Obviously the above title means that to celebrate summer a new music mix was made. Something Sean and I could listen to while the windows are down and we jet off to beach towns and wineries and wherever else our little hearts desire. Wind blowing, warm weather, and lots of singing at the tops of our lungs.
Only The Good Die Young - Billy Joel
Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
Gloria - U2
Forever And Ever Amen - The Drums
Watch That Man - David Bowie
Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones
Dancing In the Streets - Martha and the Vandellas
Nothing On You - B.o.B f. Bruno Mars
Valerie - Mark Ronson Feat. Amy Winehouse
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Cold War - The Morning Benders
Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen
Growing on Me - The Darkness
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Girls Of Prey - Pop Noir
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before - The Smiths
Battery Kinzie - Fleet Foxes
Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears For Fears
Time to Pretend - MGMT
Limelight - Rush
What songs remind you of summer?
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Summertime makes livin a little bit easier.
Wow it has been a really long time since I've written a decent entry. I think it's because I've been so busy doing things like this:
Seriously, who can get homework done with this ^^ going on.
And most importantly this:
Needless to say, with school, soccer, visiting (and having tons of visitors), and a new love, things have been more than a little hectic on this end. School is over for the summer (just about, just one comprehensive exam to take) and I'm down to only one soccer league. This summer will be spent working at my new job, TAing, and generally trying to have fun after an insane 3 months. Let the good times begin!
And most importantly this:
Needless to say, with school, soccer, visiting (and having tons of visitors), and a new love, things have been more than a little hectic on this end. School is over for the summer (just about, just one comprehensive exam to take) and I'm down to only one soccer league. This summer will be spent working at my new job, TAing, and generally trying to have fun after an insane 3 months. Let the good times begin!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Beach Time Survival Guide
In keeping with yesterday's entry about summer time tips, this one is all about the beach!
Top 5 Things to Remember When you go to the Beach
1. Will there be a cost to park or enter - A few of us recently went to a really beautiful beach just south of Santa Cruz, but because it was a State Park there was a cost to park. A few years back, my mother, aunt, and I went to a beach in NJ where we had to pay $15 each to go in. While I don't mind paying to park at a State Beach (because it usually means it's clean and quiet), $15 per person at a crappy boardwalk beach is ridiculous. People will be all over the board with this one, so just make sure you know whether you have to bring money or not, and make sure all the other people in your party know too so you can avoid any surprises when you get there.
2. Is the dog allowed? - When we went to the beach a few weeks ago, the beach we initially picked out allowed dogs. We did that on purpose so we could bring Charlie and my friend Mike could bring his dog (they're best buds). But half way through the day we decided to beach hop up to Santa Cruz and found out the dogs were not allowed. Major bummer.
3. Is alcohol allowed? - I'm not a fan of beach time drinking, but I know some people are. So just make sure you check those rules ahead of time because a lot of places aren't allowing it these days. And that goes double for glass containers.
4. Explain to kids the rules of the beach - What we think, as adults, is common sense (like don't swim too far out), kids don't always realize. Make sure they know how to be safe at the beach and that they need to listen to the lifeguard. Most beaches have rules posted near entrances. It's a good idea to review them together when you first get there. Also, my friend Roni found a very good article about how to recognize drownings that you should all be clued in on. Click me.
5. Don't worry about how you look, just have fun - Nick does this one way too often. We lived here for a full year before he would even go to the pool because he was too self conscious about how his stomach looked. And when we went on our honeymoon he had a horrible allergic reaction to the chemicals used to clean his tux shirt and he got hives all over. He wouldn't take his shirt off or go in the water. At the end of the day, think about how many near naked bodies are near by, and remember two simple rules. 1. There will always be people who look better AND look worse than you. 2. Everyone is having too much fun to pay attention to you. So let it go and have fun!
Top 5 Things to Make sure you bring with you to the beach
1. Sunscreen - No skin cancer. Even if you put a low SPF like 15 on, you can still get a tan but prevent damage. Be safe. Melanoma can strike and kill at any age.
2. Towels + Blankets - You can never have too many towels, and I suggest leaving a couple extra in the car just so you have a few sand free ones.
3. Snacks + Drinks - It's cheaper to bring them with you than to buy once you're there. And if you're at a beach with no board walk do you really want to leave early if you're having fun?
4. Umbrella - If you're some place where the sun is relentless bring that umbrella. Not only will you protect your skin (and those of young kids who are extra vulnerable), but you'll protect things that can be damaged by the excess heat like spray on suntan lotion, anything with a battery, and food.
5. Toys - It's a lot easier to built a sandcastle when you have a shovel. And there's lots of other beach toys for the older kids too.
Top 5 Things to Remember When you go to the Beach
1. Will there be a cost to park or enter - A few of us recently went to a really beautiful beach just south of Santa Cruz, but because it was a State Park there was a cost to park. A few years back, my mother, aunt, and I went to a beach in NJ where we had to pay $15 each to go in. While I don't mind paying to park at a State Beach (because it usually means it's clean and quiet), $15 per person at a crappy boardwalk beach is ridiculous. People will be all over the board with this one, so just make sure you know whether you have to bring money or not, and make sure all the other people in your party know too so you can avoid any surprises when you get there.
2. Is the dog allowed? - When we went to the beach a few weeks ago, the beach we initially picked out allowed dogs. We did that on purpose so we could bring Charlie and my friend Mike could bring his dog (they're best buds). But half way through the day we decided to beach hop up to Santa Cruz and found out the dogs were not allowed. Major bummer.
3. Is alcohol allowed? - I'm not a fan of beach time drinking, but I know some people are. So just make sure you check those rules ahead of time because a lot of places aren't allowing it these days. And that goes double for glass containers.
4. Explain to kids the rules of the beach - What we think, as adults, is common sense (like don't swim too far out), kids don't always realize. Make sure they know how to be safe at the beach and that they need to listen to the lifeguard. Most beaches have rules posted near entrances. It's a good idea to review them together when you first get there. Also, my friend Roni found a very good article about how to recognize drownings that you should all be clued in on. Click me.
5. Don't worry about how you look, just have fun - Nick does this one way too often. We lived here for a full year before he would even go to the pool because he was too self conscious about how his stomach looked. And when we went on our honeymoon he had a horrible allergic reaction to the chemicals used to clean his tux shirt and he got hives all over. He wouldn't take his shirt off or go in the water. At the end of the day, think about how many near naked bodies are near by, and remember two simple rules. 1. There will always be people who look better AND look worse than you. 2. Everyone is having too much fun to pay attention to you. So let it go and have fun!
Top 5 Things to Make sure you bring with you to the beach
1. Sunscreen - No skin cancer. Even if you put a low SPF like 15 on, you can still get a tan but prevent damage. Be safe. Melanoma can strike and kill at any age.
