So, my dear friends, this week has been filled with milestones, celebrations and a few tears on the part of yours truly. One headed to high school, one to middle school and one leaving that sweet, sweet year of Kindergarten and as I've said before every first for my littlest one is a monumental last for me. To say, "last day of Kindergarten" is a bit extra-emotional for me. Me, the weeper.
I'm sure you will understand when I say that I won't have one of my usual musings post this week. My time this week is being spent with family but I do leave you with a live version of a delicious summer salad I posted on La Pomme last July. Toss in a little chicken, some leftover grilled steak or serve it on the side of your grilled salmon. A perfect summer meal!!
(To borrow a line from one of my favorite movies, The Holiday, which does indeed make me weep.)
Just this morning I started weeping while making the kids' lunches. One may have thought it was because if I have to make one more school lunch I may start weeping and never stop.
But no, that wasn't it. Could have been but no.
(And yes, I could have my children make their own lunches but I have control issues.)
Out of the blue, I started thinking about how I'll have a daughter in high school next year. (!?!) And I teared up, right there, on the spot. Only 4 years left...
My daughter gave me a little hug, sighed and said, "Oh, Mom...." And then, went back to primping.
The 11-year old just shook his head and the 6-year old reminded me how he'll still be here.
And so it's been with all of this "cleaning out" and organizing, I've been a little weepy.
As I backed my car up to the donation center, I found a lump in my throat as I handed over the plastic, muti-colored alphabet mat (that I never liked). I blinked back tears as the Princess Party Tent was handed over even though I cursed that thing every time I had to set it up. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I pulled out the bag of pixel blocks that no one ever played with but I'd been holding onto for years and years because someone might.
I'm starting to think that the reason organizing and cleaning out can feel so overwhelming isn't the actual organizing and cleaning out but the letting go. Darn those kids...growing up and all.
Once I returned home, however, I felt a little lighter. Like a little weight had been lifted and I haven't missed the mat, tent and blocks once...until now as I'm typing this. Now, I'm blinking back tears.
And sometimes this is the way I feel when I face my fridge and try to figure out what to make for lunch or dinner...again. And sometimes just the thought of cooking again can make me weep. (Where's my personal chef when I need him?) I stand back from the fridge, observing, knowing that with all the little bits here and there, I should be able to pull something together.
And then, out of the blue, I'll remember that I have an entire case of garbanzo beans in the garage for all that hummus I was planning on making...but never did. And I'll remember a recipe I recently read that sounded intriguing and I'll start pulling out my version of that recipe.
Before I know it I'm sitting down to a lunch composed entirely of bits and pieces from my kitchen (and the garage) that needed to be cleaned out and used up. And as I sit there eating my scrumptious little lunch, I'll feel a little lighter. I'll feel that a little weight has been lifted.
And I won't be weeping, but simply enjoying, unless of course you remind me that my daughter is going to high school next year which I just reminded myself by typing it and then, well, then I might start weeping...again.
PS: You see, it never ends. I mentioned to the 6-year old how beautiful all of the cherry blossoms scattered all over the ground are. A bit like snowflakes. Grabbing a single petal, he runs inside and makes me this. Tears...
Chickpeas, Asparagus and a Splash of Lemon Salad Inspired by Molly Wizenberg's recipe in Bon Appetit April 2011
So Ms. Molly, who's delightful blog, Orangette, I can't get enough of, had a chickpea salad recipe published in the April issue of Bon Appetit. It caught my fancy especially considering the case of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) I have in the garage that needs to be used up. Of course, I had to give it my own twist such as adding asparagus to it and setting it on a bed of lettuce. Simply delightful. A welcome change from all the winter food we've been having for so so long.
Ingredients:
1 sm/med garlic clove, peeled and minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice - 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
pinch of salt
palmful of Italian parsley, coarsely chopped (approx 1 tbsp)
1 15 oz can garbanzo/chickpeas, drained and rinsed
roasted asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch segments, about 6 or whatever you have in the fridge
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
couple handfuls of baby greens
Directions:
Whisk together your garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and parsley. If you have time, I would set this mixture aside and let the flavors "meld" for at least 10 minutes or up to an hour but if there is no extra time to be had you can continue on with delicious results.
Gently stir in your chickpeas, asparagus and Parmesan.
Spoon onto a bed of baby greens or whatever greens you love.
Munch away. Enjoy...
PS: A dear friend of mine told me that her sister mixed together garbanzo/chickpeas, sliced cherry tomatoes, olive oil and kosher salt this past weekend and served it alongside grilled steaks.
