Sunday, August 31, 2008

Decline of a tomato plant

Tomato plant shortly after potting up.
Everyone who saw it commented on how healthy and robust it was.This was my tomato plant in early July. I was very proud of it.
Here's what it looks like today. What happened to it? One word: 'August'.
Still producing fine tomatoes, though.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Roasted Vegetable Breakfast Strata

I've been practicing breakfast casseroles this week in preparation for the 'Welcome Breakfast' at Dokime on Tuesday. I'm planning to record the event as a 'Virtuous Meal', but in the meantime, here's a recipe I made up myself. I was very happy with the results and so was Abe - he ate 3 helpings. Note that the picture was taken with our new camera.

Roasted Vegetable Breakfast Strata
1 lb roasted vegetables (see below)
1 lb hot Italian turkey sausage
6 hefty slices of sourdough
1/4 c butter, softened
2 T olive oil (in addition to the oil used to roast the vegetables)
8 eggs
1 cup feta
2 cups milk

1 lb vegetables amounted to:
7 stubby ears of corn, husked and rinsed
1/4 medium zuke, cut into 3/4 inch chunks
1/2 eggplant, cut into 3/4 inch chunks
10 gloves garlic, peeled
1 mediuiml red onion, halved and thickly sliced
12 small plum tomatoes, sliced in half

Preheat the oven to 425 (conventional). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper (spray the sheet with Pam first so the paper adheres). Put all the vegetables except the tomatoes on the sheet. Pour on 2 T olive oil. Sprinkle with sale and pepper. Move around with a wooden spoon to distribute the oil. Put in the oven for 45 minutes, stirring a couple times.

Move the vegetables aside to clear a place on the parchment for the tomatoes. Place them face down and return sheet to the oven for 15 more minutes.

Meanwhile, brown the sausage.

Take the veggies from the oven to cool. Reset the oven to 450/425 convect. Seperate the garlic from the rest of the vegetables and put a couple cloves in with the butter. Add the olive oil and mix into a paste. Spread on the bread slices and cut the bread into cubes.

Remove the corn kernels from the cobs and skin and chop the tomatoes. Add all the vegetables to the sausage and mix it all together.

Spray a 9x13 glass baking dish with Pam and lay down half the bread cubes. Top this with 2/3 of the sausage mixture. Top this with 1/2 cup feta. Repeat with the remaining bread cubes, sausage and feta. Press down on the the layers with your hand and even out the top.

Mix the egg and milk with a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl. Pour carefully over the layers. Put on the middle rack on the oven. Bake 45 minutes.

As the picture shows, the top of the strata turned pretty black. This was the eggplant skin. Didn't look good but tasted fine. I might consider covering the strata loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes or so, the next time I make this.

Saturday Six: At This Instant

A trademark expression of a favorite colleague of mine is the jumping off point for today's Saturday's Six:

1. At this instant, I'm feeling....
2. At this instant, the other members of my household are...
3. At this instant, I'm wearing...
4. At this instant, I'd rather be...
5. At this instant, the loudest noise around me is....
6. At this instant, I'm very satisfied with...

Monday, August 25, 2008

Material Monday: from the sublime to the not so much...GUM Soft Picks

You'll recall my last 'Material Monday' entry was about the Daily Bible Email. Our local kid who questions everything wondered how this post met the 'MM' qualifications and I had a ready answer: 'MM' is about anything material or technological that makes our life here on earth better. Daily Bible Email (sponsored by the National Bible Reading Union) certainly does that for me. I look forward to each day's offering and can sense a deepening appreciation for God's Word.

So there, Mr. Skeptic.

Today's 'MM' winner, GUM Soft Picks, is a more obvious fit and solves another vexing problem for me.

We all know we should floss at least once per day, having been taught this stern lesson in grammar school via the talking toothbrush film strip and the pills that made the spots you missed while brushing turn a sad shade of pink. One hitch: I hate flossing and simply can't bring myself to do it except in the 4 days leading up to a dental appointment. My hat is off to you if you do it regularly.

