Whipped cream, so light and airy, has many delicious uses. You can have it on top of your espresso drink or hot cocoa. Or on top of a fruity alcoholic drink. If frosting on cakes is too sweet for you, try whipped cream instead. Whipped cream + strawberries + Angel Food Cake = pure heaven. Of course, there are plenty of adult uses for whipped cream, but I'm trying to keep this blog family-friendly so you'll have to look those up on your own. And let's not forget that Ali Larter's character in Varsity Blues made a fashion statement out of whipped cream. You can try making a dress out of whipped cream but don't expect the outfit to last very long. (Plus, I belive shaving cream was actually used in the film.)
When thinking of whipped cream, what comes to mind? Is it Cool Whip in a tub that you have to scoop out with a spoon? Or is it the whipped cream that comes in a can and you can spray it out? Or do you make your own?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 4 = Spaghetti Day
January 4th is Spaghetti Day. Spaghetti is pretty much the only Italian food I know I like. (Yes, I like pizza, but from everything I've heard, pizza in Italy is nothing like the pizza in the US, so I can't say whether or not I like it.) Whole wheat noodles, thin noodles, thick noodles, plain tomato sauce, lots of herbs, sauce with meat, meatless sauce, vegetables, no vegtables... There are so many delicious possibilities with spaghetti.
My favorite way to make spaghetti? Well, whole wheat noodles to start. I've gotten past the whole "throw the noodle on the wall" thing to see if the noodles are cooked - I usually just eat one when I think the noodles are ready. For the sauce, I tend to go meatless (my friend calls me a "Sometimes Omnivore") but if I add meat, it's maybe an ounce or two of cooked, lean ground beef.
I have no real preference for sauce - storebought or homemade canned, I like it all. Ragu, Prego, Newman's Own, store brand... As long as it comes in a jar and is tomato based with no meat, I'll get it.. (Maybe because I add so much stuff...more on that in a bit.) I just don't get the spaghetti sauce that comes in a can - all that worry about BPA leaching into tomatoes.
Then the key to my spaghetti: veggies. Lots and lots of veggies.
If you were to look at the ratios of my spaghetti, it's probably 1 part noodles, 1 part tomato-based sauce, 0-.5 part meat, and 5 parts vegetables. I usually get a sauce with vegetables or mushrooms already, but then I always add my own. Onions and garlic are always added in. If I have fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers, they get added. Same with zucchini and other squashes. When I'm really lazy, I may just add a bag of frozen stir-fry veggie mix.
Now, it's time for my favorite veggie: peppers.
The hotter the pepper, the happier I am. Habañeros, Anaheims, fresh jalepeños - I love them all. If I don't have any fresh pepper, I'll add two or three tablespoons of crushed red pepper to my spaghetti sauce. Sometimes, I'll add some salsa, just for an extra kick.
How do you have your spaghetti?
My favorite way to make spaghetti? Well, whole wheat noodles to start. I've gotten past the whole "throw the noodle on the wall" thing to see if the noodles are cooked - I usually just eat one when I think the noodles are ready. For the sauce, I tend to go meatless (my friend calls me a "Sometimes Omnivore") but if I add meat, it's maybe an ounce or two of cooked, lean ground beef.
I have no real preference for sauce - storebought or homemade canned, I like it all. Ragu, Prego, Newman's Own, store brand... As long as it comes in a jar and is tomato based with no meat, I'll get it.. (Maybe because I add so much stuff...more on that in a bit.) I just don't get the spaghetti sauce that comes in a can - all that worry about BPA leaching into tomatoes.
Then the key to my spaghetti: veggies. Lots and lots of veggies.
If you were to look at the ratios of my spaghetti, it's probably 1 part noodles, 1 part tomato-based sauce, 0-.5 part meat, and 5 parts vegetables. I usually get a sauce with vegetables or mushrooms already, but then I always add my own. Onions and garlic are always added in. If I have fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers, they get added. Same with zucchini and other squashes. When I'm really lazy, I may just add a bag of frozen stir-fry veggie mix.
Now, it's time for my favorite veggie: peppers.
The hotter the pepper, the happier I am. Habañeros, Anaheims, fresh jalepeños - I love them all. If I don't have any fresh pepper, I'll add two or three tablespoons of crushed red pepper to my spaghetti sauce. Sometimes, I'll add some salsa, just for an extra kick.