PPS: The above mentioned daughter who is headed to high school next year is 14 today. (sniff, sniff) While I try to keep dinners quick and simple on the weeknights, when it's a Birthday night, I do a little more. I'm planning on serving this salad tonight along with grilled chicken sausages, asparagus/pea risotto, strawberries and Birthday cake. It's making my stomach rumble just thinking about all that Birthday dinner goodness.
Here's my sweet girl back when she played in the Princess Party Tent....sigh.
....
Organizing Project:
I got nothin'... although, as I said above, I did actually make it to the donation center.
....
AM Northwest
I realized I never posted this on La Pomme last week. So, in case you're interested, here's a live version of yours truly along with lovely Helen making Apple and Rhubarb Baked in a Pie on AM Northwest. Cheers...
If you are unable to view a video screen above this line, click here to be taken directly to the link.
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2011
"Yeah, yeah...I know...I've heard this speech before," my daughter said to me in a tone dripping with teenager attitude. Frustrated I fired back at her, "And that's exactly the kind of attitude that won't help out your cause." She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. I left the room and headed toward the stairs.
Passing by the living room, I caught a glimpse of the 5-year-old standing erect with his arms at his side, hands clenched. His older brother was sitting nearby with a glimmer in his eye and a smirk on his face. A Zhu Zhu Babies commercial was playing on the television. This didn't look good. At the top of his lungs the 5-year-old screamed at his brother, "Just stop it! Just stop it you stupid-head!" stuck out his tongue and then pushed past me to run up the stairs. The 11-year-old couldn't help but break into a full smile at that point. With feigned innocence he turned to me and said, "What?"
I gave him "the look" and continued up the stairs. Tired. Out of "parenting" ideas. And wondering "Who are these children?"
I plopped down on my bed and went through the actions I'd taken over the past few months to try to guide my children into better, more respectful, more responsible behavior. The reminder signs. The consequences. The reasoning. But really...nothing seemed to be working all that great.
Reluctantly, I reached over and pulled the book off my nightstand. I didn't want to do it. Hadn't I already read enough parenting books? But, I admitted to myself, I needed some fresh thoughts on the matter.
As I flipped through the pages, little nuggets of wisdom seemed to call out to me.
"They are growing up but they are not grown-up."
"Don't take your child's behavior personally."
"Be curious enough to try to understand your child's point of view."
"You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts."
And then I came across a sentence. A simple sentence but one that made me slam the book shut. To sigh and shake my head. To realize that a bit of the truth was staring me right in the face.
"Sometimes you get the best results by forgetting about the behavior and focusing on the relationship."
Wasn't it true that I'd been spending an inordinate amount of time on my stuff? My writing. My photographs. My appointments. My projects around the house. My incessant need to cook...stuff.
Oh, yeah, I had been putting up my responsibility reminder lists, making sure they got their hour of weeding in on the weekends, their homework done, their beds made, dishes done...but had I really been spending any time with them? Focused time?
I'd even caught myself recently thinking, "I really should take my little guy to the playground." But I didn't.
Knowing that the kiddos were out of school on Monday, I made a promise to myself. I would take them to do something fun. Something they would really like. And I would just enjoy each one of them. Their company. I would put aside all thoughts of "To Dos" and "Goals."
So, I put all of my chickens in the car and we headed downtown for a movie. And not just any movie. But the "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" movie in 3D. (Let it be known that this was not the first choice of the 11-year-old. But he was a very good sport.) As I looked down the row at my three chickens with their glasses on, the 5-year-old munching away on his popcorn and everyone smiling, I couldn't help but smile myself. Later, we putzed around. Chatted. No real agenda except to be back in time for dinner.
That evening I learned that the 5-year-old had changed his name to Justin after discovering that he could "swish" his hair like his namesake. This is the type of situation that would normally set-off a litany of taunting and teasing by his older brother. But not this time. Instead, I found him kindly combing his little brother's hair into the proper swish, helping him put on a "Justin Bieber outfit" and then, leading him downstairs to pound away on our old, beat-up drum set.
And that night, instead of giving my daughter the rushed, "Good night," I laid down on her bed. With her. And we talked. She talked. Late into the evening. She covered all manner of subjects. Homework. Friends. All those stresses of middle school. And when I finally got up to go, she said to me, "Mom....?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for today."
"You are so welcome."