2. Towels + Blankets - You can never have too many towels, and I suggest leaving a couple extra in the car just so you have a few sand free ones.
3. Snacks + Drinks - It's cheaper to bring them with you than to buy once you're there. And if you're at a beach with no board walk do you really want to leave early if you're having fun?
4. Umbrella - If you're some place where the sun is relentless bring that umbrella. Not only will you protect your skin (and those of young kids who are extra vulnerable), but you'll protect things that can be damaged by the excess heat like spray on suntan lotion, anything with a battery, and food.
5. Toys - It's a lot easier to built a sandcastle when you have a shovel. And there's lots of other beach toys for the older kids too.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Money saving tips for the summer
Now that it's summer and heat is sweltering it's time to start blasting the AC and think about escaping to the beach. Before you do that, though, I've scoured the internet for a few money saving tips you may want to consider.
From WiseBread:
- Book in Advance: Nick and I are pretty familiar with this one because he often has to go on business trips at the very last minute and I'm always completely amazed at the prices his plane tickets cost (we're talking $900+ for a 3 hour flight). We've also been smart and bought plane tickets waaaaay in advance and essentially gotten them at around 50% off what they could have cost. Hotels can be the same way, especially if you are going to stay at boutique places or a very popular destination. I know some people prefer to wait and see if they can get those last minute deals, but if you have something really specific in mind it doesn't always pan out. So play it safe and book in advance.
- Stay with Friends and Relatives: If you are lucky enough to have people to you like, have the space, and can tolerate you while you visit somewhere, stay with them. We have two couches and a queen size blow up mattress so we let friends stay with us all the time. It's a great excuse to force them to spend time with us too (we miss people and like to catch up). Hotels are so expensive and depending on where you go, could be the bulk of your trip cost. So if possible, be cheap and stay with someone! But make sure you bring them a gift to say thank you. Otherwise it may be the last time you get to take advantage of that.
- Tune Up Your Car: Gas prices usually go up at the beginning of the summer (although is it just me, or did they go down this year?!), and with all the driving to the beach or road trips planned, you should make sure you get a tune up. Your car will run better, and you could prevent any unforseen issues that might happen when you're in the middle of Wyomming and the next rest stop is 80 miles away.
From About.com:
- Cook Outside: Turning the oven on means more heat in the house which means you use energy/gas to cook, and then more of that to get the AC going again. If you can, fire up that grill and keep the heat where it belongs, outside.
- Watch the Weather (for the AC): Unless you're me, and thinks that when it turns 78 degrees it's too hot and the AC should be on all the time, you should really keep an eye out to see what the weather is. In the SF Bay at night it drops down to well below what the day temps were and simply opening the windows for some cross ventalation is the best AC in the world. So make sure you check both day time and night time temperatures to make sure you really need to keep the AC or if you can let mother nature do her job.
- AC Filters: Think of this like the filter in the dryer. If it's dirty and clogged, it takes twice as long to dry your clothes. If the AC filter is dirty it takes twice as much energy to cool off your house. Plus think about all that nasty stuff it might be blowing around.
From Energy Right:
- Be aware of the electronics that are on when the AC is: Certain things like lights in rooms that no one is sitting in and computers that are not being used create heat and use up money (both because they're using energy themselves and because they're making the AC work harder). Nick's computer room is the hottest in our apartment because he's always got 3+ machines going at once. Unfortunately for us that's how he built our firewall and internet connection, so even though he's at work right now I couldn't be online safely typing away if they weren't on.
- Check window frames/caulk, etc.: This is a good one for the winter too. Make sure your window frames are sealed so no heat gets in or any good stuff gets out.
- Use your curtains and blinds: This is a personal favorite of mine. It's counter intuitive to keep your windows closed all day while you're out at work, but if you do that and close the blinds/curtains, you not only keep the hot air out, but you block the sun from using the windows to create more heat. If you aren't using AC (or even if you are), this is a great way to naturally keep the place cool. We do this and our downstairs (which isn't even a basement, it's completely above ground), feels like it has had the AC blowing all day. Then at night we open up all the windows and let the cool air in. During the winter this works just as well, except open the curtains and blinds and let the sun in to create a little bit of extra heat.
From the The San Francisco Gate:
I'm just copying and pasting the whole thing because every tip they have is a great one:
1. Washing Your Own Car - In the winter, we can get away with driving a dirty car (in the Bay). It rains all the time, and the weather's pretty cold (it also doesn't snow), so it's rare that you'll even find an open carwash. Come summer; however, your car gets dirtier, and local carwashes will welcome you with open arms. If you can, resist! Instead of dropping $10+ at every carwash visit, do-it-yourself. You'll get some good exercise, time outside, and over time, you'll save money. Plus, you'll be helping upkeep the value of your car, and you'll be able to afford a carwash more often.
2. Gardening and Landscaping - If you're planning a new landscaping project, do it yourself instead of hiring a landscaper. Get the family involved for some healthy time outside. If you're brainstorming projects, consider revamping your garden with landscaping that requires minimal water. Finally get rid of that dead lawn, and replace your flowers with blooming cacti. Why use water when you can have a garden that looks beautiful without it?
3. Painting Your Own Home - If those chips and cracks are finally getting to you, invest in a new paint job to invest in the value of your home. If you can, do as much as you can yourself. You'll get a good workout, spend time outside, and save money. If you need guidance, you can even work with a professional to help guide you.
4. Growing Your Own Food - Grocery store produce is so expensive! Plus, your kids will think that the vegetables taste better if they have a hand in growing your garden. Gardening is relaxing, fun, and cost-saving when done right. This kind of project will also provide your kids with an excellent learning experience. (Side note: start up costs can be pricey for this, but it's well worth the investment in the end. Just make sure you choose vegetables you actually like and cook with on a regular basis so nothing is wasted.)
5. Washing Your Pets at Home - Pet grooming expenses can really add up, even if you're only going in once or twice a month. Yes, washing your pets can be unpleasant, but during the summer, the weather's nice enough to hang out outside with a bucket. If your pet is averse to cold water, bring a bucket of warm water outside. After all, it's most important that your pets stay comfortable and healthy.
6. Biking or Walking to Run Errands - Next time you pick up the keys to run an errand around the corner, stop yourself. Over time, these little trips add up. Instead of trapping yourself inside of a car and wasting money, walk. After all, the days last longer, and you spend way too much time at your desk. If you're planning to buy something, bring a backpack or bag. Your body will thank you for the workout and time outside.
Now a couple tips from me!
- Plan ahead: My friend Mike will be the first person to tell you I am a planner. I always have an itinerary ready of where I want to go and what I want to do. Granted, I'm not one of those people who wakes up at 7am on my days off to cram in everything ever, but it's very time and money effective to at least know the direction you want your day to head in. When possible, buy tickets for events ahead of time (you can usually save a few $ compared to buying them at the door). When going places like the beach, parks, or even long car rides bring refreshments and snacks with you. It's a lot cheaper than buying stuff there where costs are jacked up by a lot. And if you are driving someplace, make sure you have accurate directions. You can save on the wasted gas of being lost, and a lot of frustration too.
