Chopped

I love that show on The Food Network. But, this post doesn't have anything to do with the show. Sorry.

Today, after bible study, I'll be busy in my kitchen most all afternoon (and maybe into the evening). I'll be chopping veggies and roasting beef for our churches annual Harvest Party tomorrow. George and I make an outdoor kettle full of tummy warming goodness. There's nothing like vegetable beef soup that has been simmered all day. Mmm, Mmm, good!

From Fruit to Fruity Goodness

It's wide known around this area that I will can anything I can get my hands on. If someone is giving away their excess...I am more than willing to accept their generosity.
While I was in Massachusetts my sister texted me asking if I wanted grapes from a lady at her church. I accepted without hesitation. My mind started spinning with what I might do with my free bounty. I decided to do what any girl would do with an excess of grapes. Make grape jelly. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, so it's only natural that when life gives you grapes, you make grape jelly...right!?! That's what I thought.
What I did not think of, was all the stuff I had to get done after returning home from a week away. The catching up that goes along with being gone from home. Oh well...what's one more thing on an already too long list?

Oh, and an added bonus...purple hands. I attended a Pampered Chef party at my sister in law's house the night I made the jelly and my sweet little niece, Taylor, said...and I quote..."your hands are dirty"...I said no, they are stained from making grape jelly...and she said "they look dirty to me"and walked away...I don't think she believed me. I'm pretty sure she thinks I came to the party with dirty hands.



*~*Ooh, and don't you just love the new canning lids!?! I am so happy to see the old ugly gold ones disappear. I love the new silver colored ones. So much prettier. *~*

The Smell of Baking Bread...

...there's nothing quite like it. I'm baking Olive Bread. Trying to perfect the recipe, actually. They say practice makes perfect, so I think I'll be smelling that heavenly aroma pretty regularly.

If/when I get it right, I'll be sharing. It is so good!

One of the perks

My guys travel for work. This time of year they travel a lot. Sometimes I go with them, but because of other obligations I often find myself staying here at home more than I find myself out with them. I miss them...but I also enjoy my time alone. Don't worry...they are here 24/7 for about 5 months over the winter so I get to make up for lost time then. Could be one of the reasons why I love winter so much...that and snow. I adore snow almost as much as I adore my family.

Anyway.

One of the perks (besides staying up late to watch Gilmore Girls for the millionth time) is that I don't have to cook. I love to cook, but it's nice to not have to cook all the time. Know what I mean?

Like tonight. Earlier my uncle dropped off some potatoes and zucchini that he had made. Now I wouldn't normally think to saute potatoes and zucchini together but it is really good. Trust me. I had an ear of corn left over from the other day. I cut the corn off the cob, mixed it with the potatoes and zucchini and nuked it in the microwave. The whole process took less than 2 minutes...and was yummy. My guys would never in a million years want that for dinner. No meat. No pasta. Just veggies. Doesn't meet their minimum requirement for dinner...but it does mine.

Fried Green Tomatoes Anyone!?!

I don't eat a lot of fried foods, but every summer should have at least one feasting of fried green tomatoes...don't ya think!?! A little horseradish sauce for dipping makes them all the better. Yum!
Fried Green Tomatoes

• 1 egg


• 1/2 c milk


• 1 cup flour


• 3/4 cup cornmeal


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 teaspoon pepper


• 3 or 4 green tomatoes, cut into slices as thick as you like them


• oil for frying (I use canola)


• additional salt for sprinkling


• horseradish sauce (if desired)

Combine the egg and milk in a shallow bowl (I like to use a pie pan).

Combine the flour, cornmeal, teaspoon salt and pepper in another shallow bowl.

Coat tomatoe slices with flour/cornmeal mixture. Dip into egg mixture and then back into flour/cornmeal mixture. Set aside.

Pour oil into a cast iron skillet until about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in depth. Heat over medium to medium high heat. Drop tomatoes in batches into hot oil (don't crowd) and fry till golden. Flip over and continue until other side is golden and crisp as well. Drain on a cookie sheet covered with paper towels. Sprinkle with additional salt while still hot.

Enjoy!

*For horseradish sauce; mix mayo and bottled horseradish (found in the refrigerator aisle) to taste.

Flour

That's the name of the bakery we visited in Boston last yeek. YUM! I had heard that their sticky buns were awesome so we stopped by and grabbed a few. Double YUM!

They have a cookbook coming out in the fall...I wonder if their sticky bun recipe will be included!?! Judging from the cover of the book, I'd say yes. Lucky me!