Jimmy Would Love This

I am a sucker for any book on preserving any-thing. Thanks to Amazon's ability for anayltics, I never miss the release of a new one.


Though released last year, one full of particularly wonderful ideas is Put 'Em Up by Sherri Brooks Vinton. Most preserving books are include all seasons of produce but in this one I find more year-round recipe which really appeal to me. Recipes using fennel and mushrooms. Lots of ideas for citrus.

A stroke of brilliance is a suggestion for using dried limes to flavor soups and stews.

Okay, I'll be honest. It spoke to me because I always seem to be in the process of dry limes - though I never intend to.

A revelation for chicken tortilla soup. Def.

Limes not "wasting away in Margaritaville".

Now it's nobody's fault.

Published!

A long time ago, I wrote a post about life lists (note purposeful lack of back link). More recently, I decided a mother of four kids in three different schools (involved in cross country, track, show choir, chorus, builder's club, soccer, cub scouts and social lives greater than the sum of their parents) should not have a life list. It's just too depressing.

But - the sun also rises and in the time left in the wake of "a long time ago", I've tried my hand at some creative writing. Creative non-fiction or the personal essay - as opposed the stream of conscious I typically share here. I have really, really enjoyed it and determined I wanted to be published. Check that, I determined I wanted to be published in a neat little 'zine I stumbled across. It's called Remedy Quarterly.

So, I took a deep breath and put myself out there submitting a story idea to this project I really admire. I don't do waiting very well. I anticipated the "yay or nay" deadline anxiously. The day of said deadline, I had forgotten all about it and my heart was pounding when I found a surprise email. My story cut the mustard. It felt like discovering you made the team or got the part.

The current issue of Remedy Quarterly: Heritage includes "My Stainless Steel Locket" a story inspired by inherited and found recipe collections. I am very proud its inclusion in this collection of essays highlighting healing and delicious memories. In the spirit of sharing, I'd like to share a copy with you! Leave a comment sharing what your favorite family recipe is and be entered to win Issue #7. Leave your thoughts and a random winner will be drawn January 30th.

And now, with this little victory under my belt, I return to the keyboard. 

Wish me luck.

Little Skywalker's Eggs

Henry is a hard core Star Wars fan. He knows the characters and the plots. He knows which one is number one and which one used to be number one but is now number six. Amazing.

It's fairly typical for there to be many very large Star Wars books around that he's hauled home from the library. This last time, he brought a cookbook. Finally, Star Wars on a level I can understand - or so I thought.

After reading through the book Hen decided he would make Twin Sun Toast for breakfast one morning before school.

He read through the recipe and gathered the ingredients. He decided we should use Lily's eggs since they are smaller. I glanced at the recipe - not really paying too much attention. It's a kid's book, right?

My fancy $5 circle cutter set was pressed into service. These are the sun holes. Junie got the insides.

He pre-heated.

He carefully broke the eggs.

 

He seasoned.

Despite his care and my cooking experience it didn't work for a few reasons. The eggs - any eggs, (even Lily's) are way to big for the holes - if you want it to look like the picture. The instructions don't include toasting one side of bread in the pan before flipping it over to add the eggs. In the picture the top of the bread is very toasty.

After realizing the flaws I overlooked, I told my very sad little Skywalker, I would make it with a few modifications.

Bottom line - it can't be made without copious changes to the recipe for it look remotely like the picture. Kids want expect it to look like the picture. And it should. No cook book should be this way.

When attempting a recipe or selecting a cookbook any cook, should read carefully and thoughtfully, sometimes they aren't right. Sometimes it takes more than once to figure that out. He was so very disappointed. Sad eyes over Twin Sun Eggs are a horrible way to start the day.

We won't make this mistake when we make our R2D2 treats.

Now, is he the gold one or the one that looks like a garbage can?

CRAVE - Chicago

It's all done. My question and answer portion submitted. The photo shoots finished.

How thrilled am I to be included in the 2nd edition of CRAVE-Chicago?

Let me count the ways....

1. It's a book. I love books.

2. I am considered an entrepreneur. Really?

3. It's full of cool woman doing cool things. It makes me feel like a cool woman doing cool things.

4. I had my picture taken (or made as my friend Kelli says) by a real photographer while doing things I love. The picture part was painful but it was really wonderful to work with the incredibly talented people of Bum Bul Bee Photography. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. They made me look pretty.

