Updates from January, 2010

  • yuck

    Emilily 11:19 am on January 14, 2010 | 1 Permalink | Reply

    Okay, I know you can’t see this photo very well, but basically it is a picture of Burger King on a lovely sunny day in McKinleyville. I tried to zoom in on the marquis, which was the reason for this picture, but it is still fuzzy. It reads “TRY NEW BK BURGER SHOTS.” What?!?!

    I looked it up online, and apparently, they are trying to promote their new sliders, but whatever marketing genius came up with the term “burger shots” needs to be fired. Immediately. I mean, not only is the idea of “shooting” any form of a burger completely nauseating, but they come in a “six-pack” because, clearly, just one alcoholic-beverage reference was not cool enough.

     
  • muffins!

    Emilily 8:47 pm on December 8, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: muffins,

    blackberry bran muffinsI tried another bran muffin recipe this past weekend, and they turned out pretty delicious. I got the recipe from Dylan’s mom Irene – she sent some home with him after Thanksgiving, and I think I ate about 4 a day until they were gone!

    The (modified) recipe was originally from this great blog, Farmgirl Fare. It’s by this woman who one day packed up her California lifestyle and moved out to a remote, 280-acre farm in the middle of Nowhere, Missouri. I think I can relate to packing everything up and embarking on a new adventure! I also like the name of her blog, because it reminds me of The Princess Bride (Farmboy) although I doubt this has any relation to her blog at all. Anyways, there are a ton of healthy recipes, pictures of her farm animals, and a smattering of gardening tips and photos. I think this weekend I might try a batch of these blueberry breakfast bars, but with persimmons instead, since they’re weighing down the trees in the front yard.

     
  • viral cake

    Emilily 1:40 pm on November 11, 2009 | 4 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: cake

    whole cakeSo, I probably mentioned to you that a few weeks ago I contracted a nasty computer virus while looking up a recipe online. I don’t know if I mentioned what kind of recipe I was looking up, but it was a rainbow cake, and for future reference, if you are ever thinking of looking for a rainbow cake recipe, don’t try to link to the site that says “Nazi Rainbow Cake”, even if you’re like “what the heck is a Nazi Rainbow? I just have to check out this nonsense...” Anyways, there’s no need to hunt down a recipe for rainbow cake, all you need is two boxes of Betty Crocker yellow cake mix and an ungodly amount of food coloring. I know, you don’t have to tell me, yellow is not a flavor, and food coloring is not food. But this cake is not about the toxic sickly-sweet sponge that you end up with, it is about the gorgeous, amazing, never-before-seen-in-nature colors!

    red orange yellowthe first cutcake cut

     
  • Sunday morning food styling...

    Carmen 1:54 pm on November 8, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: french toast

    Max made french toast with apples!

     
  • Eggs en Cocotte...sort of

    Emilily 1:40 pm on October 13, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:

    So I was inspired by your egg cook-off, and hungry, and working from home today, so I decided to try my own eggs en cocotte! I used cippolini onions, bell peppers and oregano, and gruyere cheese for the top. Since my toaster oven has a broiler setting, I browned the cheese, but I should have cleaned off the edges of my dish because it looks a little messy. Also, sadly, I broke my yolks. I almost challenged my fear of runny eggs by leaving them whole, but then realized I did not have any bread to soak up the liquid chicken juice, so I went ahead and cooked them firm. I think next time I will be more adventurous with the yolks, but overall, yummy!

    en cocotte 01

    en cocotte 02

    en cocotte 03

     
  • failing better...

    Carmen 9:23 pm on October 11, 2009 | 2 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:

    Little did I know, there was an Eggs en Cocotte cook off happening at my house this weekend.  As you know, I made it on Saturday and then Max made it today.  I have to say there were good and bad things about each one.  Max made his with red onion and tomatoes.  I really liked the tomatoes but the downside is that the water from the tomatoes cooks out and makes it kind of runny.  Where Max has me beat, however, is the use of power tools to finish it up.  If you recall, I recommended using your broiler to brown the cheese at the end… turns out you could also use a heat gun commonly used for drying/melting paint.  You just got learned.

    m.gunm.eggs

     
  • Eggs en Cocotte

    Carmen 11:26 am on October 10, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    I love breakfast. (ok, and lunch and dinner) I’ve been trying to perfect Eggs en Cocotte for years now and I still can’t make it perfectly but it has gotten better over years at least.  I fail better at it nowadays. Its takes a long time to make but the end result is so cute and yummy that it makes it worth it – most of the time… unless you mess it up and then breakfast becomes a frustrating event that makes me want to cry.  Aaannyways, today was successful.  You can make it with alot of different ingredients.  Today I chose leeks, but in the past I have made it with bacon and onions or mushrooms or fennel – you could get imaginative.

