tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32673554882237507922024-03-13T15:51:43.684-07:00Archduke Domestic - Who doesn't like eating and drinking?Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-42590484556713553802019-07-11T13:01:00.002-07:002019-07-11T13:01:47.456-07:00Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and RiceInstant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1spdFuOSaeUVAu4c_vBnGWeB15LuScaIKOeiWe6RmBAucaTxwNsOxDjxhcz8XOc8CWoFWJzILVemPUHr2DtC8wqUD691_lYyp35AmKAXPj_1XQwFuy8Us6UsnlMo1g_qYA5ppxSvXj0/s1600/IMG_20190518_174533_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1spdFuOSaeUVAu4c_vBnGWeB15LuScaIKOeiWe6RmBAucaTxwNsOxDjxhcz8XOc8CWoFWJzILVemPUHr2DtC8wqUD691_lYyp35AmKAXPj_1XQwFuy8Us6UsnlMo1g_qYA5ppxSvXj0/s400/IMG_20190518_174533_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold the cheesy, creamy goodness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So buried somewhere in this <a href="https://www.thisisnotdietfood.com/instant-pot-garlic-parmesan-chicken-and-rice/">link</a> is the following recipe. It is painful and time consuming to find on their side. So without further ado:<br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
1.5 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless<br />
1 tbsp butter<br />
2 1/2 cups water<br />
2 cups heavy cream<br />
10.5 oz cream of chicken condensed soup<br />
2 cups white rice<br />
1 tbsp garlic powder<br />
1 tsp onion powder<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 tsp pepper<br />
2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded<br />
2 tsp parsley flakes<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
Cut chicken breast into strips.<br />
<br />
Turn Instant Pot on to Sauté Normal. Add butter to the pot while it's heating up. Add the chicken breast slices to the pot and cook until almost no pink remains.<br />
<br />
Add the water, heavy cream and cream of chicken soup to the pot and stir gently. Add the rice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to the pot. Do not stir.<br />
<br />
Place the lid on the Instant Pot, lock it in place and turn the steam release handle to the sealing position. Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes*.<br />
<br />
Once the Instant Pot is done cooking, immediately turn the steam release handle to do a quick release. Once the float valve is all the way down remove the lid.<br />
<br />
Add the shredded Parmesan and parsley flakes to the pot. Stir well until the cheese is all melted. Cover until rice is done.<br />
<br />
Commentary:<br />
I only made minor modifications. If you are curious dig through the original link... and drown in the excessive that is food blogging for profit.<br />
<br />
* - Seriously though, the rice was under cooked. I added the cover until rice is done line. Next time, I plan on adding a minute or two of cook time.<br />
<br />
Aside: I always wonder if I will ever get a cease and desist letter. Can you own a recipe? How much do I have to change to not get in trouble. I barely touch the recipe I post<br />
<br />
Conclusion:<br />
I would not like to see a calorie count, but everyone loved it.Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-50244136122300676062018-10-24T09:12:00.000-07:002018-10-24T09:12:24.578-07:00Jack-O'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers / Stuffed Skulls<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I LOVE HALLOWEEN.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started tracking the "Halloween appropriate" movies I would watch every October with the goal of a thirty-one in thirty-one days. It combined my love of Halloween, movies, and data.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxIPcOAd9pv21sVIf-yKrMZ3QCUQf83TZNmbH5qdWmSMqbID8E_RWWnpXEo3RRK0VlczqF5y3hDXxXz_slXdQeUlD3M8I2Wos0sSlS3cZFh09aYuNlXxLH8lcMqKoyGrCUWcEyhj7Arw/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1065" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxIPcOAd9pv21sVIf-yKrMZ3QCUQf83TZNmbH5qdWmSMqbID8E_RWWnpXEo3RRK0VlczqF5y3hDXxXz_slXdQeUlD3M8I2Wos0sSlS3cZFh09aYuNlXxLH8lcMqKoyGrCUWcEyhj7Arw/s400/chart.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guess which year kiddo number one was born!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have come to accept this is a lost hobby for the next several years. So I am trying to get my Halloween thrills in other ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvXBiHpWpLW_P95ELd2_QhSOn5Pu41mqeGg5SbNknsZCIXek8EQUcm_3eTEDSRhqmFgwuekmnI3yG4i9lTrQd0ocmdtsSjazJsfMqq8Zwh1a1aJnImpY3WG2MMWiRvIXzLdWGQbugl_o/s1600/IMG_20181006_175720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvXBiHpWpLW_P95ELd2_QhSOn5Pu41mqeGg5SbNknsZCIXek8EQUcm_3eTEDSRhqmFgwuekmnI3yG4i9lTrQd0ocmdtsSjazJsfMqq8Zwh1a1aJnImpY3WG2MMWiRvIXzLdWGQbugl_o/s400/IMG_20181006_175720.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next best thing to a Texas Chainsaw Massacre marathon?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack-O'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers (<a href="https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a49656/jack-o-lantern-stuffed-peppers-recipe/">original recipe</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 orange bell peppers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extra-virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kosher salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 onion, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 garlic cloves, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 teaspoon chili powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 lb lean ground beef</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup cooked white rice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chicken stock, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350°.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut off and reserve the top of each pepper. Remove and discard the cores and seeds. Carve a Jack O'Lantern face into each pepper. Drizzle the inside of each pepper with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the peppers upright in a large baking dish along with the pepper tops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Drain the fat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Return skillet to stovetop. Reduce heat a little. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the chili powder. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken stock, cooked rice and 3/4 cup of cheese. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined. Remove from heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divide rice and beef mixture between the hollowed out peppers. Top with remaining cheese.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock into pan. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki0uGd0et9Q/W8pWhWkuDZI/AAAAAAAAJWA/445R88-Alb4ta2hzhNkBGs6Iy7d9gt6qACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_20181019_181012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki0uGd0et9Q/W8pWhWkuDZI/AAAAAAAAJWA/445R88-Alb4ta2hzhNkBGs6Iy7d9gt6qACPcBGAYYCw/s400/IMG_20181019_181012.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round two.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuffed Skulls (<a href="https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/pizza-skulls-533699">original recipe</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup shredded pizza cheese blend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup pizza sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon oregano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 oz cream cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one medium chicken breast, cooked, cubed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon minced dried onion</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tube pizza dough (14ish ounces I think)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix the pizza cheese, pizza sauce, and oregano in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix the cream cheese, chicken, and onion. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spray your <a href="https://www.target.com/p/13-9-x-10-6-skull-cake-pan-bronze-nordic-ware/-/A-53285999">skull pan</a> with cooking spray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roll out the pizza dough and roll flat and thin. Cut into six equal rectangles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjQdDMob5ZA/W8pQbOxo32I/AAAAAAAAJVs/CmLqE_vfrpwczRF4FZxuN22s1etA4ys-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_20181019_174507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjQdDMob5ZA/W8pQbOxo32I/AAAAAAAAJVs/CmLqE_vfrpwczRF4FZxuN22s1etA4ys-gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20181019_174507.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evil baking. I dig it.</span></td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commentary:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The jack o' lanterns are great but just any old stuffed pepper at the end of the day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The skulls were ok. My son and I liked the cream cheese skulls more. My wife liked the pizza skulls better. Naturally you can put just about anything in them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skull pans are hard to come by outside of Halloween time stock up appropriately!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only challenge is getting the dough even. About half came out perfect. The rest leaked or had big dough sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately, both will be made again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also the wifey said, no stuffed peppers without face EVER. Yes dear.</span></div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-82182349852744775642018-05-29T09:23:00.001-07:002018-06-25T09:19:56.162-07:00Red Wine Sauce<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I am back on the cooking from <a href="http://archdukedomestic.blogspot.com/2017/08/broiled-tarragon-chicken-with-white-wine.html">every cookbook in alphabetical order</a> thing. Today we have </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">American Cooks: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The General Federation of Women's Clubs Cook Book, edited by Ann Seranne, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, copyright 1967, sixth impression.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LmoVRR0eg6RXWwnt_e56pQIFxzOylrF9Lg8Gh9zV8JY4p4R_TZuTxwnoDu2Q-ayn-zCmxORXaVW4-TMgrZ0-puU_H8vZ8nNHtvhzqSioW4S1cQwKKU8B8euAWYLsSQ6pXbs24MbY4ww/s1600/IMG_20180520_171013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LmoVRR0eg6RXWwnt_e56pQIFxzOylrF9Lg8Gh9zV8JY4p4R_TZuTxwnoDu2Q-ayn-zCmxORXaVW4-TMgrZ0-puU_H8vZ8nNHtvhzqSioW4S1cQwKKU8B8euAWYLsSQ6pXbs24MbY4ww/s400/IMG_20180520_171013.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel like this book was loved... just not so much by me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was one hundred and one percent a swing and a miss. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to apologize to Mrs. Franklin Ussery, Jr. of Alice, Texas. I did not do your recipe justice. Revert my awful, <i>awful</i> wine substitution if you are curious but please for the love of the Flying Spaghetti Monster do <b><i>NOT </i></b>repeat what I did.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RmYMhP5KGYqkce_MbBsJttFIUgOLf5LXLFWdWtZuduphS4TKkMLvSlnk7Ou_5sSq6LH7jiCnzSiQjip8VIujV2RR-bGCII7mgYqefnMtGyYiewoGIQJW6Xu06ACrwZL9mDYbXS_NDwM/s1600/IMG_20180520_170548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RmYMhP5KGYqkce_MbBsJttFIUgOLf5LXLFWdWtZuduphS4TKkMLvSlnk7Ou_5sSq6LH7jiCnzSiQjip8VIujV2RR-bGCII7mgYqefnMtGyYiewoGIQJW6Xu06ACrwZL9mDYbXS_NDwM/s640/IMG_20180520_170548.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My shame incarnate.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resources:</b></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10"><tbody>
<tr>
<td align="justify" valign="top" width="300"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Original</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup grated onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup presifted flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cup dry red wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup catsup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup beef broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dash of garlic salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon prepared mustard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dash of ground cloves</span></td>
<td align="justify" valign="top" width="300"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So Very Wrong</span></b><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons butter</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">???* dried minced onion</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 2/3 tablespoons all purpose flour</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup Chianti red wine vinegar</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup ketchup</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup beef broth</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dash teaspoon pepper</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dash of garlic salt</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tablespoon brown sugar</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tablespoon mustard</span></strike></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Method:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Melt butter in a saucepan. Sauté onions until golden. Sprinkle with flour. Gradually stir in wine. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened and smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Commentary:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This strictly speaking is an alphabetical cheat. In between deciding to start this up again (ie pulling out the next cookbook and pouring over it) and this post, I was gifted a collection of cookbooks. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the fine folks who make that happen by the way.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I should be cooking from 30 Minute Kosher, but America Cooks has plagued me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why you ask? Well, it is a very complete cookbook with lots of reference materials, basic methods, cross references, variations, and so much more. But something about this one just did not speak to me. It is a huge book and I generally skipped the pork/beef to keep the wifey happy... and found nothing I wanted to make for dinner. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside: this is a common problem. I find many older cook books to have a craptastic poultry section unless you are cooking a whole bird. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I went to the sauces and just made something for which I "had" the ingredients.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And let us just be honest here. The fuck up has nothing to do with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mrs. Franklin Ussery, Jr or the rest of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the kind, wonderful women of The General Federation of Women's Clubs. <i>Oh no</i>. I own this mistake. Take a look at the chapter listing: </span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Appetizers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hearty Sandwiches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quick Breads</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeast Breads</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Egg and Egg Dishes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheese and Cheese Dishes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fish, Shellfish and Other Foods Prepared Like Fish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Poultry and Game Birds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sauces for Fish, Poultry, Meat and Vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stuffings and Garnishes for Fish, Poultry, Meat and Vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dumplings and Other Starch Substitutions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rice and Rice Dishes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pasta Dishes and Sauces for Pasta</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salad and Salad Dressings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pies and Pastries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cakes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frostings and Fillings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cookies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Desserts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dessert Sauces</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Candy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preserves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beverages</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are four or five rarebit recipes. Hell, there is a frostings chapter. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FROSTING!!!</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So this falls into the same category as </span><a href="http://archdukedomestic.blogspot.com/2017/09/santas-whiskers.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa's Whiskers</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: I should probably revisit this cookbook someday. But seriously why did I make this unholy abomination you ask?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQKJq-YzBsM3qg-yJCIt97Ns80fsMtPI79Gjc7ZU4KXyV5bd7Y76X5mGg7xVqX9NS5hCIZRfwJ0VuZ9B3Dw2UR_Lf7KkjQgz360sGfS0oYf5WZiyhTq-cLng8s2pfgzKtEM93385-MiI/s1600/IMG_20180523_055451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQKJq-YzBsM3qg-yJCIt97Ns80fsMtPI79Gjc7ZU4KXyV5bd7Y76X5mGg7xVqX9NS5hCIZRfwJ0VuZ9B3Dw2UR_Lf7KkjQgz360sGfS0oYf5WZiyhTq-cLng8s2pfgzKtEM93385-MiI/s320/IMG_20180523_055451.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I interest you in a side of jellied vinegar and hatred with your nuggets?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because I have been on a sauce kick. I eat chicken nuggets a lot. They are quick, easy, and (assuming you buy the right ones) <i>reasonably</i> healthy. But there is only so much barbecue or honey mustard one can eat. So I like to mix up my dipping sauces. Lately it has been brown sauce and I thought this might be my "next" thing. I was wrong. So very foolish and wrong.