tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79062959150550167772024-03-13T06:46:08.807-04:00Munching Madness!Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-48710710680117648242010-06-08T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-08T23:00:00.804-04:00Mac n Cheese n Peas<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2009/04/rice-cooker-mac-and-cheese.html">This recipe</a> was filed under "must-try way to make food I love." I finally tried it and OH MY it was yummy and oh so easy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">First, I put 2 cups of dry rotini in the rice cooker with 2 cups of chicken broth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOOElzwDI/AAAAAAAABaE/Hq-Fibj2yWM/s1600/IMG_1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOOElzwDI/AAAAAAAABaE/Hq-Fibj2yWM/s320/IMG_1956.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">While it cooked, I shredded 2 cups of cheese, a mix of cheddar and monterey jack. Food processors make life better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOVbQUVkI/AAAAAAAABaU/mqS2zTLwpvI/s1600/IMG_1958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOVbQUVkI/AAAAAAAABaU/mqS2zTLwpvI/s320/IMG_1958.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The macaroni is done when there is no more liquid in the rice cooker. Mine just popped up from "Cook" to "Keep Warm."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOR0IbzkI/AAAAAAAABaM/RyhFmN_ocxo/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOR0IbzkI/AAAAAAAABaM/RyhFmN_ocxo/s320/IMG_1957.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">At that point, I added some milk and the frozen peas and put the top back on to melt the peas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOZaj2gHI/AAAAAAAABac/8k9pYzx3waU/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOZaj2gHI/AAAAAAAABac/8k9pYzx3waU/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The last step was to mix in the cheese. The heat and steam of the "keep warm" function melted it perfectly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOdDzzVtI/AAAAAAAABak/lBVE2aTrWss/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxOdDzzVtI/AAAAAAAABak/lBVE2aTrWss/s320/IMG_1960.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-55264432253327254802010-06-07T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-07T23:00:02.265-04:00Frolicks in Frozen Dough<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We used to buy frozen dough for pizzas, calzones, garlic knots, and other things. It was around $1.50 for each baggie, and we would make 2 personal pizzas out of it. It was pretty inexpensive, and the ingredient list was short. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">That didn't stop me from wanting to make it from scratch. I mean, I have a zillion kitchen gadgets, how hard could it be?!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Answer? Not hard at all. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I gathered the ingredients: 3 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup water, a squeeze of honey, a splash of olive oil, 2 t yeast, and some grinds of salt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJijBHvpI/AAAAAAAABZk/USDqRI3LfGM/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJijBHvpI/AAAAAAAABZk/USDqRI3LfGM/s320/IMG_1952.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The breadmaker was the appliance of choice. It kneads, lets it rise, punches it down, and lets it rise again. So I threw it all in the pan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJmVQnqpI/AAAAAAAABZs/5FSs_U8IXq0/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJmVQnqpI/AAAAAAAABZs/5FSs_U8IXq0/s320/IMG_1953.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">It kneaded, rose, was punched, and rose again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJqWevGJI/AAAAAAAABZ0/5Au32SPdOuk/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJqWevGJI/AAAAAAAABZ0/5Au32SPdOuk/s320/IMG_1954.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When it was all finished, I put it into a baggie. Mission complete.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJuMSlu4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/38bKlChTvmk/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxJuMSlu4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/38bKlChTvmk/s320/IMG_1955.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-29054859083199185472010-06-06T23:00:00.003-04:002010-06-07T22:16:01.720-04:00Meal Plan Monday!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This week is the busiest, most stressful, and most FUN week of the year for me at work. In case you didn't know, I am a dance teacher. I also help run the studio of a few hundred students. This week is our dress rehearsal and recital week, and I will be on my feet at the theatre and running errands all day every day from Monday-Sunday. WHEW! To make it through, I pack TONS of snacks. There usually is not time for proper meals, but when the snacks are packed well, I rarely get hungry. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some of the things to cook/ prep for the week:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2009/04/rice-cooker-mac-and-cheese.html">Mac n Cheese n Peas </a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wilted Kale Leaves Salad (using <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-vegetables/unmeat-how-to-eat-a-bunch-of-kale-in-one-sitting-078886">this recipe</a>, but not baked)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Kale Chips</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Apple Chips</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/broccoli-supreme.html">Broccoli Supreme</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sliced Pineapple</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Blackberries </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pears</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Banannas</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grapes</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nut n Fruit Mix</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Baba Ghanoush</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hummus</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Salad</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Plantains</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/08/29/kid-friendly-vegan-recipe-super-simple-balsamic-roasted-organic-summer-squash/">Yellow Squash</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Something with Beets..... </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, to make sure I have time for all of this, I have to break it down. I will be checking off items as I complete them. You are basically getting to see my list!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So.. what do i have to do?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Slice Pineapple</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Clean Grapes</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Clean Lettuce</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Snip Lettuce </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix Salad</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Clean Kale</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Snip Kale</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soak Kale</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Kale</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Clean Apples </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Slice Apples</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Flavor Apples</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Apples</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soak Chick Peas</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Eggplant</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peel Eggplant</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Slice Plantains</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saute Plantains</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Easy Stuff:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix Fruit and Nut Mix</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Slice Plantains</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saute Plantains</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Slice pineapple</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Clean Grapes</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix Salad</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stuff that Takes Wait Time:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soaking Kale</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soaking Chick Peas </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Eggplant Cooling</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Baking Stuff:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Apples</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Kale</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I try to multitask as much as possible to save time. John will be assisting by making the Hummus and Baba Ghanoush (and HOPEFULLY some yogurt, too!). Stay tuned!!<br />