    Chop the leeks up real fine and saute them for about 15 minutes (do not burn them like I did!).  Grate a little bit of nutmeg into the leeks while they’re cooking, add salt and pepper.  Then put the leeks into buttered ramekins, crack a couple of eggs in each one, add salt and pepper.  Then put the ramekins in a casserole dish and pour boiling water into the casserole dish to surround the ramekins, and then put it in the oven!  Half way through put some parmesan cheese (or gruyere) on there.  I think it takes about 20 minutes at 375 degrees but its kind of something you need to decide on by watching it, its tricky.  Sometimes the center will still be runny while the rest is perfectly done.  I like to take it out at that point and finish it up in the microwave for about 20 seconds.  Voila!  (one thing I would change is maybe to cook it in the broiler (if you have one, which I don’t) so the cheese gets nice and toasty)

    P1010853eggssteam

    done

     
  • marshmallows!

    Emilily 1:04 pm on October 3, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    done

    So I decided to try making my own marshmallows for this camping trip, since I don’t really like store-bought marshmallows, but I love the whole s’mores ritual. I did some online research, and read some cooks’ reviews, and finally found a recipe I decided to try my hand at. It turned out brilliantly! Rather than re-print the recipe (which I don’t think I can do anyways) I will just refer you to the Smitten Kitchen’s marshmallow post. Her writing and pictures are almost too perfect to even try and replicate, just check it out, it is a lovely blog. (And like she mentions, these are probably the messiest things ever, it is like making tar…tar that is tempting you with its sugary aroma to lick the beater, to stick your fingr in the bowl for just a taste…needless to say, marshmallow is difficult to get out of hair.)

    Here is how I made my yummy and melt-in-your-mouth sweet and sticky marshmallows. And here is a question for you – how would you describe a marshmallow to an alien without sounding like you were talking dirty?!

    startingcooking sugar gelatingelatin again in panstirring 1stirring 2stirring 3

     
  • buon appetito!

    Emilily 12:48 pm on October 2, 2009 | 2 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    So, as you know, I am car camping in Joshua Tree this weekend, which is apparently a far cry from the Survivor-esque backpacking we did when I was a kid. I remember tramping through the mountains with a 50lb backpack, eating little packages of freeze-dried astronaut food, and spending countless hours packing my tent and sleeping bag into ridiculously tiny waterproof bags. This weekend will be different – a little more civilized, I suspect. I’ve packed my french press, for starters!

    Anyways, we designed a menu about a week ago, and everyone was responsible for a few meals. The fare includes corn cakes with preserves, Mia’s dad’s fresh french bread, cherry pie, grilled sausage sandwiches, a full English breakfast spread, and my home-made marinara sauce, below!

    Marinara layers

    I may have mentioned it before, but I have a mild obsession with making pasta sauce. I LOVE pasta sauce. The pasta itself, I could take it or leave it. But a good pasta sauce, just give me a spoon and I’m happy…well, some chianti wouldn’t hurt, either. My sauce is pretty basic, with some exceptions – I like to use heirloom tomatoes, I think they have a richer flavor, and I use a dark brown molasses sugar instead of….well, I don’t know what kind of sugar a traditional marinara has, but I think it has some?

    (p.s. I have to apologize for the picture quality, my little kitchen is dark and cave-like, especially at night.)

     
  • last night...

    Carmen 10:25 am on September 25, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:

    So I was all dressed up ready to go to a dinner party with a “french peasant” theme.  Here was my outfit: basque

    Strangely it didn’t go over so well.  Apparently people are not familiar with the French Basque Peasants and their traditional “basque-horn” head-dress.  Who knew! Needless to say it was a little embarrassing to walk in and realize that only the food was supposed to be french peasant themed.  Luckily I travel with an extra outfit at all times for just such an occasion!

    I met some lovely people and ate alot of good food.  Max made seafood bouillabaisse, which is one of my favorite dishes in all the world.  Everyone there made delicious food and it was hosted by the guy in rabbit hat and cigarette looking pensive.

    007

    And at the end of the night we took some portrait shots.  My brain is not working so good today so I’m just going to post these pictures and go get a glass of water.

    013

    Our generous host, Mr. Scott012

     
  • Speaking of food...

    Carmen 2:24 pm on September 14, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    Here is my cute little snack!  I made some carrot bread since I’m home sick today. (My first carrot bread)  It turned out pretty good I have to admit.  It goes well with tea.

    P1010786

     
  • New Orleans, part 1

    Emilily 1:34 pm on September 14, 2009 | 3 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:

    Parasol's Bar, on the corner of 2nd and Constance streets

    Parasol's Bar, on the corner of 2nd and Constance streets

    green bathroom 01

    Where is a chainsaw when you really need one? I had to use my glasses as a prop instead.

    Since we have some food-themed posts going on, I thought I’d post some New Orleans pics and make a few comments on the food! The bar above, Parasol’s, was my first New Orleans meal. Before you ask if I was trying to get mugged or contract some sort of food-borne illness, I should point out that Parasol’s has been featured on that show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and beat Bobby Flay in a Roast Beef Po’Boy throw-down. We ordered their famous roast beef po’boy, an oyster po’boy, and a side of fries smothered in brown gravy. I thought the oysters in one sandwich were good, but I am in general not a fan of soggy food. The roast beef was prepared in the traditional New Orleans style, shredded and soaked in gravy, then sandwiched between crusty french bread, slathered in mayonnaise, and topped with pickles. Although I am sure it is a fine specimen of a po’boy, it was a little too sloppy for me. That, and mayo makes me want to hurl.