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn_5RhmaTy2PQvY-HpElJw_sP1TR8M_TxfuYps3W0JBSORtytUxr2-fBmKosRzRBb8ONsAFjCAwv50Pgf5CYHBD7Nio64HVW9SlP70fDAG9yf6CqYTidSdWdtEE5q-Jt7UFZILi_s04Q/s1600/IMG_20180520_163949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn_5RhmaTy2PQvY-HpElJw_sP1TR8M_TxfuYps3W0JBSORtytUxr2-fBmKosRzRBb8ONsAFjCAwv50Pgf5CYHBD7Nio64HVW9SlP70fDAG9yf6CqYTidSdWdtEE5q-Jt7UFZILi_s04Q/s320/IMG_20180520_163949.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This smelled delicious. It was such a promising start.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that I have gone on at length about nothing important, let us actually talk cooking. I substituted red wine vinegar and dried minced onions (the kind you find in the spice aisle) for red wine and grated onions. Also I did not have any ground clove, so gone. I do not think the dried minced onions was a bad substitution. <b>*</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I adjusted the quantity according to the side of the minced onions bottle. I forgot to write it down hence the unknown quantity in the recipe. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway they cooked quite nicely. This smelled wonderful... until I added the vinegar. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once I added the vinegar this stung the nose. I love vinegar but I have my limits. This tastes like vinegar with a faint hint of beef and onions. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the real kicker? Practically speaking, it is garbage for dipping. Way too thick. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR84vBR14y1fKmVuIQ7NsY3urTe-G_NVXooY_5-3m7yO8_7jdgO7R0DXc4kX1Cb4DGCtsz8mSWs8ljStOj5o_NcS9NbsSM7HvGQ4Nxq8Xrm454nb2QonpZJ9ZPreJxhqSHuGsDJbGFOPk/s1600/IMG_20180521_060012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR84vBR14y1fKmVuIQ7NsY3urTe-G_NVXooY_5-3m7yO8_7jdgO7R0DXc4kX1Cb4DGCtsz8mSWs8ljStOj5o_NcS9NbsSM7HvGQ4Nxq8Xrm454nb2QonpZJ9ZPreJxhqSHuGsDJbGFOPk/s320/IMG_20180521_060012.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pretty sure if I pulled this out of the fridge, nothing would have moved days later.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In hopes of saving some face I slathered it all over some chicken thighs, let set in the fridge for an hour or two, and baked. This was not horrible, but just kind of bland ironically. Not much came though.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh5a4FBzKOXa5ZP52wfhBrVzPAvDRL5pAjR6mm5EvGoZn6_sfhCF67IzB-azbWEmyt5RdHiozNO-lgGg-Mps0ItpFdqQSh7T6EiGXOVJSwdow4zeH0lk4kMD9VSKjkWiz_JGVZSAQEhI/s1600/IMG_20180520_164611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh5a4FBzKOXa5ZP52wfhBrVzPAvDRL5pAjR6mm5EvGoZn6_sfhCF67IzB-azbWEmyt5RdHiozNO-lgGg-Mps0ItpFdqQSh7T6EiGXOVJSwdow4zeH0lk4kMD9VSKjkWiz_JGVZSAQEhI/s320/IMG_20180520_164611.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How the fuck do you have an 1/8 teaspoons?!?</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also as might be obvious, I halved the original. Not because I meant to, but I only had that much ingredients. <i>Sigh</i>. Let us face it, I was bound and determined to get this cookbook off my list and that was all that mattered.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to apologize to anyone who took the time to read this entire rant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are too many recipes and cookbooks I want to try. I will almost certainly never revisit this and give it a fair chance. Sorry again Mrs. Franklin Ussery, Jr. of Alice Texas!</span></span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-53453348455758040392018-05-21T09:03:00.001-07:002018-05-21T09:13:04.011-07:00Wine Bread<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like wine. I really like bread. Wine bread? Sign me up!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRh2uCcjEhoEK3l6GbO5P8ejpiP-QcEmzR6C9t8sYwJV7sEm-E0zIaQwFrWe_7DLt9Er-kM09wSRWHCjIeDxt_0XlimpsYG05_EQT13iojwk2GBOvQ1y_H7N4D1W47o2U4cpIJ1vL21k/s1600/IMG_20180513_102610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRh2uCcjEhoEK3l6GbO5P8ejpiP-QcEmzR6C9t8sYwJV7sEm-E0zIaQwFrWe_7DLt9Er-kM09wSRWHCjIeDxt_0XlimpsYG05_EQT13iojwk2GBOvQ1y_H7N4D1W47o2U4cpIJ1vL21k/s400/IMG_20180513_102610.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carbs, cutlery, and Cabernet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry for the long absence (again). Doing the whole baby thing </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">again</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. So I am back to changing diapers and making bottles instead of cooking fun things. But baby #2 is a few months old and getting a handle on life, so I had a bit of free time the other weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside: I do not remember how I stumbled across this recipe (baby brain and all), but due diligence makes me post the <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/wine-bread">source</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 cups all purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon fresh yeast or 1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/4 cups warm water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup Cabernet, slightly warmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lightly mix together flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, rosemary, and pepper in a large bowl. Dissolve yeast in warm wine, add water to wine and mix all of the liquid into the dry ingredients until incorporated. Do not overmix. Cover the bowl with a towel and put it in a warm place to rise for sixteen hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After sixteen hours, fold the dough into itself so the top is tucked in the center and the bottom is now on the top. Place it back in the bowl, cover it, and let rise for 2 hours. When you have 30 minutes left of rise time, place a dutch oven in the oven at 450 degrees. Let it heat up for 30 minutes. Once heated, remove pot from oven, pour in olive oil and swirl to coat. Place the bread into the pot, top with remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, cover, and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bread has a golden crust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Homemade bread: to me it is always way too much time to benefit ratio. The grocery has amazing fresh bread. There are bakers and farmer’s markets a plenty with amazing fresh bread. So why did I make this? A couple reasons: 1) this is really super easy (see baby discussion above), 2) the flavor combination looked unique/interesting, and 3) it left me 92% of a bottle of wine to drink. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also since is a lot effort recipe, you are getting a low effort post by the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So kind of cool experience with this whole deal, I had only ever used dry active yeast previously. I could not find that in the store and bought fresh yeast. Luckily I did a quick Google and discovered it is a two to one ratio.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sixteen hours is a really shitty time frame to work with. Sixteen hours after noon? Four AM. Fuck that noise. Schedule according. That said I ended it putting this in the oven closer to nineteen hours later, not eightteen hours. No regrets. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tasty bread and an excuse to buy wine?!? Yes please! Just pull up your schedule before beginning.</span></div>
</div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-48592377054816418882018-01-17T09:29:00.003-08:002018-01-17T09:29:47.757-08:00Cheesy Swedish Meatball Bake<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let us get this out of the way: FUCK Tastemade. A fb page (who I shall not mention for fear of associated them with these schmucks) reposted their video. And thus began a journey...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtK-1r42WSZBBjFOSucF2EXMxRPttHNbUTBsSc9LWdGVH8HQPFbS1ZPRk4reKU-a2SFdIWkDQIp38oX-HDNCjbrQUNjx8lQ5NUBLSold00ryECjqg10q19_gGa914qWxvwSzaagvoT_o/s1600/IMG_20171227_180837335-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtK-1r42WSZBBjFOSucF2EXMxRPttHNbUTBsSc9LWdGVH8HQPFbS1ZPRk4reKU-a2SFdIWkDQIp38oX-HDNCjbrQUNjx8lQ5NUBLSold00ryECjqg10q19_gGa914qWxvwSzaagvoT_o/s400/IMG_20171227_180837335-.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A blurry journey apparently.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The still before the video looked tasty, so I watched the video. It looked <i>really</i> good (the word Gruyère always gets me excited even if I cannot pronounce it) but no specifics. No link to the recipe either. No comments with the recipe. Nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now depending on the day's solar flare activity, the relative humidity in Johannesburg, and the frequency of the letter "L" in headlines that day, it is about 50/50 if I would have walked away or continued. That day there was <i><b>just</b></i> enough "L"s to continue. I posted for help. I tried their fb page and I could not find the original post. I tried their webpage. It just wanted me to install some app, which is a pet peeve of mine so no. A few hours later somebody replied with this mess "Type the recipe name in the fb search bar. It'll give you a couple recipes. One of them says full recipe. Click on it and the video comes up, but, on the right is a link to the recipe." I tried to follow these instructions, I really did because at this point I was commited. Anyway a few more hours pass by and someone replies with a link. I click the link and low and behold it is the <b>same</b> <b>DAMN</b> <b><i>VIDEO</i></b> but on their website instead of fb!!! I was about to give up and luckily I noticed a print button just below the video. I clicked on that and I PDF'ed the recipe. Which brings us to today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 pound ground beef</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 pound ground turkey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons butter, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups egg noodles, cooked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 tablespoons butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 tablespoons all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups beef broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup heavy cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, combine ground meats, panko, eggs, melted butter and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seasonings. Roll mixture into balls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a skillet on medium-high heat, cook meatballs in olive oil, until browned on all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sides. Transfer to a paper towel-lined tray and set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepare the gravy. In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in the flour until</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lightly browned. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously. Keep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whisking and cooking until slightly thickened. Stir in the heavy cream and season</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with salt and pepper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place meatballs in the gravy and simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook egg noodles to al dente and drain. In a baking dish, mix noodles together</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with meatballs and gravy. Sprinkle with shredded Gruyère cheese.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake at 375 degrees F until slightly golden and bubbling. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I refuse to link to these jakovasaurs. I cited my source, that is all they get.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnkOvsHken9Vy4kmoa5xMl2xSY9j0f5YGi6aXMT0QD3il8VzZ-5ULahVIQG-7prKmTT6p0N2H2gWQh4dOmVxI3MJgEDPm3w_bIEGOoKXLrdKNkkMrVnEHRrKok41-ESUkpFd1x5kTPcI/s1600/IMG_20171227_133539728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnkOvsHken9Vy4kmoa5xMl2xSY9j0f5YGi6aXMT0QD3il8VzZ-5ULahVIQG-7prKmTT6p0N2H2gWQh4dOmVxI3MJgEDPm3w_bIEGOoKXLrdKNkkMrVnEHRrKok41-ESUkpFd1x5kTPcI/s320/IMG_20171227_133539728.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head went to pieces when I asked him to help! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fried the meat in two batches because it was a lot a meat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhUBVN_GKZBMA4_j1ArSGJbE3DlzX-bS0wpqBJK3Mbu0KVBHr5U36AsuQvpwAZS0RMCHhxEGK1TJ25rJb9GYfBrAbi2Uj3M2Bzllucdbv1hX68aleYOHfsABJZzDvvjCX8nqN9-qLudY/s1600/IMG_20171227_165604977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhUBVN_GKZBMA4_j1ArSGJbE3DlzX-bS0wpqBJK3Mbu0KVBHr5U36AsuQvpwAZS0RMCHhxEGK1TJ25rJb9GYfBrAbi2Uj3M2Bzllucdbv1hX68aleYOHfsABJZzDvvjCX8nqN9-qLudY/s320/IMG_20171227_165604977.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scalding but tasty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made one radical change: ground turkey was supposed to be ground pork. I have no regrets. The turkey made the meatballs "lighter" than I think pork would have. I think it was a really pleasant change and would probably stick with it in future go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few things I would change in the future. This needs more egg noodles and cheese. I would go as far as to say double both.I used a 9x13 pan. I would use something smaller next time. The cheese kind of disappeared due to the large surface area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The leftovers kept <i>really</i> well. This could easily be a meal prep Sunday kind of recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get it, we all have to get paid. Seriously though, fuck Tastemade and anyone else who "posts" recipes and then make you jump through this shit. If your business model involves making my life more difficult: I hate you, your children, your children's children, their pet dog, your favorite holiday, and the color of the shirt you were wearing the day you made the post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the meatballs were pretty good... but not great.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-46782364998206452482017-10-04T12:07:00.001-07:002017-11-06T09:22:25.104-08:00Beef StewI have skipped ahead several cookbooks to <a href="http://a.co/5J0ippr">Cooking with Wine</a> for today's entry. I know, I know I said I would not do that, but this was for the greater good of mankind!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG9ZHo_8eH7JYPB3pWeknGGcyFuhLDwIqsNDo2zaf6zAQklKluGUd6LTLuLO0ItZnH1LqFgZuRG1iSLnmZDCRP4IcYklklZeK0GK3CgZ-YrqGpmpbSJjuJLQBGhHlVYzBlkIMu5JN4GE/s1600/IMG_20171001_141723107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG9ZHo_8eH7JYPB3pWeknGGcyFuhLDwIqsNDo2zaf6zAQklKluGUd6LTLuLO0ItZnH1LqFgZuRG1iSLnmZDCRP4IcYklklZeK0GK3CgZ-YrqGpmpbSJjuJLQBGhHlVYzBlkIMu5JN4GE/s400/IMG_20171001_141723107.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm. Tasty greater good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Daycare does a meal train for people in need. One of the families in our classroom just had a kid and asked for stews. I could literally could not say no! Ok... not literally or even figuratively really, but I <i>like </i>beef stew. I went through a dozen or so cookbooks before I found the right recipe. So without further ado Mother's Old Fashioned Beef Stew or simply beef stew.<br />
<br />
Resourses:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
3 tablespoons flour<br />
Salt / pepper to taste<br />
3 lbs beef cut into 1 1/2" cubes<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
1 1/2 tablespoons beef fat<br />
2 cloves garlic, peeled<br />
1 1/2 onion (I used Vidalia), sliced<br />
1 1/2 teaspoon marjoram, powdered<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
3 cups beef stock<br />
2 1/4 red wine (I used a cheap Cabernet Sauvignon)<br />
6 turnips, 3/4" cubed<br />
9 carrots, ~1/2" sliced<br />
6 potatoes, 3/4" cubed (I used larger baking potatoes)<br />
1 1/2 fresh flat parsley, chopped<br />
1 1/2 teaspoon thyme (pretty sure I forgot this)<br />
18 small white onions (I wanted pearl but couldn't find them), peeled<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
Put flour in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix. A few at a time drag the beef cubes through and coat on all sides. Refill as necessary.<br />
<br />
Heat butter and fat in a stock pot. A few at a time brown beef cubes on all sides. When browned move to a plate or bowl to capture the juices. Add butter/fat as needed. Deglaze the pot with the wine, scrapping up all the bits. Add remaining wine, garlic, sliced onions, parsley, beef cubes, parsley, marjoram, bay leaves, and stock. Simmer for one and a half hours.<br />
<br />
Add carrots, potatoes, small white onions, and turnips. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about two hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
Commentary:<br />
So I have moderately modified this recipe. The original was more or less 2/3rds the above, but I tweaked a few numbers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWR3CUfi8biB1puAJHGI7CssS_0Eoi9sAPSH5vJs-hdnhcwLEgG2mb_QE9oljuadhyphenhyphen4mLTyUcD-mXK1EBE04wEImlMa62bhoSkQFSEdeNwlteddazMjemrVduEWKtICs_RuW51B6gKvQ/s1600/IMG_20171001_100437443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWR3CUfi8biB1puAJHGI7CssS_0Eoi9sAPSH5vJs-hdnhcwLEgG2mb_QE9oljuadhyphenhyphen4mLTyUcD-mXK1EBE04wEImlMa62bhoSkQFSEdeNwlteddazMjemrVduEWKtICs_RuW51B6gKvQ/s320/IMG_20171001_100437443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One I did not modify was the extra large bottle of cheap wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbVkZoEjLqxV4goJRZoh2SXaGJdklYeT_yiQEaIPua72dbuGzx8ylAdUyVNIUzNQcirNd8qPaxTOC9IPVVQA-oNmPPjP3sBMP2emmw0CvFHQAtphNjqIHA0N7pwKWvoZI15wRfQjrj_A/s1600/IMG_20171001_090248409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbVkZoEjLqxV4goJRZoh2SXaGJdklYeT_yiQEaIPua72dbuGzx8ylAdUyVNIUzNQcirNd8qPaxTOC9IPVVQA-oNmPPjP3sBMP2emmw0CvFHQAtphNjqIHA0N7pwKWvoZI15wRfQjrj_A/s320/IMG_20171001_090248409.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not limit the excessive amount of meat either. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is from a <a href="http://www.mizkan.com/Brands/Holland-House.aspx">Holland House</a> cookbook. For those unfamiliar Holland House makes those cheap salted cooking wines available at the grocery. They're my go to sherry and Marsala. That said, I wanted to go with drinking wine not cooking wine (so I could drink it, duh). As a result I was pretty generous with the salt to taste part.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenPaajzCTpAkPw9D9NRw2ELLFqHR8LsIw3JTxra5futYjpKb8OBSdiEL8jugIep3YjGXriTapakvM0e_3R_1vOVOpkTrZObIbtR4O1BolL38etg4wwHjauZBdzWpE-tvLMamJCJVoxiw/s1600/IMG_20171001_134309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenPaajzCTpAkPw9D9NRw2ELLFqHR8LsIw3JTxra5futYjpKb8OBSdiEL8jugIep3YjGXriTapakvM0e_3R_1vOVOpkTrZObIbtR4O1BolL38etg4wwHjauZBdzWpE-tvLMamJCJVoxiw/s320/IMG_20171001_134309.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is basically a commercial in book form.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before I really got into making the recipe, I trimmed the fat and rendered it to get the fat needed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__mCRuJGbCleK1zBSFlFjxj2sRXhWrPtxReD78XC27WWQ_0E7YVAvJ5gOIMtTiibBLohczt-qRa0UxmXb6EZJTmOcJMNOyJdDMInxlNvTIYqSRWOJZjUL1-6EyQTm09tc-8BWldn8Jq0/s1600/IMG_20171001_094727478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__mCRuJGbCleK1zBSFlFjxj2sRXhWrPtxReD78XC27WWQ_0E7YVAvJ5gOIMtTiibBLohczt-qRa0UxmXb6EZJTmOcJMNOyJdDMInxlNvTIYqSRWOJZjUL1-6EyQTm09tc-8BWldn8Jq0/s320/IMG_20171001_094727478.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am just being practical.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Conclusion:<br />