5. It's introduced me to a terrific network of people I am honored to join and look forward to knowing.

6. Sometimes when I look at soon-to-be cover I allow myself to gloat. (only sometimes)

7. It's solidified the thought that what I do is needed and important.

8. The support of dear friends (during the painful parts) has made me realize they are the best of what I've gained from my pursuits.

9. The release party will be a reason to get dressed like a sophisticated adult. Or at least like I used to in the pre-child professional days. (wonder if I can still pull it off?)

10. My family is so very proud. That's the best part.

Two New Favorites

Look what came in the mail Wednesday? I love Amazon. They always seem to know exactly what I want.

I came across Alice's Cook Book by Alice Hart at the library and 5 pages in I was so enthralled I knew I wanted needed to own it. Side note: It was in the house for about an hour before someone aka "I didn't do it" smudged the cover with greasy, dirty fingers. I am trying not to obsess. Anyway, the book is divided into seasons and within season fun ways to entertain. A Bun Supper, Picnics and Happy Camping. Oat Cakes with Ham and Gruyere, Pomegranate Gelatin (big resurgence right now) and Roasted Carrot Hummus. Also, I love the vintage oil cloth inspired spine. It's Amazon.com by the way....

Can It, Bottle It, Smoke It by Karen Solomon is the second book geared towards those of use in dire need of making our own hot dogs, Worcestershire sauce and pickling - everything. I love it and am excited to see new project ideas we have yet to attempt or dream up on our own. Makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Definitely look them up if you aren't muttering how insane the yellow house inhabitants are becoming. Most importantly, check back to see the progress we've made in making our own hot dogs. (Do I sense an Ultimate Hot Dog Project coming on?)

Perhaps you should subscribe? I'd be so grateful.

Cooking A Family Dinner

A while back I decided it would be a good night for everyone to participate in the making of dinner. A simple pretzel chicken from Fine Cooking was on the menu.

It was the perfect recipe since it required much dipping and dredging. Everyone was getting their hands dirty - except Jake. He has a clean hands phobe. My fault - first born.


Ella got the super slimy job of egg dipping. Can we talk about that beautiful egg color? Jake is so supportive and his hands are so...clean.


There were multiple jobs for everyone. Here Jake is giving Henry a hand with his stirring technique. What a comedian.


There was also a quinoa salad that I'll share at a later date. That recipe offered my larger children an opportunity to work on their knife skills. They are old enough to handle a knife and I'd rather they know the right way.

Max measures and Ella stirs.


Even Jake (eventually) got his hands dirty chopping chives.


Everyone even got a chance to cook the chicken. I've always believed that teaching them the right way and not encouraging them to be afraid is the safest way in the kitchen. I also know someday they won't starve or shrivel up due to Ramen Noodle sodium counts.



The point of this whole thing? How great it is to cook as a family. We had lots of laughs and though it wasn't our favorite pretzel chicken it was really great to be together in the kitchen. We seem to spend a lot of time there even as everyone grows older. It's a comfy place to be and there is no hook better than food.

I recently wrote an essay inspired by our kitchen time. I'd like for you to read it - if you're interested.

What I'd really like is for you to make something in the kitchen with your family.

XOXO

Whooopie!!

It's Friday!


Ella loves Whoopie Pies and wanted to take them as treats to her classmates. There are 30 kids in the class. Yes, that's 60+ cakes.

I found this book at the library - of course. I think we may have to buy it since it's so much fun. I had a huge mental block about making sooo many pies, but it was really easy. I was proud to have gotten them all done and had extras for the family. Bonus~ALL of the fifth graders LOVED them. (truly amazing)

And I love Ella.

I would have made a million of them.

Chicken and Egg

I just finished reading my new favorite cookbook, Chicken and Egg. It's really so much more than a cookbook though. Full of amazing recipes, it's a lovely memoir, too. Documented in a year of seasons, the author, Janice Cole shares the fun and foibles of a fledgling chicken mother while imparting spot on information for the would be chicken wrangler.


Her stories are charming and call to mind experiences of the last year. A completely uninterested, but later (very) proud husband. Discovering chickens have personalities. Learning chicken chasing is a most humiliating experience. A mother worries about her brood, feathered or not.

Why keep chickens? Beyond the fabulous eggs?

Read Chicken and Egg and you'll know.

The Best Gift

Books make great gifts.

Last week Henry asked if he could read to me. It was his first Non-Seussian book.


Maybe there is a better gift.

