Yes, I started another blog, because at any given time, I have a million things on my mind. This way, I can keep them all in one place and refer to them when I want. So if ;you don't really cook or care about cleaning, but you like decorating, that is where I will put lots of stuff!
http://domicilestyle.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 25, 2007
My new friend
OK - I went by Wal-mart today to see if they had BonAmi as SuperTarget does not. Instead, I found Bar Keeper's Friend, see earlier blog: http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=34496375
So far, on my porcelain sink, I had tried baking soda, borax, and vinegar and soda to get rid of stains. Bar Keeper's Friend got rid of them and it is only $1.56 a container! Very cool and cheap! I plan to try it on the bathroom shower later.
I also have decided that I don't really like the Swiffer wet pads as I have to use at least 2 of them for my tile. I am going to use my microfiber pads (Costco - pack of many) or some of my white towels (pack of 48) and tuck them into the Swiffer tabs. Then use either Mrs. Meyers Lavender or first finish my floor cleaner from Method. They have good products too (I love the grapefruit) and are found at all Target stores.
So far, on my porcelain sink, I had tried baking soda, borax, and vinegar and soda to get rid of stains. Bar Keeper's Friend got rid of them and it is only $1.56 a container! Very cool and cheap! I plan to try it on the bathroom shower later.
I also have decided that I don't really like the Swiffer wet pads as I have to use at least 2 of them for my tile. I am going to use my microfiber pads (Costco - pack of many) or some of my white towels (pack of 48) and tuck them into the Swiffer tabs. Then use either Mrs. Meyers Lavender or first finish my floor cleaner from Method. They have good products too (I love the grapefruit) and are found at all Target stores.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
BBQ season
I thought this was a hoot! This in no way reflects upon my husband.
We are approaching BBQ season again. It is therefore important to remember the etiquette of this outdoor ritual, since it's the only type of cooking a real man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ, the following chain of events takes place:
Routine:
1. The woman buys the food.
2. The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
3. The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill---beer in hand. Here comes the important part:
4. THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.
More routine:
5. The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
6. The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:
7. THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND CALLS THE WOMAN TO COME GET IT.
More routine:
8. The woman brings the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins and sauces to the table.
9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
10. Everyone PRAISES THE MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
11. The man later asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off" and, seeing her annoyance, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women!
Happy BBQ Season to thoughtful men everywhere....
We are approaching BBQ season again. It is therefore important to remember the etiquette of this outdoor ritual, since it's the only type of cooking a real man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ, the following chain of events takes place:
Routine:
1. The woman buys the food.
2. The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
3. The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill---beer in hand. Here comes the important part:
4. THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.
More routine:
5. The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
6. The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:
7. THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND CALLS THE WOMAN TO COME GET IT.
More routine:
8. The woman brings the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins and sauces to the table.
9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
10. Everyone PRAISES THE MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
11. The man later asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off" and, seeing her annoyance, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women!
Happy BBQ Season to thoughtful men everywhere....
Monday, May 21, 2007
Recipe review
I have almost used up all of the food in our outside freezer! Yeah! Then I can defrost it and clean it out before I start again. I have told some new moms that I would make and freeze some baked pasta for them.
Here are my updates for recipes, click on the title above and it will take you to the post.
Spice-Baked Sea Bass (Frozen Halibut for us, Orca brand from Costco) and Red Lentils - my husband said that the two things he doesn't really like (fish and lentils) both were great! Before I get comments - yes, I know he loves sushi, but doesn't like fish otherwise. :-) If you like cumin, you will like this recipe.
Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter - I changed this one up because have you priced tortellini???? $4 for 8.8 oz. In this family, that would be two servings, with no leftovers. So what I did was use a large package of penne (I buy the 6 pk of penne and the 6 pk of spaghetti - Garofalo imported pasta and keep in the pantry at all times. Sorry, whole wheat pasta tastes like dirt and is overpriced as it is "popular" now, so I am a purist and prefer Italian pasta, as the pasta should be the neutral palate for the flavors that you add. Also, because I am Italian and the brand name reminds me of my maiden name.)
Off the soapbox, back to the recipe - I cut back the butter by 2 Tbsp. (used 4) and probably used half the bacon it called for. I keep a package in the freezer and slice what I need (don't worry about getting slices, just cut a small piece off the end when you need some bacon. I also save the bacon fat, put in a tiny container in the fridge. Then I can use a teaspoon if I ever need that flavor to saute something.
Since I didn't use cheese tortellini, I bought a small piece of smoked mozzerella as I thought the smokiness would stand up to the bacon and tart arugula. By the way, if you can find arugula fresh (even organic), it is cheaper than buying it prepackaged. I spent at least $1 less buying it this way and I think I got even more. This is something we need to grow out back in a little salad garden.
