Compass & Coffee Spoons

Busted Blenders

I don't use blenders very often. And I have two, a Kitchen Aid full size blender and a Cuisinart stick blender. And as of a few weeks ago, neither were working. Pffffft. The less than one year old stick blender has been out of commission for awhile now. At first, I thought it was just the chopper (it comes with a chopper attachment). It is not the chopper, though unfortunately, which I found out after my run in with blender number one.

I have had this monster Kitchen Aid blender now for about 10 years. It was a gift one Christmas when I decided I NEEDED a blender and it NEEDED to be a Kitchen Aid (I couldn't just, say, get the blender thing out of my system with a $10 Kmart blender. To put this in perspective, I can count on one hand the number of times I use my $100+ Kitchen Aid blender each year. However, the $7 toaster from Target? I use that about every day.) I remember the chain of events...my friend Terry got me loving homemade smoothies when I visited her, and then Daisy told me she got a Kitchen Aid blender for her wedding, and that it was great at ice. Well, whatever...so, despite not really using it, I have hauled it around because, you know, it's expensive.

Don't get me wrong, I've used it. It put on a good "Smoothie night" for my floor when I was a Graduate Assistant in the dorms in grad school. I make my "famous" Butternut Squash soup with it a few times a year. But, on a "per square inch" basis, it's probably not earning its keep.

The other week, I was craving a nice smoothie. I had berries and yogurt I wasn't eating, so I thought "Why not DRINK them?" I made a nice frosty smoothie, and when I returned to the kitchen to clean up the mess, I noticed the rubber thingy on the motor had come off. Not come off, crumbled off and all over the blade assembly. Sigh. Of course, it's not under warranty at this point, though I can either send it in or take it to a certified Kitchen Aid repair place, which as far as I can tell, don't exist. Ugh. So, I'm deciding if that's worth it.

In the meantime, I try to make a smoothie the next day with my handheld. As it turns out, this too is kaput. The whole thing doesn't work. I ended up trying to hand make a smoothie with a spoon, a knife, and some shaking. Not. Advised.

If the past interaction with Cuisinart is any indication, I'm sure they'll replace it to my satisfaction, but it's just such a pain. So, what would YOU do about the blender? I would like both companies to know that I'm watching their responses very carefully...because I'm considering a food processor sometime in the future!

p.s. I know I've been a crappy blogger. All I can say is sorry...I've been bummed about my job, thinking of buying a condo (that's a whole other post I could write), and generally just running around doing life's little errands.

Christine's Weekend Miscellany

You'll have to excuse me if I'm all over the place. My mind tends to be all over the place these days, which is acceptable since my back has me firmly in one place. I did something (yet to be determined by xrays taken last Thursday) to throw my back out. This has limited my ability to do much. In typical Christine fashion, I not only injure myself but then remain persistent in finishing whatever I was doing. I'm impatient. The back thing happened while I was--surprise!--organizing my linen closet last Sunday. I did stop organizing, but persisted in making steak and potatoes and chickpea-mushroom-brown rice burgers. I have no pictures of the burgers, but I give you chickpeas, which I soaked and cooked the day before the fateful incident.

 

The burgers can only be described as "meh." Need more spice. But, they sustained me all week, and there's something about making stuff from dried beans that makes you feel very frugal.

The burgers must have appealed to someone, because I got home on Wednesday to a bunch of little visitors. Ants. The smallest ants I've ever seen. I put out some Terro liquid (best ant killer EVER), and they went to town.

 

They are now mostly gone. I haven't seen one since Friday. I felt kind of bad as they started to disappear. The remaining ones looked confused, like, "where did our friends go?" Yeah, that remorse lasted about 2 seconds. This reminded me of a thought I had once before when I was ant-killing. I was thinking "Stupid, ants, look at them, can't get enough of that stuff...even though it's going to kill them!" I think I was probably sticking a doughnut in my mouth at this point, and that drove the lesson home quicker than you can say Aesop. We humans put a lot of crap in our bodies that isn't good for us. Something to think about...

So, this weekend, was mostly relaxing and waiting for the back to heal. I did make it to Eastern Market this morning, and bought some pickles. Bread and butter slices!

Because of my back, I resisted getting too much produce, but did buy some blueberries, cucumbers, and peaches to supplement my grocery order set to arrive from Peapod tonight. I had to skip the "eat local" thing today--carrying groceries didn't seem prudent!

Because I was waiting for Eric to come for brunch, I had some time to kill, and found myself ducking in out of the rain and into Hill's Kitchen, a great kitchen store/demonstration kitchen with lessons by Eastern Market. I bought a great cookbook, "The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever." ($25) I plan on trying some recipes out of that soon. I LOVE casseroles--because I can basically cook once and eat all week! And, typically, casseroles tend to be things that reheat well. I rationalized my purchase by saying "Well, if I have a great cookbook, I'll eat at home more!" :)

 

I'll let you know if I find any goodies! Have a great start to the week!

