Around the House

The Domino Effect (And I don’t mean pizza)

JanetLeave a comment

My refrigerator decided it had had enough and was quietly ceasing to work. I can’t complain, it was 25 years old. A workhorse that rarely got noticed because it was doing its job…until it wasn’t

I have what I refer to as a Postage Stamp Sized Kitchen. It is small, but then my house is small. Space is at a premium and over the years I have had to get creative about how I utilize it. It wasn’t until I had to finagle a way for the old fridge to leave and the new fridge to be installed that I faced the thought about rearranging what I could in my kitchen.

I got rid of things that I no longer used. I took a good look at what was left and made some choices about what I needed, what I wanted, and would I make use of what was left over. Oh, and that very important question: Can it live somewhere else in the house?

The space for the fridge is non negotiable. I can’t remove a cabinet or shove a wall out. There really is no other place in the room for it, either. When I started looking for the new fridge I measured the old one Very Carefully – and more than once. I have a large electric skillet that lives on top of the fridge. Granted it doesn’t get used a lot but is very handy when it does. Did I really want it to live under my bed? No. Could I move the coffee fixings? Maybe. Do I need that collection of plastic wrap and parchment that never seems to get used? Not really.

The new fridge is installed (and working beautifully!) but the house looks a bit torn up at the moment. I’m considering shifting a shelf unit to another space and really looking at what lives there. I am also contemplating some updated organization tools. I have more space inside the fridge and freezer but somehow I get the feeling that I ‘might’ need to make some adjustments.

The Domino Effect aka: One thing leads to another.

I’m curious to see what comes next…

Cartoons · Classic TV

Not Quite Gone. Never Forgotten

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Way back in the 1960s when I was a kid, Saturday Morning was a treasure trove of great (and not so great) cartoons. We were also lucky enough to have a few play on Prime Time during the week. These shows were a step away from Disney. They often seemed to take queues from Looney Toons. More often than not, however, they were creative, colorful, and found ways to work budgetary limitations into magic.

There’s no denying that Hanna Barbera were not only kings of TV animation at the time – it is mind boggling how many shows came from their studios – but that animation was evolved to fit budget restraints that modern studio moguls wouldn’t blink at today.

The great Mel Blanc lent his talents to even more characters than Bugs & Daffy, too. Don’t overlook Gary Owens. Long before, and after, he became a household name on Laugh-In, Mr. Owen had quite a career as a voice artist.

I recently came across this YouTube video and was reminded of all my favorites.

I’ve had one hard and fast rule in my home when it came to purchasing DVDs – The material had to be something I would watch more than once. As such, over the years I have collected the sets for Wacky Racers, Flintstones, Jetsons, and a bunch more. They are great companions when the Internet decides not to cooperate (and we all know that never happens /s) *There are actually two rules to keep in mind…

I have to say, however, thanks to MeTV Toons, I have been able to enjoy my old favorites pretty much anytime I want. I get mine over FrndlyTV but there are other options if you need them.

There are several shows from the 80s and 90s that I enjoy, too. But the classics stand out because the storytelling is crisp, energetic and engaging.

*The other unofficial rule in my house is that a Saturday without Bugs Bunny & Friends is a sad day indeed. ;D

Recipe of the Month

I’ve Been Dreaming About Apples

JanetLeave a comment

Fall and apples go hand in hand, don’t they? Yes, pumpkin is everywhere but even it doesn’t seem to make it through November. Apples, however, carry through the Winter Holidays adding their particular sweetness and tartness (either or both).

In past years I made P. Allen Smith’s Apple Cake but this year I am not sure what I want to do with that bag of apples in my fridge. Bisquick’s Impossibly Easy French Apple Pie recipes is an old favorite – perfect if you are short on confidence for making a crust or time in general.

Mary Katherine’s Table has quite a few apple recipes, too. Several I’ve never tried making myself. Check out her channel to see what she’s offered.

