[chocomouse]

I baked Japanese Milk Bread (KAF). The first rise was just barely double after an hour, but the 2nd rise was better and there was tremendous oven spring. I doubled the recipe, but screwed up because I forgot to double the Tangzhong. However, the bread turned out fine.

[chocomouse]

Thanks, Rottiedogs. I did not blanch them, and we cooked them for probably closer to 15 minutes, with the grill about 400*. I will try again, when the next flush of beans becomes ripe.

[chocomouse]

We ate hamburger steaks and summer squash gratin. We did NOT eat the beans we roasted on the grill -- inedible! Yuk. I had drizzled them (green, yellow and purple) with olive oil, fresh minced garlic, and sea salt, and we cooked them in a grill wok. They were dry and shriveled, some chewy, some crunchy, but good flavor. Does anyone cook beans this way? I've read several recipes online, and it certainly seems like a simple process. Oh, and my husband and I grill/roast a lot of different veggies, so it's not like we are not experienced and haven't learned from some past mistakes!! I'd love any suggestions.

[chocomouse]

My spaghetti squash are in various stages at this point. All have had green stripes and are starting or have turned yellow. They are huge! Gigantic! I've never seen any this big in the stores. One would make 6 generous servings. BakerAunt, yes, you should cook at least one. Just pretend it's pasta, hot or cold, and add your favorite ingredients.

This morning I have frozen broccoli, green pepper strips, raspberries, and have a pot of tomato sauce simmering on the stove. I'm going to make a summer squash gratin for dinner, and a tomato tart for some lunches this weekend. The garden is producing nicely now - after a summer of drought for the first couple of months, followed by flooding rains, and over twenty days of temperatures in the 90s.

[chocomouse]

I had a tomato-lettuce sandwich on Frank Sands (KAF) white bread, but made with half whole wheat. My husband had the same, but with bacon. It was 97* today, our 3rd day above 90, with 72% humidity, and still no heat pump for air conditioning. Weather is supposed to change and be only in the mid-80s tomorrow.

[chocomouse]

We had salmon, summer squash, and tomatoes for dinner. And a later snack of a brownie with raspberry ganache.

[chocomouse]

Dinner tonight was ribs, corn on the cob, marinated cucumbers, and sliced tomatoes.

[chocomouse]

A small blueberry pie is better than no blueberry pie, Len! This morning I made zucchini brownies. I had planned to top them with a mint icing or glaze or something, but could not find any mint flavoring and didn't want to pick fresh mint to start from scratch. I spied an excess of raspberry flavorings, so used that with melted chocolate chips and a bit of half and half. My kitchen smells great!

[chocomouse]

BLTs for dinner. Tomatoes are small but flavorful. I cut the lettuce in a gentle rain, remnant of Henri. And the only effect we've had from Henri - no winds, no downpour, just a much needed 4 hour rain shower.

I'm going to search for that skillet chicken recipe, BakerAunt. Sounds good.

[chocomouse]

Sorry I moved you Len! But good to know you are not in the storm path. So far, we're fine here, on the northern edge of Henri predictions. No rain, not a drop. Breezy, like 7-8 mph winds, kind of nice in this heat.

[chocomouse]

I'm doubly glad we did not go to Michigan as planned, as we would be traveling back home through NY and MA in Henri's likely path of wind and heavy rain. We're still without our heat pump and have only the one old window AC. We were told that the ships are lined up in port on the west coast, loaded with the equipment and parts -- but there is no one to unload them. So we wait another few weeks, hoping. I'm back to staying at home, going out only for groceries, and wearing a mask. I'm fully vaccinated since last winter, and Vermont is one of the safest places to be, but I'm trying to stay healthy and also help out those who are not able to be vaccinated. I'm finding that about half of all shoppers and employees are once again wearing masks here.

[chocomouse]

We had corn on the cob, summer squash, and marinated cucumbers for dinner. That was a quick change in the menu -- I decided to save all the cold items, leftover salads, BLTs, for Sunday and Monday, in case we lose power in the storm. I hope anyone in the area of Henri stays safe (Len? maybe).

[chocomouse]

Lemon sugar cookies sound so good. Perfect with sweet tea on the porch - I know you'll have a good visit.

[chocomouse]

Assortment of salads tonight: seafood, broccoli, bean, marinated cucumbers, leftover potato.

[chocomouse]

I have a Lodge cast iron pizza pan and love how pizza or focaccia dough bakes on it - crispy bottoms. I haven't tried any sweet focaccia, but have a recipe that calls for halved grapes on top, and I'm tempted to try that. Grapes might not be as juicy as plums.

[Author]

Posts