Edamame Salad from Gregor

My friend Greg told me about an Edamame Salad that he made, and said was delicsh, so I will have to give it a go - in the very near future.

Edamame
Shallots - chopped
Feta Cheese
Olive Oil
Fresh Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper

Or at least that's what I think he said re: ingredients.  At any rate that, and or a variation of that sounds super tasty!!!  :)

Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil ... Use Later

I just read this mini article on the space of face about freezing fresh herbs in some olive oil - use an ice cube tray or something like that - and then toss them into the frying pan when you want/need them.  AND you're not wasting fresh herbs - or letting them spoil in the fridge.

Sounds like something I will be trying!  :)

Pulled Pork for Father's Day!

I co-cheffed - or I guess I was the sous chef for - my Dad's Father's Day Dinner today.  PULLED PORK!  Actually it was the first time for Mom and I, and it was a.) easy and b.) super tasty!!!!

We used a recipe that she found online - which starts out with a rub on the meat and ends in pulled pork heaven.  And it's really very easy, slice onions and place in crock pot, rub meat and place on top of onions, pour vinegar/spice mixture over meat.  Slow cook for hours.  About half an hour before pulling it you add more of the vinegar mix, cook for another half hour.  Remove pork and pull, remove onions and save, discard juices.  Once pork is pulled add onions and pork back into crock pot, add final bit of vinegar mix and bbq sauce (an entire container) ... stir ... put on a bun and ENJOY!!!

I took a photo which I'll upload eventually ... and I might spice up this entry later too ... but for now ... Happy Father's Day to my Daddio, THE ORIGINAL STOMACH ON A MISSION!

(And Happy Dad's Day to all you other Dad's out there too ... and a be-lated Happy Mum's Day to all you Mother's out there as well, including my awesome Head Chef Musher!!!)

Coffeeeeeeeeeee!!!

When I was, oh I don't know about 2 years old or less, I was curious about those beans Mom was getting at the grocery store.  Curious enough that she handed me one, I popped it into my mouth and sucked it dry!  :)  I heart coffee!!!  Perked coffee - in a real percolator - reminds me of visiting Mimi and Granddad's when I was a kid!  (Isn't it fascinating what memories certain scents will evoke?!)  


There are many ways in which one can prepare coffee - literally meaning the type of coffee pot one is using - and  I've not found one yet that I don't like.  


I have successfully made coffee in:
"Regular" Coffee Pots
Percolator
Espresso Machines
Italian Espresso Pots
Ibrik's / Briki's (Turkish/Greek) Coffee Pots


What are those glass coffee pots that look like they could be a vase?


Irish Coffee (Hot Black Coffee with Whisky)
Coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream
Espresso with Grappa 
Mexican Coffee
Coffee with pretty much any alcohol that's around and open! 

I love a good espresso with a twist of lemon!  I love Greek Coffee (very finely ground coffee that settles to the bottom of your mug and looks like mud)!  I love a good cappuccino, latte, Americano, cup-o-joe!  I love iced coffee, especially in the summer!  I will even use "yesterday's" coffee that's still in the pot for an iced coffee - but only that, no re-heating for me!

Coffee coffee coffee...I'll drink it black, with milk, with half and half, with creamer (I do not, will not put sugar in it - ewwwww) ... I will drink it here or there, I will drink it anywhere!  :)

And that, for the moment, is all I have to say about that!

Fun Kitchen Gadgets

Ok, if you're a serious - or even semi-serious - or let's face it, even if you're simply a person who LOVES to cook, then you probably have some pretty fun kitchen gadgets.  

Like many women out there I could go broke in a shoe store or buying new clothes or hand bags, but I LOVE KITCHEN STORES!!!!!  If I don't have any money that I "could" spend then I should NOT not not go into a kitchen store ('cause you know I'll buy something anyway...)!

But I digress, this post is about the sweet kitchen gadgets that I have purchased - or someone who knows me - and that I love to cook - has gifted me.  
(I do love presents!  Feel free to send me one any time!)

#1 "The Garlic Zoom" 
~a tiny little two wheeled gadget that has rotating blades on the inside so that when you place a clove (or cloves) of garlic into it, close the top and wheel it about the garlic minces with out your hands getting sticky.

#2 Onion Slicing Finger Guard
~while I do not actually own one of these I bought one for my Mum one year - as she said she wanted one - and I have attempted to use it.  mayhaps it is simply because I don't "try to use it" often enough, but I have yet to find it any more helpful than simply cutting up an onion.  ANY ONE OUT THERE USE ONE AND LOVE IT???

#3 Microplane's
~super sharp, super awesome graters / zesters etc... perfect for many tasks in the kitchen!  (Can I just tell you that since moving into my apartment I've realized how much I used my parent's microplane and this makes me WANT one of my very own, like now!)

#4 A Salt Pig 
~Now here is an item I do not own and REALLY want.  I love using coarse salt in my cooking and without a salt pig on the counter - with said salt inside it - I have to go into my pantry every time ... ok, obviously this is not a big deal, but I love the ability to be in the midst of cooking something and there is the salt pig ... pinch of that and viola ... ok, now I'm just rambling.  :)  Anyone wanna buy me a salt pig?

~I will update this from time to time...as I use/remember gadgets that I have or want and acquire!  :)

What kitchen gadgets don't I have that you LOVE!?!

Veg Packs

What are VEG PACKS you ask?  Well ladies and gents today is your lucky day as I will now inform you as to what veg packs are!

A.) Veg packs are delicious!
B.) Veg packs are a summertime delight!
C.) Veg packs are cooked on the grill.
D.) Veg packs are ridonculosly easy to make!
E.) Veg packs ROCK!

Ingredients:
Potatos
Carrots
Onions
Butter
Garlic Powder (non-traditionally made one could use actual cloves of garlic)
Salt and Pepper

How to prepare:
Peel potato's, carrots and onions.
Lay out a 10x10 inch square (or larger) piece of tin foil for each person eating (in other words, Veg Packs are individual baby)!
Place a bit of butter in the middle of each tin foil square.
Cut chunks of potato in the middle of each tin foil square, followed by carrot chunks and onion chunks (CHUNKS FOLKS, CHUNKS).
Place a large piece of butter on top.
Sprinkle with garlic powder (or place whole garlic cloves in each).
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Close tin foil around each pack - making a nice little set of veg packs.
***Label with a permanent marker if they differ in any way per individual.

Place on grill and cook for 45 minutes or so.

When done.  Open, and enjoy!  Your bottom dwellers will be nice and "blackened" on the bottom.

YUMMO!!!

Pre-Cooked and ready to go...

 Cooked and ready to eat...

I am quite certain that you could put any veg in the pack that you would like, though this is what I would consider to be the "traditional veg pack".  Perhaps next time I make them I will be a bit adventurous ... me thinks brussels sprouts and turnips would be a grand addition!  :)

Cucumber Salad

This is the Cucumber Salad I make the most:

Ingredients:

Cucumber(s)

Onion

Mayo

Vinegar

Salt and Pepper

How to make it:
-Peel cucumber(s) slice in half the long way and then slice (thickness to your liking) both halves and place cucumbers into serving bowl.
-peel and slice onion and add to bowl with cucs.
-add mayo (about 1/4 cup)
-add vinegar (about 1/8 cup)
-add salt and pepper to taste
-mix and serve

*As with any dish you make adjustments should be made to your taste buds (how liquidy do you want it etc...).

ENJOY!