paste-eaters anonymous

who knew

Brunswick Stew

Another old cookbook gem; The Farm Journal Cookbook from 1959. One of these days there might be a backyard massacre. And no one likes a lot of fuss.

Fast Food

When it's well past dinner time and my blood sugar has dropped so dangerously low that I may not be held accountable for my actions, I like to have some quick fixes available. Fortunately, I live less than five miles from a Trader Joe's (or The Traitor Joe as we like to say here in Paste-Eater's ville).

Everything in this meal comes from TJ's: 2 cans of Garbanzo Beans, 1 package of Israeli Couscous, 1 jar Curry Simmer Sauce (if you like it spicy--we do), 1/2 bag of frozen peppers, 1/2 bag of frozen peas, Whole Wheat Naan, Olive Oil (not pictured--nothing against it, just forgot it).

Saute peppers in olive oil until they are soft and defrosted. 

Drain and rinse the beans, add them along with the curry sauce and peas. Cover and turn down so it simmers.

Prepare couscous using package directions (do I have to tell you everything?). I suppose to make this "authentic" (but it's from an American supermarket, so how pure can it be) you could use Basmati rice but this is supposed to be fast and I really like Israeli couscous.

Serve with Naan (I use the kind that's with the bread products, not the frozen ones. I think they might be cheaper. Wrap in foil and pop in the oven for a few minutes). Ta-da!

Why It's A Holiday

4962.

Caramelized Onions

I'm on this kick to cook new things. I figured this was a good start.

Step 1: Put two pounds of thinly sliced onions in a large, covered skillet (this one's non-stick), on medium (I've got an electric stove) for about twenty minutes, stirring once or twice.

Step Two: After twenty minutes, add 2T olive oil and a pinch of salt. Turn heat down to medium-low and cover again, stirring once or twice for another twenty minutes.

Ta-da! While it doesn't look much different than the picture in step two, this is the final result after a full hour of cooking. I'm sure if I had a gas stove I might have had darker, more caramelly-looking onions. 

But these were damn sweet! Thanks to Mark Bittman, How To Cook Everything Vegetarian pg. 329

Everyone can use a break...

So I spent the entire weekend in a classroom writing about ways to get in touch with my feelings. Which might be good, but I really had to force myself to stay awake, pay attention and avoid logging on to Facebook. My feelings are boring. Should I be worried?

Perhaps I only need a break.

Another missing birthday

 

Elizabeth Robles April 4, 1973-March 1,2005

A Blue Ewe For You Redux

Yeah, I wrote this last year. So sue me.

In an effort to cut down on waste products such as dyes from being dumped into our water ways, Monsanto has been working on a way to develop sheep that grow colored wool. We all know about the color variations in sheep: whites, greys, browns and of course, black, but this is much more dramatic. 

By using specially-treated  food pellets, much like the ones zoos and aviaries use to keep flamingos pink, Monsanto hopes to produce sheep that will grow wool in all shades of the color spectrum. In the long run, this should actually save money for mills because it eliminates the cost of dying yarn. No longer needing to check for dye lots would  be an added bonus.

This research is still in its infancy, but a company spokesman says it's likely that these animals should be available as soon as 2010. Plans for printed sock sheep are also in the works, but due to the complexity of matching pattern and gauge, successful production could take longer. 

The research has also been extended to alpaca and goat farmers. Pellets for rabbits are currently in production.

Six Years in the Making

If you felt the earth shake last night, it's because the world's slowest knitter finished a project.

Sorry for the crappy picture. The world's slowest knitter is the world's crappiest photographer, too. Am I repeating myself?

I started this blanket when I saw it in the current issue of Rowan Magazine (current at the time that is). I fell in love with the blanket Comfort and had to make it. Big needles! I'll have it done in no time!

So I hopped on the Internet and ordered some discount yarn from England because the dollar was doing so much better than the Euro (which tells you how long ago that was) and impatiently waited by my door for it's arrival from across the pond.

Then I had to cast on a million stitches.

It was intended as a gift for a friend who got a pair of socks instead. I will confess she got one sock and the other still on the needles, but I did--eventually--finish them. I told her about the blanket and we agreed that it would be a better gift for another friend of ours and I proceeded to work away on it.

That was 4 years ago. She brought it up in October:

"Gee, it would be really nice to give that blanket for Christmas this year."

So I tried to get it done, but then life got in the way and I really, really wanted to make another pair of socks for her (yes, I know I've said I hate making socks, but that's never stopped me from annoying myself time and again) and I missed the deadline. Other gifts were substituted.

Now the intended giftee is about to have a birthday. Other gifts were substituted, but I was determined to get this thing done and out of my life once and for all. Hence, the finished--AT LAST!--product.

Happy damn birthday. No. Really, otherwise that thing would have been in my closet for another six years.

a picture is worth a thousand words

I know I've been called crude in the past, but this winter isn't helping.