging myself on those fries was a very bad idea. Either way, my meal fueled my trip to Wal-Mart in South America with Wendy and Mata...and i only bought stuff i needed and it's all been put to use already!!!!!
Mother's Day the next day was significantly better foodwise...my cousin BBQ'd lots of charred animal flesh. Before that though i was cooking a feast for a small army in my kitchen. I made a loaf of egg bread which has been my breakfast for the week with fig preserves, roasted corn in the oven, and made sweet potato and kale enchiladas! I'm pretty amazed that enchiladas came out as well was they did since i made no attempt at trying them while i made them. I had seen a recipe for them and i had most of the ingredients and more that i added to make the recipe my own. I used it as a guidline so i'll post my own if anyone else would like to take a stab.
Sweet Potato and Kale enchiladas
2 large sweet potato
1 bunch of kale
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 large yellow onion
6 cloves of garlic
Olive Oil
Salt
Juice of 1 lime
1 can of enhilada sauce
20 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Roasted sweet peppers (optional)
Chopped scallions (optional)
Cilantro (optional)
Sour cream (optional)
Dice and boil until soft the two sweet potatoes and set aside. Cut the kale off the stems, rinse to remove grit, and shread. Warm the oil and toss in the minced garlic and slicd onion and sautee until the onion softens. Toss in the peppers and soften those as well. Add the kale and sautee until it becomes tender. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and toss. Toss in the sweet potatoes, mashing slightly with a wooden spoon followed by the roasted peppers. Season with salt if necessary.
Warm up the tortillas in the microwave and spray down a baking sheet with olive oil. Fill and roll up the tortillas with the potato and kale mixture and place in the pan. After all of the mix has been used pour the enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly at 350. Top with sour cream, cilantro, and green onions if you wish and enjoy!
It was susprisingly good to the point that someone asked to try some in the lunch room at work. My masterpiece!!!!!
The enchilada sauce hides the veggie goodness and the cheese makes it bad enough to forget that you're eating lots of really good vegetables!!!!
Mother's Day the next day was significantly better foodwise...my cousin BBQ'd lots of charred animal flesh. Before that though i was cooking a feast for a small army in my kitchen. I made a loaf of egg bread which has been my breakfast for the week with fig preserves, roasted corn in the oven, and made sweet potato and kale enchiladas! I'm pretty amazed that enchiladas came out as well was they did since i made no attempt at trying them while i made them. I had seen a recipe for them and i had most of the ingredients and more that i added to make the recipe my own. I used it as a guidline so i'll post my own if anyone else would like to take a stab.
Sweet Potato and Kale enchiladas
2 large sweet potato
1 bunch of kale
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 large yellow onion
6 cloves of garlic
Olive Oil
Salt
Juice of 1 lime
1 can of enhilada sauce
20 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Roasted sweet peppers (optional)
Chopped scallions (optional)
Cilantro (optional)
Sour cream (optional)
Dice and boil until soft the two sweet potatoes and set aside. Cut the kale off the stems, rinse to remove grit, and shread. Warm the oil and toss in the minced garlic and slicd onion and sautee until the onion softens. Toss in the peppers and soften those as well. Add the kale and sautee until it becomes tender. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and toss. Toss in the sweet potatoes, mashing slightly with a wooden spoon followed by the roasted peppers. Season with salt if necessary.
Warm up the tortillas in the microwave and spray down a baking sheet with olive oil. Fill and roll up the tortillas with the potato and kale mixture and place in the pan. After all of the mix has been used pour the enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly at 350. Top with sour cream, cilantro, and green onions if you wish and enjoy!
It was susprisingly good to the point that someone asked to try some in the lunch room at work. My masterpiece!!!!!
The enchilada sauce hides the veggie goodness and the cheese makes it bad enough to forget that you're eating lots of really good vegetables!!!!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Setting even loftier goals...
So i somehow decided that i'm going to not go out to eat or go grocery shopping for the month of May and clear out the cupboard. I'm not going to stop the share though. Since the move is finally moving forward and i am going to be gone for most of the rest of the weekends this month i figured it'd be the perfect opportunity. I will not completely cut myself off from the gorcery store though. I will venture out if i really need something. By doing this i will also be freeing up some money for my trips to be used for feeding myself on those trips. Why would i go to epcot and deprive myself?!?!?!?!?!
Anyway...this week i have been slightly lazy. I only steamed some carrots, green beans and rutabagas. I made a delicious cinco de mayo meal though for poor crippled Lydia. I cleaned out the cupboard and fridge with some tasty mole tacos. I marinated the chicken in some italian dressing and boiled it before i shredded it. Then i prepared the mole sauce with slighty less liquid to thicken it up. I also prepared a black bean and corn salsa, some mexican rice, chopped cilantro, scallions and sour cream all for the topping pleasure of some tasty white corn tortillas. i also made my quick and easy bean dip which is: can of refried beans and cream cheese layer on top in the microwave for two minutes then topped with salsa and sour cream.
My last supper so to speak was Thursday night Prime Rib at Fox's. Totally worth it and an amazing compliment to White Russians. There are some other exclusions. I am not turning down a free dinner. Anything that was pre paid counts as well so i'm not totally being deprived. The difference is that when it comes to my own sustinence, i am confined to the refrigerator and cupboard. I think it's time for a new loaf of bread!
Anyway...this week i have been slightly lazy. I only steamed some carrots, green beans and rutabagas. I made a delicious cinco de mayo meal though for poor crippled Lydia. I cleaned out the cupboard and fridge with some tasty mole tacos. I marinated the chicken in some italian dressing and boiled it before i shredded it. Then i prepared the mole sauce with slighty less liquid to thicken it up. I also prepared a black bean and corn salsa, some mexican rice, chopped cilantro, scallions and sour cream all for the topping pleasure of some tasty white corn tortillas. i also made my quick and easy bean dip which is: can of refried beans and cream cheese layer on top in the microwave for two minutes then topped with salsa and sour cream.