So this morning, as snowflakes gently fall out my window, I mix up my oats, my cinnamon, my almonds. Individual ingredients that will eventually make-up a whole finished product. A batch of homemade granola. Or perhaps oatmeal cookies. Similar ingredients that produce uniquely different results. And I think to myself, "It's hard, isn't it? This delicate balancing act. Trying to figure out when to focus on teaching responsibility and respect and an entire encyclopedia of other attributes to our children and when...to let go of all of that and simply enjoy them. As people."
(Sigh....)
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Nutty Granola and Oatmeal Cookies: Similar Ingredients...Completely Different Results
Okay, this week, you're getting two recipes....you lucky people you. The first is a batch of homemade granola. I tossed in a little of this and a little of that...which is the beauty of granola...and "Voila!" delicious. So, if you don't have all of the ingredients, no biggie. Use what you have. Then, I got crazy and took that homemade granola and put it into oatmeal cookies. (Don't tell the Rooster though. He recently asked me for a batch of oatmeal cookies but said, "Nothing crazy. No crazy ingredients. Just a plain oatmeal cookie." I can't help myself.) Both are the perfect antidote for a pensive, snowy day.
A Nutty Homemade Granola
Delicious plain, on yogurt, with milk, sprinkled over ice cream. And as a side note, I tend to have a lot of different nuts around. (I mean the ingredient, not my children.) I buy them in bulk and store them in the freezer where they keep beautifully for months and months.
Ingredients:
3 c old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking) 1 c raisins 1/2 c unsweetened, shredded coconut 1/2 c pecan pieces 1/2 c walnut pieces 1/2 c almonds, chopped or not, your choice 2 tbsp golden flax seed 1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c pure maple syrup 2 tbsp olive oil
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Either grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together your dry ingredients: oats, raisins, coconut, pecans, walnuts, almonds, flax seed, wheat germ, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Then add in your maple syrup and olive oil. Stir until mixture is evenly coated with syrup and oil.
Pour out onto cookie sheet and spread evenly. Bake in oven for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking time. Allow to cook a bit and then, start snacking. Once cooled completely, store in an air-tight container. Enjoy.....
Yield: 5 cups or so
Crunchy Granola Oatmeal Cookies Inspired by Mrs. King's Irresistibles in Rose's Christmas Cookies
Obviously, I used the homemade granola I had made at home but you can use store-bought granola. Just make sure it's unsweetened or lightly-sweetened or it will be too sugary. If your granola does not have any nuts in it, you might want to consider decreasing the granola amount to 1 1/2 cups and adding in 1 cup of your favorite toasted nuts...walnuts, pecans, almonds.
Ingredients:
2 c homemade granola *see note above 1 c old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 2/3 c all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 c brown sugar, firmly packed 3/4 c granulated sugar 1 c unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Into a small bowl, pour in your flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk together well. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat your sugars until well blended. Add in your butter and beat until smooth and creamy. Scraping down the sides. Beat in your eggs and vanilla until well incorporated. At low speed, add your flour mixture and mix just until combined. With a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold in your granola, oats and chocolate chips just until evenly distributed in the dough.
Drop the dough by large, rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets, 1-2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes or just until the tops are turning light brown. (Better to underbake than overbake.)
Cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few weeks or in the freezer for several months.
Enjoy.....
Yield: About 3 dozen
...
Thank you, thank you, my dear friends!
I can hardly believe it but this post marks my 99th. Holy Catfish, is all I can say!! Holy Catfish and thank you! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for reading my musings (especially when I get a little long-winded.) For trying out my recipes. For kindly viewing my photographs. For buying my calendars. For thoughtfully letting me know when something I wrote made you laugh or cry. When you thought a photograph was "extra-purdy." Or a recipe extra-scrumptious.
I must do something extra-special for the 100th post. You deserve it. I deserve it. But what?
xoxo Carrie
...
A Quick Note
Just in case you were curious...my all time favorite parenting books are from the Positive Discipline series. A dear friend of mine who is a teacher turned me on to them when my eldest was still a baby. Of course, as with any type of advice book, I don't necessarily agree with everything the author has to say...but definitely with most of it. I just recently bought the Positive Discipline for Teenagers. So telling....eh? The author uses the word "discipline" in its true sense and that is, "to teach." And really, as parents, that's what we are...teachers. Right? Well, sometimes I'm a pack mule too, but that's a different story.
...
AM Northwest
Stopped by AM Northwest last week to mix up a pot of Hearty Lentil Soup with Helen and Dave. Was a hoot, as always.
If a video screen does not appear above this line, click here to be taken directly to the site.