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This is also posted <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">here</a>! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA2n2cpadtI/AAAAAAAABas/rqMwQh4GMN8/s1600/menuplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA2n2cpadtI/AAAAAAAABas/rqMwQh4GMN8/s320/menuplan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-23022557290305586412010-06-05T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-08T08:41:18.266-04:00'Tater Chips<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I have a confession to make. I had never made real potato chips. I usually made too-thick baked potato slices. Blech. I slice them too thick, oil them too much, and cook them at too low of a temperature. So I stopped making them. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The other day, I felt like making John some yummy snacks, and I know how much he loves good potato chips. We had potatoes, so I figured, why not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">First, I sliced the potatoes in half so I had a manageable pieces of food to handle with the mandolin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEYlTuQ1I/AAAAAAAABY0/tajsc45_m64/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEYlTuQ1I/AAAAAAAABY0/tajsc45_m64/s320/IMG_1942.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then, I sliced them. Really thin. In the past, I have had a problem with the mandolin. I end up hurting my hand because it is not slicing easily. This time, I checked the thickness thing and realized I had it backwards. In other words, I was making it thicker when I wanted it to be thinner. DUHHHH! So this time, it was EASY. The slices were really thin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEcJ8HEZI/AAAAAAAABY8/5wlmVDuP71U/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEcJ8HEZI/AAAAAAAABY8/5wlmVDuP71U/s320/IMG_1943.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The next decision to be made? What to fry them in. I settled on duck fat. We had purchased it a few weeks ago and hadn't used it yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEfqEkqtI/AAAAAAAABZE/X1TS8sqQrjI/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEfqEkqtI/AAAAAAAABZE/X1TS8sqQrjI/s320/IMG_1944.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When the fat was all liquidey and hot, I placed the potato slices in a few at a time, making sure not to overcrowd them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEnfpFvdI/AAAAAAAABZU/sd6URCwZIY8/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEnfpFvdI/AAAAAAAABZU/sd6URCwZIY8/s320/IMG_1949.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When the edges started to buckle, I flipped them carefully. I say carefully because I burned my finger on the first one. Ouch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEjZNKK2I/AAAAAAAABZM/kZwe8geP6es/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxEjZNKK2I/AAAAAAAABZM/kZwe8geP6es/s320/IMG_1947.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Eventually, they all browned up and were ready. I salted them as they were removed from the pan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxErHeY-WI/AAAAAAAABZc/nxrl3ho7N8U/s1600/IMG_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAxErHeY-WI/AAAAAAAABZc/nxrl3ho7N8U/s320/IMG_1950.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">John ate them in five minutes flat. I think that would make it a success, don't you?<br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This recipe was also posted on <a href="http://amoderatelife.com/2010/06/two-for-tuesday-recipe-carnival-is-finally-here/">Two For Tuesday</a> at <a href="http://amoderatelife.com/">A Moderate Life</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA46VrUe8xI/AAAAAAAABa0/Bh_-4-VcZeI/s1600/T4TModeratelife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA46VrUe8xI/AAAAAAAABa0/Bh_-4-VcZeI/s320/T4TModeratelife.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-89561823194375122142010-06-04T23:00:00.000-04:002010-06-05T22:08:38.428-04:00Beef Stock Success!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm not sure if I shared by past beef broth failures. I wasn't aware that beef broth was not made the same way that chicken broth was. Oops. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our apartment smelled like decomposing animals for about a week after that. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nasty. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This time, however, I was armed with the frozen scraps of my dad's rib roast, a thick marrow bone, and <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/01/part-2-how-to-make-delicious-and-nutritious-homemade-stock-bone-broth-from-chef-glenn-at-reds-on-the-river.html">Kelly the Kitchen Kop</a>. Well, not in person, but still, she helped... by writing a post....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway. I started by defrosting my dad's frozen bones. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">RIB bones.... </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">from a cow... You know what I mean. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I roasted the marrow bone at 400 until it started to smell really good. After discarding the grease and choppping off the extra fatty parts, I added it to the crock pot with a sliced up carrot, some celery, an onion, and some potato bits (from a future post). Then, it was seasoned with roasted garlic, sea salt, oregano, and too much parsley.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I somehow always forget that the parsley jar doesn't have a shaker top. I shake it as if it's going to come out slowly and lose about 1/4 of the jar before I realize that is it POURING out. Good thing I like parsley. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAsCLaDOimI/AAAAAAAABYs/akNqAxOhAno/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAsCLaDOimI/AAAAAAAABYs/akNqAxOhAno/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The ingredients were then covered in water and cooked overnight. In the morning I strained it and froze it into 2 cup baggies. The house smells good, like beef stew!!! Whoo hoo!!!</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-5262598113771009392010-06-03T23:00:00.002-04:002010-06-11T08:50:48.993-04:00Budget Time<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Food shopping together has been something that John and I have enjoyed since we first moved in together (3 years ago this month!). When we returned from our honeymoon, we knew that diving headfirst into eating Real Food would cause a shift in our food shopping. We planned our first food shopping trip before we even left Hawaii! There were quite a few changes that we needed to consider. For one thing, Real Food IS pricier. For another, our old supermarket is open 24-7, the one we now frequent is only open until 10. That may seem late enough, but considering I don't even get home from work until 7:30 on a good day, 10 is not that late. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before Real Food (BRF), we were spending about $35/week at the supermarket and about $20 every other weekend at the <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/search/label/farmers%27%20market">Farmers' Market</a>. In total, we were spending about $120/month. The first shopping trip After Real Food (ARF), we spent $120. In ONE SHOPPING TRIP! Yikes! The next week we spent about $100 again. Although we could technically afford it, quadrupling our food budget was not in line with our savings goals. To boot, these expenditures DIDN'T INCLUDE our trips to the Farmers' Market. We needed to re-think things. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We decided to get certain staples at the regular store or online every few weeks. Things like nuts and dried fruit we order from <a href="http://www.anuts.com/">A Nuts</a>. The might not have the best selection, but they have really good prices and service. Paper and personal products we buy from <a href="http://alice.com/">Alice</a>. We still frequent the Farmers' Market every 2 weekends, at least we try to. That's where we tend to get the majority of our ingredient veggies, like garlic, onions, and leafy greens. They sometimes have great deals on fruit as well. Frozen produce, canned goods, grains like macaroni and rice, and dry legumes are purchased at our conventional supermarket when we need them. We tend to buy a whole lot on sale occasionally. We have been going there MAYBE once/month. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That leaves the fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and meat products. That we get at our new supermarket, Fairway. We load up on decently priced produce, usually a mix of conventional and organic. Then we swing to the cheese section and grab a few delicious cheeses. We've found that a good cheese can take an average meal and make it sparkle. Then we mosey on over to the meat and seafood. We'll grab one type of seafood, usually what is on sale, and one cut of meat. We only buy enough for the week, and we don't freeze it. It is only the two of us, so when we bought clams, we bought a dozen. We get 2 fillets of fish, not 5 pounds. Our meat and fish are supplemented by veggies, grains, and sauces. Lastly, we pick up eggs, milk, and butter. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Since we make many of our foods at home, we don't require very much from the supermarket. As we starting paring down the amount we would buy, and exercising enough self-control to only buy 1 week's worth of fresh food, we have gotten our weekly food spending down to....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">About $50/week. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes. Including Fairway, the Farmers' Market, online shopping, and the conventional supermarket, we are spending a mere $50/week. While it is more than what we were spending, it is worth it. The food is much more delicious, we are feeling better, and it is better for us. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What we do might not work for everyone, but is sure works for us!!<br />
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This post was added to<br />
<a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2010/06/pennywise-platter-thursday-63.html">Pennywise Platter @ Nourishing Gourmet!</a><br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-june-11th/">Fight Back Fridays @ Food Renegade!</a></div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-54999502214872688242010-06-02T23:00:00.000-04:002010-06-03T08:57:59.766-04:00Starting a Plan...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">John and I will hopefully be moving this month. Our apartment is a wreck right now, with boxes everywhere. I am not motivated to cook a single thing. Today I started to pack John's lunch, and realized we did not have a single thing he could eat. I felt like such a failure as a wife! By the way, it is still SO WEIRD to say "wife" and be referring to myself. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In light of the chaos, I am trying to pat myself on the back for what I AM able to do. I also wanted to keep track of the things I make from scratch so in the new house I can develop a schedule. I don't ever want to wind up like we did today. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>A List of Home Made Things.</b></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Bread</li>
<li>Yogurt</li>
<li>Granola</li>
<li>Granola Bars </li>
<li>Hummus</li>
<li>Baba Ghanoush</li>
<li>Waffles</li>
<li>Chicken Stock</li>