Next time a family in need needs stew count me in for this one!Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-55871611553343343152017-09-18T09:01:00.001-07:002018-05-23T09:03:19.738-07:00Santa's Whiskers<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am not a baker. I can make a mean batch of <a href="https://www.duncanhines.com/products/brownies/chewy-fudge-premium-brownie-mix/">Duncan Hines brownies</a>. Mmm brownies... But seriously baking is not my forte.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1DLZT7xjnzeuJvad8ruKoyOP_CBpgC7HgraBrfowrDASFjUJGYdlY0QJulyZ6DQNasby2aM8v3H4tVMuw0UD9kXQwK7zYnPfwwxrbr0nGdWyWCWKNySav_lhk8aa-Hm8DhLWX9Rnfs8/s1600/IMG_20170903_171426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1DLZT7xjnzeuJvad8ruKoyOP_CBpgC7HgraBrfowrDASFjUJGYdlY0QJulyZ6DQNasby2aM8v3H4tVMuw0UD9kXQwK7zYnPfwwxrbr0nGdWyWCWKNySav_lhk8aa-Hm8DhLWX9Rnfs8/s400/IMG_20170903_171426.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what I am told, in common parlance, is known as a cookie.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So next in the cookbook line up is a generic ones size fits all cookbook, <a href="http://a.co/9R2qtLV">Americas Best Recipes: A 1993 Hometown Collection</a>, and the wifey requested cookies. So fire up that KitchenAid mixer and get ready for mediocrity!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oClhKI44YkCaWZMeoKCJwZbRGzMdksRYa9aFyol1o8_PPmyAy5BGkUdSL1biPox-FOqpi4ttYyjqy9LgrJzVWVkCZu3ssHYtgkbbcz26yRViqBvww5tipAHlGVtrSLEoGaImcRuA0qY/s1600/IMG_20170904_192011873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oClhKI44YkCaWZMeoKCJwZbRGzMdksRYa9aFyol1o8_PPmyAy5BGkUdSL1biPox-FOqpi4ttYyjqy9LgrJzVWVkCZu3ssHYtgkbbcz26yRViqBvww5tipAHlGVtrSLEoGaImcRuA0qY/s200/IMG_20170904_192011873.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Generic cookbook...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5815q1Vj1Z2TF76jOB4vZ3WTCnn8lcfTsvja1g50AhHnRGymDZ082vGyt2HaNSGZkYfEFXiG_abWHYcZiTwe5pWyQ16FOIWrFbIPVJo_4xKqEjGX3bTKNjFbJ__Do4p6DdqaRMKVvKQ/s1600/IMG_20170904_192023917_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5815q1Vj1Z2TF76jOB4vZ3WTCnn8lcfTsvja1g50AhHnRGymDZ082vGyt2HaNSGZkYfEFXiG_abWHYcZiTwe5pWyQ16FOIWrFbIPVJo_4xKqEjGX3bTKNjFbJ__Do4p6DdqaRMKVvKQ/s200/IMG_20170904_192023917_TOP.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Generic cookbook...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnroiyt4W7gQl2XW3hwcRsozSHaNztztpaRpwqsxxgDejZuwmldGo63HvrI65pErU7D0MtRUMWzyE8LbJPSk5N-yqVHTU20VuOQzHR3D7xAjhAjmrNJ3UAZdG33PiLga0dTCRnwvULIYY/s1600/IMG_20170904_192037530_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnroiyt4W7gQl2XW3hwcRsozSHaNztztpaRpwqsxxgDejZuwmldGo63HvrI65pErU7D0MtRUMWzyE8LbJPSk5N-yqVHTU20VuOQzHR3D7xAjhAjmrNJ3UAZdG33PiLga0dTCRnwvULIYY/s200/IMG_20170904_192037530_TOP.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Southern cookbook?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup butter (two sticks), room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup finely chopped pecans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup finely quartered candied cherries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beat well. Add milk and vanilla, beat. Add flour, pecans, and cherries, beat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shape into two 8 inch long rolls. Wrap in was paper and freeze until firm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 375°. Unwrap and cut into 1/4" slices. Space 2-3 inches apart on a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until edges lightly brown: 8-10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You were supposed to roll these in coconut before freezing. I hate coconut. Fuck that. And although the whole "whiskers" thing probably does not make sense without it, I feel the need to reiterate: fuck coconut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also to fit the Santa theme, you're supposed to use half red candies cherries and half green candied cherries. I am, however, not made of money. So green it is!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mIQ_vsEMFYcArpPm9HmoC01TL0yx3Runjn4vz-9wmbHbYbz3wMIKH34rqqqCbSPr8PcSj2B-OUxu27lBCiOVwWpTOec5JrEePk9qGAfSqP8sXMM8stRoEvKy7tyPyGUsbTzvi6G2IWo/s1600/IMG_20170903_093615610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mIQ_vsEMFYcArpPm9HmoC01TL0yx3Runjn4vz-9wmbHbYbz3wMIKH34rqqqCbSPr8PcSj2B-OUxu27lBCiOVwWpTOec5JrEePk9qGAfSqP8sXMM8stRoEvKy7tyPyGUsbTzvi6G2IWo/s320/IMG_20170903_093615610.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doing home improvements and cooking at the same time is fine... just keep the epoxy out of the cookies.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I froze them a little too long. When discussing my options for my dough batons on Facebook, I got an interesting suggestion: <a href="http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lamb.html">spousal murder</a>. But after a moment of reflection, I opted for letting it thaw on the counter for a few minutes. I have no regrets. The wifey is a keeper.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwjFhIZ6ew-Z8SijF5LVFVYHktv4dA-Q4QS9RkMMj-56zxeIh_gG2bxlQMqxl1TbS_ytIlOlVZ2nu5XE1eoCuIBsxQxUgW3GFvsHIw3zGHx5TxEfk5v5lJqFzHyAuXTTXt4bv5q-QkT8/s1600/IMG_20170903_095552183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwjFhIZ6ew-Z8SijF5LVFVYHktv4dA-Q4QS9RkMMj-56zxeIh_gG2bxlQMqxl1TbS_ytIlOlVZ2nu5XE1eoCuIBsxQxUgW3GFvsHIw3zGHx5TxEfk5v5lJqFzHyAuXTTXt4bv5q-QkT8/s320/IMG_20170903_095552183.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would have hesitated less if she had cleaned the freezer for me...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems a shame to waste a good cookbook blog post on such lackluster results. So remind me in a decade when I have gotten through every other cookbook to revisit this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is unquestionably a cookie that is edible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acknowledgements:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I am ever accused of uxoricide, it was all Justin's idea.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-55493324170706402852017-08-29T09:13:00.002-07:002017-08-29T09:13:39.638-07:00Sopa de Ajo<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round two: <i>SPICY</i>!*</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQ56nYVjszqXeYLHP7r2650TrPLomhgSQinZHrwgqZ9LDMfi8_8Ibk0zBqq4vEkkZCwr7zQzrzZVN1WyWNWuLzYrJohIxQTWzXlY_5diIYokqvGjOU8AzaooUQP9GFyR67Rq9M1sirN8/s1600/IMG_20170829_120307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQ56nYVjszqXeYLHP7r2650TrPLomhgSQinZHrwgqZ9LDMfi8_8Ibk0zBqq4vEkkZCwr7zQzrzZVN1WyWNWuLzYrJohIxQTWzXlY_5diIYokqvGjOU8AzaooUQP9GFyR67Rq9M1sirN8/s400/IMG_20170829_120307.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://a.co/iDkkWCh">1,001 Best Hot and Spicy Recipes</a> is next on my shelves and that presents a problem that will pop up a handful of times during this process. The wifey is not a <i>super</i> adventurous eater. We eat mountains of chickens because we both despise the filthy beasts... er I mean we both like chicken. But she does not like stew/soup (with the exception of her mother's matzo ball soup) or beef. She flat out refuses anything spicy or pork. So while today's recipe is not really that spicy, it was made just for me. Which is why I picked a soup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 aji chile, stems and seeds removed (or yellow wax hot or jalapeño)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups chicken stock (I used some very flavorful homemade stuff)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt, to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pepper, to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 large eggs, beaten</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon finely grated Romano cheese (I used Parmesan)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon parsley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a heavy pot, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté, quickly stirring in the flour. Stir until the garlic begins to brown. Add the chiles, stock, salt, pepper, eggs, and cheese and mix well. Bring to boil, the reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. If desired strain the soup. Serve hot, garnished with the parsley.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* - The reports of a high spice level have been greatly exaggerated. That is to say: this shit ain't spicy at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was one meal sized serving (for me) by the way. Multiple as appropriate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If desired strain the soup." I was leery of this step, but went with it. I am glad I did. Despite my best efforts some of the egg had resulted in large blobs. After straining it only itty bitty pieces of egg were in there. It was a nice smooth texture as a result.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfepyIBhgrlvEfLIvDcNeGU7J2KBe4qM5NfyIafcjFnXTTnF0W-F_lELAM_hRNzWOrO1xye99BU4s99r02e2_oaFLMaQrwunYr2-sT4XeDgcHF541pSimiFhzSTnX4DrtRU73kb_S5q0/s320/IMG_20170829_120226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a texture person, this probably saved this recipe from disaster for me.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfepyIBhgrlvEfLIvDcNeGU7J2KBe4qM5NfyIafcjFnXTTnF0W-F_lELAM_hRNzWOrO1xye99BU4s99r02e2_oaFLMaQrwunYr2-sT4XeDgcHF541pSimiFhzSTnX4DrtRU73kb_S5q0/s1600/IMG_20170829_120226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So for better or for worse, I substituted cheeses because I had a half a block of good Parmesan in my fridge. One must be frugal after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also I could only find jalapeño at my grocery. I stemmed and seeded it, but wanting some heat I added a few seeds back in. It did not make any difference only adding a few much to my disappointment.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8rA0T6122zBdM0MB07d09maAKNFq2QgG3Qf_JQ5bSJqLJwjBPC81jyzqXgZ9_C8vriCUA0yndpM_lqsPHBC9OZrMpaZx6CtSUS7WYbJIZaBFIktD7TJiBDnNDz7GNchfnghp3XWNP60/s320/IMG_20170829_120202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pictured: not enough seeds to make the slightest difference.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8rA0T6122zBdM0MB07d09maAKNFq2QgG3Qf_JQ5bSJqLJwjBPC81jyzqXgZ9_C8vriCUA0yndpM_lqsPHBC9OZrMpaZx6CtSUS7WYbJIZaBFIktD7TJiBDnNDz7GNchfnghp3XWNP60/s1600/IMG_20170829_120202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taste = great. Gas = <i>super</i> stinky. Seriously, not to get overly personal but my gas usually is not too bad. This however made my butt <b>toxic</b>! I might make this again next time I am home alone!</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-81605523081040253502017-08-07T11:40:00.001-07:002017-08-08T07:07:17.547-07:00The Bookshelf<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqpcfUJKjYdFEljqABxxphk5CALtFS1vRLzD4nUY-21vWJaEMLRC8I8Q5qEvUTS5o9aD6zzWX2XmIfV-eyuUlR9bt2IVxl0GvxNzTxvfyNTHXEbF4pKTAE02kMBN0fsPMgOkpdUJg99w/s1600/20423875_10104436947832985_1767948162898852173_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqpcfUJKjYdFEljqABxxphk5CALtFS1vRLzD4nUY-21vWJaEMLRC8I8Q5qEvUTS5o9aD6zzWX2XmIfV-eyuUlR9bt2IVxl0GvxNzTxvfyNTHXEbF4pKTAE02kMBN0fsPMgOkpdUJg99w/s640/20423875_10104436947832985_1767948162898852173_o.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My cookbooks (and core gaming books)</span></td></tr>
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<br />Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-169202304132541342017-08-07T10:12:00.001-07:002017-08-29T09:18:46.478-07:00Broiled Tarragon Chicken with White Wine<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2017-08-29 Edit: I made this with cooking wine and marinated overnight. Do not try this method.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I have a completely unrealistic goal! Want to hear? Sure you do! If you are actually reading this that is and not just skipping straight to the recipe below that is. I am going to attempt to blog something from every single cookbook I own.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1MTU2lKc9FblguwZw7Y_PhU9oyyh6vKGV1NjrlWKWVQavSwCo7-kT_AkGxbUGNUMNgxSbKrNmkPWJ1A4dzIwxLjmF-TT0itD4FT_PIJQdumcHwcnk47lG26tMHnnQQEBzMMD9e9k_o/s1600/IMG_20170806_174001666_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1MTU2lKc9FblguwZw7Y_PhU9oyyh6vKGV1NjrlWKWVQavSwCo7-kT_AkGxbUGNUMNgxSbKrNmkPWJ1A4dzIwxLjmF-TT0itD4FT_PIJQdumcHwcnk47lG26tMHnnQQEBzMMD9e9k_o/s400/IMG_20170806_174001666_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step One of Fifty-Five and Counting</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I estimate that given my blogging output and the age of my child, this will take my approximately ten years! It is good to have goals right? So today we start with the first cookbook on my shelf alphabetically: <a href="http://a.co/9HG6Gw6">365 Easy Low Calorie Recipes</a>. Why alphabetically? Because otherwise I will cherry pick and stop this process <i>long </i>before I am done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I bought this cookbook at a Half Priced Books clearance event at the local conventions center about three years ago. I am fairly confident it has only collected dust since then! Flipping through it, it seems to be a pretty standard "diet" cookbook: low calorie meals, low calorie alternatives, low calorie variations on classics, super basic recipes. Let us take a shot at that last one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons dry white wine (I used a pinot grigio)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/8 teaspoons tarragon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 large </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">boneless skinless</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">chicken breast slice thick-wise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a medium bowl combine everything but the chicken. Mix well. Coat chicken and let marinate one hour at room temperature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set oven rack about six inches from broiler. Preheat broiler. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Broil chicken (in a broiler safe tray or pan, duh) about six minutes each side or until cooked through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I almost made the low calorie Hollandaise sauce. Then I thought to myself, I cannot think of the last time I made a Hollandaise sauce. I feel like I must have at some point right? I mean it is a classic. Hell, Wikipedia says the following: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollandaise_sauce">Hollandaise is one of the five sauces in the French haute cuisine mother sauce repertoire.</a> Surely I have made it at some point right? Right... So I couldn't bring myself to go there. Luckily a bottle of wine and this was otherwise stocked in the house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh and in case it is not obvious by the "eighths" ingredients, I halved the original. Also it was implied that they were using bone-in breast, so I cut the cooking times appropriately.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside: I think I really like tarragon. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, two tablespoons of wine is a nice excuse to buy a bottle of Pinot right? I will be trying this one again with a bottle of "cooking white wine" and without the salt. I will also try leaving it in the fridge over night. Because if it is nearly as good that way, this might get regular rotation in the house. Preheat and twelve minutes cooking? Yeah: fingers crossed. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzk-fL-dIo9fq039IVpmSDX8FiwIYlc6r_OAeo2-UauRv3ghfG6DPS399TWsIO7Z07WQyMExgQgfDfmq9hYNQPc8p5DoRhX_ctI3Npf4Out2sjJuGT7fO4cFfp4ZTJ1nr9cgB_mM94F8/s1600/IMG_20170806_180816006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzk-fL-dIo9fq039IVpmSDX8FiwIYlc6r_OAeo2-UauRv3ghfG6DPS399TWsIO7Z07WQyMExgQgfDfmq9hYNQPc8p5DoRhX_ctI3Npf4Out2sjJuGT7fO4cFfp4ZTJ1nr9cgB_mM94F8/s320/IMG_20170806_180816006.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One for the chicken... twenty five for me!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh my! Oh goodness! I need more of this in my life!!! YES, yes please.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or should I say: I liked it.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-35501223183673259242017-08-07T09:33:00.002-07:002017-08-07T09:33:05.327-07:00Mark's Thighs<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[insert product placement here]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are living dangerously (<a href="http://archdukedomestic.blogspot.com/2017/04/slow-cooker-moroccan-chicken-with.html">again</a>)! Today's recipe is a Archduke Domestic ORIGINAL. That is right folks prepare yourselves to be wowed with an entirely unoriginal original recipe that I, your humble guide, wrote!