Food Smart Ass

To be cheeky I looked up "Tater Tot Casserole" on epicurious.com.
It said "What did you mean?"
then I looked up "Tater Tot".

It gave me a recipe for "Homestyle 'Tater Tot' and Truffles".

Hmmmm.... Tatertots for the rich and famous.

The uncookable Fried Chicken

Today is testament that I still don't know how to make Fried Chicken. Therefore, I must not take after my Grandma Obert that much because I heard that she knew how to make a mean batch of home style fried chicken. I believe that fried chicken depends more on the process to be good and depends less on ingredients.

The last time I made it I just took the chicken pieces and coated them with flour, salt and pepper and fried them in "very hot" vegetable oil. It was as, like my friend Sara B. experienced today, a bloody disgusting mess.

Today I was slightly more prepared. I soaked my hind quarters in buttermilk mixed with chili sauce last night. Sometime this morning I breaded them with a mixture of corn meal, corn starch, ww flour, and white flour. I thought, "Couldn't hurt, mix it all in." My neighbors let me borrow their gas fryer. I set it up in the driveway with all my accoutrement. I had also borrowed a very high tech thermometer that kept a very accurate reading of the temperature of the oil. I bought peanut oil and heated it up to 370 degrees. Lucia and my neighbor friend looked out the window at me as I started putting in the chicken 3 pieces at a time and rolled them around in there until they were golden brown and dripped them dry and set them on a system of paper towels that I had made up on cookie sheets. Men who live on my street strolled over to my driveway with cans of beer in their hands to survey the spectacle. You need to have a few men standing around watching the show when you are working on a project like this one. You have equipment, food and the outdoors... BAM! Before you know what happened you have 3 guys standing over you. I finished feeling confident that I had at last made an excellent batch of fried chicken. That is... until I bit into one.

It was RAW! I swore at it for about five minutes then ran over to the neighbors with Lucia on my hip to convey my bad news. So as soon as she had a minute we started the whole process over again. Lucia with the neighbor and me with my fryer, chicken and neighbor men. They walked up to me, "Hey, what happened? OH, what you gotta do is..." The chicken got another shade darker. We brought it in. We cut into it... STILL PINK!

So I have it in the oven... Hours later. Its probably going to taste like dry shit. I have another 15 pounds of chicken in the refrigerator that is bound for the grill tomorrow. I boiled it today. Its resting with a nice coating of Old Bay and olive oil on it.

Damn Hind Quarters. Now I know why they are 69 cents a pound. They are impossible to cook!

In Case any of you were wonderin'...

This is how we cook squirrel over here in Iowa. In Iowa City the illusive "Black squirrels" are the delicacy:

OLD SQUIRREL*

1 squirrel, cleaned and skinned

Barbecue sauce

Put squirrel in a pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the meat falls off the bone. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Place pieces in saucepan and top with generous amount of bbq sauce. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

YOUNG SQUIRREL*

1 squirrel, cleaned and skinned

1 cup sour cream

2 medium onions, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bone and cut squirrel into bite sized pieces and brown in frying pan. Put pieces in casserole. Mix sour cream and onions and spread over squirrel. Roast 1 hour.

*Recipes from The Des Moines Register Cookbook by Carol McGarvey, Marie McCartan and C.R. Mitchell

Recipes worth noting from Lite and Delicious cuisine of India by Madu Gahdia.

Just as a slight tangent... Why do recipes use the misspelling of "Light"? Or is "Lite" really a word. I could look it up but I'm too lazy.

Alu Gobhi

1 med. cauliflower (4cups)

2 med. potatoes

4 tsp. Veg oil

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

2 tsp coriander powder

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped (cilantro)

1. Cut up cauli into 1 inch florets and peel, wash potatoes and cut into 1" pieces- set aside.
2. Heat Veg oil in nonstick skillet and brown over med. heat for few seconds.
3. Add Cauli and pots.
4. Add Ginger, turmeric, salt and cay. pepper. Stir to coat vegs.
5. Cover with a lid, heat through and reduce heat. Simmer for 8-10 min until veg are tender but firm.
6. Sprinkle coriander powder, lemon juice and garam masala. Stir. Increase heat to med. and pour remaining 2 tsp of oil around the sides, allowing the oil to get to the bottom of the pan. Fry for 3-5 mins. Stir occasionally in a lifting and turning fashion to avoid mashing veg. all the liquid should be evaporated.
7. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with fresh coriander.

I should be honest and say I added a few splashes of coconut milk to the recipe. I like it a little creaminess to my Alu Gohbi but have notices that its not really how its supposed to be cooked. I don't know where I ate it that it was creamy (I think in Davenport) but I really like it that way and am disappointed when restaurants serve it dry.

Here is how you make Garam Masala:

1. 1 1/2 Tblsp whole cardamom
2. 4 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces
3. 1 tsp whole black pepper
4. 1 tsp cumin seeds
5. 1 Tblsp whole cloves
6. 2 bay leaves broken up
7. 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
8. 1 tsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves-optional)
9. Pinch of saffron (optional)

Put everything into your coffee grinder and powder finely.

