4th of July 2010 - Food in Review

I'm finally getting a little more back in the kitchen - at least on the weekend (sometimes). Still not my normal style, but ... Keep Calm and Carry On -- right? Right. And I made home-made Lemonade - what can beat that (besides beer, perhaps)? 


Menu:
Burgers / Hot Dogs - cooked on the grill by MotH
Baked Beans
Mac n Cheese
Garlic Cheese Bread
Cobbler
Oatmeal Cookies
Chips n Salsa
Lemonade 

The Lemonade was just fantastic and took just no time to make - just need lots of lemons and a little help from the Boy to squeeze them all. (Thank you Cook's Country - the membership is totally worth it!) I could easily find myself making this every weekend just to have, esp. in this hot, humid, oil-polluted summer (how depressing). 


The Garlic Cheese Bread is really just obscene, but I do love it. It's too rich, can't be good for you and is probably technically a sin somewhere. I think I got the recipe from some newspaper somewhere about 20 or so years ago. It's French bread or Cuban bread or a baguette - whatever. split horizontally. Melt butter and add minced garlic, and spoon this over the bread, top with good blue cheese dressing (think Marie's), and some chopped onions. Put the bread back together and wrap in foil - 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes  - long enough to get warm and mushy. Remove from oven - unwrap and open and top w/whatever type of cheese you want - return to oven until cheese is gooey. Yes, totally disgusting sounding if you don't care for cheese, but only weird people don't like cheese. No picture because it's not all that appetizing to look at. Still good though. 

I have no real recipe for baked beans or mac n cheese. I just know how to do it - learned mac n cheese from my mom, but don't measure anything. I start w/ a bechamel sauce and just keep adding cheddar until is seems right - then mix in the pasta - usually penne and bake it up - it's a pretty forgiving thing really. 

Even more forgiving are the baked beans. The baked beans are a mixture of different things I have had and enjoyed - mustard (dijon, if possible), worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and chopped yellow onion mixed into vegetarian baked beans - usually Bush's or Publix brand. I taste it before it goes into the oven to see if the balance is there and adjust accordingly - no measuring, just tasting. Sometimes I top with bacon - sometimes not. 350 degree oven until they seem done and bacon, if using, is cooked through. 


Salsa is home-made ... to a degree. I start with Ro-tel tomatoes (one original and one Mexican) and then start adding tom them. Dried basil, dried oregano, lots o' cumin, and chopped jalapeno pepper and some onion (small yellow onion), some Tobasco sauce, lime juice, and black pepper. If I have cilantro growing in the herb garden, I'll add it. If not, no biggie. Needs to be done ahead so it can sit in the fridge and all the parts can get to know each other in a personal way.  

Nectarine Cobbler

I really don't have a recipe for this either, but it's based on what my mom did with a few changes.


Nectarines (about 2 pounds)- peeled and sliced into chunks into a saucepan
3/4 cup sugar
2 T butter
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
All this goes into the saucepan and set on medium low heat. Stir often and be mindful of the heat - adjusting to make sure the fruit starts to break down, but not cook at too high a temp to get mushy. It's good if the mixture thickens as well. 
This typically takes 15-25 minutes depending on how ripe the fruit is. I tend to pick a little firmer nectarine for this recipe. If the fruit mixture is not thickened enough 1 T of cornstarch dissolved in a little milk will help. 


The biscuit topping is also simple.
1 cup self-rising flour
3 T unsalted butter, softened
1 t sugar (optional)
1/2 c milk


Mix biscuit topping together in a small bowl until blended, but do not overmix.  Once fruit is complete, pour into a glass baking dish (This fits perfectly in a 8 x 8 glass baking dish.) and top with little spoonfuls of the biscuit mix. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.   


This is wonderful warm or at room temperature. 

Thin Oatmeal Pecan Cookies - recipe review

Original Recipe:

THIN OATMEAL PECAN COOKIES

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups oatmeal, not cooked
2 cups toasted pecans, roughly chopped

 Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

 Cream together butter and both sugars. Add eggs, vanilla and water.  In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Fluff together with a fork.  Stir dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, then oatmeal and pecans.