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
There I was in organizing bliss. Well, actually, scratch that. I was hyperventilating and covered in perspiration as I surveyed the boxes of games and puzzles with missing pieces and cried out in desperation, "Someone get me an Old Fashioned!" even though I don't drink Old Fashioneds but my Granny always used to ask for them and so I thought I would too. However, regardless of all that, I was actually organizing. And I wanted to continue organizing. Mother Nature had cancelled our plans for skiing and a commitment-free 3-day weekend lay before me. Since I had announced publicly on this here blog that I would be organizing weekly, I was feeling the pressure. People would be asking me how it was going. I had to have something to report back.
Deep in concentration assembling a Madeline puzzle, (I can't in good conscience donate a puzzle with missing parts, now can I?) my daughter flits by and says, "So, I'm having two people spend the night Sunday and we're making cookies for Ronald McDonald house for our community service project." To which I respond, "Yes, that's what we agreed on." "Okay," she says back and then adds on, "Oh, and some of us are talking about going to a movie. I don't know, like, tomorrow or something." "Oh, okay," I say non-chalantly to her while silently cursing this puzzle with its odd shaped pieces.
A few hours later, I am beside myself with frustration. "Where is the humongous fungus?! Nobody in their right mind will want to play Shrek Operation with a missing body part." Coming through a bin of random toy parts, I search for the humongous fungus. Seemingly out of nowhere, I detect my daughter's legs just outside the bin. She speaks to me saying, "Okay, so the 1:50 pm movie on Sunday works best but we might change it to Monday. We thought cookies from 4-6p on Sunday would be good but if the movie happens we'll do cookies on Monday. (pause) Oh, and Betty is coming too." To this last bit I pop my head up, "Wait a minute. I said two people. That's it." "But, Mom, Betty needs her community service too and we were already talking about it at school and I forgot." Overwhelmed with the amount of details coming at me and around me, I sigh and say, "Fine...but that's it. And who's taking you to the movies?" "Probably one of the other Moms."
Still perspiring but making progress, I had different piles going. One labeled, "Ready to Donate." Another labeled, "Missing pieces." And a final one, "Too far gone." Isn't it interesting how not one child has touched these items in years, but the minute I pull them out and spruce them up, it's like Christmas all over again? Out of the corner of my eye, I see the 5-year old taking apart the car carrier with all of its car pieces I had diligently located and before I could begin to address that situation, my daughter appears again saying something like, "Okay, Mom. So here's the plan. Betty, Barbara, Missy and Cindy are going to the movies with me. Dad is dropping us off. You can pick us up after you pick-up my dear brother from the party. Then, Cindy, Barbara and Betty will be arriving at 6pm for the sleepover. Linda will be coming at 8pm. We'll make cookies in the morning. Oh, but Betty has to leave early so you can just take me, Cindy, Barbara and Linda to drop off the cookies later that afternoon." I sat there...stunned. All I could manage to do was look at her and say, "Wait...what?" Somehow I knew I was being scammed but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Mid-weekend, I moved my unfinished organizing project to a corner of the room, knowing that the floor space would need to be available later that evening for sleeping teenage girls. At least, I hoped they would be sleeping. I called my daughter down to the room and asked her to sit down. "Now, here's the deal. I said two people. Somehow it's now four people which is fine...but here are the rules. I'm not okay with 5 in the morning bedtime. Look in my eyes. Right here." "I'm looking." "All lights and screens must be off by 1am which means if you want to watch a movie by what time do you need to start it?" "I know Mom." "No tell me, what is the latest time you can start the movie?" "11pm" "Right. And no kitchen raids after midnight. Say it, no kitchen raids after...?" "Midnight." "Lights and screens off by....?" "I know, Mom." "Tell me." With a giant exhale, she says, "1am." "I'm trusting you to be in charge of your friends." "I know." And with that I start up the stairs. "Uh...Mom?" my daughter calls up to me. "What?" "Well, I'm just asking you because they were asking me and I told them I would ask you but would it be okay if Louisa came too?" "No."
The evening progressed like any teenage slumber party would. They were polite at dinner. Ate their chili. Said please and thank you. Cleared their dishes. But once my sweetie and I had retired to our bedroom, they raided the kitchen after midnight. Ran around the house whispering and giggling until 2am. At 4am, my sweetie finally went downstairs to remind them that five hours of cookie baking lay ahead of them and it would be best if they got some sleep.
Bleary-eyed the next morning (or should I say a few hours later?) they reluctantly started mixing up cookie dough. "How many cookies do we need? Four dozen cooked plus dough for the freezer. Why do they need dough for the freezer? I don't know. Just do it." They mixed. They rolled. They baked. They asked if they could take a break and walk down to Starbucks. I said no but pointed to the pile of dishes they could do and continued chatting with my neighbor who had kindly come over for moral support. They sighed. They washed. They dried. They decorated. They sprinkled. They packaged. And finally, they loaded up and we headed to the Ronald McDonald house. Driving there, exhausted, I thought to myself, "Never again."