My last supper so to speak was Thursday night Prime Rib at Fox's. Totally worth it and an amazing compliment to White Russians. There are some other exclusions. I am not turning down a free dinner. Anything that was pre paid counts as well so i'm not totally being deprived. The difference is that when it comes to my own sustinence, i am confined to the refrigerator and cupboard. I think it's time for a new loaf of bread!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Avoiding AOS...but not the recovery activities!
So when the weekend finally rolls around i always embrace it and what it has to offer me....This weekend i was graced by the lovely Jo Ann for a lunch date at the best place for a cheap and filling sushi lunch on the beach, Hiro Express. She will wax poetic about this spinach salad that they have and i was finally able to try it. It is called oshitashi and is just cold spinach salad with sesame dressing. I know i'll be pestering them to make it specially for me. I got my usual: tuna roll, salmon skin roll, and salmon cream cheese (which i had later at the real Hiro in NMB). We still had time left and ventured into starbucks and had free (yes they gave something away for free) frap samples that i did a better job of wearing than drinking. That night i checked out Kick Ass with an old friend from high school and it really did Kick Ass (sorry for the cliche).
Saturday i helped monger move lydia up to the third floor. I think that reminded everyone that we're not 21 anymore. I just hope that the next get to know your neighbors party is not on third floor.....My personal reward for this was a few Vodka Tonics at my favorite dive bar, Harvey's by the Bay. Its tucked away in an American Legion, but it's not that divey anymore. It was taken over by people watching the mayweather fight and some ghetto prom. we were lucky enough to get there early and enjoy the atmosphere until it was spoiled and we were forced to move outside. The portabello pizza with arugula was delicious from Andiamo though....Somehow i wasn't ready to call it a night at 11 and headed to my old friend from high school's favorite dive bar Billy's Pub Too. I never got the memo how awesome this place was because it had an electronic jukebox that played what i wanted to listen to without me feeing it! The fact that my friend and his companions kept treating me to booze didn't hurt either...Needless to say i had to sleep for a bit in front of my dad's so i wouldn't snooze out on my way home.
I woke up around 11 after Mata dragged me out of bed and we headed out for Crandon park. I was in charge of the burger and grabbed whatever looked the most sirliony and happened to hit the jackpot. GFS will now be my go to for parties and there is no memebership fee! BabyFeet grilled up some mean burgers! The hot dogs were great too! I spent the day eating burnt hot dogs, white cheddar cheetos and hamburgers and napping. The only thing that sucked was that Lydia killed her ankle. Now she's waiting on a specialist to see if it is in fact broken.....
Monday i got my new share....let's see what's cooking this week. If i survive.
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO EVERYONE!
Saturday i helped monger move lydia up to the third floor. I think that reminded everyone that we're not 21 anymore. I just hope that the next get to know your neighbors party is not on third floor.....My personal reward for this was a few Vodka Tonics at my favorite dive bar, Harvey's by the Bay. Its tucked away in an American Legion, but it's not that divey anymore. It was taken over by people watching the mayweather fight and some ghetto prom. we were lucky enough to get there early and enjoy the atmosphere until it was spoiled and we were forced to move outside. The portabello pizza with arugula was delicious from Andiamo though....Somehow i wasn't ready to call it a night at 11 and headed to my old friend from high school's favorite dive bar Billy's Pub Too. I never got the memo how awesome this place was because it had an electronic jukebox that played what i wanted to listen to without me feeing it! The fact that my friend and his companions kept treating me to booze didn't hurt either...Needless to say i had to sleep for a bit in front of my dad's so i wouldn't snooze out on my way home.
I woke up around 11 after Mata dragged me out of bed and we headed out for Crandon park. I was in charge of the burger and grabbed whatever looked the most sirliony and happened to hit the jackpot. GFS will now be my go to for parties and there is no memebership fee! BabyFeet grilled up some mean burgers! The hot dogs were great too! I spent the day eating burnt hot dogs, white cheddar cheetos and hamburgers and napping. The only thing that sucked was that Lydia killed her ankle. Now she's waiting on a specialist to see if it is in fact broken.....
Monday i got my new share....let's see what's cooking this week. If i survive.
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO EVERYONE!
Vacation can't come fast enough....
To my loyal three readers...so sorry that i haven't updated but because no one in my office can come to work i can't steal away time to update....
Thank god i'm going to Disney in two weeks...i plan to stroll drunkenly at epcot and do my trip around the world through my belly. I don't think i would have made it all the way to Yellowstone. Best trip for your budget...someone else pays.
And now back to the cheap Miami misadventures. The last time i left off it was Swamp Stomp Weekend...or for those who know picklisms and don't waste beer it was Swamp Stamp. As i was posting the last few blogs i was at Wendy's apartment enjoying the smells of dinner wafting over. She made a delicious skirt steak marinated in Italian dressing (great marinade for the budget conscious because it has the acid/oil combo with GARLIC), garlic carrots and salad. After that i had to shuttle off to Lydia's so i could wake up before the sun was even considering its appearance to work some overtime. Monger and i are willing to give up some of our Saturdays in exchange for oddles of vacation time. The thing is that i didn't realize i'd be filing and risking my life on the top of some rikety ladder filing....he of course photodocumented the scene shortly before my 4 inch stack took a tumble. After i had done my time we took off for the deliciousness of Casola's. I had thier Turkey Croissant. I haven't had the ones from France but i can tell you that in my mind those are the best thing i know.
After a much needed nap i went back to Lydia's to head off for The Bayside Hut out on Virginia Key. Monger and myself decided it would be wise to fill up a cooler with beer of our own and pre-game in the parking lot. Wendy and company were late anyway so it gave us plenty of time. We were out there for almost two hours so by the time we went in we were all in a happy place. I even missed the tent with the free Black and Mild's!!!!! The cheap ten dollar entrance was totally worth it to see JUKE. They always make my saturday night. The two dollar PBR's helped too...I danced and sang and had a great night that was capped off with more Casola's. This time it was in the form of hangover killer giant pizza slice!!!!
Sunday i woke up feeling like a million bucks and conned my mother into going to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden for thier Garden Festival. I needed some herbs that i was still missing and as members my mom and i get in for free. This is another one of the city's hidden jewels. The membership fee is totally reasonable and you get entrance into all of thier festivals and special events just for members, like seeing the garden at night during the winter. For less than fifteen bucks i walked away with honey from the keys, a sage plant and some delicious conch fritters in my belly. I also picked up some cards from local organic gardening resources!