School Lunch

Lay of the School Lunch

My lunch at school is always good,
I get the very finest food
That any little girl or boy
Requires, to give him health and joy.
I always have a sandwich brown
Of wholewheat bread, the very crown
Of foods composed of grains;
Between the slices, toothsome, sweet,
I find chopped eggs or cheese or meat.
A daintly salad crisp and green,
With dressing in a bottle clean,
Delights my eyes, likewise my tongue,
It's awful good for old and young.
A cooky brown, then juicy fruit;
I tell you what, my lunches suit.


From The Chilren's Book of Food Verses
by Winifred Stuart Gibbs
1924

My how things change....

Congratulations!

A big congratulations to Emily for winning the above book in our first giveaway! My hope is that you enjoy this book with your growing family and create wonderful memories and satisfied bellies along the way.

With Love,

The Yellow House

p.s. - Let me know the best way to get you this prize to you so you can begin jamming, pickling and curing asap!

On The Shelves

I haven't posted in awhile about books. A stalker of the shelves of my local library, my first stop is always new non-fiction for cookbooks. My last trip was rather lucrative including three of the above.

The River Cottage Preserves Book. I am still working my way through it but I am always a sucker for any preserving book. You may be familiar with the River Cottage Cookbook and River Cottage Family Cookbook, both include beautiful photography, recipes and info - even if you aren't going to slaughter a hog of your own.

Edible published the people of the Edible magazine available in virtually every city. I really love to pick up this seasonal publication, Edible Chicago, at my green market. A great cross section of people all over the country doing what I so admire. Isn't it always great to see local stuff you love highlighted in print?

Eating Local, a new book from Sur La Table. I don't frequent Sur La Table much. Duh, I am a W-S girl. Seriously, though geography keeps me away more than I'd like. The group of farms and farmer's they included were countrywide and inspirational. Great recipes and a super reason to just sit and dream.

Finally, though out of order, I have to include Cheese. No, not because it's a Williams-Sonoma publication but because it is a truly wonderful book. Nirvana for a cheese lover such as myself. The best part is the many ways to utilize those lovely cheeses beyond topping a salad or baguette and adorning a cheese platter.

Check them out, pour yourself a libation and read. Just don't drool on the pages.

Preservation of Childhood

Preserving Children

Take one large grassy field, one half dozen children,
three small dogs, and walk along a narrow strip of brook,
pebbly if possible.

Mix the children with dogs, and empty them into the field,
stirring constantly.

Sprinkle the entire with daisies and buttercups,
pour brook gently over pebbles
and cover all with a deep blue sky
and bake in hot sun for several hours.

When children are thoroughly browned they may be removed.

They will be found right and ready for setting away to cool in the bathtub.

Mrs. Estes
Buck's County (Pennsylvania) Cookbook
1950

The Making of a Hen House

When the chickens begin to roost on the garage door runners, it's time to finish their house

Ten years ago we bought the yellow house and were lucky to acquire this cute little play house, too. Built by a neighbor over 20 years ago now, we painted it yellow, hung window boxes and much fun was had by many little people. At some point, it was sadly abandon, I believe, due to the spiders that had moved in. For years, it has sat under a big maple waiting for its' next batch of kids. And then I got to thinking....


The playhouse was integral in our chickens acquisition since I knew it would be a perfect hen house. The first step was to create a foundation from some patio blocks no longer in use. This also gave us the opportunity to level it. It is very important to Doug that the house be level - perfectly level.


The next task was to insulate the walls and roof. Luckily, we had some insulation in garbage bags in the the rafters of the garage. I am not sure why Doug insisted we keep it but I was really that glad after many years of storage to find a use for it. One less chicken related expense. Bonus.



I am tremendously grateful that the playhouse building neighbor was willing to build a chicken run, too. Painting the run was a family activity on Mother's Day.


"I Have the Most Awesome Husband - Part II". Doug covered the run with hardware cloth - not an easy project and one that inflicted many injuries. This is just another part of the work Doug has done to support my endeavor. All this from a man who hates birds. Did I say he's the most awesome husband ever?


The inside was finished with plywood and everything was painted bright white. The windows lined with hardware cloth allow for great a breeze, a left over 2x4 became a removable roost and an old boot tray works perfectly to catch much of the mess and allow for easy upkeep.


We still have a few things to finish. A wall mounted self-feeder needs to be installed and a hole cut to allow access to the run directly from the house, the door and window "shutters" replaced, a few geraniums and new window boxes will finish it off......


Moving day was very exciting, perhaps more so for us than the girls. I am so relieved to have them in a proper house. Doug is just really happy to have them out of the garage.


Welcome home to the Yellow Hen House, Charlie, Rita, Lily, Milly and Martha!

