Thing #61 – The Four Seasons February 10, 2010
Posted by Toy Lady in random stuff.add a comment
When I was in high school, I was in the band. (Big shock, right?) I played the flute and the piccolo. The great thing about the flute is that it works both in band and in orchestra – the bad thing is that they wouldn’t let me in jazz band. And our (tiny) school didn’t have an orchestra – not enough interest in strings, I guess.
However, one thing I did learn in band was an appreciation for classical music. Don’t get me wrong – I appreciated jazz, too, and still do, but there will always be a feeling of betrayal there – jazz rejected me, but classical music, that music embraced me.
And don’t even get me started on the Rock & Roll! While I always thought some Jethro Tull was perfectly appropriate for a high school band, my band director, unfortunately, thought otherwise.
His instrument was the trumpet. I guess brass players are like that, huh?
So it’s to be expected that, at some point, once I’ve included four seasonal photos on my 101 List, I’m gonna start thinking of Vivaldi. After all, what says “Four Seasons” like Vivaldi, right?
I decided to take my ” 4 seasonal pictures of the same place” at the beach.
At sunrise.
Sunrise has always been our favorite time of day, which is a pretty good thing, given our schedule, huh?
Have I ever mentioned that we were married at sunrise? Yeah, it’s kind of cool, the stuff you can get away with when you get married at our age.
What I didn’t take into account was the fact that “sunrise” would be somewhat less spectacular when you’re facing over the water – which is north from here.
But fortunately, the tree next to the trail down to the beach is a great reference point – and surprisingly, although the shots don’t seem like much of a deal individually, well, put them all together, and the difference is striking, isn’t it?
It’s amazing how things change, and we just don’t notice.
Kind of the way it’s amazing that a rock band is actually playing classical music . . .
More Freezer Cleaning February 9, 2010
Posted by Toy Lady in Cooking, Food, Freezer Meals, random stuff.2 comments
You know, I have just about HAD IT with opening the freezer in the morning, digging around for some fruit with which to make my morning smoothie, and having stuff fall out every morning.
This has just gotten out of hand – time to do some (pre) spring cleaning, I guess.
So I spent half an hour or so cleaning out the above-the-fridge freezer — the one that ends up storing all the leftover ends of this and the let’s-save-it bits of that . . . and I found a couple of quesadillas.
I remember those! We made them last fall, shoved them in the freezer, and we’ve been enjoying them off and on for quick-ish weekend lunches or late suppers since.
When we remember them. That’s the problem, isn’t it? You make something great, shove it in the freezer to enjoy later, and promptly forget it. Which, all things being equal, may not be such a bad thing – it’s kind of like, “oh, hey, look at the wonderful surprise I just found in the freezer!” and it’s like, I don’t know, a treasure hunt or something!
So how, you ask, did these wonderfully magical quesadillas come to be?
Remember how Peeps loves his smoker? Late last summer, he smoked a couple of boneless turkey breasts. One got sliced into sandwich (or whatever) slices, and the other, we diced.
Meanwhile, we took a couple of cans of beans – one each pinto and black beans, and drained and rinsed them. I hate the sticky, slimy bean juice in the cans . . .
Once the beans are thoroughly rinsed, we dumped them into a REALLY BIG mixing bowl, along with some diced turkey (about 4 cups), and chopped red onion (a couple of onions).
But of course, that’s not all!
To the beans, turkey and onions, we’re going to add a bunch of other stuff -
A cup or so of cooked corn (we like to use our grilled corn), a couple of cups of shredded cheese – cheddar, pepper jack, colby, whatever you’d like. Or even a combination – go wild! A bit of garlic, a squeeze of lime juice, and some chipotle (maybe a tablespoon or so), and then, the secret ingredient.
Shhh. . . we also added about half a cup of apricot preserves. The jam helps stick the filling together, adding a “mystery flavor” – and no fat – it’s a win-win if you ask me!
And now we’ve got our filling ready to, well, fill.
We lined up a bunch of burrito-sized flour tortillas on the counter on corresponding pieces of aluminum foil.
We measure about a half cup (more or less) of filling onto each tortilla, and shuffle it over to one side, then fold each tortilla in half, wrapping in foil and folding the edges over to seal.
Ultimately, we ended up with 12 quesadilla-packets, which we packed in packages of 4 – mainly because that’s how many packs would fit comfortably in a gallon zip-top bag.
We stuck them in the freezer, to be retrieved for a quick dinner or easy lunch – after all, how much easier can it get?