The house was quiet but warm. The girls presented their goods to the manager on site. She asked them if they knew what purpose the Ronald Mcdonald house served. They nodded yes. She gave them statistics about how many families lived there at one time. What kind of patients they usually had there. The girls listened to her attentively. She explained to them that the house was quiet now because the children were out getting their chemo treatments. It was in that moment that I saw a softening of their faces. She took them to a bulletin board with photos of all the families currently living there. Names and faces made these unknown patients become real for them. Finally, she said to them, "I bet you're wondering why we asked for the unbaked cookie dough?" Again, they nodded yes. "Because within an hour of arriving at the hospital they take on the smell of the hospital. It's in their hair. Their clothes. Their skin. The smell of baking cookies helps mask that smell and makes this place feel more like...a home for them. And then, of course, the cookies themselves are a nice treat." I looked over at the girls. All of the "teenageresque" attitude had disappeared and they stood there with genuine interest and concern at what they were being told. Perhaps realizing that what had seemed like a chore for them, meant so much to someone else.
"They just want to smell cookies baking," I kept thinking to myself as I dropped each girl off at her home. All of the anxiety about organizing and teenage slumber parties and the chore of baking cookies suddenly seemed so trivial when compared to simply wanting the smell of freshly baked cookies to mask the smell of sickness. And it was in that moment that I knew I should never have said never because I would absolutely do it all again just to fulfill that one simple request.
Tying up a few loose ends from my last post....
And the winner of the Seattle's Best Coffee Curiosity Pack, as chosen by the 5-year old, is:
I know where to find you. I will hand deliver it to you. Enjoy.....
I've had a few of you stop me in my tracks to let me know you made the White Bean and Kale Soup Peppered with Pancetta and you couldn't believe it, your family loved it, "green stuff and all." For a live version of how to make that soup, here's a video of yours truly whipping it up with Helen on AM Northwest.
If a video screen does not appear above this line, click here to be taken directly to the site.
Lighten Up Chili
This is a chili recipe that I go back to time and time again. Everyone loves it. It's easy to make. And with snow rain and Super Bowl season upon us, it's a good one to have on hand. I usually make this with 2 pounds of ground beef but because our family isn't eating as much beef as we used to, I decided to lighten it up with half ground turkey, half ground beef and you know....I liked it even better. I will give those of you with a delicate system sensitive to the ways of beans fair warning to perhaps discreetly take a beano or two before consuming this Chili....not that I would have any personal experience with that or anything. And, of course, this dish is always a hit with the teenager bunch. You can see that I had to scrape the pot just to have a couple tablespoons to photograph for you sweet people.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground turkey
salt and pepper
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 c celery, diced, about 2-3 stalks
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz can diced or whole tomatoes with juice
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 6 oz can tomato paste
2 tsp cumin
3 tsp chili powder
1-2 tsp red pepper flakes, depending on how spicy you like it
optional: 1 tsp of granulated sugar
1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
1 15 oz can black beans, drained
Toppings: grated cheddar cheese and chopped green onions
Directions:
In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat your olive oil. Brown your ground beef and turkey over medium heat. Drain grease if necessary but remember that a little bit of grease can add a lot of flavor.
Add your onion, celery and red pepper to the pot with the meat and saute 5 minutes of so. Add your garlic and saute another minute or two.
Add your tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Taste. Depending on the canned tomatoes you used, you may find you need to add a teaspoon of granulated sugar to sweeten it up just a bit.
Bring to a boil, then reduce your heat and simmer for 1 hour.
Add your beans and simmer 30 more minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated cheese and green onions. Enjoy.
(For the teenager set, I also put out a bowl of Cowboy Caviar, homemade guacamole, tortillas chips and a plate of sliced apples. They devoured it all.)
Yield: One big pot full.
Organizing Project:
Jan 10-16: Only made it halfway through dreaded toy/game closet before I had to step out for oxygen.
Jan 17-23: Finish dreaded toy/game closet.
How are you all doing with your organizing? I've heard from more than a few of you who originally said you weren't joining me in the insanity and now..... while I'm still trying to get through one closet, you've sorted through multiple rooms, entire wardrobes and even laid down beautiful new contact paper in kitchen cupboards. "Sigh..." I'm so proud of you. (Or, do I detect a little competition going on here? Game on!)
