[chocomouse]

Today I made apple muffins, the first of many fall-flavored foods to be made I'm sure.

[chocomouse]

That spaghetti squash casserole does sound good, and I will try it. It's a lot healthier than my usual Pizza Spaghetti Squash recipe, which is just the spaghetti squash with all your favorite pizza toppings dumping on top. I'm struggling to remember to buy veggies at the grocery store. Usually, I just pick from my garden until late October's frost, but not this year. Basically, all that survived the drought is winter squash and tomatoes.

[chocomouse]

I prefer a lumpy sauce, too. After using the blender, it seems to be more suited for a creamy soup. And I don't get any pieces of skin after using the blender.

Mike, I've been told the process I use deactivates the enzyme Pectose which causes tomatoes to separate. I cook a couple of tomatoes on high heat, for a minute or so, and then gradually add the remaining tomatoes - carefully stirring, as they do burn easily. That seems to have worked.

[chocomouse]

Baker Aunt, how did you like the tomato sauce that included the tomato skins? I've been making the sauce that I freeze with the skins on - it saves a tremendous amount of time to not dip in boiling water and peel. But -- I then whiz the sauce with an immersion blender, so the skins completely disappear. Last year I made some pizza sauce with the skins on, and did not puree the sauce; we did not care for the sauce with the pieces of skin in it. The texture is not very pleasant.

[chocomouse]

Baker Aunt, how did you like the tomato sauce that included the tomato skins? I've been making the sauce that I freeze with the skins on - it saves a tremendous amount of time to not dip in boiling water and peel. But -- I then whiz the sauce with an immersion blender, so the skins completely disappear. Last year I made some pizza sauce with the skins on, and did not puree the sauce; we did not care for the sauce with the pieces of skin in it. The texture is not very pleasant.

[chocomouse]

What about a weekly question, posted every Wednesday (just for example). Something like What is one tool/utensil, baking pan, etc. you can't live without? Tell us about a utensil that sits in your kitchen drawer but never gets used? Or What is one ingredient that is always in your refrigerator? Or what is one ingredient you never, never would use? We could "sign up" to choose a week to post a question. Of course, I'm not intending that someone couldn't ask a "serious" question (like, for a certain kind of recipe) at any time. Mike should not have to do all the background work to enliven this forum. He does enough behind the scenes work to keep it going. Thanks Mike.

[chocomouse]

I have not bought any "store breads" for many years (except I do keep Sandwich Thins in tee freezer, for when I run out of bread; I'm still trying to replicate the Thins, but nothing is right yet), and I am including any bakery type products. I did meet up with friends, twice in the last year, at the KAF Cafe. Once I had a scone, and the other time an elephant ear. I was so disappointed - they were not good at all: dry, hard, no flavor, stale even, although they are fresh every day.

As for cutting bread out of a low carb diet? Amazing! A reasonable serving size can be good for you - loaded with healthy whole grains and good fats. On the other hand, a real pet peeve of mine is discussions of diabetic diets that cut out all sugar, but ignore carbs. Digested sugars turn to carbs, so diabetics need to monitor breads, potatoes, corn, etc - it isn't just about the frosting on the cake! Thanks everyone for getting me excited -- rant over!

[chocomouse]

Mike, we don't eat a lot of pickles either, and I finally tossed numerous jars I had in my basement too. But if I make just one quart at a time, and keep it front and center in the fridge, we do eat them. I've been on a kick (don't ask me why this year when I don't even have cukes in the garden!) trying out old recipes. Most of these pickles are different - somewhat mild, not really sweet, but not nearly as tart as dills, although I often include dill seed for flavor. Remember BigLakeJudy from the old, old Baking Circle? She had posted a great recipe that I do really like.

[chocomouse]

Today was a busy day of cooking, as I leave Thursday on a week-long trip. So I made Pasta sauce, Pesto, and Pickles! Pasta sauce to use up most of the ripe tomatoes, pesto to use up the last of the basil, and refrigerator pickles for a potluck tomorrow night, as a side for burgers and dogs. Unfortunately, I had to buy the cucumbers because the plants in my garden have produced only 4 cucumbers this summer. But we've now had a day and a half of gentle rain; I'm not sure how much, since my weather station seems to have stopped tracking rainfall, and it's been too wet to check my rain gauges on the deck!

[chocomouse]

How sad! It was so difficult to read about this in the newspaper. I cannot imagine. It sounds like the community members will provide much needed support for each other. And for that dear mother/wife. Wonky, I'm sure you will feed their hearts and bodies well.

[chocomouse]

I rarely grow eggplant, because my husband doesn't like it. I usually make ratatouille, also. Sometimes I've grilled it -- slice it lengthwise, about 1/2 inch thick and brush lightly with oil, and I sometimes sprinkle with a Penzey's seasoning. Careful -- it does absorb a lot of oil.

[chocomouse]

Today I made mushroom soup. Never mind that it was 93* with high humidity, I needed to use up those mushrooms. I'll have some for my dinner tomorrow night, and freeze the remainder for later.

Dinner tonight was chicken thighs on the smoker, with lots of leftovers from the garden and refrigerator: potato salad, corn on the cob, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions in Italian dressing, and steamed yellow squash.

[chocomouse]

And if you do lose power, is it likely to be for quite a while, not just a couple of hours? No cooling, no sump pumps - not good! Let us know how you are doing when you are able.

[chocomouse]

Yesterday we hosted a large corn roast for family and friends, so my cooking has focused on food for that: baked beans, hot dogs, refrigerator pickles, ingredients for s'mores, and of course - corn, lots of it. And everyone brought potluck dishes, too. Now we are eating leftovers, and freezing leftover corn. Ears that were roasted in the coals are great for corn chowder, the browned/burnt areas give it a nice smoky flavor.

[chocomouse]

Most of our humming birds have headed south, just a few stragglers here now. But in the 2-3 weeks preceding their long journey, they are all busy at the feeders and we have to refill almost daily. It's so sad to see them leave; it means the end of summer. Mike, is the ruby-throat the only variety you have in Nebraska? It's all we have here in Vermont.

[Author]

Posts