It isn't much, but given that I'm a novice gardener harvesting a small, weedy plot...Basil, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoesI'm pleased. … [Read more...]
Friday's Food: Crock-Thoughts
I've been having fun digging down into "A Year of Crockpotting." This gal, Stephanie, resolved to use her crockpot every day for a year. She's up to day 207.She posts the day's recipe with instructions and photos along with her verdict on the outcome with humor and honesty.The whole idea is hilarious.And genius.I mean, it landed her a spot on Rachael Ray. If that's not … [Read more...]
15 Everyday Ideas to Borrow from the French (and Belgians)
While in Europe, I informally interviewed some relatives about differences between American and French (and Belgian) women. The conversation was intriguing, and we ended up generating clothing styles and eating habits that I can share with you here. By incorporating these simple, practical ideas into our lives, we may end up feeling just a little more … [Read more...]
A Taste of Holland
You may recall a pre-trip post in which I listed some of the grocery items that family members ask us to bring over from the States.I would like to add a couple of items to that list. During our 4th of July dinner consisting of hotdogs, chips and potato salad, several relatives residing in Belgium cited the following as tastes they love that are impossible to find in … [Read more...]
A Tarte, a Promenade, a Jog
I like this Belgian "tarte au riz," or "rice pie." I've never tried to make it--only enjoy it while in Belgium--but I found a recipe on line that can give you an idea what it's like. I suppose it's comparable to rice pudding:It's not too sweet. I like it. There's a sugar pie that's delicious, too, and extremely sweet; but I don't have a photo.Here we go to the woods again … [Read more...]
Belgian Frites Deserve a Post of Their Own
I'm pretty embarrassed about my grammar in yesterday's post. I meandered in and out of present and past tense without even pausing to think about it. Maybe I was subconsciously trying to make the swan scene seem as if it were happening vividly in the present, to communicate the excitement. Anyway. On the menu for dinner last night?Frites. (Definitely visit the … [Read more...]
Leftover Spaghetti? Try a Spaghetti Pancake!
Sometimes the kids slurp up great gobs of spaghetti; other times, they nibble one small bowl and announce that they're finished. Because I never know which response is coming, I make enough for a "great gobs" night. Last week's spaghetti night, however, was a "nibble" night. I had a lot of leftover noodles. We don't mind leftovers for lunch or dinner, so heating … [Read more...]
May I Suggest an Omelette?
We picked out some brie cheese, mushrooms, and a tomato for the omelette innards. I chopped them up, then fluffed the eggs with a fork.I poured the eggs into the skillet. "Would you flip it?" I asked The Belgian Wonder.He agreed."I can't watch," I confessed. The risk of loss was so great; and the pan, so small. I turned away until I heard it floof into the pan."You did … [Read more...]
Crockpot Broth
** Excuse me...this should be titled Crockpot Stock **Turkey breasts were on sale last week at Kroger, so I bought one and cooked it all day in the crockpot.We enjoyed it as our main course this evening. After dinner, The Belgian Wonder cut every morsel of meat from the carcass. We'll use the leftovers in sandwiches.Then super-frugal, domestic Ann put the carcass … [Read more...]
Overnight Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal
With only a few seconds of preparation the night before, you can awaken to steamy, creamy, perfectly prepared steel cut oatmeal. It's like you're suddenly transported to a cozy bed-and-breakfast where the hostess bustled around in the kitchen early in the morning in order to serve you this healthy breakfast treat at the moment you're ready. Steel cut oats take a long … [Read more...]
Pictorial Review of This Year's Birthday
For breakfast, a chocolate croissant. These came from Trader Joe's and had to sit out overnight to proof. They were good. Really good.The baking instructions amused me. It reads, "You will be astounded by how much these grow!" Just to be on the safe side, The Belgian Wonder left a really big space between each croissant, because that warning made it sound like they were … [Read more...]
Love Those Lentils
Years ago, my sister-in-law told me about a cookbook called More-with-Less Cookbook (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Janzen Longacre The copyright dates back to 1976 and has been renewed, renewed and renewed. Mine leads up to the 43rd printing in 1996. "There is a way of wasting less, … [Read more...]
Singing Revere Ware’s Praises
I'd just like to put in a good word for Revere Ware. Sixteen, almost seventeen, years ago, we received a set of Revere Ware pans as a wedding gift from my uncle. We've used them daily for all of those years, and they have occasionally served as an impromptu drum set for the little ones. With constant use and mild abuse, I suppose it shouldn't have come as a surprise to … [Read more...]