- Check your rewards Credit Card to see if they have special deals. I know with mine if I sign up, I can get 5% cash back on certain summer time themed purchases. But I had to sign up to get that deal. Sometimes they also offer discounts and/or extra points on purchases if I buy through their website.
- And lastly, when driving out of your neighborhood (whether in a rented car or on a road trip) refer to websites like Gas Buddy or phone apps to find the best prices of gas near by.
From WiseBread:
- Book in Advance: Nick and I are pretty familiar with this one because he often has to go on business trips at the very last minute and I'm always completely amazed at the prices his plane tickets cost (we're talking $900+ for a 3 hour flight). We've also been smart and bought plane tickets waaaaay in advance and essentially gotten them at around 50% off what they could have cost. Hotels can be the same way, especially if you are going to stay at boutique places or a very popular destination. I know some people prefer to wait and see if they can get those last minute deals, but if you have something really specific in mind it doesn't always pan out. So play it safe and book in advance.
- Stay with Friends and Relatives: If you are lucky enough to have people to you like, have the space, and can tolerate you while you visit somewhere, stay with them. We have two couches and a queen size blow up mattress so we let friends stay with us all the time. It's a great excuse to force them to spend time with us too (we miss people and like to catch up). Hotels are so expensive and depending on where you go, could be the bulk of your trip cost. So if possible, be cheap and stay with someone! But make sure you bring them a gift to say thank you. Otherwise it may be the last time you get to take advantage of that.
- Tune Up Your Car: Gas prices usually go up at the beginning of the summer (although is it just me, or did they go down this year?!), and with all the driving to the beach or road trips planned, you should make sure you get a tune up. Your car will run better, and you could prevent any unforseen issues that might happen when you're in the middle of Wyomming and the next rest stop is 80 miles away.
From About.com:
- Cook Outside: Turning the oven on means more heat in the house which means you use energy/gas to cook, and then more of that to get the AC going again. If you can, fire up that grill and keep the heat where it belongs, outside.
- Watch the Weather (for the AC): Unless you're me, and thinks that when it turns 78 degrees it's too hot and the AC should be on all the time, you should really keep an eye out to see what the weather is. In the SF Bay at night it drops down to well below what the day temps were and simply opening the windows for some cross ventalation is the best AC in the world. So make sure you check both day time and night time temperatures to make sure you really need to keep the AC or if you can let mother nature do her job.
- AC Filters: Think of this like the filter in the dryer. If it's dirty and clogged, it takes twice as long to dry your clothes. If the AC filter is dirty it takes twice as much energy to cool off your house. Plus think about all that nasty stuff it might be blowing around.
From Energy Right:
- Be aware of the electronics that are on when the AC is: Certain things like lights in rooms that no one is sitting in and computers that are not being used create heat and use up money (both because they're using energy themselves and because they're making the AC work harder). Nick's computer room is the hottest in our apartment because he's always got 3+ machines going at once. Unfortunately for us that's how he built our firewall and internet connection, so even though he's at work right now I couldn't be online safely typing away if they weren't on.
- Check window frames/caulk, etc.: This is a good one for the winter too. Make sure your window frames are sealed so no heat gets in or any good stuff gets out.
- Use your curtains and blinds: This is a personal favorite of mine. It's counter intuitive to keep your windows closed all day while you're out at work, but if you do that and close the blinds/curtains, you not only keep the hot air out, but you block the sun from using the windows to create more heat. If you aren't using AC (or even if you are), this is a great way to naturally keep the place cool. We do this and our downstairs (which isn't even a basement, it's completely above ground), feels like it has had the AC blowing all day. Then at night we open up all the windows and let the cool air in. During the winter this works just as well, except open the curtains and blinds and let the sun in to create a little bit of extra heat.
From the The San Francisco Gate:
I'm just copying and pasting the whole thing because every tip they have is a great one:
1. Washing Your Own Car - In the winter, we can get away with driving a dirty car (in the Bay). It rains all the time, and the weather's pretty cold (it also doesn't snow), so it's rare that you'll even find an open carwash. Come summer; however, your car gets dirtier, and local carwashes will welcome you with open arms. If you can, resist! Instead of dropping $10+ at every carwash visit, do-it-yourself. You'll get some good exercise, time outside, and over time, you'll save money. Plus, you'll be helping upkeep the value of your car, and you'll be able to afford a carwash more often.
2. Gardening and Landscaping - If you're planning a new landscaping project, do it yourself instead of hiring a landscaper. Get the family involved for some healthy time outside. If you're brainstorming projects, consider revamping your garden with landscaping that requires minimal water. Finally get rid of that dead lawn, and replace your flowers with blooming cacti. Why use water when you can have a garden that looks beautiful without it?
3. Painting Your Own Home - If those chips and cracks are finally getting to you, invest in a new paint job to invest in the value of your home. If you can, do as much as you can yourself. You'll get a good workout, spend time outside, and save money. If you need guidance, you can even work with a professional to help guide you.
4. Growing Your Own Food - Grocery store produce is so expensive! Plus, your kids will think that the vegetables taste better if they have a hand in growing your garden. Gardening is relaxing, fun, and cost-saving when done right. This kind of project will also provide your kids with an excellent learning experience. (Side note: start up costs can be pricey for this, but it's well worth the investment in the end. Just make sure you choose vegetables you actually like and cook with on a regular basis so nothing is wasted.)
5. Washing Your Pets at Home - Pet grooming expenses can really add up, even if you're only going in once or twice a month. Yes, washing your pets can be unpleasant, but during the summer, the weather's nice enough to hang out outside with a bucket. If your pet is averse to cold water, bring a bucket of warm water outside. After all, it's most important that your pets stay comfortable and healthy.
6. Biking or Walking to Run Errands - Next time you pick up the keys to run an errand around the corner, stop yourself. Over time, these little trips add up. Instead of trapping yourself inside of a car and wasting money, walk. After all, the days last longer, and you spend way too much time at your desk. If you're planning to buy something, bring a backpack or bag. Your body will thank you for the workout and time outside.
Now a couple tips from me!
- Plan ahead: My friend Mike will be the first person to tell you I am a planner. I always have an itinerary ready of where I want to go and what I want to do. Granted, I'm not one of those people who wakes up at 7am on my days off to cram in everything ever, but it's very time and money effective to at least know the direction you want your day to head in. When possible, buy tickets for events ahead of time (you can usually save a few $ compared to buying them at the door). When going places like the beach, parks, or even long car rides bring refreshments and snacks with you. It's a lot cheaper than buying stuff there where costs are jacked up by a lot. And if you are driving someplace, make sure you have accurate directions. You can save on the wasted gas of being lost, and a lot of frustration too.