How do you have your spaghetti?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January 3rd = Fruitcake Toss Day and Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day/Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day
Fruitcake Toss Day
Time for a confession! (Already?) I've never eaten fruitcake. Really. I've always been interested in trying some, since everybody claims fruitcake is terrible. I've thought about buying fruitcake, but somehow I got the notion that fruitcake is something you give - purchasing one for yourself would break some secret societal norm. So I've never had one.
Every year at the Holiday White Elephant party, a fruitcake (rumored to be the same one year after year) would put in an appearance. I never did end up with it and I always wondered about this persisting rumor that people regift fruitcake the next holiday season. As much as I would like to try fruitcake, there is no way in the world I'd eat one that was a year or more old.
So, if you have fruitcake leftover or fruitcake that you never opened, give it the old heave-ho today. It's probably too old to be safe, so toss it out.
Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day / Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day
Some sources say that today is Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day while others say it is Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day. I have never seen a chocolate-filled cherry and a quick bit of internet-sleuthing turned up nothing useful. It would be an interesting candy, though - maybe one day I'll have to try making it. I'll start with maraschino cherries (as chemically-soaked as they are, I do have a soft spot and smile-inducing memories for maraschino cherries) and then I could inject some chocolate cream inside (much lik with the cream puffs). Or...ooh! Even better! Start with fresh cherries, remove the pits, and place a couple of chocolate chips in the vacancy created by the pit. Maybe even roast them slightly to melt the chocolate. If anyone does this, please document the experiment for future generations.
Chocolate-covered cherries, on the other hand, are pretty easy to find, especially during the holiday months of August (when Christmas marketing begins) through February (Valentine's Day). There may even be some around during March and April (Easter). In honor of today, I ate half a chocolate-covered cherry from a box of See's chocolates (yes, I'm the kind of person who cuts all the chocolates in half to see what's inside).
Making chocolate-covered cherries is probably a great deal easier than making chocolate-filled cherries. Still, I think I'll give it a shot someday.
Time for a confession! (Already?) I've never eaten fruitcake. Really. I've always been interested in trying some, since everybody claims fruitcake is terrible. I've thought about buying fruitcake, but somehow I got the notion that fruitcake is something you give - purchasing one for yourself would break some secret societal norm. So I've never had one.
Every year at the Holiday White Elephant party, a fruitcake (rumored to be the same one year after year) would put in an appearance. I never did end up with it and I always wondered about this persisting rumor that people regift fruitcake the next holiday season. As much as I would like to try fruitcake, there is no way in the world I'd eat one that was a year or more old.
So, if you have fruitcake leftover or fruitcake that you never opened, give it the old heave-ho today. It's probably too old to be safe, so toss it out.
Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day / Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day
Some sources say that today is Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day while others say it is Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day. I have never seen a chocolate-filled cherry and a quick bit of internet-sleuthing turned up nothing useful. It would be an interesting candy, though - maybe one day I'll have to try making it. I'll start with maraschino cherries (as chemically-soaked as they are, I do have a soft spot and smile-inducing memories for maraschino cherries) and then I could inject some chocolate cream inside (much lik with the cream puffs). Or...ooh! Even better! Start with fresh cherries, remove the pits, and place a couple of chocolate chips in the vacancy created by the pit. Maybe even roast them slightly to melt the chocolate. If anyone does this, please document the experiment for future generations.
Chocolate-covered cherries, on the other hand, are pretty easy to find, especially during the holiday months of August (when Christmas marketing begins) through February (Valentine's Day). There may even be some around during March and April (Easter). In honor of today, I ate half a chocolate-covered cherry from a box of See's chocolates (yes, I'm the kind of person who cuts all the chocolates in half to see what's inside). Making chocolate-covered cherries is probably a great deal easier than making chocolate-filled cherries. Still, I think I'll give it a shot someday.
January 2 = Cream Puff Day
Well, Day 2 and I've already fallen behind schedule. Stayed out later than I anticipated, so now it's almost 2 in the morning on the 3rd. I figure if I get a post up before I go to sleep, it still counts as posted on the 2nd, right? Right? *crickets chirp*
Moving on...