Since the BWCA trip, when we brushed with baking soda rather than minty bear attracting toothpaste, I have developed a new toothbrushing routine. I noticed that the baking soda treatment seemed to leave my teeth feeling cleaner and my mouth fresher for longer. So I've thrown the Crest away and have continued brushing with baking soda.

I was searching around in the dental care aisle at Wal-mart for other products that would fit my new regime. I found this expensive but dragon-breath-defeating mouthwash there and the GUM Soft Picks. What attracted me at first, was the neat little travel case that's included in each package and how much they didn't look like dental floss.

At $2.40 for 40 picks, this verges on being a luxury item, and you have aim carefully because if you hit your tooth instead of the interstices, you'll bend the pick beyond usefulness. But besides that, they're just about perfect and remove one more item from my list of things to feel guilty about not doing.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Friday 5: Getting to know you

1. Early bird or night owl?
2. Shower or bath?
3. An hour early, right on time, a minute late or ???
4. Summer, winter, fall or spring?
5. On your day off: do you have every minute planned and get everything done, do you have a long list but end up not doing most of it, do you just wake up and see where the day leads you? Do you plan things with family and friends, or do you enjoy getting away and doing something alone? Will you go to a movie or a play or a concert or a party? Will you ride your bike, work in the garden, go for a run, read a book, do volunteer work, take a class, work on a project (what?), cook a fancy meal?

Monday, August 18, 2008

Material Monday: DailyBible Email

Yesterday, our pastor challenged us to increase the time we spend reading the Bible, to just start where we're at and make it more. This was very convicting to me since I realized that where I was at was practically zero.
Since I love things like email and online bill pay and blogging and surfing and online shopping, I figured I could harness technology to get me past this block, so I searched yesterday for 'daily bible reading' and found lots of possibilities. Most are geared toward reading the entire Bible in a year like this one from Crosswalk (which also features an audio feed) but I'm for biting off a smaller chunk, at least to start.
The service I'm trialing is called DailyBible Email from Global Networks. I didn't read any of the fine print so don't know if they have a particular ax to grind, but I like the parallel format (NIV, CEV and KJV) and the low-key approach. Today's passage was so inspiring; it drove home to me what I've been missing by not making this a regular part of my life. Read the passage below and see if you don't agree. One question for you Greek scholars out there: Both the NIV and the KJV read 'cloud of witnesses' but the CEV says 'crowd of witnesses'? Which is more correct? I prefer 'cloud' - it paints an image of being surrounded by saints.

Hebrews 11.29-12.2 from the New International Version (NIV)
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12
God Disciplines His Sons
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Saturday 6: Olympics

We're not able to watch the Olympics (no TV or cable hook up) , so let me partake of the event via this post:
1. Have you been watching the Beijing Olympics? What have been some of the highlights for you so far?
2. Winter or Summer?
3. Which event do you watch and think, 'I would love to be able to do that'?
4. Do you recall any memorable moments from past Olympics?
5. What yet to come competition are you most looking forward to?
6. Have you ever had a brush with Olympic fame?

Building the compost pile (July 26, 2008)

I made my first compost pile the Saturday before we left for the BWCA. You may or may not be able to see the small collection of pictures here. If you can't, scroll down and click on the link in the album scroll.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Cooking on autopilot: Chicken with Tomato Rosemary Shallot Pan Sauce

Supper tonight was very much inspired by Pam Anderson's first book, "How to Cook Without a Book". I recently rediscovered her while searching for good granola recipes. What I like about Pam are her very approachable cooking style & writing style; when I read her books, I find myself saying: I can do that! She doesn't call for outlandish ingredients or hair tearing techniques. Another thing to love about Pam is she's not shy about using fat - butter and olive oil.

