tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80835266091190927272024-02-18T19:42:49.871-08:00Frugal FoodieLara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-30169179642278317922010-07-18T15:55:00.000-07:002010-07-18T22:56:03.319-07:00When Life Gives You Lemons...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFfkfqc7DdZ4d1ZpZJHJ3_IS9_TP9jD_F5KDuLjgI4CdXZ16Dw_PfUGj6OrNvhZi7Mi2S92FaAdf7Bv3MiqxxhT1A0WhmcAn7GDjh2HWurpkRnBrB9MmKin5fxIwEmURdal2HrQBy1pM/s1600/Lemon+Snow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFfkfqc7DdZ4d1ZpZJHJ3_IS9_TP9jD_F5KDuLjgI4CdXZ16Dw_PfUGj6OrNvhZi7Mi2S92FaAdf7Bv3MiqxxhT1A0WhmcAn7GDjh2HWurpkRnBrB9MmKin5fxIwEmURdal2HrQBy1pM/s400/Lemon+Snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390568284986546" border="0" /></a><br />... make Lemon Snow!<br /><br />I grew up in Los Angeles, which if not the land of milk and honey, is definitely the land of lemons and avocados. Almost all social gatherings included an exchange of surplus, and I pretty much figured that they were always free.<br /><br />Imagine my shock when I moved out on my own to San Francisco, and was expected not only to pay for lemons and avocados, but to pay through the nose! Luckily, for the past two years I've lived in a home with a prolific lemon tree that thrives on benign neglect.<br /><br />A few weeks ago I got up the gumption to pick a lot of lemons and spend an hour or so zesting and juicing. I used some of the juice for making lemonade for the boy to sell at our recent yard sale (yes, I squeezed the lemons and make the lemonade, and he kept the profits. I've got to fire my agent) Making the lemonade was not without its hazards - see the end of this post for what will go down in Starr family legend as <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lemonade Story.</span><br /><br />While sales at the boy's stand were brisk (a few senior citizens even tossed him a couple of bucks extra as a reward for my, I mean his, industriousness) there was some leftover at the end of the day, which we froze in ice cube trays<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYPsE-VILnMipDA_kNOwLk0scHCD24J2x-CpUvZb3QJXDiPzvxq0LKAT8zX_tKk4CuT5VbFHeDpYdFhjiwDJ2OBA29AGa8b-IP7IV4Enm3Dz-KPy4NAI7hxVXdmzuAmYG0ziwdQBUIsY/s1600/Lemon+Snow+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYPsE-VILnMipDA_kNOwLk0scHCD24J2x-CpUvZb3QJXDiPzvxq0LKAT8zX_tKk4CuT5VbFHeDpYdFhjiwDJ2OBA29AGa8b-IP7IV4Enm3Dz-KPy4NAI7hxVXdmzuAmYG0ziwdQBUIsY/s400/Lemon+Snow+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386287294863746" border="0" /></a><br />Today I made the kid and his pal a treat of Lemon Snow - both to reward them for playing nicely all afternoon, and to kill the last 15 minutes before the designated Wii time<br /><br />To make Lemon Snow, fit your food processor with the grater attachment<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7T7WFwkYXElcoI0_kytiOxMRqYurhTul0tsniCfovRGLaF5sQ3ujVLJ1p3ipTZgqsYENn1DkxK1Krzbh-MIdJ6B6S624UHkrRYUGY7ZtMhvQ-pFqyDWIIBQcZb93x1hkZfA6feCtpE/s1600/Lemon+Snow+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7T7WFwkYXElcoI0_kytiOxMRqYurhTul0tsniCfovRGLaF5sQ3ujVLJ1p3ipTZgqsYENn1DkxK1Krzbh-MIdJ6B6S624UHkrRYUGY7ZtMhvQ-pFqyDWIIBQcZb93x1hkZfA6feCtpE/s400/Lemon+Snow+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386824545964290" border="0" /></a><br />Pass lemonade ice cubes through the feeder tube<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K6oh0YJS3Kg_riIEPVbtk4EAsyMXAIaA5_H_T8JVttkRblx4EvH-Acj6KC8ajWew6yVX_WuOkXqq-9sa6p3aTJrrZfvAVCKxFiDx4Liu9IpdIOnLuWl2KKxdXqm5V0_IJFzGTEEs1XM/s1600/Lemon+Snow+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K6oh0YJS3Kg_riIEPVbtk4EAsyMXAIaA5_H_T8JVttkRblx4EvH-Acj6KC8ajWew6yVX_WuOkXqq-9sa6p3aTJrrZfvAVCKxFiDx4Liu9IpdIOnLuWl2KKxdXqm5V0_IJFzGTEEs1XM/s400/Lemon+Snow+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387008312864450" border="0" /></a><br />Et Viola! Fluffy, cold, sweet, tart lemon snow<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryLqSYKlze2tuS3fZd_CeZ5JHlgIl34gKuKtx9DcXKBeq9b1vD0dVziwgmUvD8Gq7-jvWEPXGKel3HUtO7hfVX1hc1dbm_ZyNj6elnphn7n1V6U571ZYgD6ot7z00bI6wI6QverDkE7o/s1600/Lemon+Snow+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryLqSYKlze2tuS3fZd_CeZ5JHlgIl34gKuKtx9DcXKBeq9b1vD0dVziwgmUvD8Gq7-jvWEPXGKel3HUtO7hfVX1hc1dbm_ZyNj6elnphn7n1V6U571ZYgD6ot7z00bI6wI6QverDkE7o/s400/Lemon+Snow+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495387279187259186" border="0" /></a>For the kids, I piled it into a cup, added a slash of lemonade, and served it to them with Slurpee spoon-straws. For grownups, I'd add a shot of cold vodka.<br /><br />And now...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lemonade Story</span><br /><br />I made my first genuine batch of old-fashioned homemade lemonade<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2/3 cup sugar</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1 cup water</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">zest of 1 lemon</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2 quarts water</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Add the sugar, water and lemon zest in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let the syrup cool, and strain out the lemon zest. Combine the syrup, juice and water in a large pitcher and chill. Serve over ice</span><br /><br />I'd made it in a gallon jug with a spigot and added sliced lemons. It was picture-perfect! I placed the jug in the fridge and spent 10 minutes or so cleaning up the kitchen. I went to put something else in the fridge and the lemonade was.... GONE!<br /><br />There was only an inch or two in the jug. I hadn't left the kitchen, and no one else had come in or out. Can you guess what happened?<br /><br />The shelf in the door of the fridge had activated the spigot, and the lemonade had flowed out and filled the fruit crisper drawer! Can you believe it? I was definitely glad it hadn't flowed onto the floor, but it was still a big ol' mess to clean up, and a waste of "free" lemonade which had been pretty darn time consuming to make.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-63430743972008935412010-02-08T21:40:00.000-08:002010-02-09T22:40:16.221-08:00Have you seen my bagel?Some might call me a caffeine addict, I prefer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rea-yBgOSo">coffee achiever</a>. I drink strong black coffee and plenty of it. I can't indulge in the truly gourmet coffee and still afford to keep a roof over my head, and I'm not about to drink the swill they sell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-ground at the grocery store. Trader Joe's French Roast beans fall right in the middle, and comes in these cool cans:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz19P4TAtAqVsK-2mKINUZvPMb5kWWcbAfiBOJgISEhlF1gYGgebng4Z5psqr4wG7MZnBd7gqGqKfbHiJb5K0k-vpbE-7ZLon1hR4DakNRd87OPDBsEVHZLzbfWhHhHw8jAQ8udXuXjRM/s1600-h/Bagel+Holder+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz19P4TAtAqVsK-2mKINUZvPMb5kWWcbAfiBOJgISEhlF1gYGgebng4Z5psqr4wG7MZnBd7gqGqKfbHiJb5K0k-vpbE-7ZLon1hR4DakNRd87OPDBsEVHZLzbfWhHhHw8jAQ8udXuXjRM/s400/Bagel+Holder+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436115907815741986" border="0" /></a><br />John Starr came up with a nifty idea that solves two of our breakfast-related <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dilemmas</span>: how best to store bagels, and what to do with the empty coffee cans:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gHGRQO_2s4R8jpUjSGTBY1VhQ8qDwIj77c1ww1LXWhvxoOC4P7ydg0Jcsuv0LJFLtJBZ94adOk_DPY3_-ndlKnh9PrMT3qWGuhB-KktbYE3S5F0mu1ey490F8WzveR7v4fHTdPjjdQ/s1600-h/Bagel+Holder+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gHGRQO_2s4R8jpUjSGTBY1VhQ8qDwIj77c1ww1LXWhvxoOC4P7ydg0Jcsuv0LJFLtJBZ94adOk_DPY3_-ndlKnh9PrMT3qWGuhB-KktbYE3S5F0mu1ey490F8WzveR7v4fHTdPjjdQ/s400/Bagel+Holder+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436116573028866034" border="0" /></a><br />Viola!<br /><br />You can even peel off the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TJ's</span> label ....<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSasw2-Io4ujCSXPc9xcS7ewBKjI-b48hbqJIMbPUJsH05xUS8dtaJqcIS3w3SBUUoq8c8BOSxvCq_7A1aB4wM-hcyQuV2qyohpzFCLokufCqhmkR5_wCIeMcGkfiIuc0Ax0mghRVy-xI/s1600-h/Bagel+Holder+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSasw2-Io4ujCSXPc9xcS7ewBKjI-b48hbqJIMbPUJsH05xUS8dtaJqcIS3w3SBUUoq8c8BOSxvCq_7A1aB4wM-hcyQuV2qyohpzFCLokufCqhmkR5_wCIeMcGkfiIuc0Ax0mghRVy-xI/s400/Bagel+Holder+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436116450030435362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And make your own!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj51ohsShxAsfdLrH_K_VAtJR-sNhrm87Osb2yioP_LCWUvc66OgDDs2w9IoJz__itKgx3_KsyBN5QhZqxqeiDzaoq8QG4elAAwfzFB_IqiOp4cTLNv4yTrTD4DUFySEKMOXXP1mNABg/s1600-h/Bagel+Holder+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj51ohsShxAsfdLrH_K_VAtJR-sNhrm87Osb2yioP_LCWUvc66OgDDs2w9IoJz__itKgx3_KsyBN5QhZqxqeiDzaoq8QG4elAAwfzFB_IqiOp4cTLNv4yTrTD4DUFySEKMOXXP1mNABg/s400/Bagel+Holder+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436116966701114658" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-26587012643473552022010-01-20T20:34:00.000-08:002010-01-20T21:44:08.218-08:00This is the Happiest Day of My Life!I started using these Ziploc 3-compartment containers for the boy's lunch back when he was in preschool. (with props to Mr. Starr, it was he who first spotted these things at the store)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTNHJ80xvlY-4u_BhqhsfKGwVR3S_C2f0rnM441LDW26WHoRp3WR3zb7NFfR6FdF1t-bzpEOCBTvOusjgTbHEp-opPDUCFEYLalLE2hWK2UKfAQnRPUZ4P_VSMHUXqNdKLjBmIM7RqY/s1600-h/Ziploc+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTNHJ80xvlY-4u_BhqhsfKGwVR3S_C2f0rnM441LDW26WHoRp3WR3zb7NFfR6FdF1t-bzpEOCBTvOusjgTbHEp-opPDUCFEYLalLE2hWK2UKfAQnRPUZ4P_VSMHUXqNdKLjBmIM7RqY/s400/Ziploc+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429049967972284850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are the ULTIMATE lunch container. Cheap, easy to wash, holds a variety of food and plenty of it. No baggies, no millions of little containers to wash and dry before you can make a new lunch and the lids are easy for the kid to remove and replace.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QHa7N65JK4zG1yPLj5l_ycEjElRq-DOSpGflfcFeXn0imJ19ZPPhG9gCQQWQf6t_x6-H6c-m5HfNCF_rZKRqPlGH2PzFQgFiohoCzqRG9_Ub7COOtwBKH9Gye8QYDVpENI6FmuVlm-A/s1600-h/Ziploc+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QHa7N65JK4zG1yPLj5l_ycEjElRq-DOSpGflfcFeXn0imJ19ZPPhG9gCQQWQf6t_x6-H6c-m5HfNCF_rZKRqPlGH2PzFQgFiohoCzqRG9_Ub7COOtwBKH9Gye8QYDVpENI6FmuVlm-A/s400/Ziploc+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429050196762322498" border="0" /></a> AND they fit perfectly in a lunch box.