Posts from — July 2010

I am trying to avoid the aroma that is currently flowing from my kitchen and filling the entire house… baked sweetness. So instead I shall write about something else that may not seem so sweet at first but truly is… compost.

Some thirteen or fourteen years ago I began composting. I would love to say that I am an avid composter, but honestly, I’m more of a sporadic composter. It all began when I spotted an article in the newspaper stating that the City of Phoenix was recycling old worn-out trash cans into compost bins and all you needed to do was call and they would gladly deliver one to your home … free! I was into gardening so the idea of composting appealed to me and the word “free” – of course, was all it took. The next day a city truck arrived and dropped off my new bin. What they had done was cut off the bottom of the large rubber trash can, cut large holes all around the sides of the can, and take off the hinged lid, leaving an opening where the hinge had been – voila, a compost bin was born.

[Read more →]

This is the typical sort of dinner you’ll get at our house on a day when I don’t want to venture out in the 110 degree suffocating heat just to get groceries! I will do anything to avoid leaving the air-conditioned loveliness that is my house!

First I look in the refrigerator – not much there. More smoked pork, but we’ve had that 2 days in a row, so that will not fly with my guys. Produce drawers – bell peppers, wilting green onions, romaine that has about 24 hours before decisions must be made, and a surprisingly good-looking bunch of cilantro.

Next stop – garden – ugg! Everything is looking sad, drought-ridden, and parched! Snip off the last bit of tarragon and get back into the A/C!

What about the pantry – nothing at all inspiring. There is pasta, but that’s always sitting there…. Why in God’s name do these people need to eat every darn day – don’t they know how hot it is?!?!  OK, compose yourself.

Last stop the freezer – oh the glorious coldness that flows from the freeze finally gives me the inspiration I have been so very desperate for! What miracles do I find there? Nothing all that much really – shrimp, edamame, and peas – but it is enough.

[Read more →]

Bulgur is one of the unsung heroes of the grain world. A staple of the traditional Mediterranean diet for thousands of years, bulgur wheat has recently become popular in modern health food and vegetarian diets. Rich in “B” vitamins, iron, phosphorous, and manganese.

Bulgur is wheat in its whole form, which has been parboiled for quick cooking. Bulgur is sometimes confused with cracked wheat, which is crushed wheat grain that has not been parboiled. It comes in three types, coarse grind which has a consistency that is similar to that of rice and can be used in place of rice in any recipe. A medium grind is most commonly used for cereal and fillings, and fine grind is usually used for tabbouleh and other salads – such as the one below.

[Read more →]

… there’s hair and skin, and clothes that smell like smoke! I’ve had a charcoal smoker for years and use it every now and then. The reason I don’t use it more often (besides the need to immediately take a shower afterward to get rid of the “Smokey The Bear” smell) is that it seems like a lot of work to have to keep adding charcoal and keep the fire going all day long. But then, while in Payson at Barb’s earlier this week, I spotted an unassembled electric smoker in the garage and said, “Cool, and electric smoker!” To my delight, Barb said, “You can have it, it’s just been sitting there for four years.” I was so excited, I don’t think I said my usual, “Really, are you sure?”  So, Connor and I assembled it yesterday and I am putting it into service today to make smoked pulled pork. Thank you, Barb! ( I think that’s #5 – inside joke!)  xoxo

Smoked pulled pork barbeque may sound like strenuous work, but it’s not, it’s simply a gentle, slow cooking process that is ideal for outdoor smoking. It is time-consuming though, so be sure that you or another willing subject are around to tend to the smoking meat every hour for about 6 hours. [Read more →]

Yesterday I mentioned the outstanding sliders that Barb, Kim, and I had at Chaparral Pines in Payson, Arizona. We split an order and I’ve been dreaming about and wanting MORE every moment since then! I dissected the menu description and, by Joe, I think I’ve got it! They are so fabulous, they must be shared – here you go! These would be a great addition for next year’s 4th of July BBQ.  BTW, you will have extra mayo and onions leftover after you make the 12 sliders – this is a good thing… a very good thing!

