OK, back to work

Feeling peckish (and craving pizza) I left my current project on the table and headed to the kitchen where I created a masterpiece in a skillet!

Sadly, I discovered the larder was out of tomato paste (how did that happen?), and was running low on naan (a soft flat bread - for those non-foodies out there), but we had two naan remaining with which to make pizza for Karl and myself, so that was all that mattered for the moment!

I slivered onion and julienned artichoke hearts, then sauteed them together in a smattering of olive oil.  Oh, baby!

While the sauteing commenced, I mixed up a poor boy's pizza sauce using a small amount (about 1/2 cup) of a good, plain tomato sauce.  Had it been too watery I was prepared to reduce it a smidge, but fortunately I buy a good-quality store brand, no additives or do-dads included....so, yea! 

And yes, I chose sauce (in the absence of my beloved paste) over some other form of tomato pulp product. 

Before you ask "why tomato sauce and not your usual go-to of crushed tomatoes?" - I'll tell you.  ANY other form of tomato pulp is too wet to begin with.  Even after straining crushed tomatoes they would still be too wet for this sort of food....plus, why waste all of that tomato-y goodness when you don't have to?

Grabbed my mortar and pestle and ground up a mixture of anise, a shake of red pepper, anise, oregano, anise, fennel seed, basil, anise, basil, and a couple turns of freshly ground pepper (we don't call it black pepper in this house because not all the peppercorns in our pepper mix are black).  Added the ground rub and roughly a teaspoon of minced garlic (maybe more - OK, yeah, it was more) to the tomato sauce, and stood there like a doofus waiting to spread it over the warm naan.

Meanwhile, I started another skillet on med-to-low-medium heat; wiped the surface with a dab of olive oil and lightly heated the first side of a naan loaf.  Once the naan was turned, I spooned half of the tomato sauce mix over the warmed surface of the bread then liberally covered it with shredded "pizza mix" cheese (monty jack, mozzarella, and a bit of Parmesan). 

Spooned the now sauteed veggies onto the pizza, then quickly added wedges of hard salami over the entire thing (nope, we had no pepperoni).  By this time the cheese was melted beautifully which only helped to heat up the salami pieces, too.

Called Karl out to grab half of the first pizza, and we both smiled as we bit into a crunchy bottom and a chewy top!

Now I have to try and stop thinking about that pizza as I sit back down at the sewing machine.

Yeah, right.

Dinner last night

Yup, so I filleted and breaded chicken breasts in a mix of panko and regular, finely-ground bread crumbs.  It was delicious right out of the pan, but then I turned it into Chicken Parmigiana - without mozzarella cheese.  Bit of an oopsy, there.

Note: Never substitute shredded Monty Jack and Cheddar for mozzarella.

Wishing I had just heated the sauce mixture on the stove then served it over the lightly fried chicken (with the cheese - the Monty Jack and ground parm).  Instead, I put it in our small crock to heat through, as though placing a pan of Chicken Parmigiana in the oven (one of which I don't currently have).  If I hadn't 'crocked it', the chicken would have been enjoyable as it was right out of the pan with the light flakey panko crust, smothered in the veggie marinara sauce.

Well, now I know.  Live and learn, eh?

It wasn't horrible, and it had a consistency similar to Eggplant Parm, but with meat instead.  Yummy, but lacked the lovely, hefty string-i-ness of mozzarella.  Served it with a nice side salad and enjoyed a nice dinner with the boys. 

What's on the menu at your house tonight?

Hot dogs! Get yer hot dogs!

I like my 'dogs' bathed in onion, with a commanding (but not overwhelming) smear of mustard, and then topped with a hint of ketchup (like thin piping on a cake).  Maybe a few more onions sprinkled liberally over the top.

Occasionally I will partake of a chili dog with the works (provided 'the works' do not include relish - I don't relish relish).

Add a heaping pile of chips (or french fries) and some excellent coleslaw and baby....I am one happy puppy! Of course, if one is in a hot dog mood, and there are no chips or fries to be had, a decent tater tot or helping of homemade hashbrowns will suffice.

Satisfaction and culinary delights.

[burp]

Mmmm...nom-nom

Good cooking is hard to beat.

Tonight we had ribs, sweet potatoes, green beens, and corn for dinner.

I don't know how, but there is a small amount of sweet potatoes that haven't yet been consumed.  Where's my fork?

Well, it's dark again.  Sun's down and the night grows darker and colder.  And before you ask, today was a bit better than yesterday, so no complaints on my end.

I've been in the kitchen for the last hour or so chopping and saute'-ing; rinsing and pre-cooking; washing up dishes and pans and humming along with Christmas music quietly playing in the background.

Yes....I play Christmas music for quite a while past the holiday season, simply because I can't play it much throughout the correct time period as Brian hears more than his fill at work - starting in late October!  So I take pity and wait as long as I can to start my jolly music around the house.  And, I usually wait until he is away from home, too.