Heat a lightly greased griddle or large saute pan over medium heat and get it fairly hot, then place the (defrosted) quesadillas on griddle (or pan) and cook until golden brown on one side, about 3-5 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until golden brown on other side, and quesadilla is heated through, another 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and lest rest a minute or so before cutting into wedges.
Is this the stringy, cheesy decadent treat we’ve come to expect when we hear “quesadilla?” No. What it is is a healthy, hearty meal – full of wonderful flavor, and just enough cheese. And the variations are endless – don’t like pinto beans? Use all black beans. No corn? Throw in black olives. Whatever you want – it’s YOUR dinner!
I like to serve it with just a dab of sour cream – sour cream never hurt anything!
Monday Musings: 02.08.2010 February 8, 2010
Posted by Toy Lady in random stuff.1 comment so far
Happy Monday!
Did we all survive that football thingy in one piece? I thought so . . . good.
When I made my bi-weekly trip to the public market last weekend, I picked up a bunch of leeks.
Actually, two bunches, which really is a bunch, isn’t it? The leeks were in bundles of three, and they were a buck a bunch – how could I pass them by? Heck, I should have bought more than two!
So I finally cleaned them, and this time, I got smart and decided to save the dark green parts – they went into the freezer to ultimately end up in a pot of chicken stock.
Heh – I’m not so dumb, am I?
Speaking of the freezer.
The only reason I had room for the leek-leaves was that I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and cleared the freezer out above the fridge. Stuff just ends up getting . . . shoved in there, and before you know it, you’re trying to make a fruit smoothie for breakfast, and you can’t even find your frozen bananas because of all the other junk that comes sliding out and lands on your foot.
In addition to a bunch of stuff that just got tossed, I found three packages of lasagna noodles (three!) that Peeps had brought home from work, as well as half a box of phyllo dough, two containers of alfredo sauce and a lone pie crust. These items must be used, and used soon. This week, or next at the latest.
Well, well, well, will you look at that! It’s daylight and the kitty is in the land of the living!
We (try to remember to) open the kitty door when we walk the dog in the afternoon so the cat has the run of the house.
Apparently, though, she recognizes the dog’s step on the porch – and it’s time for her to do her subterranean disappearing act . . . one of these days she might find that kitty doors closed and she’ll just have to deal with the dog, that’s all.
Remember how I braised that pork belly a couple of weeks ago? Well, I don’t know what I was thinking, but I bought a 3-pound hunk of pork belly, when all I really needed was a pound, which left me with 2 pounds of orphaned pork belly.
Fortunately, pork belly is the cut of meat that’s mostly used for bacon – and, as you know, Peeps has a fondness for bacon – so he went ahead and tried another batch of bacon.
This actually tastes more like real bacon than most of what you can buy in the store . . . I’m just sayin’.
So last weekend, I made some Chinese stock – chicken and pork stock.
This stuff is AMAZING – sure, there was a little extra fussing with it, but ultimately, it’s probably one of the most flavorful stocks I’ve ever made – and heaven knows we had plenty of pork and chicken bones to use!
The flavors are a little different than traditional chicken stock, (I am loving star anise!) but this will be perfect with any kind of Asian cooking we want to do – I can’t wait to try a pork-noodle soup!
And once again, it’s time for the weekly menu plan. I have GOT to get the fridge and these freezers cleared out, so we’re just taking it one at a time . . . what’s got to go first.
Monday - Well, it only makes sense to deal with the fresh produce first, right? And since one thing we need to use is the leeks I got at the market this week, well, how about a Greek-style leek pie? As a bonus, I’ll also use the phyllo dough that’s been in the freezer for I-don’t-remember-how-long. Yay!
Tuesday – Another Got-To-Go thing from the freezer – Peeps periodically brings home extra sauce from work, and there are a couple of containers of alfredo sauce in the freezer that have been there for a few weeks – what say we cook up some of his homemade bacon, add some of that sauce, and toss the whole mess with some fettucine and steam some broccoli? Yeah, I thought it sounded good too.
Wednesday – Soup night. You know, you’ve got a bunch of leeks, and what do you do with them? The first thing that actually comes to mind (for me, anyway) is leek and potato soup . . . and hey, what do you know, Cooking Light did an interview with Jamie Oliver last month, and they published his leek-and-potato soup recipe, and so why not?
