I rarely cook Pork chops but got a BOGO at Giant Eagle and I know how much Peter likes Pork chops. So I Decided to make a marinade so my Mira would eat them as well. My little Carnivores.
Pork Chops with Apricot marinade
Marinate 3-4 good sized pork chops (med thickness) in the items mixed below for at least 4 hours or overnight;
2 TBSP apricot jam (we bought this from our farm with our CSA)
2 Tbsp soy Sauce (or more if you like it saltier)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
Grill the marinated Chops on the Grill outside and serve over the Haluska below...
Haluska is a authentic Hungarian or Polish Noodle dish. My friend Patricia Loverich-Bernard gave me her version from her Mom and this is it here sans the sour cream but you can use it if you like.
Haluska
1 head med-large green cabbage chopped into strips
1 large onion (or 2 small-med) chopped into strips
1stick of butter (butter makes everything better)
1 bag or box of large flat egg noodles cooked and drained (this is important because although I have tried it does not work or taste as good with any other noodle)
salt and pepper (I will tell you I use Penzeys 'Mural of Flavor' spices 1/2 tsp and add some salt and it is wonderful)
Penzeys is in the Strip District in Pittsburgh and they have wonderful spice mixes that are so easy to use to enhance your dishes (that sounded like an advertisement, I wonder if they will give me a discount!)
Saute the butter, cabbage and noodles in a deep fry pan on med high heat. Be careful not to burn the butter. Once the cabbage has softened and the onions translucent add the spices and the noodles and cook a little more 5-7 min.
The kids and Peter were in heaven over this dish and I served it with a side of my kids favorite Asparagus. What is it about heavily laden butter dishes that make everyone smile;)?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Treachery of Technology
Remember those days when you didn’t drop down in front of your computer first thing in the morning? Or all day through.
Heck, I remember not even owning a computer. I remember when a computer took up a whole room the size of a large walk in closet and punch cards were required.
Being linked in, hooked up, on line, skypeing, face-booking, tweeting, blogging, always connected has its ups and downs. Mostly it's an incredible time drain.
Although the blogging for some reason, even if no one is reading it, I really enjoy. For me blogging is cathartic.
Facebook is like a voyeuristic indulgence. I get to peak into peoples lives, look at their pages and pictures when they don’t know it. It feels incredibly naughty to me. Of course if you are FB friends, you expect that people will look at your pictures and words etc. But still sometimes I feel like I am eavesdropping, like some of the conversation(if you can call it that) is personal and really not meant for my ears.
Twitter, is like stream of consciousness on steroids. I have enough problem with saying just what I think at the wrong time, who needs a place to broadcast it. A new way to piss more people off that’s what twitter would be for me! I do have a twitter account but I avoid it.
Like most of you though, I am addicted.
I can’t help just jumping onto the FB newsfeed as I walk by the computer bringing lunch to the kids. I jump on, read quick and jump off, not wanting anyone to catch me, lest I get caught up chatting and then the kids would be on to what I am doing. OK I know you can block the chat box, but that seems like lying so quickly getting on and off somehow makes me feel better. Hey I’m not hiding, catch me if you can! Didn’t I just tell a friend the other day, “I never have time to get on Facebook anymore”, there was some truth in that. If your not caught on Facebook doesn’t that mean your not on Facebook?
I need to blog. I can’t seem to write in sound bites. I like words, always have since I used to browse the dictionary as a kid. Trying out new words like most girls try on shoes. I want to blog everyday but believe it or not by the end of some days I have very little to say. Not sure how it would come out any way when I am that exhausted.
I still like email. Oh but the dangers of email. One day you send a funny email to a friend about their funny looking hat they wore and the next day they send you a ‘you don’t understand me’ email back. They read your email with a tone in their voice you couldn’t and wouldn’t have. They made your email vile, when it was meant to be light if not a bit cajoling. So you spend your day emailing and then calling to convince them it was a misunderstanding and you didn’t mean to hurt their feelings. What a gimboid! you think but keep it to yourself.
Not fully on to Skype but it is soon to take hold in this household I am sure. Especially when Max is in college. Then I can chastise him about his messy room on line in real time over the internets! He’ll be moving his computer where the backdrop is a blank wall.
What would we do without all the ways we have now a days to keep connected. Some days I want to go trekking deep into the woods, hole up in a little cabin with books to read, writing material and plenty of canned food. But then I would get lonely and need my computer.
It was because of all this connectedness (computer) that I learned to type. I was a hopeless hunt and pecker until it became imperative that I be able to create a quick email. It took me a while but now I don’t have to look at the keys anymore and I couldn’t live without it. Or at least I don’t think I could!