January 2nd is Cream Puff Day. I believe cream puffs are a good dessert to make and impress people with for someone who doesn't cook often. Cream puffs are essentially puffy, airy, balls of choux pastry which are cut in half and filled cream. Some bakeries inject cream into the air pocket instead of cutting them in half. If you have some way to inject the cream, by all means, go for it. It's really all about presentation. Do you want the cream to be a surprise? Then injection, so the puff looks whole and unassuming. Do you want different layers visible? Then cut it in half and maybe use a cream tinted with food coloring for a stunning visual display. Sprinkle a little powder on top, maybe a little swirl of whipped cream with an edible flower on top.... Cream puffs can be so beautiful!
You can get really fancy with the simple cream puff. Anna the Red has a tutorial for making adorable Totoro cream puffs. Taste of Home shows that you can shape cream puffs into elegant swans. Sweet Kat's Kitchen has a tutorial for making bunny-shaped cream puffs. Next time I make cream puffs, I'll have to try to make them into something cute.
Moving on...
January 2nd is Cream Puff Day. I believe cream puffs are a good dessert to make and impress people with for someone who doesn't cook often. Cream puffs are essentially puffy, airy, balls of choux pastry which are cut in half and filled cream. Some bakeries inject cream into the air pocket instead of cutting them in half. If you have some way to inject the cream, by all means, go for it. It's really all about presentation. Do you want the cream to be a surprise? Then injection, so the puff looks whole and unassuming. Do you want different layers visible? Then cut it in half and maybe use a cream tinted with food coloring for a stunning visual display. Sprinkle a little powder on top, maybe a little swirl of whipped cream with an edible flower on top.... Cream puffs can be so beautiful!
You can get really fancy with the simple cream puff. Anna the Red has a tutorial for making adorable Totoro cream puffs. Taste of Home shows that you can shape cream puffs into elegant swans. Sweet Kat's Kitchen has a tutorial for making bunny-shaped cream puffs. Next time I make cream puffs, I'll have to try to make them into something cute.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
January 1 = Apple Gifting Day and Bloody Mary Day
January is: Bread Machine Baking Month, National Egg Month, National Hot Tea Month, National Meat Month, National Soup Month, National Wheat bread Month, National Oatmeal Month, and Prune Breakfast Month. Phew! That’s a lot of things, January! Eight, really, which is a good number to touch on each subject about once a week. In addition to the daily food-day topic, I’ll touch on one of the monthly theme.
Well, even if you aren’t in a structured school now, give an apple to someone in your life today. Surely there is someone who taught you something, right? And if not, why not just give an apple to your neighbor? Or even a basket of apples? Here are some ideas for celebrating Apple Gifting Day:
Bloody Marys, the alcoholic V8
Don’t rush out to buy a bread machine right away, though. If you are absolutely certain you’ll use your machine on a regular basis, go ahead and do the research and pick a machine with all the bells and whistles you want. (This site might be helpful for those looking for fancy bread machines.) But, for so many people, the bread machine gets used a couple of times (if it’s even taken out of the box!) and then it languishes on the counter or hidden away in a cabinet. If you’re not certain about how often you’ll use a bread machine, check out the local thrift stores, yard sales, and Craigslist. Multiple times, I’ve seen in-box, brand new bread machines at thrift stores for really cheap. If you use a rice cooker a lot, you could consider a rice cooker with bread baking capabilities. Remember, it just becomes a waste of money if you don’t use it.
Speaking of money and bread machine, the money blog Get Rich Slowly has an article about saving money by making your own bread. Check it out!
The Meredith calendar labels January as National Candy Month, but also lists June as National Candy Month. I love sweets, but I think it’s unfair to all those other delicious foods and most of my resources list June as National Candy Month, I’m not counting January as National Candy Month. Having two months in a year? Candy is just greedy.
In non-food month assignments, January is also Get Organized Month. Makes sense, this being the time of year most people are coming up with resolutions for the new year. I can only imagine that a lot of people decide to be clean and organized for the year…and that includes the kitchen! Occasionally this month, I’ll feature a tool, technique, or whatever I think of that is related to organizing your kitchen for optimum use.
Let’s get started!January 1 = Apple Gifting Day/Bloody Mary Day
In a lot of cartoons and old TV shows, it seems like there is always a teacher with an apple, presumably from a student. I’ve never given any of my teachers an apple and I don’t know of anyone who has. Have you ever given an instructor an apple?Well, even if you aren’t in a structured school now, give an apple to someone in your life today. Surely there is someone who taught you something, right? And if not, why not just give an apple to your neighbor? Or even a basket of apples? Here are some ideas for celebrating Apple Gifting Day:
- Give a basket filled with a variety of apples. Include a note describing each apple and what it is best for.
