*2 bath towels

*2 hand towels

*2 washcloths

*1 9" Calphalon cake pan

10 Best Dutch Oven Reviews : 1.Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Covered Casserole, Cardinal Red 2.Lodge Color EC6D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Island Spice Red, 6-Quart 3.Lodge L8DOL3 Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Dutch Oven with Dual Handles, 5-Quart 4.Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven - Red Color with Lid, 3.2-quart - by Utopia Kitchen 5.Lodge L12DCO3 Deep Camp Dutch Oven, 8-Quart 6.Lodge Color EC4D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Island Spice Red, 4.5-Quart 7.Simply Calphalon Nonstick 7-qt. Dutch Oven & Cover 8.Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart 9.Camp Chef Deluxe 12-Quart Dutch Oven 10.Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch oven with Dual Handle and Cover Casserole Dish - Black, 7 Quarts - Utopia Kitchen To buy click on the link. wp.me/p7Su6M-kU youtu.be/KxX-_gfz1I0

Oranjello the cat.

close-up.

 

upstairs, Clint and Carolyn's house, Alexandria, Virginia.

 

May 2, 2015.

  

... Read my blog at ClintJCL at wordpress.com

... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL at wordpress.com

 

... Read my yard sale-related blogposts at clintjcl dot wordpress dot com/category/yard-sales/

  

BACKSTORY: Got up around 8:50AM, made it out driving by ~9:15 and went out until 2:27PM for a total of 5.25 hours. Spent $60.55 plus ~$10.66 gas for 40.0 miles of driving (14 mpg @ $3.73/G), for a total cost of $71.21. We drove to 24 yard sales, stopping at 15 (62%) of them. We made 44 purchases (69 items) for a total estimated value of $814.81, leading to a profit/savings of $743.60. So in essence, we multiplied our $71.21 investment by 11.44X. (Also, if you think about it, the profit counts for even more when you consider that we have to earn ~$900 on the job, pre-tax, in order to take home the $789 in cash that we saved. How long does $900 of disposable income take to earn, vs the 5.25 hrs we spent here?) Anyway, this works out to a *post-tax* "wage" of $124.26/hr as a couple or $62.13/hr per person.

 

THE TAKE:

 

$5.00: lawn darts, Regent "Slider" Jarts, model 73929, in box, part no. 01-73927, Regent Sports Corporation, Hauppauge, NY 11787 (EV:$100)

 

$5.00: (8) generic folding chairs (EV:$11.99)

 

$5.00: ottoman, leather, 18.5x18.5x16.5" high, with storage area (EV:$51.00)

 

$5.00: wooden multishelf unit, 30x24x5" deep, 7 shelves (EV:$29.00) (not quite this, but I can't find anything more exact)

 

$4.00: mechanic's creeper, on wheels (EV:$24.49)

 

$4.00: clock radio, Proton 320, Model #320, Serial # P32178259 (EV:$22.83)

 

$3.00: fan, adjusts from 33" high to 47" high, white, plastic, Galaxy, turns out it doesn't work. (EV:$32.69), but we are counting it as $0.00 since it didn't work.

 

$3.00: lamp, silver, metal clip on, 9" extension, model hbp1001c-109, 12746 SKU: 717-880 "DLC" 0-4633584495-7, date: 201203, E91675 (EV:$28.49)

 

$3.00: bag of hotel toiletries, 11 bottles of lotion (SolTerre), 17 bottles of shampoo (SolTerre), 16 bars of soap (SolTerre), 1 small container of Morton's salt and 1 small container of Morton's pepper (EV:$21.99)

 

$3.00: car tray, interior, Keller, 2 cup holders, 10x16"(EV:$27.48), it's not quite this, but I can't find a closer match.