Heck, I remember not even owning a computer. I remember when a computer took up a whole room the size of a large walk in closet and punch cards were required.
Being linked in, hooked up, on line, skypeing, face-booking, tweeting, blogging, always connected has its ups and downs. Mostly it's an incredible time drain.
Although the blogging for some reason, even if no one is reading it, I really enjoy. For me blogging is cathartic.
Facebook is like a voyeuristic indulgence. I get to peak into peoples lives, look at their pages and pictures when they don’t know it. It feels incredibly naughty to me. Of course if you are FB friends, you expect that people will look at your pictures and words etc. But still sometimes I feel like I am eavesdropping, like some of the conversation(if you can call it that) is personal and really not meant for my ears.
Twitter, is like stream of consciousness on steroids. I have enough problem with saying just what I think at the wrong time, who needs a place to broadcast it. A new way to piss more people off that’s what twitter would be for me! I do have a twitter account but I avoid it.
Like most of you though, I am addicted.
I can’t help just jumping onto the FB newsfeed as I walk by the computer bringing lunch to the kids. I jump on, read quick and jump off, not wanting anyone to catch me, lest I get caught up chatting and then the kids would be on to what I am doing. OK I know you can block the chat box, but that seems like lying so quickly getting on and off somehow makes me feel better. Hey I’m not hiding, catch me if you can! Didn’t I just tell a friend the other day, “I never have time to get on Facebook anymore”, there was some truth in that. If your not caught on Facebook doesn’t that mean your not on Facebook?
I need to blog. I can’t seem to write in sound bites. I like words, always have since I used to browse the dictionary as a kid. Trying out new words like most girls try on shoes. I want to blog everyday but believe it or not by the end of some days I have very little to say. Not sure how it would come out any way when I am that exhausted.
I still like email. Oh but the dangers of email. One day you send a funny email to a friend about their funny looking hat they wore and the next day they send you a ‘you don’t understand me’ email back. They read your email with a tone in their voice you couldn’t and wouldn’t have. They made your email vile, when it was meant to be light if not a bit cajoling. So you spend your day emailing and then calling to convince them it was a misunderstanding and you didn’t mean to hurt their feelings. What a gimboid! you think but keep it to yourself.
Not fully on to Skype but it is soon to take hold in this household I am sure. Especially when Max is in college. Then I can chastise him about his messy room on line in real time over the internets! He’ll be moving his computer where the backdrop is a blank wall.
What would we do without all the ways we have now a days to keep connected. Some days I want to go trekking deep into the woods, hole up in a little cabin with books to read, writing material and plenty of canned food. But then I would get lonely and need my computer.
It was because of all this connectedness (computer) that I learned to type. I was a hopeless hunt and pecker until it became imperative that I be able to create a quick email. It took me a while but now I don’t have to look at the keys anymore and I couldn’t live without it. Or at least I don’t think I could!
I have been on a strike from cooking last few days! I am determined to get my kids to each take one day a week and cook. Why should I have all the fun?!
I showed them how to take a can of chopped tomatoes, blend it with garlic and basil and you have a quick sauce for penne (we were out of bottled tomato sauce).
They should know how to cook something besides mac n' cheese before they go out on their own.
So this coming week will be the trial run. They must make a meal for the family, a complete meal I might add. It can't be Mac n' Cheese and it can't be hamburgers and hot dogs. They also can not repeat a meal for 6 weeks.
Gosh, I'm a mean Mommy!! Just call me Mommy Dearest.
I showed them how to take a can of chopped tomatoes, blend it with garlic and basil and you have a quick sauce for penne (we were out of bottled tomato sauce).
They should know how to cook something besides mac n' cheese before they go out on their own.
So this coming week will be the trial run. They must make a meal for the family, a complete meal I might add. It can't be Mac n' Cheese and it can't be hamburgers and hot dogs. They also can not repeat a meal for 6 weeks.
Gosh, I'm a mean Mommy!! Just call me Mommy Dearest.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tempeh Masala
OK so this is not real Masala, just my bastardized version of it.
Tempeh Masala
The Sauce:
1 30 oz (or 2 15oz) can of diced or whole tomatoes
1 can evaporated condensed milk (you can use Sweetened if you like for a sweeter, thicker version. Read about them here; http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookingfaqs/f/faqcannedmilk.htm)
1 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 tsp Coriander
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Ground cloves
1 tsp Cinnamon
Blend the above ingredients in a blender. You can make this the day or night before if you want to have a quick meal the next night.
