The Good Thing About the Rain …
… is that it makes terrific waterfalls right in your backyard! See you soon, sunshine.
Month: March 2011
Cheese Fest
One might hear “artisan cheese festival” and think, “that sounds like a fun thing to go to.” I hear it and think my heart may stop from sheer bliss. Being stuck in a room with several hundred fellow cheese nerds, all celebrating the most perfect …
The Clay Pot
Even though technically I’m a professional chef, I’m often let off the hook in the kitchen. It helps a lot having friends and family who love to cook.
Here’s what I came home to the other night.
Bear found this terrific clay pot at Goodwill to go with his vintage cookbook full of clay pot recipes. It’s very similar to a dutch oven or crockpot, except the clay pot is put into the oven cold. I know, it sounds weird. And a little too 70s fad-ish, at first glance. But now I’m a believer. It’s an awesome and easy way to cook for cold nights like these.
Because the clay is porous, it’s crucial it is thoroughly soaked in water for 30 minutes before the ingredients are added to it.
This recipe was a Bear original- lamb shoulder with fennel, potatoes, onion and squash. The best part is the meat and the veggies cook perfectly together, even though they traditionally cook at different times and temperatures. The moisture retained in the pot keeps everything juicy and tender. Just add a little water or stock to the bottom before you put it in the oven.
It turned out great, don’t you think?
This recipe was a Bear original- lamb shoulder with fennel, potatoes, onion and squash. The best part is the meat and the veggies cook perfectly together, even though they traditionally cook at different times and temperatures. The moisture retained in the pot keeps everything juicy and tender. Just add a little water or stock to the bottom before you put it in the oven. This cooked at 450 for about 45 minutes or so.
It turned out great, don’t you think?
Cool Site for the Sciencey Type
I recently got turned onto the site Cooking for Engineers. A friend of mine recommended it, and since he works with scientists, I figured I’d check it out. It’s great! I’ve always been much more in touch with the creative side of my brain than …
A Good Read
Part of being a ravenous woman is having an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, if not through personal experience, then through books. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson has been on my list for ages now, and I’m delighted to have come across it …
Meeting the One(s)
They say good things come to those who wait. I hoped and prayed, and waited a lifetime for the right one(s). And I found it. The perfect pair of cowboy boots that was made for me by heavenly design. And on consignment!
Ladies, never settle. When you find it, you just know.
A Visit to the Goat Farm
I can not imagine a better post for the first day of spring. One of Bear’s friends runs a goat farm where the mamas just had babies. We got an invitation to meet the little rascals, so now I’d like for you to meet them. …
What Every Kitchen on a Sunday Morning Should Look Like
To me, this is what a Sunday morning should look like. After sleeping in late and having a big cup of coffee. I’m making pancakes and I’m going big. That means with blueberries AND chocolate chips. Or chunks, in this case. My friend turned me …
Remembrance of Mushrooms Past
There’s nothing I love more than the changing of the seasons, but this rain has got to go! It’s been a lazy day for me hiding in my cozy cabin and trying to deal with the confusion that is daylight savings time. Anyone else felt a little off the last couple days? Anyone?
I usually like the rain, but I’m ready for spring and sunshine. It does make me nostalgic for the beginning of the rainy season, when the mushrooms start appearing on the beautiful dry days in between. So I’ll take the opportunity to post pics from a mushroom hunt I did on one of those days a few months ago.
Just make sure you don’t go mushroom hunting without an expert. There are hundreds of wild edible mushrooms in Northern California alone, a ton of which have deadly look-a-likes. I’ve gone with a couple experts who have years of experience, and about half the mushrooms we see are unfamiliar. As the Sonoma County Mycological Association says, “when in doubt, throw it out!”
Not sure what this one was, but check out those gills!
This was so cool, and the most vibrant shade of red I think I’ve ever seen in nature. Couldn’t find a name after an extensive internet search. Makes me have so much respect for the research involved in serious identifying!
The days of mushroom season are long gone, but the rain has me excited for what’s going to pop up next. Perhaps some wildflower hunting is in order soon.
Another Fun Beach Video
Here’s a good way to pester clams living on the shore. Makes me excited to go clam digging!