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7ZZ22vGqzUTdpN1c8pJ5vtgbaETZlPoKk57E-wGlFJjKLVOivkNgCOjbf5fGlWzTR-mXqRiKaST1xLXVxU_yBmosyJDx1oix6tsQrKZisfOMTvwGdkhgALIgVPOkSgvM2cwPuM82-A0/s1600-h/Ziploc+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7ZZ22vGqzUTdpN1c8pJ5vtgbaETZlPoKk57E-wGlFJjKLVOivkNgCOjbf5fGlWzTR-mXqRiKaST1xLXVxU_yBmosyJDx1oix6tsQrKZisfOMTvwGdkhgALIgVPOkSgvM2cwPuM82-A0/s400/Ziploc+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429050449499830338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then, when he was in Kindergarten, the unthinkable happened. Ziploc stopped making them. I'd been dutifully washing the ones I had, but every once in a while a lid might tear or the boy might lose one. No problem, $2.50 and a trip to Safeway and I could get more, right? WRONG!<br /><br />I scoured every store I could. I looked on eBay. I sent a queries out on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Freecyle</span> and Craig's list. I enlisted friends and family far and wide in my search. I even wrote to Ziploc (they sent me the standard "crazy lady" letter and a few coupons). I freaked out a bunch of senior citizens when I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">squealed</span> - yes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">squealed</span> - upon spotting one at a yard sale. I poured my tale of woe to my friend Deborah at lunch one day and she said, "I think I have some of those at home, I'll send them too you" -I practically jumped her I was so excited. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Except</span> for those two infusions, I've been washing and drying the same two containers for the past 6 years. John Starr will go no where near them - he's not gonna get blamed when the last lid breaks.<br /><br />And then... and then... tonight I get home and there are two brand new packs of Ziploc 3-compartment containers on the counter! John had been to the store and had dutifully done the usual check in the vain, valiant hope that they'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">reappear</span> on the shelves. And today, my prayers were answered.<br /><br />I don't know what you use to pack your kid's lunch, but it's nowhere near as efficient as in these lidded trays. Run, don't walk to a store near you and get some - while you still can!<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b57e9904aa0cf94"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-73269708864042330842009-11-21T15:47:00.000-08:002009-11-21T18:22:48.708-08:00Cooking "Naked" on The View from the BayA View from the Bay is a live, local talk show here in San Francisco. I was thrilled to be invited on to demonstrate a recipe from The Frugal Foodie cookbook<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LJihJz8KDCQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LJihJz8KDCQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LJihJz8KDCQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><br />I let the boy play hooky to come to the studio with me - he had a ball and everyone at KGO was so super nice to him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzgKP5QY4jGQaJuDh63HX1H7Ve44JMPoqMQ-L_OqJvj3UAIhVdXENZUfGXOx0LBzZRNfHj9SvoG6r0957wzrpgyWRrTzVavAXIvTl0HWnBuW6l_g9kDzdsaWaNeNhyphenhyphen6w9lHdnheddRec/s1600/KGO+November+2009+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzgKP5QY4jGQaJuDh63HX1H7Ve44JMPoqMQ-L_OqJvj3UAIhVdXENZUfGXOx0LBzZRNfHj9SvoG6r0957wzrpgyWRrTzVavAXIvTl0HWnBuW6l_g9kDzdsaWaNeNhyphenhyphen6w9lHdnheddRec/s400/KGO+November+2009+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406709281788793730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEAZW9SBPJAVQTo6GsB9dEFiPmsDn4IvFmALRyXAbkwBY6Qg7D8NYOiNAqrv-jhedRliYltPGNmdIYAk8gDeNOBj8VgM8NoRz7obGaiQsrNeGJWJJvi73enEk2k4sBm_bADo_IVWiiQQ/s1600/KGO+November+2009+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEAZW9SBPJAVQTo6GsB9dEFiPmsDn4IvFmALRyXAbkwBY6Qg7D8NYOiNAqrv-jhedRliYltPGNmdIYAk8gDeNOBj8VgM8NoRz7obGaiQsrNeGJWJJvi73enEk2k4sBm_bADo_IVWiiQQ/s400/KGO+November+2009+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406709396350105746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's the full recipe - and a lovely photo of the dish taken by <a href="http://ajaphoto.com/">Steve Aja</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkQiys1yj2fQHsaKTF_A-wMnYktBCsjuZTh-KEYJ8p-8gBG5BNQ5V4xV9XCbHO4PpATm-zmQjr-I5v5iJ4Io4QvZKOiJLVUBO_kUop5QjrGZoyTXFeqrtsR8FscpunloDFq1Z64idNqE/s1600/_DSF1085proofs_Green+Goodness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkQiys1yj2fQHsaKTF_A-wMnYktBCsjuZTh-KEYJ8p-8gBG5BNQ5V4xV9XCbHO4PpATm-zmQjr-I5v5iJ4Io4QvZKOiJLVUBO_kUop5QjrGZoyTXFeqrtsR8FscpunloDFq1Z64idNqE/s400/_DSF1085proofs_Green+Goodness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406710016801911090" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;color:black;" > <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Green Goodness </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >Naked Quiche</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Save time and money by leaving the crust off your quiche, and spend your effort and dollars on yummy fillings. A thin coating of breadcrumbs helps the quiche release easily from the pie plate, and browns to an attractive golden color.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, kale, or </span></span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258847870_7" >collard greens</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">, thawed and drained or 1 pound fresh greens such as spinach, kale, chard, escarole, arugula, chicory, or collard greens</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2 </span></span><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258847870_8" >tablespoon olive oil</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">1 cup finely sliced </span></span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258847870_9" >green onions</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">4 eggs, beaten</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">1 cup milk</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2 cups </span></span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258847870_10" >shredded Swiss cheese</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">¼ teaspoon salt</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">1/8 teaspoon freshly ground </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258847870_11" >black pepper</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Preheat oven to 350°F.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Butter a 9-inch glass pie plate and coat with the dry breadcrumbs. First, prepare the greens. If using frozen, thaw the greens completely. Place in a fine strainer and press with a wooden spoon to remove as much liquid as possible. If using fresh, soak the greens in cool water. Drain, and trim all tough stems and less-than-fresh leaves. Chop coarsely. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the greens for 1 minute. Drain in a fine strainer and press with a wooden spoon to remove as much liquid as possible. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook for 3–4 minutes. Stir in greens and continue cooking for 5–7 minutes until any remaining liquid has evaporated. In a large bowl, combine eggs and milk. Add cheese, greens, salt, and pepper, and stir to blend. Transfer to prepared pie plate. Bake until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Serves 6.</span></span><br /></span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-27603868808873039882009-11-08T16:09:00.000-08:002009-11-08T16:47:52.267-08:00Crabby Patties - and a give away, kittens!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJPTWIhC7YcpgncSnIeTRl_lNwoq1TxAYtO99EcVa2JxP9Y-WT_GClegL_Fp5DPY4mBSpAUx-A6VRhpgur_W1sP_nhA6yojIY4kSajYBqPBRLzGcPfbRsuVis8icvVGpx6oE6YL6ECw/s1600-h/Crabby+Patties+and+Chicken+Rolls+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJPTWIhC7YcpgncSnIeTRl_lNwoq1TxAYtO99EcVa2JxP9Y-WT_GClegL_Fp5DPY4mBSpAUx-A6VRhpgur_W1sP_nhA6yojIY4kSajYBqPBRLzGcPfbRsuVis8icvVGpx6oE6YL6ECw/s400/Crabby+Patties+and+Chicken+Rolls+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401896848499147394" border="0" /></a><br />OK, they're not really Crabby Patties, but when you live with a 10 year old you can't help but think "Crabby Patties" when you've got round, fried seafood cakes. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Squidward</span> WISHES his were this good!<br /><br />The fine <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">folks</span> at <a href="http://www.safcolusa.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Safcol</span> </a>sent me samples of their canned salmon and tuna to try. Since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Safcol</span> comes in lots of tasty flavors - Lemon Pepper, Tomato Basil, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chipoltle</span>, Spicy Chili, Cajun - I wanted to use it for something more than a run-of-the-mill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sammi</span> filler. My mind turned to crab cakes - which I love, but never make because good crab is so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">spendy</span>. Subbing tuna or salmon is a yummy and frugal alternative. Are you ready, kids? Let's make:<br /><br />Salmon Cakes with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Aioli</span><br /><br />1 egg + 1 egg yolk<br />1/4 teaspoon sea salt<br />4 minced garlic cloves<br />1 cup olive oil<br />squeeze of lemon juice<br /><br />1 egg<br />1/4 cup <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">aioli</span><br />1/2 cup green onions*<br />1/2 teaspoon herbs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">de</span> Provence<br />3 6oz. cans <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Safcol</span> Lemon Pepper Salmon, drained (about 9 oz)<br />2 cups fresh bread crumbs (made from sturdy bread)**<br />1 teaspoon sea salt<br /><br />Oil for frying<br /><br />First, make the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">aioli</span>:<br /><br />Put all of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ingredients</span> into the bottom of a 2-cup <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Pyrex</span> measuring cup. Plunge a stick blender to the bottom of the cup. Turn on the blender, leaving it on the bottom while the mayo thickens. As it thickens, move it up a bit to incorporate all of the ingredients. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.<br /><br />Chick here for a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X53OCdAsvL8&feature=related">video </a>on this technique<br /><br />(Don't have a stick blender? Get one! They're not expensive, will last you forever, and are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">indispensable</span> in the kitchen. I'll never make mayo/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">aioli</span> any other way. And they're the best for making quick & easy veggie soups)<br /><br />To make the patties:<br /><br />In a medium bowl, blend the egg, 1/4 cup of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">aioli</span> you just made, green onions, and herbs. Add the salmon and 1 cup of the bread crumbs. Blend until incorporated.