Cooking

I Had A Moment – A Culinary Moment

JanetLeave a comment

Recently one of my YouTube foodies mentioned that she was over Winter casseroles and ready for lighter Spring food. Yep! I fully understand.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my casseroles and a good roast but after months of that … Even your favorites on the menu no longer excite you, right.

I don’t know about you but I suspect we are in the same, er, cart when it comes to restocking the pantry and finding new meal options. I’ve been pondering my next grocery order and, well, let’s just say that it isn’t exactly going well. I have the roast and some ground beef and lots of chicken in the freezer along with more veg than should be there. In the pantry there are rice and pasta and a few cans of beans. One lonely packet of tuna is in the fridge. Note: I keep my tuna in the fridge because I mostly use it for tuna salads and it just makes sense to keep it cold.

Tuna. Tuna!

I realized that the biggest problem I was having developing my grocery list was that I wasn’t putting things on it I wanted to eat. Head Slap Moment!

A few weeks back I pulled a packet of smoked tuna out of the fridge and made my usual tuna salad with it. O. M. G.!!! That was amazing! Smoked tuna isn’t always easy to get hold of…why not buy a bottle of liquid smoke to add with the rest of the salad ingredients?

Liquid smoke could also be used in oven barbeque sauces or added to gravies.

I realized that I wouldn’t mind having some salmon patties, too. I’m not up to trying to cook salmon fillets but a salmon patty is easy and tasty.

A variety of Spring greens are now available, too. That broadens the salad issue. Some of the Spring fruits and berries are coming on, too.

I think the grocery order is starting to look interesting and, dare I say it, exciting.

What have you been missing that might go on your next grocery order? Something you haven’t had in a while, I hope!

Happy Cooking!

Cooking · Instant Pot 3QT Mini

The Simple Comforts Step By Step Instant Pot Cookbook

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The Simple Comforts Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: The Easiest and Most Satisfying Comfort Food Ever ― With Photographs of Every Step by Jeffrey Eisner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I finally (!) treated myself to an Instant Pot for Christmas. I chose a 3 quart model because I don’t have room or need for a larger model. As I looked into the Instant Pot I realized I would need a guide that might be more comprehensive than the standard cookbook and I wanted something that would cover basic foods not necessarily the more complicated dishes.

I’ve lost count of how many books I checked out to find this one.

I’d seen several of Jeffrey Eisner’s YouTube videos in addition to sampling the book so I thought I had a decent idea of what to expect. I was off by quite a bit. In a good way.

I found a spiral bound copy of the book which I find exceptionally helpful. The book lays flat and I can fold it back on itself if I need to.

There are tons of photographs. While that isn’t one of my usual requirements in a cookbook, it is very helpful to have as you go through the recipes.

The recipes are well designed. The layout is thoughtful and well organized with photos showing what things should look like every step of the way.

The food charts are extensive and seem to cover all of the basics. You might be shocked at how many Instant Pot / Multicooker cookbooks don’t have them.

The book provides a lot of information that, frankly, should have come with the pot. Everything you need to know to get started. Things you might want to have on hand. Instructions on how to use the recipes with the size of pot you have – essential when most such books focus on the 6 quart models and I have a 3 quart model.

Overall this colorful, informative book has been useful. The recipes are interesting but provide you with some leeway to make changes if your taste is different.

My first recipe from the book was Chicken and Rice which was easy to do and the results exceeded my expectations.

This book is one to add to your collection.



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Around the House

I Love Creative Design

JanetLeave a comment

I have lived in a variety of spaces over the years. I also have a rather eclectic taste in decor. My mentor once took me to the Los Angeles Design Center and when we walked out the door (after hours inside) she looked at me and said I was a designer’s dream because I liked almost everything. <shrug> She wasn’t wrong.

I was raised by a mom who understood the use of color, texture, and light. She, who had no formal training, could put a room or house together in a way that looked easy but I know she put a lot of time and thought into her rooms. Needless to say I not only learned a lot from her but I ‘caught the bug’ and learned to love learning about home design.

Recently I came across the following video from Homeworthy on YouTube and couldn’t resist. My home is a little over twice the size of this home.

I love the colors she chose. I love the patterns, too. The use of space is amazing. I admire the way she took a chance and created spaces using furniture and paint.

Small homes are not for everyone. I happen to have a cozy home where space and storage are minimal requiring some creative thinking.

This apartment is one of the more creative homes I’ve seen in a while. The beauty of the design is you don’t notice just how much, or how little, space there is.

Would you attempt a design like this?

Crafting · Quilting

More Quilting Fun!

JanetLeave a comment

Personally, finding not only a great quilting pattern but some beautiful fabric can be the best thing ever. It doesn’t matter if you are new to quilting or an old hand at it, there is something special about finding That Perfect Pattern or That Beautiful Fabric Line.