- Bake it. Why stick with just a whole apple? Why not bake an apple cobbler for the lady across the street? Or a brown betty for someone older than you? Or cookies for extended family? Or a quick bread?
- Make and can some applesauce. Canned goods look really good with a ribbon and bow.
- Go crafty! Give an apple-themed craft, maybe some jewelry or a nicely written and framed apple recipe?
- Think drink. Give a jug of apple cider with a packet of mulling spices attached with a ribbon. For the 21+ crowd: If you like to imbibe, or if your recipient does, try giving hard apple cider, apple wine or apple brandy. Cost Plus World Market has a pretty tasting mulling spices mix.
Bloody Marys, the alcoholic V8
Ok, so I’m probably the only person who thinks of Bloody Marys as “the alcoholic V8,” but really… aren’t they? Some people count Bloody Marys as their vegetables for the day. (I think this is the only way my friend Jared will consume tomatoes!) Due to currently not consuming alcohol, I won’t be testing any recipes out, but here’s a round-up of some useful and interesting websites about Bloody Marys.
- Wikipedia? Wikipedia! The website that most people hit up first has a pretty nice page about Bloody Marys. I am most amused about the history and how multiple people lay claim to creating it.
- My Big Fat Bloody Mary has a nice round up of Bloody Mary recipes. You can even submit your own.
- Hash House A Go Go is one of my favorite places to eat in San Diego and they make an award-winning Bloody Mary. This site reportedly has the recipe for Hash House A Go Go’s Bloody Mary.
January is Bread Machine Baking Month
If you like to eat a lot of bread, bread machines can be a really nice addition to your kitchen. If you like to bake your bread in the oven, you can use the bread machine to do all the kneading, saving your energy. Bread machines can be used to make pizza dough.Don’t rush out to buy a bread machine right away, though. If you are absolutely certain you’ll use your machine on a regular basis, go ahead and do the research and pick a machine with all the bells and whistles you want. (This site might be helpful for those looking for fancy bread machines.) But, for so many people, the bread machine gets used a couple of times (if it’s even taken out of the box!) and then it languishes on the counter or hidden away in a cabinet. If you’re not certain about how often you’ll use a bread machine, check out the local thrift stores, yard sales, and Craigslist. Multiple times, I’ve seen in-box, brand new bread machines at thrift stores for really cheap. If you use a rice cooker a lot, you could consider a rice cooker with bread baking capabilities. Remember, it just becomes a waste of money if you don’t use it.
Speaking of money and bread machine, the money blog Get Rich Slowly has an article about saving money by making your own bread. Check it out!
2012 Introduction
Did you know that every day is some sort of food holiday? More accurately, a food observation day? And every month is at least one food month? Using a calendar put out by Meredith College's Nutrition Department and various internet resources, I've put together my own food calendar of what each month and day is. My goal with this blog is to attempt a food related to the food observance of the day.
At least, that was the plan.
I hurt myself yesterday (seriously, a day before I start something like this? How inconvenient can I get?) and have a bandaged finger now. Trying to keep it dry and avoid alcohol while on meds puts a bit of a crimp in my plans for this blog. Plus, I have do everything a little slower now. But that's okay! Plans can be changed, and while I'm healing up, I'll do my best to provide you with a roundup with information for the day's food. Maybe even a recipe or two. Once I get full use (or at least less-limited use of my hand) I'll get some pictures up as I attempt recipes. In the meantime, this'll be a fairly drab blog with lots of text. Le sigh. But life tosses us curveballs and how we react to those is what defines us, no?
So, here's to 2012!
At least, that was the plan.
I hurt myself yesterday (seriously, a day before I start something like this? How inconvenient can I get?) and have a bandaged finger now. Trying to keep it dry and avoid alcohol while on meds puts a bit of a crimp in my plans for this blog. Plus, I have do everything a little slower now. But that's okay! Plans can be changed, and while I'm healing up, I'll do my best to provide you with a roundup with information for the day's food. Maybe even a recipe or two. Once I get full use (or at least less-limited use of my hand) I'll get some pictures up as I attempt recipes. In the meantime, this'll be a fairly drab blog with lots of text. Le sigh. But life tosses us curveballs and how we react to those is what defines us, no?
So, here's to 2012!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)