<br /><br />Using a tablespoon, form the mixture into flat patties. Chill for 1/2 and hour or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">overnight</span> to make ahead.<br /><br />Place the remaining 1 cup of bread crumbs on a plate and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">sprinkle</span> in the sea salt. Drop a patty into the crumbs, cover with crumbs and press to coat. Place the covered patty back on the plate. Continue with the remaining patties. Chill for 1/2 an hour.<br /><br />Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch covered skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 of the patties and cover the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn, cover and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">covered</span> with 2-3 layers of newspaper and 1 sheet of paper towel to drain (why? because its cheaper than 2-3 layers of paper towels!)<br /><br />Serve with the rest of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">aioli</span><br /><br />Makes 18 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">nibbly</span>-sized patties<br /><br />The gears of my brain are turning with other ways I can season and flavor seafood patties. But yours is too. And to get you started, I've got 10 sampler packs of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Safcol</span> Tuna and Salmon to give away - just leave a comment here or on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Facebook</span> and I'll randomly select winners next weekend.<br /><br />*Don't forget you can <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/they-grow-so-fast.html">re-grow green onions</a><br /><br />**I forgot to buy a baguette and used English Muffins. I muffin = 1 cup of crumbs<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-64843178622486003972009-10-07T21:43:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:51:51.373-07:00Frugal Fun for All - The KGO GNO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUZUwpNL1c-dj8uiNVFgxhYzzIwSM1_jCN6r3sCzkOl525Rc-NfjDg3DUefKq2Gi-0GZUw1yg_1dZr63agbG3FSFnwTtxCP1apodUYfmh92-cArDWuNApuCwjeAePzwlLFVkBSA9yzFg/s1600-h/KGO+GNO.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUZUwpNL1c-dj8uiNVFgxhYzzIwSM1_jCN6r3sCzkOl525Rc-NfjDg3DUefKq2Gi-0GZUw1yg_1dZr63agbG3FSFnwTtxCP1apodUYfmh92-cArDWuNApuCwjeAePzwlLFVkBSA9yzFg/s400/KGO+GNO.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390086260183033890" border="0" /></a><br />Grab your girlfriends, mom, sisters and co-workers and join me and the women of KGO Newstalk 810 for an event like you've never seen - it's KGO Girls' Night Out! <p>The new <a href="http://www.santaclara.org/applet/mission_city_ballroom_vt.htm" target="_blank">Mission City Ballroom</a> at the Santa Clara Convention Center will play host to a night full of food, wine, music and fun. It's a combination of informative classes and demonstrations, food and wine tasting on Friday, October 23.</p> <p>All of the women who make KGO tick will be on hand to share their hobbies, interests and we'll take the party to midnight with live music and karaoke.<br /></p> Don’t worry about finding a ride home, the adjacent <a href="http://santaclara.hyatt.com/groupbooking/clara2009kgor">Hyatt Regency Santa Clara</a> has a specially priced Girls' Night Out rate of $81.00 per room, including breakfast and a tickets to the Saturday activities including a live broadcast poolside with KGO's own fitness and health guru Joanie Greggains. Joanie’s show will include live guests and experts on topics on everything from skin care to the latest fitness trends plus more classes and demonstrations throughout the morning! <a href="http://bayradio.com/gno/seminars.php" target="_blank">Check out some of things we have planned:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO0SHyaEw9v-npHSgS6hhvDHkYcH2xyUZi_MNBGNSWkarjYrjMsG9vkModgmCIMOJLUTS2MBP1wsoDhOQUZ7CKB9X_Ar8mkhrl5J6P98GK7-YEekwVs8B7fThWIq8MXdzh6IuxmcG3d4/s1600-h/jennifer.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO0SHyaEw9v-npHSgS6hhvDHkYcH2xyUZi_MNBGNSWkarjYrjMsG9vkModgmCIMOJLUTS2MBP1wsoDhOQUZ7CKB9X_Ar8mkhrl5J6P98GK7-YEekwVs8B7fThWIq8MXdzh6IuxmcG3d4/s400/jennifer.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390086399651036050" border="0" /></a><strong>Morning News Anchor Jennifer Jones</strong> –"<em>My Big Fat Napa Wedding</em>." Jen teams up with her sister-in-law Brianne Jones and shares cost conscious tips on how to plan a party or wedding on a budget. Top Chef’s Ryan Scott chimes in with great food ideas for your next shindig!<br /><br /> <strong>Business Reporter and Author Lynn Jimenez</strong> - "<em>Lynn’s 4K Theory of Investing and other useful things</em>." Author of Se Habla Dinero will share her 4 basic principals of finance.<br /><br /><strong>Afternoon News Anchor Rosie Allen and MindBody </strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t8rpIuQg7FE5BWKOg3KtuFqNT5KeBAOkWnOFpvoaymvQDHIQn134SN-oG71CKqEvQZmEgeg8NMzvz-N_DnKhCQsexAjcDKlrGAFSa3VLhQ4ID5CJ7vmFHzphsDf4mdQHhSpGf2z7V-w/s1600-h/rosie.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t8rpIuQg7FE5BWKOg3KtuFqNT5KeBAOkWnOFpvoaymvQDHIQn134SN-oG71CKqEvQZmEgeg8NMzvz-N_DnKhCQsexAjcDKlrGAFSa3VLhQ4ID5CJ7vmFHzphsDf4mdQHhSpGf2z7V-w/s400/rosie.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390086533985792274" border="0" /></a><strong>Wardrobes present </strong>- <em>"Self-Confidence in Times of Transition."</em> Personal style changes during transition... clues to help you find your style. Wardrobe tips focusing on projecting the authentic you and tips on clearing out the 'past lives' in your closet that no longer work for you. <p><strong>South Bay Reporter Jennifer Hodges, color forecaster Lark Coryell, and designer/abstract artist Janet Gordon-Roberts</strong> - <em>"Home Design on a Dime." </em></p> <p><strong>Weekend Host Pat Thurston</strong> - <em>"Mommy Cubed."</em> Pat will take you through the rollercoaster of parenting -- the exhaustion, fear and fun of triplets! </p> <p><strong>Reporter Jenna Lane</strong> - <em>"Mom’s the Word!"</em> Jenna is getting ready to welcome a baby into her life, and maybe you are too -- as a mom, grandmother or aunt. With a reporter's zeal she's been investigating the healthiest and most affordable baby products. </p> <p><strong>KGO Web Producer and Newswriter Jen Poole</strong> -<em> "Byte Me!"</em> Jen, the proudest of nerd girls, talks about "PurseTech." From apps to gadgets, she'll share mobile solutions for busy women that'll pique your inner geek.</p> <p><strong>KGO Jetcopter Traffic Reporter Michaelynn Meyers</strong> - <em>"Changing Careers Mid Stream." </em>Michaelynn Meyers in conversation with KGO’s Career Coach, Marty Nemko, about choosing or changing careers. </p> <p><strong>Dr. Dean Edell’s popular producer, Heather, and Bombshell Betty</strong> –<em>"Burlesque 101"</em>- Learn techniques of burlesque performance and get in shape while shimmying and shaking your way through a fun dance routine! Internationally acclaimed burlesque star, Bombshell Betty, will show you how to strut your stuff in a lighthearted and sexy class atmosphere. <a href="http://www.bombshellbetty.net/" title="http://www.bombshellbetty.net/">http://www.bombshellbetty.net</a></p> <h2 style="text-align: left;">Demonstrations and Authors</h2> <ul><li> <p>Chef Ryan Scott - from Bravo’s "Top Chef"</p> </li><li> <p>Mind Body Wardrobe Expert - Nancy Korbet 650-678-3034</p> </li><li> <p>Author and Lecturer Dr. Lara Honos-Webb </p> </li><!-- <li> <p>Theresa Flores from Cookie Lee Jewelery</p> </li> <li> <p>Rujirat Causevski - ARBONNE Skin Care specialist</p> </li> --><li> <p>Zumba lessons from David Dixon Jr. owner of <a href="http://www.xtremefitsv.com/index.html">Xtreme Fitness Silicon Valley.</a><br />A fun, sexy workout. Simple, yet diverse choreography from many Latin cultures. You do not have to be a dancer to take this class. The moves are carefully chosen to give you a total body workout. The music is always exciting and includes: Salsa, Merenge, Bachata, Cumbia, Reggaton, Soca, Samba. </p> </li><li>Lara Starr, producer of "Consumer Talk with Michael Finney" and author of The Frugal Foodie Cookbook will demonstrate easy ways to decorate adorable cupcakes, and create soothing at-home spa treats for pennies. Make & Take you own mini cupcake and spa candy while supplies last!<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://bayradio.com/gno/index.php">And tickets are only $8.10! </a><br /></span></div><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-66742558890019223392009-09-27T15:34:00.001-07:002009-09-27T15:39:50.532-07:00A Cheap Date with the Frugal Foodie: Doing the MathFood + Drinks + Friends + Family + Music + Shopping + Money raised for a good cause = 1 Good Party!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTinIDRgkJvNKUwgGJIx5FbuWe9Ecy33oZOjtuDBnrwRixIeYAED7IGui84MKK7g6GmJEpXIhrhoSFwcfAdTfIMxGD6xA8R_RFSCm7BF2mjQUEbidjlOMGuvJMdmWK_Phq9ShPZ5BZSqA/s1600-h/3958865591_ec3a529bfd_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50qYKVvifrSUVnYe8k0UR_Uaquru-KG4sLEMpFTIDUsVNO_SHNcivTLpd8xyG7qavy-lmUlLCrrgAATdpkRjJaXk3tOYinaBDniEqePZvbUkwuo5XCmMR36uUuxgfQzNDIrhwf4_zdhA/s400/3958877081_c607588c45_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386279756653085602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7trtIbrQCUsnHx7KCLAz67XJBBUeb9Cm07wOzM-Z4WYvS73SnGqQAzCtlo37UfAIKzm7bSP8WtkoHGPEHx4n2o2CuTzTZlSq5xnUH29ZDp5yskJeSIZQgpEVVO7R34W9Ah3WdXJn6m4/s1600-h/3959642598_32703efde9_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7trtIbrQCUsnHx7KCLAz67XJBBUeb9Cm07wOzM-Z4WYvS73SnGqQAzCtlo37UfAIKzm7bSP8WtkoHGPEHx4n2o2CuTzTZlSq5xnUH29ZDp5yskJeSIZQgpEVVO7R34W9Ah3WdXJn6m4/s400/3959642598_32703efde9_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386280430029904610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7q4oFAYmDflqynsM8sxV-52j9Y9R3TCObuimgfOJ_agCIQYyf05W676rTy2tTyVdT_SGZ0Blv-oX1s2bNvPWVqn5EOJXoVghhb0JgUHOwjsetxdBYchI4HxXc8YuajyvHQdsKggNpEA/s1600-h/3958879913_6fed182f21_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehunlaX9-M2dSeCX7oDvpg1n1thRq-Gg5auQ4omB1N1YQjQexbfHAjPvhlehyphenhyphen9mSUeVXiPhM5ONMFvmcOROCn0vqooKh_k3X_MNJF2cz51GB6BwobqGgvKLOB3QjXF5BHyLHc2JtWlvg/s400/3959654698_9d84af8efe_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386280143067248962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZy7b7mcohUly25nSZtaHcPDBFcVTeiY65b6_wKba_I4VlvOkM5H5hQybphqV64_7vyZbvs68PtgKjtvWBcNXdsB11sU_IGRZEvhD-qusJQ5LWaltqLjleDxrt4WvyI-MS_C0ODRmD3M/s1600-h/3958883285_c5934cdcbe_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZy7b7mcohUly25nSZtaHcPDBFcVTeiY65b6_wKba_I4VlvOkM5H5hQybphqV64_7vyZbvs68PtgKjtvWBcNXdsB11sU_IGRZEvhD-qusJQ5LWaltqLjleDxrt4WvyI-MS_C0ODRmD3M/s400/3958883285_c5934cdcbe_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386280306913983794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs96W2ok6hWKz1zZhBhj8WYggxl1Ec-Q-RQVH5R8OJdPWrjKaeJuc8JiypYjBomVi7B5UnCJCOhNxT1n3UK0gnGuoANa6jZ2Hz5oSAsQULsfNnUH5sS6BZdYCnRqq7_zaqvPjwViuB4A/s1600-h/3959637948_d398c3d1f4_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs96W2ok6hWKz1zZhBhj8WYggxl1Ec-Q-RQVH5R8OJdPWrjKaeJuc8JiypYjBomVi7B5UnCJCOhNxT1n3UK0gnGuoANa6jZ2Hz5oSAsQULsfNnUH5sS6BZdYCnRqq7_zaqvPjwViuB4A/s400/3959637948_d398c3d1f4_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386280560299630706" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-80627347138714766352009-09-24T06:27:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:37:03.967-07:00Craft Corner: Bargain Bijoux Part DeuxI also stumbled upon some amazing necklaces created by <a href="http://www.laurenmanoogian.com/">Lauren <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Manoogian</span></a> out of paperclips and vinyl tape. Now that I just HAD to try.