 Scoop out a rounded tablespoon of dough for each cookie, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Use a dampened spoon to flatten each cookie to about 2 inches in diameter. Bake 12 minutes or until golden. Cool for a few minutes before carefully removing from the parchment paper to a rack. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen large cookies
Via Cookie Madness

My Thoughts/Adjustments:
I started thinking about these cookies about a week ago -- I pulled out the recipe and who would have guessed, the last time I made it was almost a year ago exactly - what is it about early July that makes me want a oatmeal cookies. I have no earthly idea. Do I have some strange internal food clock in my head that wants these at the same time each year -- scary. I have only made this as a half recipe as this is for me. The guys aren't huge fans of sweets (although the boy has already snarfed down two), but I make cookies for me - mostly and occasionally to take to the office. 

I add a little more vanilla, but I almost always do - just me. I also bake for a little less because I put my cookies out in teaspoons, not tablespoons. I also prefer walnuts in these cookies - again personal preference. I also don't leave them on the baking sheet too long - they get too attached to the parchment paper. I add sultanas (1 cup)  - it's just not oatmeal cookies w/out raisins. Hell, I add raisins to my regular oatmeal. 
One thing I have realized - yet again - is how much I hate the timer on my stove - the buzzer is more that just annoying ... jeez - who the frig designed this damn thing - want to strangle it (or him - must be a guy who designed it) - but not possible to strangle inanimate objects. 
10 minutes in the oven - turning the pan half way through seems to work for me. 

Why do I like these cookies? They have all the great flavor of an oatmeal cookie without being too dense. They are chewy and crunchy at the same time and have just a perfect combination of flavors, chew, and lightness. Great cookie!

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler

Austen Addict - Aren't we all... if you think about it. What would you do - besides assume your dreaming or insane if you woke up in Miss Austen's England looking like someone else and getting bits of her memories?  Well, Courtney in Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict handled it masterfully. However, I know I would end up in Bedlam.

Summary: After nursing a broken engagement with Jane Austen novels and Absolut, Courtney Stone wakes up and finds herself not in her Los Angeles bedroom or even in her own body, but inside the bedchamber of a woman in Regency England. Who but an Austen addict like herself could concoct such a fantasy?
Not only is Courtney stuck in another woman’s life, she is forced to pretend she actually is that woman; and despite knowing nothing about her, she manages to fool even the most astute observer. But not even her level of Austen mania has prepared Courtney for the chamber pots and filthy coaching inns of nineteenth-century England, let alone the realities of being a single woman who must fend off suffocating chaperones, condom-less seducers, and marriages of convenience. 
This looking-glass Austen world is not without its charms, however. There are journeys to Bath and London, balls in the Assembly Rooms, and the enigmatic Mr. Edgeworth, who may not be a familiar species of philanderer after all. But when Courtney’s borrowed brain serves up memories that are not her own, the ultimate identity crisis ensues. Will she ever get her real life back, and does she even want to?


Comments: There are several things I really enjoyed about Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. I love that the story starts when with Courtney wakes up in 1813. Finding about Courtney's back story/"real" life a little at a time throughout the rest of the story was just such an effortless way to add interest and kept me waiting for more instead of the conventional linear story line. I found via Jane (have decided to call her that for simplicity because otherwise I'll confuse myself) how much of an impact a lady can have on those around her - good and bad. Through Jane's friendship with Mary, I was enlightened that just having a little fun can cause so much trouble for others.  Mary does try to inform Jane of this, but Courtney gets in the way. That is a lesson that I too, would learn the hard way.
On to the goods - Edgeworth is an amazingly sexy (a word I typically don't use - I don't think Darcy is sexy - that's for sure - Wentworth - yeah mostly) character with a bad boy bent and who does not love that?  I want to meet Wes. I'm sure Courtney could love him, if not for the big betrayal -- ouch. 
I do think that there should be more cussing - I know it would take me forever to stop talking like a sailor as I can do and I think Courtney would have a hard time sinking into the back ground when she just wants to tell Mother to fuck off. I loved the idea that in 1813 when you're visited by your friend each month you just get days in bed. That should be a national right no matter what friggin year it is - my personal opinion.  But chamber pots -- eeeewww - never mind - think I'll stay right here in 2010. 


Fortune tellers are creepy, but somehow it ties the past to the present very nicely for me. Never been to one and never will, but it works here. 
Things I was not convinced about - a romantic thing with Barnes' brother? I'm thinking not likely. But that idea that Jane had been telling him about the future... hmmmm?