 

$2.00: cordless vacuum, SharK-15.6 volts, sv7514 (EV:$28.99)

 

$2.00: mirror, magnifying, wall-mount, ConAir The Classique Collection #41742, 8" diameter, 5x magnification, tri-fold arm extends 12.5" from wall, outer arm swivals 360 degrees, (EV:$42.74)

 

$1.00: extension cord, white, 2-prong, 6ft, vendor# 64646 (EV:$5.32)

 

$1.00: guitar, First Act Discovery, missing 3 strings, FG 125, 31"x10" (EV:$1.04)

 

$1.00: game, roller dice, Sportcraft, model no. 11005, barcode 04473610053 (EV:$3.01 price tag)

 

$1.00: hanging metal decoration, 18 point metal star, welded, very sharp and pointy, 18" across (EV:$81.90)

 

$1.00: (6) bottles of hair spray, flourescent, Star Quality, 5 bottles 3.5 oz each (3 purple, 1 green, 1 silver), 1 bottle 3.0 oz (yellow) (EV:$0.40 each price tags)

 

$1.00: carpet freshener, Glade, 42.6 oz (EV:$5.29)

 

$1.00: toy, Sit 'n Spin, blue with cow face. PlaySkool, 2013 Hasbro (EV:$18.89)

 

$1.00: toy, airplane, some sort of hard plastic material, WestAir N360SE, 17.5x18.25" (EV:$5?)

 

$1.00: toy, airplane, some sort of hard plastic material, Piedmont Commuter, N332SB, 14.25x18.25(EV:$5?)

 

$1.00: pan, skillet, flat, square, Calphalon, 11x11 (EV:$19.95)

 

$1.00: game, Blockbuster Movie Game, plays with any movie (EV:$5.00)

 

$1.00: 2 speakers, 5" cubes, Optimus XTS 40, Cat no 40-1991, wire kind (EV:$13.26)

 

$1.00: picture frame, 15.5x12.5, wood trim (EV:$22.99)

 

$1.00: snow shovel, definitely needed after both of ours broke this past winter! (EV:$8.98)

 

$0.50: vinegar, White House, half a 64oz bottle (EV:$1.70 at Peapod)

 

$0.50: wrapping paper, 40" long roll (EV:$1.00)

 

$0.25: shirt, holographic, Disney Camp Rock, style #k2826t0005 (EV:$9.00) Not an exact match.

 

$0.25: toy, Simpsons, Lisa Simpson, Burger King, 2011, light up red chest, 3"hx2"w (EV:$5.99)

 

$0.25: toy, Adventure Time, Jake, McDonalds, with spring chest, 3.5"x2.25(EV:$1.00)

 

$0.25: instrument, recorder, pink clear plastic, Yamaha (EV:$4.97)

 

$0.25: toy, top, gyroscope, with plastic case, CBOCS (EV:$4.99 price tag)

 

$0.10: glue, Elmer's Wood Glue, 8 fl oz (EV:$1.99 for 4 fl oz so $3.98 for 8 fl oz)

 

$0.10: lint brush, Magic Brush, Helmac Products, yellow plastic handle (EV:$6.45)

 

$0.10: toy, matchbox car, Cheerios, Chex, 43, blue and yellow, 3"x1"(EV:$1.04)

 

$FREE: lamp, 28" high, 11" wide (EV:$5.00)

 

$FREE: carpet, for outside (EV:$12.00)

 

$FREE: Sit 'n Spin, green with red face, PlaySkool, 2004 Hasbro, requires batteries and has button but it doesn't seem to work (EV:$18.89)

 

$FREE: paint, white, maybe 1/4 of a gallon of Glidden Ultra Hide Latex Eggshell (EV:$2.99 rationale:$11.97 for a gallon)

 

$FREE: candy, Ice Chips Margarita, sweetened with xylitol, 1.76 oz, shrinkwrapped (EV:$27.95 for 6, or 4.65 each)

 

$FREE: jar, plastic, locking top, DynaWare 10x5.5" (EV:$10.19)

 

$FREE: 7 manga books, Manga Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, A MidSummer Night's Dream (EV:$9.95 price tag for 4 of them, $10.95 price tag for 3 of them)

 

$FREE: wig, blonde with darker streaks, the lady called it a "Miley Cyris" wig (EV:$5.85)

  

The joys of cooking with a good knife. A knife is a tool. Coupled with an experienced cook, or chef, it's a marvelous part of an artistic process. Cooking is art. It fills a need, but it also expresses the ingenuity of combining ingredients to make something worth tasting and eating. A good knife to a cook, just like a good camera to a photographer, makes the process simpler. It gives them ease to focus on creating. Cuts and dices are easier. It helps to make those little pieces of onion, tomato, mushroom and carrot cook evenly on a well oiled skillet. It makes every bite a perfect morsel, balanced and even. No clunky chunks of unevenly sized cuts please. It ruins the fun. This is my new Calphalon Katana 8" chef knife. Once I held it, I knew I wanted it. It's sharp, looks mean and handles beautifully. The weight and balance between blade and handle is proper. It's not the most expensive knife out there, but it's worth the price of admission. If you value cooking as much as I do, then do yourself a favor and get a good, sharp knife.