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what inspired this risqué move? Well let us put on our memory caps folks! Remember my <a href="http://archdukedomestic.blogspot.com/2016/02/pressure-cooker-sauerbraten.html">Pressure Cooker Sauerbraten</a> (which I really need to make again come to think of it) post from a while back? That was fun and all, but it was not exactly something I was going to make on any regularity. On top of that, I had been looking to break out my chicken breast rut (as you might have noticed by my two chicken thigh recipes earlier this year). So that led me down a path of quick easy and minimal special ingredients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 chicken thighs (bone in, skin on)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) 14 1/2 ounce can chicken broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon lemon juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon of pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cloves garlic, peeled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons plain bread crumbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (fresh or Kraft)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon-ish season salt (see commentary)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix the chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper in the pressure cooker. Add chicken thighs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bring to pressure and cook 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While cooking mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and season salt in a bowl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Safely release pressure. Line a broiler safe pan or tray with foil. Roll each chicken thigh in the bread crumb mix. Place skin up on the pan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turn on the broiler of your oven (do <b>not</b> preheat). Broil thighs until lightly browned (to taste).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is about five minutes of active cooking and another twenty-five of passive. Other than having to remember to buy/thaw chicken thighs ahead of time, I have everything in my house. This is the penultimate weeknight recipe (nothing will ever surpass the ease and speed of chicken and cheese quesadillas). Any given Tuesday or Wednesday you can expect this to be made in the ol' Sutcliffe household.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This also comes out pretty salty if I use a full teaspoon. But I like it that way. So I would not begrudge anyone for using less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is "not wow the boss convincing him to give you that much deserved raise" recipe... That raise you need to buy that amazing investment property that is not on the market yet. That you have an inside track on, you just need the <b>money</b>. If get the raise, you get the property, and you would be set. One simple raise and it is smooth sailing from then on. Why cannot he see you deserve it more than that jackass Jenkins. He is nothing but a talentless brown noser who just happened to have gone to the same alma mater as the boss. Why cannot he see it!!! W<b>H</b><span style="font-size: large;">Y?</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>?</b>?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Er... excuse me. I mean this is a lovely and simple recipe for a quick and pleasant dinner, but not exactly haute cuisine.</span></div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-50661441294021496322017-07-27T07:40:00.000-07:002017-07-27T07:40:15.597-07:00Georgia Caviar<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvwmaSNAZ02VzpeV-fvcHNcTua_zWFqzMT0zt2-xQvazMFA16m3bbNQjcjjqjvXz8IoH0GAP9vbxef9r32l9bAfscC9bXkVx8PunbXBeK6QGgEQEk1fv6eRhkwX1mfk5ADTncEtLj1_U/s1600/IMG_20160903_073447760-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvwmaSNAZ02VzpeV-fvcHNcTua_zWFqzMT0zt2-xQvazMFA16m3bbNQjcjjqjvXz8IoH0GAP9vbxef9r32l9bAfscC9bXkVx8PunbXBeK6QGgEQEk1fv6eRhkwX1mfk5ADTncEtLj1_U/s640/IMG_20160903_073447760-.jpg" width="616" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold the glory! Seriously, this is just pretty.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tastes good and all. I really to do enjoy eating it. But way more importantly it has single handled justified my purchase of a mandolin last year! Want a mandolin? Make this a few times without, you will feel <i>totally</i> justified!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this summer and last I made <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/kimberly-schlapman/georgia-caviar.html">this</a> a couple times. It is a great little make ahead picnicy side dish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 can niblet corn, such as Green Giant Mexicorn, drained and rinsed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 green bell peppers, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 medium white onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 red bell pepper, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a small pot, heat the sugar and vinegar. Once the sugar dissolves, remove from the heat and add the oil. Mix well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, mix the black-eyed peas, corn, green bell peppers, onions and red bell peppers and toss with the dressing. Place in the fridge until ready to eat (preferably at least overnight).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tastes good, but I <i>love</i> the look of this. If you make a solid effort to chop the ingredients to roughly the size of the beans: <b><i>perfection</i></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPkgDITtPPB3rfod3qYW_Cjxw5CNm7H7H929JxMOJNsz8_bBFfKznwYfxIJXnk7zuenBXKy8P6H7Ndn3nZKymFkwIdlTjlNvWDac-XQ8eXs1ty4HVZwPSg__ACyTOgTRk7vQqc1DcqZY/s1600/IMG_20160910_131133082-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPkgDITtPPB3rfod3qYW_Cjxw5CNm7H7H929JxMOJNsz8_bBFfKznwYfxIJXnk7zuenBXKy8P6H7Ndn3nZKymFkwIdlTjlNvWDac-XQ8eXs1ty4HVZwPSg__ACyTOgTRk7vQqc1DcqZY/s320/IMG_20160910_131133082-.jpg" width="307" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is even pretty <i>in process</i>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question is do you serve with a slotted spoon or regular? I like things saucy, the wifey does not. It is best to have both on hand IMHO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact the wifey likes it as a chip dip. Weirdo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a new summer pot luck / picnic / get-together go to.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-57310681042731835642017-04-19T09:02:00.001-07:002017-04-19T09:02:44.430-07:00Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken with Apricots, Olives, and Almonds<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes you have to take risks in life. Some men quit their jobs to start their own companies. Some climb the highest peaks or ride the rapidest rivers. I choose to serve dinner with ingredients the wifey and I dislike. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIcX5Af02-YIKJKfcSwPnNYLbU7jYjqyb-wbJqaKfQIq6EAAtD-8Jda7LHoSPAY5pPpxtBCimIX8t1Rp4174iQ-8lAiIpXyTnybbnJW5S2LmpscDd6d_Y_3wRIcqFUIKAlbjp1vNRrR0/s1600/IMG_20170305_175816657-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIcX5Af02-YIKJKfcSwPnNYLbU7jYjqyb-wbJqaKfQIq6EAAtD-8Jda7LHoSPAY5pPpxtBCimIX8t1Rp4174iQ-8lAiIpXyTnybbnJW5S2LmpscDd6d_Y_3wRIcqFUIKAlbjp1vNRrR0/s400/IMG_20170305_175816657-.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner is served.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 onion, trimmed, cut in half</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground cumin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground ginger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds in a spice bag</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salt and black pepper to taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 bay leaf</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons low-sodium chicken broth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) 7 3/4 ounce can chickpeas, drained</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 large green olives (condition to be debated in commentary)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup dried apricots (condition to be debated in commentary)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup sliced almonds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If necessary, remove skin and bones from chicken thighs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a the slow cooker, toss the chicken thighs with the
onion, cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne and season with salt and
pepper. Add the bay leaf and chicken broth, cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Stir in the chickpeas, olives and apricots, cover and cook until the chicken is
tender and cooked through and the apricots are plump, about 1 hour. Remove the
bay leaf and season the juices with salt and pepper.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the almonds in
a pie plate and toast for about 7 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spoon the chicken and juices into shallow bowls, sprinkle
with the toasted almonds and serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check your nuts! Seriously. Testicular cancer is nothing to
laugh at. Also check you nuts as you toast them. I checked them. They seemed
almost done. I went pee. I get back and they are burnt and smoky. Luckily I had
bought a half cup bag of almond slices!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">None of my regular readers will be surprised to learn this is a <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/slow-cooker-moroccan-chicken-apricots-olives-and-almonds">Food & Wine</a> recipe. The only meaningful chance I made from the original was halving the recipe. Two adults and a toddler, although we are all big eaters, <i>probably</i> should not polish off three pounds of chicken thighs in one sitting.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbjZHu0qIF6OkP5Xxp9g1ydtXvx0ItIRgiJsXjneS_jfosyRXASyI1sJdaTfAX_pG1JhlKZRMe1mIyUVhPrZvkGKB2PolB9gzDg6vGX3iF7r6B4Udm-zb2PS1cGs89PTOsTRv3DsjNco/s1600/IMG_20170305_161625991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbjZHu0qIF6OkP5Xxp9g1ydtXvx0ItIRgiJsXjneS_jfosyRXASyI1sJdaTfAX_pG1JhlKZRMe1mIyUVhPrZvkGKB2PolB9gzDg6vGX3iF7r6B4Udm-zb2PS1cGs89PTOsTRv3DsjNco/s320/IMG_20170305_161625991.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hmm. Well that will not do!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of halving the recipe 1/4 cup of jumbo green olives is literally four olives. I doubled that somewhat arbitrarily. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My one regret was I did not cut the apricots and olives. The tastes did not blend because of it. You tasted all chicken. Then all olive. If I revisit I will halve the apricots and quarter the olives (remember I used large olives, so if you are using smaller olives I would half).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slice & dice and this is <i>all good</i>.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-82251914198143632792017-02-28T09:05:00.002-08:002017-02-28T09:05:38.095-08:00Middle Eastern Herb and Garlic Chicken<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well <i>hello</i> there! Long time no see. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">insert obligatory President Trump joke</span></i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">How are the kids? Oh Susie got the lead in the school play? Well that is just fantastic. Good for her. I am sure it will be the best Annie Get Your Gun the high school theater has ever done!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside: are high schools <i>even allowed</i> to do Annie Get Your Gun these days? I mean it is a classic, but guns are bad m'kay.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, now that we have caught up after my long absence, let us dive into a recipe that I had pretty mixed feelings about. (I really know how to make a come back!)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrW091FZLogiZ0YYfLbAd_EXdQsFzg3oXP0IQoKjQKNpaxvG__8XVlaa7xoapfmEaEklAahBYtM60tyZGbCQOx4zmCRyg_EdUVYHihrJ-PvVAlnhJMVpqOk-BHa18BYY92EcfkuUx55g/s1600/IMG_20170102_174609594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrW091FZLogiZ0YYfLbAd_EXdQsFzg3oXP0IQoKjQKNpaxvG__8XVlaa7xoapfmEaEklAahBYtM60tyZGbCQOx4zmCRyg_EdUVYHihrJ-PvVAlnhJMVpqOk-BHa18BYY92EcfkuUx55g/s400/IMG_20170102_174609594.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mom says I have <b>INNER</b> beauty, which she says is the <i>best</i> type of beauty.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So today we have a bit of an odd ball. The recipe below is how I made it. But I have noted how I will make it next time (and there may or may not be a next time). And if you have far too much free time I linked the slightly different original.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got this recipe from the <a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018244-middle-eastern-herb-and-garlic-chicken">New York Times</a> at some point. Probably from their daily briefings emails. Maybe I should ask those guys if the local high school theater can do Annie...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resources:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 boneless skinless chicken thighs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 garlic cloves, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juice and zest of 2 lemons (or 1 if following my commentary)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, more to taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons minced dried parsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons ground thyme<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon oregano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon sesame seeds<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, more to taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (delete if following my commentary)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Method:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic
(save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil,
parsley, thyme, oregano, the salt, and the sesame seeds. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat the broiler. Arrange a rack
3 to 4 inches from the heat. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread
chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking,
until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful
that it doesn’t burn, but is cooked through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in
the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. (Or, you know, do not. Whatever works for you.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serve
the chicken drizzled to taste with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black
pepper, and sesame seeds with the yogurt alongside
for dipping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In short: SKIP THE SAUCE. The yogurt sauce was terrible. It was nothing but a overpowering lemon flavor. Seriously even using the sauce extremely sparingly it was too much. The wifey scraped what little she used of it off (luckily I served it separate). I made repeated disappointing attempts to use it in smaller and smaller quantities. Just ditch it. When you do that, you have a pretty solid recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that I have said this, there may have been a chance I messed up the sauce (I think the juice of lemon #2 was in the yogurt). Still the chicken was great, so stop arguing with me and just make the chicken darn it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvBz1lxKGt8dPLLMqpu0tfoWRljdNtVi4LXYC58GKHOxl5ZQAPvRbKbpMkW60Cs_B4ky2voCaHEKZ8gUxBCYoef8GJNJD45NIySviLAkP8uijmPyV1UNkcQan27b3BWgaBzgTehSojYg/s1600/IMG_20170102_154849286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvBz1lxKGt8dPLLMqpu0tfoWRljdNtVi4LXYC58GKHOxl5ZQAPvRbKbpMkW60Cs_B4ky2voCaHEKZ8gUxBCYoef8GJNJD45NIySviLAkP8uijmPyV1UNkcQan27b3BWgaBzgTehSojYg/s320/IMG_20170102_154849286.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It looks pretty while marinading. Just not so much in it's <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/this-isnt-even-my-final-form">final form</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My grocery did not have boneless skinless chicken thighs that I could find and I was too lazy to ask. So I bought bone-in thighs complete with skin. With patience and a good knife, it was not too bad to convert the desired condition myself. That said I feel like the net effort of not asking, then de-boning was a loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chicken: awesome. Sauce: <gag>.</span></div>
</div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-34244056098487936582016-11-09T11:39:00.000-08:002016-11-09T11:39:01.598-08:00Triggered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBXIrwValxMZrbkd33oaukh-zvgX-Po0F8lrzzgsTz-79c09EStp8vZjFJnUtrsEaswEZ3kajnLFzKUFXhh60G8FNY_Hc4zHJEYR9AuoHMTq8kokd5JQvWijpc9C8b93vx6qhDJ8dOho/s1600/IMG_20161109_143737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBXIrwValxMZrbkd33oaukh-zvgX-Po0F8lrzzgsTz-79c09EStp8vZjFJnUtrsEaswEZ3kajnLFzKUFXhh60G8FNY_Hc4zHJEYR9AuoHMTq8kokd5JQvWijpc9C8b93vx6qhDJ8dOho/s320/IMG_20161109_143737.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-21402391141670237762016-10-13T09:16:00.002-07:002016-10-13T09:16:30.714-07:00Slow Cooker Garlic Ale Roast Beef Sandwiches<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7IzvEyrJYmDB-NZtRulaMDNaM3gdhYlFefMg0hfPk8ZFGiMkaU-8t9pCHaCUffaLzupLhF5eEO9_sm7oVvz30v8_OrYx0_g9lVf4yxe_le9p8I1M-zRqIpr9bjd2IhD78FpNrN868PE/s1600/IMG_20161010_120334300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7IzvEyrJYmDB-NZtRulaMDNaM3gdhYlFefMg0hfPk8ZFGiMkaU-8t9pCHaCUffaLzupLhF5eEO9_sm7oVvz30v8_OrYx0_g9lVf4yxe_le9p8I1M-zRqIpr9bjd2IhD78FpNrN868PE/s640/IMG_20161010_120334300.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple shown for artistic reasons. What is artistic about an apple? Hell if I know, but damnit I did not take a picture without the apple so I need to make up some bs excuse... Er, I mean just leave me alone. You just do not understand <i>my art</i>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One cool think about being on social media with your hobbies is people share. Before I had an social media cooking presence, I would get the occasional recipe from my mother. Once in a blue moon, I would get a cookbook as a gift. These days on the other hand, I get recipes, tips, hat tips, etc. on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
So a week or two back my mother-in-law send me a <a href="http://slowcooker-beef.cooktopcove.com/2016/09/26/slow-cooker-garlic-ale-beef-sliders-recipe/">recipe</a>. At the time it sounded good, but I did not expect to make it. The wifey is not a huge beef person (as you may have previously noticed we eat <i>a lot</i> of chicken). Well I realized I had a roast in the freezer that was getting a little old.<br />
<br />
So I decided to make this anyway and split it into a week's worth of lunches. This is a great "Sunday meal prep" kind of recipe. It is fairly low effort. It makes enough for several meals. It was pretty cheap for me too as I usually buy roasts when they are on sale and it does not need to be a great cut.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7VlfVHZH1nm7BNJyGWMSjlvmzBUsk1KsStH3cMXSJ9fPTUWl3ZBdFovvV440OhyphenhyphenGXSyuoSuyhxXHhqbsQ4Kk00FgTNU6ECk5if5qdvsRLataUi-dSkslSY24YLw-Fid8mwVWmT3w1f8/s1600/IMG_20161009_082937886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7VlfVHZH1nm7BNJyGWMSjlvmzBUsk1KsStH3cMXSJ9fPTUWl3ZBdFovvV440OhyphenhyphenGXSyuoSuyhxXHhqbsQ4Kk00FgTNU6ECk5if5qdvsRLataUi-dSkslSY24YLw-Fid8mwVWmT3w1f8/s320/IMG_20161009_082937886.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting is the hardest part!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Resources:<br />
