What to Eat When Mom's Away
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 5:24 PM
I’m actually away from home as I write this, sharing a quick overnight visit with a friend. A rare treat for me, and probably a different sort of adventure for my family at home.
This time I did not have the foresight or organization to prepare a dinner for them ahead of time. No meatloaf or casserole was sitting in the fridge for them to warm up. Defrosting a package of hamburger was the extent... READ MORE
As Corny As ...
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:33 AM
As corny as ... Kansas in August? How about as Pennsylvania in July?
Year ago, when I was a child, we had to wait until August for decent corn on the cob, since that was when local corn came ripe in my home state.
But over the years, earlier ripening varieties have been developed. In addition, newer types of corn holds their sugar content longer than formerly, so even the out of state stuff we’ve... READ MORE
What Do You Put In These Things?
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 10:20 AM
After putting on a very satisfactory July 4th barbecue, with leftovers to last much of the week, I’m really not feeling the need to try new recipes.
But here is something simple that might help some of us moms this summer ...
On my next trip to the dollar store, I’m going to pick up some popsicle molds and start experimenting. Back when all seven kids were at home, these molds were essential equipment. ... READ MORE
Berry Good
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 9:41 AM
I went with my youngest son for a walk last evening, bringing my camera along. We took a favorite path between a cornfield and a meadow, and discovered that the juicy jewels of summer — wild black raspberries — are ready for picking.
We’ll be back to this patch tomorrow, and several days thereafter, with pails in hand. These have ripened about a week earlier than usual, so I will be scrambling for... READ MORE
How Do You Build a Better Burger?
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 10:00 AM
I buy my beef by the half or quarter cow at a time. There’s lots of small farms around here, and I can see just by driving around that this is grass-fed, not corn fed beef. Practically organic, too: the scent of the fertilizer put on the hayfields around here is decidedly natural.
Anyway, my new order just came in, and the freezer is stuffed with hamburger and steak just waiting to sizzle on the... READ MORE
Fun in a Basket
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 10:00 AM
Summer time is picnic time, and not just the kind where you throw some sandwiches and drink boxes in a bag for an afternoon at the local park.
It’s also time for potluck picnics at Church, or family reunions, or block parties. The kind where someone says, “Are you bringing that special pasta salad or yours?” or maybe, “I hope you’re making your famous baked beans again—no one else’s tastes as good as yours.” Or perhaps, “if you’re bringing your lemon pie, I’ll be first in line to grab some before it’s all gone.”
Do you have a special picnic food that goes fast at summer gatherings? A super salad? A mouth-watering main course? A savory side dish? A delectable dessert?
If you are willing to share the secret formula for your wonderful creation, please do so in comments!
My Latest Appliance Crush
Posted by Danielle Bean in Food on Friday, June 10, 2011 9:22 AM
My parents bought me this pretty little thing
I am thrilled! And excited! And confirmed in my theory that true happiness comes in the form of kitchen appliances.
Just kidding.
Sort of.
Well, I am happy, and it has a little bit to do with the sweet machine kneading a 2-pound loaf of country white on my counter top right now.
I have been enthusiastically checking out the tips... READ MORE
What's In Your Potato Salad?
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 2:40 PM
Last week, on a warm afternoon around 4:00 pm, my husband says, “How about something simple and summery for dinner, like grilled hot dogs and potato salad?”
I had to remind him that potato salad is not exactly simple because it requires thinking about dinner much, much earlier in the day than I’m used to — which is normally around 4:30 or so. You have to boil potatoes and get them cooled off well... READ MORE
Cool Quenching
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Monday, June 06, 2011 12:00 PM
Ah-h-h-h-h! Thanks, Trista and Jaqueline!
My entire family — several of whom were positively allergic to the idea of drinking mere water — are now enthusiastically emptying this pitcher whenever I add cucumber, lemon, and orange slices to ordinary tap water.
This is one of many great ideas for cool summer drinks suggested by Faith & Family readers who contributed to our first first Culinary Wednesday thread.
I like to think that keeping this drink in a pretty glass pitcher also helped make it attractive to the family. It wouldn’t have looked nearly as attractive packaged in translucent white plastic, don’t you think?
I’m looking forward to trying all the others as well, especially JJ’s Spring Fling, now that my husband has returned from a business trip. There’s still time to post on the original thread if you didn’t have a chance to on Wednesday, or else post on this one if you have a special summer drink idea.
Share Some Summer Sipping
Posted by DariaSockey in Food on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 1:04 PM
After a recent post where I shared a favorite casserole recipe, comments included variations on my recipe (grill, crockpot), an entirely different favorite meal, and natrually, a question about whether this was meant to be a recipe sharing thread.
I asked Danielle whether we should try a new regular blog feature in which readers could share their favorites, and she thought this was a brilliant idea.... READ MORE