Ah, Edgeworth, just lovely. Isn't it just lovely to find a man that makes you all giggly inside and who after all (spoiler alert) a good guy at heart. Isn't that what we want - and I'm happy I have one that does that to me. Lucky me. 
And last but certainly not least - I loved adored the diary entry at the end. The idea that Edgeworth has heard and wants to hear more stories of the 21st century and what Jane's life (may) have been like before. 


"Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now. But in such cases as this, a good memory is unpardonable."

Everything Austen II - addition #1

I knew six would never be enough so I'm adding to it today and can't wait to read this one. 

7: Anne Elliot, A New Beginning, by Mary Lydon Simonsen. 

Ms. Simonsen has a great blog and has written some wonderful short stories that sometimes just keep me going (when it's been one of those days or weeks). Book is already here and I can't wait to dive right in. 

Everything Austen II

Just signed up for Everything Austen II over at Stephanie's Written World. For the next six months we will be reading / watching / listening to something from or inspired by Miss Austen. Emma will certainly not be on my list for these reasons and these.  That said, I do need to come up with a list of six Austen things to read/watch, etc. That's the hard part. I read the books every year to eighteen months so some of the original Austen will work themselves into Everything Austen II without a doubt. I have not read much Austen-inspired fiction though, so I guess I will take this opportunity to give that a spin. I did greatly enjoy the one I've read so far - Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe Ah, but which ones - that's hard for me. I rather think I'm not the type for the super romance-novel type of sequel or certainly no mash up with zombies or giant squid (that's just silly, by the way), would prefer something a bit fun with all of Miss Austen's wit and style. Guess I'm asking for the impossible, but we'll see. 


So here is my beginning list:
1:  Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict  by Laurie Viera Rigler
2: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler 
Both of these have always sounded intriging. I have Confessions already purchased on my "to be read" list, so I guess it's time I did.
3: The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
It seems to be an interesting concept - Caroline Bingley being something other than a slug. 
4: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo.
Having spent some time in higher education doing research, it's a nasty place. Plus I love the cover art.


Of Miss Austen's novels, I'm going for:
5: Mansfield Park - much maligned at times, but I still enjoy it.  
6: Northanger Abbey  - Henry Tilney - need I say more?


These are two of Miss Austen's works I usually don't go for first. My most often first choice is Persuasion, followed closely by Pride and Predjudice. Emma - I have to make myself read and when I do I complain as noted above.
Let the fun begin. Thanks Stephanie for the great idea!!

My two furry friends

I see them everyday and they both smell not so good, but they are the best dogs in the world (I know everyone says that about their animals, but in my case it's true). They are spoiled - amazingly so. Pnut butter, sure... little cheddar cheese - of course - perhaps even a little burger just for them - wouldn't surprise me. They also like pineapple - fresh of course. 
They shed - oh, boy do they shed. Both double coated dogs and one that should technically living in the Arctic north, not on the Gulf coast. So occasionally, but no where near often enough, either I or the MotH furminate them. Yes, furminate is a word and also the name of this amazing comb-like thing we purchased at least three and a half years ago. But this year, to this ritual, we added the big fan. 

Not only does it looks like it has snowed (some white snow, and some like London street snow color) in our backyard, it gently wafts throughout the neighborhood - everyone can share. Now big dog loves this - thinks it is just the cat's meow, but little dog - um... the one who needs it most - not so much. Either way, it has to be done to keep our sanity indoors (but there is plenty of fur in there too - what can you do - thank goodness for tile floors and hardwood). 
Either way, we're happy (most of the time - stop waking up so early on the weekends!) with the boys. Our handsome German Shepherd Dog and beautiful (blue-eyed) Siberian Husky. 

BAM Fest 2010

MotH and I went to BAM Fest last weekend. Beer Art Music
$15.00 for a nice engraved flight glass for tastings of beer, tickets to purchase extra beer or wine in the bar, and a lovely blue bracelet to wear - I thought it was a good deal. Art was by Joe Hobbs - from whom I took a weekend glass blowing class (thanks to MotH for my birthday present a few years ago. Glass blowing is super hard work - don't let anyone kid you and make you think it's easy. It's sweaty, arm aching hard work.) Music was provided by Tanya Gallagher and Baylen.
BAM Fest was held at The Bridge Bar in Gulf Breeze just off the three mile bridge - you know - where the undercover (ha) Gulf Breeze Police sit catch speeders coming off the bridge. It's a small bar right on the water - very nice - a good selection of beers, but only 4 drafts (not sure how often/if they rotate) and a few wine selections as well. 
The interior was wood paneled (in a good way) and small - just a few interior tables, but nice windows that view westward over Pensacola Bay. There was a small deck as well with seating just over the water - again, not a large are, but fully taking advantage of its site on the water. The view, even on the less than perfect day, was lovely. 

