Tonight I was on my own for dinner - hubby is working. I've fallen out of cooking lately, so doing anything - especially when I get home nearly at 9pm from work! - is rare. I had noticed that some cheese was getting that white crustiness so of course that needs to be eaten soon! When I came home - after salivating at the thought of this cheese and thinking how to make it more than just simple grilled cheese, I found we didn't really have bread.
Luckily, we had english muffins! For the record, I do not recommend using english muffins for grilled cheese. :( I had used the cut sides to be the outside of the sandwich - that meant the cheese oozed over the domed part. Not so easy to flip either. :P
The cheese I used... Oh the cheese! A pesto havarti!
How did I make it more than the run of the mill grilled cheese? Caramelized onions.
Aside from the fun of flipping and oozy, melty cheese all over the place it was the best darn grilled cheese I've had in a long time. :D
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Challenge wrap up
Amounts:
week 1 $28.98
week 2 $25.00
week 3 $54.49
week 4 $25.77
Total: $134.18
4 week average: $33.54
Allotted total for challenge: $200
Personal challenge total goal: $100
So, I on the whole did close to my personal challenge, but only made it once and still easily met the Challenge goals. I'm ok with this. :)
week 1 $28.98
week 2 $25.00
week 3 $54.49
week 4 $25.77
Total: $134.18
4 week average: $33.54
Allotted total for challenge: $200
Personal challenge total goal: $100
So, I on the whole did close to my personal challenge, but only made it once and still easily met the Challenge goals. I'm ok with this. :)
Week 4 Shop
We menu planned this week. Between that and the list we ended up buying:
2lb bag of bell peppers
1 package strawberries
2 green tomatoes
1 bunch green onion
2 loaves of whole wheat bread
1 leek
1 package of salad mix
6 yogurt cups
2 boxes of pasta
generic apple cider vinegar
2 dozen eggs
Last night I made a pie, this week we'll also be making a quiche and some crepes - all use lots of eggs! We'll also have stuffed peppers one night. We'll do a salad with the quiche and friend green tomatoes with the stuffed peppers. Yum. :)
Per the receipt:
We spent $25.77
Saevd $7.30 (only one coupon for the yogurt)
So we just missed my weekly goal but met the challenge goal.
2lb bag of bell peppers
1 package strawberries
2 green tomatoes
1 bunch green onion
2 loaves of whole wheat bread
1 leek
1 package of salad mix
6 yogurt cups
2 boxes of pasta
generic apple cider vinegar
2 dozen eggs
Last night I made a pie, this week we'll also be making a quiche and some crepes - all use lots of eggs! We'll also have stuffed peppers one night. We'll do a salad with the quiche and friend green tomatoes with the stuffed peppers. Yum. :)
Per the receipt:
We spent $25.77
Saevd $7.30 (only one coupon for the yogurt)
So we just missed my weekly goal but met the challenge goal.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Week 4
Week 4 we may redeem ourselves. There is very little we need. Looking at the prelist, there were only three items we would buy this week: bread, juice, and pasta. We'll see tomorrow when the final list is produced.
Week 3 Fail
We failed this week. Not just my personal challenge of $25/week, but also at the challenge of $25/person/week.
Why? Well, there was a (BOGO) sale on pasta, and we were seriously low - three boxes of noodles only. So, we stocked up - buying six, large, boxes. Same situation on cheese - we had no shredded cheese and there was a BOGO sale, so we stocked up.
Also, despite my asking every week while planning the list, if my husband is running low on or needs anything. He rarely states anything. But while shopping he realized he was out of tea, which he's been swapping to instead of coffee for caffeine but easier on his stomach, as well as baking powder and soda.
What did we buy?
6 boxes of pasta (BOGO)
1 bell pepper
2 boxes of tea
2 cans of baked beans (BOGO)
4 bags of shredded cheese
2 ears of corn
4 12packs of Coke (BOGO)
1 box baking powder
1 box baking soda
1 4pk yogurt
1 8pk smoothies
1 pk of beef kabobs (with veg)
The yogurt and smoothies were also a staple, I go through them every few weeks trying to have one or the other each day for dairy. Beans were to replace what we brought to a friend's for the 4th. The kabobs was totally a treat. We drink a lot of soda (I'm trying to cut back!) so whenever it is on sale, we get as much as we can.