The Meal:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped garlic (I use the jar kind for ease and so my hands don't smell like garlic)
1 small head cauliflower cut into Florette chunks
1 large onion cut into chunks
Sauce Above
8 oz organic Tempeh cut into 1 inch chunks (if you want to know what this is see; http://www.tempeh.info/)
3 cups chopped spinach
Saute onion, garlic, and cauliflower in the oil until onion is translucent and some browning (do not burn) Add the Sauce from the night before with the Tempeh and turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Add the Spinach and cook for another 5.
Serve with cooked Brown Rice. Bread or Nan is also good to have to mop up all that yummy sauce with.
Enjoy!
Tempeh Masala
The Sauce:
1 30 oz (or 2 15oz) can of diced or whole tomatoes
1 can evaporated condensed milk (you can use Sweetened if you like for a sweeter, thicker version. Read about them here; http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookingfaqs/f/faqcannedmilk.htm)
1 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 tsp Coriander
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Ground cloves
1 tsp Cinnamon
Blend the above ingredients in a blender. You can make this the day or night before if you want to have a quick meal the next night.
The Meal:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped garlic (I use the jar kind for ease and so my hands don't smell like garlic)
1 small head cauliflower cut into Florette chunks
1 large onion cut into chunks
Sauce Above
8 oz organic Tempeh cut into 1 inch chunks (if you want to know what this is see; http://www.tempeh.info/)
3 cups chopped spinach
Saute onion, garlic, and cauliflower in the oil until onion is translucent and some browning (do not burn) Add the Sauce from the night before with the Tempeh and turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Add the Spinach and cook for another 5.
Serve with cooked Brown Rice. Bread or Nan is also good to have to mop up all that yummy sauce with.
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Oven Frustrations and Nori Rolls
OVEN WOES:
For about a year now (probably longer) I have been nursing our gas range along.
The electrical panel went out for the second time since we moved into this house 12 years ago. 1st time it broke, we had it fixed and the repair man told us that it would not be worth repairing again and we should just replace it next time the panel goes.
Deciding to wait until we save for a new one or looking for a good used...
Here is how I manage it.
Manually lighting the burners when I need them - this I don't mind but I don't like the kids to do it because their carelessness with the matches laying near the burners.
I also told them laying the gas lighter next to the burner could cause an explosion. Max's retort to that was, "How cool would that be!" Not very I think.
Simply lighting the burners I could go on for years with but it is the oven that is a pain.
The stove panel likes to beep in Error mode at odd times and is unpredictable when hooked up to electricity so we must flip the circuit breaker off in the basement when not in use.
So every time I want to use the oven I have to flip it back on.
Also now, like all aged things it moves so much slower. It takes about a half an hour to heat up the oven to 400 degrees so it is important to plan ahead.
I often forget to go back down and flip the breaker again which causes Peter or I to get up at 2 am when the piercing Error buzzer goes off.
I don't know why it can't alert us to this at a reasonable hour.
My solution to this of course is to just eat raw foods but my family isn't going for it!
Here is one of my favorite raw food meals;
Nori Wraps
1 sushi Nori seaweed sheets
1 tsp ume plum paste (can pick up at an asian store)
Pea Sprouts
1/2 small carrot julienne
4 pieces julienne cucumbers (no seeds)
1/4 avocados sliced or cubed
1 Tbsp cooked rice
Spread the plum paste on the nori sheet and place the other items and rollup. Here is a tutorial that will help you master a hand roll. Too bad all of these come with an advertisement first, but this one is pretty funny. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-Sushi-Hand-Roll-5289
For about a year now (probably longer) I have been nursing our gas range along.
The electrical panel went out for the second time since we moved into this house 12 years ago. 1st time it broke, we had it fixed and the repair man told us that it would not be worth repairing again and we should just replace it next time the panel goes.
Deciding to wait until we save for a new one or looking for a good used...
Here is how I manage it.
Manually lighting the burners when I need them - this I don't mind but I don't like the kids to do it because their carelessness with the matches laying near the burners.
I also told them laying the gas lighter next to the burner could cause an explosion. Max's retort to that was, "How cool would that be!" Not very I think.
Simply lighting the burners I could go on for years with but it is the oven that is a pain.
The stove panel likes to beep in Error mode at odd times and is unpredictable when hooked up to electricity so we must flip the circuit breaker off in the basement when not in use.
So every time I want to use the oven I have to flip it back on.
