roasted vegetables

one of the best ways too cook vegetables you have on hand it to roast them. Easy preparation.

On a stoneware sheet pan diced and bake what have you in a medium oven till tender about an hour or so.

 

 

Here we have white onion, mushrooms, tomato, red pepper, and garlic. Season to your taste

with salt, pepper, and herbs. When completed, spoon on a bun, top with grated cheese.

Delicious !

 

Store the remainder for many uses, over pasta or when you need a side of vegetables with your meals, or a filling.

countertop garden

The herbs wintered over on the countertop under a light, some new cilantro, with the parsley,

new dill with the sage and the oregano still going. Now that the weather has changed outside they go.

Herbs are difficult so far to start, i don’t know if the cilantro and dill will survive, they grow a bit spindly, the parsley, sage and oregano are established.

Kitchen Garden

This year I brought in some of the containers from the garden so i could continue growing herbs for kitchen use. I had some under counter lights  (florescent) my daughter had gotten from a give way on Craig’s List and mounted one under my kitchen cabinet. It gives ample lighting during the day and the temperature stays around 70-75 degrees. Now I recently planted more herbs with the existing ones and they have started to sprout. I’m keeping my fingers crossed as herbs are sometimes difficult to start, for me that is, and that they continue to flourish.

(L-R)  sage is still going strong, it’s flavorful and it has been trimmed and keeps sprouting leaves. The Oregano grows more slowly and each trimming brings new growth. The Parsley is being brought back to full growth as there was little of it left after being outside.

With this on the counter I’m more likely to use fresh herbs with everything. Now before a meal trim some, place in small containers, and set them on the table. Your family and friends can use them to season as you would with salt and pepper.

Great with side dishes such as mashed potatoes, pasta, rice etc. Serve bread with dinner ?  Alongside a plate of olive oil for dipping bread, herbs will give bread a new taste alternative and/or compliment butter.

sausage and apple stuffing

Adapted from : simply recipes.com/recipes/crown_roast_of_pork

This recipe can be modified and used for other uses such as poultry etc.

cube (about 3/4 inch dice) day old bread enough for 4 cups.

 

In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, add the cubed bread, stir, let the cubes toast and brown. Set aside.

 

In a four quart pan, with a bit of salt on the bottom, de case sausage, about 1/4 pound hot and 1/4 pound sweet, in about 1 inch pieces, sauté till brown and flip, browning the other side. Remove  with a slotted spoon, and set aside.

Augment the pan drippings, the sausage meat did not render that much fat, with rendered bacon fat. Add 1/2 cup diced  onions and 1/2 cup diced celery with diced celery leaves. Cook 3 to 5 minutes.

Dice up about 2 cups Granny Smith Apples, add to the mix, and cook a few minutes.

Add to the mix, 1 Teaspoon chopped  fresh sage ,1 Teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.

Return the sausage and bread cubes to the pan, toss and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Store (refrigerate) stuffing till needed, if made ahead of time.

shopping

September/October

LOCAL

just a few items purchased, this bakery is well stocked with many items and of course dairy products.

http://www.wrightsdairyfarm.com/

bakery items Wrights Dairy Farm, Woonsocket Rhode, Island

not pictured, cheddar cheese $14.00 per pound

milk

_____________________________________________________________________________________

also produce from Morris Farms, Warwick Avenue, Warwick Rhode island

They now also sell beef

Morris Farms link through farm fresh.org

 

other notes:

shopping from warehouse club

organic spinach 4.99

Botto Hot Sausage patties 4.5 lbs  $5.99

Strawberries 2lbs @ $4.99

whole milk $3.01/gallon

Also  peaches and apples from Bardens Farm, We missed the prime picking for peaches this year, practically all of the peach orchid was picked cleaned. Purchased 20 lbs B grade tomatoes ,processed into sauce and peeled and froze some whole for later use.

