Sunday, July 26, 2009

Monday Menu Planning 7/27

Monday - Grilled Tri Tip & Roasted Potato/Eggplant/Onion
Tuesday - Cajun Chicken Salad
Wednesday - Burritos
Thursday - Black & Blue Salad
Friday - Kid Pizza & Adults Theatre food out
Saturday - Something that won't mess up the kitchen (Out or In or Something), because we should be packing not messing up the kitchen or cleaning.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Homemade Pop Tarts


I grew up without Pop Tarts, by the time I tried them in high school they had pretty much become disgusting. The kid likes them, but not the fruit flavors. He and Y lurve the brown sugar cinnamon version. We were introduced to the idea of homemade pop tarts by Alton Brown and his TV show Good Eats. AB is broadening the kid's culinary horizons regularly. They have come up twice, one episode about frying and another about pies. This afternoon we are going to attempt the chocolate pop tart. Wish us luck.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Farm Box 7/4/09


So at this point I'm not going to list what arrived a week and a half ago. But isn't it pretty?

If you want one of your very own...
www.abundantharvestorganics.com

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Sushi Bowl with Toasted Nori, Avocado, and Brown Rice

Rice
2 c. short-grain brown rice
3 1/2 c. water 2 t. fine-grain sea salt
2 (4") square sheets nori
6 oz extra-firm tofu

Citrus-Soy Dressing
grated zest & juice of 1 orange
grated zest & juice of 1/2 lemon
2 T. natural cane sugar
2 T. shoyu sauce
2 T. brown rice vinegar

4 green onions
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, & thinly sliced
3 T. toasted unhulled sesame seeds

Rinse & drain the rice two or three times. Combine the rice, water, and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer gently until is absorbed, about 45 minutes.

Toast the nori in a preheated 300 degree F oven or medium-hot skillet for a few minutes. Crumble or chop coarsely.

Drain the tofu and pat it dry. Cut the block of tofu length-wise through the middle to make four 1/4 - 1/2" sheets of tofu. Two at a time, cook in a dry nonstick or well seasoned skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes until browned on one side. Flip gently, then continue cooking for another minute or so, until the tofu is firm, golden, and bouncy. Let cool enough to handle, then cut crosswise into matchsticks. Repeat with the remaining sheets.

Dressing
Set the zests aside, combine the juices and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to gentle boil. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, then add the shoyu and vinegar. Return to agentle boil and cook another 1 or 2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the zests.

When the rice is done, stir in 1/3 c. of the dressing (add more to taste). Scoop rice into individual bowls and top with toasted nori, green onions, tofu, avocado slices, and sprinkling of sesame seeds.

From Super Natural Cooking

I usually switch the tofu for shrimp and the avocado for some edamame. This is the dish that convienced the kid that shrimp was not so bad.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

McCulloch Family Uber Traditional Potato Salad

O.K. this is one of those family recipes that you can't get them to give you easily. Its not written down; they have to show you, 'cause they just sort of make it.

Red Potatoes (peeling your option)
Hard Boiled Eggs (usually an egg per pound of potatoes)
Celery
Onion
Mayonnaise
Dijon Mustard
Pickle Juice (or Apple Cider Vinegar)

I wash and boil the potatoes, dicing after they cool, leaving the peels on. Boil & dice the eggs. Dice the celery and onion. Combine all the diced ingredients. In a separate bowl add mayo and mustard in a 2:1 (maybe 1 & 1/2) ratio, blend. Add a splash of pickle juice and salt and pepper to taste. My dressing can NOT taste like mayo, and the spicy bite of the horseradish of the dijon must be mellow to not noticable, with a little bit of tart from the vinegar.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Monday Menu Planning 7/6

Monday - Green Bean Stir Fry
Tuesday - BBQ Burgers & Potato Salad
Wednesday - Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Thursday - Chicken & Veggie Kabobs
Friday - Leftovers or out
Saturday - Alton Brown's Fish & Chips (wish me luck)
Sunday -

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Good News...I'm Back

So not dead, mostly mended. Summer school ends today (technically tomorrow). Late farm box post coming...with pictures! Menu plans coming soon. Yay!