Book into Movie

One of the best books I have ever read is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Typically, I am disappointed with books made into movies but The Namesake directed by, Mira Nair is absolutely the exception to the rule.

Last week I attended a program at Columbia College Chicago with my dear reader friend, JoAnne. The final speaker in the program, Conversations in the Arts: Media Arts in the 21st Century, was writer and director, Mira Nair. What a terrific evening! Funny, well educated, read and traveled, the energy that surrounds this woman stayed with me long into the following days.

If you haven't read this book, do. When you are done rent the movie, order in great Indian food and watch a book. I hope you love it as much as I did.

Also, I hope you enjoy some really awesome Indian food, too.

It's Food Revolution Friday

Who hasn't been inspired by Jamie Oliver? His show, Food Revolution, illustrated poor eating habits of our society with facts, passion and humor. His books are beautiful and each is so different. I get emails from JamieOliver.com and I "am a fan". The show may be over but the movement isn't. The email today unveiled Food Revolution Friday, get the recipe, make it over the weekend and comment on the community board. I love the concept. The enthusiasm and seemingly unending energy of this guy (team of assistants, or not) amazes me.

Of course, I had to check out The Food Revolution cookbook. In reading through, one of many recipes that struck me was the Broccoli and Pesto Tagliatelle. Not something I would typically be drawn to but....I had broccoli, pesto, a potato and a pound of pappardelle, a reasonable substitute. Dinner was on.


I love how the recipes in this book are presented. Easy to read, concise and written in his unique voice.


The broccoli stalks are used, which I love, since it's a shame to waste them. Thinly sliced stalks are cooked with the pasta and then the florets and potatoes are thrown in for the last two minutes of cooking. A one pan fresh pasta. I am in love.


The addition of one potato, which just happened to be floating around the potato basket, would typically strike me as weird. Starch in a starch usually turns me off but I was so sold on this recipe I chose not to skip it. It gave me a reason to use my mandolin, too! I have lots of pesto left in the freezer from the many batches I made last summer. It's so flavorful, I wasn't too worried about only having a measily half-ish bunch of basil.


To say that I enjoyed this meal is an understatement. It wasn't just that it was on the table in under 30 minutes or that I had all the ingredients for a spur of the moment meal. It was truly a wonderful meal and one I'll definitely make again.

Join the revolution - start with this.

Broccoi and Pesto Tagliatelle
The Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver

1 medium potato
1 head of broccoli
1 large bunch of fresh basil
sea salt
1# dried tagliatelle
1/4 cup green pesto
3 oz. parmesan cheese

To prepare your pasta:
Wash and peel the potato and cut it into very thin shavings using a speed peeler. Slice the end off the broccoli stalk. Cut the little broccoli florets off the head and put them to one side. Halve the thick stalk, then slice thinly. (I just sliced mine thinly) Pick the basil leaves and discard the stalks. Grate the parmesan

To cook your pasta:
Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the tagliatelle and broccoli stalks and cook according to the tagliatelle package directions. 2 minutes before the tagliatelle is cooked, add the broccoli florets and potato slices. Drain everything in a colander over a large bowl, reserving some of the cooking water, and return to the pan. Roughly chop half your basil leaves and add to the pan with the pesto and half the parmesan. Give it all a good stir and if the sauce is too thick for you, add a splas of the cooking water to thin it out a bit.

To serve your pasta:
Divide the pasta between your serving bowls. Sprinkle over the rest of the parmesan and the remaining basil leaves. Serve with a lovely big bowl of salad.

Serves 4-6

Food Rules

Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants

Michael Pollan is my hero. His new book was cause for a visit with Oprah last week and I was so disappointed to have missed it. So....I went right out and bought the book.

It's a great synopsis of his previous books, and just as its' title implies a book of rules, or more gently guidelines for eating well. This great read takes about an evening to complete and leaves you with a greater resolve to take make wise food choices and eat well.

Much of the book is particularly timely after our "Processed Food Project". Here are a few of my favorite, and humorous, rules....

#1 - Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce.

#2 - Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.

#3 - It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. Think Cheetos and Big Macs.

#4 - Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.

#5 - Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does.

Read this book. Pat yourself on the back for all you already do. Challenge yourself to change the things you don't. You'll be really glad you did.

Saveur 100 - 2010

I love Saveur magazine and this issue is my favorite. My subscription may lapse but I am always sure to pick up the January/February issue from the new stand. Obviously, the beginning of the new year is the time for such an issue, but the timing is especially great since the doldrums of winter are beginning to settle in. Perfectly timed inspiration.