For the newbies: Chelsea over at She Sews Seems shared a beginner friendly car quilt that brought a smile to my face…and made me want to pull out my sewing machine. The fabric line she used is not only colorful but seasonal. Check it out:

Chelsea’s thoughts about using a soft, fluffy backing fabric is a great reminder to think about where, and when, the quilt might be used.

For the more advanced, or adventurous, quilter: Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting channel has been a joy. I can watch when I want rather than trying to be awake on Saturday morning.

The Cascades of Fall Foliage quilt is a lovely interpretation of a pattern with just a few changes to fit the quilter’s preferences. With reasonably simple blocks, plus some thoughtful organization (love the paper plates!), this project would be a great one to settle in with when the weather is not accommodating being outdoors. Check it out:

I love that suggestion for making a table runner if you don’t want to tackle the full quilt. It will give you the experience to decide if you really want to do that deep dive or not.

Both of these projects are beautiful and would lend themselves to a huge variety of fabric collections. Which one would you make?

Musings

Revisiting Old Favorites

JanetLeave a comment

Recently I’ve found myself actively seeking old favorites. Food. TV shows. Audio Books. Music. Things that connect me, ground me.

I grew up watching Raymond Burr, especially Perry Mason. There is something calming and steady about watching Perry, Paul & Della work their way through a mystery.

From there I headed off to Raymond Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe. I’ve watched endless Marlowe films and listened to loads of Old Time Radio shows. In my audio book collection is the complete works of Chandler’s sleuth. What I have is a BBC full cast production which has been a joy to listen to. The movie plays in my head as I listen to the story unfold.

By the way, I strongly urge you to listen to a full cast version of any audio production for the sheer pleasure of it.

In the kitchen I have been perusing classic comfort foods; roast chicken, pasta dishes, brownies. One of my very favorite chicken recipes combines chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper roasted with potatoes in the same seasoning. Heaven!

While I did ask if you were <cough> over chocolate recently, I think we both know that that never lasts long. Hence the brownies. 😀

What are you revisiting these days? Something you haven’t indulged in for a long time? Let me know in the comments.

Quilting

Learning New Quilting Basics

JanetLeave a comment

I’ve thought a lot about quilting my own quilts rather than sending them out to a long arm quilter. For those of us who are relatively new to the idea, quilting ourselves can seem daunting. Space, experience, nerve, courage, and knowledge seems to conspire against us.

Recently Missouri Star Quilt Company has posted some videos showcasing ruler quilting with HollyAnn Knight. I have to say that for the first time, after watching many instructional videos and classes, I have a better understanding of the process and a bit more willingness to give it a try.

There really is nothing like an instructor who tells you that you can do this, too.

Check out the information in the Description Box beneath the video for more information and links to other videos with HollyAnne.

Around the House

A Long Short Weekend…Sort of

JanetLeave a comment

Daylight Savings Time changes can be … uncomfortable … annoying … no big deal … brutal.

It really depends upon your situation. I have a friend who has a lot of clocks. A lot of ’em. She’s been known to start updating them the night before the Actual Date. Most of my home time pieces reset themselves but there are a few spots that require my attention. Some of them, quite frankly, are ignored. Tells you how much I use that clock to tell the time…

Saturday was a quiet day after several major storms passing through during the week. The kind you have trouble sleeping through. I tend to have certain things I watch on Saturday – mainly my YouTubers who post then – and depending upon my mood I might fill in with odds and ends.

Sunday has been interesting. I awoke not too long after the time switch. Something that always amazes me because I really don’t know why I do it, but <shrug> I do. I got up when it occurred to me that I wasn’t going to turn over and return to a snooze. Both Mr. Carrington and Luke Catleugh had videos up. Once Mr C’s video was over, I headed back to bed. It was 4 a.m.

A few hours later I started to feel Human again and ate a nice lunch, watched a few videos and tunes and managed to nap on the sofa.

What is it about a time change that seems to require more sleep?

I do feel more myself rather than when I was first up and around wondering whether I should make some coffee… <chuckling>

While I can’t say my weekend has been ‘productive’, I can say it has been peaceful. The storms have passed and we have a bit of a respite until the next one(s). I am contemplating my grocery order (keep an eye on this blog for more about that). I’m slowly catching up on some shows that I missed due to the storms.

That coffee is starting to sound a bit interesting…

Monday is far enough away to allow for a quiet enjoyment of a Sunday afternoon.

I remember a conversation I had with a work friend years ago. We would start for home on Friday evening and she would be talking about Monday… I reminded her that my weekend began on Friday afternoon and work talk would be off limits until Monday morning so I could enjoy my weekend. Work talk shortened what should have been a nice long couple of days. Frankly, she was surprised. It took a while before she admitted that I might have stumbled upon something. That perhaps ‘work’ could be left for work days and not allowed to intrude when it wasn’t necessary.