Thursday – OK, all of our meals so far this week have been essentially meatless, and I know, if I don’t do something, I’m liable to have a rebellion on my hands. So we pulled some pork chops out of the freezer and will bread and pan-fry them – the panko-crusted pork chops are always a winner, especially with some roasted sweet potatoes and tossed salad.
Friday - Yay, it’s pizza night! We so look forward to the chance to kick back, and enjoy some pizza and a Kong toy. Plus the dog loves the leftover pizza crusts in the morning!
Be sure to click on over to The Organizing Junkie’s Monday Menu Plan post for loads and loads of other ideas.
My bad February 5, 2010
Posted by Peeps in random stuff.add a comment
It’s been a long week. Too much work. Too much news. Too much of all sorts of silliness.
And too much pot roast. Toys is going to feed me into the ground.
Have a wonderful weekend, and hope that you never get stuck having to write anything on demand.
And for those of you hoping for an end to the nasty weather, try looking at it in a different way.
Stay warm and dry. I’ll be back being cranky soon.
The Big Game February 4, 2010
Posted by Toy Lady in mirth & woe, random stuff.4 comments
You know, I’m not so good at sports.
I’m obviously not the athletic type, that’s for sure. But even aside from that, I just don’t get sports. I don’t understand the point.
I mean, sure, I understand The Games – the pursuit of the Manly Arts of War, striving for Excellence with the spirit of Friendly Competition – I get that.
The pole vault – how else would ancient – or medieval – warriors storm the castle?
(Well, at least the ones who didn’t have the benefit of André the Giant, anyway.)
The shot put – what better way to say “die, foe” than to fling rocks at them? Unless, of course, it’s the Archery, or even Pistol event – THAT will certainly make a lasting impression on the other side, won’t it?
I even understand how Track and Field events are training for “running like heck” or how ice skating and skiing would be of great benefit in some cultures, namely my Scandinavian ancestors.
But this.
This . . . this. . . ridiculousness that seizes the entire country for, what, 2 weeks? Sports junkies giddy with anticipation.
Food blogs full of dips and spreads and wings and “indulgent” treats, and all for what?
The Big Game?
It’s so momentous, we’re not even supposed to utter its name. . . it’s like . . . the game-that-must-not-be-named.
But really, what’s the point of this World Series of Football? Of all of it, actually.
Is there EVER any time of the year where there’s not some SPORT going on?
And not just any sport.
Well, actually, yeah, pretty much any sport. Because really, aren’t they pretty much all the same?
Sure, they all have different uniforms, and some of them use sticks and such, and the shape of the ball (or whatever) differs among the genres, but the point – OUR team is trying to get THE THING from the middle of the playing area into THEIR goal.
Sure, there are exceptions.
Baseball. Golf. Bowling. Cricket. Curling.
There are always exceptions.
I know what you’re thinking. In fact, I’m reasonably sure at least someone out there is shouting it out loud:
“It’s not the SAME! You don’t UNDERSTAND!”
And you’d be right. I don’t understand.
I don’t understand how hundreds of millions of people DON’T SEE IT.
Look at the hockey game we just went to. You’ve got your PUCK. You’ve got your GOALS. You’ve got your two teams with inches of padding and big ole’ sticks trying to whack the puck into the other team’s goal. That’s pretty original, huh?
How is that different than, say, basketball?
“Oh, no,” you’d say, “it’s COMPLETELY not the same!”
And you’d be absolutely correct. It’s quite different.
In basketball you’ve got a ball, not a puck. And you’ve got baskets, not goals. They’re wearing shorts. And no sticks. Oh, and there are only three periods in hockey. Basketball has FOUR quarters. Totally not the same thing. At all.
Plus, of course, only basketball has that bracket thingy with the Sweet Sixteen and the Fabulous Four. . . (I think.) (March Madness – kinda sounds like a cut-rate used car dealer or a furniture store there, doesn’t it? “Hurry in, folks, for March Madness – Crazy Mike is Cuh-Razy this month!”)
Which brings us back to this weekend’s Game-That-Must-Remain-Nameless.
Seriously, guys. You dress the players up in different outfits, and you hand them funny-shaped balls (shut UP) and seriously think it’s a different game? Sure, they make up extra special rules and name them after players. (Really? No taunting? Did some big strong football player get his little feelings hurt?)
So I guess my point here is, hey, what’s all the fuss? They’re going to spend a couple of hours chasing after a ball and, honestly, looking mighty silly while they’re doing it. Is this how we want to spend our Sunday afternoon?
Me, I might watch The Notebook. Or, more likely, I’ll go to bed early with a book.