Calphalon Stainless Steel Dutch Oven review

*6 kitchen towel cakes

*1 Calphalon 9 in cake round

*1 Kitchen Aid set measuring cups

*1 Kitchen Aid set measuring spoons

*1 Kitchen Aid short turner

*1 Kitchen Aid slotted turner

*1 Kitchen Aid tongs

*1 Kitchen Aid utility whisk

*1 oven mitt

*1 pot holder

*1 utensil holder

 

Calphalon Stainless Steel Dutch Oven review

My visit to the Seattle Premium Outlets today 10/20/2011. First stop was to Calphalon outlet store. The store employee took my picture at my request; I didn’t even have to beg.

1.All-Clad Master Chef 2 14 Piece Cookware Set

 

2.Scanpan CTX 10-Piece Deluxe Set

 

3.Mauviel M'Cook 5 Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Sets

 

4.MIU France 10-Piece 5-Ply Clad Cookware Set, Silver

 

5.Calphalon Contemporary Stainless 13-Piece Cookware Set

 

6.Circulon Elite 8-Piece Cookware Set

 

7.Cuisinart FCT-10 French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

 

8.Cuisinart MCP-12 MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel

9.BergHOFF Earthchef Professional Copper

10.Kirkland Signature 18/10 Stainless Steel 13 Piece Cookware Set

 

Today’s Date: August 7, 2011

 

Today’s meal: Broccoli cheddar stew with Shrimp, Sautéed carrots and mushrooms, and a LOT of Red Chili Peppers.

I figure maybe I can sweat off the pounds!!

 

Carrots

Shrimp

Mushrooms

Chili Seeds

Broccoli

Campbell’s Soup

Infused Spice

Collage

  

7 Best saucepans Reviews ; 1. Simply Calphalon Nonstick 1-Quart Sauce Pan 2. Farberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Aluminum 1-Quart Covered Straining Saucepan with Pour Spouts, Champagne 3. Circulon Acclaim Hard Anodized Nonstick 2-Quart Covered Straining Saucepan 4. Cuisinart MCP193-18N MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 3-Quart Saucepan with Cover 5. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 1-Quart Covered Straining Saucepan 6. T-fal A85724 Specialty Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Handy Pot Saucepan with Glass Lid Cookware, 3-Quart, Gray 7. Nonstick Jumbo Cooker / Sauté Pan Grey 11 inches - Deep Frying Pan Cookware with Glass Lid - Dishwasher Safe by Utopia Kitchen. To buy these products click on the link. ift.tt/2i1ZTpL youtu.be/Vz5zTiSjgew

This is our starter kit of Le Creuset, I tried to pick the pans I thought would be the most versatile. We decided on a 5.5 quart Round French Oven, 3.5 quart buffet casserole/braiser, 2 1/4 quart saucier pan and a 1 1/4 quart saucepan. We have many other Calphalon One pans as well, to round out our collection.

 

All of these colors complement the colors of Fiestaware we collect: Shamrock, Lemongrass & Ivory. That's an added bonus!

Our new cookware set, plus a pasta strainer insert & a steamer insert w/lid. It's beautiful and we're really happy with the performance so far, it cleans up like a dream, much better than our Calphalon One Infused Anodized did. We also contemplated All-Clad, but I didn't like the handles comfort-wise and the LC has the rounded edge for easy spill-proof pouring. Another neat feature: the handles on the pots act as a lid holder, very clever! And the best part - lifetime warranty!