I was trying to play the rest of the coming week on the cheap so i made a vegetable curry with some curry paste i had lying around and tossed in shrimp that i had bought earlier that day, cashews i had, and from my share carrots, kale, onion, green pepper and sweet potato. It was pretty delicious once i got passed the burning off my tongue part....That was my lunch for a few days with some brown rice. I also steamed the giant head of broccoli and tossed it in with some of the leftover roasted tomatoes from the previous share (drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper and tossed in the oven until bubbly), heavy cream, fresh grated parmesan and pasta. The sweetness of the tomatoes was perfectly balanced by the parmesan and the cream covered the broccoli enough to make it tolerable. i am pretty over broccoli at this point.
The homemade highlight of the week was actually a Nigella Lawson recipe. I have several of her cookbooks that i turn to for inspiration occasionally. She has an amazing carbonara receipe that i always turn to when i need something salty and cheesy. I had also seen a receipe for pasta with peas, cream and ham that i had to try. With the peas from my share i made this that i am still craving this week!
Pasta with peas, cream and ham
taken from FEAST by Nigella Lawson
200 g farfalle or other short pasta
100 g frozen petits pois
150 ml double cream
150 g diced ham
2 tbsp grated parmesan
Cook the pasta according to packet instructions in plenty of salted boiling water, and then after 5 minutes add the peas to the pasta water.
When the pasta is cooked, drain well with the peas. Put the dry pan back on the heat with the cream, ham and parmesan and warm it through. Add the pasta and peas back to the pan, tossing everything together well.
Thank god i'm going to Disney in two weeks...i plan to stroll drunkenly at epcot and do my trip around the world through my belly. I don't think i would have made it all the way to Yellowstone. Best trip for your budget...someone else pays.
And now back to the cheap Miami misadventures. The last time i left off it was Swamp Stomp Weekend...or for those who know picklisms and don't waste beer it was Swamp Stamp. As i was posting the last few blogs i was at Wendy's apartment enjoying the smells of dinner wafting over. She made a delicious skirt steak marinated in Italian dressing (great marinade for the budget conscious because it has the acid/oil combo with GARLIC), garlic carrots and salad. After that i had to shuttle off to Lydia's so i could wake up before the sun was even considering its appearance to work some overtime. Monger and i are willing to give up some of our Saturdays in exchange for oddles of vacation time. The thing is that i didn't realize i'd be filing and risking my life on the top of some rikety ladder filing....he of course photodocumented the scene shortly before my 4 inch stack took a tumble. After i had done my time we took off for the deliciousness of Casola's. I had thier Turkey Croissant. I haven't had the ones from France but i can tell you that in my mind those are the best thing i know.
After a much needed nap i went back to Lydia's to head off for The Bayside Hut out on Virginia Key. Monger and myself decided it would be wise to fill up a cooler with beer of our own and pre-game in the parking lot. Wendy and company were late anyway so it gave us plenty of time. We were out there for almost two hours so by the time we went in we were all in a happy place. I even missed the tent with the free Black and Mild's!!!!! The cheap ten dollar entrance was totally worth it to see JUKE. They always make my saturday night. The two dollar PBR's helped too...I danced and sang and had a great night that was capped off with more Casola's. This time it was in the form of hangover killer giant pizza slice!!!!
Sunday i woke up feeling like a million bucks and conned my mother into going to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden for thier Garden Festival. I needed some herbs that i was still missing and as members my mom and i get in for free. This is another one of the city's hidden jewels. The membership fee is totally reasonable and you get entrance into all of thier festivals and special events just for members, like seeing the garden at night during the winter. For less than fifteen bucks i walked away with honey from the keys, a sage plant and some delicious conch fritters in my belly. I also picked up some cards from local organic gardening resources!
I was trying to play the rest of the coming week on the cheap so i made a vegetable curry with some curry paste i had lying around and tossed in shrimp that i had bought earlier that day, cashews i had, and from my share carrots, kale, onion, green pepper and sweet potato. It was pretty delicious once i got passed the burning off my tongue part....That was my lunch for a few days with some brown rice. I also steamed the giant head of broccoli and tossed it in with some of the leftover roasted tomatoes from the previous share (drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper and tossed in the oven until bubbly), heavy cream, fresh grated parmesan and pasta. The sweetness of the tomatoes was perfectly balanced by the parmesan and the cream covered the broccoli enough to make it tolerable. i am pretty over broccoli at this point.
The homemade highlight of the week was actually a Nigella Lawson recipe. I have several of her cookbooks that i turn to for inspiration occasionally. She has an amazing carbonara receipe that i always turn to when i need something salty and cheesy. I had also seen a receipe for pasta with peas, cream and ham that i had to try. With the peas from my share i made this that i am still craving this week!
Pasta with peas, cream and ham
taken from FEAST by Nigella Lawson
200 g farfalle or other short pasta
100 g frozen petits pois
150 ml double cream
150 g diced ham
2 tbsp grated parmesan
Cook the pasta according to packet instructions in plenty of salted boiling water, and then after 5 minutes add the peas to the pasta water.
When the pasta is cooked, drain well with the peas. Put the dry pan back on the heat with the cream, ham and parmesan and warm it through. Add the pasta and peas back to the pan, tossing everything together well.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sweet Potato Gnocchi...My new nemesis
Never one to back down from a challenge, on my last day off i was faced with a large bowl of mashed sweet potatoes and no more desire to eat them in their current form. I had read on angrychicken.com that leftover mashed potatoes could be turned into gnocchi so i figured i'd give it a shot...i had a gnocchi recipe lying around somewhere anyway.
I read the recipe and as always i took liberties of my own. Since i didn't use a formal recipe i will not be posting one....this time.