Per our receipt, we spent $54.49 and saved $24.50.
There were multiple places we could have cut back to meet the challenge rules.
The kabobs and corn was one planned meal that week. The bell pepper was also for a recipe we had planned to make.
Why? Well, there was a (BOGO) sale on pasta, and we were seriously low - three boxes of noodles only. So, we stocked up - buying six, large, boxes. Same situation on cheese - we had no shredded cheese and there was a BOGO sale, so we stocked up.
Also, despite my asking every week while planning the list, if my husband is running low on or needs anything. He rarely states anything. But while shopping he realized he was out of tea, which he's been swapping to instead of coffee for caffeine but easier on his stomach, as well as baking powder and soda.
What did we buy?
6 boxes of pasta (BOGO)
1 bell pepper
2 boxes of tea
2 cans of baked beans (BOGO)
4 bags of shredded cheese
2 ears of corn
4 12packs of Coke (BOGO)
1 box baking powder
1 box baking soda
1 4pk yogurt
1 8pk smoothies
1 pk of beef kabobs (with veg)
The yogurt and smoothies were also a staple, I go through them every few weeks trying to have one or the other each day for dairy. Beans were to replace what we brought to a friend's for the 4th. The kabobs was totally a treat. We drink a lot of soda (I'm trying to cut back!) so whenever it is on sale, we get as much as we can.
Per our receipt, we spent $54.49 and saved $24.50.
There were multiple places we could have cut back to meet the challenge rules.
The kabobs and corn was one planned meal that week. The bell pepper was also for a recipe we had planned to make.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
On the nose! Week 2
I've been in a cooking mood and needed to get a few items. So even though Sunday is my grocery day, I went today. Luckily, my List comes out with an early version that I could work with.
I bought:
store brand yogurt
2 zucchini
ginger root and ginger powder (both running low)
2 boxes of cereal (BOGO)
4 cans of pasta (for quick meals)
1 bag of green beans
2 boxes of ice cream treats (BOGO)
limes
red onion
blue berries
We ended up spending exactly $25.00! And, based on the sales prices our receipt said we also saved $14.73. ;)
So far today I've made a batch of brownies and a no fat, no bake cream cheese pie with blue berries. Both of these are "thank you" items to coworkers. I'm also going to make a key lime pie just cuz, a corn chowder to use up grilled corn we haven't eaten yet, and a pasta salad to a work pot luck later in the week. I'll be posting later about the salad because it will be different. ;)
I bought:
store brand yogurt
2 zucchini
ginger root and ginger powder (both running low)
2 boxes of cereal (BOGO)
4 cans of pasta (for quick meals)
1 bag of green beans
2 boxes of ice cream treats (BOGO)
limes
red onion
blue berries
We ended up spending exactly $25.00! And, based on the sales prices our receipt said we also saved $14.73. ;)
So far today I've made a batch of brownies and a no fat, no bake cream cheese pie with blue berries. Both of these are "thank you" items to coworkers. I'm also going to make a key lime pie just cuz, a corn chowder to use up grilled corn we haven't eaten yet, and a pasta salad to a work pot luck later in the week. I'll be posting later about the salad because it will be different. ;)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Green Bruscetta
We had a green tomato to use up, as it would go bad soon. I decided to make bruschetta with it!
I coarsely chopped up:
the green tomato
onion
2 cloves garlic
3 large leaves of fresh basil
threw it all into my food processor with some drizzling of EVOO and basalmic vinegar, spun it a bit, then shredded cheese over it.
In the mean time I had some inch thick slices of a baquette that was drizzled with EVOO under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Once the bread was done, we spread the mixture on it and ate. Super yummy!
I coarsely chopped up:
the green tomato
onion
2 cloves garlic
3 large leaves of fresh basil
threw it all into my food processor with some drizzling of EVOO and basalmic vinegar, spun it a bit, then shredded cheese over it.