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UIMO1G276AID7mfwgSSGs3BUK6dGoMk6wGFj96S8bCcQ4B3BSDZID5RznPWVp9fRsG0GTj_9d8VSk1WVC1wwHxZGfzQ-JbiD9fZf83j1yGKLrIybv8JftPfig6vFRkdmuujoe-gFG8E/s1600-h/Tape+Necklaces.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UIMO1G276AID7mfwgSSGs3BUK6dGoMk6wGFj96S8bCcQ4B3BSDZID5RznPWVp9fRsG0GTj_9d8VSk1WVC1wwHxZGfzQ-JbiD9fZf83j1yGKLrIybv8JftPfig6vFRkdmuujoe-gFG8E/s400/Tape+Necklaces.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385026866501825890" border="0" /></a>And I just happened to have two packs of vintage paperclips - cool boxes, no?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5qg8n7CVCTsECi48r2OpIvQApNZdh8RzzS-5ySQ7C5cF_S_Tda_HlGZ2eK-08ZiUDhdlV1zB9SPP2c95_ley5Hh0zJtX2gH0_DD1Zq3exFKItnoRYJ839UojJ_fUQzB0lygMZH6Yfc0/s1600-h/Paperclips.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5qg8n7CVCTsECi48r2OpIvQApNZdh8RzzS-5ySQ7C5cF_S_Tda_HlGZ2eK-08ZiUDhdlV1zB9SPP2c95_ley5Hh0zJtX2gH0_DD1Zq3exFKItnoRYJ839UojJ_fUQzB0lygMZH6Yfc0/s400/Paperclips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385027789329610114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'd love to know where Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Manoogian</span> finds her great colors of tape - but until then I used what I had, which was primary colors and black:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0V-IWis_r6GnbIokWaD9V7N29Nh6fbmW-aXeWWF3187g2Ii6641I7KYEDp2rMnAQ_YK0eRmeNhjCn7ET6CHcrnbLG0BvQRaGWefqT_5LxxmzRwTVM02Qajt1akg4JadhnxN9m_o-KVo/s1600-h/Tape+nacklace+LS+II.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0V-IWis_r6GnbIokWaD9V7N29Nh6fbmW-aXeWWF3187g2Ii6641I7KYEDp2rMnAQ_YK0eRmeNhjCn7ET6CHcrnbLG0BvQRaGWefqT_5LxxmzRwTVM02Qajt1akg4JadhnxN9m_o-KVo/s400/Tape+nacklace+LS+II.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385028123670120914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZxCu44q0ybe48XnWLXCurKqMprYzRDSmZeGl-d2_h_QMijt0YG9ORgMJKfwaYTArdyWZLpjUzD6kguEBvrrJ73c4ExUuBH_0H5S6ofQ7XruNy6-nNeJXaRBd1526d3KN0Dxdd9MY-5A/s1600-h/Tape+Necklaces+LS+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZxCu44q0ybe48XnWLXCurKqMprYzRDSmZeGl-d2_h_QMijt0YG9ORgMJKfwaYTArdyWZLpjUzD6kguEBvrrJ73c4ExUuBH_0H5S6ofQ7XruNy6-nNeJXaRBd1526d3KN0Dxdd9MY-5A/s400/Tape+Necklaces+LS+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385027989283715954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhUQURfaPAdUWbgcac6k453Oq3WyMGIyv7E4De1JTRu6VZ5ohsaZNc07812Z84sItIYdWF2HA05WvQQP7ORGE8oWmOl4ebyDMMGUfRQxwSecQ5vqHeysjdmg7SYfUDY78gUzzZHoM1ew/s1600-h/Tape+Necklaces+LS+III.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhUQURfaPAdUWbgcac6k453Oq3WyMGIyv7E4De1JTRu6VZ5ohsaZNc07812Z84sItIYdWF2HA05WvQQP7ORGE8oWmOl4ebyDMMGUfRQxwSecQ5vqHeysjdmg7SYfUDY78gUzzZHoM1ew/s400/Tape+Necklaces+LS+III.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385029471398429890" border="0" /></a><br />The trick to making these its "link - then wrap" - and now I'm wondering what kind of earrings and bracelets I can make.<br /><br />I whipped these out while catching up on True Blood on DVD (I'm still early in Season 1 - the library will only let me get one DVD at a time, so It'll be a while...) I just love crafting while I'm watching TV, and now everything I see these necklaces I hear Vampire Bill whispering "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Suhkie</span>..."<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:addthis:title='data:post.title' expr:addthis:url='data:post.url' class='addthis_button'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4abcd49712444b18"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-45963755955285373822009-09-20T16:37:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:37:29.046-07:00Craft Corner: Bargain BijouxWhile looking for something else, I stumbled upon this super stylish update on the child hood classic: macaroni necklaces:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7So2x2-odDhk1Z-rlWII_EOuQz8tVWuJk92p7Hls10bxiW-uRrdffZWS8mNNQpvkR_Azcz9UdoEVn288PXpsIic8PNTLz6jh2tjJuCCrXaUbGBG9EOZpusDgBvLQH6R0LE-9P2MF15c/s1600-h/macaroni+necklace.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7So2x2-odDhk1Z-rlWII_EOuQz8tVWuJk92p7Hls10bxiW-uRrdffZWS8mNNQpvkR_Azcz9UdoEVn288PXpsIic8PNTLz6jh2tjJuCCrXaUbGBG9EOZpusDgBvLQH6R0LE-9P2MF15c/s400/macaroni+necklace.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383926216746138866" border="0" /></a><br />I'd had a lot of fun <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/07/rice-rice-baby.html">dying rice</a> and small pasta for other projects, but was quite taken with the sophisticated colors and fun design of this piece, and wanted to make one for myself to wear to upcoming Frugal Foodie events. I'm not above looking a little silly to make an impression, but would like to keep a modicum of chic.<br /><br />Luckily I've got lots of <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30B2D9-475A-BAC0-5D5C3DB846DFD354&killnav=1">Wilton Icing Color</a>s so I could achieve rich, interesting colors like Moss Green and Delphinium Blue that would be hard to get with your basic McCormick set of droppers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Dye The Noodles</span><br /><br />Using water to die rice and very small pasta like orzo works fine, but for larger shapes use enough rubbing alcohol to soak the pasta, and enough food coloring to make a deep dye. Add about 1/3 cup alcohol and 1-2 toothpicks of paste food coloring into a zip-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">loc</span> baggie for a large <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">handful</span> of pasta.<br /><br />Mush the pasta around until its soaked, and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Turn and kneed it a couple of times.<br /><br />Drain the dye from the bag, and spread the noodles on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Set in the sun to dry. Will take about 1/2 an hour depending on the weather.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnutuRPyngJdNk6UYGzfw7lfs9asueSeTQI2bzA9E97seDOq1q7Vmq0RshzGRoGPn1yN-amQZjVSU3ZxZMX9xKzRjXRgOI5YzjIIAIiVmnnP1tyIJ6U13Z25NoKOzuCSk_bQTiM5b7tmQ/s1600-h/Noodles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnutuRPyngJdNk6UYGzfw7lfs9asueSeTQI2bzA9E97seDOq1q7Vmq0RshzGRoGPn1yN-amQZjVSU3ZxZMX9xKzRjXRgOI5YzjIIAIiVmnnP1tyIJ6U13Z25NoKOzuCSk_bQTiM5b7tmQ/s400/Noodles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383922747403825522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oodles of pretty noodles!</span> </div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For the Necklace</span><br /><br />3 strands of 18 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tortiglioni</span> noodles (not easy to find -I got some at United Market)<br />3 x 30" lengths of of mono filament wire<br /><br />Tie all of the strings of mono filament wire together at one end, leaving <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">about</span> 2-1/2 inches that you'll use to attach the clasp.<br /><br />String 18 pieces of pasta on each of the strings - one color on each strand, or mix 'em up.<br /><br />Tie-off the other strings into a knot. Tie on a toggle or spring-type clasp.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkUfIRSfGe9SDcohp7oEgMBpBTAn1W591Sj2aYoBnjk-OseamqlJ99N5s13bIzKmarFZ54qtbu7xUam4O9Lyc_z4QlWlJgJaFGg84P7EDI-eFZgHsSvFNhafUBznEhL2eZw7pfmDvQb0/s1600-h/Red+necklace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkUfIRSfGe9SDcohp7oEgMBpBTAn1W591Sj2aYoBnjk-OseamqlJ99N5s13bIzKmarFZ54qtbu7xUam4O9Lyc_z4QlWlJgJaFGg84P7EDI-eFZgHsSvFNhafUBznEhL2eZw7pfmDvQb0/s400/Red+necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383924152993124674" border="0" /></a><br />For the green one, I braided the strands before I tied them off<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKSHju503rARiBqTicgg0oHMno53pFghQCXoRO8w04QuBIZCIzIN-eRhPbzwbY5JwgPL0h1COoGwP-V7q3gLGFFMu0yXJ5Dow8ftLzbkYqJEwmmAABWWqOn4DmJEa1d7kY87_8Ws3vWo/s1600-h/Green+Necklace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKSHju503rARiBqTicgg0oHMno53pFghQCXoRO8w04QuBIZCIzIN-eRhPbzwbY5JwgPL0h1COoGwP-V7q3gLGFFMu0yXJ5Dow8ftLzbkYqJEwmmAABWWqOn4DmJEa1d7kY87_8Ws3vWo/s400/Green+Necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383924254249877858" border="0" /></a>And because what separates us from the animals is our <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/quotes">ability to accessorize</a>, I made matching bracelets:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqboSPbbzgJhzOu92EpMJ6-3vDCCKXLUkXjlZCXjOWJOU2lBK6kWAmClW1CR67DsHZYpcJZpdBLWXUm68npWOZ3kepFiOEap7BqArTcGXOY6WFH1O-kGU848WoVSEz1Im-g8POLqVx7c/s1600-h/bracelets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqboSPbbzgJhzOu92EpMJ6-3vDCCKXLUkXjlZCXjOWJOU2lBK6kWAmClW1CR67DsHZYpcJZpdBLWXUm68npWOZ3kepFiOEap7BqArTcGXOY6WFH1O-kGU848WoVSEz1Im-g8POLqVx7c/s400/bracelets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383925233151172658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Make the Bracelet</span><br /><br />30 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Piccolino</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Rotelle</span> a.k.a mini wagon wheels<br />12" <a href="http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/catalog/Stringing-Materials/Stringing-Materials/Elastic/Stretch-Magic/">stretchy elastic string</a><br /><br />Clip a binder clip to one end of the string to keep the noodles from slipping off. String the "beads" onto the string. Tie off and voila!<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:addthis:title='data:post.title' expr:addthis:url='data:post.url' class='addthis_button'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4abcd49712444b18"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-56319892588003825962009-09-15T20:58:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:38:33.443-07:00I Say Tomato (Sauce) and a Tool Tip!The <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/cookin-good-in-hood.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tomatillo</span> sauce</a> was so yummy, I decided to try the same technique with <a href="http://www.tammykitchen1.webs.com/">Simple Pleasures Farms</a> sweet little cherry tomatoes. And oh I'm glad I did!