<li>Crackers</li>
<li>Vegetable Stock</li>
<li>Fish Stock</li>
<li>Beef Stock</li>
<li>Peanut Butter</li>
<li>Almond Butter</li>
<li>Potato Chips</li>
<li>Apple Chips</li>
<li>Baking Mix (Bisquick Type)</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-68032337926290114342010-06-01T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-02T11:05:07.174-04:00Raw Milk<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We spent Memorial Day Weekend in the Poconos. It was a great break from reality (as if 12 days in Hawai'i a month ago wasn't enough of a break). The culinary high point? Our first taste of rawwwww milk. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here in New Jersey where we live, raw milk is illegal. We have been reading quite a bit about the benefits and were intrigued, but it is not something we can just go to the store and buy. In Pennsylvania, however, it is legal. It is available both at farms and in stores. The store closest to our hotel was sold out, so we pranced to the farm down the hill. I pranced, at least. John didn't. He doesn't prance much. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway, we grabbed a 1/2 gallon and brought it to the hotel room. We also grabbed some chocolate chip brownie cookies that were to-die-for.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCM6UwIAI/AAAAAAAABYE/HbWZk-8GpH4/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCM6UwIAI/AAAAAAAABYE/HbWZk-8GpH4/s320/IMG_1929.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCQpmCZnI/AAAAAAAABYM/KKBzzcuLhsI/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCQpmCZnI/AAAAAAAABYM/KKBzzcuLhsI/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCUUirr9I/AAAAAAAABYU/KAQkoqPDBuQ/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAXCUUirr9I/AAAAAAAABYU/KAQkoqPDBuQ/s320/IMG_1940.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Looks good, doesn't it!! It tasted WAY better than regular store milk, the typical kind, but we found the taste to be comparable to that of grass-fed pasteurized whole milk. It was definitely worth it, though, to experience it!<br />
<br />
Want to read more about Real Food? Check out "<a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2010/06/real-food-wednesday-6210.html">Real Food Wednesday!</a>" over at <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/">Kelly the Kitchen Kop</a>!</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-76679963479962091732010-05-31T23:00:00.002-04:002010-06-04T08:42:40.694-04:00My Food Philosophy is Growing.....<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our style of eating as shifted lately, and I have been putting off writing a post about it for a while. Not because I didn't want to share. I did, and I do. I just wasn't sure how to approach it, or explain it. So here I am, taking a deep breath, and jumping in. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">John and I have cooked the majority of our food at home for a while, at least most of the time. We liked to cook and we did it often, but we also used convenience items to make life easier. Things like baking mixes and canned paraphernalia gave the IMPRESSION of home-cooked, but without all the time and cost. While this was helpful, I had a nagging feeling like I was cheating. I started to make more foods from scratch, and I loved it. The more I cooked, the more I wanted to cook. I started reading cooking blogs and cookbooks and felt more and more inspired by each recipe. I read, and I cooked, I read, and I cooked. Many of the reading materials I was stumbling across were full of "healthy" recipes, but they didn't sit right with me. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I reached a brick wall. ::Warning-What I'm about to share might be too much info, so feel free to click away now!:: I had been dealing with digestive issues for as long as I can remember. I recall sharing a theory with a friend as a young teen, and I think my theory sums up a part of it, even it if isn't scientifically sound. I told her that when I ate, the food rushed into my intestine. It waited there until the next meal or snack came. When the next food came, it pushed the first meal out. Forcefully. Ouch. In addition, I was lactose intolerant. So, in a nutshell, I would eat, I would bloat, I would... let the food out. You get it. And I would be hungry. All the time. So I stopped eating lots of dairy. I found that preservatives and artificial things in food were making it worse. So I started cutting that out. I never liked using them all that much anyway, but I became more aware of them. That helped, but something was still wrong. I started gaining weight, and I had never struggled with that before. It didn't make sense. The "healthy" recipes and ingredients were not making my digestion better, and I was gaining weight. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I gave up. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I stopped looking for "healthy" recipes and started just started to follow my instincts. I cooked what I wanted, when I wanted. The food I wanted to make or cook was never really "bad," but they weren't "healthy." They included meat of all kinds. They included carbs. They included dessert. When I wanted ricotta cheese, I didn't get skim. I gravitated towards blogs with the "whole food, whole person" view that my instincts had originally been guiding me towards. This time? I didn't fight it. I started losing weight and feeling better. My food stayed in. I felt full. So I continued. Around this time, I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735">Nourishing Traditions</a>. It resonated with me, and for the first time, I felt <b>validated</b>. I felt like my crazy way of feeling better wasn't so crazy. I felt like my instincts were right. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I tried to get John on board. He was cool with trying the crazy recipes I was finding, as long as it did not too off the wall. He ate all the things I cooked, and even liked some of them! I wanted him to read about the logic behind it, but I knew <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735">Nourishing Traditions</a> would be too much for him at first. I mean, it is a lot of information, not really an introduction. Enter <a href="http://www.ninaplanck.com/">Nina Planck</a> and her books. I knew her first book would be the perfect introduction for him. I may or may not have forced him to read it on our honeymoon. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The result? Well let me just say that the day after we got back from our honeymoon, we went food shopping at <a href="http://www.fairwaymarket.com/">Fairway</a> for grass-fed butter, milk, and meat, along with free range eggs and other fun things. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So far, John and I have been both feeling better and looking better. Our lives have changed for the better. So, you may be seeing some new things on the blog, or maybe you have already noticed. Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy and join me on this journey!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And if you are still reading at this point, you deserve a medal!<br />
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This post was listed on Fight Back Friday @ <a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-june-4th/">Foodrenegade.com</a>!</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-60710856582062849912010-05-30T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-08T08:41:04.404-04:00Green Bean Supreme!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Apparently my literary genius has allowed me to progress from <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2009/10/glorious-grains.html">alliterative titles</a> to rhyyyyyming! Go Me!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">John and I are actually away for the weekend (remind me to thank Blogger for allowing posts to be written in advance and posted later!). Since we are frugal and like to eat well, we packed lots of things to munch on....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Kiwis...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Pears...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2009/10/glorious-grains.html">Bread...</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/adventures-in-granola.html">Granola...</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Oranges...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Bananas...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/adventures-in-granola.html">Granola Bars...</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-day-back-and-nut-butters.html">Peanut Butter...</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-day-back-and-nut-butters.html">Almond Butter...</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">You get the picture, I'm sure.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">In addition to all of that, because that is just not enough for 3 days, 2 nights, I made a green bean dish. This dish is special to me, because it was one of the first "grown-up" dishes I made in my first apartment. I made it for a dinner party in 2006 with chicken, but it is good without it, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6gqkhQyI/AAAAAAAABX8/JGk7NA6Hs44/s1600/My+Meal+2-06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6gqkhQyI/AAAAAAAABX8/JGk7NA6Hs44/s320/My+Meal+2-06.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">It is seriously SO EASY to make. It was perfect for this trip because it keeps well and can be served cold. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">First, snip the ends off some green beans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6RZbIA1I/AAAAAAAABXU/AxvKRF2mLfg/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6RZbIA1I/AAAAAAAABXU/AxvKRF2mLfg/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Next, boil them until the are bright green. When they are, plunge them in cold water to stop them from cooking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6VLLO67I/AAAAAAAABXc/DxVqKYP-7sk/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6VLLO67I/AAAAAAAABXc/DxVqKYP-7sk/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">While the beans are cooking, mix up the sauce. It is 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. I don't like to taste pepper, so I exclude it. Feel free to follow suit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6Ynbo2hI/AAAAAAAABXk/7UZCIOSZrrs/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6Ynbo2hI/AAAAAAAABXk/7UZCIOSZrrs/s320/IMG_1913.