I obviously didn't use the optional items and I thought the recipes I tried still tasted as they should.

The paneer was easy because you just had to spread part skim ricotta into a pan and then bake until the water evaporated. It's not true paneer but it works for American purposes. I used it to make Matar Paneer and it tasted really good. Kent even ate it despite the fact that he hates peas and it was a dish consisting primarily of peas. Those of you who want more will have to check out the book. I'll return it before next weekend.

Indian dish night at the Olsons

Well, I successfully made my first Indian dish for supper.
It took me forever to figure out what Garam Masala was. But once I found a recipe for it I had fun using my coffee grinder to make up some homemade!
I made Alu Gohbi and it was delicious. I tried making Naan but my yeast was old and didn't rise. That was okay because I had plenty of Basmati Rice. I also made Paneer from some part skim Ricotta cheese. I'm thinking about making one more dish tonigh with the Paneer and peas (it has a tomato sauce instead of the yellow sauce).
So, I guess this inspiration is lasting a little longer than expected!

Inspiration, Iowa City

I feel like I can do anything and be anything when I go to the library. If I get an idea or a tinge of inspiration I like to go to the library and check out all the books I can find on that topic or idea. Then I head to the audio section and check out CDs with thoughts of future mix CDs dancing in my head and finally I finish up at the DVDs and decided on my entertainment for the week. My friends and I have all made a nice habit of frequenting the library.

The little ones get new books for the week, play with the trains that are set up in there and poke around the movies and computers a bit between episodes of blindly running from here to there. It is during this time that Lucia and I sit back and look on with pride and admiration at my friends with their children. They are being brought up well with good memories of trips to the library- as it should be. I remember the library cards from when I was a little girl. It was very official. Your number was punched into a metal strip that was inserted into a very sturdy card. I remember thinking library cards are very dear. Today they are cheap plastic cards and don't nearly look as important as they actually are.

Today's inspiration at the library was an episode of the Splendid table from NPR this weekend. There was a feature on a new Filipino cookbook. It just so happened that I was sent home with a nice big bag of Pancit this weekend from Tita Leti (Genevieve's Aunt who makes amazing authentic Filipino food). I was named as part of the family way back in High school (I ate the squid) and have eve rafter been treated as part of their family. I was excited by the prospect of making this dish for myself.

I found the cookbook and three others on Filipino cooking and Indian cooking. Here are the titles:

1. The Filipino-American Kitchen by Jennifer M. Aranas
2. Memories of Philippine Kitchens by Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan (this was the featured book on Splendid Table)
3. Cuisines of India: The Art and Tradition of Regional Indian Cooking by Smita Chandra
4. Lite and Luscious Cuisine of India: Recipes and tips for healthy and quick meals By Madhu Gadia.

I also checked out a novel that I hope I will actually read.

I'm excited to get this brain/stomach party started!

p.s. I reserve the right to lose inspiration at any moment.

NO-BAKE CHAI CHEESE PIE

(oh man, this opportunity is TOOO good to pass up... SLo this Pie's for you. Because you're always harping about how much you love chai... Because you hoarded the no bake cheesecake throughout college... and because you LOVE pie, right?)

Ingredients:
1 individual tea bag
1/2 c. boiling water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 pk. (8 oz.) cream reduced fat cream chz
1 pk. fat free cream chz
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. refrigerated fat free French Vanilla nondairy creamer
1/2 t. ground cinnamon divided
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/8 t. each ground cardamom, allspice, and cloves
1 reduced fat graham cracker crust (8 ")
1/2 c reduced fat whipped topping.

Place tea bag in a small bowl; add boiling water. Cover and steep for 5 min. Discard tea bag. Refrigerate tea for 30 min. or until chilled.
Sprinkle gelatin over tea; let stand for 1 minute. Microwave on high for 30 sec; stir. Let stand for 1 minute or until gelatin is completely dissolved.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheeses and sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in the creamer, gelatin mixture, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and cloves until blended.
Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set. Garnish with whipped topping and remaining cinnamon.

My birthday day...

It's officially my birthday today and it was pretty normal. I brought one of my now famous Irish Cream Bundt cakes (Go ahead JR... "Bundt! a Bunnnn-t") into work and the teachers loved it... Teachers. The way into their heart is definitely through their stomachs.
After work I ran home to my lovely Lucia and she promptly ate so long we were unable to take a walk in today's gorgeous weather. Pop-o came and took us to eat at the Power Company. I had the Oscar Steak which is a steak medallion topped with asparagus and crab. It was delectable! YUM... I did drink more than one glass of wine, I'm afraid... We drank a Cab with a fancy Spanish name that was actually from California. For dessert I had the bread budding that had a chocolate chip banana nut element topped with caramel sauce. Pop-o insisted we bring dessert home for Kent as his birthday is on the 8th. So I picked out the Irish Cream cheesecake topped with some sauce for him.
We had a humorous moment when our meals came out and I could tell something was written in his Bourdelaise (sp!?!)sauce in green but I couldn't tell what. I saw it while he was cutting into his steak and said, "Did someone sign your meal?"
"I guess so!" Pop-o laughed.
But alas it wasn't signed. Someone wrote, "Enjoy." In his sauce. I thought some smart ass named Enzo had signed his work.
So now I think that Lucia and I will just snuggle up and watch "Pride and Prejudice." It's playing on WE tonight. I am consciously trying not to think about feeding my husband.
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN SAMMIE!