In the mean time I had some inch thick slices of a baquette that was drizzled with EVOO under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Once the bread was done, we spread the mixture on it and ate. Super yummy!
Week 1 Receipt
Before heading out we added the sale items soup @ hand (to keep at work for snack) and a baquette and basil for bruschetta with dinner that night.
As expected, the canned veg 4pack did not include creamed corn, but we got a can of it. So we stuck to the list.
We ended up spending $28.98. Technically, this meets the challenge requirements.
For the GGer in me, I also track savings. Between store sales, coupons, etc we saved $21.87.
As expected, the canned veg 4pack did not include creamed corn, but we got a can of it. So we stuck to the list.
We ended up spending $28.98. Technically, this meets the challenge requirements.
For the GGer in me, I also track savings. Between store sales, coupons, etc we saved $21.87.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Week 1 List
- Milk (need)
- raspberries (hubby loves and on sale)
- lemons (multiple uses, yay sale!)
- FL golden potatoes 5lb bag (on sale**)
- green beans (on sale*)
- juice (on sale**)
- 4pack canned veg (on sale**)
- frozen pizza (on sale**)
- frozen waffles (on sale***, with coupon!)
** Stock up item.
***Quick and easy item to break up our breakfast routine.
We'll see tonight if I bought any off list items and how much we spent. The canned veg I'm looking specifically for creamed corn, so if it doesn't come in that sale then we won't get it.
How I Grocery Shop
As mentioned previously, I have been working hard at the cost effectiveness of grocery shopping for a while now - three years!
Before then I would go when I needed something and generally just bought as much as I could with my budget and made the best of it. Three years ago I lived with my mother. However, I didn't like what she tended to eat, so I had my own groceries. :P Luckily, she had an additional fridge and a stand alone freezer that was the size of a refrigerator. I ate a lot of frozen meals. :P (I missed my having my own kitchen and felt weird cooking in her kitchen.)
When I moved out, I was very glad to have my own kitchen again. A friend had been doing the Grocery Game (GG) for a while and convinced me to join too. It's taken a lot of practice to really get good at this. Between the time to stock pile (really took over a year!) as well as learning I didn't really need to clip every coupon or buy everything because it was on sale. I've also tested out and found which of the potential five stores in the area I really like to use. I also occasionally make use of Coupon Mom, but, I like the GG format better.
Where do I shop? Mostly Publix, occasionally Kroger, and even more rarely CVS. My only GG list store is Publix. I don't get enough products at the other stores to justify the expense of those lists. And with three years under my belt, I can look at their ads and eyeball if the sale is worth it or not. Plus with fewer coupons I clip each week, I know what I have coupons for.
A big question I've seen asked of couponers is how are the coupons organized? Well, I prefer the binder method. I have a binder filled with baseball card holders that I break down into categories and sections. There is a section for each type of coupon insert (Red Plum, Smart Source, P&G, etc) as well as one for the Publix only coupons and another for my Kroger catalinas. Within each section there is a pocket for each type of coupon - dairy, condiments, frozen veg, meat, etc.
I've reached what is called the "cherry picking" stage, where I only cut a few coupons each week, I can chose which brands/products I want instead of the philosophy to get everything, regardless of brand/style/product to build up the stock pile. I've found this works better because while the "get everything" mentality got me to try a lot, I found some that I really do prefer (be it due to size, taste, or what have you) than others. Sometimes that preference is for the store brand/generic sometimes it isn't. Hey, I eat and use it, that's what it boils down to instead of having things sit around so I can say I have a stock pile. :P (I'm not saying others do that!)
What does my normal week look like? Sunday morning we get our paper delivered. I amble out to get it, poke through the articles and set aside the store fliers and coupon inserts. Once done with the paper, I go through the fliers and circle items we need or want (either for immediate use or the "stock pile") and if I eyeball think the price is decent. Then I go through the coupon inserts and only cut out the coupons I expect to use. I just clip per insert, create a pile, and then sort the pile into the appropriate binder section/pocket then move on to the next insert. (If there are more than one type of insert - say two Smart Sources - I'll go through them together before sorting the coupons into the binder. )
About once a month I go through the binder pockets and clean out any expired coupons. Even with only clipping what I might use, I still don't use them all before expiration. That was another growth stage/lesson to learn was I didn't have to buy an item just because I had a coupon and it was expiring. Yes, it may be an item I would use. But, in the end it is better to wait for the "rock bottom" pricing with the coupon and to "trust the list."