Blossom Experiment

So, you saw my squash blossoms I bought last week at the farmers' market? I had to make them quickly--within a day--because they're very ephemeral. The recipe I had was deep fried (I know--very healthy, huh?) and suggested stuffing with ricotta. Since I had some of my favorite Lamagna Lite Ricotta from Western PA, I mixed up that with some herbs and garlic and "stuffed" the blossoms. The bottom line? If I were to make these again (which I won't), I wouldn't stuff them--most of the stuffing oozed out. They were yummy (as fried foods generally are), but not good enough to go through all the work and mess they required. No fridge longevity, messy batter dipping, lots of oil that you need to heat up to a high temp...in short, the only way I'd make them again would be if I were growing my own zucchini and wanted to curb my crop and had a proper space to deep fry! And even then, I might consider just sauteeing them. Here's the process!

First, the stuffed blossoms...notice how the filling is oozing...

  

Next, the batter. It was made from flour and wine.

Scary hot oil.

 

Sizzle Sizzle...

Yummy fried goodness...

Bringing Back the Farm Fresh Goodness

 

The past week, I've been thinking about food and farms a lot. I saw "Food, Inc." on Saturday evening, and it's definitely one of those films that has you asking more questions than it answers for you. For those of you who haven't heard about it, it's essentially about the industrialization of our food supply chain and the detrimental effects this has on food safety, food nutrition, farmers' livelihoods, and the humane treatment of animals and humans alike. That's a lot to cover in 90 or so minutes, and the subtleties and complexities are somewhat lost. However, one thing is not lost: that we can do better...perhaps by going backwards?

The film features as its "good farm" Polyface Farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They aren't a vegetarian farm refuge; they kill things to eat. But, they farm the way your grandfather may have farmed, or, how my great grandfather may have farmed. Actually, I have no idea if my great grandfather farmed like that, but there was no doubt he had a small farm.

The above picture is from my dad's mom's family's farm in Western PA a few years ago right before it was sold after my great aunt's death.  It had pretty much decayed, as many small farms have. It was kind of sad to see, knowing that my great grandfather built it after coming to this country with only about 50 cents and working in a coal mine to save money to buy it. When I was little, they still had dairy cows, which to a kid, is like the most fun thing you can have around. And, that milk was the best milk ever.

As it turns out, I can get milk in glass bottles from the corner store near me. It isn't unhomogenized, but it is pretty close--something about the glass and the cows being out in the open. The store (P&C Market) also carries beef from Polyface Farms. I'll let you know how it is.

I'm now trying to "buy local" on much of my food. Both because of the "corporate farm machine" atrocities, but also for a much simpler reason: the food is so much damn better! I had some blueberries last week that actually tasted like blueberries! And a cucumber that was intense in its cucumberness. It was an amazing difference from the ones I got in the supermarket. This got me to thinking: if my food tasted better--like HD Food instead of normal food--might I not be satisfied on less? (Doubtful, but a girl can dream.) It kind of grosses me out thinking of the faux food we've all gotten accustomed to eating, and I'm not talking blueberries...but all that packaged junk. Do we really pay attention to how it tastes?

Anyway, to put my words into action, I went to the farmer's market this morning. Here's my bounty:

 

I got squash blossoms ($3), raisin pumpernickel bread ($5), cucumbers, green beans (about a quarter of what I got is shown) and heirloom tomatoes ($6?), a little over a pound of ground beef from a nice Amish man ($7.50), a quart of creamline milk and some Boursin-like chive and dill cheese ($7.50), cucumber mint vodka sorbet ($6), and a bunch of rosemary (didn't need it but it was being sold by a bunch of kids for $1).

I also experienced the disappointments--by the time I got there (a little before they close at noon), most of the bread was gone, as were the eggs. If they had blueberries or strawberries or raspberries, there were none left. I also experienced the problem I often have at farmers markets: distraction from a list. Boursin? Sometimes, these diversions create nice surprises, like the squash blossoms. I saw a recipe in my San Francisco Ferry Terminal Farmer's Market Cookbook and thought I'd never get to try it! I'm going to stuff them with herbed ricotta and fry in olive oil.  Anyway, since I didn't get everything I wanted, I'm going to go to Eastern Market tomorrow to finish my list off--mostly fruit.

So, my takeaway message here is to try some local food if you don't already--you'll probably be surprised at how good it is! (BTW, local means not like next door, but rather within 100 miles...most of our food comes from MUCH further. But, by all means, if you can get stuff next door, do so, so long as your neighbor allows!) :)

Hey, Jicama!