Also now, like all aged things it moves so much slower. It takes about a half an hour to heat up the oven to 400 degrees so it is important to plan ahead.
I often forget to go back down and flip the breaker again which causes Peter or I to get up at 2 am when the piercing Error buzzer goes off.
I don't know why it can't alert us to this at a reasonable hour.
My solution to this of course is to just eat raw foods but my family isn't going for it!
Here is one of my favorite raw food meals;
Nori Wraps
1 sushi Nori seaweed sheets
1 tsp ume plum paste (can pick up at an asian store)
Pea Sprouts
1/2 small carrot julienne
4 pieces julienne cucumbers (no seeds)
1/4 avocados sliced or cubed
1 Tbsp cooked rice
Spread the plum paste on the nori sheet and place the other items and rollup. Here is a tutorial that will help you master a hand roll. Too bad all of these come with an advertisement first, but this one is pretty funny. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-Sushi-Hand-Roll-5289
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Chickpee Masala
We got our CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) box this week with fresh Spinach, lettuce, spring onions, homemade bread and strawberry jam. CSA is a way for you to receive fresh produce directly from the farm. Sort of like going to a farmers market without having to pick out the produce. There are many here in Pittsburgh to choose from, some you even get to pick from a menu every week. I prefer the surprise of finding out what new vegetables are ripe and in the box every time we pick it up on Wed all through the summer. Here is a link to find a CSA near you anywhere in the USA: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Went with a friend to Trader Joe's and bought Masala Simmer Sauce.
Would feel better shopping there if more stuff was made local. Most of their items come from Monrovia, Ca. But some of their stuff is good and quiet reasonable.
I made;
Chickpee Masala
1 15oz can garbanzo beans (chickpees) drained and rinsed
2 cups chopped spinach
1 large onion chopped
1 TBSP olive oil
Saute the onion in oil until translucent, add spinach, garbanzo beans and sauce and cook for a few minutes till heated through. You can make your own sauce (see my next post) but this is so simple for a quick veggie meal!
I made this for my dinner with French Meadow Bakery gluten free tortillas.
Went with a friend to Trader Joe's and bought Masala Simmer Sauce.
Would feel better shopping there if more stuff was made local. Most of their items come from Monrovia, Ca. But some of their stuff is good and quiet reasonable.
I made;
Chickpee Masala
1 15oz can garbanzo beans (chickpees) drained and rinsed
2 cups chopped spinach
1 large onion chopped
1 TBSP olive oil
Saute the onion in oil until translucent, add spinach, garbanzo beans and sauce and cook for a few minutes till heated through. You can make your own sauce (see my next post) but this is so simple for a quick veggie meal!
I made this for my dinner with French Meadow Bakery gluten free tortillas.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Worry Wart
So my Dad said to me on my visit this last week, "don't be such a worry wart!"
My first reaction was, I am not a worrier I just am careful and conscientious.
But I couldn't get it off my mind as I drove into the Red Roof Inn that night at midnight on the way headed back home.
Doesn't everyone look around their surroundings and take stock of what is going on?
My body feels forever on the verge of fight or flight mode when I am in unknown territory.
My mind always takes it one step further.
As we unload our car at midnight I take stock of what is going on. A sixteen and eighteen wheeler truck sitting in the upper parking lot. Truckers always give me a sense of safety. Most of these guys would come to your defense if a problem arises. One of my best friends from high schools Dad was a trucker and although tough and burly and quick to swear, he was a stand up guy. So with no where else to park, after we unload in the no parking zone, I park up near them.
As we finish bringing the stuff into our room, top floor 3 flights up, I notice a guy standing outside his room leaning on the railing smoking and checking his flip phone. Flip, flip, flip, rhythmically as he reads his texts. He seems to be waiting.
Once I park the car I see a guy limping out of the shadows as I am coming toward him to climb the stairs. My body tenses, I do a quick check in my mind of where Mira is, 'In the room locked. Good.' Keys are in my hand the way I was taught from our INPAX defense training and I look for a quick way out of the oncoming threat. The guy moves into the light and with a nod of his head to me I see he is an elderly man, hunched over from years of hard work that also shows on the lines of his face. He is thin and I think, "one push of my pointer finger would make him teeter over". I can tell from his shirt name tag that he is the night guard. What I really want to do is grab a chair so he can sit down.
I go up to the room and the flip phone guy is still smoking and looking squirrely. He does a quick 'check me' out look. I walk straighter as if to say, "I got strength in this 5'5" body and I could probably take you down". I give him that 'don't even think about it look'.
