Cooking

Foil Packet Cooking

JanetLeave a comment

Granny had some good ideas in her kitchen.

Recently I watched a video showing a variety of meals made in aluminum foil packets. While many could be cooked on the grill, the video showed the packets cooking the oven. As I watched, I remembered many meals I had growing up that were made in such packets. In fact, one of my very favorite roast beef recipes was made in aluminum foil.

I was saddened to realize that we seem to have abandoned this method of cookery… If you are interested in discovering recipes that use this technique, check out the Reynolds Brand Recipes pages.

One of the things that caught my attention is the way these packets can be made ahead and put either into the fridge or freezer for later cooking. You can incorporate the technique into your weekly meal prep. I would prepare them as if they were going into the oven, but put them into a freezer bag along with cooking instructions and the date the packets were made. That way I could have several meals ready to go into the oven when I want them.

I’m making a list of the recipes I want to get ready for my freezer. How about you?


Food

Unexpected Treat: Apple Crisp Cookies

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My recent grocery order from Aldi netted me something unexpected. As is my wont I checked the seasonal offerings and saw they had Apple Crisp Cookies on offer. Since I enjoy both apple crisp and cookies this was a quick add to my order.

They were worth every penny!

Now, I don’t know about you but I tend to get stuck in the same old rut when it comes to baking. I’d never even thought of such a cookie, let alone made any. Sitting down this evening I decided to see if I could find a recipe to try and, needless to say, I found a few. This one by Broma Bakery sounds like what I got from Aldi without the glaze. Click HERE to check it out.

For whatever reason I seem to be getting more and more in the mood to heat up the oven and do some baking. I think it might be a wish for the weather to change so heating up the kitchen / house will feel more like Fall. At least that is what I’m telling myself. LOL!

Pan Options and Baking Time

Last week I made up a box mix for a quick bread. As it was hot outside, I wasn’t inclined to heat up the kitchen for the full hour that the mix required to bake so I decided to play a bit with the pan size. Instead of the loaf pan option on the box, I pulled out my 8×8 square pan and used it. I set the timer for 30 minutes and checked it at 25 – which was a good thing as it was done; any more time and it would have been dry. I ended up with more serving than in the loaf version, too.

This worked because the batter was spread out in a shorter layer rather than the taller layer that would have been in the loaf pan. This allowed for a shorter baking time. Be sure to pay attention to baking times – check to see if alternatives are listed in either the recipe or the box.

I suspect I will be doing more baking as we head into September and October. How about you?

Recipe of the Month

Easy Comfort Food: Chicken & Rice (No Peek!)

JanetLeave a comment

Thanks to far too many days with temps well over 90 degrees my household has been up to our ears in cooler meals. Salads, veggies, that sort of thing. At this point, I have to admit it, I am Bored. I am dreaming about casseroles. Fresh baked bread. Some sort of berry dessert… <sigh>

Recently I was reintroduced to one of the simplest, most flavorful, comfort food recipes and I can’t wait to tuck it into my oven. No Peek Chicken and Rice. Yep, that simple.

But the flavors are not simple. The options are a lot broader than you might believe.

Let’s take a look at AllRecipes.com’s basic recipe: No-Peek Chicken recipe. There is a lot of good information in that page. I particularly like the comments from those who have made it. The brown rice question/answer was helpful – don’t forget that dark meat (thighs) are better suited to longer cook times than white meat that tends to dry out. I would also recommend keeping an eye on the salt used in the dish.

The addition of vegetables is a good one but don’t forget that frozen veg will give off a lot of water as it cooks so you might want to consider that as you prep for the oven. It might not be a major deal but it is something to think about.

The beauty and simplicity of this lovely meal is that it will fill hungry tummies in addition to adding a smile to faces at the table.

Something to look forward to!

Cooking · Dining

When You Want A Bit of A Change

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Green peas can be quite a different experience when it comes to salads. Usually these little gems are used in Spring and Summery cookery but thanks to frozen or canned versions they can be enjoyed all year round. Also note, black eyed peas are a wonderful item that doesn’t seem to be used a lot. Theirs is a rather different taste – I rather enjoy them – mostly seen in Autumn meals.

Here is a collection of recipes I found over on AllRecipe.com. Many look familiar and most look quite appetizing. Click HERE to check out the list.

I especially like that there are all kinds of options for those of us who really need a change from the same old, same old.

Which one(s) are tempting you?

Books · Movies

Love those Books and Movies!

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A few days ago I came across The Hunt For Red October on one of the free streaming services. Needless to say, I sat down and settled in for an hour or two. I’ve seen the film numerous times over the years. I even read the book. While the book can be a bit…much (Clancy did like to add layers to the layers on top of the layers…) the movie is still one to be sitting on the edge of one’s seat when watching.