I had been too lazy when i roasted them to remove the skins so i had to pick through the mashed taters and take the skins out. if you roast them before you mash (roasting with some butter makes them tastier than just boiling them) make sure you peel them and make your life that much easier or pull the skin off the baked potatoes. i used three giant sweet potatoes. after i had the mashed mush i added two eggs that had been whipped into submission and started to add flour. with a spatula i folded in the eggs and the flour in a bowl into the mashed mound. i don't know exactly how much flour you'll need because it depends on the quantity of potatoes you have. you must continue to fold in flour until the mound becomes like regular dough and stays together. i had memories of the last time i made pierogies and fought with the dough and used at least double to the flour because my ball wouldn't cooperate and was waaaay too tacky. once you have a dough mound you need to knead it a bit and make sure that the flour is evenly distributed throughout your ball. you want to make sure you do this on a large cutting board that you floured before you put your ball down. you can start slicing off inch wide pieces off the side of the ball and rolling them into long snakes. at this point you may want to flour the dough snake again and then flour the pasta you've formed so it won't stick. cut 1/4 inch pieces off the dough snake and they can be pressed on a fork if you want to be fancy and have an imprint on them. once you've formed all the pasta you're going to want to boil them all unless you've floured the hell out of the rest of them. they stick really easy...i know because i had to redo all the rolling with more flour. bring water to boil and boil them about twenty at a time. they let you know they are ready because they float to the surface.
there are different variations for sauces that can be used. i tried them with melted butter and cinnamon and they tasted like oatmeal and were very desserty. the second night i grated parmesano reggiano and melted butter and tossed them with that mixture. i preferred that combination more. i have lately been on the hunt for the sweet and salty.....
i was also going to Lydia's later that night so i used my roasted eggplant to make babagnoush. this time i used waay too much garlic and sliced my finger on my processor blade. i used alton brown's recipe from the food network website.
one day i'll finally figure out how to put links in and then make it easier to find the recipes i use....
my share was pretty hefty this week and i have a few challenges ahead. i've already killed the asparagus. i roasted them with olive oil and salt and wrapped them when they cooled in procioutto. they were delicious reheated too!
Let's see what this weekend holds for my tummy other than the tasty T-Flats i had yesterday that my old friend from high school LOVED!
I read the recipe and as always i took liberties of my own. Since i didn't use a formal recipe i will not be posting one....this time.
I had been too lazy when i roasted them to remove the skins so i had to pick through the mashed taters and take the skins out. if you roast them before you mash (roasting with some butter makes them tastier than just boiling them) make sure you peel them and make your life that much easier or pull the skin off the baked potatoes. i used three giant sweet potatoes. after i had the mashed mush i added two eggs that had been whipped into submission and started to add flour. with a spatula i folded in the eggs and the flour in a bowl into the mashed mound. i don't know exactly how much flour you'll need because it depends on the quantity of potatoes you have. you must continue to fold in flour until the mound becomes like regular dough and stays together. i had memories of the last time i made pierogies and fought with the dough and used at least double to the flour because my ball wouldn't cooperate and was waaaay too tacky. once you have a dough mound you need to knead it a bit and make sure that the flour is evenly distributed throughout your ball. you want to make sure you do this on a large cutting board that you floured before you put your ball down. you can start slicing off inch wide pieces off the side of the ball and rolling them into long snakes. at this point you may want to flour the dough snake again and then flour the pasta you've formed so it won't stick. cut 1/4 inch pieces off the dough snake and they can be pressed on a fork if you want to be fancy and have an imprint on them. once you've formed all the pasta you're going to want to boil them all unless you've floured the hell out of the rest of them. they stick really easy...i know because i had to redo all the rolling with more flour. bring water to boil and boil them about twenty at a time. they let you know they are ready because they float to the surface.
there are different variations for sauces that can be used. i tried them with melted butter and cinnamon and they tasted like oatmeal and were very desserty. the second night i grated parmesano reggiano and melted butter and tossed them with that mixture. i preferred that combination more. i have lately been on the hunt for the sweet and salty.....
i was also going to Lydia's later that night so i used my roasted eggplant to make babagnoush. this time i used waay too much garlic and sliced my finger on my processor blade. i used alton brown's recipe from the food network website.
one day i'll finally figure out how to put links in and then make it easier to find the recipes i use....
my share was pretty hefty this week and i have a few challenges ahead. i've already killed the asparagus. i roasted them with olive oil and salt and wrapped them when they cooled in procioutto. they were delicious reheated too!
Let's see what this weekend holds for my tummy other than the tasty T-Flats i had yesterday that my old friend from high school LOVED!
Wanee Part 2
So Friday's awakening brought tidings of a chocolate and coconut cereal bars and milk in a box. I had forgotten to put mine in the cooler, actually too lazy so i had to drink it warm....but alas it wasn't warm because the weather was beautiful. Wendy and JoAnn set off on early morning adventures while i grazed the rest of my provisions. Further explorations into cheap canned delicacies that day included more beer of the Keystone Light and Natural Ice varieties. I also feasted on an ENTIRE bag of Terra Taro chips. They were pretty tasty and could have used a touch more salt. I also had a can of pickled mussels. Slightly vinegary but very delicious. This canned delicacy will be replacing the standard smoked mussels for the time being in my hurricane/camping provisions. I spent most of the day at the campsite with my companions eating. A few random strangers would stop to talk, offer drugs, posters and t-shirts for sale. The tell tale sign of clean port o potties would waft our way sporadically and make the drunken stumble to kill the beer bladder just a bit more pleasant. The company that maintained the portable water closets would place a cherry scented block that would carry over to our campsite.
At one point our neighbor, who will be referred to as Orlando Car Wreck, came over and took a seat in the bed of the truck. He brought along with him one bottle of wine and would occasionally pop pills in between swigs will barely conversing in mumbles. he had mentioned that that morning he had burned a hole in his tent when his fan blew his morning joint out of his hand....sucked to be him. That afternoon we hit the hammocks and i managed to take a nap while JoAnn rocked me to sleep. Dinner was Mellow Mushroom Mushroom Pizza....wonderful, during the awesome allman brothers set. I left kinda early though because i had started to feel fluish.