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">If you juiced your oranges, drink the excess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6cY7MbAI/AAAAAAAABXs/Mcr0Yj4jp_M/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6cY7MbAI/AAAAAAAABXs/Mcr0Yj4jp_M/s320/IMG_1916.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then, mix it all together. It is fun topped with slivered almonds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6fwXqVuI/AAAAAAAABX0/ANXWcEWiHuQ/s1600/IMG_1917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TAB6fwXqVuI/AAAAAAAABX0/ANXWcEWiHuQ/s320/IMG_1917.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This recipe was also posted on <a href="http://amoderatelife.com/2010/06/two-for-tuesday-recipe-carnival-is-finally-here/">Two For Tuesday</a> at <a href="http://amoderatelife.com/">A Moderate Life</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA46VrUe8xI/AAAAAAAABa0/Bh_-4-VcZeI/s1600/T4TModeratelife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA46VrUe8xI/AAAAAAAABa0/Bh_-4-VcZeI/s320/T4TModeratelife.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-19586387586531476492010-05-29T23:00:00.002-04:002010-05-29T23:00:02.414-04:00Super Snack Saturday!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Most of the posts this week have been of meals, dinners to be exact, so I thought the weekend would be a good time to share some of the OTHER things we have been eating. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Waffles with Peanut Butter/Honey/Banana Topping<br />
Home made <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-day-back-and-nut-butters.html">peanut butter</a>, sliced bananas, and honey were thrown in a bowl...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtVsGRzHI/AAAAAAAABWU/JkKDxSl0-Fk/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtVsGRzHI/AAAAAAAABWU/JkKDxSl0-Fk/s320/IMG_1892.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Warmed....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtZjantmI/AAAAAAAABWc/p-nDFgm83yI/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtZjantmI/AAAAAAAABWc/p-nDFgm83yI/s320/IMG_1893.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">And served over a toasted <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/buttermilk-wafflesmmm.html">waffle</a>! The waffle was leftover from when we made them last weekend. I just froze the extra, and when I felt like a fancier breakfast, stuck it in the toaster!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtddS1LEI/AAAAAAAABWk/T5tB8oPrDBw/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtddS1LEI/AAAAAAAABWk/T5tB8oPrDBw/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The other big snack-o-the-week is a riddle.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">What do you get when you mix 2 apples...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABthhW0NqI/AAAAAAAABWs/blAGhaEutPc/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABthhW0NqI/AAAAAAAABWs/blAGhaEutPc/s320/IMG_1907.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">a mandolin slicer...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABto0F8WqI/AAAAAAAABW8/t1Bm7qxg5kw/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABto0F8WqI/AAAAAAAABW8/t1Bm7qxg5kw/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">and cinnamon?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABttMrqHmI/AAAAAAAABXE/xWuQNnIbyJQ/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABttMrqHmI/AAAAAAAABXE/xWuQNnIbyJQ/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Why, apple chips, of course! Especially when the are baked at 250 for an hour or so!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtxB_tMbI/AAAAAAAABXM/-upUUYX98z4/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABtxB_tMbI/AAAAAAAABXM/-upUUYX98z4/s320/IMG_1911.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-34599454887045795292010-05-28T23:00:00.000-04:002010-05-28T23:00:02.054-04:00Clams Oreganata and Asparagus Macaroni<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We stuck with our <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/meal-plan-monday.html">meal plan</a> well this week! On Wednesday night we had Clam Oreganata and a cool asparagus macaroni invention. It was actually pretty boring, but SO GOOD! I just realized I say that about lots of the things we make over here. Hmm. That's a good sign. Anyway, on to the clams!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 1: Clean clams. Little neck clams were on sale for 3 dozen/$10. We are only 2 people, so we got a dozen. Only 1 was bad (open before it was cooked) so I scrubbed up 11 clam-o-s. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABn-Lh4h4I/AAAAAAAABUc/NVGiZFSggu0/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABn-Lh4h4I/AAAAAAAABUc/NVGiZFSggu0/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 2: Cook clams. Stick the clams in a pot with a small layer of water and boil the water. The steam will cook the clams. When they open, they are ready. If they don't open, don't eat 'em. We lucked out, they all opened! Don't forget to save a little of the cooking water to add to the stuffing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoB5OZ8dI/AAAAAAAABUk/pYCAFbRFcXY/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoB5OZ8dI/AAAAAAAABUk/pYCAFbRFcXY/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 3: Chop clam insides. Actually, the real 3rd step is to get the clam bodies out of the little shells. I didn't take a picture of that because my hands were all clammy. I just stuck them in the food processor and pulsed it a few times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoKsFC8fI/AAAAAAAABU0/JCTPwmQcewY/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoKsFC8fI/AAAAAAAABU0/JCTPwmQcewY/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 4: Make stuffing. I started with about a 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, and then added lots of garlic powder, parsley, oregano, and sea salt. Then I streamed in maybe a 1/2 cup of olive oil. As it mixed, I added the clam cooking water to get it to the right consistency. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoOehCHTI/AAAAAAAABU8/xdb3Ssq-JsE/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoOehCHTI/AAAAAAAABU8/xdb3Ssq-JsE/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 5: Fill shells. This is the fun step! Scoop up the stuffing, make it into a ball, and add it to the (rinsed) clam shells. I put the little balls in the shells, and then smushed them down when it was time to cook them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoR6DMCUI/AAAAAAAABVE/3ylKdq5QVUw/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoR6DMCUI/AAAAAAAABVE/3ylKdq5QVUw/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Step 6: Serve with awesome macaroni with roasted asparagus in a lemon butter sauce. This was easy. Cook macaroni and roast asparagus. When you pour the macaroni into a colander, use that pot to melt lots of butter. Then add in the juice of a lemon. Chop the asparagus and add that into the pot. When it is mixed in, put the macaroni back in the pot. This is great because it only uses one pot, and because you can reheat it on the stove when you go back for seconds. Because you WILL go back for seconds!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoWOeWCNI/AAAAAAAABVM/NshjpVN9T2U/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TABoWOeWCNI/AAAAAAAABVM/NshjpVN9T2U/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-58380328335825044722010-05-27T23:00:00.002-04:002010-06-11T08:52:27.244-04:00Lentil and Beet Salad with Goat Cheese<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you remember when I attempted to make a <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2009/11/oats-and-oops.html">beet and lentil salad</a>? And it was awful? I do, and since then, I have been plotting a way to make it again. Except delicious. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Challenge accepted. Enter <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/warm-lentil-salad-with-roasted-beets-and-goat-cheese-recipe2/index.html">Bobby Flay</a>. This was the blueprint. Of course, I didn't have sherry vinegar, so I used a mix of red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. I'm not sure why, but it worked. I didn't use bacon, because we didn't have any. I THOUGHT we had dijon mustard, but we didn't. We had mustard seeds, though so....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jgE4DHRI/AAAAAAAABUM/93Zztg5g7ig/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jgE4DHRI/AAAAAAAABUM/93Zztg5g7ig/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I smashed it up with some olive oil. Go me. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On to the actual cooking. The day before, I chopped up the beets and roasted them at 375 until they were tender, and mixed the dressing. I did not photograph those steps. Bad Blogger! I also made the lentil broth that night. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jVKufBCI/AAAAAAAABT0/Bhcm-Q4sF0c/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jVKufBCI/AAAAAAAABT0/Bhcm-Q4sF0c/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Nice broth of <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicken-and-beans.html">chicken stock</a>, celery leftover from our <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/fun-do.html">fondue</a>-ing, and some onion mixed with tons of spices. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jZYNUDTI/AAAAAAAABT8/OUF7OySXodg/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jZYNUDTI/AAAAAAAABT8/OUF7OySXodg/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The morning I was ready to make it, I added in the lentils and cooked them until the liquid was gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jcxuWmaI/AAAAAAAABUE/tYSDMyC4iR4/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jcxuWmaI/AAAAAAAABUE/tYSDMyC4iR4/s320/IMG_1896.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a separate pan, I mixed onion and garlic with butter, and then threw in the lentils. I discarded the mushy celery and onion. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At dinnertime, all we had to do was throw the lentil mixture over some arugula and dressing, throw on the goat cheese, and arrange the beets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jnTSWtlI/AAAAAAAABUU/ffNURt9rR9s/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1jnTSWtlI/AAAAAAAABUU/ffNURt9rR9s/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was so much better. It was easy, surprisingly easy, especially with the changes and prepping it in steps. It was cheap, other than the goat cheese, but you could omit that. We probably would have, but I wanted to make it just like the meal at the restaurant. SUCCESS!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
