Say Cheese... lots of it

A coworker of J.D.'s brought us back a wheel of Wisconsin cheese since J.D. gave her an "Idaho Spud" from our trip over Christmas. Blah, I dislike Spud bars, but hey, I love me some cheese.

Cheese... it's what's for dinner.

Camping Out at Home

Tonight the power went off. (We've had a lot of freezing rain and snow). Fortunately, we have a ton of candles, so we went around busily lighting them in every room.

We just had to keep an eye on Athena, who liked sticking her nose close to the flame. She liked one pine scented candle best. I would pick her up and carry her away, only to have her run right back to it. Once when I picked her up, she had a slightly singed smell. J.D. thought I was exaggerating until he walked by and smelled it too. (She's ok). I'm not sure why that particular candle was so fascinating to her.

Anyway, then we decided it was time for dinner. J.D. cooked spaghetti over the gas stove while I washed some dishes, and we listened to Sister Souljah talking about her new book on my little portable radio. Funny. When the lights came back on, after about 30 minutes, J.D. looked at me, sighed, and said he was having fun. So, we turned all the lights off again and kept cooking in the dark! :) I do love you J.D.

The one recipe to try

Tuscan White Bean Dip

1 can Northern White beans, drained, rinsed
4-5 roasted garlic cloves (10-15 minutes, 350 degree oven in aluminum with olive oil)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T fresh rosemary
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Combine most ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth, adding olive oil as you go. Serve immediately with pita or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tonight we went to a brief, one time Holiday appetizer cooking class. This was the one recipe we both agreed would be worth keeping and making in the future, so I wanted to share. The other recipes just seemed overcomplicated and not worth the effort. (Also, some were just gross, like the wild rice pancakes with chipotle sour cream topping... blah). Another recipe required homemade pasta to make ravioli... no thanks, way too time consuming. However, this bean spread was filling, simple, and tasty.

Fun Morning of Cooking and Baking

Happy Thanksgiving!

So far, it's been a great day. It's just J.D. and I at home. We put our turkey in the oven exactly 1 hour ago. (The timer just went off). J.D. agreed to a semi-experimental Thanksgiving this year. Tofurkey was out, but we are trying a trick I learned from Renei, to put the turkey breast down in the pan, so it soaks in the drippings more. Back in 2000, the year we -- Renei, Candice, Marilyn, and I-- lived in Boise, Renei made the most delicious turkey. I just hope our turkey turns out this year.

As part of slightly non-traditional Thanksgiving this year, J.D. and I have been eating pumpkin pie since Sunday, (Ok, mostly me, tiny slices everyday). We still have 3 big slices left. Also this year, I'm making two different dressings. The first is the traditional one I learned from Mom, with butter and evaporated milk. This year I also added mushrooms and carrots to go with the onions and celery. We'll see how it turns out. I'm also trying one made with more interesting ingredients like a green apple, raisins, walnuts, etc. We'll see. Again, I just wanted to try something a little different.

This morning Athena woke me by purring on my chest. She does that almost every morning, but I always think it's special and cute. She'll just sit there purring until I open my eyes and pet her. Then sometimes we'll fall back asleep together. She doesn't do it for food, just to say good morning. She's such a sweet kitty. (As well as a total goofball at times). A while ago she discovered a new game. She was pulling a spare button out of the blue pottery vase Catherine and Michael gave us. She did it repeatedly before I took her small button away and gave her balled-up paper to chase. --A more appropriate kitty toy.

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving. This morning J.D. and I prepared the turkey and stuffing. J.D. handled the turkey, while I whipped up Mom's dressing recipe. We listened to Diane Rehm talking about Emily Dickinson. Then I enjoyed listening to people talking about all their different Thanksgivings around the country and different delicious dishes on The Splendid Table. Fellow Foodies. :)

Then we got to talk with Abby, Riley, Angela and Connie and wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving!

What a good day so far! (Now, I better get the deviled eggs started).

I hope everyone is having a lovely day-- let me know what you're doing too! And just know we wish you a great day, wherever you are.

How to Preserve a Husband

Mom and especially Daughter don't look so excited here do they? Rather a cheerless cover for a cookbook if you ask me. I guess it gives off an authentic ol' timey and homey vibe. Anyway, my mom and sister have had fun reading this cookbook. Mom rediscovered it in her pile of recipe books. My sister greatly enjoyed the directions for "How to Preserve a Husband." You'll notice it's squeezed in between recipes for "White Bread" and "Mom's Hot Rolls." May I also draw your attention to "Boise Potato Biscuits" and "Missionary Valley Yam Biscuits"? Bon appétit.


Here's the text for how to preserve a husband, if you can't see it:

How to Preserve a Husband

Be careful in your selection; do not choose too young and take only such varieties as have been reared in a good moral atmosphere. When once decided upon and settled, let that part remain forever settled and give your entire thought to preparation for domestic use. Some insist on keeping them in a pickle while others are constantly getting them in hot water. Poor varieties may be made sweet, tender and good by garnishing them with patience, well sweetened with smiles and flavored with kisses to taste; then wrap well in a mantle of charity, keep warm with a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with peaches and cream. When thus prepared they will keep for years.

Gooey butter cake

Happy Birthday Dad. Love you. I wish we were there to join the fun.


Today Athena ate lettuce. I swear, she acts like the "in-famous" Delmar. She also ate 2 black beans and a piece of red pepper. I have a garbage cat on my hands. Of course, it's my fault for giving her this stuff, but part of me is curious what she'll actually eat. I sure didn't bet on the lettuce.

As for us and our eating habits, tonight I tried baking a St. Louis style gooey butter cake. Yeah, not such a fan. Perhaps I just made it wrong, but basically it's like eating soft butter rolled in flour. Blahh. Maybe I've had this stuff before, but I honestly don't remember. Seems weird I wouldn't remember that. I got the idea to make it from watching Show Me St. Louis during a segment advertising a place that specializes in them called Gooey Louie. At least I satisfied my curiosity. I wasted a lot of butter though. Shhhh... don't tell J.D.

Pies

Green Bean Recipe

So, we were never very big on the whole "green bean thing" in my family, but I decided to try this recipe today.

J.D. and I are celebrating a "spread-out" Thanksgiving. Yesterday, I baked my first ever pumpkin pie, which turned out decently. Today I made some green beans with a recipe that is healthier than the cream of mushroom versions. I liked it; and J.D. ate a small plate full, which I think mostly was to appease me, but he said they were "OK." He also said: "It's very green beany." Which, I'm trying to decide if it was the actually recipe or just the fact you can only disguise a vegetable so much.

2 lbs. fresh green beans (I didn't use a full 2 lbs.)
1 envelope Italian Good Seasons salad dressing
2 tsp. Extra virgin olive oil.
2 tsp. fresh Parmesan.

Boil green beans, remove while still crisp.
Mix beans with olive oil and seasoning.
Spray pan with Pam and cook at 350 for 20 minutes.
Add Parmesan cheese over top for last 5 minutes.