The next morning i didn't really want to have any beer and laid low for most of the day. I had my other can of the chef but....Beached Whale wasn't around to witness. At one point during our hanging at the campsite a nice young lad named Paul came over to us and spilled his guts on the story of his life. We took him under our wing, fed him beer and basked in his whiteboyness. We ventured out into the wilderness and enjoyed the shopping area and then went on a walk that took us by the stables. I didn't know where they were before. That night was the longest night ever....annoying neighbors and fireworks guaranteed that. FUCKING KIDS. Since i didn't sleep much i was up extra early.
We packed up and hit the road and JoAnn's craving for meat on a bun lead us to Steak n' Shake. My cheap but satisfying chicken sandwich with guacamole was worth the stop. There was also a stand in the gas station area that had boiled peanuts and citrus. Wendy bought the cajun extra smelly ones from a guy that looked like he stepped out of deliverance.....Back on the road and at some point i gave up and Wendy got us home. I unpacked everything and had to toss everything in the wash because the campfire smell was making me gag. I had to leave my tent out for like 4 days and it still smells bad. I was left with a sushi craving and called upon my old friend from high school. He suggested we hit Hiro in North Miami because it was close to him and cheap. I felt guilty making him drive down my way in the rain. I was impressed....they had my tried and true favorites: eggplant with miso sauce, spicy tuna, and jb rolls. I enjoyed my feast with my bottle of sake and lots of reflection on life and what its dealt us.......
At one point our neighbor, who will be referred to as Orlando Car Wreck, came over and took a seat in the bed of the truck. He brought along with him one bottle of wine and would occasionally pop pills in between swigs will barely conversing in mumbles. he had mentioned that that morning he had burned a hole in his tent when his fan blew his morning joint out of his hand....sucked to be him. That afternoon we hit the hammocks and i managed to take a nap while JoAnn rocked me to sleep. Dinner was Mellow Mushroom Mushroom Pizza....wonderful, during the awesome allman brothers set. I left kinda early though because i had started to feel fluish.
The next morning i didn't really want to have any beer and laid low for most of the day. I had my other can of the chef but....Beached Whale wasn't around to witness. At one point during our hanging at the campsite a nice young lad named Paul came over to us and spilled his guts on the story of his life. We took him under our wing, fed him beer and basked in his whiteboyness. We ventured out into the wilderness and enjoyed the shopping area and then went on a walk that took us by the stables. I didn't know where they were before. That night was the longest night ever....annoying neighbors and fireworks guaranteed that. FUCKING KIDS. Since i didn't sleep much i was up extra early.
We packed up and hit the road and JoAnn's craving for meat on a bun lead us to Steak n' Shake. My cheap but satisfying chicken sandwich with guacamole was worth the stop. There was also a stand in the gas station area that had boiled peanuts and citrus. Wendy bought the cajun extra smelly ones from a guy that looked like he stepped out of deliverance.....Back on the road and at some point i gave up and Wendy got us home. I unpacked everything and had to toss everything in the wash because the campfire smell was making me gag. I had to leave my tent out for like 4 days and it still smells bad. I was left with a sushi craving and called upon my old friend from high school. He suggested we hit Hiro in North Miami because it was close to him and cheap. I felt guilty making him drive down my way in the rain. I was impressed....they had my tried and true favorites: eggplant with miso sauce, spicy tuna, and jb rolls. I enjoyed my feast with my bottle of sake and lots of reflection on life and what its dealt us.......
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wanee 2010
Wednesday April 13th, Wendy, Jo Ann and I set off for a wilderness unknown. We set out on an odyssey of cheap beer, canned food, dirt, music and hammocks and we had no idea what lie ahead of us...would we ever make it back alive?
We set out at 9PM from Wendy's house after about ten hugs each from her mom (very much appreciated though) and hit of all places Wendy's for a bite before hitting the road. I was fading fast and passed the wheel to Wendy at about halfway to our halfway point. We made it in and crashed about 1:30 am and then were up by 6:30 and off to the nearest Publix. Jo Ann remarked at wanting to work there. It was so clean and well stocked. I think i wouldn't mind curling up in some corner of the Greenwise section and living there. After another quick strech and one well tarped truck we made it! The place was already packed before we even made it in. We managed to find a very cute corner on the Lake and made our little sex offender village permanant. Our neighbors were already partying..... After we got settled it was time to hit the cooler of cheap beer and Jo Ann and I hit our cans of Chef Boyardee and ate it cold. The contents of those cans although incredibly unhealthy bring back memories of childhood and all things happy. A few beers and some natural white chedder cheetos later it was nap time. Of course i managed to wake up when one of our neighbors, who will be referred to as Beached Whale due to her unsightly appearance while napping, (if i put it down you'd be as horrified as i was and i'll just spare you the mental rape), was commenting on the delicious pasta in a can that I had been consuming. BW mentioned that as a child her mother would have never fed her that and then proceeded to expound on how although it was not the tastiest of meals her mother always tried to make her something good. Nice to know that her mother's culinary attempts at health at an early age did not catch on...at all. I later passed on the comments on to my companions and we decided i would save my last can of the chef for when she was around and i could prance around the campsite while eating. We finally decided at some point that it was hammock time and Wendy and i set about finding trees suitable at the mushroom stage. My trees were not far enough apart and left my hammock kinda slouchy.....Jo ann tucked in early and Wendy and i set off for drunken dinner and tunes. I was so relaxed i fell asleep in my tent and decided i'd go sleep in my real bed.