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<br />The "recipe" is very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">loosy</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">goosey</span>:
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<br />Take a bunch of:
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<br />Cherry Tomatoes- I think I used about 2 lbs
<br />Onion - 1 whole, peeled and cut into 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ths</span> or so
<br />Garlic - 3-4 whole cloves
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn1z2-s6tq-PrLJsV5mCA5AoRP_JVQOu3963irMbqV5u85WfMhyjTM4eKflwvTnmmypgUJdfXN2zhsIZJCqtZXxI0Tt7Q9Upn1oHeouhaa4owi15LZ6-A8e7XenPz7KuQGyzCWZ0RRAU/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn1z2-s6tq-PrLJsV5mCA5AoRP_JVQOu3963irMbqV5u85WfMhyjTM4eKflwvTnmmypgUJdfXN2zhsIZJCqtZXxI0Tt7Q9Upn1oHeouhaa4owi15LZ6-A8e7XenPz7KuQGyzCWZ0RRAU/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381915964163062034" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (which I didn't have, I so I used a mix of white balsamic and red wine, but I wish I'd had regular balsamic) Sprinkle on sea salt and pepper.
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<br />Roast in a 450-degree oven for about 45 minutes
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gBfmXHnha6oCy-fb8lJCCWBMSsQpZdWqOGUVPNDZKgMBjo-YanpXxje2UuuFg8ppUllvYnaUkwhrhiFufyV3zXpGDOFoZ6_7NoVgQ2b0ndkaUjpWiBMSzUIfwqu4JQ-yarBc_O08pU8/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gBfmXHnha6oCy-fb8lJCCWBMSsQpZdWqOGUVPNDZKgMBjo-YanpXxje2UuuFg8ppUllvYnaUkwhrhiFufyV3zXpGDOFoZ6_7NoVgQ2b0ndkaUjpWiBMSzUIfwqu4JQ-yarBc_O08pU8/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381916152903154866" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Dump it all in the food processor and add a good amount of basil leaves (my <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/search?q=basil">Trader Joe's basil plant</a> is nearing the end of its life. It has served me well)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHos132UTbTNRgXC4kiYxBanP7zw98I0myTdfuc_2SUDL0ycpeLAtGtpq-KwVU4bZu9asJPzI0NPBuBucY-IGkIGkRsZvIlni4iPYz-9nAN9H4mUkcBSAr3ABelDVqgqmOmDS2ntbWDQ/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHos132UTbTNRgXC4kiYxBanP7zw98I0myTdfuc_2SUDL0ycpeLAtGtpq-KwVU4bZu9asJPzI0NPBuBucY-IGkIGkRsZvIlni4iPYz-9nAN9H4mUkcBSAr3ABelDVqgqmOmDS2ntbWDQ/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+006.jpg" alt="" id="" /></a>
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<br />Ta-da!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"> A s</span>uper yummy, fresh-tasting and healthy sauce. I poured it over TJ's tortellini and it made a lovely lunch.
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<br />Oh, and the tip? I'm lucky that I have the counter space to keep my food process or out on the counter (and yes, I keep it plugged in and no, I don't want any grief about fire hazards or energy) but storing the disc blades has always been a problem. They're too big to put in a drawer, and are awkward and take up a lot of spaced in a cabinet.
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<br />The solution? I tipped the chopper blade to the side...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpysOUq16xtNK251ImELytybSxOcv7EVctZnzBiJyVCWtqJNxvIXeRO5qb1qIc7-n_VdBTdtcNdY3oe1GyLE49kVl3pif98tQI3cBFGkGwRGKxXaRHKqYIAk4pn-gnoVF9eFzArEHxmU/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpysOUq16xtNK251ImELytybSxOcv7EVctZnzBiJyVCWtqJNxvIXeRO5qb1qIc7-n_VdBTdtcNdY3oe1GyLE49kVl3pif98tQI3cBFGkGwRGKxXaRHKqYIAk4pn-gnoVF9eFzArEHxmU/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+002.jpg" alt="" error="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381916780642189490" border="0" />
<br />...and can keep both it and the shredder blade in the bowl of the processor - kewl!
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<br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDalpADf5Q6XUa29TyvdV2mSgV1OyIenirQFVp4yxSgEmiQ9b-u4DIrcIX6neqsb3flL9rwHZsHjcYsH2XyaiAfSEzYa2n-p-Vi-hb9kZDYgpRI6Yc2WR4MzRgHgtOdWxmQy4jIPBhc6s/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDalpADf5Q6XUa29TyvdV2mSgV1OyIenirQFVp4yxSgEmiQ9b-u4DIrcIX6neqsb3flL9rwHZsHjcYsH2XyaiAfSEzYa2n-p-Vi-hb9kZDYgpRI6Yc2WR4MzRgHgtOdWxmQy4jIPBhc6s/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381917140048089826" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjL5z3g_vponXe1BmmBWQEy4xgH265pNavJsSotJ3YgXBzsLv3DhWvs0wCzjlCI5lR_sdctwbvDDGE3GElauI8jch7UxAE3CzTc_COyC8qrOYiqMVMUuQIvFOBIuYng66Ngmi_Doj1_c/s1600-h/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjL5z3g_vponXe1BmmBWQEy4xgH265pNavJsSotJ3YgXBzsLv3DhWvs0wCzjlCI5lR_sdctwbvDDGE3GElauI8jch7UxAE3CzTc_COyC8qrOYiqMVMUuQIvFOBIuYng66Ngmi_Doj1_c/s400/Cherry+Tomato+Sauce+004.jpg" alt="" error="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_53819<span class=" /></a>
<br />I honestly ha<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ve n</span>o<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"> idea w</span>here the slicer disk is, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">I do</span>n<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">'t thin</span>k<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"> I'</span>ve ever used<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"> it</span>....
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<br />Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-45052814245274531542009-09-09T23:19:00.000-07:002009-09-10T15:52:05.588-07:00Frugal Foodie Freebie - It's a Contest, kittens!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBdqGTUxyKQnhuAEE19kuH_cYauHh7utgYcaKRUC4_zP14DsNiuQvNEhN-L5RyWuTXJRDr6ET-xlxzq-fmSUzg1sudjyubCO5g8vzsTuu3ILE-y7Da_vCmGIeeNuzAJ4Fmn5j3Vs7OSc/s1600-h/steak_collection.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBdqGTUxyKQnhuAEE19kuH_cYauHh7utgYcaKRUC4_zP14DsNiuQvNEhN-L5RyWuTXJRDr6ET-xlxzq-fmSUzg1sudjyubCO5g8vzsTuu3ILE-y7Da_vCmGIeeNuzAJ4Fmn5j3Vs7OSc/s400/steak_collection.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379721092404389826" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/lara.starr?v=feed&story_fbid=130147609319#/pages/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook/119170451614?ref=mf">Fan me on Facebook</a> to learn how you can win a set of nifty <a href="http://www.grillcharms.com/">Grill Charms™!</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Grill Charms™ are <span class="UIStory_Message">dime-sized charms placed in food before grilling so you can easily ID everyone's m<span class="text_exposed_show">eat - neat! </span></span><br /><br />These adorable charms are usually $19.95. There's still plenty of sunny weekends left for grilling - enter the contest so your next BBQ can be totally charming!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVNVU5POVqcwNhBIlE5je1a2JFngoTzvHm4zU07VoY8lb26_opZKyjS4lvyr5eJdB646A6aa6JUJPgLxreKds5RyBIDYeFLK_RZ9TMmAgkJkTl_k_RsQMXn9SQ2vYUMHVDMRghpsZqcI/s1600-h/chickenfire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVNVU5POVqcwNhBIlE5je1a2JFngoTzvHm4zU07VoY8lb26_opZKyjS4lvyr5eJdB646A6aa6JUJPgLxreKds5RyBIDYeFLK_RZ9TMmAgkJkTl_k_RsQMXn9SQ2vYUMHVDMRghpsZqcI/s400/chickenfire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379721177582624482" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br />And, if you'd like to buy some more, just enter the code "GRILLING" at check out for $5.00 off - sweet!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-75092980546126267342009-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:39:13.633-07:00Worth Its Salt!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYkAcvYQscn0RkQ_XlYDDXCskEA8C6S157p11d4SkE3Vc9ehNzeDvCBB4hvkjv6iYAuUCEY-cM2H82f59KYrpW4zTRfyq84OrxF_qsV6vxKxhdzm2kXOJr2YnugFzQGWKWtHHztdcDOE/s1600-h/salt+council.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYkAcvYQscn0RkQ_XlYDDXCskEA8C6S157p11d4SkE3Vc9ehNzeDvCBB4hvkjv6iYAuUCEY-cM2H82f59KYrpW4zTRfyq84OrxF_qsV6vxKxhdzm2kXOJr2YnugFzQGWKWtHHztdcDOE/s400/salt+council.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376899080922199202" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The very cool folks at the <a href="http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/">Epsom Salt Council</a> have sent out a press release promoting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook-Waste-Not-Recipes/dp/1573443638/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251907369&sr=1-2">The Frugal Foodie Cookbook</a> and the chapter on "Frugal Beauty Tips" using Epsom Salts.
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<br />AND they have a contest running on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/epsomsalt">Facebook </a>page to win a signed copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook-Waste-Not-Recipes/dp/1573443638/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251907369&sr=1-2">The Frugal Foodie Cookbook</a> - check it out!