    They do get points on atmosphere, though! The picture at left is the lone bathroom in the joint…I had to go back in with my camera to capture the utter creepiness; I believe this shade of chartreuse is called Grisly Massacre. Also, if you look closely, you’ll notice that the walls are not proper walls, but painted, unprimed, plywood. The sink was cracked, the ceiling sported one bare strip of constantly-flickering flouresecent bulbs, and the light swtich (top right in picture) had no plate cover. Not like it makes any difference, once you’ve committed to this color, the only thing you can really accessorize with is splattered blood and carnage.

     
  • "...some fava beans and a nice chianti."

    Emilily 8:25 pm on September 12, 2009 | 5 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: fava beans

    Cooking question for you: I bought some fresh fava beans at the market today. I thought I could just boil them like lima beans, but they have this tough shell sort of thing around the pod. What am I supposed to do with this…do I peel them? It is rare that a vegetable stumps me so.

    p.s. I did try googling fava beans, and all I got back was a bunch of Hannibal Lecter references.

     
  • an observation

    Emilily 3:18 pm on September 12, 2009 | 5 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: cheese

    Did you ever look in the fridge and just think “maybe it is time for me to stop buying cheese…”?

     
  • wtf?!

    Emilily 2:46 pm on August 11, 2009 | 4 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: junkfood

    krisp-kreme-chicken-sandwich-400This is a deep-fried chicken patty topped with swiss cheese, tucked inside a sliced Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut. In my opinoin, it’s not food, it’s a dare…although, honestly, I can’t help thinking it would be better if they threw in some bacon.

     
  • Saturday

    Emilily 1:19 pm on August 10, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Farmers Market

     

    so good!

     

    I meant to post this Saturday, but did not have time. Look at these beautiful tomatoes I got from the farmer’s market! They are so sweet, and the outside is firm and crunchy. I can smell them when I walk into the kitchen. I cannot understand how the tomato went from this to the mealy, tasteless things you get at the supermarkets.

     
  • Sunday Project: Croque Madame...

    Carmen 12:39 pm on August 9, 2009 | 2 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , croque madame,

    I decided to try this recipe this morning.  Here’s how it went:

    first-templatetemplate-2

    The conslusion is that it tasted pretty darn good!

     
  • Third (and final) test of the mini-project template

    Emilily 12:59 pm on August 6, 2009 | 7 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:

    This is a little story about some scallops I made this week.

    All ingredients were from Trader Joe’s unless specified otherwise: Wild Japanese scallops ($9.99 per bag), Giant New England scallops ($10.99 per bag), unsalted butter, Olive Oil in a spray can, and Lawry’s seasoning salt.

    The scallops were frozen to start with. To defrost, I left them on the counter sandwiched between paper towels and pressed under a cooling rack with a half-empty wine bottle on top, for about 3 hours, with the wine bottle getting progressively lighter. Never-been-frozen scallops would have been better, of course, but the giant bay scallops at the two local fish counters are between $18.95 and $24.99 per pound, which is a bit rich for me at the moment. Especially for an experiment.

    (In the images below, the Japanese scallops are always on the left, the New England on the right.)

    Scallops!

    My final conclusion was that the Japanese scallops had chewier texture and slightly sweeter taste in all cooking methods, but had a tendency to fall apart or flatten, and carmelized very quickly. The New England scallops were a close second in taste, but consistently meatier, held their shape very well, developed a nice golden color, and would work well for dishes where the savory element was dominant.

    On a related note, I prefer large scallops to smaller ones because my dad told me once when we were kids, eating plain microwaved scallops for breakfast, that sometimes supermarkets substitute cow ankle tendons for scallops because the appearance and texture are nearly identical, the taste is very similar, and the price is significantly lower. However, if there is sand or grit in your scallop, you know you’ve got the real thing. Rather than worry if I am eating undercover bovine tendon, I just buy the jumbo scallops and enjoy the mental image of a pack of black-market fish-mongers, wielding giant harpoons, chasing down a 5-ton cow with ankles the size of small tree trunks.

     
  • What I've learned today...

    Carmen 10:38 pm on July 21, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    This is what I’ve been reading about today, I thought you might be interested.

    First! Wtf?! Babies can talk dog language!  At first I was wondering how this kind of research will benefit the human race but in the end I think its just an example of how our brains develop.  It would make sense that our brains would recognize tone differences before anything else.  http://bit.ly/1K0X9Z

    Here is some more good brain stuff!  I can imagine in the future they will look back on this article the way we look back on 8 tracks.  New York Times brain article

    And I learned this recipe which I will be making shortly.  I like the way this guy talks.

    http://epicureanzealot.com/2009/07/21/its-a-hit-green-beans-and-farro/

     
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