- Check your rewards Credit Card to see if they have special deals. I know with mine if I sign up, I can get 5% cash back on certain summer time themed purchases. But I had to sign up to get that deal. Sometimes they also offer discounts and/or extra points on purchases if I buy through their website.
- And lastly, when driving out of your neighborhood (whether in a rented car or on a road trip) refer to websites like Gas Buddy or phone apps to find the best prices of gas near by.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Time Tunes
I know for some people (my brother included), the summer time means music festivals. Sweating, mud, and band after band of sonic bliss. I don't think I'll be going to any festivals, but I did start off my summer with an outdoor concert (and I've got a couple more left-yay summer tours). I saw Florence + The Machine with my friend Brandi. She was spectacular and even played a few new songs. Very excited for that album to come out.
What does the summer time mean to you? Fun? Heat? As few clothes as possible! Thunderstorms. The Beach. Driving around aimlessly at all hours of the day. BBQing. Camp. Freshly cut grass. Vacations. And in no uncertain terms, some kind of freedom that you don't have the rest of the year. Even when I was working, the summer still mean things would slow down and not be as hectic during the rest of the year. And now, while I will still be taking a class, have a part time job (Anthropologie, score!), and will be spending some time at the school clinic, the amount of work I'll need to do when I get home each day will be far less. No more late nights with my computer tapping away, no more weekends wasted doing work and telling Nick to bug off for awhile, and no more unGodly amounts of reading to do...at least until September.
With all these things in mind, I made a summer time mix to celebrate the new season. Somewhere between laid back relaxation and a dance party, it's what the summer is all about: freedom.
Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
Hounds Of Love - The Futureheads
June Gloom - The Like
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
LDN - Lily Allen
Horchata - Vampire Weekend
Ten-Twenty-Ten - Generationals
Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac
Limelight - Rush
Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse - Minus The Bear
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
Under The Blacklight - Rilo Kiley
12:51 - The Strokes
No Action - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Girls Of Prey - Pop Noir
Pounding - Doves
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms
You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
What does the summer time mean to you? Fun? Heat? As few clothes as possible! Thunderstorms. The Beach. Driving around aimlessly at all hours of the day. BBQing. Camp. Freshly cut grass. Vacations. And in no uncertain terms, some kind of freedom that you don't have the rest of the year. Even when I was working, the summer still mean things would slow down and not be as hectic during the rest of the year. And now, while I will still be taking a class, have a part time job (Anthropologie, score!), and will be spending some time at the school clinic, the amount of work I'll need to do when I get home each day will be far less. No more late nights with my computer tapping away, no more weekends wasted doing work and telling Nick to bug off for awhile, and no more unGodly amounts of reading to do...at least until September.
With all these things in mind, I made a summer time mix to celebrate the new season. Somewhere between laid back relaxation and a dance party, it's what the summer is all about: freedom.
Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
Hounds Of Love - The Futureheads
June Gloom - The Like
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
LDN - Lily Allen
Horchata - Vampire Weekend
Ten-Twenty-Ten - Generationals
Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac
Limelight - Rush
Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse - Minus The Bear
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
Under The Blacklight - Rilo Kiley
12:51 - The Strokes
No Action - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Girls Of Prey - Pop Noir
Pounding - Doves
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms
You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Last year when we moved I started a vegetable garden with the hopes of figuring out the hell I was doing and maybe getting something (one thing) edible for my efforts. Considering it was started in late August, I didn't get that much out of it. A few pea pods, and lots of sprouts that either died during the "winter" or are still growing today. But one thing we did have a lot of was zucchini blossoms, so we took advantage of that and had many many fried blossoms for appetizers and with dinner. Here's some tips and recipes for eating them.
When harvesting, only pick the male ones because female ones are the ones that produce fruit. You'll know the difference because the female blossoms will have little round things underneath the blossom (that's your zucchini that's starting to grow!). Also pick them when they start to open up, but eat them within 24 hours otherwise they'll shrivel up. You can save the blossoms for a day or so longer if you keep them in ice water or a cold damp paper towel. Make sure you clean them out before eating (I like to make sure there's no pollen on the inside, and obviously no bugs!). Blossoms from other squash plants aren't so great.
What you need:
- Zucchini Blossoms
- Bread crumbs
- 1 Egg
- a dash of milk
- Flower
- Oil
- Mascarpone and Blue cheese
1. Mix together some Italian seasoned bread crumbs, flour, egg, and just a little bit of milk until you get a nice thick batter.
2. Put a little bit of mascarpone cheese and a lot more blue cheese on the inside of a blossom. (We've tried several different cheeses, and due to the mildness of the blossom, a cheese with a little bit more kick to it works best.) Twist the ends together to close up the blossom. (Side note, if you use mascarpone cheese on it's own, it will explode and drain everywhere when you bite into it.)
3. Dip the blossom in the batter (you'll know if it's too thick or too thin based on whether it sticks to the blossom at all or runs completely off.
4. You can either bake them or fry them. If you fry, preheat the oil and when it is very hot, drop the blossoms in. They only need a minute or two to cook. Remove with a slotted spoon when browned and let cool on a paper towel. If you bake, bake in a in a tin with walls (either a cookie tin or a cake tin) with some olive oil in preheated 400 degree oven until batter is cooked.
And if that was enough effort for one meal, here's a quick and easy pasta dish that you can eat these next to (ie. not part of).
Make spaghetti the way it says on the box and drain. Add some olive oil and butter, garlic (fresh or powder is fine), parsley, basil, nutmeg, and parmesean chesse. The end.
When harvesting, only pick the male ones because female ones are the ones that produce fruit. You'll know the difference because the female blossoms will have little round things underneath the blossom (that's your zucchini that's starting to grow!). Also pick them when they start to open up, but eat them within 24 hours otherwise they'll shrivel up. You can save the blossoms for a day or so longer if you keep them in ice water or a cold damp paper towel. Make sure you clean them out before eating (I like to make sure there's no pollen on the inside, and obviously no bugs!). Blossoms from other squash plants aren't so great.
What you need:
- Zucchini Blossoms
- Bread crumbs
- 1 Egg
- a dash of milk
- Flower
- Oil
- Mascarpone and Blue cheese
1. Mix together some Italian seasoned bread crumbs, flour, egg, and just a little bit of milk until you get a nice thick batter.
2. Put a little bit of mascarpone cheese and a lot more blue cheese on the inside of a blossom. (We've tried several different cheeses, and due to the mildness of the blossom, a cheese with a little bit more kick to it works best.) Twist the ends together to close up the blossom. (Side note, if you use mascarpone cheese on it's own, it will explode and drain everywhere when you bite into it.)