Friday brought more of the same. And this place just blew up so i'll continue tommorrow
We set out at 9PM from Wendy's house after about ten hugs each from her mom (very much appreciated though) and hit of all places Wendy's for a bite before hitting the road. I was fading fast and passed the wheel to Wendy at about halfway to our halfway point. We made it in and crashed about 1:30 am and then were up by 6:30 and off to the nearest Publix. Jo Ann remarked at wanting to work there. It was so clean and well stocked. I think i wouldn't mind curling up in some corner of the Greenwise section and living there. After another quick strech and one well tarped truck we made it! The place was already packed before we even made it in. We managed to find a very cute corner on the Lake and made our little sex offender village permanant. Our neighbors were already partying..... After we got settled it was time to hit the cooler of cheap beer and Jo Ann and I hit our cans of Chef Boyardee and ate it cold. The contents of those cans although incredibly unhealthy bring back memories of childhood and all things happy. A few beers and some natural white chedder cheetos later it was nap time. Of course i managed to wake up when one of our neighbors, who will be referred to as Beached Whale due to her unsightly appearance while napping, (if i put it down you'd be as horrified as i was and i'll just spare you the mental rape), was commenting on the delicious pasta in a can that I had been consuming. BW mentioned that as a child her mother would have never fed her that and then proceeded to expound on how although it was not the tastiest of meals her mother always tried to make her something good. Nice to know that her mother's culinary attempts at health at an early age did not catch on...at all. I later passed on the comments on to my companions and we decided i would save my last can of the chef for when she was around and i could prance around the campsite while eating. We finally decided at some point that it was hammock time and Wendy and i set about finding trees suitable at the mushroom stage. My trees were not far enough apart and left my hammock kinda slouchy.....Jo ann tucked in early and Wendy and i set off for drunken dinner and tunes. I was so relaxed i fell asleep in my tent and decided i'd go sleep in my real bed.
Friday brought more of the same. And this place just blew up so i'll continue tommorrow
Playing Catch Up...
Somehow i forgot the last time i posted that i had plans to make my own granola. Inspired by the Gorgeously Green Diet Book that i have since ordered from Half.com (both frugal and more earth friendly to get it used...almost as good as a friendly donation ;)) I paid a visit to whole foods and got the rolled oats, nuts, and dried cherries. I tweaked the reciepe slightly to my liking of course with the cherries. At home i had the vanilla, agave, and coconut flakes. I was supposed to take it camping with me, but i forgot. I did get to eat the tasty granola when i got back on monday with my last little packet of milk leftover from the trip.... That was on saturday. Friday night Wendy treated Mata, Monger, Lydia and myself to Hot Tub Time Machine after i had gone home to check on my garden and my mail and eat the cheapest dinner ever..one someone else paid for and made.
Saturday i started my trip prep by an early oil change after wendy's cat woke my up by walking over my air bed. In the afternoon i paid my cousin a visit and sampled some of her Two Sisters Gourmet items and decided to help her out and buy something. I got a four pack of spices that comes with receipe cards. The four pack was cheaper than the individuals and also came with the cards. Since i cook so much i think i can justify that out of budget purchase. After the granola adventure i headed back to Wendy's where we watched some movies and passed out in anticipation of Jimbo's Birthday!!!!!
Kitty decided to wake us up again and it gave me enough time to hit the supermarket for the last essentials i needed for the camping trip that i was leaving for on wednesday and some beer to pre-drink at jimbo's. Wendy packed the last night's pizza leftovers for some munchies and we headed out to meet Lydia and Monger. El P was already there and had been drinking beer. The beer truck never came and the only person of the other 10 who showed up was my old friend from high school. Thank the baby jesus we had brought our own beer. That did run out and we did buy some beer there. I tried my first Pabst Blue Ribbon. After frolicking around the cover and dipping feet in the water we went back to Lydia's to chill.
Monday brought on pick ups for camping supplies stored at both the rentals homes and tossing myself in MY OWN BED again. Tuesday I made everything left in my refrigerator so as not to let it spoil. I roasted sweet potatos, tomatos, sweet peppers, and eggplant. I sauteed collard greens with bacon fat, olive oil, walnut oil, red pepper flakes, sauteed onions, garlic, salt and pepper. The onions were slightly sweet with the slightly spicy flavor and were pretty tasty. Lately i've been combining opposite flavors when i cook. I also used the bread maker to make a loaf of egg bread for the trip and shucked and sauteed fresh peas in butter. The tomatos and the peppers ended up in jars for later use. The eggplant would become babaganoush, and the sweet potatos were mashed and spiced.
Wednesday i made a last ditch effort to get whatever i missed at publix, and then after work Wendy, Joann and I took off that night for Fonz's to spend the night before Wanee!!!!!!!!!
Saturday i started my trip prep by an early oil change after wendy's cat woke my up by walking over my air bed. In the afternoon i paid my cousin a visit and sampled some of her Two Sisters Gourmet items and decided to help her out and buy something. I got a four pack of spices that comes with receipe cards. The four pack was cheaper than the individuals and also came with the cards. Since i cook so much i think i can justify that out of budget purchase. After the granola adventure i headed back to Wendy's where we watched some movies and passed out in anticipation of Jimbo's Birthday!!!!!
Kitty decided to wake us up again and it gave me enough time to hit the supermarket for the last essentials i needed for the camping trip that i was leaving for on wednesday and some beer to pre-drink at jimbo's. Wendy packed the last night's pizza leftovers for some munchies and we headed out to meet Lydia and Monger. El P was already there and had been drinking beer. The beer truck never came and the only person of the other 10 who showed up was my old friend from high school. Thank the baby jesus we had brought our own beer. That did run out and we did buy some beer there. I tried my first Pabst Blue Ribbon. After frolicking around the cover and dipping feet in the water we went back to Lydia's to chill.
Monday brought on pick ups for camping supplies stored at both the rentals homes and tossing myself in MY OWN BED again. Tuesday I made everything left in my refrigerator so as not to let it spoil. I roasted sweet potatos, tomatos, sweet peppers, and eggplant. I sauteed collard greens with bacon fat, olive oil, walnut oil, red pepper flakes, sauteed onions, garlic, salt and pepper. The onions were slightly sweet with the slightly spicy flavor and were pretty tasty. Lately i've been combining opposite flavors when i cook. I also used the bread maker to make a loaf of egg bread for the trip and shucked and sauteed fresh peas in butter. The tomatos and the peppers ended up in jars for later use. The eggplant would become babaganoush, and the sweet potatos were mashed and spiced.
Wednesday i made a last ditch effort to get whatever i missed at publix, and then after work Wendy, Joann and I took off that night for Fonz's to spend the night before Wanee!!!!!!!!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Birthdays and Crazy Fridays
As with every Friday at work this one has been blessed with a little bit o crazy....