So by extending the recipe and having smaller portions as this was a rich recipe, I think I cut back the fat grams by at least half. Still not a light recipe, this one was a winner with the man in the house.
Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives - this one was really good. Definitely serve rice with it as the sauce is a little juicy and needs something like rice or couscous to get the juices. Since I didn't have any big jars of Spanish olives (you can buy at Costco), I bought a small jar at the store, but made a mistake and they weren't pitted and didn't have pimentos! So I had to cut them off the pits for the recipe. Time consuming, so watch what you buy!
As for the pizza, we simply used mozzerella (shredded, kept in the freezer), the rest of the arugula, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts. I used the brown rice and made a vegetable stir fry using the Kirkland frozen stir-fry veggies and Kirkland egg-substitute.
Here are my updates for recipes, click on the title above and it will take you to the post.
Spice-Baked Sea Bass (Frozen Halibut for us, Orca brand from Costco) and Red Lentils - my husband said that the two things he doesn't really like (fish and lentils) both were great! Before I get comments - yes, I know he loves sushi, but doesn't like fish otherwise. :-) If you like cumin, you will like this recipe.
Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter - I changed this one up because have you priced tortellini???? $4 for 8.8 oz. In this family, that would be two servings, with no leftovers. So what I did was use a large package of penne (I buy the 6 pk of penne and the 6 pk of spaghetti - Garofalo imported pasta and keep in the pantry at all times. Sorry, whole wheat pasta tastes like dirt and is overpriced as it is "popular" now, so I am a purist and prefer Italian pasta, as the pasta should be the neutral palate for the flavors that you add. Also, because I am Italian and the brand name reminds me of my maiden name.)
Off the soapbox, back to the recipe - I cut back the butter by 2 Tbsp. (used 4) and probably used half the bacon it called for. I keep a package in the freezer and slice what I need (don't worry about getting slices, just cut a small piece off the end when you need some bacon. I also save the bacon fat, put in a tiny container in the fridge. Then I can use a teaspoon if I ever need that flavor to saute something.
Since I didn't use cheese tortellini, I bought a small piece of smoked mozzerella as I thought the smokiness would stand up to the bacon and tart arugula. By the way, if you can find arugula fresh (even organic), it is cheaper than buying it prepackaged. I spent at least $1 less buying it this way and I think I got even more. This is something we need to grow out back in a little salad garden.
So by extending the recipe and having smaller portions as this was a rich recipe, I think I cut back the fat grams by at least half. Still not a light recipe, this one was a winner with the man in the house.
Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives - this one was really good. Definitely serve rice with it as the sauce is a little juicy and needs something like rice or couscous to get the juices. Since I didn't have any big jars of Spanish olives (you can buy at Costco), I bought a small jar at the store, but made a mistake and they weren't pitted and didn't have pimentos! So I had to cut them off the pits for the recipe. Time consuming, so watch what you buy!
As for the pizza, we simply used mozzerella (shredded, kept in the freezer), the rest of the arugula, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts. I used the brown rice and made a vegetable stir fry using the Kirkland frozen stir-fry veggies and Kirkland egg-substitute.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Food for the week
I was having a discussion with my friend Katie about cooking. She doesn't really like to cook, and even though I do, I hate cleaning all those dishes from making big dinners! Plus, it is getting warm, and I want to have lighter fare at night so we can go on walks after dinner.
However, this week, I am trying to use what I have at home to clean out the big freezer. Here are recipes from my last issue of Real Simple that looked good. So this week, on the menu, we have the following:
Spice-Baked Sea Bass (Halibut for us, Orca brand from Costco) and Red Lentils
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1608894
Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1609327
Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1608901
I will report back and let you all know how the recipes turn out.
I also made a double pot of brown rice today and refrigerated it. I think I finally perfected my brown rice technique. Then it will be perfect for stir-fry one night.
We have pizza dough, so perhaps chicken and rosemary pizza (http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/36531/) on Friday and we have dinner out on Wed.
Here were my thoughts after the other night. I will designate one night at the beginning of the month for cooking lots of meat and perhaps brown rice as you can freeze both.
Next week when I go to Costco, I will get the big package of chicken breast, pork chops and ground meat for sure. I will cook all the ground meat, drain really well (as it is only 87% lean) then divide into 4 freezer bags (about 4 cups each bag).
My husband loves to use his new grill, so at least 10 chicken breasts will go on there. Eat some that week, cut up the rest and freeze. Then when I don't want to cook, we can have chicken fajitas, etc. The pork chops are so thick, that I cut them in half and will freeze them 6 at a time. Perhaps cut some up for stir-fry and cook them that night, then freeze once done. This way, I have lots of things in the freezer to quickly thaw and put dinner on the table.