Once inside, Mira rolls up in her bed covers and starts to snore immediately. I fuss around cleaning up, organizing to make a quick depart in the morning.
I hear Mr. Flip It still outside now talking on his phone.
I lie in bed looking at the ceiling imagining him talking to a druggy, and saying, "where are you your late" and giving directions. I can't really hear what he is saying but my imagination starts to go wild. I imagine they try to break down our door because somehow the deal goes awry and they are shooting. I have to pull Mira down to the floor inbetween the beds and when they stop shooting to break in the door I yell for her to get into the bathroom and lock the door. I jump over the bed do the knee kick to the gastrocnemius muscle and having had the forethought to grab a pen in my hand on the way as he goes down I shove it into his neck. Stabbing one side then the other and with all my might once he is down I jump my body onto his neck. Next guy in gets the same but Mr Flip It runs off when he sees what is happening. By then the cops are there and grab him on the way.
I continue to imagine different scenarios, sometimes nastier and worse, with always the same ending. Me taking the bad guy down.
My back begins to hurt from laying that way and my shoulder hurts from tensing with those thoughts. I wonder if Mr Flip It will go inside or is he continuing to do deals all night.
I don't get to sleep until 2 am after an hour or so of deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
In the morning as we are leaving I see Mr Flip It giving a woman his age a hug and a toddler a head tousle as he hands back his key to the office.
OK so maybe I do worry a little more than I should. But next time it really could happen!
My first reaction was, I am not a worrier I just am careful and conscientious.
But I couldn't get it off my mind as I drove into the Red Roof Inn that night at midnight on the way headed back home.
Doesn't everyone look around their surroundings and take stock of what is going on?
My body feels forever on the verge of fight or flight mode when I am in unknown territory.
My mind always takes it one step further.
As we unload our car at midnight I take stock of what is going on. A sixteen and eighteen wheeler truck sitting in the upper parking lot. Truckers always give me a sense of safety. Most of these guys would come to your defense if a problem arises. One of my best friends from high schools Dad was a trucker and although tough and burly and quick to swear, he was a stand up guy. So with no where else to park, after we unload in the no parking zone, I park up near them.
As we finish bringing the stuff into our room, top floor 3 flights up, I notice a guy standing outside his room leaning on the railing smoking and checking his flip phone. Flip, flip, flip, rhythmically as he reads his texts. He seems to be waiting.
Once I park the car I see a guy limping out of the shadows as I am coming toward him to climb the stairs. My body tenses, I do a quick check in my mind of where Mira is, 'In the room locked. Good.' Keys are in my hand the way I was taught from our INPAX defense training and I look for a quick way out of the oncoming threat. The guy moves into the light and with a nod of his head to me I see he is an elderly man, hunched over from years of hard work that also shows on the lines of his face. He is thin and I think, "one push of my pointer finger would make him teeter over". I can tell from his shirt name tag that he is the night guard. What I really want to do is grab a chair so he can sit down.
I go up to the room and the flip phone guy is still smoking and looking squirrely. He does a quick 'check me' out look. I walk straighter as if to say, "I got strength in this 5'5" body and I could probably take you down". I give him that 'don't even think about it look'.
Once inside, Mira rolls up in her bed covers and starts to snore immediately. I fuss around cleaning up, organizing to make a quick depart in the morning.
I hear Mr. Flip It still outside now talking on his phone.
I lie in bed looking at the ceiling imagining him talking to a druggy, and saying, "where are you your late" and giving directions. I can't really hear what he is saying but my imagination starts to go wild. I imagine they try to break down our door because somehow the deal goes awry and they are shooting. I have to pull Mira down to the floor inbetween the beds and when they stop shooting to break in the door I yell for her to get into the bathroom and lock the door. I jump over the bed do the knee kick to the gastrocnemius muscle and having had the forethought to grab a pen in my hand on the way as he goes down I shove it into his neck. Stabbing one side then the other and with all my might once he is down I jump my body onto his neck. Next guy in gets the same but Mr Flip It runs off when he sees what is happening. By then the cops are there and grab him on the way.
I continue to imagine different scenarios, sometimes nastier and worse, with always the same ending. Me taking the bad guy down.
My back begins to hurt from laying that way and my shoulder hurts from tensing with those thoughts. I wonder if Mr Flip It will go inside or is he continuing to do deals all night.
I don't get to sleep until 2 am after an hour or so of deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
In the morning as we are leaving I see Mr Flip It giving a woman his age a hug and a toddler a head tousle as he hands back his key to the office.
OK so maybe I do worry a little more than I should. But next time it really could happen!
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