I think this morning was a sign. When the Wendy's cat wouldn't stop meowing it was a hint for me to stay in bed. Traffic was slightly heavier than normal and i didn't get to enjoy my typial breakfast of homemade organic bananna nut waffle and organic orange juice. I have had many different breakfast incarnations over the years but right now this is my cheapest and overall most satisfying breakfast. For a while i would eat a microwaved egg with a slice of american cheese spun around in the radioactive box for a minute in a half for a quick scramble or one of those tasty sodium laden breakfast sandwiches also know as Jimmy Dean D'lights made with egg whites. At some point when i didn't treasure those last ten minutes of sleep i was even making them myself (as in cook the egg fresh, etc). When i started buying groceries in the buy one get ones i switched to waffles in my first efforts to save some dough and then moved on to the organic kind when i made that switch. I saw a nice organic whole wheat waffle/pancake mix that made some delicious blueberry pankcakes. Somehow the leftover mix and Mata inspired me to buy a cheap waffle maker and i haven't looked back since. If i was super awesome i'd make them daily...but instead i make a few batches every couple weeks and freeze them and they are mighty delicious. I have tried other combinations, but for now i'm sticking to my banana delights....especially because the work folks are kinda jealous ;)
Yesterday was kinda crazy and i wasn't really planning on drinking after work in my efforts to play it cheap, but i was going to Tarpon Bend afterall for a friend's birthday i gave in. The last time i went there on a Friday, with the same group, i blew my load for the whole weekend and spent way too much money for happy hour in general. I will applaude them for thier impeccable service, but i just don't like the atmosphere. Everytime something will manage to turn me off for the rest of the time i'm there. The last time i went i split a dozen fresh raw oysters with a friend. I am not one to order seafood out. She shares the same sentiment. Why go out, when i can have it at home and know where it comes from....the perks of having a close personal relationship with a fisherman. The oysters were delicious...but they were not worth the hole in my wallet. Last night i tried the conch chowder. They have a different soup of the day for everyday of the week and being that over all other seafood/broth/cream concoctions i prefer carribean conch chowder i decided to give it a shot. The low price tag was also encouraging. It came with some fried plantain strips and had a yellow color with plantain chunks and the typical tomato and pepper chunks along with a few floating pieces of my delicious friend conch. The flavor was slightly sweet and totally wonderful and the strips were a perfet compliment. I avoided the lime, as i didn't want to spoil the natural flavor. I wish i had the receipe because i would totally make it for myself. Coupled with a typical mesalin salad with a vinagrette that came with one of my companion's chicken breasts. The portion size is enough to feed three people. I am not a fried chicken but this one had rosemary in the breading which was worth writing about and was tasty. In addition to the soup i also munched on some szechuan calamari that was fried and dressed up with a slightly sweet slightly spice to offset the cheapness of the calamari, and a generic spinach dip. The mojitos were cheap, but they had too much ice. Everyone at the table in the end had the same general consensus. We all favor Yardhouse foodwise and pricewise...but drinkwise the group is split. I guess I'll take beer anyday over a crappy mojito...but that's just me.
There were no leftovers from last, so i just stuck to some of Wendy's leftover chicken burrito and tried to enjoy my lunch. That's not possible in my office with my boss on a Friday...i ended up having to jump on the window because no one else could help this needy customer. Going out to eat would blow the budget so i guess i'll just have to either make or buy something really tasty and cheap before i see hot tub time machine tonight.
This weekend is also Jimbo's birthday on Virginia Key so sunday i will be enjoying the cheapest of all beer...FREE. I just have to tip and keep my up. My ever prepared compatriots will be bringing extra beer just in case the free kind runs out. I'm excited as this is a tradition three years strong.
I think this morning was a sign. When the Wendy's cat wouldn't stop meowing it was a hint for me to stay in bed. Traffic was slightly heavier than normal and i didn't get to enjoy my typial breakfast of homemade organic bananna nut waffle and organic orange juice. I have had many different breakfast incarnations over the years but right now this is my cheapest and overall most satisfying breakfast. For a while i would eat a microwaved egg with a slice of american cheese spun around in the radioactive box for a minute in a half for a quick scramble or one of those tasty sodium laden breakfast sandwiches also know as Jimmy Dean D'lights made with egg whites. At some point when i didn't treasure those last ten minutes of sleep i was even making them myself (as in cook the egg fresh, etc). When i started buying groceries in the buy one get ones i switched to waffles in my first efforts to save some dough and then moved on to the organic kind when i made that switch. I saw a nice organic whole wheat waffle/pancake mix that made some delicious blueberry pankcakes. Somehow the leftover mix and Mata inspired me to buy a cheap waffle maker and i haven't looked back since. If i was super awesome i'd make them daily...but instead i make a few batches every couple weeks and freeze them and they are mighty delicious. I have tried other combinations, but for now i'm sticking to my banana delights....especially because the work folks are kinda jealous ;)
Yesterday was kinda crazy and i wasn't really planning on drinking after work in my efforts to play it cheap, but i was going to Tarpon Bend afterall for a friend's birthday i gave in. The last time i went there on a Friday, with the same group, i blew my load for the whole weekend and spent way too much money for happy hour in general. I will applaude them for thier impeccable service, but i just don't like the atmosphere. Everytime something will manage to turn me off for the rest of the time i'm there. The last time i went i split a dozen fresh raw oysters with a friend. I am not one to order seafood out. She shares the same sentiment. Why go out, when i can have it at home and know where it comes from....the perks of having a close personal relationship with a fisherman. The oysters were delicious...but they were not worth the hole in my wallet. Last night i tried the conch chowder. They have a different soup of the day for everyday of the week and being that over all other seafood/broth/cream concoctions i prefer carribean conch chowder i decided to give it a shot. The low price tag was also encouraging. It came with some fried plantain strips and had a yellow color with plantain chunks and the typical tomato and pepper chunks along with a few floating pieces of my delicious friend conch. The flavor was slightly sweet and totally wonderful and the strips were a perfet compliment. I avoided the lime, as i didn't want to spoil the natural flavor. I wish i had the receipe because i would totally make it for myself. Coupled with a typical mesalin salad with a vinagrette that came with one of my companion's chicken breasts. The portion size is enough to feed three people. I am not a fried chicken but this one had rosemary in the breading which was worth writing about and was tasty. In addition to the soup i also munched on some szechuan calamari that was fried and dressed up with a slightly sweet slightly spice to offset the cheapness of the calamari, and a generic spinach dip. The mojitos were cheap, but they had too much ice. Everyone at the table in the end had the same general consensus. We all favor Yardhouse foodwise and pricewise...but drinkwise the group is split. I guess I'll take beer anyday over a crappy mojito...but that's just me.