Once I'm all sorted, I'll log onto the internet and check The List from the GG. I compare it against the flyer, because there are times there are "regional differences" and what appears on The List isn't really on sale. I have to go on faith sometimes and edit in the store, because it may actually be on sale but just isn't listed in the flyer. ;) Once I have my GG list and pull the coupons that I need, I'll head to the store sometime that day. A hold over from living with mom, it was easier to shop Sunday nights - less people, the store has been restocked, and I can get in and out quicker and home before my Sunday night shows start. :P
If I am going to multiple stores, I go all at once. That way I'm only out shopping one day, and saving time/gas and all that jazz by combining my errands. :P
Sometimes I'll be smart and make menu options based on the flyer. Even if it is two or three meals to pick from that week. But, it isn't as big a deal since both my husband and I are better at just going to town with what we have on hand. That is where the stock pile comes in handy. :P Both in that we buy in bulk when cheap so if we run out of ketchup while making meatloaf one night, there is still another five bottles to available for hot dogs and beans another night that week; as well as we have a wide variety of items on hand at all times.
I find that I tend to buy more vegetables than anything else unless it is an item to stock up on. We have tons of rice, pasta, and meat. We do have a freezer chest to keep things in. Now that we are home owners, we also have a nice garden that has been helping us a bit too. But, like all things it is a learning process and we'll get better with it as time passes and have to buy less veg at the store. ;)
So, this is my basic process and theories that I will use in the next month. I'll share my lists, my expenses and savings, and maybe some of the meals/recipes. ;) I don't really expect much from the All You Grocery Challenge, since it isn't a challenge to eat healthy or not spend much or us. But, it's an excuse to write more and maybe something I write will help others. ;)
Before then I would go when I needed something and generally just bought as much as I could with my budget and made the best of it. Three years ago I lived with my mother. However, I didn't like what she tended to eat, so I had my own groceries. :P Luckily, she had an additional fridge and a stand alone freezer that was the size of a refrigerator. I ate a lot of frozen meals. :P (I missed my having my own kitchen and felt weird cooking in her kitchen.)
When I moved out, I was very glad to have my own kitchen again. A friend had been doing the Grocery Game (GG) for a while and convinced me to join too. It's taken a lot of practice to really get good at this. Between the time to stock pile (really took over a year!) as well as learning I didn't really need to clip every coupon or buy everything because it was on sale. I've also tested out and found which of the potential five stores in the area I really like to use. I also occasionally make use of Coupon Mom, but, I like the GG format better.
Where do I shop? Mostly Publix, occasionally Kroger, and even more rarely CVS. My only GG list store is Publix. I don't get enough products at the other stores to justify the expense of those lists. And with three years under my belt, I can look at their ads and eyeball if the sale is worth it or not. Plus with fewer coupons I clip each week, I know what I have coupons for.
A big question I've seen asked of couponers is how are the coupons organized? Well, I prefer the binder method. I have a binder filled with baseball card holders that I break down into categories and sections. There is a section for each type of coupon insert (Red Plum, Smart Source, P&G, etc) as well as one for the Publix only coupons and another for my Kroger catalinas. Within each section there is a pocket for each type of coupon - dairy, condiments, frozen veg, meat, etc.
I've reached what is called the "cherry picking" stage, where I only cut a few coupons each week, I can chose which brands/products I want instead of the philosophy to get everything, regardless of brand/style/product to build up the stock pile. I've found this works better because while the "get everything" mentality got me to try a lot, I found some that I really do prefer (be it due to size, taste, or what have you) than others. Sometimes that preference is for the store brand/generic sometimes it isn't. Hey, I eat and use it, that's what it boils down to instead of having things sit around so I can say I have a stock pile. :P (I'm not saying others do that!)