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who purchased a 2011 La Pomme de Portland calendar. They have completely sold out. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. I am touched...truly. As my 5-year old would say, "I'm not jus' sayin' that. It's for true!" Once the dust settles, I believe we'll be able to donate almost $1000 per organization.
Those of you who wanted one this year but didn't get one....(for which I feel guilt, guilt, guilt... Can we just call me Catholic for the day? Or maybe the season?)...we'll definitely be back next year with a new version.
I won't take up too much of your time today because if you're like me (and you're probably not...you're probably much more organized) you still have Christmas shopping to do, cards to address, cookies to bake, a house to finish decorating....basically everything the season requires...in the span of a week. Plus my daughter has apparently volunteered me to chauffeur boat loads of teenagers up to the mountains every day next week.
And just in case you've been wanting to make the delectable Baked Minestrone I posted about last month, here is my AM Northwest live version of the prep for that crowd pleaser.
If you do not see a video screen above this line, please click here to be taken directly to the site.
Have a most wonderful Holiday Season!!
Cheers,
Carrie
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
I am so excited to give you all a sneak preview of a project I've been working on with my über-talented graphic design sister. We have put together a 2011 La Pomme de Portland Calendar. Each month features one of my food photos, many of them highlighting what is in season for that time of year. In the back is a quick little cheat sheet outlining what actually is in season for the different times of the year which we thought would be helpful since I get asked about that fairly often.
Most importantly though, all of the proceeds made from the sale of this calendar will go to the Oregon Food Bank and the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. We will have this calendar available for purchase right after the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you'll keep this in mind as you're thinking of holiday gifts for family, friends, yourself, your boss, your co-workers, teachers, Christmas, Hanukkah.....
I also want to let you know how much I have appreciated all of the emails, the flickr, facebook and twitter messages, the phone calls and so on, with tips for roasting a turkey, whether to brine or not, and so on. I have to admit that the most intriguing method that was shared with me is to roast the turkey in a paper grocery sack. Very interesting....
However, I'm still undecided on what to do but I work best under pressure and it's not nearly close enough to Thanksgiving yet for me to kick it in to high gear. I still have at least 5-6 days.
Lately, I've been thinking, what if I get the turkey cut into pieces and cook it the same way I cook my Oregano Chicken? Seems like it would be nice and moist and flavorful. Wouldn't take as long to roast. You wouldn't have the same "Big Bird" presentation but we always carve ours up and stick it on a platter anyways.
A week from now, it will all be over, and I'll let you know how it went....following in my mother's and grandmother's shoes that is....with or without help from my sister, who, when I told her the other day that she had to help me with the turkey said, "Well, what do you want me to do? Hold your hand as you stick it in the oven?" Where is the respect for the eldest child?
If a video screen does not appear above this line, click here to be taken directly to the site.
Oh, and speaking of Oregano Chicken, should you like to see a live version of how to prepare that succulent dish, I whipped some up on AM Northwest Wednesday morning and above you'll find the video from my morning there.
Have a great weekend!!
Cheers,
Carrie
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
When the kind, sweet people at AM Northwest asked if they could film a cooking segment in my kitchen, my first thought was, "Oh no, now I really am going to have to clean out that pantry." There's not much you can't find in my pantry. I like to keep my kitchen well-stocked with staples. Sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes not. But regardless of which way you look at it, that tiny little closet was much in need of an overhaul. I could even see the eyes widen of one of my dearest friends when I told her of this opportunity and then, she glanced at my pantry. She, a former, professional organizer, kindly gave me some helpful tips. "Okay, you're going to need to pull everything out of there. Wipe it all down. And then, only put back in what you're actually going to use." I was grateful for her advice.
But, in true Carrie Minns procrastination fashion, the day before an actual, TV camera would set forth in my kitchen...I decided to clean the fridge first. "This won't take long. I'll get to the pantry in a little bit." Armed with a soapy scrubber and a sharp knife for chipping off "who knows what" on the side door, I went to work making the fridge shine.
Pleased with my work there, I headed toward the pantry but then, found myself drawn to the drawers of school paperwork that had not been sorted through in at least 2 years. My thinking was that, "I must clean out these drawers because what if I need to move items from the pantry into these drawers? What would I do then? There would be no room."
The sun was on her downward arc, my littlest one was following my every movement, people would be clamoring for dinner soon and I was starting to lose steam. I stood at the door of the pantry and stared. I half-heartedly took down some items from one shelf. Spruced them up. Put them back. Managed to do that same process with one more shelf. Swept the floor and then, decided, "Good enough." I turned and headed to the kitchen table where the 5-year old was waiting to challenge me in yet another titillating game of Candy Land.