There were no leftovers from last, so i just stuck to some of Wendy's leftover chicken burrito and tried to enjoy my lunch. That's not possible in my office with my boss on a Friday...i ended up having to jump on the window because no one else could help this needy customer. Going out to eat would blow the budget so i guess i'll just have to either make or buy something really tasty and cheap before i see hot tub time machine tonight.
This weekend is also Jimbo's birthday on Virginia Key so sunday i will be enjoying the cheapest of all beer...FREE. I just have to tip and keep my up. My ever prepared compatriots will be bringing extra beer just in case the free kind runs out. I'm excited as this is a tradition three years strong.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday at Wendy's and Wednesday at Babyfeet's
I've been forced to crash at Wendy's for a few days and have been trying to cook things she may like with items from my share. Last night i made a cream of leek soup with some of the leeks that i received in my share the night before. I think my leeks were larger than the ones used by the person that came up with the recipe so i doubled the butter. I also couldn't let the rest of that bottle of white wine go to waste. ;) You can taste the yogurt so i recommend cutting back if you don't like it too much and just using it until you can't handle it anymore. Wendy said she would eat it...and took some this morning to work. I'm kind of proud of it considering i made something complicated in someone else's kitchen. The only sucky part is that i woke up and my clothes this morning smelled like last nights dinner and i've had the aroma of left overs on my clothes
The rest of the soup will more than likely be consumed tonight at Babyfeet's. We're doing an informal housewarming at his place. I plan on making chicken breasts with a homemade balongnese sauce i made a month back, and a tossed salad...no comments from the peanut gallery please!!!! Let's see how things go..............
This is the recipe for the leek soup for Jo Ann reposted from apartmenttherapy.com
Creamy Leek and Yogurt Soup
about 1 1/2 quarts
2 large leeks
6 large cloves of garlic
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup plain yogurt
Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and wash thoroughly, making sure to get rid of all the sand and grit. Cut into half moons. Smash or mince the garlic cloves. Melt the butter in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Saute the leeks and garlic very slowly, never letting them brown or burn. Cook until the leeks are nearly translucent - about 10 minutes.
Add the white wine and pepper and let cook for about five minutes, then add the broth and turn the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45-60 minutes.
Puree in a blender - hold the lid down with a folded towel or you will end up with splattered soup all over the kitchen! Puree in two batches, adding half a cup of yogurt into each. Eat slightly cool like this, or return to the pan and warm very gently over low heat - do not let boil.
The rest of the soup will more than likely be consumed tonight at Babyfeet's. We're doing an informal housewarming at his place. I plan on making chicken breasts with a homemade balongnese sauce i made a month back, and a tossed salad...no comments from the peanut gallery please!!!! Let's see how things go..............
This is the recipe for the leek soup for Jo Ann reposted from apartmenttherapy.com
Creamy Leek and Yogurt Soup
about 1 1/2 quarts
2 large leeks
6 large cloves of garlic
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup plain yogurt
Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and wash thoroughly, making sure to get rid of all the sand and grit. Cut into half moons. Smash or mince the garlic cloves. Melt the butter in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Saute the leeks and garlic very slowly, never letting them brown or burn. Cook until the leeks are nearly translucent - about 10 minutes.
Add the white wine and pepper and let cook for about five minutes, then add the broth and turn the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45-60 minutes.
Puree in a blender - hold the lid down with a folded towel or you will end up with splattered soup all over the kitchen! Puree in two batches, adding half a cup of yogurt into each. Eat slightly cool like this, or return to the pan and warm very gently over low heat - do not let boil.
Purpose
In the lame-o style of my predecesors i am going to blog about my food adventures, but the twist here with my blog is that not only will i be chronicling my culinary misadventures, but i will also be chronicling my feeble attempts at simplifying my life in our ever so materialistic society. I recently decided that i would take the plunge and go organic. My reasoning wasn't totally motivated by health, but also taste and environmental reasons. I read In Defense of Food by Micheal Pollan and was scared into it somehow with all the environmental doom and gloom in the book.
Along with the change in my eating habits i have put myself on a strict budget with the aim of reaching some financial and personal goals within the next few years and compensating for everyone's favorite doom and gloom bad times are here indicator...a pay cut. Those goals, i will elaborate on sporadically as time passes and relevant budgetary developments occur. At this current time i have slashed my entertainment budget significantly (it went mostly to food) and have given up going out to eat even at lunch time. A recent development in my living situation is forcing me to move to a room with a smaller closet. Anyone who knows me knows my attachment to certain articles of clothing and the abundance of shoes i own. I am going to try and pair it down. I have given up major shopping for thirft stores, craiglist, and swaps. I want to simplify my life all the way around. My goal is to get down to the basics and a few luxuries within reason. I have started growing herbs and things in my own garden and taken on an organic produce share.
So let's see how this goes..............
Along with the change in my eating habits i have put myself on a strict budget with the aim of reaching some financial and personal goals within the next few years and compensating for everyone's favorite doom and gloom bad times are here indicator...a pay cut. Those goals, i will elaborate on sporadically as time passes and relevant budgetary developments occur. At this current time i have slashed my entertainment budget significantly (it went mostly to food) and have given up going out to eat even at lunch time. A recent development in my living situation is forcing me to move to a room with a smaller closet. Anyone who knows me knows my attachment to certain articles of clothing and the abundance of shoes i own. I am going to try and pair it down. I have given up major shopping for thirft stores, craiglist, and swaps. I want to simplify my life all the way around. My goal is to get down to the basics and a few luxuries within reason. I have started growing herbs and things in my own garden and taken on an organic produce share.
So let's see how this goes..............
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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