This was also posted at <br />
<a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/">Kelly the Kitchen Kop</a> for <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2010/06/real-food-wednesday-6910.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kellythekitchenkop+%28Kelly+the+Kitchen+Kop%29">Real Food Wednesday</a>!<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://healthfoodlover.com/hfl/2010/06/11/wholesome-whole-foods-3/">Wholesome Whole Foods</a>! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA-Kklrtw8I/AAAAAAAABa8/3yZCQkSUYEU/s1600/RFWnew1-315x236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TA-Kklrtw8I/AAAAAAAABa8/3yZCQkSUYEU/s320/RFWnew1-315x236.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TBIxhu8qkdI/AAAAAAAABbU/yekiWXfONZA/s1600/minestronesoup-with-bone-broth-picnik-wp-wholesome-wholefoods1-300x202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TBIxhu8qkdI/AAAAAAAABbU/yekiWXfONZA/s320/minestronesoup-with-bone-broth-picnik-wp-wholesome-wholefoods1-300x202.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-12109595960008409602010-05-26T23:00:00.000-04:002010-05-26T23:00:00.792-04:00Adventures in Granola<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For a self-proclaimed granola freak like myself, store-bought favorites get costly very quickly. Considering the fact that I would eat granola for breakfast and snacks, and can make full meals out of granola bars, I have to reel myself in. When that doesn't work, I need to make my own.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Enter: Katie at <a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/">Kitchen Stewardship</a>. She posted her <a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/06/16/recipe-connection-homemade-granola-and-granola-bars/">granola </a>recipe ages ago, and I have been faithful to it ever since. I love it. It is so simple and delicious. Check it out...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Granola Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZVX6bSlI/AAAAAAAABS0/Y2rtFeRaD34/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZVX6bSlI/AAAAAAAABS0/Y2rtFeRaD34/s320/IMG_1881.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Granola After:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZtGQ4f8I/AAAAAAAABTk/6cAA45ZMO8c/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZtGQ4f8I/AAAAAAAABTk/6cAA45ZMO8c/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> TaDa!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now the harder part is the granola bars. I don't like them to be crispy and hard to bite into. I don't like them to be so chewey they hurt my jaw. I don't like them to be cookie-like. I am a bit too picky. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Over the course of my granola bar making, I have made ONE batch that was perfect, to me. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark the link to the recipe and it is now lost forever into cyberspace. I do make them often, however, and I thought I would share my latest attempt.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Based upon this <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/29651883/Soaked-Granola-Bars">recipe </a>(also from Kitchen Stewardship, although I changed it), I dove into this version. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The biggest changes I made were using the granola above, subbing 1/2 <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-day-back-and-nut-butters.html">homemade peanut butter</a> for 1/2 of the butter, and omitting the flour. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The liquid ingredients were melted together in the pan, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZkREk2vI/AAAAAAAABTU/QHCVZKeROJ0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZkREk2vI/AAAAAAAABTU/QHCVZKeROJ0/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> And then the granola was added in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1Zo4AlmEI/AAAAAAAABTc/eG3r69mSEjQ/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1Zo4AlmEI/AAAAAAAABTc/eG3r69mSEjQ/s320/IMG_1887.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After it was all stirred up and mixed together, it was pressed into a pyrex pan lined with parchment paper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZZHm-DPI/AAAAAAAABS8/d__mnHoZtG0/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZZHm-DPI/AAAAAAAABS8/d__mnHoZtG0/s320/IMG_1888.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I then assembled the add-ins...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZhKN8fqI/AAAAAAAABTM/9CUZOk1nd64/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZhKN8fqI/AAAAAAAABTM/9CUZOk1nd64/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And pressed them into the tops of the bars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZxNKVcjI/AAAAAAAABTs/vN-Mu1zuQOY/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_1ZxNKVcjI/AAAAAAAABTs/vN-Mu1zuQOY/s320/IMG_1889.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
The extra parchment paper got folded over the bars and I pressed it down with ALL MY STRENGTH. Then, since all my strength is still not much, John helped. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The result? Pretty crumbly. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the peanut butter substitution or something. They were delicious, though, so I'll keep trying. </div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-74972796506183302112010-05-25T23:00:00.001-04:002010-06-10T10:26:03.855-04:00Fun-Do!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Continuing with our efforts to spice up weeknight dinners, John and I recently had a fondue dinner! Some people knew that our first date was at a fondue restaurant, so we have received a few fondue sets we had not yet put to good use. I guess the assumption is that fondue is just for parties or something. NOT TRUE!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The main course was a cheese fondue LOOSELY based upon this <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Cheddar-Cheese-Fondue-Courtesy-of-the-Melting-Pot-288342">recipe</a>. It was another one of those moments when the stars align and the ingredients happen to be in the house. The ONLY change we made was to use wine as the liquid. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">First, let me just say... Shredding the cheese in the food processor was SO EASY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mySLYmKII/AAAAAAAABR0/S7etQDzpM64/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mySLYmKII/AAAAAAAABR0/S7etQDzpM64/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I am so glad we have it now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myVWGZRgI/AAAAAAAABR8/cAAJvoFCOQM/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myVWGZRgI/AAAAAAAABR8/cAAJvoFCOQM/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We had been given a large chuck of regular commercial cheese, which we don't usually buy. It was perfect for this because I somehow would have felt guilty for meting down that much good cheese. Weird, I know. I did spice it up with a little bit of an herb rubbed raw cheddar and fresh mozzarella. Now that I know how easy and delicious this was, I feel ready to use GOOD cheeses in it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mycMLER3I/AAAAAAAABSM/gpjD9dxNC9c/s1600/IMG_1847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mycMLER3I/AAAAAAAABSM/gpjD9dxNC9c/s320/IMG_1847.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Once the cheese was shredded, it was added to the other ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myYbMChKI/AAAAAAAABSE/6D_FyhYS00o/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myYbMChKI/AAAAAAAABSE/6D_FyhYS00o/s320/IMG_1846.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">...and prepared for melting.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The only other prep work was getting the dippers ready. We used carrot sticks, celery sticks, roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, bread cubes, leftover roasted chicken breasts, and mushrooms. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myjs6vh0I/AAAAAAAABSc/V2Ojm6c1OrU/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myjs6vh0I/AAAAAAAABSc/V2Ojm6c1OrU/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The cheese was slowly melted and enjoyed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myf57wFwI/AAAAAAAABSU/iPwSv9pFyT0/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_myf57wFwI/AAAAAAAABSU/iPwSv9pFyT0/s320/IMG_1848.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I must admit that it kind of turned into a ball of cheese instead of a sauce, but we didn't care. It was good. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mym5Os2dI/AAAAAAAABSk/6ayMBKQJslc/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_mym5Os2dI/AAAAAAAABSk/6ayMBKQJslc/s320/IMG_1850.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">For dessert, we mixed home made peanut butter, sugar, and a little grass-fed milk together and enjoyed it with bananas, strawberries, pineapples, and rice krispie yummies. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">That was probably the best part.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Lesson learned? Don't wait for a party! Fondue is Fun!<br />