3. Dip the blossom in the batter (you'll know if it's too thick or too thin based on whether it sticks to the blossom at all or runs completely off.
4. You can either bake them or fry them. If you fry, preheat the oil and when it is very hot, drop the blossoms in. They only need a minute or two to cook. Remove with a slotted spoon when browned and let cool on a paper towel. If you bake, bake in a in a tin with walls (either a cookie tin or a cake tin) with some olive oil in preheated 400 degree oven until batter is cooked.
And if that was enough effort for one meal, here's a quick and easy pasta dish that you can eat these next to (ie. not part of).
Make spaghetti the way it says on the box and drain. Add some olive oil and butter, garlic (fresh or powder is fine), parsley, basil, nutmeg, and parmesean chesse. The end.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Dresses to the Max
I think it's no secret that the 70s are back with a vengence this summer. I've always felt that they were a little bit of a throwaway decade with very few things making them worthwhile (I really hate disco). And I even hate some of the clothes (bell bottoms, ugh), but I have to admit that I'm really liking a lot of the styles and how they are being updated lately. The perfect summertime fashion from that decade (and the late 60s too) is the maxi dress and just about everywhere you go you can find them. Don't be afraid to buy one if you're short, just hem it, or wear some platform wedges which are also back.
Here's a few of my favorites from around the interwebs.
Top Shop
ModCloth
Old Navy
Forever 21
Banana Republic
Macy's
Express
It's a shame H&M doesn't have an online shop. I saw a few great ones in the store too.
Here's a few of my favorites from around the interwebs.
Top Shop
ModCloth
Old Navy
Forever 21
Banana Republic
Macy's
Express
It's a shame H&M doesn't have an online shop. I saw a few great ones in the store too.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Not just for guys Burgers and fries
I seem to be on a huge summertime/crappy food kick lately! That's pretty rare for me. Normally my body is very much in tune with its evolutionary seasonal changes. During the winter I want lots of comfort food and to pack on the pounds to hibernate, and during the summer I want sushi and fruit to feel lighter and less hot. For some reason, lately, though, all I want is pizza and burgers. Very weird.
Anywhoo, when I can't be lazy and go to The Counter for a burger that's just the way I like it, I make my own sliders and fries. Here's my recipe:
Sliders
You need:
- 1 lb ground beef or bison beef
- smoked gouda cheese
- a handful of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Smoked Maple Chipotle Sauce from Bittersweet Herb Farm
- olive oil (only if you're not grilling)
- mini ciabatta rolls
1. Make sure the meat is room temperature. Turn on the skillet you'll be cooking in and add a little bit of olive oil.
2. Add the egg, bread crumbs, and meat all in a bowl. Then add cheese (it should be grated, you can add as much as you want, I usually do about 1/3 of a cup. And 2-3 tablespoons of the sauce.
3. Mix together, do not over mix or the burgers will dry out. If you need some more bread crumbs you can add a little bit, but again not too many because the burgers will dry out.
4. Separate into slider sized patties (should be 5-7 depending on the size you want). Do not mush them down with anything, again, you'll dry them out.
5. Add to pan, don't over crowd it. Cook a few minutes on each side until they start to brown up or blood comes through the other side. If you want them well done, keep flipping ever couple of minutes to make sure they don't burn. You can also cover the pan as well.
6. Toast your buns if you are so inclined!
7. Depending on the cheese you want to put on top, during the last minute or so of cooking add the cheese on top of the burger to get it melty. I think these burgers taste best with more smoked gouda (which requires some melting) or blue cheese (which does not). With both of these cheeses, adding some caramelized onions or sweet onion marmalade makes the perfect burger in my opinion.
French Fries
You need:
- Potatoes (I really like fingerling or medium/large sized Yukon Gold)
- Oil
- Salt
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
1. If you don't have a fryer heat oil in a large and deep pot.
2. While the oil is heating up, wash and slide potatoes into fry sized pieces.
3. When the oil is moving around you'll know it's hot enough. Add the potatoes and cook until they just brown a bit on the edges.
4. Now here is the key step! Take out the potatoes and let them cool off for 15-20 minutes on some paper towels. Salt generously.
5. Start reheating the oil. When it's hot enough again (and it should be screaming hot), add the potatoes back in and cook until they are brown enough for your liking.
6. Salt again if you'd like when they're done.
The double fry method lets the potatoes cook a bit the first time so that it's thoroughly cooked, and then just cooks the outside the second time. If done right (and this largely depends on the potato you use and the size you cut it into) you get a nice crunchy outside and a softer inside.
Anywhoo, when I can't be lazy and go to The Counter for a burger that's just the way I like it, I make my own sliders and fries. Here's my recipe:
Sliders
You need:
- 1 lb ground beef or bison beef
- smoked gouda cheese
- a handful of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Smoked Maple Chipotle Sauce from Bittersweet Herb Farm
- olive oil (only if you're not grilling)
- mini ciabatta rolls
1. Make sure the meat is room temperature. Turn on the skillet you'll be cooking in and add a little bit of olive oil.
2. Add the egg, bread crumbs, and meat all in a bowl. Then add cheese (it should be grated, you can add as much as you want, I usually do about 1/3 of a cup. And 2-3 tablespoons of the sauce.
3. Mix together, do not over mix or the burgers will dry out. If you need some more bread crumbs you can add a little bit, but again not too many because the burgers will dry out.
4. Separate into slider sized patties (should be 5-7 depending on the size you want). Do not mush them down with anything, again, you'll dry them out.
5. Add to pan, don't over crowd it. Cook a few minutes on each side until they start to brown up or blood comes through the other side. If you want them well done, keep flipping ever couple of minutes to make sure they don't burn. You can also cover the pan as well.
6. Toast your buns if you are so inclined!
7. Depending on the cheese you want to put on top, during the last minute or so of cooking add the cheese on top of the burger to get it melty. I think these burgers taste best with more smoked gouda (which requires some melting) or blue cheese (which does not). With both of these cheeses, adding some caramelized onions or sweet onion marmalade makes the perfect burger in my opinion.
French Fries
You need:
- Potatoes (I really like fingerling or medium/large sized Yukon Gold)
- Oil
- Salt
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
1. If you don't have a fryer heat oil in a large and deep pot.
2. While the oil is heating up, wash and slide potatoes into fry sized pieces.
3. When the oil is moving around you'll know it's hot enough. Add the potatoes and cook until they just brown a bit on the edges.
4. Now here is the key step! Take out the potatoes and let them cool off for 15-20 minutes on some paper towels. Salt generously.
5. Start reheating the oil. When it's hot enough again (and it should be screaming hot), add the potatoes back in and cook until they are brown enough for your liking.