I am looking at using my crockpot for some vegetarian recipes like lentil stew or maybe the Spicy Peanut stew recipe I have in my files.
However, this week, I am trying to use what I have at home to clean out the big freezer. Here are recipes from my last issue of Real Simple that looked good. So this week, on the menu, we have the following:
Spice-Baked Sea Bass (Halibut for us, Orca brand from Costco) and Red Lentils
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1608894
Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1609327
Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1608901
I will report back and let you all know how the recipes turn out.
I also made a double pot of brown rice today and refrigerated it. I think I finally perfected my brown rice technique. Then it will be perfect for stir-fry one night.
We have pizza dough, so perhaps chicken and rosemary pizza (http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/36531/) on Friday and we have dinner out on Wed.
Here were my thoughts after the other night. I will designate one night at the beginning of the month for cooking lots of meat and perhaps brown rice as you can freeze both.
Next week when I go to Costco, I will get the big package of chicken breast, pork chops and ground meat for sure. I will cook all the ground meat, drain really well (as it is only 87% lean) then divide into 4 freezer bags (about 4 cups each bag).
My husband loves to use his new grill, so at least 10 chicken breasts will go on there. Eat some that week, cut up the rest and freeze. Then when I don't want to cook, we can have chicken fajitas, etc. The pork chops are so thick, that I cut them in half and will freeze them 6 at a time. Perhaps cut some up for stir-fry and cook them that night, then freeze once done. This way, I have lots of things in the freezer to quickly thaw and put dinner on the table.
I am looking at using my crockpot for some vegetarian recipes like lentil stew or maybe the Spicy Peanut stew recipe I have in my files.
Sneak Peek for the Week
OK - here is our sneak peek for the week. Cleaning the main bathroom. I am sending you to their site as to not infringe on any copywrite stuff. Kind of silly, but lawyers have to make money somehow.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/sneak_peek.asp
I will discuss my new plan for cooking in advance later today if I have a chance.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/sneak_peek.asp
I will discuss my new plan for cooking in advance later today if I have a chance.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Wrapsacks
Going to help a friend take her 3 little ones to the doctor today, so I don't have a lot of time to write witty prose. I thought I would share this e-mail from www.greenerpenny about Wrapsacks. What a cute and clever idea. I LOVE gift wrap, but hate the waste involved. I think that is why gift bags have become so popular as you can regift in them.
Helpful hint - check out your nearest dollar store for cute gift bags. My 99cent store has them 2 for a $1. Cards are usually 2 for a $1 too. Now that I am semi-making my own, I am looking for cute blank cards and I will personalize the middle with fonts and blank flat cards.
Bright cotton bags that can be reused for gift or tote bags - www.wrapsacks.com
Organic Cotton Gift Bags - www.patagonia.com
Helpful hint - check out your nearest dollar store for cute gift bags. My 99cent store has them 2 for a $1. Cards are usually 2 for a $1 too. Now that I am semi-making my own, I am looking for cute blank cards and I will personalize the middle with fonts and blank flat cards.
Bright cotton bags that can be reused for gift or tote bags - www.wrapsacks.com
Organic Cotton Gift Bags - www.patagonia.com
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Tapas
I consider myself a pretty accomplished cook. In fact, I was quite pleased with my tapas dinner last night - Tortilla Espanola (Potato & Onion Cake), Roasted Peppers with Minced Garlic (see my How to on peppers, click on the labels tab at the bottom of the blog) and Allioli sauce (the French spells theirs Aioli), more or less a garlic and mayonaise sauce. I used mayo versus raw eggs and olive oil. Served all with crusty bread.
If I had green olives, I would have stuffed them with anchovy paste and served. Next time, I will do Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic and Parsley sauce, this time we had no mushrooms. Maybe I will do a whole tapas party one night. :-)
Serve it all with a bottle of Vinho Verde, that low-alcohol, fizzy white wine from Portugal. Cheap and perfect for summer. In fact, we bought a whole case! I felt so grown up special ordering a case of wine just for us. It will make a great hostess gift when we go to parties.
It was delicious! And I even flipped my Tortilla Espanola onto another platter without dropping it! You flip it over onto a plate, then slide it back into the pan to cook the top. It is like a frittata, but is a staple dish in tapas restaurants.