[Read more →]

I spent the last couple of days in beautiful Payson, Arizona at the summer home of my dear friend and mentor, Barbara Fenzl, along with Kim Howard, who rounds out our “3 Amigos”. 

Kim and I drove up on Tuesday morning and the three of us spent a wonderful day relaxing, catching up, and cooking together. Then early on Wednesday morning, we hiked for about 90 minutes up and down the Horton Creek Trail before heading back for a yummy lunch at the Chaparral Pines Country Club (recipe to follow tomorrow for my take on their sumptuous Ahi Tuna Sliders!)

Kim headed back down to the Valley after lunch, while Barb and I drove north to Strawberry, Arizona to check out Fossil Creek Creamery.

We tasted and purchased their lovely goat cheese, which you will find on fine dining menus around the Valley; including Binkley’s, T-Cooks at The Royal Palms, Quiessence at South Mountain, and Kai at Wild Horse Pass. While the cheese is tasty, the best part was petting the baby goats – adorable! The little black and white cutie at the top of the page was my favorite!

Now, what to make with this fabulous fresh goat cheese… I can’t think of anything better than these amazing biscuits that are served at Art Smith’s southern-style Chicago restaurant, Table Fifty-Two. Art Smith was the personal chef to Oprah Winfrey from 1997 to 2007, so the biscuits have a pedigree! Enjoy!

P.S. Funny how things work out… my own adorable daughter talked about goats on her blog just a couple of days ago… strange when you think about it – how often do people you know actually mention goats?

[Read more →]

Green beans are not only delicious when served hot but also great served cold or at room temperature. This Asian-inspired salad is a perfect example of just that. Trader Joe’s sells Garlic-Basil flavored linguine that puts this vegetarian salad/side dish over the top.

[Read more →]

Gratin and scalloped potatoes are so versatile, from the cheese to the flavorings – the mixing and matching options are endless. For the cheese; Swiss, cheddar, blue, goat, or no cheese at all. There are too many flavorings to mention but a short list might include onion, red pepper, tomato, fresh herbs, bacon, or mushrooms. The liquid doesn’t have to be milk or cream; you can use chicken broth, wine, sour cream, yogurt, and even water. What I like best about the gratins featured here is the size. Individual gratins are prettier than the “scooped from the pan” version and are perfect with a summer BBQ side.

[Read more →]

“Hi, I’m back!”  That is what I feel like saying because I haven’t put up a new post in 12 days! “What?”, you say, “That doesn’t make sense, I just read your post from yesterday.” (you DID read it, didn’t you?!?!) Well, as previously stated, there is a wonderful thing in the blogging world called “scheduling a post”, so all the posts of the past 12 days were done weeks ago, so I really do feel as if I’m finally “back at it!”

Dave and I had a glorious trip to Wisconsin to stay at the gorgeous log cabin (really a big lavish house!) on a lake, in the “North Woods” where life is slow and relaxing. I was able to snap an even better picture of a bald eagle this year than I was able to snap last year… here it is!

The cabin belongs to our BFF’s, Jeff and Jen, and their three boys. Jen is a fabulous cook and one of the best parts of the trip is cooking with her and eating on the deck (overlooking the lake, of course) with our husbands. After each meal, the guys ask, “Why do we ever bother to go out to eat when the food here is so much better than anything we pay for?”  Good question!

Next year, I vote, we just stay in! A favorite all week long (for us adults) was this drink that I learned to make when Dave, Marissa, Connor, and I were in Turk & Caicos in May. And since we came home to 110-degree heat, I may be making another batch later today! As promised yesterday, you’ll find pictures of my fridge from classes at the bottom of the post.

[Read more →]

Potato skins are something I generally associate with the fall or winter. I’m not really sure why that is, but when they are grilled, instead of baked and broiled, they just seem more “summery”. These were a huge hit on the last day of summer kids’ classes! Speaking of which, ever wonder what the kitchen looks like before and during classes? A few photos are at the end of the recipe… I wasn’t brave enough to put up any “after” pics!  Tomorrow I’ll share a few photos of what my fridge looks like after a shopping “spree” before a week of classes – it’s scary – I’ll tell you that!

[Read more →]