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<br />The fabulous Deb at the blog <a href="http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/cookbook-review-frugal-foodie-cookbook.html">Kahakai Kitchen</a> recently made one of the recipes for Epsom Salt-based Tub Tea and posted these lovely pix:
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<br />Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-1720680679345003852009-08-29T22:52:00.000-07:002009-09-25T07:40:14.900-07:00Craft Corner: For EyesI turned 40 this year - and like clockwork the gray hairs sprang forth from my scalp with a vengeance, and my heretofore 20/20 peepers began to fail me. After one particularly eye-opening book club meeting there was no denying that I, Lara Starr, needed reading glasses.<br /><br />The plus sides of both of these signs of mortality is that they are opportunities to accessorize. Hence the somewhat saucy shade of red I'm currently sporting on my tresses, and the 1/2 a dozen pair of readers strategically placed in my purse, at my desk, on my nightstand, etc.... (FYI, those of you in Marin and on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Right-Side-Forty-Celebrating-Timeless/dp/1573240958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251611858&sr=1-1">right side of 4</a>0 can get readers for $5 a pair at <a href="http://www.craigswarehouse.com/">Craig's Warehouse</a>)<br /><br />To protect these specs, I knew I needed glasses cases, but didn't want to spend more $$ - so I decided to make my own.<br /><br />First, I got myself a sheet of 12" x 18" craft foam, and measured it into six 6" x 6" squares<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImKGif79YhG4Taruq1fNKvemsoiyN3tsK_Aa5YcZFfQ0MFuzV64Mr5WpSrqCq2uDxeXeL3QTWw88tr3CBT1Uwimh3GubqulizUqHk6rfR9NZAEgDelzjYuT595Ty1vcUqpLs28vyLqp0/s1600-h/Case+1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImKGif79YhG4Taruq1fNKvemsoiyN3tsK_Aa5YcZFfQ0MFuzV64Mr5WpSrqCq2uDxeXeL3QTWw88tr3CBT1Uwimh3GubqulizUqHk6rfR9NZAEgDelzjYuT595Ty1vcUqpLs28vyLqp0/s400/Case+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375634052397996626" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Then I drew a swirly design with a pencil<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTt5uzj3fdRTfVF-BLiPAhTj2oIa6l0GZOPcylgRV4VxC92156ZZeqMsrY36GYqHTByYReEus2hhJpZEZrG6C_LikHNPnLfM0XOriYAezm2PfU2k4srtV10xgeqw-PFrVkWzGklYSl_8/s1600-h/Case+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTt5uzj3fdRTfVF-BLiPAhTj2oIa6l0GZOPcylgRV4VxC92156ZZeqMsrY36GYqHTByYReEus2hhJpZEZrG6C_LikHNPnLfM0XOriYAezm2PfU2k4srtV10xgeqw-PFrVkWzGklYSl_8/s400/Case+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375634458304804098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Then I embroidered over the design with what I now know is called a <a href="http://www.dmc-usa.com/majic/pageServer/0x0100005f/en_US/Stem-stitch.html">stem stitch</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQGHTkLez0dNS1i61wLQhRe6MvI95sfPRSL65pUhW00EEWbGyWLN4rRBWT7FopIeol7IicP6hPygP9QH7EpN6xHED8bBF-TZyvtcgKB8bl-cL6OxHdVI8TOH4z0KEFS32RDkb0Xnkeyg/s1600-h/Case+3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQGHTkLez0dNS1i61wLQhRe6MvI95sfPRSL65pUhW00EEWbGyWLN4rRBWT7FopIeol7IicP6hPygP9QH7EpN6xHED8bBF-TZyvtcgKB8bl-cL6OxHdVI8TOH4z0KEFS32RDkb0Xnkeyg/s400/Case+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375635819355502418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Then I folded it in half and sewed it closed<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M1SwAqi-mRwXlBnx6Xm7Hk3ULSVUOdHpVG88n-uw_Os_OE6a1mVCPGLD4tIST-YCVvFan4B3SByg6YwtVqWFzPer6NpnPu03pPePO-CYG4WCobdc3rVQmMqwZbxBXzlNJYR6hhJiNek/s1600-h/Case+4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M1SwAqi-mRwXlBnx6Xm7Hk3ULSVUOdHpVG88n-uw_Os_OE6a1mVCPGLD4tIST-YCVvFan4B3SByg6YwtVqWFzPer6NpnPu03pPePO-CYG4WCobdc3rVQmMqwZbxBXzlNJYR6hhJiNek/s400/Case+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375635960399057746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Abracadabra! Right before your eyes, a nifty eyeglass case that cost less than $.25 to make<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp36XGxMDr_zrgny08Gcm0xf0_GAFimXffbi8CPHlxov1xOC2Xsn-udDSRMCEHNeANdbUQdo8LTgXx1FB5pPGI4CjTy3zEAnWyXYPosj7-AVG_KUzeYroCpU6U_I9DwItiwj3xaIh3ss/s1600-h/Case+5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp36XGxMDr_zrgny08Gcm0xf0_GAFimXffbi8CPHlxov1xOC2Xsn-udDSRMCEHNeANdbUQdo8LTgXx1FB5pPGI4CjTy3zEAnWyXYPosj7-AVG_KUzeYroCpU6U_I9DwItiwj3xaIh3ss/s400/Case+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375636100599741874" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And so easy a child could do it. In fact - my child did! The kid made cases for me, his dad and his grandma.<br /><br />I'm thinking if you didn't want to embroider you could do a cool design or pattern with a sharpie - and even staple the case closed. Let me know if you give it a try.<br /><br />-UPDATE-<br /><br />I made one with with the Staples & Sharpie technique - too cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU2ln1uf-ZiTMenEpGHhf4-fRoI2HbKBOk-knO4FC1rucQhGgMrVj5dyJFUmmMkZlL1av4xqW_0y5C7aP_cOwh3hBbq38vTsE2xwdlxBVvw9_DG_etXT6kxj_49yye9q0Zm7T964lEHs/s1600-h/Tape+and+Clip+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU2ln1uf-ZiTMenEpGHhf4-fRoI2HbKBOk-knO4FC1rucQhGgMrVj5dyJFUmmMkZlL1av4xqW_0y5C7aP_cOwh3hBbq38vTsE2xwdlxBVvw9_DG_etXT6kxj_49yye9q0Zm7T964lEHs/s400/Tape+and+Clip+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383275855103280802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><br /><div><a title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url" class="addthis_button"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4abcd49712444b18"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-73375778988920822912009-08-27T20:58:00.000-07:002009-09-06T00:03:17.580-07:00Cookin' Good in the HoodI love farmers markets - in theory. But in reality, I don't often make the effort to go. I don't have the time, and the offerings can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">overwhelming</span>. And when you go with the kid - especially when he's little - you have to deal with the clown. And in Marin you it's not just any clown, it's Twee Twee the creepy mute-except-for-a-siren-whistle clown with the byzantine system of stool placement that guarantees you're in for at least a 45-minute wait in 95-degree heat before junior gets a Blues Clues balloon animal.<br /><br />Lucky for me, just down the street, there's sort of a freelance farmers market set up. A family on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Broadmoor</span> owns <a href="http://www.tammykitchen1.webs.com/">Simple Pleasures Farm</a> in the Delta. They pack subscription farm boxes (more than I can take on) for pickup and delivery, and sell the leftovers from their driveway on Thursdays.<br /><br />Tammy and her kids <a href="http://www.tammykitchen1.webs.com/"></a> have yummy little cherry tomatoes, luscious pears, watermelons, peppers, peaches, onions, and even fresh eggs!<br /><br />I stopped today and got the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fixin's</span> for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tomatillo</span> salsa. Tammy said, "I'm so glad you're buying these - so many people don't even know what they are."<br /><br />What they are is yummy! Tart, sweet and fun to release from their little papery outer leaves.<br /><br />I don't have a tested & measured recipe, but here's what you do<br /><br />Take a bunch of:<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tomatillos</span> - 10 or 12 (remove paper and rinse. Or don't rinse, I'm not looking)<br />Onion - 1 whole, peeled and cut into 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ths</span> or so<br />Jalapenos - 1 or 2, remove the stem<br />Garlic - 2-3 whole cloves<br /><br />Arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with oil (olive or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">veggi</span>e) and sprinkle with salt & pepper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_OIP2yI7dxBvxXPGPQQLFrlYbxdI9aSNCsnwwwoWW_yDVwZkmHYZLVjaefpVjpM7pBK5EVQAFZguNnefnpmLDrjOxnGEwdvHR3D-sfLrxriZlkAzbH3BlX4Lgrv3GaDPNdeDJIwtl18/s1600-h/Tomatillo+Salsa+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_OIP2yI7dxBvxXPGPQQLFrlYbxdI9aSNCsnwwwoWW_yDVwZkmHYZLVjaefpVjpM7pBK5EVQAFZguNnefnpmLDrjOxnGEwdvHR3D-sfLrxriZlkAzbH3BlX4Lgrv3GaDPNdeDJIwtl18/s400/Tomatillo+Salsa+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374862903245997842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Roast at 450 degrees for about 45 minutes (I use a toaster oven)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuQt5x7IRWjFNTiWtFlSBYFh_d5wQpPcAQGBgcI8EIoxQcdoQPeSzuz311Zk7ijhpe3Jqlw4dw0yP-TLCcfBagstg7sSjg37kxKRwy-IWjli5GwPLwPIx6JmunSStNmRAPcKwQOCxufo/s1600-h/Tomatillo+Salsa+003.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuQt5x7IRWjFNTiWtFlSBYFh_d5wQpPcAQGBgcI8EIoxQcdoQPeSzuz311Zk7ijhpe3Jqlw4dw0yP-TLCcfBagstg7sSjg37kxKRwy-IWjli5GwPLwPIx6JmunSStNmRAPcKwQOCxufo/s400/Tomatillo+Salsa+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374863460959467650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pour it all into a food processor and Ole! Salsa Verde!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZN-XdzKgG83uKu28R7lMozd9Dt72Nn3IAW04-rV9E2a4gqxeIxp1rxP948m0TQUwvCYaWlPLvGM6dIOolRzbAY9Gc_P1Zmq2g4kifYshs5Pjh4pij21CTCgggbWhQG_bIWG0mY8r86s/s1600-h/Tomatillo+Salsa+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZN-XdzKgG83uKu28R7lMozd9Dt72Nn3IAW04-rV9E2a4gqxeIxp1rxP948m0TQUwvCYaWlPLvGM6dIOolRzbAY9Gc_P1Zmq2g4kifYshs5Pjh4pij21CTCgggbWhQG_bIWG0mY8r86s/s400/Tomatillo+Salsa+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374867475498681362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a975ac726711c4a"></script></div></div></div></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-33603105441057022012009-08-18T21:23:00.001-07:002009-08-22T22:42:52.707-07:00More Food Glamour!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAD2CeKkmPN1qvNLEnISDhSp_nolrc3rDUbQHSzd3Ye5tslPzrdL5uhOhbs8wF4dP18BlqLnCv5WuAup-Q1XcHGN3r17-I2GDDgSwir0U1mjCmbB1hSxZySNMKesmzdgSr55to6BzC44/s1600-h/_DSF1139.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAD2CeKkmPN1qvNLEnISDhSp_nolrc3rDUbQHSzd3Ye5tslPzrdL5uhOhbs8wF4dP18BlqLnCv5WuAup-Q1XcHGN3r17-I2GDDgSwir0U1mjCmbB1hSxZySNMKesmzdgSr55to6BzC44/s400/_DSF1139.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371530169145777266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tray Chic, no?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVzhR7PiXOkQEQpwMdUYJY8KNGeeq2rwdEP1PgW7e4_RzNhjVSKFFpwPXoN-xpoR_xGzwF0yBNQdY9XKykJTlC10Op7TSvg9Srw0FL5OLmArwDJY-0RbetLaknRschsTCeapqf2qE0B8/s1600-h/_DSF1129.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVzhR7PiXOkQEQpwMdUYJY8KNGeeq2rwdEP1PgW7e4_RzNhjVSKFFpwPXoN-xpoR_xGzwF0yBNQdY9XKykJTlC10Op7TSvg9Srw0FL5OLmArwDJY-0RbetLaknRschsTCeapqf2qE0B8/s400/_DSF1129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371526142517843202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >The gorgeous photography is (c) <a href="http://ajaphoto.com/">Steve Aja</a></span><br /></div><br />I'll be serving some of these pretty little things at A Cheap Date with the Frugal Foodie: A Benefit for the <a href="http://www.marinfoodbank.org/">Marin Community Food Bank</a>- will you be there?