6. Salt again if you'd like when they're done.
The double fry method lets the potatoes cook a bit the first time so that it's thoroughly cooked, and then just cooks the outside the second time. If done right (and this largely depends on the potato you use and the size you cut it into) you get a nice crunchy outside and a softer inside.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Top 5 Things You can Never have too much of at a BBQ
The first day of May is practically the unofficial start to BBQ-ing season. So to celebrate, a Top 5 of Entertaining entry all about the summertime art.
Meat - What is the central part of a BBQ but the main course? People will always be hungry and willing to eat. Remember, you can always put it in the freezer but making a run to the store midway through the party is no fun. Especially on big holiday weekends.
Ice - Somehow this always seems to be the thing people forget to buy. No one likes a BBQ with warm drinks. So don't forget to stock up!
Beer - See meat. Except insert that people will always be willing to relax with a cold one.
Bug Spray - Not only for yourself but for the yard. If you're outside there will be bugs. And sometimes those candles and any other voodoo charm you're hanging around doesn't cut it. My dad is a firm believer in Raid Yard Guard. Before each outdoor party he sprays just about one can around the perimeter of our backyard. There is definitely a huge difference on the amount of mosquito bites and gnats flying around out food compared to when he doesn't spray. And for those of us who are a mosquito's favorite dinner buffet, don't forget to spray some Off on yourself. Make sure it has Deet!
Suntan lotion - The chances of getting skin cancer are higher if you have 2 serious burns before the age of 18, but that doesn't mean you can't continue to protect yourself as you age. Wear at least spf 15 (or higher if you're fair skinned) and make sure you cover every spot including face, eats, between fingers, toes, etc. It's those spots that are overlooked that are most likely to have cancer sprout. And don't forge to reapply after trips into the pool and throughout the course of the day. Just because you can last 10 hours outside doesn't mean your suntan lotion can!
And of course, don't forget the most important thing you need for any successful BBQ. Something fun to do to keep you cool! Pool, sprinkler, slip and slides are always the go to. But if you don't have them you can make your own. We've used garbage bags (that we wore---not that that is safe AT ALL) and Twister mats for slip and slides. And you can be pretty creative with a hose when you need to be. So put on some Beach Boys, Don Henley and Bryan Adams and get partying!
Meat - What is the central part of a BBQ but the main course? People will always be hungry and willing to eat. Remember, you can always put it in the freezer but making a run to the store midway through the party is no fun. Especially on big holiday weekends.
Ice - Somehow this always seems to be the thing people forget to buy. No one likes a BBQ with warm drinks. So don't forget to stock up!
Beer - See meat. Except insert that people will always be willing to relax with a cold one.
Bug Spray - Not only for yourself but for the yard. If you're outside there will be bugs. And sometimes those candles and any other voodoo charm you're hanging around doesn't cut it. My dad is a firm believer in Raid Yard Guard. Before each outdoor party he sprays just about one can around the perimeter of our backyard. There is definitely a huge difference on the amount of mosquito bites and gnats flying around out food compared to when he doesn't spray. And for those of us who are a mosquito's favorite dinner buffet, don't forget to spray some Off on yourself. Make sure it has Deet!Suntan lotion - The chances of getting skin cancer are higher if you have 2 serious burns before the age of 18, but that doesn't mean you can't continue to protect yourself as you age. Wear at least spf 15 (or higher if you're fair skinned) and make sure you cover every spot including face, eats, between fingers, toes, etc. It's those spots that are overlooked that are most likely to have cancer sprout. And don't forge to reapply after trips into the pool and throughout the course of the day. Just because you can last 10 hours outside doesn't mean your suntan lotion can!
And of course, don't forget the most important thing you need for any successful BBQ. Something fun to do to keep you cool! Pool, sprinkler, slip and slides are always the go to. But if you don't have them you can make your own. We've used garbage bags (that we wore---not that that is safe AT ALL) and Twister mats for slip and slides. And you can be pretty creative with a hose when you need to be. So put on some Beach Boys, Don Henley and Bryan Adams and get partying!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Product Rave - Smooth my Sole
My mom has a good friend who works for a magazine company and routinely brings home bags and bags of free items from her. I get to pick at the leftovers and sometimes my mom will set aside specific stuff she thinks I'll really like. When I went home this past Spring Break I had a goodie bag waiting for me. Included in it was a Smooth my Sole scrubber from Dr. Scholls.
I've gotten so many manicure/pedicure/beauty kit/etc. things over the years. 90% of the time the things get used once, or not at all, and tossed aside. At this point, I own nail filers, clippers, etc. and yet people always think you need 5 of them. So that's exactly what I did with this defoliator at first. Then it got warm in California and I had to wear sandals for the first time and I looked at my feet. Not completely gross, but not so great looking either. Dry cracked feet at not attractive, and definitely age you.
So one day when I actually had 10 minutes to pry open the package, look it over, and try to use it, I sat down on my bathroom mat after a shower and began to work. And holy crap. Was I surprised at the amount of dead skin that came off and I wasn't even trying that hard. After one usage, I removed so much stuff my feet felt markedly improved. Because I tend to forget to use these things after a shower (which is when they work the best because you've softened everything up), I now use it in the shower. It also makes cleaning up easier. I've been scrubbing away every other day for a week and am a complete convert. I don't think I'll ever live without a Smooth my Sole again. I actually want to touch my feet now...is that weird? I swear I don't have a foot fetish.
Now if I really wanted to make my feel feel soft as silk I'd probably start using my Bliss Spa socks with some foot cream again. But I'm not sure if my exhausted grad school student brain can remember to add that many steps into my beauty routine every week.
I've gotten so many manicure/pedicure/beauty kit/etc. things over the years. 90% of the time the things get used once, or not at all, and tossed aside. At this point, I own nail filers, clippers, etc. and yet people always think you need 5 of them. So that's exactly what I did with this defoliator at first. Then it got warm in California and I had to wear sandals for the first time and I looked at my feet. Not completely gross, but not so great looking either. Dry cracked feet at not attractive, and definitely age you.So one day when I actually had 10 minutes to pry open the package, look it over, and try to use it, I sat down on my bathroom mat after a shower and began to work. And holy crap. Was I surprised at the amount of dead skin that came off and I wasn't even trying that hard. After one usage, I removed so much stuff my feet felt markedly improved. Because I tend to forget to use these things after a shower (which is when they work the best because you've softened everything up), I now use it in the shower. It also makes cleaning up easier. I've been scrubbing away every other day for a week and am a complete convert. I don't think I'll ever live without a Smooth my Sole again. I actually want to touch my feet now...is that weird? I swear I don't have a foot fetish.
Now if I really wanted to make my feel feel soft as silk I'd probably start using my Bliss Spa socks with some foot cream again. But I'm not sure if my exhausted grad school student brain can remember to add that many steps into my beauty routine every week.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Top 5 rules for Bathing Suits, and some cute ones to boot.
