monkeymilk's Profile

Use jarred garlic, throw the onions and cilantro in the food processor. Or take a knife skills class. Chopping all that stuff is probably what's dragging him down. No big deal for people like you (commenters reading a food blog :) but a p.i.t.a. for people who eat the same thing for lunch every day and have no interest in changing it up = people who aren't very fast at chopping things by hand. Like me!

I usually sprinkle a little salt, then "massage." It really does help. A LOT. I use olive oil, lemon juice and parmesan as the dressing. The parmesan makes a world of difference! of course.

I once cater-waitered at the home of a very particular couple with marble countertops. They gave VERY strict instructions not to allow any guest to put a drink on the counter, so I was constantly slipping coasters under people's drinks and giving apologetic smiles. One guest said to me, "You must be a friend of [host]'s." If you are anti-water ring, I'd say save yourself some hassle.

I like this bag (Canvas 1963 Work Bag) from Lands End Canvas. I imagine the quality is pretty good.

http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-404463_XP.html?amp;CM_MERCH=REC-_-CVPP-_-GGT-_-2-_-404463-_-392533

I have a recipe from the Mennonite Community Cookbook (I'm PA Dutch, so apple dumplings are very close to my heart.) It's very similar to your version:

Dough:
2 C flour
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2/3 C shortening
1/2 C milk

Fill the cavity of the apples with sugar and cinnamon (no measurements given). Wrap up in the pastry.

Sauce:
2 C brown sugar
2 C water
1/4 C butter
1/4 t cinnamon or nutmeg

Also, you don't serve these with ice cream. You pour milk or cream over them and eat them for dinner!

Mussels!

Thanks for this article. I work full time for a consulting company - when I'm not traveling, I'm in my home office. My almost 3 yo is now in preschool 3 days a week (and at grandma's house 1 day) but before then, it was a mighty challenge to juggle job and child, even with a husband who also works at home.

Like you say, sometimes it's the best of both worlds, but it's also the worst of both - never feeling like an adequate parent or worker. It's also hard to find moms in the same situation - most of my friends are stay at home moms and the working moms I know have more traditional office jobs. Those situations have their own special challenges (and rewards).

Anyway. It's so nice to know there others out there, too.

My old boss (who was Mexican) used to say that flour tortillas were "the white man's tool to destroy Mexicans" because of all the extra fat and stuff. He was joking, of course. Sort of. :)

Hildi was nuts but she did one of my favorite bedrooms of all time (at least, I'm pretty sure it was her. It might have been Geniveve. It was a tiny, narrow bedroom and Ty built a gorgeous, low platform bed (very Ligne Roset) and then she put seagrass (in a planter) along one wall. It was gorgeous!

Mollie Katzen does have a wonderful book for kids, but I would HIGHLY recommend the classic Moosewood Cookbook. This is the book that taught me how to cook. She give such wonderful, thoughtful advice and really encourages the cook to be creative. There's even a section on "light meals" or "meals for one" ... I forget which and I'm not in my kitchen to look it up. There's nothing complicated in terms of technique and the recipes are very approachable and yummy. It's perfect for a budding chef!