I tried something new for dinner tonight. I've had jicama (pronounced HE-ka-mah for those not priviledged enough to have minored in Spanish or to watch Food Network on cable) before, usually as a slaw accompanying a protein in a froo froo restaurant or raw on a vegetable plate at a catered event, but I've never actually bought one at the supermarket myself...that is, until a week or so ago.

I saw a lowfat dip recipe that recommended it as a dipper, which led me to buy it. However, I ended up not using it for that purpose, so I was curious if there were other prep methods other than as a slaw. I found that people bake them like fries. As you can imagine, I  discovered through Googling that this was a popular topic on Atkins forums.  I decided to try it, particulary as I was hunting for something lower in calories for dinner.

[Before you get all "You have to eat to lose and don't deprive yourself," I had eaten my weight in pizza, cake, and ice cream for my b-day this past weekend and earlier in the day, indulged in a variety of delights including a chocolate covered graham cracker.]

I peeled the jicama and cut it into fry-like matchsticks. It was tougher to peel and cut than a potato, but not as difficult as, say, a butternut squash! My potato cutter/fry maker thing that I rarely get to use wouldn't cut it, but it did make a nice template for my sharp knife to follow.

I placed the resulting pieces on a baking stone covered in baking spray and then sprinkled them with ground chipotle, garlic powder, sea salt, white pepper, and sprayed them with my Misto full of olive oil.

After cooking for 20 min each side in a 450 degree oven, they came out looking brown and fry-like:

 

I attempted to make a dip from Greek yogurt and salsa, but failed when the salsa was too liquidy. It was still a cooler companion to the chipotle. So, how was the result? A delish accompaniment to my frozen fish filet! (Gorton's grilled tilapia--an indirect recommendation from Jennifer via my Aunt Ruth via my mom.) 

Don't get me wrong, there is not much risk of mistaking them for french fries. These are to fries as spaghetti squash is to spaghetti: good in its own right, not good as a substitute for the real thing unless you've been off the potato for a LONG time (like your whole life). (Note below the use of a lunch sized plate...which gives you a nice illusion of lots of food!) When I do it again, I'll cut the pieces thinner--they get a kind of burnt crispiness to them that way. Give it a whirl!

London 2009: Food, Glorious Food

One of the best things about travel is sampling local delicacies. Or, in the case of London, the delicacies of the world and home-grown pub food! This trip was no exception.

On our first night, after a city planning lecture in Clerkenwell (that Erin and I had a hard time staying awake for), Emily took us to a pub that won 2009 Town Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide, a serious commendation in a nation swarming with pubs! The Jerusalem Tavernis the pub of St. Peter's Brewery, based in Suffolk, East Anglia (I attended school in Norfolk, East Anglia). I enjoyed a delicious "Suffolk Gold," which I chose simply because of the name. After our drink, we went to a "gastropub," whic is a relatively recent invention (as in newer than 10 years!). Essentially, it's a pub with an elevated food selection. This gastropub was the Coach and Horses, and I ate a delicious cottage pie with beef marrow toasts. I had a delicious buttermilk pudding with shortbread and strawberries. All of the food is made fresh (not frozen and microwaved), and the menu varies.

We had most of our breakfasts at Costa in the Embankment tube stop. It was wonderful to have a proper cup with coffee--something that happens less and less in the States. Costa is a chain of coffee shops across Britain, and is faltering, largely due to the spread of Starbucks. Indeed, there was a Starbucks adjacent to the shop we frequented. I had a conversation with an Italian barrista one morning (sparked by his seeing my Italian surname on my card). Next door to Costa was a 24 hour convenience store, also a popular stop for us--for water...or Cadbury!

On Saturday, after going to the Tate Modern, Emily and her husband Kerry took us to the Borough Market, which is one of the most fantastic places in the universe! (And the oldest food market in London.) Fresh foods of all types--from produce to Polish Sausage to artisan chocolates to meat pies! I had a delicious round of fish and chips with a diet coke in a real bottle which we ate on tables beside the Southwark Cathedral on a perfect clear day. It was glorious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That evening, we had a night out in the Clapham section of London with my British friend Amanda (on the right below, with her friend Candice on the left) who I hadn't seen in 10 years! That was the type of pub outing I remember. I ate a cheese toastie (toasted cheese sandwich) and a nice pint or so of cider.

 

Of course, one of the wonderful things about London is also the proliferation of great ethnic choices. Erin and I had a great "Indian Tapas" meal at Imli in Soho. It was a pretty good meal and a good deal--we had a "buy one, get one" for a 3 course meal for 23 pounds total.

Emily led us to another ethnic choice, a great Thai restaurant in Bloomsbury called Busaba Eathai. My food there was mediocre (though the other ladies had great food), but the decor and atmosphere made up for it.

 

We followed this up with a pint at the Fitzroy Tavern in Fitzrovia, a pub that the poet Dylan Thomas  frequented. I'm seen here with a lovely cherry  beer.