I bought the chicken breasts I used in this recipe at our local grocery store, owned by the Nilssen family which also runs a meat market in Glenwood City. This means the meat department at the Super Valu is a cut above what you'd usually find at a store of its size and that sometimes they offer chicken that they package themselves rather than getting it from a big processor like Gold'n Plump.

That's how I ended up with two giant chicken breasts for supper tonight. I picked up the smallest package of the no name chicken and it still weighed in a two pounds. I had to double check the label to make sure it was really chicken and not turkey.

The rather more uniform and smaller mass marketed breasts might work even better in this recipe since you'd save then time I spent minutes trimming the tenderloins, etc, but they might not be as succulent.

I'd like to make more meals like this: simple and quick but tasty, but next time, I'll take it a little easier on the fat. Sure smelled and tasted good, though. The sauce ended up being too thin and juicy for a true pan sauce, so call it what you will; I call it delicious.

Chicken with Tomato Rosemary Shallot Pan Sauce:
2 well trimmed breasts
1 shallot
1 beef steak tomato
1/4 cup vermouth
1/2 t finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 T butter
1 T olive oil
scant 1/4 cup of flour

Rice:
1 cup Uncle Ben's Natural Brown Rice
1 T butter
2 cups water

Wax Beans:
1 lb wax beans
1/2 t salt
1 T butter
1/3 cup water

Start the rice: bring water, rice and salt to a boil, set burner to low, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
Trim the beans. Chop the tomato, slice the shallots, flatten the chicken with a potato masher. Salt and pepper the chicken then dredge in flour (put flour in a pie plate).
When the rice is about 12 minutes from being done, start heating the oil and butter for the chicken in non stick skillet on medium heat.
When the rice is about 8 minutes from being done, put the beans, butter, salt and water in a Dutch oven on high. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until the water cooks off, stirring a couple times.
At the same time as you start the beans, turn the chicken pan up to medium high and place the breasts in the pan. Cook for 4 minutes on one side, flip and cook for another 4 minutes, then move to the serving plates. Turn the heat off the beans and the rice and cover.
Put the shallots and rosemary and vermouth in the pan, deglazing all the yummy brown bits. Reduce by half then add the tomatoes and cook for a minute or two.
Spoon the rice and beans onto the plates. Spoon the sauce onto the chicken and rice. Sit down, say grace and enjoy!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

A quiet simple granola

I’ve recently wearied of my ‘Fiber One and blueberries’ morning routine: blueberries are hard to find and expensive and are not always flavorful; the cereal alone tastes like cardboard and is also pretty pricey. I needed a change.

So I began hunting for an appealing granola recipe. Appealing meaning: readily available ingredients and no need to purchase new equipment (like a food processor which I haven’t had for years or a blender which I haven’t had since I recklessly burned out the motor of my last one trying to make homemade peanut butter). The recipes here came pretty close and reintroduced me to Pam Anderson, a cook I admire, but they weren’t quite the ticket.

I found what I was looking for on Thursday, when Sallie at “A Quiet Simple Life” posted this great recipe. I’ve incorporated a few of Pam’s suggestions into my version below, but it’s pretty faithful to the original so I’ve dubbed it “A Quiet Simple Granola”, in honor of Sallie.

If you’re not familiar with Sallie’s work, sample this recent post (“Fragmented Lives”) and consider adding her blog to your list of frequently visited sites. I’ve been reading her for years, having first stumbled across her original blog called ‘Two Talent Living’, before I knew what a blog was. But I knew what good, thoughtful and thought provoking writing was and that’s what Sallie offers on a regular basis. That, and some dynamite recipes from time to time.
A Quiet Simple Granola
5 cups old-fashioned oats
1 & ½ cups sliced almonds (6 oz package)
½ cup packed light brown sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup cooking oil
¼ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 & ½ cups dried fruit (Craisins or raisins or a mix)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix the oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Warm the oil and honey in the microwave for one minute. Whisk or stir in vanilla. Carefully pour liquid over oat mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon; finish mixing by hand.
Spread granola in two large baking pans (I use two foil lasagna pans). Bake 15 minutes, stir and repeat two more times for a total or 45 minutes. Stir in dried fruit and bake 10 minutes more. Let cool completely, then seal granola in an airtight container.
Makes 9 cups (24 servings).