"If you like Pina Coladas!..."

I bought a pineapple slicer while I was in Seattle and tried it out. It really rocks my world. I love fresh pineapple. When you're done extracting the pineapple it really does leave the outside part in the form of a cup as shown top right of picture. My brother already had one. Then Mom wanted one. So I bought her one as a Mother's day gift and bought one for myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAE, GRANDMA ELAINE, JOE B., CARRIE and HAPPY ST. JOESPH'S day and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY... Whew (did I miss anyone?). OH Yeah! and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHRIS AND TRISH!

Lucia, Kent and I all got up at 5 am this morning. She was happy and content and then soon after was asleep (while I wasn't). So.... I started a St. Joesph's day feast instead of a St. Patrick's day feast. I invited Grandma Olson for her birthday which was today (HAPPY 29th birthday... x's what again?)!

Here is the menu:

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage with Guinness
2. Irish Soda Bread
3. Irish Cream Bundt cake

I know my mom was real curious about it so I thought I would just share via my blog. We used some of the place settings my mother made for us this Christmas. Grandma Ole brought strawberry pie and daffodils for the centerpiece.

Lucia was NOT feeling super today- lots of gas, poops, and crying. So I felt bad that the grandparents had to endure so much of that. I used the infant Gas-x for the first time today. I hope that helps for the rest of the night.

Fish oil to Flax seed...

I recently finished all my fish oil capsules to my relief and delight. At last! no more fishy burp days! My plan was to switch to Flax seed oil to prevent this unfortunate side effect. However, after a little research on WebMD I have found that not all Omega 3s were created equal. Apparently Fish oil is a DHA Omega 3... the really good kind that will make Lucia and I smart and capable of extraordinary sight! Flax seed is an AHA Omega 3 and, frankly, they didn't have much to say of it at all. So now I need to take back my new bottle of Flaxseed oil and return it for one of the special DHA breastfeeding supplements. I have been sampling some that was available at the doctor's office as a free gift from LIPIL that does not make me burp like a sailor. So I guess their advertising methods are about to PAY OFF!

Here is my attempt at a nice picture of the coffee cake I made... Its pretty crumby! Haa ha ha ha. I'm hilarious.

This feels like heaven.

So when I'm not basking in the warm cuddeliness of my daughter I have been finding ways to use some of those ingredients in my cupboards that I haven't been able to incorporate into our weekly menus.

Here is what I came up with:

I had a pork loin roast but not onions for a more "Pot Roast" approach to the meat. Sooooo... I slow cooked it with sauerkraut, spices, and a bottle of Guinness... It was AWESOME! I so recommend it.

I also had ALOT of left over walnuts from a few holiday recipes. So I made a delicious coffee cake.

I feel pretty damned accomplished. Now I have to decide if I need to grocery shop today or can we make it another few days? I have very little time to decide as I'm visiting friends for 5:30 pm dinner.

I should do it. Wat wat waaaaaaaa.

Our first snowy snowy night

I made the holiday drop chocolates last night and finished cleaning the house in lieu of going to Cedar Rapids. It was snowing pretty heavily and conditions were not good for driving. I have learned, however, that multi-tasking and melting chocolate do not go well together. My first batch of "Peanut Clusters" were disastrous and came out looking more like "Peanut Poop"(you know what I'm talking about). They are tasty enough but very unappetizing to look at. I was so frustrated with myself that the "Chinese Noodle cookies" turned out perfect but the recipe made a small batch. The turtles were OK but I didn't heed my mother's advice and dropped them on wax paper... Getting them off the wax paper caused swearing and high blood pressure. Making these holiday goodies was not at relaxing and fun as I anticipated.
The view outside is wonderful right now... Right out of a Christmas card. I REALLY want to go X-country skiing as the snow is light and powdery. I surprised my husband last night. He came home to find I shoveled the sidewalk and driveway. It was nice enough outside and the snow wasn't too heavy. I don't feel very debilitated by my pregnancy at 7 1/2 months. In fact, I feel less so now than ever. My hips and other joints ache all day but I have more energy than ever.
So.... X-country skiing? Bad idea?

Holiday fun

This past week I made holiday spritz cookies and they turned out lovely. I'm planning on making some of those chocolate drop cookies this week too. I will try to post a photograph of them.
I have joined a choir for the holidays called "MetroMix Choir". Its been lots of fun and we have been preparing for a concert at the Englert on December 13th (doors open at 6:30) called "Festival of Carols". There will be cookies and hot chocolate and a reading of The Night Before Christmas as well.
Our tree is up and I'm just really enjoying the season. I will be preparing for the greatest gift of all: our new family member. There is a song we sing called Mary did you Know that gets me all emotional. I can't help but wonder what wonderful things are in store for Kent and I.