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This was also posted at the <a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2010/06/pennywise-platter-thursday-610.html">Nourising Gourmet Pennywise Platter</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TBD13o1FmXI/AAAAAAAABbE/oY02yUoxNZw/s1600/pennywiseplattertwo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/TBD13o1FmXI/AAAAAAAABbE/oY02yUoxNZw/s320/pennywiseplattertwo1.jpg" /></a></div></div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-23979952042928803222010-05-24T11:00:00.008-04:002010-05-28T21:18:14.159-04:00Meal Plan Monday!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I really need to get back into the swing of menu planning!<b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Monday</b>: Leftovers</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Prep for Tuesday</i>: Cook Lentils, chop beets and onions. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday</b>: <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/lentil-and-beet-salad-with-goat-cheese.html">Roasted Beet & Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese</a> (loosely based on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/warm-lentil-salad-with-roasted-beets-and-goat-cheese-recipe2/index.html">this</a>)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Morning</i>: Prep dressing and beets, clean beet greens</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Evening</i>: Roast beets, assemble salad </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Prep for Wednesday</i>: Soak Clams (<a href="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-cook-clams.htm">this </a>might help!)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday</b>: Clams Oreganata with Macaroni (loosely based on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/clams-oreganata-recipe2/index.html">this</a>)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Morning</i>: Cook Clams (<a href="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-cook-clams.htm">this </a>might help!), make macaroni sauce and clam stuffing</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Evening</i>: Cook Macaroni, assemble meal</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Thursday</b>: Dinner with Family</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Friday</b>: Clean out the fridge!!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Other things to make this week:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bread</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Date Snacks</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/05/adventures-in-granola.html">Granola</a><br />
Waffles to Freeze<br />
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This was posted on <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/05/menu-plan-monday-may-24th.html">Menu Plan Monday</a>... Check it out! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_skE7mWqiI/AAAAAAAABSs/rNZHGx4nJBI/s1600/menuplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_skE7mWqiI/AAAAAAAABSs/rNZHGx4nJBI/s320/menuplan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-8938840710433924912010-05-23T23:00:00.001-04:002010-05-23T23:00:01.026-04:00Buttermilk Waffles...MMM!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While food shopping last week, I saw some grass-fed buttermilk. Of COURSE I had to buy it and make some breakfast magic!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Of course, now that I am ready to post about it, I can't find the recipe I used. I hope you enjoy the photos anyway. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_asBZX2LnI/AAAAAAAABRs/BzV5RxNpVP8/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_asBZX2LnI/AAAAAAAABRs/BzV5RxNpVP8/s320/IMG_1874.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First I mixed together the dry ingredients...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar9m6FflI/AAAAAAAABRk/GAz84YcSCEc/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar9m6FflI/AAAAAAAABRk/GAz84YcSCEc/s320/IMG_1875.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then the wet ingredients...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar6RVgQAI/AAAAAAAABRc/4BSgTif3nMM/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar6RVgQAI/AAAAAAAABRc/4BSgTif3nMM/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And then the wet AND dry.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The recipe said to whip the egg white separately. I did it, but I think this is the last time I will, since they were not whipped well and it still tasted good. Why should I make extra work!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar24hFaKI/AAAAAAAABRU/OKKIUDGFZEw/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ar24hFaKI/AAAAAAAABRU/OKKIUDGFZEw/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway... Then I turned on the waffle iron and sprayed it lightly with olive oil. We use <a href="http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/Healthy-Living/misto_healthy_living,default,sc.html">MISTO </a>to spray most of our oils. It uses air pressure rather then chemical propellants. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_arzNPJktI/AAAAAAAABRM/W5PpSbiL4KY/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_arzNPJktI/AAAAAAAABRM/W5PpSbiL4KY/s320/IMG_1878.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The waffles were then poured in and cooked up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aruNCgFBI/AAAAAAAABRE/_sV4Jg_ESS8/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aruNCgFBI/AAAAAAAABRE/_sV4Jg_ESS8/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They were nearly perfect, if I do say so myself! John had them plain, but I jazzed it up with his homemade yogurt and lots of fruits!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_arp2UGf4I/AAAAAAAABQ8/nCVlbahZRlc/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_arp2UGf4I/AAAAAAAABQ8/nCVlbahZRlc/s320/IMG_1880.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-10992943614577516362010-05-22T23:00:00.001-04:002010-05-22T23:00:02.727-04:00Asparagus and Shrimp Risotto<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">John and I value home cooking, but sometimes it is hard to create different meals while working. This usually results in dinners becoming, well... boring. Since the wedding, we have been trying to set good habits for the rest of our marriage. One of these habits is planning and cooking fun, wholesome meals, even though we have to work. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Cut to... Asparagus and Shrimp Risotto!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_agyJCn6PI/AAAAAAAABPc/2EE39vTy74c/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_agyJCn6PI/AAAAAAAABPc/2EE39vTy74c/s320/IMG_1872.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">A long time ago I bought Arborio Rice with the best risotto-making intentions. I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-asparagus-risotto-s,0,6996696.story">this recipe</a> and miraculously had EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT in the house, including things to make a fish-asparagus broth and a little bit of white wine! SCORE!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">To make this happen on a weeknight, I did all the prep work and set all of the ingredients in the morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ag6WD5boI/AAAAAAAABPk/B4__9CJw5ik/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ag6WD5boI/AAAAAAAABPk/B4__9CJw5ik/s320/IMG_1855.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> I even laid it out in the order it would need to go into the pot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ag-JbpALI/AAAAAAAABPs/lxyEz_RobRw/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ag-JbpALI/AAAAAAAABPs/lxyEz_RobRw/s320/IMG_1856.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This bowl had the onions, asparagus, and LOTS of butter, as you can see. It went into the pot first, and cooked until the butter melted and the onions were translucent. I love that word. Transluuuucent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahVjyX9tI/AAAAAAAABQc/YWDgoW7wuAk/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahVjyX9tI/AAAAAAAABQc/YWDgoW7wuAk/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Once the onions were transluuuucent, the rice was added. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahE32qjVI/AAAAAAAABP8/kkCtjV1RftA/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahE32qjVI/AAAAAAAABP8/kkCtjV1RftA/s320/IMG_1857.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">John took about 700 photos as I poured the rice in. Last time I ask HIM to snap an action-cooking shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahYyO2erI/AAAAAAAABQk/_Fg-ZPQdKT0/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahYyO2erI/AAAAAAAABQk/_Fg-ZPQdKT0/s320/IMG_1866.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahb-6ST6I/AAAAAAAABQs/XiWTra-sejs/s1600/IMG_1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahb-6ST6I/AAAAAAAABQs/XiWTra-sejs/s320/IMG_1869.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The rice cooked for a while, and then the wine was stirred in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahIM17ycI/AAAAAAAABQE/gMHmrj2G8tk/s1600/IMG_1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahIM17ycI/AAAAAAAABQE/gMHmrj2G8tk/s320/IMG_1858.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When the wine evaporated, the broth was added in slowly, a little at a time, until it was all absorbed. At that point, the chopped shrimp and asparagus tips were added to the mix.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahMQ_otgI/AAAAAAAABQM/JnBlcHm68ok/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahMQ_otgI/AAAAAAAABQM/JnBlcHm68ok/s320/IMG_1859.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> When everything looked cooked, some more butter and lots of grated Parmesan Cheese jumped into the pot. I was too lazy to grate all the cheese, so some is chunky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahRwASFKI/AAAAAAAABQU/91Ks8vADPME/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahRwASFKI/AAAAAAAABQU/91Ks8vADPME/s320/IMG_1860.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">That's okay, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahfRUCn8I/AAAAAAAABQ0/nsWreJLzYU4/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_ahfRUCn8I/AAAAAAAABQ0/nsWreJLzYU4/s320/IMG_1870.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Words cannot even begin to describe this meal. It was beyond restaurant quality. It was all ingredients I had at home. I knew EXACTLY what was in it. It rocked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_agjA2gGzI/AAAAAAAABPU/73OZhaYIp4w/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_agjA2gGzI/AAAAAAAABPU/73OZhaYIp4w/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-91117982006873792062010-05-21T10:57:00.000-04:002010-05-21T10:57:18.954-04:00Quick Veggie Post!