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Pleasures

This morning I ran 5 miles. Yesterday, too. The weather is cooler these last few days, and much less humid. I believed cooler, less humid air would make me faster, but in reality, I found I was a bit more stiff. Still, the ease of breathing, compared to more humid conditions, makes the run feel easier if not faster.

At the lakefront, there are some fine trees down after Monday night's storms. Sad.

On 3 or 4 occasions, I have had the sneaking pleasure of passing other runners. Oh, how superior I feel then, especially if they are younger, or male, or more fit-looking than I! (Almost everybody!) Of course, this cannot show as I pass, as I would hate for anyone to think I'm feeling what I actually AM feeling! How good it is not to be the slowest person out there!

Mostly, alas, I find myself on the other end of that equation: the one being passed; especially this morning, it seemed as if everyone out there was jogging easily past me, not even breathing hard. Lots of training groups for the Chicago marathon on Saturday mornings, along with other young people who run seriously or maybe just once a week, but I am no competition for them . . .

Still, while the run itself isn't necessarily pure pleasure, the sensations of well-being and virtue that sweep over me afterward are definitely worth the sweat and aching muscles and huffing and puffing.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Friday 5: Summer choices

1. Peaches or nectarines?
2. Shorts or capris?
3. Pool or lake?
4. Wax beans or green beans?
5. Walk or run or ride a bike?

Monday, August 4, 2008

Sour Milk Chocolate Cake

Besides not making the cream cheese icing and forgetting to put in the last 1/8 cup of the warm water/baking soda mixture and using old milk without adding vinegar, I made this pretty much as directed here. Mixed it with my handy mixer. The cake rose beautifully and baked in about 48 minutes at 350, conventional. The crumb was very moist, but the cake sliced nicely.
Rather than icing it, we topped in a simple sauce made from local raspberries and sugar, natural vanilla ice cream and, to red line the decadence meter, chocolate sauce. It was so good. I sent some home with Marlys and took a couple pieces to Marge (topped with the raspberry sauce only).

Material Monday: Hamilton Beach 225W Hand Mixer with Snap-On Case

When I bought this mixer about a year ago at Menard's of all places, I didn't pay anything close to the web prices I'm seeing today. I'm remembering that it was $12.99 or maybe cheaper.
The low price was one reason I bought it plus the snap on case plus the sticker that said it won the 4 Forks Award from epicurious.com plus the fact that I had ditched our previous mixer when we were moving and really needed another. The previous mixer was a hateful object - it splattered all the time, regardless of what it was mixing.
On the other hand, my new mixer makes me smile every time I use it. It runs great, isn't messy and stores neatly. Plus, it was a fabulous bargain. Highly recommended!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

We're great-aunts!

Though the term brings to mind ladies in orthopedic shoes with tissues stuffed into the bosoms of their floral dresses, Lorraine, Cindy and I may now claim the title 'Great-Aunt', thanks to the arrival of Cameron Nathaniel Gray.

Here's the note that accompanied the picture:
Here are pictures of Cameron born today at 4pm. 6 pound 8 ounces. Theresa only had 10 hours of labor and did a wonderful job. Everything went smooth. Thanks for all the prayers.
Ed and Paula

And here's a link to more pictures: Cameron

Friday, August 1, 2008

Friday 5: We all scream for . . .

1. What's your favorite flavor?
2. Where did you like to eat ice cream when you were a kid?
3. Tell a favorite "ice cream memory" -- or 2 or 3 . . .
4. Where do you like to eat ice cream now? What do you usually order? Sundaes or cones, shakes or ???
5. What other frozen treats do you like? (Dove ice cream bars, Italian ice, Slurpees, etc.)