1 two-pound beef roast (a larger roast is fine if your slow cooker is bigger than mine)<br />
season salt<br />
black pepper<br />
5 garlic cloves<br />
1 red onion, sliced<br />
1 cup Italian dressing (I used Olive Garden)<br />
1 cup lite/light beer (Kentucky Kölsch, IC Lite, Hudy Delight, or in my case Miller Lite <shudder>)<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
2 teaspoons cornstarch<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
Sprinkle both sides of the roast with season salt and pepper. Place the roast into a slow cooker. Place the garlic cloves, bay leaves, and the red onion on top of the roast. Then pour the Italian dressing and beer over the roast.<br />
<br />
Cover and cook on low for 10 hours (or 6 on high). Stir once half way through.<br />
<br />
Discard bay leaves. Trim the fat and then shred the meat with 2 forks, smash the garlic with the back of a fork and stir the garlic into the shredded meat. Separate the onions and add to the meat as desired.<br />
<br />
Strain about a three cups (I winged this part) of the juices to a pot and heat over high heat. Stirring frequently. Once a rolling boil is achieved, mix two teaspoons cornstarch with two teaspoons of water. Mix until a paste forms. Add to the boiling mixture. Continue to stir until the sauce becomes thick (five or ten minutes based on taste). Pour the sauce over the meat and onions.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Serve on bread with toasted cheese. This made me four hearty sandwiches.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Commentary:</div>
<div>
I modified this recipe from the original a bit. The broad strokes are the same, but the some of the details are not. The link is above if you feel like noting the details. The big change is I added the sauce back in.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUQB2azax9zcruqUkDsaGQJhi9_tIb6PLBDv5Gcx86meEFvzyfnTpRFmGAzYsnj5XNqP43PHiuC73XJvYf3sjsIpIrhh75jtezI16ga6soiR6uL4vWmYJQaDcSf7MECPZedYAUOuyQ-k/s1600/IMG_20161009_185842697-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUQB2azax9zcruqUkDsaGQJhi9_tIb6PLBDv5Gcx86meEFvzyfnTpRFmGAzYsnj5XNqP43PHiuC73XJvYf3sjsIpIrhh75jtezI16ga6soiR6uL4vWmYJQaDcSf7MECPZedYAUOuyQ-k/s320/IMG_20161009_185842697-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative license.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Do not be afraid to be generous with the season salt and pepper. I know nobody wants to over salt their food, but this is a big slab o' meat!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFamIzdA9-pVswALP5nkHo3dSg2TuKahzELqq5fACyJ_lcibala5mNgtq4ZrWG_2_g5TmZLPJuMSoEw8U27JB_CRD2ZcsrPIcFM4fSR5pHPJHI-lYeRb4Z5cTifqRGPsWV7YETRo6CGU/s1600/IMG_20161009_082024116-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFamIzdA9-pVswALP5nkHo3dSg2TuKahzELqq5fACyJ_lcibala5mNgtq4ZrWG_2_g5TmZLPJuMSoEw8U27JB_CRD2ZcsrPIcFM4fSR5pHPJHI-lYeRb4Z5cTifqRGPsWV7YETRo6CGU/s320/IMG_20161009_082024116-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that meat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will mention I specified the beer and Italian dressing. Why? Those can make a <b><i><u>HUGE</u></i></b> difference. Not all Italian dressings are even remotely the same. Plus I could I have used the bottle of Yards Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce I had lying around, but I did not want my roast to taste like a pine cone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I really hate when recipes do not specify beer. At least give me a general style. Nope, not here. Original recipe: "use your favorite". What kind of lazy writing is that? Seriously what kind of stupid advice is that anyway?!? No other ingredient would people say that. This recipe needs some vegetables. "Use your favorite"! Because there is no difference between broccoli or celery or a potato. Meat? Sure, "use your favorite" because a salmon fillet is interchangeable with brisket or a pork sausage. Can you tell this really annoys me?</div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
While we are on the topic of the original recipe: when did a slider become a generic term for a small sandwich. Some of you may be thinking where did this come from? Well I edited out the word slider from the original recipe. A slider is a <a href="https://www.whitecastle.com/">WHITE CASTLE HAMBURGER</a> or equivalent. The original is a small sandwich. Goddamn heathens.<br />
<br />
And <b>another thing</b>: what is wrong the <generation>? Why do they not understand that <problem> can be fixed simply by <over simplification of problem>?!?<br />
<br />
Phew. Glad I got that off my chest!<br />
<br />
Honestly there's not much to this recipe. Do no over think this one. Meat, seasoning, and sauce go in a slow cooker. Cook. Shred. Eat.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Conclusion:</div>
</div>
<div>
Good stuff. Do not skip the sauce/onions step though. The onions took on a very different flavor and the three together really made this a winner.</div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-29836665104181440842016-09-13T09:30:00.003-07:002017-08-08T06:11:29.422-07:00Buffalo Chicken (Optional) Soup<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2017-03-08 Edit: derpy, derpy, derp. This is a repeat of <a href="http://archdukedomestic.blogspot.com/2014/10/buffalo-chicken-soup.html">this blog entry</a> with the discussion of optional chicken added. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2znAxqXrucpvINkwtOKBnG8PxzlLtqtOwl0GrzB50OMMM3LmzLgmpE_TV812x96Qkv6_Vk0bdtmkLZ0SDiOZkK_A6gUKTwDEPQCdTBjq31TK8kCUbnFmD4J3_FrvuJer0Z8rehHheT8/s1600/IMG_20160910_131122137-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2znAxqXrucpvINkwtOKBnG8PxzlLtqtOwl0GrzB50OMMM3LmzLgmpE_TV812x96Qkv6_Vk0bdtmkLZ0SDiOZkK_A6gUKTwDEPQCdTBjq31TK8kCUbnFmD4J3_FrvuJer0Z8rehHheT8/s400/IMG_20160910_131122137-.jpg" width="317" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To meat or not to meat: that is the question!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is something unnatural about making anything "Buffalo" vegetarian in my humble opinion. Buffalo chicken wings, Buffalo CHICKEN dip, Buffalo <b>CHICKEN</b> soup, etc. The words Buffalo and chicken just belong together. Anything else is an unholy abomination!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I am at it, you know what else is unnatural: Velveeta "cheese product". Velveeta happens to be a key ingredient to this recipe so let us get <i>unnatural</i> together!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway today's story goes like this: the wifey was having a bunch of new hires over. She does not know of any food restrictions but thought there might be a vegetarian in the mix. (Aside: LIES! There was not.) She asked that I be accommodating to vegetarian. Now as opinionated as I am about food, Doctor Who, or the terrible state of modern driving, I always try to accommodate reasonable food restrictions. So I decided to give my beloved Buffalo <b><i><u>CHICKEN</u></i></b> soup recipe the vegetarian once over. The original recipe (<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-soup-109295">ok the original, original recipe<span id="goog_1799638451"></span> is linked here</a>) is list below, with the minor vegetarian changes noted in parentheses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resouces:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 bunches green onions, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 stalks celery, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄4 cup butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄4 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3⁄4 cup milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3⁄4 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups diced cooked chicken (neglected for vegetarian)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄2 cup <a href="https://www.franksredhot.com/">Frank's RedHot</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 ounces Velveeta cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄2 teaspoon celery salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⁄2 teaspoon garlic salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sauté (medium to medium-low heat) the green onions and celery in the butter until the celery is tender.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stir in flour until smooth and slightly golden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slowly add milk and broth. Stopping to mix thoroughly as you go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add remaining ingredients. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until cheese has melted and well mixed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Come on baby, just the tip?" Er I meant to say just <b>not</b> the tip. I used the whole green onions except the rooty tip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This quantity of Frank's and cayenne makes for a pretty spicy soup. I recommend reducing the Frank's down to 1/3 cup to reduce the heat if desired. That said, it a critical flavor component. Without Frank's this is not the same soup. So if you want something with no heat, move along.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The celery adds some crunch to this recipe. Based on your tastes that could be a good or a bad thing. Respond according. By which I mean add/reduce, chop bigger/smaller pieces of celery, etc to your taste, not send me your pro-celery socialist propaganda.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just for my own curosity I just Googled "pro-celery socialist propaganda". Sadly it was entirely less interesting than I had hoped. Anyone out there a graphic artist who wants to work me up a new logo? I cannot pay you, but it would be great <i><b>exposure</b></i>. <wink, wink></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have tweeked this one way or the other plenty of times: add some garlic instead of the garlic salt, more or less celery, more or less chicken, etc. It is a pretty forgiving recipe and can easily be modified to personal taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I always buy the big block of Velveeta. DO NOT DO THAT. I think it is two pounds or something. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the way, this freezes well. Make a double batch. No: octuple since you bought the big block after I told you not to!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The original recipe is amazing and I love it. <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">♥♥</span> <obligatory <a href="http://www.doctorwho.tv/">Doctor Who</a> nod></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The vegetarian modification... did not taste any different. Let's face it when you have that much Velveeta and Frank's a bit of chicken is not going to sway the taste one way or the other.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-89761006567454079562016-08-23T09:18:00.002-07:002017-07-27T08:18:46.272-07:00Creamy Corn Pasta With Basil<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CORN!</b> But more about that later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEym5OwyCLvFefL6x0FBq8QmyM83tMbXiH1Cxx9fURsyMiFN2mG18CwLd4DeuPqnD0b65mAmCIa_AE7Sc575jWTO5INX-9sWVh5uFZCn1uz0BhJ9NOAaUhU3XQZyyJY4sCgmpvL77BQY/s1600/IMG_20160724_172124640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEym5OwyCLvFefL6x0FBq8QmyM83tMbXiH1Cxx9fURsyMiFN2mG18CwLd4DeuPqnD0b65mAmCIa_AE7Sc575jWTO5INX-9sWVh5uFZCn1uz0BhJ9NOAaUhU3XQZyyJY4sCgmpvL77BQY/s400/IMG_20160724_172124640.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So with the new house, I planted some cilantro and some basil. No real plan honestly. It just sounded like a good idea at the time. We had grown cilantro at the last place and I figured I should expand. The problem is I did not have any recipes in mind for the copious amounts of basil. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the obvious answer is pesto. Great fine. I should make pesto. But I am a non-conformist at heart, so fuck your pesto. Instead I made this!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mind you, I am a practical non-conformist. This used a tiny amount of basil compared to what I have. So I should probably still make pesto...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resources:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12 ounces dry pasta (the original recipe called for orecchiette or farfalle, I used rotini)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 bunch scallions (about 8), trimmed and thinly sliced (keep the whites and greens separate)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups <b>CORN</b> kernals (about </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 large ears </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shucked)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons unsalted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus lots more for garnish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">finely</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">torn basil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 chicken breast fully cooked and diced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon lemon juice</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Method:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until 1 minute shy of al dente. Drain, reserving about a 1/2 cup of pasta water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heat oil in large pot over medium heat; add scallion whites and a pinch of salt and cook until soft, 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and all but 1/4 cup <b>CORN</b>; simmer until <b>CORN</b> is heated through and almost tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, transfer to a blender, and purée mixture until smooth, adding a little extra water if needed to get a thick but pourable texture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heat the pan over high heat. Add butter and let melt. Add reserved 1/4 cup <b>CORN</b> and cook until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. (It’s O.K. if the butter browns, that deepens the flavor.) Add the <b>CORN</b> purée and cook for 30 seconds to heat and combine the flavors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reduce heat to medium. Add pasta and 1/4 cup the reserved pasta cooking water, tossing to coat. Cook for 1 minute, then add a little more of the pasta cooking water if the mixture seems too thick. Stir in 1/4 cup of the scallion greens, the Parmesan, the herbs, 1/4 teaspoon pepper (less to taste), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and chicken. Sprinkle with lemon juice and remaining olive oil (less to taste). Garnish with more scallions and basil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Commentary:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I eliminated red pepper flakes. I added chicken. Why because these things please the wifey. Happy wife = happy life. Anyway the original recipe can be found <a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018212-creamy-corn-pasta-with-basil">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bought two ears for fresh sweet corn. I wanted fresh because this was using fresh basil from my garden picked about an hour and half before dinner. This is going to be all fresh damnit!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqGb09VVShTy5EeXOxpAyTCQf6W9C2M6GsTXibcAimbKdqMyqAEjwbUwsaKgffI9kW2Acd0OZAax8b8aU9es0qYrQL0E-UfUQfd24vUCVmFbXQT9XlW7FFc1SwB5maC-xQ2kfs7GbepI/s1600/IMG_20160724_163218775-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqGb09VVShTy5EeXOxpAyTCQf6W9C2M6GsTXibcAimbKdqMyqAEjwbUwsaKgffI9kW2Acd0OZAax8b8aU9es0qYrQL0E-UfUQfd24vUCVmFbXQT9XlW7FFc1SwB5maC-xQ2kfs7GbepI/s320/IMG_20160724_163218775-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good Intentions</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OJkaP9wWfsJd0E2mPprnsZYu4Z-2p69DNaQZ0jArF-TCnpLvq6cHK7mL4XegPnD_D2sRTa0Zl0aYopB_AJwp2Ptjqm7GcZAXpPT77URNc67B0jUVaRbBhgbNCzhXWW42D0kqM98sR08/s1600/IMG_20160724_163247898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OJkaP9wWfsJd0E2mPprnsZYu4Z-2p69DNaQZ0jArF-TCnpLvq6cHK7mL4XegPnD_D2sRTa0Zl0aYopB_AJwp2Ptjqm7GcZAXpPT77URNc67B0jUVaRbBhgbNCzhXWW42D0kqM98sR08/s320/IMG_20160724_163247898.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reality.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cook a fair bit and I like to cook weird things. That said, pasta sauce is diary based, oil based, tomato based, stock based, etc. A corn based sauce weirds me out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are still reading at this point, I just really like <b>CORN</b>. Growing up there was a local farm that had excellent sweet. Or more likely it was pretty average sweet corn, but childhood memories make me have an irrational like for <b>CORN</b>, so <b>CORN</b>!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simply delicious. Easily the best thing I have made recently. Make sure not to skimp on the cheese though.</span></div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-91733620873019661892016-05-17T09:36:00.002-07:002017-07-27T08:19:26.789-07:00Crispy Tofu and Ginger Dressing with Bagged Asian Salad<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAQjpT1A5lLHc0aubRV1rKiF57pSbho2ThcOYF8eF6gKIrL2liNvB0YbqDdO6aC2clcfDlAkBHmSkupyL_7pecMWOVEvMX5rpv4yJSVwOHe7ULLp-QarfeqQ4P4C8-Fi5bjPyu1XeRks/s1600/IMG_20160505_180216224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAQjpT1A5lLHc0aubRV1rKiF57pSbho2ThcOYF8eF6gKIrL2liNvB0YbqDdO6aC2clcfDlAkBHmSkupyL_7pecMWOVEvMX5rpv4yJSVwOHe7ULLp-QarfeqQ4P4C8-Fi5bjPyu1XeRks/s400/IMG_20160505_180216224.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You might think this is healthy, but you do not see the pool of dressing from this angle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wifey, the kiddo, and I have moved. Woo. Home ownership. American dream. Ra, ra, and other stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pro: I have a kitchen that is much larger and my own. Con: this <a href="http://imgur.com/a/sQQiD">thing</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BWpAaGY5yC1M8qDy5yQte46yfkMhsMubDlUNGy_EhsZUz0lfluLYKvQuCZa5Lwk6ncLHNf0sAhlWBLDE9Ks0XMcchX7ISNNA06IyG7hSODgynsJc0-RlEjX8_6-eBiNwzXJOTXyCZfk/s1600/ZLRMMc0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BWpAaGY5yC1M8qDy5yQte46yfkMhsMubDlUNGy_EhsZUz0lfluLYKvQuCZa5Lwk6ncLHNf0sAhlWBLDE9Ks0XMcchX7ISNNA06IyG7hSODgynsJc0-RlEjX8_6-eBiNwzXJOTXyCZfk/s320/ZLRMMc0.