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I'm cleaning out my photos to make room for some of the cool new recipes that will be showing up shortly.... </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeKehhaJI/AAAAAAAABO8/infshQUFJ48/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeKehhaJI/AAAAAAAABO8/infshQUFJ48/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This gem is a roasted veggie medley. It includes beets, potatoes, onions, garlic, yellow squash, and brussel sprouts with a light balsamic glaze. We included brussel sprouts since neither of us had ever really tried them. John hated them. I wasn't too crazy about them. I ate mine (and John's), but I wouldn't eat it again. If anyone out there has a good recipe for brussel sprouts, I'll try again!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeOMT19tI/AAAAAAAABPE/HDtP7uu_GbQ/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeOMT19tI/AAAAAAAABPE/HDtP7uu_GbQ/s320/IMG_1804.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This is a strainer full of random greens (radish greens, carrot greens, and swiss chard) that was then mixed with these</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeRYX-WRI/AAAAAAAABPM/o6RoZ5lXwBs/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S_aeRYX-WRI/AAAAAAAABPM/o6RoZ5lXwBs/s320/IMG_1805.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">to become my signature greens-with-garlic-onion-oil mix. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Stay tuned.... come cool food excursions will be up in the next few days, including risotto and fondue!!</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-76270291466188041352010-05-14T23:21:00.000-04:002010-05-14T23:21:55.752-04:00Ingredient Cookin'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Today's post will be dedicated to.... making expensive fancy ingredients at home! Featuring...... Infused Olive Oils and Jarred Roasted Peppers!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Meet our first guest, garlic infused olive oil. Created by simply saute-ing some chopped up garlic in a pan of olive oil (The bottle it was destined to live in was filled with the oil to measure the amount, then that oil was poured into the pan.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q00IarPI/AAAAAAAABN8/oxFabDeNZcI/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q00IarPI/AAAAAAAABN8/oxFabDeNZcI/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">When the aroma of garlic filled the air, the mixture was funneled back into the bottle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q4im0ZNI/AAAAAAAABOE/1mhOZUuvCe4/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q4im0ZNI/AAAAAAAABOE/1mhOZUuvCe4/s320/IMG_1807.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The garlic may have clogged said funnel at times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q75VYkGI/AAAAAAAABOM/hXJN9sj0J-A/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4Q75VYkGI/AAAAAAAABOM/hXJN9sj0J-A/s320/IMG_1809.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The process was repeated for our second guest, pepper oil. The garlic was replaced by red pepper flakes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4RAceJtXI/AAAAAAAABOU/inFL89FZMe4/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4RAceJtXI/AAAAAAAABOU/inFL89FZMe4/s320/IMG_1812.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Our third guest comes to you from a jar. John has been known to love roasted peppers, but the are a bit on the pricey side to buy. Fortunately, raw peppers are a great price!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">To make roasted peppers:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Slice bell peppers. We chose yellow and orange, but any color will do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SNLcjFAI/AAAAAAAABOc/stMBr_aIYBo/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SNLcjFAI/AAAAAAAABOc/stMBr_aIYBo/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Brush the peppers lightly with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet (it is not necessary to arrange them like this, but it looks pretty!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SQ81K8rI/AAAAAAAABOk/LlGdUVixwYc/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SQ81K8rI/AAAAAAAABOk/LlGdUVixwYc/s320/IMG_1839.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Broil the little buggers until the skins are blackened. Then stick them in a plastic bag. I've heard this helps the skins fall off, but I'm not sure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SVO3YPfI/AAAAAAAABOs/Q81h1xtSljM/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SVO3YPfI/AAAAAAAABOs/Q81h1xtSljM/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Peel off the skins and add to a jar. Fill with olive oil. Celebrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SYeWWO0I/AAAAAAAABO0/G5nG2q_wz2E/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-4SYeWWO0I/AAAAAAAABO0/G5nG2q_wz2E/s320/IMG_1843.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I hope you've enjoyed today's post! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-40011618503226613182010-05-13T23:00:00.011-04:002010-05-13T23:00:04.326-04:00Broccoli Supreme<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was in charge of side dishes the other day, and I went right for an old standard: <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2009/09/jackie-cooks-again.html">Roasted Broccoli</a>. We had 3 heads of it (without the stems. I used them in a sauce that will be posted another time) so it was a natural choice. I wanted to spice it up a bit, so I searched the internet for ideas. <a href="http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html">Idea Found. </a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I mixed a ton of broccoli tops with olive oil and salt. Then it was spread on a baking sheet with sliced garlic. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxokLwUcI/AAAAAAAABNA/K19RKxM6gBM/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxokLwUcI/AAAAAAAABNA/K19RKxM6gBM/s320/IMG_1833.JPG" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxsZ4ucTI/AAAAAAAABNI/_WrsIAwPZC0/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxsZ4ucTI/AAAAAAAABNI/_WrsIAwPZC0/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" /></a><br />
Baked at 425 until it was browned....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxxTvv7uI/AAAAAAAABNQ/pftXeaclpQk/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xxxTvv7uI/AAAAAAAABNQ/pftXeaclpQk/s320/IMG_1835.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then a lemon was juiced and zested (is that the past tense of zest?) on top and mixed with shaved Parmesan Cheese. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xx1I_-8cI/AAAAAAAABNY/AdP_1f06-xo/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-xx1I_-8cI/AAAAAAAABNY/AdP_1f06-xo/s320/IMG_1836.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">WOW. This was just as easy to make as regular roasted broccoli, but the taste was out of this world. That might have had something to do with our new obsession with <i>really <b>good </b>cheeses</i>. The Parmesan we shaved on it took it right over the edge. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">PS-The main dish was a John concoction of grassfed beef cubes diced even smaller, brown rice, and eggs. It was delicious! </div></div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-4690165506979467042010-05-12T23:02:00.000-04:002010-05-12T23:02:33.056-04:00First Day Back and Nut Butters<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now that the honeymoon is over (honestly!) and John and I are back into the swing of things, I have started to cook again!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I woke up extra early this morning so I would be able to make some nut butters for the week. I had never made them completely from scratch. Now, I know what you are thinking, "Hey! I remember when you first got your <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2009/12/present-1.html">food processor</a> you made walnut and almond butters! You even made them as presents for Christmas!!"And you would be right. I did. BUT. I did not roast the nuts. The peanuts were pre-roasted and the others were raw. Today? I did it all!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tksP6_YII/AAAAAAAABLY/W7Fy943XVFw/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tksP6_YII/AAAAAAAABLY/W7Fy943XVFw/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlZSVkXNI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ib1WBn61EzI/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlZSVkXNI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ib1WBn61EzI/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I roasted peanuts and almonds. There are about 3 cups of shelled peanuts and 2 cups of slivered almonds. They baked at 350 for 15ish minutes. Until they were brown. While they were still piping hot they went into the food processor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlGNx0AyI/AAAAAAAABLo/MtG0XXfgpRw/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlGNx0AyI/AAAAAAAABLo/MtG0XXfgpRw/s320/IMG_1817.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> For the peanut butter, I wanted to use the honey as a sweetener, so I drizzled it in as it processed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlOL2EEZI/AAAAAAAABL4/qsS-cOtnxmw/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlOL2EEZI/AAAAAAAABL4/qsS-cOtnxmw/s320/IMG_1819.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The heat from the nuts and the processor helped make it very creamy. I didn't have to add any additional oil!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlSH8E8VI/AAAAAAAABMA/Qqf241r4X5Y/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlSH8E8VI/AAAAAAAABMA/Qqf241r4X5Y/s320/IMG_1824.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I just processed the heck out of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlV47HEnI/AAAAAAAABMI/yTw2drgU3Ew/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlV47HEnI/AAAAAAAABMI/yTw2drgU3Ew/s320/IMG_1825.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">John wanted the almond butter sweetened with molasses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlc6v6PuI/AAAAAAAABMY/SzWCSHLB9BM/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlc6v6PuI/AAAAAAAABMY/SzWCSHLB9BM/s320/IMG_1827.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So the entire process was repeated, replacing the peanuts with almonds and the honey with molasses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlkSjhCzI/AAAAAAAABMo/ayIFV-BRy9o/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tlkSjhCzI/AAAAAAAABMo/ayIFV-BRy9o/s320/IMG_1830.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This one fit into a jar for storage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tloOurB5I/AAAAAAAABMw/vWXidUZqB7Q/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tloOurB5I/AAAAAAAABMw/vWXidUZqB7Q/s320/IMG_1831.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I did add some salt to each. While we were in Hawai'i we were able to snag some sea salt, which I pummeled with a mortar and pestle (or Tupperware and heavy smusher) until it was ultra fine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tkxetHKwI/AAAAAAAABLg/3OA_fJx8LvY/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-tkxetHKwI/AAAAAAAABLg/3OA_fJx8LvY/s320/IMG_1815.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