If I had green olives, I would have stuffed them with anchovy paste and served. Next time, I will do Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic and Parsley sauce, this time we had no mushrooms. Maybe I will do a whole tapas party one night. :-)
Serve it all with a bottle of Vinho Verde, that low-alcohol, fizzy white wine from Portugal. Cheap and perfect for summer. In fact, we bought a whole case! I felt so grown up special ordering a case of wine just for us. It will make a great hostess gift when we go to parties.
It was delicious! And I even flipped my Tortilla Espanola onto another platter without dropping it! You flip it over onto a plate, then slide it back into the pan to cook the top. It is like a frittata, but is a staple dish in tapas restaurants.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Spring cleaning
Oh, it is that time of year where the sun is shining (when it isn't raining in N. Dallas), and we want to start purging and lightening up. I think throwing away things is cathartic! So this week happens to be the week that I am trying to get rid of things by donating them to charity. I don't have the patience for a garage sale and truthfully, it is better to get rid of stuff, than hang on "waiting" to sell it.
Back to cleaning, check out Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Cleaning concentrate.
www.mrsmeyers.com, $8 for 32 oz.
1/4 cup per 1 gallon of water to clean all sorts of surfaces. This product smells amazing!! There is also Lemon Verbena and Geranium, but I tried the Lavender first. If you want it in a spray bottle, mix and then fill your bottle. I figure that saves money in the long run.
Buy a pack of microfiber towels or white all purposes bar towels from Costco. Usually, with the car cleaning stuff. 48 towels in a package!! I was wiping our bar the other day with a paper towel and decided to go over it again with a towel. I still got dirt that the paper towel left behind, plus, it is expensive to go through a ton of paper towels. Use the all purpose towels and then throw a load in once a week of cleaning towels. If you used non-toxic cleaners, then you should have no problem washing them.
Back to cleaning, check out Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Cleaning concentrate.
www.mrsmeyers.com, $8 for 32 oz.
1/4 cup per 1 gallon of water to clean all sorts of surfaces. This product smells amazing!! There is also Lemon Verbena and Geranium, but I tried the Lavender first. If you want it in a spray bottle, mix and then fill your bottle. I figure that saves money in the long run.
Buy a pack of microfiber towels or white all purposes bar towels from Costco. Usually, with the car cleaning stuff. 48 towels in a package!! I was wiping our bar the other day with a paper towel and decided to go over it again with a towel. I still got dirt that the paper towel left behind, plus, it is expensive to go through a ton of paper towels. Use the all purpose towels and then throw a load in once a week of cleaning towels. If you used non-toxic cleaners, then you should have no problem washing them.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Bon Ami & Bar Keepers Friend
I was reading this morning one of my Flylady e-mails about cleaning glass cooktops. They suggested "Bar Keepers Friend" which I had never heard of. It was suggested that it is made by Bon Ami, but I don't think that is the case as I looked up both websites.
However, both products seems to be great and non-toxic. I think Bon Ami is carried most places, not sure about Bar Keepers Friend (it showed Linens & Things carries it). I am looking for something to replace Soft Scrub only because it is expensive and it still doesn't clean the floor of my shower!! Even the 3-pack is still $11. If a can of Bon Ami is less than $2, then I am still saving money. The company that owns them also owns a lot of other brands including Trapp candles! Oh, they are not cheap, but smell wonderful!
www.bonami.com (wonderful website, if you go to the online store, you can see all the products they carry)
www.barkeepersfriend.com (really bad website, but the product seems to be great)
Back to my shower, I thought the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser did the trick last time, but this time, not so much. It is great on shower doors, but perhaps the floor of the shower was too wet. I switched to the Kirkland Signature French Milled Soaps instead of Irish Spring as Irish Spring is blue and therefore my soap scum is blue tinged!! The soaps have natural oils, etc. and while they are a little more expensive, they are white, and have lots of good things for your skin.
However, both products seems to be great and non-toxic. I think Bon Ami is carried most places, not sure about Bar Keepers Friend (it showed Linens & Things carries it). I am looking for something to replace Soft Scrub only because it is expensive and it still doesn't clean the floor of my shower!! Even the 3-pack is still $11. If a can of Bon Ami is less than $2, then I am still saving money. The company that owns them also owns a lot of other brands including Trapp candles! Oh, they are not cheap, but smell wonderful!
www.bonami.com (wonderful website, if you go to the online store, you can see all the products they carry)
www.barkeepersfriend.com (really bad website, but the product seems to be great)
Back to my shower, I thought the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser did the trick last time, but this time, not so much. It is great on shower doors, but perhaps the floor of the shower was too wet. I switched to the Kirkland Signature French Milled Soaps instead of Irish Spring as Irish Spring is blue and therefore my soap scum is blue tinged!! The soaps have natural oils, etc. and while they are a little more expensive, they are white, and have lots of good things for your skin.
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