On to the beer - it was set up under a tent just out back of the bar. I'll start with my biggest surprise of the afternoon. Ace Hard Cider - I have never been of fan of cider, though I admit I have tried a fair share when living in England, but this was light, refreshing, not too sweet (okay dry, I know), more like sparkling wine, but not - had much more of an apple taste -- just lovely. 

Gordon Biersch is a name I've heard before as the group that owns one of the restaurants we frequent in Jacksonville, Seven Bridges. We've enjoyed the beers at Seven Bridges, so I was not surprised when I enjoyed the Gordon Biersch Marzen. We'll be on the look out of this - esp. if we can find it on tap (probably if any where - at hop jacks). 

Sessions Lager is the kind of beer I like: Simple, clean, unpretentious, and tastes great cold. Another lager I'll be on the look out for. 
From the Choc line (since 1919), I really enjoyed the Black Lager (also know as a German Schwarzbier) called Miner Mishap. At 28 bitterness units and 5.3% alcohol, it was smooth and imminently drinkable. The very helpful representative of Pinnacle Imports gave some great hints on where to find the Choc beers. 

But my favorite beer of the afternoon was Victory Prima Pils. Served ice cold, it's refreshing, clean, and smooth. It's dry in the best possible way. Wow! 

Nice Lunch at the Oar House

Sometimes, you take a day off and enjoy yourself before the oil comes and, um, basically ruins everything (Yes, I'm talking to you BP). 
So here's my idea of a nice lunch on a day when you don't have to do anything or care about anything either. MotH and I had a nice corner table on the most western part of the deck over Bayou Chico. It was breezy, but not annoyingly so and we were in the shade  - pretty perfect seats in my opinion. The beer arrived and we ordered our late lunch.

It's fun to people watch and boat watch - esp. for boats with creative names. I just don't think I could own a boat because I would never quite find the right name for it and it would just be embarrassed to be out there in the water with a sub-par name. There are the occasional dogs on boats which is nice too. The Oar House allows pups in their outside eating area (basically the front bar side near the beach volleyball courts) and that's a cool thing to do. Though the list of rules involved for allowing pups is about as long as a politician's speech.... blah blah blah. That said, it's progress for this little town that has to over think and over worry most things that would make their constituents happy, while bulldozing through large project that are fluid at best and likely to never end up how they were promised to us. I digress. 

So there were some (few) interesting boat names. Aqua holic, Jane says..., holy Spear-it.

There were also several curious boat out in the water that suspect have something to do with the impending destruction of our fishing, diving, and beach going fun. Now here's the thing. I don't fish - allergic to all seafood; I don't dive; and I don't much care to go to the beach - though we do have a beautiful beach. But BP still has me pissed off and the government isn't far behind on my list of groups to blame and label as stupid. Again, I digress. 

One of the best things about the Oar House --  and this has been going on as long as we've been going there. Even before the fire. There are three birds that hang out together and we always see each time we go - lunch or dinner - they just always there.  I call them the triumvirate (although the little white duck is female). 

Happy relaxing way to spend part of your day  - if fact, I could probably spend a whole day that way as long as it was with the MotH. 

Getting Back in the Kitchen...

Haven't written here recently - been occupied with my other more unfortunate new journal in a vain (and possibly silly) attempt to feel better (BTW - it's not helping). But will have to Keep Calm and Carry On. Made dinner for the first time since the 15th of May. That's a long damn time to be out the kitchen and it showed. M-i-L came over - that was a plan on my part to make sure I didn't back out at the last minute. Made a new pasta sauce recipe from America's Test Kitchen ** that I doubled (I like lots of sauce) and added mushrooms as well.  Just a caesar salad with bread and spaghetti. MotH said it would be a good base sauce for homemade pizza (guess that's a hint). 
I still felt out of place and pressured and just jangled. Thank goodness for the MotH - I don't know what I would do w/out him.


** It's worth joining their website... really. 
May 31, 2010