The nut butters are so good! They don't taste anything like store bought (in a good way!) and they are really really easy to make!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I will leave you with a photo of my yummy lunch... spinach salad with strawberries and Parmesan Cheese. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-trrCjyC3I/AAAAAAAABM4/PYxw2PEg0KM/s1600/IMG_1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-trrCjyC3I/AAAAAAAABM4/PYxw2PEg0KM/s320/IMG_1832.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-63523909016544689112010-05-05T10:04:00.000-04:002010-05-05T10:04:51.241-04:00Long Time No See!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hello?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hello!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyone still there? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well, I'm back! Sorry to disappear like that, but.... I got married! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-F6zQx9UoI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ZKN4whLUwkE/s1600/26868_1162829570238_1812834932_323629_7145868_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S-F6zQx9UoI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ZKN4whLUwkE/s400/26868_1162829570238_1812834932_323629_7145868_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I know, I know, that doesn't mean I need to neglect Munching Madness for 2 full months, but it happened. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now that I'm back on track, I must say, John and I have SO MANY COOL THINGS PLANNED. For the blog, of course. Like what, you ask? Well, here's a taste...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Freshly Baked Bread</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yogurt</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Waffles</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Granola</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Snack Bars</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Crazy Veggie Concoctions</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>A NEW BLOG!!!</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes, you read correctly. We are expanding into a new blog, less food related, more life related. Think budgeting, frugalness, creating a home, green living, sprinkled among our real-life adventures, complete with pictures, of course. If you're interested, stay tuned. It will be launched on 5-10-10, our 1 month anniversary (cue "awwwwwwww"). See you there!</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-5118899463419286332010-03-05T21:29:00.000-05:002010-03-05T21:29:11.822-05:00Quickie Pizza Friday<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I'm short on time, so I'm just throwing this out there.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">What happens with you spread Whole Wheat Pizza Dough with leftover garlicky black beans and raw broccoli...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S5G9hCKJybI/AAAAAAAABKU/r_VL3vpAYew/s1600-h/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S5G9hCKJybI/AAAAAAAABKU/r_VL3vpAYew/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">and then bake it at 425.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S5G9mJNsvCI/AAAAAAAABKc/wHetZgdAbaM/s1600-h/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S5G9mJNsvCI/AAAAAAAABKc/wHetZgdAbaM/s320/IMG_1022.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">You get amazing pizza. Yeahhhhhhhhh ..........</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7906295915055016777.post-58795926154132647312010-03-04T16:45:00.000-05:002010-03-04T16:45:00.830-05:00Amazing, Incredible Soup. And Cornbread.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">As the title suggests, dinner wassssssss AMAZING. INCREDIBLE soup. AND cornbread. WOW!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I started with this <a href="http://www.herbivoracious.com/2009/04/best-cornbread-ever.html">cornbread recipe</a>. I followed the recipe exactly, for maybe the first time ever. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I melted down a stick of buttah. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fT_u6LfI/AAAAAAAABIs/z2XYM7CL6No/s1600-h/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fT_u6LfI/AAAAAAAABIs/z2XYM7CL6No/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">While it melted, I mixed some milk, white vinegar, and eggs together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fXPMO0ZI/AAAAAAAABI0/M0QoJeS4OFk/s1600-h/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fXPMO0ZI/AAAAAAAABI0/M0QoJeS4OFk/s320/IMG_1004.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">In a separate bowl I mixed cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and OH MY GOODNESS I FORGOT THE BAKING SODA!! That's probably why the consistency was off. Oh, silly me. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fePk98sI/AAAAAAAABJE/dtCVtXXO6e4/s1600-h/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fePk98sI/AAAAAAAABJE/dtCVtXXO6e4/s320/IMG_1005.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> When the butter was done, it was mixed into the liquid mix (while stirring so the eggs didn't cook!)<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fag40FMI/AAAAAAAABI8/9dsm5H5ipkc/s1600-h/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fag40FMI/AAAAAAAABI8/9dsm5H5ipkc/s320/IMG_1006.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">and then everything was mixed together. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fhjXxYpI/AAAAAAAABJM/FsqoC0Y44t8/s1600-h/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48fhjXxYpI/AAAAAAAABJM/FsqoC0Y44t8/s320/IMG_1007.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">MMMmmmmmmm.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48iYIjpMkI/AAAAAAAABJc/P7Ac36hVIp8/s1600-h/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48iYIjpMkI/AAAAAAAABJc/P7Ac36hVIp8/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Do you have any idea how hard it is too take a picture of yourself with a SLR while licking a whisk? Try it sometime. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Anyway, I spread it all out into the pan (Yes, I used the <a href="http://munchingmadness.blogspot.com/2010/03/black-bean-brownies.html">butter wrapper method</a> to grease it) and John baked it @ 375 for a while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48flENEkEI/AAAAAAAABJU/zcQQeojZjSI/s1600-h/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48flENEkEI/AAAAAAAABJU/zcQQeojZjSI/s320/IMG_1015.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I didn't manage to snap a photo before it was eaten. Oops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kIFt-ebI/AAAAAAAABKE/E0t2XOWfQWU/s1600-h/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kIFt-ebI/AAAAAAAABKE/E0t2XOWfQWU/s320/IMG_1019.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The soup was based on <a href="http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/black-bean-and-sweet-potato-soup-recipe/">this recipe</a>, but I had to make some changes. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">First I chopped up onions and garlic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48j5WETa3I/AAAAAAAABJk/bbOXQbulV44/s1600-h/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48j5WETa3I/AAAAAAAABJk/bbOXQbulV44/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> and threw them in the pan I had melted the butter in. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then I chopped up a sweet potato,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48j9P88tvI/AAAAAAAABJs/2K0Iaz-cms0/s1600-h/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48j9P88tvI/AAAAAAAABJs/2K0Iaz-cms0/s320/IMG_1011.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> and that went in too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kAjHNLrI/AAAAAAAABJ0/EeX7J6h-3DQ/s1600-h/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kAjHNLrI/AAAAAAAABJ0/EeX7J6h-3DQ/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">After 5 minutes I added about 10 frozen chicken broth cubes, a can of tomato sauce, 1/2 a can of water, lots of black beans, salt, oregano, aaaaand</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Cumin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Confession: I had never before used cumin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">It was so good! What a great spice! It really deepened the flavor of the dish. I guess venturing away from garlic, oregano, parsley, and basil can be enlightening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kEDGh1-I/AAAAAAAABJ8/fv8pxCjtKIs/s1600-h/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kEDGh1-I/AAAAAAAABJ8/fv8pxCjtKIs/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I cooked it all partially uncovered until the liquid was reduced. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kLr1_LBI/AAAAAAAABKM/yQrOlVeIBwA/s1600-h/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hvXDSgRoxXI/S48kLr1_LBI/AAAAAAAABKM/yQrOlVeIBwA/s320/IMG_1020.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ta-da!!! </div>Jackie @ Crest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322183896107212885noreply@blogger.com0