Thursday, April 30, 2009

the $350 dollar chocolate chip cookie

If you've been somewhere on this earth in the last 50 years you have probably received some version of the $350 cookie. It usually comes with a sob story about how while dining at a restaurant the customer asks for the recipe of a rather delicious cookie. She is told it costs three-fifty and agrees and gets a copy. After receiving her bill she is shocked to see it is three-hundred and fifty dollars but because she has seen the super-secret recipe they won't take it off her bill. Her revenge is to circulate the recipe. Ha, ha! I've received this by email more than a decade ago and came across a mimeographed copy in an elderly relatives recipe file. I've been craving chocolate and this sounded like it might be a savior, so I decided it was time to see if it lives up to the hype. It is a very good cookie, but nothing I swooned over (of course I realized later I didn't add the white sugar, maybe that would make it swoon-worthy?). Have you tried this cookie? Do you think their is any truth to this urban legend?


Wednesday, April 29, 2009

thai cantaloupe salad with chile

Another recipe from The Splendid Tables' HOW TO EAT SUPPER (p41) - I think I need to buy this cookbook (library copy). Everything I have tried has been great. I made a half recipe of this salad that calls for cantaloupe, green chilies, basil, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper and it is delicious! I can't wait to try this again in the heat of summer with the super juicy melon! Full recipe here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

making stock

I posted about making stock last January but Sunday night when I started to boil some veggies for a vegetable stock I was struck by the beauty of all these bits and pieces in the pot. I can easily identify onions, garlic, zucchini, lemon grass, and red pepper in this picture, but as I keep a bag of veggie waste in the freezer I don't always remember what is in there but I'm sure there are also carrots, celery, red & green chilies, and japanese eggplant. I usually add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and may in this case mustard seed. The stock turned out dark and rich looking.

I frequently mix my bones and veggies for a combo-stock but I decided to go veg this time. If you are a backyard or worm bin compost keep them separate but in Seattle we now have curbside compost pickup. As it's an industrial compost process you can mix dariy, bones, fruit and veg. For more information on Seattle composting click here.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Cheap Eats: How low can you go? Supper challenge

NPR is running a series this week called "how low can you go", the game is to ask known chefs to feed a family of four a meal that tastes good for less than $10. (You can also submit your own recipes at their website).

Tonight's recipe for Moorish-style chickpea and spinach stew sounds delish! Listen to the first installment and follow throughout the week.

Cheap Eats, part 3




2+ T. olive oil
5 large cloves of garlic, diced
2 small onions, sliced
2 red chilies, seeded and diced
1 can diced tomatoes (~14 oz.)
4 c. cooked black beans* (or substitute 2 cans of beans, ~14 oz. each), rinsed
1/2 red pepper, chopped
salt + pepper to taste
chili sauce (as condiment) - I use sriracha

Warm oil in pan then add garlic and onions. Cook until onions start to become transparent. Add diced chilies and cook for 30-60 seconds. Pour in can of tomatoes and add cooked black beans. Flavor with salt and pepper. When heated through add chopped red pepper. Cook for another couple of minutes and then serve with brown rice and chili sauce. Keeps well in the fridge and reheats great.  Yield: ~4 servings

*I really prefer to soak and cook my own beans if I have the foresight. Fortunately soaked and cooked beans can be kept in the freezer and I rarely use a whole bag in any recipe (Although I usually go ahead and soak and cook that bag). They may loose some of their shape in this process so it may not be appropriate for all dishes. To 'quick soak', boil beans in soaking water for 5 minutes. Then allow to rest for 3+ hours. After this time you can begin cooking them. Some dried beans cook rather quickly, but black beans take up to 90 minutes. Also dried beans don't keep forever (who knew?!), if they are too old they will never become soft again so don't stock up for the apocalypse.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

an afternoon on the shore

Contrary to the popular myth it doesn't rain all the time in Seattle. Just all winter. Everyday. Since we are clearly out of winter, and anticipating a 70+ degree day I decided it was an afternoon for the locks. I live near a boat canal and along the steep, terraced shore is a beautiful park (where people bring picnics and there are organized musical groups that perform on weekends). There are also many sunbathers whose reprieve is  interrupted by the horns, warning bells, and announcements for the lock staff. Lying on a blanket  I enjoyed the blue sky, the blossoming trees, and finished a good book (Cold Comfort Farm).  I think Gidget enjoyed herself too after she settled down (so much to watch), but she did get a bit sunburned on her bum - spf 30 for her next time.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

grandma's cottage cheese lemon torte






* Makes about 2 cups of whipped cream, if you prefer to substitute purchased whipped cream don't add powdered sugar.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

hanging baskets

I mentioned yesterday that I prepared my hanging baskets for spring. Last summer I tried flowers and herbs and nothing was happy. These baskets get full west sun and wouldn't stay moist. After my failures I panted some philodendron cuttings and those did the best, so I'm starting this year with more cuttings. I made a trellis with fishing line so the vines can climb up and create a pyramid. I may plant some small low flowers in the corners when it gets a little warmer. 

