tracylynn's Profile

I disagree with #1...I go to the market every week and decide what the meal plan is based on what's available.

I do have a go-to list of basic dishes that can be made with a lot of different things though, like some form of hash with poached eggs, which I make with beets or asparagus in the spring, zucchini in the summer, and butternut squash in the fall. Ditto with things like quinoa salad or pasta with roasted veggies.

My farmer's market has a vendor that sells meat and chicken. I tend to buy things like sausages and bacon and divide it immediately into individual portions, so when I buy some vegetables one weekend there are small amounts of meats ready in the freezer to combine with them for a meal. I also buy a locally produced parmesan-like cheese which I freeze in small pieces, individually wrapped, so I can pull them out and add to dishes as necessary.

It always makes me laugh to see "Irish Soda Bread" recipes with a long list of ingredients. This is originally a rustic peasant bread! Sugar and currants and carraway seeds? Not likely.

I have a very traditional loaf baking in the oven right now (whole wheat flour, soda, salt, butter, buttermilk), but I will admit that I am trying the cast iron pan...I usually just make in on a baking sheet. Smells heavenly. Can't wait to spread some jam on it.

ENGLISH MUFFINS! Seriously. Sorry to yell. Make english muffins. Or english muffin loaf (I have a recipe for it in one of my canning cookbooks, because it's such a fantastic platform for jam). In fact, make jam, then make ricotta, then make english muffin loaf and spread ricotta and jam on it. And then make some coffee. And then make some for me.

Agree with mabith and mh330...drink whatever coffee makes you happy however it makes you happy. Just like wine and beer and cheese and anything else.

Also, absolutes are ridiculous. As with anything else artisanal, it depends on the beans and the desired outcome of the roaster and, of course, on the freshness. I get my coffee from a local Northern VA small-batch roaster (http://www.cervantescoffee.com). It's spectactular (not too acidic, cocoa-y and nutty), but if you do any reading about it you will find that coffee can have a lot of different flavor profiles from citrusy and fruity to chocolatey and nutty, brighter, darker, etc...all depending on the origin of the beans and the manipulation of the farmer, roaster, and brewer.

And don't put your beans, ground or otherwise, in the freezer. Moisture is bad for the coffee, this will not preserve the freshness. A not-clear, airtight container so light and moisture cannot get to the beans is best. If it really matters to you, just grind it before you brew.

I just roasted my second chicken ever...try the Jamie Oliver chicken-in-milk recipe that was posted here last week, it was fantastic. Cassoulet is on my list for this winter.

We had this at Thanksgiving for breakfast this year...absolutely delicious. Will definately use again.

Since it's fall, I'm making a savory pumpkin dip.

Het, I am right there with you. Just because you once got a great deal of home goods as wedding gifts doesn't mean the same people OWE you replacements now that you are divorced. Legions of single people manage to buy their own plungers every day.

I don't understand why people think they need to be in their "permanent" home before buying quality furniture. I moved around every 3 years growing up, you find new ways to make your furniture work in a new home; that's part of the fun of moving! I still move around every few years and I'm definately slowly acquiring nice pieces I hope will last a long time.

IKEA is incredibly useful and affordable, I'm not saying I don't go there for things I need occasionally, but many of their items are cheaply made "throw away" pieces and I'm trying not to waste money on things that will be trash in a few years.

Hee. Frotum.

I think the "ribbing" that CanadianMango is talking about is to keep you from burning yourself.

I actually find the knitted covers quite charming. I just learned to knit and think I will do hot water bottles and cashmere covers for my girlfriends next year.