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Small <i>AND</i> uneven heat, what is not to love?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So cooking anything beyond frozen food or three/four item recipes has been limited. But we are all moved in now (read about fifty percent of boxes are unpacked). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walking through the grocery the other day I decided I needed to get my mojo back with an <b>IMPULSE PURCHASE</b>!!! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">..of tofu.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Um? Behold me being </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">risqué</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tofu:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14 oz block of extra firm tofu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 tablespoons (3/8 cup) cornstarch, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon salt, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">peanut oil</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ginger dressing (<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/49923/asian-ginger-dressing/">source</a>):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 cloves garlic, pressed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons prepared ginger root (not pickled)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup rice vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup soy sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salad:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Store bought bag of Asian salad mix (get one with crunchies, because yum)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tofu:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remove tofu from packaging. Place between two thick layers of paper towels. Place something heavy on top. (See picture in commentary). Allow to sit for a few.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix salt and cornstarch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cube tofu to desired size. Toss in the cornstarch/salt mix (do this in two batches).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heat peanut oil to medium-high. Add coated tofu. Rotate as sides get golden brown. Remove when browned on all sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ginger dressing:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix all ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Microwave until warm, ie the honey is less viscous, and mix again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serve warm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salad:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PUT SALAD IN BOWL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">POUR DRESSING ON SALAD. <i><b>Toss that salad.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TOP WITH TOFU.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I IS EXPLAINING SALAD BECAUSE IT ARE HARD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did the tofu in two batches of coatings and two batches of frying. The coating started to lump hence the second batch. The frying because of the size of the pan I was using.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did some reading about cooking tofu online before hand (largely because I bought it and sat on it for a few weeks out of laziness). That is the source of the pressing of the tofu. Apparently tofu is pretty wet. I really have no idea. I just ran with it. Although if I had literally sat on it for a few weeks, I suppose it would not have been an issue.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKngIF71L7Ly6lG4eKihURseocKjYhZ38-vBPneOD2XzKQ4j2Rgn334PFP8ijq3kUJaXCkSMbKbKDckZkqcVcPxoeT72YitkvllqPnM6dCA7vg4G-1FA3Kqgq1zEKq8x9iaU1I6ZlpEEM/s1600/IMG_20160505_172823145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKngIF71L7Ly6lG4eKihURseocKjYhZ38-vBPneOD2XzKQ4j2Rgn334PFP8ijq3kUJaXCkSMbKbKDckZkqcVcPxoeT72YitkvllqPnM6dCA7vg4G-1FA3Kqgq1zEKq8x9iaU1I6ZlpEEM/s320/IMG_20160505_172823145.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because... the internet TOLD ME TO!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to admit one of the things that excited me about working with tofu was the idea I could make perfect cubes in great uniformity (I make no apology, I am an engineer damn it). Well I was let down. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXScKT3R70yAT2qxcc5UFj1Mvh4x9H7mHR6_Wj5inQb1ytbo_v2Inx08d6Q_JoKgT1Sm2r_JjV3oNdGdkB7YYzat4CARCxVzxHfxqul4137cyHLLtHGy4WJz23ZMKFg8XoprAPh1DJtw/s1600/IMG_20160505_172916313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXScKT3R70yAT2qxcc5UFj1Mvh4x9H7mHR6_Wj5inQb1ytbo_v2Inx08d6Q_JoKgT1Sm2r_JjV3oNdGdkB7YYzat4CARCxVzxHfxqul4137cyHLLtHGy4WJz23ZMKFg8XoprAPh1DJtw/s320/IMG_20160505_172916313.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look at this lumpy non-uniform piece of edible protein!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make sure the dressing is stored in a container with a solid seal. I had to shake the ever lovin' bejesus out of it. Stirring/whisking just was not cutting it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tofu was incredibly easy to make and is suitable for all sorts of applications. The salad dressing was a little fussy with the honey melt / general separation. Still it was very good. Plus the whole thing was pretty damn easy. I would give another go. I would consider adding some more crunchy things next time to give it a little more texture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Edit:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/style/beauty-perfectly-cubed-food?xid=FWx_20150518_45947696&adbid=10152769041612026&adbpl=fb&adbpr=17786732025">I'm not the only one who wanted cubed food.</a></span><br />
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Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-49756904333850961482016-02-29T09:34:00.001-08:002017-08-08T07:07:42.063-07:00Pressure Cooker Sauerbraten<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protein! Carbs! Gravy! MAN FOOD! Plus: cookies. Everyone likes cookies.</td></tr>
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<br />
A little before Christmas I bought myself a fancy dancy <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00FLYWNYQ">electric pressure cooker</a>. It was one of those crazy deep sales they always have that time of year. I really didn't have a rhythm or reason to this. That said, it should not come as a surprise to say I like kitchen toys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTOi2AhKTnLhTz00L6Js-SePzQM2cw9oVgGhmcWGHOGdeEU41QWep0xgmrfZ8FkMWA52b1_BLEhA844ISGp9PTkjs0cbbRuH905V0GPR44L00mbcc7wY769w6r-ChOCSUCv6c2lRALsg/s1600/IMG_20160202_191211220+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTOi2AhKTnLhTz00L6Js-SePzQM2cw9oVgGhmcWGHOGdeEU41QWep0xgmrfZ8FkMWA52b1_BLEhA844ISGp9PTkjs0cbbRuH905V0GPR44L00mbcc7wY769w6r-ChOCSUCv6c2lRALsg/s320/IMG_20160202_191211220+-+Copy.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meat is a good excuse though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I made a recipe (lemon barbecued chicken) I have made a fair number of times and just seemed like a good match. Really it was fine. But it did not seem like I was getting anything out of the pressure cooker as the chicken was just about the same as when I make it in the oven. I guess it cooked a little faster, but not enough to justify a new toy.<br />
<br />
So I bought <a href="http://product.half.ebay.com/Slow-Cookers-for-Dummies-by-Glenna-Vance-and-Tom-Lacalamita-2000-Paperback/1756116&tg=info">Pressure Cookers For Dummies</a>. I found a used copy for a couple of bucks shipped. It talks a little about pressure cookers in general, which is nice. It touted its sauerbraten as one of the most impressive things to make in a pressure cooker as it reduced time from <i>one thousand eight hundred</i> minutes to <i>eighty</i> (this is way more impressive in minutes). Well that sounded damn impressive and I just so happened to have a shoulder pot roast sitting in the freezer I had no plans for.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUieyrgzr3_sfMD8z45lc7hpxalNAaL69Hx8IL2gPUmm5Tk2tWVmwkiHEf5e11f7ST5pPuViz_XIxNNboktCCp9hQamrfMGWltniNiN5-1dlAYbOUfVV3tFaAHb7uACl3NII16-3u2d1k/s1600/IMG_20160202_172644648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUieyrgzr3_sfMD8z45lc7hpxalNAaL69Hx8IL2gPUmm5Tk2tWVmwkiHEf5e11f7ST5pPuViz_XIxNNboktCCp9hQamrfMGWltniNiN5-1dlAYbOUfVV3tFaAHb7uACl3NII16-3u2d1k/s320/IMG_20160202_172644648.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Included because I thought this picture was pretty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Resources:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9h3X3qlvYcCsmN72WrX8xj9XV5zt1RXssbQSi9Iv03varSSp_hGLwI9mTGy1DGcCLSMebYddbQtfgyAQTgX7xbMf3SJfyeraaaE-gHsP7dWP6K4-OxjuIv6p3X6UDb9IuHuv7vAaCcA/s1600/IMG_20160202_172632732+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9h3X3qlvYcCsmN72WrX8xj9XV5zt1RXssbQSi9Iv03varSSp_hGLwI9mTGy1DGcCLSMebYddbQtfgyAQTgX7xbMf3SJfyeraaaE-gHsP7dWP6K4-OxjuIv6p3X6UDb9IuHuv7vAaCcA/s320/IMG_20160202_172632732+-+Copy.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine. Wine is priority #1. Cookie crumbs are a close second.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1 cup water<br />
1/2 cup red wine vinegar<br />
1/2 dry red wine (I used a cabernet sauvignon that I had on hand)<br />
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar<br />
1 teaspoon ground cloves<br />
2 teaspoons salt<br />
salt and pepper<br />
4 lb beef roast<br />
2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />
2 large carrots, coarsely chopped<br />
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped<br />
2 large onions, coarsely chopped<br />
1 clove garlic, crushed<br />
3/4 cups crushed gingersnaps<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
cornstarch (optional)<br />
egg noodles (cooked at some point)<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
Combine the water, vinegar, wine, brown sugar, clovers, and 2 teaspoons salt. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Generously salt and pepper the meat.<br />
<br />
Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Brown the meat evenly on all sides.<br />
<br />
Add the meat, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, crushed gingersnaps, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Pour the mixture from step 1 over the meat. Stir to combine. Cover and bring to high pressure. Cook for 60 minutes.<br />
<br />
Release the pressure, quick-release method (mind your fingers as to avoid scalding). Open and remove the cover.<br />
<br />
Remove the meat to a serving platter and cover with foil. Discard the bay leaves.<br />
<br />
Pour the cooking liquid into a food processor and process until smooth. Season to taste. Whisk in cornstarch and reduce to thicken as desired in a pan over medium-high heat.<br />
<br />
Slice the meat thinly. Serve over the meat and gravy over egg noodles.<br />
<br />
Commentary:<br />
I halved the above recipe because my roast was closer to two pounds than four.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LYTFVM-FMscmzzk5yiQop1h8r1sucNCzJrLNxm_DDfMdEaQjchz3D0BknXqLn0jt12q_zbrfiE3FXvIdZiTmfbXdbqAnNq-M8gA7XeCXdpDZId-17-qzoa9h2-5eSdk5T8e7oD7sOrY/s1600/IMG_20160202_173544044+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LYTFVM-FMscmzzk5yiQop1h8r1sucNCzJrLNxm_DDfMdEaQjchz3D0BknXqLn0jt12q_zbrfiE3FXvIdZiTmfbXdbqAnNq-M8gA7XeCXdpDZId-17-qzoa9h2-5eSdk5T8e7oD7sOrY/s320/IMG_20160202_173544044+-+Copy.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby food and croutons are optional.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As noted, I thickened the gravy by adding cornstarch and reducing it on the stove top just a little. This is a deviation from the original recipe. Honestly, one of the big take aways for me with the pressure cooker in general is thickening sauces. Since you need large amounts of liquid for the pressure cooker to work, the final results are, well, liquidy. I have added cornstarch and reduced almost every sauce that has come out the thing since. If you have a stove top one you can do that directly. I have the electric / stand alone kind, so I have to transfer the sauce to a pan and then reduce. Not a big deal... the wifey (who I am giving one more pot to wash) may disagree.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdezAQ1a3fIuaVV7cIKdc9bwNzaEHrQgTrezCAck5UC63ETKyIDAW5_BL0GiaiaDVtn9QSaP5W3uJ1yRSulEcxohS0-HnxltWuhmTFgL2LtFmWo5z6eVicjLRVVwueg2qJcxMZrwpo6Q/s1600/IMG_20160202_190016030+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdezAQ1a3fIuaVV7cIKdc9bwNzaEHrQgTrezCAck5UC63ETKyIDAW5_BL0GiaiaDVtn9QSaP5W3uJ1yRSulEcxohS0-HnxltWuhmTFgL2LtFmWo5z6eVicjLRVVwueg2qJcxMZrwpo6Q/s320/IMG_20160202_190016030+-+Copy.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aside: it is kind of neat to have a sauce where you have "liquefied" onions and carrots. Is it not?</td></tr>
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Pro tip: crush way more cookies than you need. Then you can get the leftovers by the spoonful. Mmm cookie crumbs.<br />
<br />
Conclusion:<br />
The grocer has roasts on sale pretty frequently (in fact I made one last night and I have one more in my freezer). This will undoubtedly be made again.Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-25603614717672220652016-01-22T07:33:00.001-08:002016-01-22T07:33:24.280-08:00 One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hZuoSLCwPZTpwUqNFqjzGdb8cupyfFc-JsCx4R8K4bxw8xbLSy7-pXwatLYg4-h2-56umzEjF5eNgYBvUAPQv5fdcLfHAV3hARMujHakpHcx31i02zi0zA5DJ23lPvCWnCQlhfupjM4/s1600/IMG_20160110_181522212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hZuoSLCwPZTpwUqNFqjzGdb8cupyfFc-JsCx4R8K4bxw8xbLSy7-pXwatLYg4-h2-56umzEjF5eNgYBvUAPQv5fdcLfHAV3hARMujHakpHcx31i02zi0zA5DJ23lPvCWnCQlhfupjM4/s400/IMG_20160110_181522212.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ate my plate too quickly for pictures. So you get the left overs.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day I had one of those awesome "the wifey has a new recipe she wants to try" moments. These are exciting moments in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sad I know. What can I say, in my mid-thirties I am easily excited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I got my "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFrPHm7IetA">bitch ass back in the kitchen</a>"! Heck these moments are an excuse for me to blog, drink beer, and play with knives. What is not to love?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please validate my mid-life-i-ness!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAmwb1M2FsSnXDtfry3dG_xWo3O5_N2LFAXT3ZZyfuVvWG8555kYgHS-JnWvt0GwOLz1BBU3fhG7xp0GiZS98JtIPq2dEPeFLla6Rmp1kCU_B-1glBkL2HqNH2Xjy3mVv4StRvSdmecE/s1600/IMG_20160110_155840646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAmwb1M2FsSnXDtfry3dG_xWo3O5_N2LFAXT3ZZyfuVvWG8555kYgHS-JnWvt0GwOLz1BBU3fhG7xp0GiZS98JtIPq2dEPeFLla6Rmp1kCU_B-1glBkL2HqNH2Xjy3mVv4StRvSdmecE/s320/IMG_20160110_155840646.jpg" width="293" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drinking "Dad" sounds like some crazy viking funeral ritual.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So one of the recipes she sends me is <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2015/09/one-pot-chicken-fajita-pasta.html">One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta</a>. Now this seemed like a <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/its-a-trap">trap</a>. The recipe looked potentially spicy and it had red and yellow peppers in it. These are not things she loves. She did try to talk me into switching over to green pepper. I stood strong though. I have made it twice now and both times I have stuck to the the yellow and red peppers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp olive oil, divied</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp kosher salt, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp ground cumin, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp paprika, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp chili powder, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp garlic powder, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 large white onion, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 large red bell pepper, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 (10-oz) can Mild Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 oz pasta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup light sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 scallion, diced (or not if you are forgetful)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons chopped cilantro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 diced small avocado</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKRcWYKWC4P_JOLwuyfqpJx2jUE9dkEUx2jIUUQLFNd1AcdvVaY1CK2JFWNaCMTRbFOS7ma4RJ3xLq1Qe02kkUCMeeODwd1MEsfrEdXpV71wB9BK3bsCG8hKCUaw8RBr4gADdyCowcyY/s1600/IMG_20160110_164803615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKRcWYKWC4P_JOLwuyfqpJx2jUE9dkEUx2jIUUQLFNd1AcdvVaY1CK2JFWNaCMTRbFOS7ma4RJ3xLq1Qe02kkUCMeeODwd1MEsfrEdXpV71wB9BK3bsCG8hKCUaw8RBr4gADdyCowcyY/s320/IMG_20160110_164803615.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One might call this resource intensive. But what do I care, I do not do the grocery shopping!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Season chicken with 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp chili powder and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. In a large deep nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the chicken and cook until browned, stirring about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot, add the onions, bell peppers, and remaining 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp chili powder and 1/4 tsp garlic powder,. Cook, stirring occasionally, until desired softness, about 10-15 minutes. Add minced garlic, and stir until fragrant and well combined, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl with the chicken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the same skillet, add the broth, diced tomatoes and uncooked pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed. Add the chicken and veggies back into the skillet and stir to combine until heated through, about 2 minutes. Mix in the sour cream and top with scallions, cilantro, and avocado.