Applesauce is another Fall treat that can be eaten anytime of year and it is easy to make, too.

Now is a good time to take advantage of Farmer’s markets and such especially if you have a lot of fruit growing in your area.

I do enjoy pumpkin but I have a suspicion that apples will be on my table a lot in the next few months.

Cooking

The Search for a Replacement Non Stick Pan

JanetLeave a comment

Sigh… I’ve had most of my cookware for years. One set I inherited from my mom, the other I bought about 10 years ago. The few non stick pans I have we don’t want to talk about how old they are… I’m not rough on the tools I use; I was taught to take care of my things so they would last and I do. I also hate spending money on things that still work well. I don’t use metal tools in any of my pans. I found good quality ones years ago and they still work well. As I don’t have a lot of space, there was no real ‘need’ to keep a set for each set of pans.

That is why those particular non stick pans are still in my kitchen…for now…

I’ve done my own research… asked trusted friends who actually cook… reviewed a lot of reviews…

At this point I ‘think’ I know the pros and cons but… … …

All I can say at this particular moment in time is that I am glad I am not in a huge hurry and that I have alternatives on hand.

Wish me luck!

Cooking

It Started As A Discussion on Second Hand Cookware

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A few weeks ago I participated in a conversation about purchasing used cookware. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The idea was that you can find good quality cookware in your second hand stores or at garage sales. The focus was on cast iron rather than the usual stuff.

Cast iron has been around for thousands of years – the Romans used it – and it has stood the test of time. The problem with it, or any pot, is the weight of it empty. Cast iron is durable equipment that has literally been passed down in the family over generations. Can’t say that with most of what is out there on the market.

The problem for most of us is the weight. If you are a person who has issues with grip and/or lift even an empty pan could be problematic. As in dangerous. Put hot liquid in it, drop it, tip it and you have a trip to the emergency room rather than dinner.

Lodge Cast Iron has their Blacklock collection which is engineered to be lighter weight than the traditional pans. I’ve heard users praise it, too. Should I be in the market for new cookware I would look there first.

Finding good quality cookware can be daunting. Good quality doesn’t come cheap. While it is possible to find good items at the second hand stores or garage sales, it is important to know what you are looking for – and what you aren’t. There is a good reason many of those items ended up there.

I have this pan…A lovely pan with a lid that can go into the oven. I love this pan. I can’t use this pan. Why? Too heavy and the handle has been rounded so it could spin if I pick it up without a second hand underneath it when it is raised. I bought this pan as a tester back when I was looking for new cookware. Sadly, it was before I knew about rounded handles and the weight of an empty pan. At least I had not spent the money on the full set.

As you are thinking about the tools you want in your kitchen, think about what you can easily lift and carry. Can you easily drain pasta? Think about your pan sauces and gravies. The best ones aren’t made in non stick pans – they don’t allow fond to develop and fond = flavor.

If you have been around here for any length of time you already know I appreciate the product testing done by America’s Test Kitchen. I always – always – learn something from them regarding what to look for, what to avoid, things to think about and reliability.

The tools in our kitchens should last a long, long time. They are an investment.

Happy Cooking!

Musings

From The Reading Table: The Vanished Sister

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The Vanished Sister (Lady Sherlock, #9)The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have a few, very few, authors I go back to over and over again. Sherry Thomas is one. More precisely, her Lady Sherlock series is The One. This book as been on my Wait List for several months and I was eager to dive in.

Mrs. Watson is one of those characters who anchors the base. She is steady, thoughtful, caring and the best possible partner to Charlotte Holmes in her guise as Sherlock. Her backstory has been told in small bits over the course of the series. This book, however, provides a very broad look back at her life. Her encounter with a sister who went her own way decades ago is the start of a roller coaster story with an ending that I doubt many would have anticipated.

Sherry Thomas writes mysteries that are layered and complicated. They are also not for the faint hearted. Frankly, I gave up on trying to solve such stories back when reading Agatha Christie gave me headaches. I just go along with the flow and try to keep up.