Karl doesn't seem to mind, and except for periodic forays out of his room, he rarely hears it anyhow. 

Making a pot of bean soup, with a liberal dose of garlic.  It's based on a recipe I came across online, so I hope it meets with happy faces after all is said and done.  We'll see.

Got a little caught up on the Black Widow today; spending time making more adjustments to the blocks of the Greek border here and there.  So it's coming together slowly but surely.  Also spent a little time re-reading the 'syllabus' for the class I will be teaching this Saturday.

Yes, I have a pseudo-job as a contracted instructor for JAF.  Beginning sewing....with a class of two....who paid half price for their class....and contractors are paid 60% of the fee collected - IF the students show up.  I'll spare you the rest of my disappointment with the way JAF runs this program, as it has to do with instructors having to buy all the supplies OUT OF POCKET for each item demonstrated - with no reimbursement!

Ah, well.  Right? 

This is just me looking that 'gift hourse' right in its mouth!  Right??

I guess I've got to start somewhere if the job market has a decidely unkind view of women my age trying to muscle their way back in after several years of uncommon (and temporary) employment in jobs that aren't quite 'mainstream'.

I have been gathering up items to demonstrate during the class.  JAF's sketchy list of things to talk about and demo for "Sewing 101" leaves a few holes to fill, but I am up to the task!  So let the games begin.  ;)

OK, time to step away from this keyboard and get back to work around here.  Have a nice evening, and stay safe and warm over the next few days - it's getting bitter out there.

Efforts

In an effort to make myself feel better, I spent the last two hours peeling, chopping, sauteing, seasoning, and crafting a magnificent crock pot full of chicken and vegetable soup.

The debate is on over whether it will be served with noodles, dumplings, or wild rice.

Hope it helps to heal my psyche - it's pretty bruised.

Mmmmm...nummers!

Made salmon, eggplant parmesan (in a crockpot, no less - after pan-frying the eggplant), and crudites with homemade tzadziki!

I feel good and the boys are happy, so something must have turned out right. ;)

Nice day

We had a very nice visit with my mom and great grandma Schaffer (she's my grandmother, but my sons' great gran), and mom, as usual, made a very delicious dinner. We had stuffed peppers and gigantic pork steaks, with cherry and/or apple pie for dessert! Always yummy.

Always leftovers to bring home.

Thank you, mom! <3

Oh, and thank you for the new slippers, too! Now I can't wait for colder weather to pad around the house in them. Well......actually, I can wait for colder weather, but now I have some wonderfully cushie slippers for my tootsies! Whee!

Ha!

Just made a decent, round, eight inch brownie in a frying pan, on top of the stove - thank you, very much!

I still hate that dieing electric range top, but we have figured out a truce (that crummy, broken down heating surface and I) in order to make an edible chocolate treat to get me through these study periods.

A-a-a-a-h-h, chocolate. Er, I mean 'comfort foods.'

Happy little experiment

We had a very little bit of popcorn left to pop, and I was in a popcorn-y sort of mood. Since I didn't feel like dirtying a pan to achieve the meager, yummy outcome, I decided to try making it in the microwave instead.

I reasoned that microwaveable popcorn can't really be anything more than a lot of oil and flavoring in a sack with the unpopped kernels - right? If those expensive manufactured bags can work in the microwave, what would be the harm in making my own popcorn micro-bag?

So (ready to put out any surprise fires), I tossed a bit of butter into a paper lunch sack, added the kernels and rolled the bag closed - leaving a lot of room for the popcorn to pop into; placed the bag onto a paper plate; slid the entire thing into the microwave, closed the door and punched the "popcorn" button on the handy-dandy panel.

In less than a minute, Karl and I shared a modest amount of fresh popcorn! Yea, it worked.

NOTE TO SELF: Add popcorn and lunch sacks to the shopping list.

Just a question

What is the point of cleaning up the kitchen if you're just going to turn around and mess it up again making another yummy meal?

Twice the effort, I say.

But last night's dinner was a-yummilicious!

Now, if you will excuse me....I need to go out to the kitchen - and clean!


*Yeah, sorry. If you were looking for something profound this morning, it ain't gonna be here.  Maybe later.*

The smell of jasmine and saffron rice cooking

Is there anything else quite so elegant and so tantalizing?  It's like carmel corn and some other unearthly bit of deliciousness wafting in the air.

I've got some excellent rib eye meat cut into thin strips and marinating in a semi-Asian marinade. 

At the ready stand my ever-present friends - chunks of red pepper and thick slices of onions.  Karl and I settled on baby ears of corn and spinach to round out the festivities in the pan...but now the question is:  Should we invite some mushrooms?

Hmmm.