What does my normal week look like? Sunday morning we get our paper delivered. I amble out to get it, poke through the articles and set aside the store fliers and coupon inserts. Once done with the paper, I go through the fliers and circle items we need or want (either for immediate use or the "stock pile") and if I eyeball think the price is decent. Then I go through the coupon inserts and only cut out the coupons I expect to use. I just clip per insert, create a pile, and then sort the pile into the appropriate binder section/pocket then move on to the next insert. (If there are more than one type of insert - say two Smart Sources - I'll go through them together before sorting the coupons into the binder. )
About once a month I go through the binder pockets and clean out any expired coupons. Even with only clipping what I might use, I still don't use them all before expiration. That was another growth stage/lesson to learn was I didn't have to buy an item just because I had a coupon and it was expiring. Yes, it may be an item I would use. But, in the end it is better to wait for the "rock bottom" pricing with the coupon and to "trust the list."
Once I'm all sorted, I'll log onto the internet and check The List from the GG. I compare it against the flyer, because there are times there are "regional differences" and what appears on The List isn't really on sale. I have to go on faith sometimes and edit in the store, because it may actually be on sale but just isn't listed in the flyer. ;) Once I have my GG list and pull the coupons that I need, I'll head to the store sometime that day. A hold over from living with mom, it was easier to shop Sunday nights - less people, the store has been restocked, and I can get in and out quicker and home before my Sunday night shows start. :P
If I am going to multiple stores, I go all at once. That way I'm only out shopping one day, and saving time/gas and all that jazz by combining my errands. :P
Sometimes I'll be smart and make menu options based on the flyer. Even if it is two or three meals to pick from that week. But, it isn't as big a deal since both my husband and I are better at just going to town with what we have on hand. That is where the stock pile comes in handy. :P Both in that we buy in bulk when cheap so if we run out of ketchup while making meatloaf one night, there is still another five bottles to available for hot dogs and beans another night that week; as well as we have a wide variety of items on hand at all times.
I find that I tend to buy more vegetables than anything else unless it is an item to stock up on. We have tons of rice, pasta, and meat. We do have a freezer chest to keep things in. Now that we are home owners, we also have a nice garden that has been helping us a bit too. But, like all things it is a learning process and we'll get better with it as time passes and have to buy less veg at the store. ;)
So, this is my basic process and theories that I will use in the next month. I'll share my lists, my expenses and savings, and maybe some of the meals/recipes. ;) I don't really expect much from the All You Grocery Challenge, since it isn't a challenge to eat healthy or not spend much or us. But, it's an excuse to write more and maybe something I write will help others. ;)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
All You Grocery Challenge
After spending years doing the Grocery Game, tag teamed with Coupon Mom, I've built up great skills and a stockpile of dry goods and frozen food. J Money had tweeted about the All You Grocery Challenge. The basics are to spend $25 a week, per person in the household a week. Honestly, this isn't much of a challenge. :P
All entries and exit forms will be judged by All You's editors, based on the following criteria: Staying within contest spending guidelines (50%); creativity and ingenuity (25%); and healthy choices (25%). Spending guidelines are: spend no more than $25 per family member per week on groceries for four weeks.There are supposed to be ways to track spending, meals, etc. But those haven't been shared yet. I figure the best place to keep it all is here. :) It officially starts tomorrow!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Turkey Curry
Today I realized I am lacking in our good friends fruit. Now, I'm not a fan of many fruits nor do we keep many on hand. One thing we do keep around are are cranberries. Then I got the idea to combine cranberries with pine nuts and ground turkey. This precipitated a recipe search, and not finding anything I liked in particular, created something based on this.
Ingredients:
1.25" of fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp cardamon
1/2tsp cumin
1/2tsp coriander
1lb ground turkey
4oz dried cranberries
2 small onions, sliced
1 carrot
1 package couscous
1/2c frozen peas
1c chicken broth
2oz pine nuts
2oz olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Greek yogurt to taste
1. I started by sweating the garlic, ginger and pine nuts (to toast them). I think I should have actually saved this for closer to the end to get a better flavor punch from them.