Imagine that!

Put on some nice music. Grab a cuppa. Contemplate a nice meal. Put your feet up. Recover from the unnecessary adjustment of the clocks.

Ciao!

Cooking · Food · Meal Building Blocks

Playing in the Kitchen: Canned Tuna

JanetLeave a comment

As you might recall if you’ve been around here for a while, I enjoy canned tuna with crackers. Without crackers. In patties. Let’s just say it: I enjoy canned tuna. LOL!

A few months ago I added a variety of tuna packets (not cans) into my grocery order just to see what they were like. The packets (pouches) are smaller than the cans, hence less expensive, but come in a variety of flavors in addition to a plain version. In addition to the plain, I got lemon pepper and a smoked pouch.

The other day I was in the mood for tuna salad with crackers and pulled out the last of my canned tuna and one of those pouches. In fact, I grabbed the smoked version.

After making my salad, I settled in for a leisurely lunch but was quite amazed at what I was eating. That smoked tuna added such a lovely flavor to the rest of the salad!

Who would have thought?

Needless to say I will be buying smoked tuna more often. LOL!

It is these little choices that can elevate a simple dish into something amazing. And, because they are smaller than the cans, these packets/pouches are less expensive, too.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Cooking

Simple Tricks To Get Dinner on the Table

JanetLeave a comment

Getting dinner on the table seems to stress out a lot of folks. With either no plan at all or way too much planning, I find folks stuck in panic mode. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Meal planning, prep, cooking, and even plating can be much simpler if we just take a few minutes to think about what we want to do. Beyond, of course, the work. 🙂

Meal planning itself is a useful process but one size does not fit all. So, if you are not a by the list cook (i.e.: Monday’s Dinner is THIS.) rather than set up a rigid menu, why not set up a flexible pantry that will lead you to a more flexible dinner?

Take a few minutes to write down the meals you and your family enjoy. Create a shopping list that includes all the ingredients for those meals. Have those items in your pantry, freezer, and fridge. Now you can choose what you want to eat without being chained to a menu you aren’t in the mood for or don’t have time for.

When you put together your list of meals, look for ways to do some batch cooking. Are you having chicken more than once? Can you cook what you need for those meals and put the extra in the fridge or freezer until you are ready for it? If you, you’ve just saved yourself some work later in the week. Give yourself a High Five!

While this trick is great for proteins, it works well with fruits or veg, too.

Do you have a free day on your schedule and feel like playing in the kitchen? Why not create a batch cook list and set yourself up for more time savers later in the month?

I’ve been known to grab some ground beef (5 or 10 pounds worth), chop enough onions and garlic to go with it, haul out my large stock pot, dutch oven or slow cooker and get them started cooking that meat. I might make a simple beef, garlic, onion, salt and pepper mixture that can go into casseroles or I might combine some of the beef, etc., into patties and get them browned and ready for the freezer.

I love family packs of chicken and have tossed the lot into my slow cooker or roasting pan for the oven and let them roast until done. I will then have enough to package up for all sorts of meals.

I can prepare several casseroles up to the point of getting them packaged and then tuck them into the freezer. This is a great way to have dinner mostly done on those days when you just aren’t feeling it.

Free Ranging Foodie recently posted some great ideas on how she sets herself up for success. Click HERE to check it out.

It is easy to get stuck in that rut where dinner becomes just one more hurdle. Sometimes all it takes to avoid that rut is to think outside the box (or bag) and find ways to get things ready before we even know we need it.

Happy Cooking!

Audiobooks · Books

From The Reading Table: The Librarians

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The Librarians by Sherry Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I’ve been a fan of Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series since it began and I’ve dipped my toe into one or two of her other books, so I felt I was reasonably able to understand the way her stories unfold. After reading several reviews, however, I left this book on my Wishlist far longer than I should have.

Sherry Thomas is not a ‘cookie cutter’ writer. Her characters, plots, and story telling are rich, diverse, and not a little complicated. Also, she isn’t afraid to do a deep dive into back stories and explanations where necessary.

That being said, I ended up going through this audio book more than once to make sure I hadn’t missed anything – and I’m pretty sure I have but that will encourage another listen.

What starts out appearing simple and ordinary quickly shifts into that space where the reader notices something is amiss. Actually quite a few things are amiss.

Each of the librarians has his/her own unique story and situation. Their backgrounds are diverse. Many have at least one thing in common; an acquaintance with one person in particular.

As the individual stories unfold the main mystery starts to unfold, too and when combined the reader is treated to the reality that each character has his/her own response and reaction. From what I’ve seen in the comments this seems to unsettle some folks.

Thomas always gathers the various strings of her plot lines and not only manages to resolve the main mystery but the individual character’s situations, too.

If you like a well plotted mystery and interesting characters but aren’t afraid to stretch the imagination a bit if necessary, I think you will find this book well worth the time.



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