Spices are on the counter nearest the stove, and the rice is half the way done.  My pan is standing by, waiting to go into sizzling action, and both of us (the kid and I) are drooling over what is to be dinner.......very, very soon.

Oh, maybe some pineapple chunks to act as a side dish!

By the by...it was a 'no' on the mushrooms.  "Maybe another time."  Sorry, fungi.

;)

Mmmmm, delicious

Oh, my goodness - thank you, Trader Joe!

I had a bag of Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta sitting on a pantry shelf (it's a small, narrow closet next to the fridge, but it helps to think of the over-stuffed space as a 'pantry'), two cans of chunk-style chicken (from a large warehouse store), and a tasty craving on the tip of my tongue.

Scrounged up three small-ish white onions which I cut onion ring-style, and had a small jar of artichoke hearts at the ready.  Karl put the nix on the artichoke hearts, but did agree to broccoli. (Truth be told, I would have preferred asparagus over everything else, but it turned out alright just the way it was, and Karl got another veggie today.)

I started the water to boil (for the pasta) and set to work on everything else.

Sauteed the onion in butter (just about a Tblsp) and a small amount of basil infused olive oil.  I took advantage of the (Greek) lemon flavored sea salt in my spice cupboard and dashed it over the onions to sweat them out a bit (when you salt the onions to sweat them, you need less butter to saute in).  Once the onions were nearly translucent I added roughly a Tblsp (and one half) of minced garlic and stirred it in. 

As soon as the garlic became aromatic with the heat, I tossed in the chicken.  I opted for the canned version instead of cooking larger, hand-cut breast meat simply to avoid the extra clean-up from beginning to end...and to keep from adding more heat to the house - today was warm enough!

Once the chicken was completely incorporated into the onion mixture it was time to pour in a can of evaporated milk (the can is the larger 12 or 14oz size).  You can use an additional smaller can if you prefer a saucier dish.

Add turmeric and curry in healthy amounts (I love both flavors) - I sprinkle and eyeball the amounts, but if I had to say I would think I used roughly 1/2 a Tsp each (maybe slightly less of the Turmeric).  You should season yours to taste.  Grind a fair amount of fresh cracked pepper over it as well.  I also added a pinch of Lemon Rind to the sauce early on - but I love lemon flavor and smell...and it's a natural match with chicken.

If the sauce mixture does not seem "liquid" enough, go ahead and add a ladle of the pasta water to the pan and stir it in well.  Add the vegetable(s) you have settled on at this point, too.

Now, simmer it all on low until the pasta finishes cooking.  Drain and add the pasta to the pan to coat it well and serve.  I hope you have a rather large fry pan!

Usually, I would have grated and added Asiago cheese to the sauce, but the lemony overtone of the pasta and sea salt coupled with the sweetness of the Turmeric and the headiness of the curry was enough flavor for one dish.

Enjoy!

Well, Maria, you've inspired me

My friend, Maria, decided to forgo eating meat for a week, and reports having lost roughly four pounds for her efforts! Way to go!

I am not certain I'll be able to stick it out an entire week, but I am going to give it a shot.

I mean, why not?

The great experiment will begin tonight - since I just made BLTs for the boys and myself (mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...bacon).

I miss you already, meat. [sniff]

One thought: Will it be OK if I continue to take my omega-3 supplement...since it technically comes from meat? ;)

Due to....

The lack of promised garden progress photos is due to dinner.

That's right!

Ahm-nom-nom.

I had a 25% off coupon from Lil Daddy's in Bloomfield Hills, SO we decided to go to dinner today to celebrate Karl's birthday. Hey, we couldn't pass it up...I mean, 25% off the bill (excluding beverages), and Karl likes their food! Besides, the coupon would've been no good after today and it took care of two necessities at once. That and, Bud would be working tomorrow making dinner out for Karl's b-day a no-go.

Win-win.

Photos tomorrow...pinky swear.

Just wondering

Had a small (very small) portion of a rather large (and I mean monstrously large) Rice Krispy's treat with a glass of milk. That's breakfast.

Can that be considered breakfast?

I mean, legally?

Breakfast....right?

Cravings

Cravings are curious things. I can understand them as a once-pregnant woman...and I can even remember having a few here and there during my time in college (and later, though my time at an eight-month vocational institution).

Well, today I began to crave pasta, smothered in a tangy tomato sauce. No meat, no cheese...just veggies and pasta, and a smooth sauce.

I knew how I would accomplish the sauce, that was easy.

Cook your favorite pasta while you prepare the sauce.

Heat a tablespoon or two of good olive oil in a pan over a medium (to low-medium) heat.

Toss in shaved or well chopped fennel - oh, about an eighth to a quarter cup. As the fennel releases it's lovely aroma and begins to wilt a little, add the tomato paste to the oil and stir to incorporate them.