A recent find in my audio book library is Presumed Innocent. I have seen the film a couple of times over the years – enough that I knew who did it, why and how, but I’d never read or listened to the book until now. I so enjoyed what I’d been listening to I started looking to find the film. Got it! Tubi has it in their line up. Even with commercials it is a great watch. So many wonderful performers! And the story, even in movie form, still holds up.

Oh, and I did a bit of digging and found Scott Turow has several books available…

The Books to Movie thing can be a great disappointment or a great adventure. The Firm has a slightly different ending in the film which makes both watching and reading rather fun.

I’m curious to discover what comes next on my Watch / Read List…

Musings

A Yogurt Taste Test Has Opened My Options

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A recent America’s Test Kitchen taste test of yogurts might just encourage me to try something other than my tried and true…

I did not grow up eating yogurt. I first learned about it after I left home. I have my favorites but there has been some reluctance to rock the boat, so to speak, when it came to trying other brands. Mostly because when I had done that I wasn’t all that impressed.

When I was researching the Instant Pot, one of the things that caught my attention was the ability to make my own yogurt. While I thought the option might be useful, the reality is that I don’t eat enough to warrant (a) the cost and (b) the time. Granted, if I was in a larger household and more folks consumed yogurt, these things would be different.

There is also the fact that, as I did not grow up eating yogurt, I don’t cook with it, either. One learned skill I have yet to acquire.

All that being said, this taste test was interesting and informative. I have already checked to see what is available in my area…the next grocery order could be a bit different. 😀

Musings

Cottage Cheese – Unsung Hero?

JanetLeave a comment

Cottage cheese seems to be undergoing a bit of a renaissance. Folks have (re)discovered it and have embraced the tangy tasty cheese in many ways.

I grew up eating in – mostly mixed with fruit, often plain with sugar. I don’t have a preference between large or small curd but I don’t care for low or non fat versions. What is the point? It is also a respectable replacement for ricotta and in many markets less expensive.

Recently Anna over on Cooking The Books prepared 3 different recipes using cottage cheese. Click HERE to go to her channel. The 1970’s Borden Cottage Cheese Cookbook is a great resource if you want to experiment – don’t forget Anna has the full recipes in the description box below the video.

I have to admit I am encouraged by the recipes she chose. What might you try?

Around the House

Design Basics – Layer By Layer

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I have followed design for decades. My mentor, who had worked in the interior design industry, lamented that I was a designer’s dream because I liked everything. She wasn’t exactly wrong, I do like a lot of different styles, but there are some styles I don’t want to live with.

When it comes to designing a room, let alone a home, there are some basic … I hesitate to use the word ‘rules’ … that should be taken into consideration. If followed properly they will save us time and money while providing a home that is a reflection of us, not the latest trend. Unless, of course, you like the latest trend…

Christopher Lowell’s design philosophy is a solid foundation. It provides a guideline on what to think about when considering the space and it allows us to move at our own pace rather than rushing everything and living with the results. Good design takes a bit of time.

The following is from his show and walks us through every step of the process. While the colors, etc., might not be the latest trend, the basics are timeless.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that every good designer uses the same basic layers. They might call it something else but they are all there.

I also subscribe to the idea of having a, for lack of another phrase, swatch book on hand. When you contemplate adding something to a room, that swatch book will have the things you need: color, fabric, reminders of what you want the space to look like. Yes, you can keep something on your phone, but remember that colors and textures on your phone will not look the same as samples in your hand. It might not seem like much until you get that One Special Purchase home and discover it doesn’t work…

Christopher approached his show with a touch of humor and whimsy while entertaining and educating his audience.

Enjoy!

Cooking

Another take on Southern Tomato Pie

JanetLeave a comment

Chef John has done it again! I do enjoy a good tomato pie. I’ve even found ways to make them in the dead of winter when fresh tomatoes just aren’t available. Well, fresh flavorful tomatoes aren’t available.

Granted I did think twice about the Frito crust on this one but…it makes sense. It is also easier than making a regular pie crust.

I’m adding this one to my collection. How about you?

Audiobooks

From The Reading Table: A Dragon Rider’s Guide To Retirement

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A Dragon Rider's Guide to Retirement: Dragons of Safe Haven, Book 1A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement: Dragons of Safe Haven, Book 1 by Julia Huni

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A friend recommended the book and when I found it on Audible (not to mention in a sale) I grabbed it.

I want more, please!

The story is a nice cozy collection of magical folk, dragons and such. Written in a way that is relaxed and enjoyable. I like that the main characters are retired rather than just starting out. Their adjustment away from old ideas and ideologies while dealing with the results of injury and aging is, frankly, engaging.

This carries over to the rest of the inhabitants of the island. We’ve encountered them before in less than pleasant circumstances but here they are much more likeable and a bit unexpected.

As you go through the story you can’t help but get hints of where this series might go but the location, Safe Haven, feels exactly that.

Overall a good book with the potential to become a good series.



View all my reviews