What are my favorites this issue? Here are just a few....

#2 - Eggs From Your Own Chickens. Nothing like a really fresh egg. I'd love to have a few girls in my own yard. Someday.

#11 - Tastespotting.com. A cool site where you can download your own food photos and include recipes. Move over epicurious.com.

#21 - Rapini. Love it. It deserves some good press.

#24 - Italian Plums. Reminded me of a great day at the Green City Market last September.

#26 - Prehaps my favorite new find, TheFreshLoaf.com. A great source for the home bread baker and all things bread. My favorite cozy winter thing.

#30 - Tuna Melts. Sorry, I love 'em.

#39 - Homemade Egg Noodles. On my list of "to-do".

#50 - Turning Forks. I have one of my Grandma's "granny forks". Nostalgia is always good.

#52 - Talula's Table. I heard about it on NPR. I'd love to go.

#54 - Cooking Under a Brick. How cool do I feel for having done at a class a year ago? Offering it again this year.

I skipped a few on the way up (#10,#37, #48) and then there is #66, #76.....

Trust me, get yourself a copy. Soon.

The Barefoot Contessa

Sometimes I think I am the last person in the world to jump on the Barefoot Contessa bandwagon. Perhaps it's because I am not a fan of her show but I've never really pursued her recipes or books. I received a gift certificate to a book store for my birthday and decided, after much perusing, the Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics was a book I needed to add to my collection.

I brought it home read through it, page by page. When I closed the book, I was inspired by many, many recipes and didn't know where to start first. Soup is always a safe bet and very popular in the yellow house. There were lots and lots of leeks at the market so I started with the Roasted Potato Leek Soup. I've made potato leek soup before but the roasted aspect sounded especially interesting.

Yukon Gold potatoes and chopped leeks are roasted about 40 minutes until tender and beginning to caramelize a bit.


At the end of the roasting time, toss 3 cups of arugula in with the potatoes and leeks and return to the oven for 5 minutes or so.

Across two burners of the cook top, deglaze the pan with a bit of wine. Interesting technique I think. The rest is simple. The directions say to process in a Cuisinart. I put everything into the soup pot and used the immersion blender to puree it. Easy and fewer dishes.

The soup is enriched with heavy cream AND creme fraiche. Before serving a bit more wine and parmesan cheese is stirred in. I think gruyere would be a nice choice, too. The suggested garnish is crispy shallots. I love my family a lot but didn't really think they would miss the shallots. They didn't, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese was all they needed.


Delicious!

To round it out, I made a salad of spinach, pears, fresh fennel and blue cheese drizzled with maple vinaigrette. (thanks to Moveable Feast for the inspiration.) I loved the soup but I think I may have eaten more salad than soup.

So, I am a changed cook. I've added the Contessa to my shelves and have gained inspiration to last through winter....at least.

I Love To Read

One of my favorite things about our yellow house are the bookcases we built in our family room. They're packed with books, mostly of the cooking variety-arranged by subject. I treasure them all and use them daily. In an age when finding recipes online is so easy, holding a book can't be beat. I jot notes on the recipes about when it was made and for whom. A cookbook falling open to a page, smudged and sticky with remnants of the previous preparation brings comfort.

For as long as I can remember I have been a reader. As a kid I went to the old library in town often. An old historical home full of nooks and crannies and ornate detail it has since been replaced twice, and I am still wistful for the original. I loved the way that library smelled. Sometimes with an old edition, that smell rises from the pages and takes me back to those stacks.

These are fiction or biographical in genre that have enjoyed or am enjoying this summer. Plan Bee by Susan Brackney was a birthday gift from a thoughtful friend. It's the first year with my hive so I need all the insight into bees I can get so it was a perfect gift. Made From Scratch-Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life is a collection of essays by Jenna Woginrich. A young woman longing for a simpler life and the the trials and tribulations of her search. Coop by Michael Perry is a another great read. His wit and observations make me chuckle every night. Also The Birdhouse Chronicles by Cathleen Miller, another back-to-the-country life story (there seems to be a theme here), set in rural Pennsylvania. Emily Franklin's Too Many Cooks - Kitchen Adventures with 1 Mom, 4 Kids, and 102 Recipes caught my eye and I couldn't rest until I bought it. It chronicles a year in her life and kitchen and efforts to raise her children to be good eaters. Many laughs especially if you live with children. Finally, the classic, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith, is my summer novel pick. It'll be the perfect way to while away hours reading under the shade of a tree.