2. I then added the onion and carrots until the onion was soft.
3. Once that was done, I should have taken everything out but didn't. I then added the turkey.Once the turkey was cooked through, I added the spices (which I had mixed and ground together with my mortar and pestle,) mixed it all together, added the broth, peas, cranberries, and couscous, gave it another mix, covered and took it off the heat.
4. After a few minutes, I spooned some into a bowl, and added salt and pepper to taste. I realized some yogurt might be good, so I added that too.
The result: the taste and smell is amazing! The smell was like stepping into an ethnic restaurant (take your pick of North Africa and midEast.) The taste was actually fairly mild, if complex.
Ingredients:
1.25" of fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp cardamon
1/2tsp cumin
1/2tsp coriander
1lb ground turkey
4oz dried cranberries
2 small onions, sliced
1 carrot
1 package couscous
1/2c frozen peas
1c chicken broth
2oz pine nuts
2oz olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Greek yogurt to taste
1. I started by sweating the garlic, ginger and pine nuts (to toast them). I think I should have actually saved this for closer to the end to get a better flavor punch from them.
2. I then added the onion and carrots until the onion was soft.
3. Once that was done, I should have taken everything out but didn't. I then added the turkey.Once the turkey was cooked through, I added the spices (which I had mixed and ground together with my mortar and pestle,) mixed it all together, added the broth, peas, cranberries, and couscous, gave it another mix, covered and took it off the heat.
4. After a few minutes, I spooned some into a bowl, and added salt and pepper to taste. I realized some yogurt might be good, so I added that too.
The result: the taste and smell is amazing! The smell was like stepping into an ethnic restaurant (take your pick of North Africa and midEast.) The taste was actually fairly mild, if complex.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Ghetto Chicken Cordon Bleu
Many years ago I learned this recipe when my father's wife's brother got married. His wife's family had this recipe for years and it is amazingly tasty.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of sliced ham
1 package of sliced cheese (Swiss preferred)
1 package Stove Top stuffing (you'll need 2tbs butter)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2tsp Dijon mustard
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cook stuffing per instructions
3. Trim chicken breasts and cut in half both ways (so that it is thin and uniform length/width)
4. Place slice of cheese and slice of ham* inside chicken and roll it up. (You can use a tooth pick to keep the shape. The best you'll get is a U anyways.)
5. Mix mustard into soup and pour over chicken
6. Spoon stuffing over top
7. Bake for 30 minutes
*I prefer chicken-cheese-ham so that the cheese doesn't melt out altogether and acts as an adhesive keeping the chicken and ham together.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of sliced ham
1 package of sliced cheese (Swiss preferred)
1 package Stove Top stuffing (you'll need 2tbs butter)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2tsp Dijon mustard
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cook stuffing per instructions
3. Trim chicken breasts and cut in half both ways (so that it is thin and uniform length/width)
4. Place slice of cheese and slice of ham* inside chicken and roll it up. (You can use a tooth pick to keep the shape. The best you'll get is a U anyways.)
5. Mix mustard into soup and pour over chicken
6. Spoon stuffing over top
7. Bake for 30 minutes
*I prefer chicken-cheese-ham so that the cheese doesn't melt out altogether and acts as an adhesive keeping the chicken and ham together.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Soup Recipe chosen!
A group I am a member of regularly holds large parties. At this up coming party, I've been chosen as the second to the main chef for The Big Meal. I also get to help out with a luncheon.
The group has been meal planning and submitting recipes. The chef (who is a restaurant owner) chose a soup recipe I submitted for the luncheon! This makes me very happy. :) And a bit weirded out as I haven't made it yet and I need to make enough to serve 100 people. I've never cooked that much before. lol
It isn't my recipe, though. I got it out of One-Pot Cooking. (I've made several recipes out of this book and they are easy and awesomely yummy!)
Lebanese Lentil Soup :: serves 4
4T Olive Oil
1 onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
1c lentils
1T finely ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp shredded lemon rind
4c beef broth
2T lemon juice
4 small handfuls of croutons
s&p
Heat half the olive oil, add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add lentils and stir until coated in the oil. Add cardamom, lemon rind, and allspicethen pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Blintz to coarse texture puree. Reheat and season to taste. Stir in lemon juice and remaining oil and garnish with croutons.
