28.3.11

Deep Fried.


Yes, that's me. It was Saturday night and we had just finished a delicious dinner at our friend's house. Then out came the deep fried Snicker's bars. They were good. It was hard to deny that fact. I hear they were all the rage in the States a few years ago. That doesn't surprise me. Americans aren't known for their highly nutritious diets.

Jess has been negotiating with me for years to get a deep fryer. Although we'd be able to produce tasty nuggets of greasy goodness for our friends, in my heart of hearts, I know we are not the type that should own such an appliance. Oh sure, we'd promise to to treat him right but it would just be empty words. We would feed him all the right foods, clean him regularly and make him feel as worthy as our other appliances. He'd even feel as good as our self righteous juicer. He would stand proud next to our toaster over and hand blender, convinced that his job was as important as theirs. He would be like our adoptive son that never knew he had another set of parents out in the world.

The abuse would begin slowly. At first it would be just small bits of food that we'd experiment with, just to see how they would sizzle. Maybe move up to frying a whole carrot. Then we'd start stealing the kid's candy from Halloween to fry up for a treat. You all know how this is going to end. Let's say it together. "Deep Fried Turkey For Christmas". I can't live like this.

But for now we are safe. But the weather is warming and and you know what that means. Jess will start asking for an ice cream maker.

Deep Fried Snicker's Bars

8 Snicker's bars
8-12 cups of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup of milk
2 tbsp of white vinegar
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Place Snicker's bars in freezer for at least two hours or until frozen solid. Heat oil in heavy saucepan until it is 3 inches deep over medium high heat. Use an oil thermometer to ensure the oil reaches a temperature of 375.
Place 1/2 cup of flour aside. In a bowl combine the remaining flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, mix together the remaining wet ingredients. Combine both bowls to make the batter.
Once Snicker's bars are frozen dredge in flour and then immerse in batter. Gently place bar in heated oil. Once it has reached a golden brown colour, remove with slotted spoon and place on a plate with paper towels to soak up the excess oil. Let them cool slightly before serving.

27.3.11

Moderation



Moderation is not my strong point. I'm a true believer that if you buy pint of ice cream, you should eat that pint. Why delay the inevitable? It's all going to the same place. You are simply being more efficient if you eat it all now. Am I right here or what?

I remember listening to Howard Stern one morning talking about how much he loves almonds. Each day he would count out 12 almonds to eat for that day. He never ate more that than. How can a man so lacking in boundaries be able to tame his love of almonds everyday? I'll telling you, the world is a baffling place.

My weekend consisted of not enough moderation. This seems to seep into my daily life as well. I feel the need to curb some of my indulgences. I know I'm worth it, but I'm not sure my body and mind are thanking me for my lack of discipline. Perhaps April is my month to restrict such loves as cheese, chocolate and dare I say, wine. I need more sleep, so maybe less outings and more early bedtimes. I also need more exercise. April sure is starting to sound like a drag.

I recently got introduced to a very tasty kale salad. I'm not claiming that this is exciting news, it's simply a fact. I have no problem eating kale in moderation. Why is that? April is my month to change such discrepancies, and I'm starting with the recipe below.

Kale Salad with Pecorino Cheese and Lemon

1 large bunch of kale, washed and trimmed of stems
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, grated
2 lemons juiced
Handful of tamari almonds, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste

Slice deveined kale into thin ribbons. Toss the shaved kale with teh cheese in large bowl.
Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together and pour over salad. Season with salt and pepper. Let salad sit at room temperature for an hour before serving. Sprinkle with almonds before eating.

19.3.11

Unpretentious


Jesse and I found ourselves without plans last Saturday night. I was suppose to be away at a resort in Ontario. Every winter my friend and I book a place and take off for the week with the kids. It's usually affordable and it allows us to have a week away from the grind and some good friend time. It is also lovely to have a destination that doesn't make us feel left behind by all those who are flying South for some sunshine.

This vacation didn't work out so well. Within the first 3 days three of us had thrown up. The flu was upon us and I hightailed it out of there before my kids were bedridden with the worst.

So we found ourselves with a free Saturday night. We were all in good health so it only made sense that we should entertain. Jess had one stipulation. He would cook and it wouldn't be anything fancy. I tend to get excited at the prospect of cooking something interesting for friends and sometimes I go a little overboard. Luckily Jess is a good cook so I let him take over. Phone calls were made and guests arrived. It was meatloaf and mash potatoes for everyone and we all loved it. I didn't even get a chance to take a proper photograph before it was all gone.

There is something to be said about a simple meal. There is more to be said about sharing it with friends. It's one of my favorite things to do and I plan to do it with more simplicity in the future. Unless I'm feeling a little fancy.

Jesse has gone gluten free so most of our recipes are modified to accommodate this. This one is more moist than the breadcrumb version and is now our new standard. I hope you like it.

Gluten Free Meatloaf

2 lbs ground steak or lean ground beef
2 eggs, whisked
1/2 cooked rice
2 tsp salt
2 onions, finely chopped and sauteed
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer and press into a loaf pan. Bake at 400 C for 30 minutes.

16.3.11

a break and a brand new start.

Friends, I think there might be a little bit of spring headed our way, and not a moment too soon.

At first I thought that I was having a run of bad luck over this past winter. After a while, as the seasonal malaise crept in and got ready to stay awhile, I decided that it was not just the events of the winter, but winter itself that was laying me low.

Now I realize that I must have just been hibernating, because a couple of days of March break, fresh air and sunshine, and I am back!

Well, sort of.

(Alysa and I took our kids to the park the other day and we both had a laugh over my needing to tell her (and the rest of you) that I, too, was taking a break from our blog. She says it was fairly obvious. She has a point.)

I am back because I wanted to let you know that over the course of my hibernation I got to work on a new project.

It's still very much a work in progress, and my break over here will continue, but if you are curious about what I am up to you can always check it out.

Spring, and a brand new start. What could be better?