A few weeks ago, my friend Fran asked me what I thought when I saw myself on the TV. "Do you find little things that you want to change? Are you overly critical of yourself?" And I told her honestly, "The older I get, the easier I am on myself." Somewhere along the way I realized that I'm just doing my best. Not perfectly by any means, but just like everyone else, I'm going about life the best way I know how. Years ago, I would have stayed up until 2 in the morning to clean out that pantry but now, I've realized that I do what I can. The pantry will always be there, but the 5-year old waiting to "whoop" me in Candy Land, won't.
If a video screen does not appear above this line, click here to be taken directly to the site. And hey, check out that fridge, lookin' good...
To further expound on the TV segment, I do try my best to meal plan every week. I look at the schedule ahead and see how much time I have to cook on any given night. I consider what is in-season. Then, I write down some idea for dinner Monday-Thursday and Sunday, whether scribbled on a post-it note or put down officially in my planner. Friday is our family pizza night (and my night off.) Saturday, I'm never sure what will end up happening or whether I'll find something at the farmer's market that morning so I usually leave it up in the air. Sundays are our true "Family Dinner" night. I always plan to make something a little more special and the kids rotate having to partner with me to make that meal. I get to have some company and they get to learn some cooking skills. Then, it's back to cleaning out the fridge, for "Soup on Monday."
Here's a link to an actual recipe that mimics the soup I made on the segment: Rainy Day Vegetable Soup
And, if you want to look further into meal planning, here are two websites dedicated to meal planning.
My friend, Jane Maynard, plans weekly at: This Week For Dinner
And my friend, Tricia Callahan, plans monthly at: Once a Month Mom
One last thing, if you'd like an incredibly beautiful reminder of all the bounty that this season has to offer for meal planning, check out this desk top calendar which currently graces the screen of my computer: November Calendar by Shanna Murray and Jen Causey
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
The past week has gone....I don't know where. It vaporized. I don't know about you, but I'm having trouble staying on top of things. Luckily, as I've mentioned before, my sweetie has already started the Christmas shopping.
Thanks to a gentle reminder by my thoughtful mother and father, I realized I never posted the video from last week's AM Northwest segment. So, this is for you, Mom and Dad...and anyone else who may have an interest in learning about homemade applesauce and a tantalizing appetizer all made with seasonal ingredients. And, one last note, should you decide to view the following video....after viewing it himself, my sweetie showered me with all of the appropriate accolades just like a good husband should (whether they are true or not) and then, off-handedly remarked, "Lots of sound effects going on in this one." What can I say? With the way my brain operates these days, it's a wonder I can even string a sentence together, so when I'm at a loss for the appropriate word, I fill in with sounds.
If you are unable to view the video above this line, click here to be taken directly to the website.
Hope you all have a safe and Happy Halloween!
And, hopefully you're not like me, with a mouth full of canker sores already from raiding the Halloween candy I've stashed away from the kids. Wish someone would stash it away from me!
Cheers,
Carrie
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
I can't tell you how it makes me jump with glee knowing how many of you have already run out and bought apples to make apple sauce. I have already had to buy 20 MORE because I can't even get the batch off the stove before it's been devoured. Maybe we should plan a day where we all make apple sauce on the same day. Just think how sweet our city would smell. Then again, maybe not.
Now, just in case you grow tired of making apple sauce but still have apples left, here's my little segment on AM Northwest yesterday where I give a quick demonstration on how to make an Apple Crostata (that is AMAZING....if I do say so myself) and I discuss my children's possible therapy needs in the future. To which my daughter commented after viewing it, "Thanks, Mom. Thanks a lot." Ah well, I can never be certain what might come out of my mouth when I think I'm funny.
If you do not see a video screen above this line, click here to be taken directly to the website.
A few of you have asked me where I purchased the apple peeler I used on the show. I happened to "impulse buy" mine at the New Seasons in Cedar Hills. For those of you who aren't in the Portland area and are interested in owning one, here's the link to it on Amazon.
Cheers!
Carrie
Editor's Correction: There was a mistake in the last posting by La Pomme de Portland. She incorrectly stated that her daughter received a text message from heartless teenagers, when in actuality that text message came from her father, entitled "Hanging with my Hommies", in an effort to be funny. La Pomme had to explain to her sweetie that his message was in no way funny to a 13-year old girl who already felt left out and now knows that her father was hanging out with her friends at the football game she wanted to be at. "Love ya, babe!"