<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a title="'data:post.title'" url="'data:post.url'" class="'addthis_button'"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a8b857b45ea166a"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-8459014284036003072009-08-15T13:48:00.000-07:002009-08-15T21:01:43.899-07:00They grow so fast....Remember when I said you could <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/07/little-green-onions.html">re-grow your green onions</a>? Well I wasn't kidding - just look at mine now!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLnLS5zuCSb5ktrQ-OzC1D4iPvyBKbpPwdiZIG12rq0JK0NTTOBha_0ma3pEz6Tmf2Gm9b4JcfnV8mijXfC2NtJ_7dwDjFY8kx8jWhghfViw7oMnh2w1qBzWB2sRRWDvvqdNQMd9hfNo/s1600-h/Green+Onions+growing.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLnLS5zuCSb5ktrQ-OzC1D4iPvyBKbpPwdiZIG12rq0JK0NTTOBha_0ma3pEz6Tmf2Gm9b4JcfnV8mijXfC2NtJ_7dwDjFY8kx8jWhghfViw7oMnh2w1qBzWB2sRRWDvvqdNQMd9hfNo/s400/Green+Onions+growing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370295547767164114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />They looked like this just a couple of weeks ago<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG_ntakELD9IR_y-vtrWTnxIof20YN3OYXvFBZEqnBZDTzfm4xWcqmEji0FhmA1I311cUTTj64-XH3qtnwiqsQg5sdUX0H-vReWNOEUnkZCUnJT-N9l-6942iis1EsZsUFo3K5w1PEXs/s1600-h/Green+Onions.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG_ntakELD9IR_y-vtrWTnxIof20YN3OYXvFBZEqnBZDTzfm4xWcqmEji0FhmA1I311cUTTj64-XH3qtnwiqsQg5sdUX0H-vReWNOEUnkZCUnJT-N9l-6942iis1EsZsUFo3K5w1PEXs/s400/Green+Onions.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370295756743497426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I told the boy that with the exception of him, this is the most successful I've ever been at growing something!<br /></div></div><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-23196754509663544302009-08-10T22:16:00.000-07:002009-09-08T07:14:04.352-07:00"Bribe 'em With Baked Goods," I Always Say....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimHhX08ZYdOkVMgO8TZnRmhAg-u69uDdMZCGF-GDUZyIJRThW0yGLYcGn7m5JChdx7d1s3XWXaM8vTrua7QzrbdfE6MD5c2C3v-gFEFwTmyyBzmbsXPNpul4ThY9JIHy2sYNMbZ6jLzI/s1600-h/_DSF1008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimHhX08ZYdOkVMgO8TZnRmhAg-u69uDdMZCGF-GDUZyIJRThW0yGLYcGn7m5JChdx7d1s3XWXaM8vTrua7QzrbdfE6MD5c2C3v-gFEFwTmyyBzmbsXPNpul4ThY9JIHy2sYNMbZ6jLzI/s400/_DSF1008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368571259427669826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now don't those look yummy? <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/07/say-cheese.html">A few months</a> ago the fabulously talented Steve Aja came over and took some glamour shots of some of the recipes from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook-Waste-Not-Recipes/dp/1573443638/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249968453&sr=1-2">Frugal Foodie Cookbook</a> - and boy did he make the food look good!<br /><br />I made these Oatmeal Raisin Scones again this weekend to bring to an all-day department meeting tomorrow. I'm still getting to know my colleagues, and they're still getting to know me, and I'm not at all above blatant attempts to win their friendship through baked goods.<br /><br />These scones freeze like a dream, so you can bake a batch and then pop one in a toaster over for a few minutes and have a warm, crunchy scone ready to ride with you to work on a moment's notice.<br /><br />2 cups flour<br />1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats<br />1/3 cup light brown sugar<br />2½ teaspoons baking powder<br />½ teaspoon baking soda<br />½ teaspoon salt<br />1½ sticks unsalted butter, chilled<br />¾ cup raisins<br />1 cup + 1 tablespoon milk, divided<br />2 tablespoons granulated sugar<br />½ teaspoon ground cinnamon<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400°F.<br /><br />Put the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the<br />bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10–12 times. Cut the butter into 1 tablespoon<br />pieces and distribute over the dry ingredients. Pulse until the mixture resembles<br />coarse meal. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the raisins.<br /><br />Add 1 cup milk and mix until blended. Gather into a ball with floured hands and<br />divide in half. On a floured surface, pat half of the dough into an 8-inch round.<br />Cut into 8 wedges. Repeat with the remaining dough.<br /><br />Transfer the wedges to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes,<br />until scones are firm to the touch and golden.<br /><br />While the scones are baking, mix 1 tablespoon milk with the granulated sugar<br />and the cinnamon. Remove the scones from the oven and brush them with the<br />glaze while still hot.<br /><br />Serve warm or at room temperature. To freeze, cool completely and store in a<br />heavy-duty freezer bag, or wrap in plastic wrap and foil.<br /><br />Makes 16 scones.<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a name="data:post.title" id="data:post.url" onmouseover="'return" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a81017f14f85ff8"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-47994400538474121362009-08-05T22:04:00.000-07:002009-08-09T18:45:13.101-07:00Veggies Grown by Wookies are Chewie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hU6rpFvx8lRBgu2VIrE14G9vZrfuwU2kKklYD-nMtZXm3xM09BJbitwDwD9c6NrZEv0rfnlfkw5jLWbU8TVIZLF2Lk4ehSYFxXsRdfRILTkh4PSuRvz-uhOX99tOGkb5d1cBsKcDkSQ/s1600-h/Skywalker+Veggies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hU6rpFvx8lRBgu2VIrE14G9vZrfuwU2kKklYD-nMtZXm3xM09BJbitwDwD9c6NrZEv0rfnlfkw5jLWbU8TVIZLF2Lk4ehSYFxXsRdfRILTkh4PSuRvz-uhOX99tOGkb5d1cBsKcDkSQ/s400/Skywalker+Veggies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366712575332880274" /></a><br />Yours truly has been invited to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skywalker_Ranch">Skywalker Ranch</a> to be a guest chef at their weekly BBQ lunch. The talented, generous, handsome and brilliant Steve Simmons and his staff will be cooking recipes from The Frugal Foodie cookbook, and I'll be set up at a table signing books, shaking hands and kissing babies.<br /><br />To say I am honored is an understatement, and how lucky was I that I got to do a recon mission at the ranch last week? The place lives up to its legend. You drive past the 3-acre organic farm, past the "if you build it they will come" baseball field, past the vineyard and several "they make movie magic in there" buildings to get to the main house. The huge, fancy, beautiful main house. Steve gave me a tour of the joint and it is impressive on every level. Since I'm not much of a Star Wars geek, I was only mildly interested in the memorabilia case. But since I am a book geek, I was thrilled to see a genuine copy of <a href="http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/photography/all/02602/facts.goat_collectors_edition.htm">GOAT </a>in the library. And because I am a food geek, was tickled to be able to buy a big bag of organic produce on my way out.<br /><br />Ranch rules dictate that you must be in any photos you take there, so I can't show you the right-out-of-a-movie-adorable farm stand, but take my word for it - it was precious. And the veggies - delish!<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a7a66ee1de99991"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-4987592792118200152009-07-31T20:25:00.000-07:002009-09-06T00:04:10.812-07:00Sangria Basura BlancaOK, so there are foodies and then there are foodies. I love fancy food, fresh organic produce, expensive stinky cheeses and unpronounceable brands of chocolate. I also have plenty of soft spots in my tummy for what a friend of mine calls "bad yummies." Food you <span style="font-style: italic;">know </span>is kinda gross, but you love it anyway.<br /><br />And, I have almost no palate for wine. Unless its really, really bad - like Manischewitz bad - wine pretty much tastes to me like, wine.<br /><br />So given all this, I'm not at all above concocting a cocktail from less than top shelf ingredients. Mine comes from the bottom drawer.<br /><br />One of my summer mainstays is White Trash Spritzer. The recipe is simple:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">White Trash Spritzer</span><br /><br />1/3 part Lemonade Chrystal Light<br />1/3 part Fresca<br />1/3 part Two Buck Chuck Chardonnay<br /><br />Light, fruity, sparking, refreshing - perfect for a hot summer night.<br /><br />Tonight the Boy Wonder was invited out to dinner and a movie by a pal (Thanks Monica!) So the Mr. and I had the evening to ourselves and I decided to whoop it up and have an adult beverage. I didn't have ingredients for a WTS, but I was able to make:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sangria Basura Blanca</span><br /><br />1/3 part Mixed Berry Chrystal Light<br />1/3 part Diet Sierra Mist<br />1/3 part Forrestville Cab<br /><br />Very tasty on a chilly evening.<br /><br />Bottom's Up!<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-7481764457000378972009-07-25T13:30:00.000-07:002009-07-25T21:43:03.700-07:00I need a biscuit, baby!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzghulPIwWI-WgsKu7G9exvyMbtbBeNws6p6z_yRVFlXPX2YxGdV1DoIVydOB178q_c0-HXLPhuG3MzjuINFKfGXntj5VFogUFfoQbmdrNZld2Z1D2_B7fEnl-DymagcXPqro22G5OIg/s1600-h/Biscuits+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzghulPIwWI-WgsKu7G9exvyMbtbBeNws6p6z_yRVFlXPX2YxGdV1DoIVydOB178q_c0-HXLPhuG3MzjuINFKfGXntj5VFogUFfoQbmdrNZld2Z1D2_B7fEnl-DymagcXPqro22G5OIg/s400/Biscuits+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504456979125298" /></a><br />Did you and your friends make up silly songs/rhymes/phrases when you were a kid? Me and mine did. And one that has stuck in my head since I was in 4th or 5th grade is:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I need a biscuit, baby<br />I need a biscuit, baby<br />If you don't give me a biscuit<br />I won't eat the dinner you made me!<br /></span><br />I have no idea how or why we came up with that one - and it's not like I grew up in the south were biscuits abound, I was in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfax_District,_Los_Angeles,_California">Beverly/Fairfax neighborhood of LA</a> where bagels (or even tortillas) are much more common.<br /><br />But this morning I did indeed need a biscuit, so I made some from the handy bag of Eye-Opener Mix I keep in the freezer:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3-in-1 Eye-Opener Mix (aka Your Own Personal Bisquick )</span><br /><br />8 cups all-purpose flour<br />1/3 cup baking powder<br />1 tablespoon kosher salt<br />3 tablespoons sugar<br />8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter<br /><br />Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl with a wire whisk.<br /><br />Cut the butter into small chunks and add them to the dry mixture. <br /><br />Toss the butter around to coat, and then use a pastry cutter or slash two knives across each other to cut the butter chunks into smaller pieces. Keep cutting until the mixture is sandy in consistency. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for this step.<br /><br />Store the mix in the freezer for up to 6 months.<br /><br />Makes about 9 cups of mix.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">For Biscuits:</span><br /><br />2 cups Eye-Opener Mix<br />1 cup milk, sourmilk*, or buttermilk<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400°F.<br /><br />Grease a muffin tin with vegetable oil spray.<br /><br />In a large bowl, mix the milk and Eye-Opener Mix with a wooden spoon until<br />combined. <br /><br />Then beat the dough briskly with the wooden spoon for 30 seconds.