 

internet shopping:

Monterey bay spice /herbco.com

restocking items

sampling teas

 

SKU:	Product	Quantity	Price	Ext. Price
112	Sesame seed, natural Organic-Per Pound	1	$3.50	$3.50
1499-OUNCES	Cumin seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.60	$1.60
816-OUNCES	Poppy seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.40	$1.40
884-OUNCES	Celery seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.16	$1.16
813-OUNCES	Ginger root, c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.40	$2.40
467-OUNCES	Dill seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.20	$1.20
1068-OUNCES	Caraway seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.52	$1.52
1488-OUNCES	Cinnamon sticks, 6″ (50 sticks/lb)-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.60	$1.60
1833-OUNCES	Green tea (China), c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.20	$2.20
383-SAMPLE	Green tea (Sencha), Organic-SAMPLE (4 servings)	1	$2.00	$2.00
2094-SAMPLE	Jasmine tea Organic-SAMPLE (4 servings)	1	$2.00	$2.00

Order Notes: None

SubTotal: $20.58 Shipping: UPS Ground $13.12 Tax: $0.00 Total:

 

Hodgson Mills

restocking grains, flours etc.

As I have been baking bread often, I vary the recipe using white ,wheat and rye flours and a variety of seeds.

The vital wheat gluten has improved the texture of the breads.

 

 

Semolina Pasta Flour-2LB. Product code : 71518-05040-001

each (1-2LB.)1$3.70 /EACH$3.70

Whole Wheat Couscous-11oz. Product code : 71518-00042-001

each (1-11oz.)1$2.10 /EACH$2.10

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour-2lb. Product code : 71518-05038-001

each (1-2LB.)1$3.10 /EACH$3.10

Whole Grain Flax Seed Product code : 71518-01011-001

each (1-16oz.)1$3.25 /EACH$3.25

Bulgur Wheat with Soy Grits-18oz. Product code : 71518-02422-001

each (1-18oz.)1$2.40 /EACH$2.40

Gluten Free Xanthan Gum Product code : 71518-02175-001

each (1-9g. pkg)1$0.45 /EACH$0.45

Vital Wheat Gluten w / Vitamin C-6.5oz. Product code : 71518-00810-001

each (1-6.5oz.)1$1.90 /EACH$1.90

Organic Whole Wheat Flour-2LB. Product code : 71518-05104-001

each (1-2LB.)1$3.55 /EACH$3.55

Sub total : USD $20.45 Shipping : USD $11.77 Total : USD $32.22

garden lasagna

        from the Garden Lasagna

       peel, slice, salt and let drain the eggplant,

roast on a baking sheet till some what limp

set aside for assembly

• sauté an amount of  garlic in a saucepan with oil

season with salt & pepper, add flour and more oil if needed and  cook like a roux

add milk, I guess about 1/2 cup

more  stock than milk,

several slices of American cheese

cook slightly to reach a boil,

temper in two eggs,

simmer, should be  pretty thick and rich to compliment the

vegetables and  enough for a 13×9 size lasagna

• add about several tablespoons of tomato paste, heat through, remove from heat, set aside. Since the stock is rich, a slight salt and pepper is all I use, oops, and  a wicked small amount of smoked hot red pepper flakes, no more than a pinch, you want the flavors of the veggies up front.

make wide pasta noodles, I like noodles between each vegetable so I go down to #2 setting.

I don’t fuss, mix about 1 cup flour and 1 egg in the kitchen aid with the beater, add a bit of water till it’s almost together.

no waiting either, right to the pasta machine. I made the pasta on demand, it ended up being 2 batches

  boil, drain, trim as necessary, dry on kitchen towel                                           spread sauce on bottom of the pan

start assembly

•   noodles
• fresh sliced tomato
• noodles
• roasted eggplant
• noodles
• raw sliced green peppers for crunch

repeat

use a small amount of sauce with each layer

top with fresh herbs

last, cover with noodles

and sauce

mmmmmmmmmmmmm…. now were talking lasagna ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

off to a 325 oven, bring it up slowly till slightly bubbly

I don’t know about 1/2 hour or more

if you made the sauce at the right consistency, it won’t be really bubbly or bubble over

of course give it time to rest before serving

I hit the mark with this one, I could cut a piece from the pan and pick it up with my hand without it falling apart.

the simplicity and freshness of the flavors are apparent.