All that in mind, Charlotte and company will bring you along on that ride giving you clues, providing red herrings, tossing in some lovely romance, and by the end of the story you will find yourself astounded, amazed, satisfied. And hoping the next one won’t take as long.

While the series can be read (or in my case listened to – Thank you Kate Reading) individually but to gain the full effect over the over arching storylines – and there are – I suggest you start at the beginning and dive in in order. That way you get the full effect of character and story growth.

Also this latest takes place 3 years after that prior book. I have to say I am impressed at the way these familiar folks have evolved over that time. Some serious thought and planning was put into that…which is no real surprise when you think of who wrote it.

This one might be the best one yet…



View all my reviews

Food

Have You Checked Out The Anthologies?

JanetLeave a comment

While we all know (or at I least I hope you know) that one of the Internet’s top search requests is for recipes, did you know that over on YouTube, AllRecipe.com’s channel has some seriously amazing anthologies?

What do I mean? There you will find collections of recipes, tips & tricks and a whole lot more focused on either a food item, tool, or process.

Want to find easy weeknight meals? Want to learn how to use your food processor, Instant Pot, or other cooking tool? Have you heard about the latest hacks for, say, Hawaiian rolls? Looking for some easy weeknight meals? How about finding ways to use brownie mixes?

The anthologies are collections – and some are quite hefty clocking in at an hour – that give you a lot of ideas and information. Best yet, they are developed around the best of AllRecipes recipes.

But don’t forget Chef John!

Chef John is one of those treasures that just keeps on giving. His YouTube channel, Food Wishes, offers a ton of amazing recipes and ideas. I’m looking forward to trying his Budget Bolognese.

The Internet might be an excellent place to wander about looking for ideas, but these two should give you a lot of ideas in one easy to find spot.

Enjoy!

Dining

Cozy Comfort Food for Fall

JanetLeave a comment

Recently Anna over at Cooking The Books (YouTube) posted a three recipe test of a very early Taste of Home cookbook. All three were cozy comfort food at its very best. All three were easily created by even the most amateur cook. Check out her channel by clicking HERE.

The September 20th video showcases meatballs, green beans and an upside down apple gingerbread cake that made my mouth water. Best yet: I have most, if not all, of the ingredients in my pantry!

Cozy comfort food is exactly what is sounds like. They make us feel warm, safe, comfortable. Perfect for those times we need simple, easy and delicious food.

I also appreciate Anna’s suggestion/reminder that even if we aren’t excited about veg (frozen or otherwise), we can make simple updates to improve the end result. Butter, onion, seasoning. Maybe a topping. It doesn’t have to be a lot, either. Vegetables do not have to be cooked to death, either. A simple steaming brings out flavor and leaves a crunch. Raw is also a good option – you might be surprised to find out just how tasty something is that hasn’t been living on the back burner turning into sludge! <G>

While the full meatball recipes makes a huge quantity, tucking the excess away into smaller freezer portions will save time and trouble later on.

Check out Anna’s other videos to see what she’s been cooking. You will find some seriously good food there, too!

Enjoy!

Around the House

Awaiting Fall

JanetLeave a comment

I don’t know what it is about this year, other than the excessive heat, but most folks I encounter are seriously – SERIOUSLY – anticipating Fall. Normally at this time of year we have begun to cool down into the 80s and are eagerly looking forward to the changing leaf colors.

My leaves changed color and dropped to the ground last month when the drought overcame the end of summer.

I’ve been dreaming of casseroles and baking bread. Recently, much to my amazement, I craved a cuppa coffee (!!!!) not the iced version, a true cup of hot coffee. WTH?????

As I write this it is 96 degrees and we are in that level of Severe Drought that we hope to rarely be in but seems to have been around for over a month.

Weird does not even begin to cover it.

So, here’s hoping you are having a better time of it and are also looking forward to the onset of cooler weather, too.

Ciao!