<br /><br />Using 2 spoons, drop ¼ cup dough into each muffin cup. <br /><br />Bake for 12 minutes.<br /><br />Remove biscuits from the oven and serve warm, slathered with butter. <br /><br />You can also cut them in half and toast them if you want them extra crunchy.<br /><br />*To sour milk, put 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a measuring cup, then fill with milk to equal 1 cup. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />For CiniMinis: </span><br /><br />Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dry mix. <br /><br />Fill mini muffin pans about 1/2 full. <br /><br />Brush the tops with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. <br /><br />Makes 24.<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a6b6fa8601dbeb6"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-60950732511032435112009-07-23T22:50:00.000-07:002009-07-23T23:09:11.806-07:00Rice, Rice BabySometimes it's fun to play with your food. I played with rice & food coloring and made some cute craft projects.<br /><br />Put one teaspoon of water and 10 drops of food coloring in a baggie - I used these nifty neon colors <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzqaA0vxis8ANaWn3xvgGdQ_b4KHWGOGCDu_h0jxAhDuge-SbUEUyO_xq8nzKSFcUJb7L6uHzHU6Qj7beLRCEjN4xGC7txKdrx2FG56Qz8n0yBibwjB_JISl1qum9GJVhDsw4yvnC4Nk/s1600-h/Rice+Dye+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzqaA0vxis8ANaWn3xvgGdQ_b4KHWGOGCDu_h0jxAhDuge-SbUEUyO_xq8nzKSFcUJb7L6uHzHU6Qj7beLRCEjN4xGC7txKdrx2FG56Qz8n0yBibwjB_JISl1qum9GJVhDsw4yvnC4Nk/s400/Rice+Dye+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361900358640880834" /></a><br /><br />Add 1/2 cup of rice to the bag and mush it around until the rice is completely colored<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2-LKeMmNBB-J5BME3gLTt__fN8N2GJ4iFImUWLV4BUUWitIEXwTi6zB2PuEFhIUr8SfdvW1poldATJTU_CtpuW4X8t0VYGTAVfVlk2Kf2Ixz3NH5xmVmt9lp_zBhyphenhyphentsSj1R_qx8iO0c/s1600-h/Rice+Dye+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2-LKeMmNBB-J5BME3gLTt__fN8N2GJ4iFImUWLV4BUUWitIEXwTi6zB2PuEFhIUr8SfdvW1poldATJTU_CtpuW4X8t0VYGTAVfVlk2Kf2Ixz3NH5xmVmt9lp_zBhyphenhyphentsSj1R_qx8iO0c/s400/Rice+Dye+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361901263300354290" /></a><br /><br />Spread the rice onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet and let it dry completely, it'll take about an hour or so (or much less if you put it outside on a hot, hot day like I did)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYAH5upxt50KNAIuQR7kesT-Zz7X6iiNmsQhLvG5kBnAfTa-eYfXw7XWs-sWcb9tkmHwlAiTpT9-Ji4lCsH84lJqdHwTV6nTICsK6cCRHO2UPmcsnr9Cs1m4NABpAM19rxnoayMG06Qw/s1600-h/Rice+Dye+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYAH5upxt50KNAIuQR7kesT-Zz7X6iiNmsQhLvG5kBnAfTa-eYfXw7XWs-sWcb9tkmHwlAiTpT9-Ji4lCsH84lJqdHwTV6nTICsK6cCRHO2UPmcsnr9Cs1m4NABpAM19rxnoayMG06Qw/s400/Rice+Dye+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361901728997977122" /></a><br /><br />Brush a picture frame, box, foam ball - whatever you've got - with some white glue. Cover the glue with the rice (sprinkle it on or dip the surface in) <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTfnvtBsC5t4jR-dJAbsEd2P4z76-Tejgkuij6tzKGG0bOeTqUE6t6cx24M4mWGgg8Cf2KDObhPokVJC5HwpjoCzdJq5fDhlUP0-By0jjdMdjB54-r5ZCVI5G6zmjNJk4hNzNni3yYao/s1600-h/Rice+Die+II+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTfnvtBsC5t4jR-dJAbsEd2P4z76-Tejgkuij6tzKGG0bOeTqUE6t6cx24M4mWGgg8Cf2KDObhPokVJC5HwpjoCzdJq5fDhlUP0-By0jjdMdjB54-r5ZCVI5G6zmjNJk4hNzNni3yYao/s400/Rice+Die+II+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361902152084516482" /></a><br /><br />Et Voila! You've got some cute projects and a fun activity for pennies<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QPM7CHKoju5vKcD6DhJCAoA8SmzpYzWbWZF2J5q_Wmd4ujbmKThQ_IjdKQwtOucF9RInrx_UuUjl9_vuqoAB5Zme2TNvu-BugsryCHO_1TeE3SA1EM6Ca2xUSGvijIEkSNh7P_WGXRk/s1600-h/Rice+Die+II+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QPM7CHKoju5vKcD6DhJCAoA8SmzpYzWbWZF2J5q_Wmd4ujbmKThQ_IjdKQwtOucF9RInrx_UuUjl9_vuqoAB5Zme2TNvu-BugsryCHO_1TeE3SA1EM6Ca2xUSGvijIEkSNh7P_WGXRk/s400/Rice+Die+II+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361902430553246146" /></a><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a694ff565707acf"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-12274837844865713482009-07-19T14:56:00.000-07:002009-07-19T17:31:10.384-07:00Basil, Sweet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zK5s-kQZiP0zwTiQkfdJjjMZ-W4Brr7hb_E7qTgzMQY-T1d6dOWo-DAMcMx_izPytpTtiO0xZ-bVx1rtEfeG_Jx2L7tWcQ9KQPYbB6HA4BC70_rKIJCrVs0QWggOHBUkjHScGQ4dpEc/s1600-h/Basil+Plant.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zK5s-kQZiP0zwTiQkfdJjjMZ-W4Brr7hb_E7qTgzMQY-T1d6dOWo-DAMcMx_izPytpTtiO0xZ-bVx1rtEfeG_Jx2L7tWcQ9KQPYbB6HA4BC70_rKIJCrVs0QWggOHBUkjHScGQ4dpEc/s400/Basil+Plant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360296268522878402" /></a><br /><br />The fabulous $2.99 Sweet Basil plants at Trader Joes are the perfect excuse to make pesto, and a 8+ hour shift at KGO is the perfect excuse to make White Bean & Basil Spread with <a href="http://frugalfoodiecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/06/sometimes-its-little-things.html">No-Kneed "Awesome" Bread</a>. <br /><br />My frugal pal Vanessa gave me the tip to use cashews instead of pine nuts in pesto. You still get that sweet, mellow, nutty richness, but at half the price. I also replaced Parmesan with less-expensive Asiago with no complaints from the co-workers who gobbled it up.<br /><br />White Bean & Basil Spread<br /><br />1/4 cup toasted, unsalted cashews<br />2 large cloves garlic, peeled<br />1/2 cup fresh arugula leaves, packed<br />1/4 cup Asiago cheese, grated<br />1/2 cup olive oil<br />2 cans (14 oz) white kidney (cannellini) beans, drained & rinsed*<br />water or chicken broth as needed<br /><br />Place the first 5 ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and whirl to combine. Add the beans and puree until smooth, adding water or broth to thin as needed. <br /><br />Makes about 3.5 cups<br /><br />*I usually use dry beans when I make white bean spreads, but I was short on time and the cans were only $.89 each at TJs - well within my limits of frugality<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a63baaa04eb3038"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-1915283318459297342009-07-16T14:34:00.000-07:002009-08-15T13:45:10.092-07:00Little Green Onions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoG1xZkR4RRQxOxfvJg1KcxgNV7I7xam3xMuEk3CUNkoTBABLBLlWpU-lk7Gw86McH4wLOyt2i0jQr49rjHX_H4aJyX6lvEu2NWmPRjl0e7BRAimN0-X6Uib6XXpEZR706BlI-l-hXyo/s1600-h/Green+Onions.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoG1xZkR4RRQxOxfvJg1KcxgNV7I7xam3xMuEk3CUNkoTBABLBLlWpU-lk7Gw86McH4wLOyt2i0jQr49rjHX_H4aJyX6lvEu2NWmPRjl0e7BRAimN0-X6Uib6XXpEZR706BlI-l-hXyo/s400/Green+Onions.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359175091538835698" border="0" /></a><br />Did you know you could re-grow green onions? You can! I feel a little like Dr. Frankenstein - I have the power to re-give life!<br /><br />Just cut cut the onions a couple of inches from the bulb, stick them in an inch or so of water and set them in a sunny spot. Soon you'll see green shoots sprouting up - cool!<br /><br />Keep doing it as long as you can, adding more water as needed. You should get 3-4 re-growths from your onions.<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a name="data:post.title" id="data:post.url" onmouseover="'return" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none ;" width="125" height="16" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a5f9e57550dd15e"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-53982700810363933592009-07-10T12:33:00.001-07:002009-07-16T14:41:22.408-07:00It's A Book (well almost...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfl9MhrXqvDj_pccQhC6ab4cWQTZnAWiqIajP5BNA8zQJc9D6V0d7f1rnJKnprX9fBqg3-UESVPzcCyt1p0P4gvb-h7Ga37LhYOh8xGFYjOfPOPsiFvnkg-X_iFDwhep53MK4xpqc6Dc/s1600-h/7.10.08+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfl9MhrXqvDj_pccQhC6ab4cWQTZnAWiqIajP5BNA8zQJc9D6V0d7f1rnJKnprX9fBqg3-UESVPzcCyt1p0P4gvb-h7Ga37LhYOh8xGFYjOfPOPsiFvnkg-X_iFDwhep53MK4xpqc6Dc/s400/7.10.08+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356917073712335090" border="0"></a><br />I received an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Foodie-Cookbook-Waste-Not-Recipes/dp/1573443638/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247254560&sr=1-2">The Frugal Foodie Cookbook</a> this week and boy does it look great! The cover and interior layout designers did such an amazing job - yay!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYfwhsXnQplgVIjcWdIeTYLRni-aVXY2-9-cau9wbTL1wZ5uvprWVy_lNNQzDCQNO7O3dEmep8rxwbVldfeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a5f9e57550dd15e"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083526609119092727.post-79743021027490438712009-07-10T12:11:00.000-07:002009-07-16T14:41:39.326-07:00Kale Krisps!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxo6orz_PqlMFTW8p6DUIwbab_S2HLQCxL7nTIyWH-pr8sQoAmpJ8gxZU_HDAMI5QerEUviOMLaxI6oTkiNRJkAdOHlntRb-9dNALftHRM_CaHOIsZIeSWIWHah_ZA7u2JA4AIsWvxlU/s1600-h/7.10.08+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxo6orz_PqlMFTW8p6DUIwbab_S2HLQCxL7nTIyWH-pr8sQoAmpJ8gxZU_HDAMI5QerEUviOMLaxI6oTkiNRJkAdOHlntRb-9dNALftHRM_CaHOIsZIeSWIWHah_ZA7u2JA4AIsWvxlU/s400/7.10.08+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356914230357663394" /></a><br /><br />My friend Danielle and her family were going out of town for a couple of weeks and in the midst of all of the backing and scheduling, she realized that she had a fridge full of fresh fruits and veggies. She hated to toss them, and could only eat so much - so she put out a call to her friends to come on over and grab a bag of organic farm produce as well as garden-variety grocery store goods.<br /><br />My grab bag included a beautiful bunch of Tuscan a.k.a.Dino Kale. I knew that Mr. Meat & Potatoes and Young Master Picky would be less than inclined to eat it no matter what I did to it. but that the Gourmet Gals of the book club would love a to nibble on a basket of Kale Krisps. <br /><br />These earthy little snacks have are great with cocktails, and have pleasantly bitter aftertaste. Don't be alarmed when they crackle loudly in the oven, or fill the house with a smell similar to cooked Brussels sprouts.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Kale Krisps</span><br /><br />1 head Tuscan or dino kale, washed and cut into tortilla-chip-sized pieces (the stems are a little chewy, but tasty - go ahead and use 'em)<br />½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar<br />2 tablespoons olive oil<br />salt and pepper<br /><br />Preheat oven to 300°F.<br /><br />Place the kale pieces in a bowl and drizzle with vinegar and olive oil. <br /><br />Turn the leaves a couple of times to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. <br /><br />Arrange leaves in single layer on 2 large baking sheets. <br /><br />Bake until crisp, about 30–35 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking time and turning down the heat down if they get too brown before they get crisp.<br /><br />Transfer to a rack to cool.<br /><br />Makes about 6 cups.<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a5f9e57550dd15e"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lara Starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310974862293695147noreply@blogger.com0