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
Many of you may know that I spent my morning down at the AM Northwest studios, whippin' up Cowboy Caviar. That dip is always a hit and it didn't fail me today. The crew at KATU was gobbling it up. What I realized after the segment was over...of course...was what I had failed to mention.
Let me just say a word or two more about the tomatoes I was using this morning. "Oregon Star" (Not "Rio Star" as I said on the show.) Buy them once and you'll never go back to any other. I stumbled upon them a week or so ago at our local Zupans store on Burnside. After cutting into one and then subsequently devouring it, I decided that those bullet shaped tomatoes are everything one could ask for in a tomato. Bright red. Juicy. Meaty. (No mealiness here.) Seedless. Sweet...but not, too. Low in acid. Perfect for when you want a tomato without the sogginess such as on a sandwich. The next time I went into Zupans I chatted with Ron and Kelly, the friendliest produce guys I know, and they shared with me that the Oregon Star tomatoes are lovingly grown by Charlie Harris on his farm, Flamingo Ridge, out in Gaston, Oregon. Apparently, people come to Zupans (as well as the Hillsdale Farmer's Market) from all over Portland to get their hands on those delectable orbs. I don't doubt it. I can't wait to make some Pizza à la Julie with them. Makes my mouth water just thinkin' about it.
Also, we have discovered a few new ways to use Cowboy Caviar besides the ones I originally mentioned. Just tonight for dinner, I spooned it over a bed of green leaf lettuce, added a handful of cherry tomatoes and "voilà"...dinner. Today for lunch, my daughter put it between two slices of sourdough bread on which she had spread goat cheese. Lunch. And, last weekend, I had made my ragù for a crowd forgetting that one of my dear friends does not eat red meat....she spooned the Cowboy Caviar over pasta and again...dinner.
Anyways, should you be interested in seeing today's segment, I've attached the video below.
If the video screen does not appear above this line, click here to go directly to the website.
Oh, and one last thing....if that darn tootin' cute owl necklace that I was wearing today caught your eye (as opposed to my upper arms that need some serious work...gads,) you can find it on my dear friend April's webpage, here, along with so many other darling items.
Cheers,
Carrie
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
I don't know about you but I have found that one of the beauties of summer is the lack of a schedule. No early morning alarms. No dinner on the table at exactly 6:30 pm every evening. No driving around town with clenched teeth trying to get small person #1 here and small person #2 there...on time for some activity or another.
However....this lack of schedule tends to result...in my case...in a lack of anything at all getting done. Random piles start to multiply around the house. Envelopes edged in pink or yellow start showing up in the mailbox. ("Oh yeah...the bills.") Good manners head right out the door as I fail to RSVP to anything. I practically stop reading my email. It's as if summer hits, and my mind just goes on vacation for two months. Just last night I was playing Scrabble with my daughter who reminded me at 9:30 pm at night that I had recited earlier in the day, "I promise, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye..." that I would play Scrabble with her before the clock struck midnight. "Sighing" I saddled up to the table to play the 9-tile version and my mind went blank. There on my rack was A, E, O, U and B, R, S, L and N and the best word I could come up with was BURL which my daughter highly questioned as even being a word. (Looking at those letters right now, I'm still having a hard time coming up with anything else. Please feel free to leave any suggestions for me down below in case I'm coerced into future games of late night Scrabble while my mind is on strike. She'll never know...besides her mind is young and fresh. Mine is filled with cobwebs. It needs a little help.)
So, I guess where I'm going with all of this, is to share with you that somehow, in between unpacking from one summer excursion and trying to get ready for a second summer excursion, I did manage to get myself down to AM Northwest last Wednesday....on-time...for a live segment highlighting my "French Toast for Lazy Summer Days." I have no idea how I pulled it together but I did and it didn't turn out too bad. I even laughed....I also almost burnt the French Toast on live TV but ah well....you can't have everything.
In the interest of full disclosure, I do have to share with you that while I was down at the KATU studios, my dear sister and all the boys (hers and mine) were curled up on the couch watching my spot unfurl live. (The teenager was still sleeping.) At the point in the segment where I comment on how much my children like "the buffet", my 10-year old turns to my sister and says with a deadpan face, "Actually, I don't really like the buffet. I just want someone to serve me up and bring me my plate." I hope you will all back me up when I tell his future wife, "I tried."
If you do not see a video screen above this line, click HERE to be taken directly to the AM Northwest site.
My next trip down to AM Northwest will be 9 am on August 18th. Deep summer by then. Who knows what kind of shape my mind will be in by then.
All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010