Lifetime Dream # 91 of my list of 155: I will have a full set of Calphalon cookware, from skillets to pots and oven ware. I will take full advantage of this cookware and its ability to be moved from the stove top to the oven, expanding my culinary talents preparing new and exciting dishes. Completed On: December 25, 2010

 

Many people know that I have always wanted to be a professional musician as a career. You can see that all over my photo blog and it’s kind of a no-brainer. A close second to that was that I wanted to be a chef. I have always loved watching good cooking shows where you learn how to prepare things that you don’t see every day. I love the grill, I love specialties like desserts and pretty much any challenge I’d love to take on.

 

I walked away from this career path mostly because of the hours and industry. My hat goes off to ANYONE in the restaurant industry, because the hours stink, the stress can be super high, and unless you’re really, really good- the money doesn’t justify what you go through. I still love cooking though, though I don’t do a lot of it. Now that I have these top of the line pots and pans… you can believe that will change!

 

I love the dutch oven in this set, and when making soups and stews in large quantities, this piece of kitchen ware is awesome! I cooked a cheese and pasta stew for the entire week in one hour… and this oven really does an amazing job of keeping temperatures even and level. I have no excuse to not eat well with these pans!

 

 

Lifetime Dream # 91 of my list of 155: I will have a full set of Calphalon cookware, from skillets to pots and oven ware. I will take full advantage of this cookware and its ability to be moved from the stove top to the oven, expanding my culinary talents preparing new and exciting dishes. Completed On: December 25, 2010

 

Many people know that I have always wanted to be a professional musician as a career. You can see that all over my photo blog and it’s kind of a no-brainer. A close second to that was that I wanted to be a chef. I have always loved watching good cooking shows where you learn how to prepare things that you don’t see every day. I love the grill, I love specialties like desserts and pretty much any challenge I’d love to take on.

 

I walked away from this career path mostly because of the hours and industry. My hat goes off to ANYONE in the restaurant industry, because the hours stink, the stress can be super high, and unless you’re really, really good- the money doesn’t justify what you go through. I still love cooking though, though I don’t do a lot of it. Now that I have these top of the line pots and pans… you can believe that will change!

 

This is how I am making it through the days of school, work, school, more work, papers, and more work… coffee!

 

You can see the burn mark on my middle finger from cooking this past weekend. I cooked a cranberry turkey burger in the oven, put the pan on the stove and forgot it was insanely hot and grabbed the handle.

 

When you’re so used to using frying pans on the stove top it’s just second nature to pick it up. With my Calphalon pans you can cook right in the oven. Great feature to go from burner to oven… just remember when you take them out!

 

 

Anne-Marie talking to Jake, our MC for the evening about pronunciation of her school's name.

A little extra virgin olive oil and some butter, move them around over medium heat . . . I could have eaten all of them right out of the pan. Even the dog likes them!

Collards & ham hock, oatmeal, vegetable beef soup, smothered chicken thighs, chicken stir fry, rice

 

AF20D 05-17-22 08 811_8092 f

I organized my Calphalon pots in pans.

Supposedly, anyway.

technique post

OK, so I spared you guys yet another shot of our funky colored bathroom, me painting or whatever... This time you get chicken!

 

The recipe is called "Lebanese Chicken", at least that's the name my mom said was on the recipe when it was given to her. Being that we're not Lebanese, we really don't have a clue if this is an authentic Lebanese chicken recipe or just conveniently named. Either way, its delicious and worth sharing because it is so quick and easy to make!

 

Lebanese Chicken

(A blend of orange, cinnamon and allspice gives this a Middle Eastern accent.)

 

8 skinless boneless chicken thighs/breasts

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/8 tsp ground allspice

2 Cloves garlic, minced/crushed

2 Tbl honey

1 Tbl margarine or butter

2 tsp finely shredded orange peel (I used dried orange peel)

½ cup orange juice

 

Rinse chicken; pat dry with paper towels. In a large skillet cook chicken, onion, and garlic in hot margarine or butter over medium heat about 6 minutes or till chicken is brown, turning once.

 

Add orange peel, orange juice, and salt to skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.

 

Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon and allspice onto chicken; drizzle with honey.

 

Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 7 minutes more or till chicken is tender and no longer pink.

 

Serve chicken and sauce over couscous or rice.