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chicken as is it quite enjoyable. That recipe is worth keeping itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Transfer to a large bowl" is a change from the original. They had suggested a plate. I had chicken and peppers ready to fall off my plate in a tasty avalanche of wasted food. Use something better than a plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j0PGDXURGnpkdONU5I1dezTQRmdStPt_RRSoTTG3_aPBNceMp2jqJkxH94hW8HiP2eCXLTTXtQlXUwaw9c2EksDvR3KBlb_x1MNlkbwz97O_sc5dy6EQRSV4rAjq2-HAOnKoqeEqn4/s1600/IMG_20160110_172207882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j0PGDXURGnpkdONU5I1dezTQRmdStPt_RRSoTTG3_aPBNceMp2jqJkxH94hW8HiP2eCXLTTXtQlXUwaw9c2EksDvR3KBlb_x1MNlkbwz97O_sc5dy6EQRSV4rAjq2-HAOnKoqeEqn4/s320/IMG_20160110_172207882.jpg" width="249" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture does not capture the mountainous nature.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round one, I screwed up and added the garlic at the reheat phase. The other time I added it appropriately. I noticed no difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of screw ups, diced scallions are noticeably absent from my pictures. Those missed round one as well. I guess they were a nice addition when fresh for round two. The left overs however you could not even tell they were there. The avocado and scallions really just seem like garnish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the Ro-Tel does add a bit of heat. So that did not go over well. Round two I replaced with a can of diced tomatoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CURSE YOU RO-TEL! CURSE YOU AND YOUR BLACK HEART! This was a total winner until I added that. That made the recipe too spicy for the wifey. <span style="font-size: x-small;">The iteration without was good too I suppose.</span></span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-6713949377792339202015-11-13T13:24:00.000-08:002015-11-13T13:24:21.315-08:00Alsatian-Brined Turkey with Riesling Gravy<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity1juGroW8vet2RZ5mBZKwMM1aVCziXRtpMuTPFwjT-NhfWjvlaDfxWA_Mw6gzj5bkVm8WCjWjxcEdNupx4wvgkTy9KG13njO6BRjRb6-rrAJn3cKHYWghtEA-LjhbFJhBOWnAjIqM7Q/s1600/20150411_145258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity1juGroW8vet2RZ5mBZKwMM1aVCziXRtpMuTPFwjT-NhfWjvlaDfxWA_Mw6gzj5bkVm8WCjWjxcEdNupx4wvgkTy9KG13njO6BRjRb6-rrAJn3cKHYWghtEA-LjhbFJhBOWnAjIqM7Q/s400/20150411_145258.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mmm. Bird</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TDvI62vcaQc36XVpzmtBp8e5zvU0BnsVASDVPq-QbIrJgfInPPG9bQCRe1cUrYD2CsxO0CA18igZY3h1xxb_upWmTAEfmMaCFHm-JNnJS6g4lRQ9rB2-P74zIOrWRyxKp3iuAOBqc2M/s1600/20150408_183707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TDvI62vcaQc36XVpzmtBp8e5zvU0BnsVASDVPq-QbIrJgfInPPG9bQCRe1cUrYD2CsxO0CA18igZY3h1xxb_upWmTAEfmMaCFHm-JNnJS6g4lRQ9rB2-P74zIOrWRyxKp3iuAOBqc2M/s320/20150408_183707.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mmm. <i>LOTS</i> of bird.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Story time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in the fall of 2004, I was straight out of college. My undergraduate fraternity was doing a magazine fund raiser. While I was tempted to point out that what a horrible fundraiser it was (which I assumed was a lesson we all learned back in the sixth grade), I bought a couple magazines to be supportive instead. Because I am a nice guy like or I felt horribly obligated. One of the two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having subscribed ever since, <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/alsatian-brined-turkey-with-riesling-gravy">Food & Wine</a> has been a huge part of culinary growth and this was in one of the first issues I received. I find the magazine strikes an excellent balance in my opinion. There are interesting and challenging recipes like today's. That said, most of the time I get most or all of the ingredients at the larger chain groceries and I do not need to special kitchen utensils. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I had a point (which I am pretty sure I do not), it is this is a damn fine bird. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxwcQ1dapw8"><i>Damn</i> fine</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honest doc, I will start that low sodium business... after Thanksgiving.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 quarts plus more cold water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/4 cup Kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup yellow mustard seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup dried chopped onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons caraway seeds (in two spice bags)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons black peppercorns,lightly crushed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons juniper berries, lightly crushed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 bay leaves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) 18-pound turkey (less neck and giblets)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strike>2 1/2 cups</strike> (2) bottles Riesling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 large onion, quartered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 head garlic, cloves separated but not peeled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons all-purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or if you are motivated make your own <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/turkey-giblet-stock-233038">turkey stock</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pepper </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About one week before turkey day, begin thawing the turkey in the fridge (see <a href="http://www.butterball.com/how-tos/thaw-a-turkey">Butterball's thawing calculator</a>, but keep in mind you need extra thawed days for brining).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About three days before turkey day, in a large pot, bring 4 cups of the water to a boil. Bag the caraway seeds half each in two spice bags (bagging is optional, ie you can just throw them in if you like). Add 1 1/4 cups of kosher salt, the sugar, mustard seeds, dried onion, the bagged caraway seeds, peppercorns, juniper berries and bay leaves. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar completely. Remove the pot from the heat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Line a large stockpot or bucket with 2 very large, sturdy plastic bags (make sure they are unscented trash bags). Put the turkey into the bags, neck first. Pour the warm brine over the turkey. Add 1 1/2 cups of the Riesling and 4 quarts of the cold water. Seal the bags; press out as much air as possible. Refrigerate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On turkey day, preheat the oven to 350°. Drain the turkey, scraping off the spices, then transfer it to a large roasting pan and let it return to room temperature. Discard the brine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the quartered onion, the garlic and 1 cup of the water to the pan and roast the turkey for 1 1/2 hours. Add water has necessary to keep the base of the pan moist (eventually the fat will do that for you). Roast for about 1 1/2 hours longer, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into an inner thigh registers 165°. Cover the breast loosely with foil during the last hour of roasting to prevent it from browning too quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Strain the pan juices into a measuring cup and skim off the fat; reserve 3 tablespoons of the fat. In a bowl, mix the reserved fat with the flour until a paste forms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set the roasting pan over 2 burners and heat until sizzling. Add the remaining 1 cup of Riesling and bring to a simmer over moderately high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan. Strain the wine into a medium saucepan and boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and the reserved pan juices and bring to a boil. Whisk in the flour paste and simmer over moderate heat until the gravy thickens slightly and no floury taste remains, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Carve the turkey and serve with the Riesling gravy on the side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is no small amount of effort. That said while it is <i>a lot</i> of work, it is not hard work (well except maybe carving the bird). This does not require any special skills or tools (unless you count roast pans and buckets). Anybody can do this bird. Just take your time and double check things as you go.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenDavCWvYkb6t4Rvic2PWbNWAmiJ7uTwtwehR4BXWR8ePqXS8wI3AihV6kMzLV-bVkwMdD2v6QFyQnBWwN-p9XCsWL1Gee0ombbVth0F3vLNJ1P8Ilb5H4klTr4o2S_w0bM4FblFxYII/s1600/20150408_190842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenDavCWvYkb6t4Rvic2PWbNWAmiJ7uTwtwehR4BXWR8ePqXS8wI3AihV6kMzLV-bVkwMdD2v6QFyQnBWwN-p9XCsWL1Gee0ombbVth0F3vLNJ1P8Ilb5H4klTr4o2S_w0bM4FblFxYII/s320/20150408_190842.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No small amount of space either.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW5JKWje7vJREgLVoYWiRrsA3J9Ve5oHvm2TUEN12FOwc1PIX_aQBg_Awo0gXHFBLuyAJURMwO-_r5qdtERG1sIpMcQ91zrW9R1DC345aWhRYD_KOpqsrCc-p0Woc9gSjQ-c_tQ8guL8/s1600/20150408_185111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW5JKWje7vJREgLVoYWiRrsA3J9Ve5oHvm2TUEN12FOwc1PIX_aQBg_Awo0gXHFBLuyAJURMwO-_r5qdtERG1sIpMcQ91zrW9R1DC345aWhRYD_KOpqsrCc-p0Woc9gSjQ-c_tQ8guL8/s320/20150408_185111.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Come to think of it, it is not small amount of anything really.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make sure you have unscented trash bags or you will be a last minute grocery run like me.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided Lysol was not the turkey flavor I was going for.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of effort, do not get lazy on the "scraping off the spice" part. This is a lot of effort, but it is worth the effort to not bite into these spices later.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw49i6kFkpEza0SAG9-uZnjNDS1fCdCd6uXPCZTlpmKmgoKn0w98EakrQZtElkTBTvY0x8K-MJvZEcv0SfhegWHP9rfx83pJ8Euwh1hLd7N8DN7CrpSqs_1cGa4Kb9moadCAjqEZBfN0U/s1600/20150411_114619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw49i6kFkpEza0SAG9-uZnjNDS1fCdCd6uXPCZTlpmKmgoKn0w98EakrQZtElkTBTvY0x8K-MJvZEcv0SfhegWHP9rfx83pJ8Euwh1hLd7N8DN7CrpSqs_1cGa4Kb9moadCAjqEZBfN0U/s320/20150411_114619.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beautiful bald birdy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The gravy is the best part of this meal. Do not skip it (as I have foolishly done). Serve with mashed potatoes (duh, gravy), on the turkey, on sandwiches of left over turkey, snort it, hell bathe in the damn stuff. Just do <b>NOT</b> skip it. It is simply my favorite part of this meal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juniper berries are the only ingredient you cannot get at the grocery store (well at least before I moved to the Puritanical hell that is Pennsylvania, where they only sell wine and unionized, government run stores). <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/">Amazon</a> has them, as does <a href="https://www.penzeys.com/">Penzeys</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IIsGzEGl8bi0mw2Kx8w-R1F967wuDUxeSgdUazVua5boOYANC5Atiyqd1rvp9sLlMi5-dAqwe1uQP6V6Oicx6AFMSPlsgPG_AftjCXlOQDoznUzBi5bYDyaQCV-mavIj46YmqNm_9DI/s1600/20150408_190218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IIsGzEGl8bi0mw2Kx8w-R1F967wuDUxeSgdUazVua5boOYANC5Atiyqd1rvp9sLlMi5-dAqwe1uQP6V6Oicx6AFMSPlsgPG_AftjCXlOQDoznUzBi5bYDyaQCV-mavIj46YmqNm_9DI/s320/20150408_190218.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This part stinks by the way. As in it actually smells bad. Windows are your friend.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Absolutely to die for. Simply amazing. Skip the boring turkey, do not bother to fry your turkey, and brine that SOB!</span></div>
Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-37087261746896435822015-10-26T09:38:00.000-07:002017-08-08T08:01:07.324-07:00Now how do you like them apples?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2VGI3GcKMY">Applesauce bitch.</a> Alright. Obligatory pop culture reference out of the way, let us move on.</span><br />
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A few weeks back the wifey wanted to go apple picking. While I was tempted to question what was wrong with the apples at the grocery, I decided it was best to just go along with this one. </span><br />
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So now we have a metric crap ton of apples. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ZbCOQCO4UKyXANb5yXshvxI4LA-boGpHaqwrMieYmEXWyjCx_JKeN-lbl88LVGDEYbqcY4O_4Sr4E9yFN3H2M-2nmPBXvRHaA9v7jEsLgCz3ADgV5I7Mnn16WYetBgx5BPKjc17_Yg/s1600/20151017_082623-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ZbCOQCO4UKyXANb5yXshvxI4LA-boGpHaqwrMieYmEXWyjCx_JKeN-lbl88LVGDEYbqcY4O_4Sr4E9yFN3H2M-2nmPBXvRHaA9v7jEsLgCz3ADgV5I7Mnn16WYetBgx5BPKjc17_Yg/s320/20151017_082623-1.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The largest of all of the crap tons.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipypJsb__ZVpg6yHtyEQQ3GKd5burWFlOOTJC6mp3TkKepGCOc0eyFoCt88I73wgkLbfekaw8R8olTcqf8bevHH4ON5Qvrys7Vut72iBopy0TGrrDWjzilehs6Ek4lNZY-jFtHmecwIpQ/s1600/20151017_082903-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipypJsb__ZVpg6yHtyEQQ3GKd5burWFlOOTJC6mp3TkKepGCOc0eyFoCt88I73wgkLbfekaw8R8olTcqf8bevHH4ON5Qvrys7Vut72iBopy0TGrrDWjzilehs6Ek4lNZY-jFtHmecwIpQ/s320/20151017_082903-1.jpg" width="242" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also I never miss an opportunity to remind Mrs. Rubber Ducky what will happen to her if she does not keep in line!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So as the family chef, I was tasked with finding something to do with all these apples. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>
Baby Applesuace</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xzLftu9dJr0DbpLupJvsrcGCo52eQzneKoY8MdNd4KynkdZXwgFdUClqYS9qEbo9Nmq4FjsPCsSC7MGYSP63eE6pKeR_iOk79E3Diob4ZczFGQdCEAtdPylm3F-24vp28-oPc3RUDlc/s1600/20151017_082829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 apple</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Core, skin, and cut </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the apple </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">into chunks (about a dozen chucks per apple worked nicely). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Add the chunks and water to a pot. Cover. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY1ZUNi7RE6sFB_kOlUTj4kMxsn8OwyQkJvS5oAVUZaKSy5LZE68J5yO-BBoyi8zzmQOTr0Me1pztX-NtcBQgmC09sjrKCL2fRKQB9srolGreeZLIg0HZpEUAMBa5Ig-jf5n6SFUlmYY/s1600/20151017_082605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY1ZUNi7RE6sFB_kOlUTj4kMxsn8OwyQkJvS5oAVUZaKSy5LZE68J5yO-BBoyi8zzmQOTr0Me1pztX-NtcBQgmC09sjrKCL2fRKQB9srolGreeZLIg0HZpEUAMBa5Ig-jf5n6SFUlmYY/s320/20151017_082605.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby food recipes? Am I really that desperate for things to blog about? Or has parenthood reduced my brain to the consistency of applesauce? You decide!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Drain. Food processor the ever living hell out of them.</span><br />
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V<span style="line-height: 1.3;">oilà</span>. Your baby is living the puréed dream.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xzLftu9dJr0DbpLupJvsrcGCo52eQzneKoY8MdNd4KynkdZXwgFdUClqYS9qEbo9Nmq4FjsPCsSC7MGYSP63eE6pKeR_iOk79E3Diob4ZczFGQdCEAtdPylm3F-24vp28-oPc3RUDlc/s1600/20151017_082829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xzLftu9dJr0DbpLupJvsrcGCo52eQzneKoY8MdNd4KynkdZXwgFdUClqYS9qEbo9Nmq4FjsPCsSC7MGYSP63eE6pKeR_iOk79E3Diob4ZczFGQdCEAtdPylm3F-24vp28-oPc3RUDlc/s320/20151017_082829.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honestly, picking the a spoon was the hardest part of this whole process.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is applesauce for a baby. What do you want?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3X6Smg3dOZDJbcN-hGQ8rgSNY8KgOpx3mFrEih9rjRgsEJr5fG1BaTVvxy99GvNA_I2f7FbZ8PTd6QEAhpv2mnl7FPK8JgczT0cmP9Sid92AeRRCj_alWBwIXd1Jsswr87hPVhEknKk/s1600/image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3X6Smg3dOZDJbcN-hGQ8rgSNY8KgOpx3mFrEih9rjRgsEJr5fG1BaTVvxy99GvNA_I2f7FbZ8PTd6QEAhpv2mnl7FPK8JgczT0cmP9Sid92AeRRCj_alWBwIXd1Jsswr87hPVhEknKk/s320/image3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I am not supposed to put pictures of my child on the internet this is what you get: hands. Are you happy paranoid mommy brigade!?!?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BTW I really am feeding him in this picture, you just cannot tell. We are both holding the spoon. It is really quite adorable... not that you will ever know.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>
Apple Pie</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 cups cored, skinned, and thinly sliced apples (about 7-8 small apples)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon lemon juice (or less to taste)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 store bought pie rust (graham cracker)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tablespoons butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Method</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boil the apples for 10-15 minutes. Drain. Sprinkle with lemon juice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat to the oven to 375°.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix sugar (table not the brown sugar), 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Transfer the apples to that bowl and mix thoroughly. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pour into the pie crust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using a pastry blender, combine the butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup flour. Mix until it resembles course crumbs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evenly top the pie with the as many of the crumbs (the more the better IMHO) as desired. Cover the edges of the pie pan with foil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 25 minutes more or until the top is golden brown and the desired consistency.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Commentary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I skinned and sliced the apples, I stored them in cold water to avoid excessive browning. I am not sure if this was in any way worth while since they are being used in a brown sauce. Oh well, it made me feel fancy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Oh you are going to judge me for using a store bought crust? Really!?! Have you made pie crust? Let me tell you there are few convenience items I use when cooking. Pie crusts are boring and tedious to make so totally worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