I moved the pencil plant outside and the others are preparing by sitting next to a very sunny window. I like to place many of my house plants outdoors during the summer - they thrive during these warm sunny months outdoors. The only one that stays indoors is my orchid but it might find its way out there this summer.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Spring Chores

With spring magically appearing (including my allergies!) it is time to do some spring chores and I did a bevy this weekend. Included was washing and resealing this outdoor wicker table (I mixed some graphite powder in with the acrylic sealer to give it a new sparkle and to cover the imperfections in the painted finish). Also on the list: fix an imperfection on my ikea table, washing the wastebasket (tea stains!), hanging the bamboo shade on my balcony, glue a knob on my car, and prepare for planting. Make your own list so you can enjoy the spring and summer! Most of these chores took less than five minutes, but will be much enjoyed. My balcony is starting to look inviting again - I am nearly ready for evenings of a glass of wine or sangria and a good book.

Tiny Kitchen: Pizza

Another Tiny Kitchen video on homemade pizza. 

Thursday, April 16, 2009

homemade yogurt

I eat yogurt nearly every morning for breakfast, usually with a bit of fruit and a sprinkling of cereal. Yummers! Nearly two years ago I moved and no longer have access to my favorite dairy. Well that is not exactly true, I can still find their yogurt but it is pretty pricey. After collecting homemade yogurt recipes for years I decided it was time to start experimenting. If you're thinking about making your own yogurt read this New York Times piece.  

Neat yogurt fact - if you're lactose intolerant the probiotics in yogurt will help you digest the lactose! When you make your own yogurt it is especially high in these enzymes. (70% of the world's population is lactose intolerant including me).

This is my process--
Basic Recipe:
Supplies:
whole milk
starter (choose a yogurt you like - cultures differ and will affect taste)
dried milk (I use a non-instant non-fat organic milk as thickener)
instant read thermometer (opt.)
pan (to heat milk) and whisk
jars (to set & store yogurt)

1. Combine dried milk (4T.) with fresh milk (4c.)
2. Heat milk on stovetop until vapors rise, 180-190 deg. F (be careful to not burn milk)
3. Cool milk until you can hold a finger in the milk for 10 sec, 110-115 deg. F
4. Mix starter (4T.) into milk (I usually shake starter with some warmed milk in a jar).
5. Pour mixture into jars. Place in warm location (wrapped in towels or blankets, or in the oven...)
6. Once yogurt is set (min. 4 hours, although I frequently let it set for over 24 hours) place in fridge. After it is fully cooled, it is ready to eat!

Update: I've decided the best way to incubate the yogurt in my apartment is with a heating pad, thick kitchen towel, and a cooling rack. I place the heating pad on the cooling rack and the jars of yogurt atop with the towel covering it all. I set the heating pad on 'low'. Makes thick delicious yogurt and is much quicker than my old method. 

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

sangria

It's warm out, the sun is shining and screaming  "sangria day!" I have multiple sangria recipes, this is a simple one easy to make at the last minute.
1 bottle red wine
12 oz. club soda
1/3 c. sugar
1 lime, juice of
1 orange, juice of
cut fruit to garnish
ice
Mix and and serve in chilled glasses!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Gidget is two!

Happy Birthday Gidget! We went up to Bellingham to visit some friends - and Gidg got lots of walks and love. At home she got a super-peanut-butter-kong. 

It was also the perfect day to take a field trip to visit an old friend!

Monday, April 6, 2009

limas, chickpeas, great northern, and green bean soup

This is a delicious and simple soup from The Splendid Table's HOW TO EAT SUPPER (found on page 81). It is very similar to a recipe I use for minestrone, but "is a liberal and meatless takeoff on Provence's great pistou soup". Whatever the basis, it is delicious! 

Sunday, April 5, 2009

sandy picnics

Ah, a picnic on the beach! The weekend was delightful! (photo from a friend via cell phone)

Friday, April 3, 2009

The Women

I finally saw The Women and absolutely loved it! The movie is full of strong female characters (nay a male in it!). Released in 1939, it is full of that eras witty, quick-paced dialogue... 
"Well he could crack a coconut with 
those knees!... If he could get them 
together!"  Miriam Aarons (about Buck Winston)

In lieu of spoiling the plot I will go paint my nails jungle red!






(Image: original advertisement)