Almost time for the beach! Or if you're a California girl, that time is pretty much here (yeah, I know, just rubbing that one in). And can someone please tell me why it is the clothes that require the least amount of fabric that are the most expensive? I have not bought a new bathing suit in over 4 years (the one I wear the most is from high school) and I am in desperate need of a new one, but who has the money to spend $100+ on those cute little one piece suits? Ridiculous. And for those of us with a sizable bust, finding something that is both supportive and cute is a nightmare. Ok, so maybe this isn't turning out as happy and positive as it started out, but I think we all know how hard this season can be for many people. So I guess we'll just shop and margarita the pain away?
Before we start, some rules:
1. Have at least 2, one for when you're tan and one for when you're not.
2. If you need it, please wear underwire. (I love the bandeau look, but not with my chest, unless that has some serious support you will not see me sporting that look.)
3. Make sure you feel comfortable, don't just get it because it's stylish or someone told you to.
4. Keep the lawn mowed.
5. Be age appropriate (and this floats both ways, tankinis can age you, low rise bottoms are not for your grandma).
5a. You may not think this, but be aware of your legs. Women generally just think about their behinds, but certain bottoms will either do harm or wonders for your legs. So make sure you pay attention to all your curves and your suit hugs in all the right places, not chops and dices you up.
From Modcloth: (these come in plus sizes too)
From Old Navy:
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini?
From Lord and Taylor:
From Urban Outfitter:
From Macy's:
And just two cover-ups to show you how versatile they can be! I admit, even I have a terrycloth robe dress that I've used for a few years as my cover-up, but I think it's time to grow out of the high-school style offerings and into some glamorous ones. Sporty? Chic? There's some for every style.
From Lord and Taylor:
Isn't that second one fabulous?
Still stuck? Check out this link and this link for some tips about how to pick out the right suit for your shape.
PS. H&M really has the best deals for stylish bikinis around, but unfortunately they don't have an online store.
Before we start, some rules:
1. Have at least 2, one for when you're tan and one for when you're not.
2. If you need it, please wear underwire. (I love the bandeau look, but not with my chest, unless that has some serious support you will not see me sporting that look.)
3. Make sure you feel comfortable, don't just get it because it's stylish or someone told you to.
4. Keep the lawn mowed.
5. Be age appropriate (and this floats both ways, tankinis can age you, low rise bottoms are not for your grandma).
5a. You may not think this, but be aware of your legs. Women generally just think about their behinds, but certain bottoms will either do harm or wonders for your legs. So make sure you pay attention to all your curves and your suit hugs in all the right places, not chops and dices you up.
From Modcloth: (these come in plus sizes too)
From Old Navy:
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini?
From Lord and Taylor:
From Urban Outfitter:
From Macy's:
And just two cover-ups to show you how versatile they can be! I admit, even I have a terrycloth robe dress that I've used for a few years as my cover-up, but I think it's time to grow out of the high-school style offerings and into some glamorous ones. Sporty? Chic? There's some for every style.
From Lord and Taylor:
Isn't that second one fabulous?
Still stuck? Check out this link and this link for some tips about how to pick out the right suit for your shape.
PS. H&M really has the best deals for stylish bikinis around, but unfortunately they don't have an online store.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Impressing for Less with Late Summer's Veggies
Peppers, eggplant, cantaloupes, apples, potatoes, figs, shallots, certain tomatoes, grapes, okra, green beans, and a whole host of other goodies are seasonally harvested as the end of summer. And now that fall is approaching some of my favorites are also available, like pumpkin, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, artichokes, brussels sprouts, parsnips and pears. In an attempt to keep cooking with produce that is seasonal, for our first dinner guests in our California apartment, I scoured my cookbooks to come up with a recipe that might include some vegetables from the above lists.
I tend to always go to the same cookbooks, so first I decided to go through all of my books and use post it notes to flag off recipes that I want to try (it helps to cut down on future searching time). And once I had done that I settled on a recipe from Impress for Less. My mom got us Impress for Less and it is one of the perfect cookbooks for us. We're big foodies, and this book basically gives you recipes from famous/expensive restaurants in several different cities around the country so that you can make really good and creative food for less than you would have spent going out to eat.
Now I admit, because I was really excited to have people over (two students in my PhD program who were coming over to study for our first quiz) I went a little bit over board. But they claimed to be foodies as well, and I promised them a good meal, so I rationalized that it would be ok to cook so much.
My main dish was the macaroni and cheese I wrote an entry about a little while ago. And while that's definitely enough food for four people, as I said earlier, I wanted to make some seasonal veggie dishes just to pretend to be healthy. So I made up one dish and picked another from the Impress for Less book.
Roasted Tomatoes:
-2 Shallots
-5-6 crimini mushrooms
-1 package of grape or cherry tomatoes
-fresh rosemary
-olive oil
1. Take tomatoes (I like smaller ones like a cherry or grape sized) and put them in a baking dish (like a pie dish) that has sides. Cover with a little bit of olive oil and bake at 350 degrees until they become soft and/or start to pop.
2. On the stove top, cook sliced scallions in olive oil for a few minutes. Then as they start to cook add some crimini mushrooms that you've also sliced up. Once the mushrooms start to look like they're a little cooked add fresh rosemary.
3. When the scallions and mushrooms are just about completely cooked take the tomatoes out of the oven and dump the contents of your frying pan in the pie dish. Give everything a good stir and drop the temperature of the oven to 200 degrees. Let the food cook for another 5 minutes and if everything looks cooked, then it's time to serve otherwise let it cook and keep checking until it's done.
With this next recipe, I changed it around because when I went to the super market I forgot to pick up some ingredients and then purposely left out others. You can click the link to get the real recipe, but mine is listed here.
From Impress for Less - Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, blue cheese, and Green Apples:
-olive oil
-1 cup peel and diced Gala Apples (you can use any but I liked these because they were sweet with only a little bit of tartness)
-8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 tablespoon cinnamon
-1/2 cup of sweet dry wine (like Riesling)
-5 slices of smoked bacon
-3 cups of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
-1 1/2 tablespoons of a good quality smoked BBQ sauce** see note at bottom
-1/4-1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese
1. Fry bacon until it's semi cooked in a frying pan. You don't want them to be crispy because you will be baking it again later. Save the fat in cup or bowl. Cut the bacon into 1 inch pieces and put them in a baking dish. Preheat the oven for 350 degrees- but don't put the dish in there now.
2. When you've dumped the fat in a bowl, without cleaning out the pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When it starts to get hot add the apples. Give them a stir and after one minute add 4 tablespoons of butter. When the butter begins to brown add the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. When the sugar begins to caramelize (that's when it bubbles up like it's boiling), add the wine.
3. Cook the apple mixture for 5-8 minutes. Let some of the liquid evaporate, but not all of it. When it's done, spoon out the apple with a slotted spoon into the baking dish with the bacon and continue to let the contents of the frying pan cook. Keep your slotted spoon handy and keep stirring it so the liquid doesn't burn. After a minute or two dump that into the baking dish.