Breakfast the day we left was at Monmouth Coffee. Wonderful coffee, wonderful brioche, sitting in a small, uncomfortable hard booth in the tiny space with a strange looking student, not so wonderful!

We had tea and sweets many times, of course. I took a fancy toward flapjacks for some reason. Odd, because I never ate them when I lived there. They're kind of a blondie without chocolate chips--an oaty buttery bar. My favorite tea occasion was at the Victoria and Albert, sitting in the courtyard. I think it's because the pot of Earl Grey and Flapjack was SO needed at that point!

On a last food note, I chose a "low calorie" option on my British Airways flights, and I highly recommend! The main courses were grilled fish or chicken with veggies with sides of fruit, and the snacks were also light...much preferred to the greasy dishes my neighbors were getting!

Stay tuned for additional installments!!!

Single Serve Cereal

I don't know how you are, but I LOVE cereal. Especially sugary kids cereal. I can't control myself with it, and if I buy a box, it literally won't last more than a day or two. Usually, I recognize this, and don't buy it, but on occasion, I float through the grocery store in a cloud of denial. It is at this time that I allow myself to buy crackers, cookies, and sugary cereal, thinking I'll "just eat a serving or two. This will last me for weeks!" Uh, yeah. Well, I discovered a good solution: to go cups. They typically sell for about $1 (at Shoppers Food and Target. At Harris Teeter in the city, they were a bit more). And, I don't allow myself to buy more than 2 at a time. They're more than one typical serving, I'm pretty sure, but they're nowhere near what a whole box would be! (The ones I've gotten have ranged from 160 calories--for Corn Pops--to 250 calories--for Cocoa Krispies). Granted, I wouldn't recommend this if you have control over the satan cereal, because you can sometimes get a box for the cost of two of those buggers, but if you don't, having the natural stopping point is key to self control!

Oopah! Make Your Own Greek Yogurt

Here's something the makers of Greek yogurt don't want you to know: it's just strained regular yogurt. There, I said it. Secret's out. I love Greek yogurt, but what I don't love is spending 4 times as much per container. What I discovered this week is that it's super easy to strain your own yogurt.

First, get a few papertowels, a few coffee filters, or some cheesecloth and place in a strainer. Put yogurt in the strainer over a bowl, and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. That's it. At the end of some time in the fridge, there will be lovely, cheaper, Greek yogurt (and some whey down in the bowl, which you can discard or use as an extra boost for smoothies).

I tried plain yogurt the other day, and this batch is coffee. Seriously--yum.

 

 

Turkey Bacon: Why?

I'm left scratching my head as to why anyone would eat turkey bacon. I bought Wellshire Farms Turkey Bacon at Harris Teeter this week, partially because it was slightly cheaper and partially to try something "healthier," and yesterday made 2 slices for breakfast. It tastes okay on its own merit, but it's like comparing regular bacon to Canadian Bacon--it just ain't the same.

And, nutritionally, it's not all that different. I normally buy Wellshire Farms uncured regular bacon which is 60 calories and 3 grams of fat for 2 pan-fried slices. I normally microwave, so some of that fat is absorbed by the paper towels. By contrast, the turkey bacon had 35 calories and 1 gram of fat per slice. So, the difference is that the turkey bacon has 10 calories MORE for 2 slices and only 1 gram of fat less.

So, what's the advantage? I'm still trying to figure that out...sure, the slices are more substantial, but that's part of my problem with them. They aren't like crispy bacon; they're more like a ham steak. Guess I'll be buying more bacon this week!

Dagnabit! The Chips Tricked Me!

This is really an example of karma at its finest. When I saw news articles (such as in the

Center for Science in the Public Interest'sNutrition Action Healthletter I get each month) about food labels not having the calories for the bag but for the serving size, I rolled my eyes a bit. Of COURSE people should be smart enough to figure that out! Well, I got mine today. I "took a walk" with a colleague who was going to get her lunch, and ended at one of those buffet places. I decided to get some chips to go with my packed sandwich. I've been monitoring calories, and so, I looked at the label. In the hustle and bustle, I was in a hurry to get out of the way. I did a hasty comparison of the Kettle Salt and Vinegar chips and Glenny's Soy Crisps. I was not in a soy mood. I saw that the Kettle chips had 150 calories and 9 g of fat. Not a health food, more fat than we'd like, but overall, not bad for once in awhile. What I neglected to realize was that there were two servings in the bag. So, that's 300 calories and 18 grams of fat. Not quite what I'd planned. I didn't even realize until going to log in the calories online and seeing the serving size...hand to head, Homer Simpson "Doh!" Perhaps I saw what I wanted to see...I mean, I'm under no delusions of believing potato chips are healthy. But, still, the labeling made it much easier for me to make that mistake. Live and learn!

Image of the offending chips from the company's web site.