Monthly Archives: September 2009

Jalapeno Poppers

Posted on 20 September 2009
by

DSC_5407

My two little jalapeno pepper plants were VERY good to me this year. TWO POUNDS OF PEPPERS good to me. The first pound went to jalapeno pepper jelly which quickly became a favorite with the husband. The most recent pound was waiting for me in the fridge since I wasn’t sure quite what to do with that many jalapenos. Someone suggested jalapeno poppers, but since I’m not a big fan of frying and have never really been able to get that whole breading thing right, the idea was pretty much abandoned.  Then I happened upon this recipe and decided to give it a go. The process involves cutting and de-seeding all of the peppers, dipping them in milk, then flour and after a quick dry, two rounds through milk and bread crumbs. It’s time consuming (especially when there are 56 poppers to make), but the result is a PERFECT jalapeno popper. I’m really kind of shocked that these came out so well. Served up with a little sour cream, they make a great snack.  I plan on freezing most of them to save for later since there are 56!

Share
Leave a Reply ?

Torta di Mele

Posted on 19 September 2009
by
Last week, Abbie and I went to the Hopewell Furnace and found that they had a small apple orchard open for apple picking. We picked about 5lbs of apples which have been sitting on my kitchen table, waiting for inspiration. Today, inspiration struck. During my last year of college, I spent a semester abroad, in Italy, and lived with a wonderful host family. Every morning for breakfast, there would be hot espresso, warm milk, and this delicious Torta di Mele or Apple Cake. I quickly fell in love with the cake and requested that my host mother walk me through making the cake so that I could write down the recipe and bring it home with me. Her recipe uses olive oil (I’d suggest a ‘Lite’ olive oil instead of the more flavorful Extra Virgin variety) in place of butter and while we use baking powder, she used, “lievito per dolci.” There doesn’t seem to be a difference between the two and I’m not sure if the chemical composition is the same, but it rises and tastes exactly as I remember. For apples, feel free to use whichever type you like, though a tart, firm apple such as the Gala or Granny Smith seems to work best.

Torta di Mele (Apple Cake) Print Print
Ingredients:  
2 Eggs 300 g (2.25 cup) All-Purpose Flour
200 g (1 cup) Sugar 1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 cup Olive Oil 4 Apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1 cup Milk 1 tbsp Confectioners Sugar (optional)
Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350F.Break eggs into a mixing bowl and add sugar.
  • Add oil and milk and slowly add flour.
  • Mix together until smooth, and be careful not to over-mix.
  • Add baking powder and mix in well.
  • Pour mixture into an 8×10 baking pan and layer apples on top or press under batter.
  • Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar on top while still warm.
  • Serves up to 16.
    		•  DSC_5405
    Share
    [ 1 Reply ]

    Fabulous October Leaves

    Posted on 17 September 2009
    by

    DSC_5268

    IS THAT NOT JUST BEAUITFUL?! And no, I’m not talking about the photography (while it is pretty damned good, ahem), I’m talking about the design and pattern that these delightful fingerless mittens were knit from.  I’m not biased because the designer might have taught me how to knit. I wouldn’t be biased because she was a college floor-mate either. Never.

    But, even if I was a little biased? You should still go buy that pattern here. Find a delicious fingering weight yarn that makes the sound of rustling leaves dance in your ears, and go knit and be happy. And warm!

    Share
    Leave a Reply ?

    Just a Light Snack

    Posted on 15 September 2009
    by

    DSC_5278

    Sometimes, all you really want for dinner is a juicy tomato and some cheese.  You don’t?  Well, I DO!  The tomatoes are black tomatoes which didn’t really turn out as deep and dark as I had hoped, but they are still this gorgeous chocolatey red color inside and have this incredibly soft texture like velvet.  The color in the picture is pretty accurate on my PC.  Surprisingly, these fared rather well in spite of the awful blight this year (my roma tomatoes have been completely decimated), but they definitely aren’t sauce tomatoes since they’re pretty juicy and high in water content.  But, that does make them perfect for slicing up with some smoked mozzarella cheese, a little basil, and some balsamic vinegar for an evening snack.

    While the tomato crop hasn’t done so well, the peppers have COMPLETELY made up for it.  I have jalapeno, anaheim, and banana peppers out the wazoo.  I’m totally running out of ideas for them at this point and need help.  So, help?

    Share
    Leave a Reply ?

    Socktoberfest 2009

    Posted on 6 September 2009
    by

    I’m sure this post will be of no interest to non-knitters, but here it is.

    Oh yes, the annual tradition of Socktoberfest is coming up on us quickly.  October is only about three weeks away, and this means four glorious weeks of sock knitting during October.  This also means I have to make a battle plan and be ready to complete four pairs of socks during the month.  Yes, I’m pushing myself a little, but I’m pretty sure I can do it this year, especially after coming so close last year.

    So, I’m going to open this to suggestions from the public.  Pick a yarn and a pattern from my stash and sock queue on Ravelry and tell me what to knit.  I never seem to be able to decide for myself, so give me some ideas!

    Share
    Leave a Reply ?

    August Knitting Wrap-up

    Posted on 2 September 2009
    by

    I’m actually on time!  Back again to the Knitting Resolutions..

    3. Knit one pair of socks per month

    DSC_3981 Handspun Wanida
    Pattern: Wanida
    Designer: Cookie A.
    Needles: US 1 (2.25mm)
    Yarn: My own Handspun
    -Ravelry Project Link-

    I’m fiercely proud of these.  The handspun is a superwash BFL by Twisted Fiber Art that I spun as part of Tour de Fleece.  It knitted up and wears absolutely beautifully.  Even though there’s a jog in the color change for the heel, I still like how they came out and worked with the pattern.  Knitted up quick and those colors are just spectacular!

    4. Spin four ounces of roving per month.
    We gots your spunroving right here. This is 632 yards of fingering weight yarn that was started during Tour de Fleece and finished up in August. When I realized I had 632 yards, I figured it was way more than 4 ounces to begin with, so I’m saying it’ll count for August. It’s navajo plied and is a merino roving that was found at Maryland Sheep & Wool festival this year. We had a dye day not too long ago and I dyed this at the event. Love the way it came out and now I have to find something that will use the whole batch of yarn.
    DSC_5174

    Still making progress on that sweater, but as the year is already half-over, I’m not sure if I’ll actually complete all my resolutions and goals.  Well, there’s always next year, right?

    Share
    Leave a Reply ?