4. Take a paper towel and clean up pan (it doesn't have to be perfectly clean, but make sure you get the bottom of the pan where the dribble went). Then dump the bacon fat you saved back into the pan and heat it up.
5. When the fat is hot again, add the brussels sprouts face down. When they begin to cook a little bit add the rest of the butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter completely melts flip the brussels sprouts over (I found it easiest to use tongs, and don't worry if some of the leaves come off).
6. When they've cooked for another 3 minutes dump the entire contents of the pan into the baking dish, add the smokey BBQ sauce, and stir everything around. Then put it in the oven (do not put a top on) and bake for 10-15 minutes until the brussels sprouts become tender.
7. Serve in the baking dish with the crumbled blue cheese on top.
At first I was skeptical of all the cinnamon and how liquidy this dish seemed to be before putting it in the oven. But after it came out and we were eating it with the macaroni and cheese, it was the perfect side dish to it. Smokey, sweet, with a bit of a kick from the cheese. Sometimes I impress even myself!
**A note about the BBQ sauce. So I think this is the second time I've mentioned using a good quality BBQ sauce and I know it will not be my last. When I keep talking about that, I'm not talking about going to the super market and buying one step up from Heinz, I mean a specialty sauce. My personal favorite is the Smoked Maple Chipotle finishing sauce from Bittersweet Herb Farms. I discovered them at an Artisan Craft fair in Tarrytown, NY and Nick and I are addicted to it. The craft fair is expensive, and we like to go to see the art (both wearable and not), but we save our money for the gourmet food and buy 3 at a time to get a discount. Three lasts us just about a year and I put it in half the stuff I cook, steak, hamburgers, and obviously vegetable dishes...I think at heart I might be from the South...
I tend to always go to the same cookbooks, so first I decided to go through all of my books and use post it notes to flag off recipes that I want to try (it helps to cut down on future searching time). And once I had done that I settled on a recipe from Impress for Less. My mom got us Impress for Less and it is one of the perfect cookbooks for us. We're big foodies, and this book basically gives you recipes from famous/expensive restaurants in several different cities around the country so that you can make really good and creative food for less than you would have spent going out to eat.
Now I admit, because I was really excited to have people over (two students in my PhD program who were coming over to study for our first quiz) I went a little bit over board. But they claimed to be foodies as well, and I promised them a good meal, so I rationalized that it would be ok to cook so much.
My main dish was the macaroni and cheese I wrote an entry about a little while ago. And while that's definitely enough food for four people, as I said earlier, I wanted to make some seasonal veggie dishes just to pretend to be healthy. So I made up one dish and picked another from the Impress for Less book.
Roasted Tomatoes:
-2 Shallots
-5-6 crimini mushrooms
-1 package of grape or cherry tomatoes
-fresh rosemary
-olive oil
1. Take tomatoes (I like smaller ones like a cherry or grape sized) and put them in a baking dish (like a pie dish) that has sides. Cover with a little bit of olive oil and bake at 350 degrees until they become soft and/or start to pop.
2. On the stove top, cook sliced scallions in olive oil for a few minutes. Then as they start to cook add some crimini mushrooms that you've also sliced up. Once the mushrooms start to look like they're a little cooked add fresh rosemary.
3. When the scallions and mushrooms are just about completely cooked take the tomatoes out of the oven and dump the contents of your frying pan in the pie dish. Give everything a good stir and drop the temperature of the oven to 200 degrees. Let the food cook for another 5 minutes and if everything looks cooked, then it's time to serve otherwise let it cook and keep checking until it's done.
With this next recipe, I changed it around because when I went to the super market I forgot to pick up some ingredients and then purposely left out others. You can click the link to get the real recipe, but mine is listed here.
From Impress for Less - Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, blue cheese, and Green Apples:
-olive oil
-1 cup peel and diced Gala Apples (you can use any but I liked these because they were sweet with only a little bit of tartness)
-8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 tablespoon cinnamon
-1/2 cup of sweet dry wine (like Riesling)
-5 slices of smoked bacon
-3 cups of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
-1 1/2 tablespoons of a good quality smoked BBQ sauce** see note at bottom
-1/4-1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese
1. Fry bacon until it's semi cooked in a frying pan. You don't want them to be crispy because you will be baking it again later. Save the fat in cup or bowl. Cut the bacon into 1 inch pieces and put them in a baking dish. Preheat the oven for 350 degrees- but don't put the dish in there now.
2. When you've dumped the fat in a bowl, without cleaning out the pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When it starts to get hot add the apples. Give them a stir and after one minute add 4 tablespoons of butter. When the butter begins to brown add the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. When the sugar begins to caramelize (that's when it bubbles up like it's boiling), add the wine.
3. Cook the apple mixture for 5-8 minutes. Let some of the liquid evaporate, but not all of it. When it's done, spoon out the apple with a slotted spoon into the baking dish with the bacon and continue to let the contents of the frying pan cook. Keep your slotted spoon handy and keep stirring it so the liquid doesn't burn. After a minute or two dump that into the baking dish.
4. Take a paper towel and clean up pan (it doesn't have to be perfectly clean, but make sure you get the bottom of the pan where the dribble went). Then dump the bacon fat you saved back into the pan and heat it up.
5. When the fat is hot again, add the brussels sprouts face down. When they begin to cook a little bit add the rest of the butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter completely melts flip the brussels sprouts over (I found it easiest to use tongs, and don't worry if some of the leaves come off).
6. When they've cooked for another 3 minutes dump the entire contents of the pan into the baking dish, add the smokey BBQ sauce, and stir everything around. Then put it in the oven (do not put a top on) and bake for 10-15 minutes until the brussels sprouts become tender.
7. Serve in the baking dish with the crumbled blue cheese on top.
At first I was skeptical of all the cinnamon and how liquidy this dish seemed to be before putting it in the oven. But after it came out and we were eating it with the macaroni and cheese, it was the perfect side dish to it. Smokey, sweet, with a bit of a kick from the cheese. Sometimes I impress even myself!
**A note about the BBQ sauce. So I think this is the second time I've mentioned using a good quality BBQ sauce and I know it will not be my last. When I keep talking about that, I'm not talking about going to the super market and buying one step up from Heinz, I mean a specialty sauce. My personal favorite is the Smoked Maple Chipotle finishing sauce from Bittersweet Herb Farms. I discovered them at an Artisan Craft fair in Tarrytown, NY and Nick and I are addicted to it. The craft fair is expensive, and we like to go to see the art (both wearable and not), but we save our money for the gourmet food and buy 3 at a time to get a discount. Three lasts us just about a year and I put it in half the stuff I cook, steak, hamburgers, and obviously vegetable dishes...I think at heart I might be from the South...
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