The group has been meal planning and submitting recipes. The chef (who is a restaurant owner) chose a soup recipe I submitted for the luncheon! This makes me very happy. :) And a bit weirded out as I haven't made it yet and I need to make enough to serve 100 people. I've never cooked that much before. lol
It isn't my recipe, though. I got it out of One-Pot Cooking. (I've made several recipes out of this book and they are easy and awesomely yummy!)
Lebanese Lentil Soup :: serves 4
4T Olive Oil
1 onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
1c lentils
1T finely ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp shredded lemon rind
4c beef broth
2T lemon juice
4 small handfuls of croutons
s&p
Heat half the olive oil, add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add lentils and stir until coated in the oil. Add cardamom, lemon rind, and allspicethen pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Blintz to coarse texture puree. Reheat and season to taste. Stir in lemon juice and remaining oil and garnish with croutons.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Three Olives Bubble Vodka Experiment
 |
Drink #1 : Bubble Bomb 2:30pm
 |
4oz energy drink
Served over ice, garnished with cherry.
Energy drink used: Archer Farms, green tea inused, sugar free raspberry
Flavor: Classic bubble-yum
Alcohol taste: slight
Vodka taste: none
Strength: strong
Initial taste brought a smile to my face. Need to keep stirring it to keep from settling. I can feel the energy drink, which I think is amplified a bit by the vodka. Definitely a sipping drink. I had a hard time finishing the drink - 45 minutes due the stregnth and the desire waned.
Bubbles: 4 out of 5
Drink #2 : Bubble-07 4:15pm
 |
2oz vodka
4oz lemon-lime soda
Served over ice, garnished with lime wedge.
Flavor: Classic wrigley's with a hint of bubble-yum
Alcohol taste: none
Vodka taste: moderate
Strength: moderate
It's ok, but, not as exciting as the bomb. I think part of this is because the soda I used was flat. I'm not a big fan of lemon-lime soda either. This one doesn't have to be sipped as much, I'm gulping it. ;) But, I'm still not sure I want to finish it. After 45 minutes I was half done the drink, had forgotten it, and just emptied the remainder down the sink.
Bubbles: 3 out of 5
Drink #3 : Bubble Drop 6:30pm
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1oz vodka
splash of lemon-lime soda
1 tsp sugar
Shake with ice and strain into shot glass. Dip lemon in sugar and serve as shot.
Flavor: shot faint bubblegum, then lemonade
Alcohol taste: none
Vodka taste: none
Strength: strong
I don't know if the ice melted too much while I cut the lemon or my "splash" was too much, but I got two (and a few drops) shots out of this. Absolutely fantastic! Normally I don't like shots, but I'd happily do several of these.
Bubbles: 5 out of 5
Drink #4 : Bubble Martini 8:45pm
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2oz vodka
1oz ginger ale
1oz cranberry juice
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Flavor: bubblegum wrapper with a side of rubbing alcohol
Alcohol taste: strong
Vodka taste: strong
Strength: moderate
I smelled the bubblegum before I even had the drink to my lips. The taste of alcohol was very strong, there was no hint of even cranberry and in the short time it took to shake, the carbonation of the gingerale (freshly opened can) had gone flat. It makes a pretty looking drink, but, is my least favorite of the bunch. This is sad because normally I love martinis.
Bubbles: 1 out of 5
Friday, January 22, 2010
Bubble Vodka
*I am not paid for any of my posts.*
An online group I am a part of uses bubbles as an emblem. We recently found that there is a "bubble" vodka made by Three Olives. I've decided to make it my mission to buy a bottle and evaluate it straight as well as with the three recipes provided on their website. I thought this would make a great addition to our groups monthly newsletter, and might as well share it here too! Look for the results Sunday. :)
An online group I am a part of uses bubbles as an emblem. We recently found that there is a "bubble" vodka made by Three Olives. I've decided to make it my mission to buy a bottle and evaluate it straight as well as with the three recipes provided on their website. I thought this would make a great addition to our groups monthly newsletter, and might as well share it here too! Look for the results Sunday. :)
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