Now, to food bloggers who post REAL pictures of their food and kitchen my salute !!!!

Crown Roast of Pork

I have always wanted to have a Crown Roast as we always have had the traditional Ham, Lamb Turkey or Beef Roast on Holiday Meals. So did my wife, so from Bj’s warehouse she brought home a Crown of Pork for our Easter Dinner. It weighed in just shy of 8 pounds and was about $27.00 and change, not bad ,and the ribs were cut about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. The recipe called for stuffing the Crown with a sausage herbed stuffing bread stuffing. It turned out Excellent !

Easter Dinner 2011

We made the paper frills for presentation!

RECIPE FOR Crown Roast (to follow)

shopping : Monterey bay spice company

When your favorite chef or recipe calls for a special herb or spice are yours fresh??? How time flys !, The recommended rule of thumb is to keep a years supply of herbs and ground spices and a 2 years supply of whole spices on the shelve, though those guidelines may vary according to the cook! When it comes time to clean out and inventory your herbs and spices, it’s convenient to order all the needed items from one source other than the high-priced small bottles of herbs and spices at the supermarket.

While Penzeys is probably the most well know spice supplier online (or at their brick and mortar store) The Monterey Bay Spice Company (also known as herbco.com) is an alternative. They are less expensive than Penzeys . Most of the spices and herbs minimum amount is 4 oz which in cases of some of the herbs is a large amount. Monterey Bay Spice Company’s website allows you to enter items numbers directly to the search function from their paper catalog. The information on each herb and spice is extensive and geared more toward an herbalist, outlining suggested applications, a background and description for each herb or spice and there is some information given on culinary use. Monterey Bay Spice Company also offers teas, essential and fragrance oils and herbal supplies. Most of the herbs and spices are available both in regular and organic.

The online order was place on November 01 , 2010 with an emailed receipt. Monterey Bay Spice Company has multiple shipping methods if you need your order like tomorrow ! An email shipping confirmation was received November 3 with a USPS (United States Postal Service)shipping tracer. The USPS shipping tracker is not as extensive as an UPS (United Parcel Service) tracer as it just indicates it package has been sent and not updated till delivered. The UPS tracker on packages notes every time the parcel is scanned on route. The USPS has an option to email updates as necessary. Being the less expensive shipping method $14..33 USD, the package arrived November 17th 2010. The items are packaged in sealed cleared plastic (no zip locks) and labeled largely . If you have a friend or relative that cooks and will enjoy fresh herbs and spices the large packages can be shared among others. If you order basic whole spices and seeds you can grind them to order and mix your own blends, that is for poultry, beef , fish, BBQ , Cajun, Indian etc. instead of purchasing them pre- blended.

	Caraway seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.52
	Peppercorn mix (4 pepper), whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$3.00
	Cilantro (domestic), c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$5.60
	Paprika (Hungary) powder-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.80
	Dill weed (domestic), c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$4.80
	Celery seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.16
	Mustard seed, yellow whole Organic-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.80
	Coriander seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.08
	Marjoram, c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.40
	Sea salt-Per Pound	1	$1.50
	Mulling spices-Per 1/4 pound	1	$2.10
	Ginger root, c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.20
	Fennel seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.08
	Sesame seed, natural Organic-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.40
	Dill seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.00
	Poppy seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.00
	Cumin seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.60
	Spearmint leaf (domestic), c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$1.32
	Fenugreek seed, whole-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$0.84
	Sassafras root bark, c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$6.00
	Savory, c/s-Per 1/4 Pound	1	$2.60