I like my apple pie applies to have the next to no consistency left. So I <b>boiled</b>. If you like a little more crunch, lay off the boiling. In fact that kind of has me wondering what my pie would be like if I puréed that too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The "crumbs" did not turn out to be very consistent. So I kind of mashed it into a paste with my fingers, then separated it into pieces as I saw fit. I did not use all of it though. Once I could not see apple anymore, I added a few more for good measure, and quit. The topping was <i><b>so</b></i> delicious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pie recipe is from <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-Sixteenth-Plaid/dp/0544307070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445876732&sr=8-1&keywords=better+homes+and+gardens+new+cook+book">Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book</a>. If I have not plugged this before, I am going to do it now (or again). That is one of the best cook books I own for being basic and comprehensive. Everybody has to start someplace and this is a hell of a good place if you ask me. It has a couple intro chapters and cooking in general and then is packed with all the classic recipes you could want.</span><br />
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Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pie is awesome (duh). I did not eat the apple sauce but baby liked it.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-43966967484748596222015-10-01T09:27:00.000-07:002015-10-01T09:27:39.641-07:00Halloween Books<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79iTiTmynfJaxsk3oIS1KeGJxgaJYt1DPsntdQWPvq9RDVFZVo-MewC3JCseuGrTSYSfZosKIMrthwumzXfgt_o7M60XTwqIdm6L2Ay3BaIhuxcDnxIZPDnbxVbHTLp3P4Hw-xXC-MfQ/s1600/20150915_192739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79iTiTmynfJaxsk3oIS1KeGJxgaJYt1DPsntdQWPvq9RDVFZVo-MewC3JCseuGrTSYSfZosKIMrthwumzXfgt_o7M60XTwqIdm6L2Ay3BaIhuxcDnxIZPDnbxVbHTLp3P4Hw-xXC-MfQ/s400/20150915_192739.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait... this is not food!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I love Halloween. Always have. It is the only holiday that has stood the test of time for me. As a kid: FREE CANDY! As a teen: free candy and it is the flirtiest holiday by far. College/young adult: even more flirty and an excuse to drink in a costume instead of my regular cloths. Adult: trick or treat, decorating the house with gore (any other time of the year that seems inappropriate). And of course I have always loved horror/monster movies and this is the time they are sale!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today we are going to do something a little different. This
is supposed to be a domestic blog, I should occasionally talk about something
other than cooking right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wifey and I are readers. While I am a fucking casual compared
to her, it is something we both enjoy. Since we both enjoy it, we
damn well intend to brain wash the little one into liking it too. What is the
point of having a little one if you cannot manipulate them into thinking like you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today I am going to give my commentary on some books for
babies/small child that are Halloween themed. We will review based on key factors: is it Halloween worthy, age range, does it have a story, art quality, and rhyming. Then I'll follow with my, oh so insightful, commentary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not Actually Halloween worthy books, that you might think are Halloween worthy:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>A Day With Monster</b> 2/5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/Day-Monster-Kelli-Gleiner/dp/1936669269/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442334324&sr=1-1&keywords=a+day+with+monster">Amazon</a>: undefined (as young as you want IMHO)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: No</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: NA (if I were to these call photos of a felt "monster" art, it would be an insult to the talented illustrators of some of these other books)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: No</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Replace the word monster with rabbit, dog, or three toed sloth and the book would not change. Hence not Halloweeny. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Also this book just describes a typically adult day (except instead of sitting on your ass watching TV for an hour, it is “play music with friends” or something along those lines). My child will have to face the monotonous horror that is professional life in due time. There’s no need to subject him to it any earlier than necessary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Maybe that monotonous horror does make it scary enough for Halloween...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Also I have to include the wifey's two cents: she loves this one. But she married me, so her taste is questionable at best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Little Owl's Night</b> 3/5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/0670015792?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00">Amazon</a>:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">undefined (as young as you want IMHO)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Ish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: Solid, high contrast stuff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: No</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
A young owl learns about what the creatures of the forest do at night. I enjoyed the art, but the lack of a solid narrative kind of let me down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
It is not Halloween themed, so much as night themed. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvA5sWfk7sP468v1-IFKTh_i8j1VuNwogJx2cYRItbmLp2jgV7D_TIVWIyCK8JhMVtYbcwbPIGzLmE3eg8hEXR3DjFD08PsFXuCjThhh5JxUKvpUt14EVKM0Bmuti6E9DjqVcIKUhcPU/s1600/20150915_192825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvA5sWfk7sP468v1-IFKTh_i8j1VuNwogJx2cYRItbmLp2jgV7D_TIVWIyCK8JhMVtYbcwbPIGzLmE3eg8hEXR3DjFD08PsFXuCjThhh5JxUKvpUt14EVKM0Bmuti6E9DjqVcIKUhcPU/s320/20150915_192825.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now if those beavers were gnawing on your face, maybe then it would Halloween worthy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Halloween worthy books:</b></span></div>
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<b>One, Two... Boo!</b> 1/5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/One-Two-Boo-Kristen-Depken/dp/037584418X/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VNKJ5PXWDQ30E8GXRWH&dpID=51qckInNbrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_">Amazon</a>: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">undefined (as young as you want IMHO)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: No</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: fine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: No</span><br />
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I know this is just a counting book with "windows". This is a waste of cardboard in my book. I will not dignify it with further commentary.</span><br />
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<b>Runaway Mummy</b> 3/5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/0439158044?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01">Amazon</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">3 - 5 years</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: Amaz-balls awesome</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: No</span><br />
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This is a parody of another book that I have not read. It suffers for that. I would probably give this book two, but the art is some of the best I have seen in children's books Halloween or not. </span><br />
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The story is a young mummy describing the things he will do to run away from his mother. She then counters with how she will still love him in the situation. Spoiler: his final form is suburban life and his mother is horrified. I am not sure if that is a message I love sharing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM6CbiwuqHkbK4N-p0GCN7hJxYNcVEo_1legWdUzwPh05IyARF2BdMSMvYtG8yM1r0_AjWMQMpybr6fr_kWf6Vy1BcUoqlhYAvRqwsbBnzmHNsZy8thyRri0bbQnrfiaEw0fg_aKDri8/s1600/20150915_192925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM6CbiwuqHkbK4N-p0GCN7hJxYNcVEo_1legWdUzwPh05IyARF2BdMSMvYtG8yM1r0_AjWMQMpybr6fr_kWf6Vy1BcUoqlhYAvRqwsbBnzmHNsZy8thyRri0bbQnrfiaEw0fg_aKDri8/s320/20150915_192925.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why does the wifey keep saying I am going to give the little one nightmares?</span></td></tr>
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<b>Ten Timid Ghosts</b>: 4/5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/0439158044?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01">Amazon</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">4 - 8 years</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: unremarkable, looks like a Scholastic book (which it is)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: Yes</span><br />
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Ten ghosts battle a witch for ownership of a house? Now that is a Halloween book! </span><br />
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I am no early childhood education expert, but this was a pretty simply book. 4-8 years seems high in my opinion.</span><br />
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<b>Goodnight Goon</b> 4/5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/Goodnight-Goon-Petrifying-Michael-Rex/dp/0399260110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442334230&sr=1-1&keywords=goodnight+goon">Amazon</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">1 - 3 years</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Ish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: fun, cartoony monstery, a good match to the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
This is my go to read. It is short, but it is more than a handful of words describing things (See A Day With Monster). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a parody of Goodnight Moon, but it works as a stand a lone. A little werewolf monster is saying goodnight to everything in his house, while a pesky goon wrecks the place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside: I thought goon was an offensive term for a someone or another. Five seconds on Google got me nothing though, so I guess I am
wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Room on the Broom</b> 5/5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/Room-Broom-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142501123/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442334276&sr=1-1&keywords=room+on+the+broom">Amazon</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">3 - 7 years</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: Good</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
A solid read. A witch flies around dropping stuff and making friends in the process. Her friends then help her overcome a problem in a compelling climax!</span><br />
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<b>Creepy Carrots!</b> 5/5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age recommendation per <a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/1442402970?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00">Amazon</a>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">4 - 8 years</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it have a story: Yes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art quality: <i>Awesome. </i>Perfect for Halloween.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it rhyme: No</span><br />
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This is my personal favorite! This is in glorious black and white except for the monsters, ie carrots. This is also arguably the best story among these books. There is plot and development and such. That (in my experience) is in short supply in children's books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rabbit is convinced that the carrots he eats everyday are out for revenge. Are they really? Is it just his imagination? Find out in this excellent book!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw18zGHdjS0rS3VhPa8V49pJOnqLAsZrsWvkYiniLY7Ztzpb5IlQkXiuBv2YhhqERqcp0TZCpbr4JTaSQEqSg5D4z15LEmpYDi7juNTahfU4j1luaF7ErDYF8E1I28mIrgYvY1Bmk3tnE/s320/20150915_193037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cute AND creepy? I will take it!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw18zGHdjS0rS3VhPa8V49pJOnqLAsZrsWvkYiniLY7Ztzpb5IlQkXiuBv2YhhqERqcp0TZCpbr4JTaSQEqSg5D4z15LEmpYDi7juNTahfU4j1luaF7ErDYF8E1I28mIrgYvY1Bmk3tnE/s1600/20150915_193037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In conclusion, I hope my detour from the usual was at least mildly interesting. I am already working on a post for my favorite turkey recipe, so I we be back on food before you know it!</span></div>
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Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267355488223750792.post-54191695298286857002015-08-18T12:02:00.001-07:002017-07-27T08:19:45.420-07:00Caribbean Jerk Sauce (Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHliBF3inYbWliRiP9HNrY_FI58bIgUirsLlMpxqMiZ26d09CeRXhlyZGCgfwPkksx7LzlYBMkk7rPwDQyJRD37e33Qm3ASuE8XPOynZ12cRM_xMuvtgr2Ed_mqF9eMdHFfVomimdLK2A/s1600/20150818_132734-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHliBF3inYbWliRiP9HNrY_FI58bIgUirsLlMpxqMiZ26d09CeRXhlyZGCgfwPkksx7LzlYBMkk7rPwDQyJRD37e33Qm3ASuE8XPOynZ12cRM_xMuvtgr2Ed_mqF9eMdHFfVomimdLK2A/s400/20150818_132734-1.jpg" width="383" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The uncoated piece is my control. Because science and shit... or I was impatient. Which ever came first.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am back. Now the wifey and I have a baby of our very own. It has been nearly four months and we have not stewed, roasted, baked or boiled the child! I am told you cannot do that until they are a year old.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6PcaUHTj24WQes-NvlaVblO0Ily7qkV2l-lOVmngDeWgfXtbBt1pkzcc0PzwrcT6YyhWQHB5eLk_hRaI4jOCUj8pGAepGbeD-iFlkkYQ-tpGLnVGMh2t-keBaYf9hOYpQEVw9h3UFxk/s1600/20150506_204236-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6PcaUHTj24WQes-NvlaVblO0Ily7qkV2l-lOVmngDeWgfXtbBt1pkzcc0PzwrcT6YyhWQHB5eLk_hRaI4jOCUj8pGAepGbeD-iFlkkYQ-tpGLnVGMh2t-keBaYf9hOYpQEVw9h3UFxk/s320/20150506_204236-1.jpg" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To fricassee or ragout?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside: we are about two months off before I start blogging baby food stuff. You have been warned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, today I stayed home sick with an upset stomach. It has been so bad, I actually went to the doctor. So naturally I had to try something new and spicy. Spicy food calms the stomach right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon canola oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons minced onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup ketchup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (I used sherry as I was out of cider vinegar)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons white vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons cayenne sauce (I used Frank’s)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 teaspoons black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 teaspoons lemon juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon dried parsley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon corn starch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon garlic powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon dried thyme</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon onion powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon ground clove</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon sage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix all ingredients in a food processor. Move to a bot and simmer twenty-thirty minutes until thickened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do not let the long list of ingredients fool you. This is as simple as they come. Mix, simmer, and serve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also as noted, I substituted cooking sherry for cider vinegar because that is what I had.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I used the small food processor. Bad idea. Very slimy, messy, bad idea.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcnP69QzOP_z1f0fF4_s0mMDxFb3jo43iWtbsDEGXLidCsXrfd8dd4CHV_L5616F-OCuPrSdiRDdFwywi32mPO4yxpeunuN2XB9pXvbRI82twZ-uMdI-og0qUqCRTz7HONXqoOxNK2LE/s1600/20150818_101744-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcnP69QzOP_z1f0fF4_s0mMDxFb3jo43iWtbsDEGXLidCsXrfd8dd4CHV_L5616F-OCuPrSdiRDdFwywi32mPO4yxpeunuN2XB9pXvbRI82twZ-uMdI-og0qUqCRTz7HONXqoOxNK2LE/s320/20150818_101744-1.jpg" width="204" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am supposed to keep the food INSIDE the food processor?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It did not say that anywhere in the instructions.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lightly breaded some chicken (flour, salt, and pepper, fry in canola until cooked through) and then <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07P0mXOjKBk">submerged </a>the chicken in the sauce.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RWD0qt6tOYfXT9BuC5c9klN0hPmf5olfLgXAGsbbJcMti6pn5orhyBxscQ8RfswTFt5xGdg3RZhOhXmrT8L6ff_HUShjNtZqMgpQkzORwLHxrzOQ7sa2vh2undtvDCl9Kv0cLdSKkns/s1600/20150818_132620-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RWD0qt6tOYfXT9BuC5c9klN0hPmf5olfLgXAGsbbJcMti6pn5orhyBxscQ8RfswTFt5xGdg3RZhOhXmrT8L6ff_HUShjNtZqMgpQkzORwLHxrzOQ7sa2vh2undtvDCl9Kv0cLdSKkns/s320/20150818_132620-1.jpg" width="218" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also perfect for any tar and feathering you need to do!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little sweat, a little ketchup-y but really tasty and spicy! I am racking my brain for more things to put this on because it was <i>GOOD</i>. It might go on tonight's pizza in fact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That said it is not an excellent copycat recipe. It tasted similar, but not the same.</span>Sutcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14329392695678424583noreply@blogger.com0