As the tomato paste heats up (being careful not to let it scorch), gradually add a can of evaporated milk (NOTE: NOT "condensed milk") - stirring them together to make a smooth, creamy mixture.

Add a jar of quartered and marinated artichoke hearts - and the liquid they're packed in. Stir it all together and allow the artichoke pieces to warm through.

I salted very lightly and peppered liberally (we like freshly cracked pepper in this house). Added about a tablespoon of basil (maybe a bit less) and half a tablespoon of oregano (or maybe a little more).

At some point the sauce looked a little 'dry' (i.e; thick), so I spooned in half a cup or so of the pasta water and stirred that in thoroughly.

Once the pasta was cooked, it was drained and added to the sauce and stirred about until coated.

You can choose to add mushrooms (which I think would have been delicious) and possibly a light grating of fresh asiago or mozzarella to it before serving, but I kept this dish very simple, and man - was it ever tasty!!!

Goodbye, craving!

Remember, all quilt blogging and photos now at www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com

Now, if you will excuse me...

My boyfriend is on, and I need to go drool for an hour.

Bye!

Happy Birthday, Nathan Fillion!

I am going to look like such a dweeb all over again, but 'boy friends' must be wished a happy birthday when their special day arrives.

Mmmmm....Canadian meat!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you lovely Canadian! Hope you had a shiney day!

With love and admiration,

Bill Pardy

(I know I used it before, but it bore repeating)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

I have a last-minute addition to my calendar - I will be going to Gram's soon to help cover some time my mom couldn't manage, due to car issues. The trip for her to get to Gram's is roughly 540 miles -/+ (for me it's about 35), so when she has a car issue, it sort of takes over. So I am sneaking a little prep time to type this update before finishing getting ready for the fast approaching time away.

Friday the 13th had me in Detroit with Karl for his post extraction check-up, and it looks good according to the dentist who checked him over and answered our questions. This young Dr. removed some of the more stubborn stitches they placed on the left side, and Karl did a great job despite nerves and trepidation. The kid had "stuff" to say, and didn't pull any punches when there was a little discomfort for one set. The doctor laughed and said, "I love your humor and sarcasm." Karl looked at him strangely, trying to gauge exactly what was meant, but he couldn't quite, and since there were hands and instruments in his mouth, Karl just relaxed and let the dentist finish his work.

Karl was given the 'all clear' to eat more solid food again, and the first thing he said was he wanted a Panera sandwich!

Well, OK.

After making the rounds and saying goodbye to the receptionist and friendly nurses, dental assistants and office manager, we hightailed it to the car and pointed ourselves in the direction of the Rochester Panera Bread restaurant for that sandwich he wanted so very badly. We arrived to find Phil at the counter, smiling and welcoming, and very genuine. We ordered the sandwiches (including one for Brian), got a few bagels for breakfast the next day, a couple of 'celebratory cookies' and a pumpkin muffin for desert. Phil tried to cajole Karl into a cold coffee drink - an iced mocha or a caramel frappacino... you get the picture, but Karl declined, and Phil said "well, if you're not in the mood, then that's that," smiled and totalled us up. We were starving, to say the least.

A couple of minutes later Phil said to Karl "Hey, I forgot, we have smoothies. How about a delicious smoothy?"

Karl struck a pose, and actually appeared to be contemplating it when Phil then quietly said "How would you like one on the house? C'mon, you have to celebrate getting your stitches out."

I had to kick Karl in the butt by telling him you never turn down something "on the house," cowboy! With that, Phil set to work making Karl a free strawberry smoothie - can you beat that?!

For Karl the day just kept improving, and by the time we got home, he had snarfed down the first half of his turkey and artichoke panini and finished the smoothie, still raving about Phil. I told him he should put it all in a simple note to the manager of that store so that Phil can see it and get a good review from his boss (for his excellent customer service). I will let you know what comes of it.

I finished the video I have been working on for a competition, and while it's been posted to the web site, it still hasn't been approved for viewing, so no votes can be cast until that happens. No doubt the approval won't happen until Monday, so there are two days lost, putting us further behind the other entries already gathering ballots. But, the video is on YouTube for the Hooahs to see before it can be voted on, so hopefully it will gather steam, and once we can begin gathering votes, we should be ok. The contest ends the first of December. As of this morning, there were 6 views, but I checked half an hour ago and there were over 120 views! Kind of cool, really.

More on that another time, for now I really need to finish getting things in order and plow through the rest of the laundry, too. Best thoughts to you all, and keep checking back. When I return from Gram's I expect to have the newest quilt top pieced completely and a photo posted of the progress, and another color combo cut to assemble. I'll show you those colors, too.

I know, I know...why cut out another when you have three that still need quilting (well, 6, really)?

Hey, nothing ventured...

'Til we meet again, stay healthy and happy.