Lifetime Dream # 91 of my list of 155: I will have a full set of Calphalon cookware, from skillets to pots and oven ware. I will take full advantage of this cookware and its ability to be moved from the stove top to the oven, expanding my culinary talents preparing new and exciting dishes. Completed On: December 25, 2010

 

Many people know that I have always wanted to be a professional musician as a career. You can see that all over my photo blog and it’s kind of a no-brainer. A close second to that was that I wanted to be a chef. I have always loved watching good cooking shows where you learn how to prepare things that you don’t see every day. I love the grill, I love specialties like desserts and pretty much any challenge I’d love to take on.

 

I walked away from this career path mostly because of the hours and industry. My hat goes off to ANYONE in the restaurant industry, because the hours stink, the stress can be super high, and unless you’re really, really good- the money doesn’t justify what you go through. I still love cooking though, though I don’t do a lot of it. Now that I have these top of the line pots and pans… you can believe that will change!

 

Thrifted Calphalon 12" non-stick fry pan (bought in 2007 in like new condition) and thrifted wooden utensil I've used for years

This is another tomato omelet I made this morning. Remembered to take a picture of it halfway in. A slight variation from yesterday's, which is that I added a pinch of thyme, a few drops of cream, and a tiny bit of tomato paste when I cooked the tomatoes. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same.

 

You'll need:

3 large eggs

1 medium tomato

tomato paste

butter

thyme

cream

salt

pepper

sugar

 

In a small pan heat some butter. Dice a tomato and add it to the pan with a pinch of sugar, salt, pepper, and thyme. When it starts to release its juices and bubble away add a dribble of cream and half a teaspoon of tomato paste. Stir everything until it gets thick and the cream and tomato juice reduce.

 

Whisk 3 large eggs and add some salt. Heat an 8" nonstick omelet pan (note: I do not recommend using T-Fal. I just got it and the slope isn't gradual enough like my Calphalon. Alas, the teflon's worn off on my old pan and I can't use it anymore. Thought T-Fal would be good because it was inexpensive and not made in China but the shape isn't great for a perfect looking omelet) with a little butter. Follow Jacques Pepin's technique of the second omelet he cooks: www.youtube.com/watch?v=57afEWn-QDg

 

After turning the omelet over onto a plate, make an incision at the top and stuff it with the tomatoes. Let some of the sauce drip over the sides.

Today’s Date: August 22, 2011

 

Turkey burger dinner… not bad actually. What is bad for me? The stress of a standard day of work… ughhh

  

4 Pyrex custard cups, $.99 for 4

Pyrex 75th Anniversary pie pan (1915-1990) $1.99

Glasbake Blue Heaven bowl (matches some mugs I got recently!) $.85

Florida tray and Bermuda plate, both decorated with hibiscus flowers $.99 and $1.99

2 metal trivets $.99 each

Cute plastic picnic plates, Mallo-Ware $.85 each

Calphalon skillet $5

Cruet and spice jars, $.99 for all of them in a bag

My gf had the Corningware pan and I gave her one of my cradles for it

 

Started with a tablespoon or two of butter. 2 sliced red onions, 3 sliced leeks, couple tablespoons of chopped garlic. Allow to soften & brown very slightly. Frequent stirring.

 

Added two chopped carrots partway through the onions etc. cooking.

 

Stir. Allow to brown a bit again. Stir.

 

Meanwhile defrosting large frozen chicken breast in cold water. Once about half defrosted, took it out of package & set it on top of onion mix. Put lid on pot & let it warm the chicken up for, I dunno, 5 or 10 minutes maybe.

 

Cut chicken breast in pan in half lengthwise, laid down in center to brown those sides.

 

After brown in spots, turned it over to start other side. Gave it a couple minutes then cut into bite size chunks.

 

Used a spatula to stir pot & scrape brownings into mix. Added a shot of vermouth to deglaze pan and get another flavor in there.

 

Put cut up potato bits in and added enough water to fill the pan about an inch from the top. (This is our nice deep Calphalon frypan).

 

Put the lid back on and let it go a bit. Stirred. Lid back on.

 

Also added seasonings along the way: tarragon & black pepper in onion-cooking phase, more pepper plus some salt and parsley.

 

Tasted it when the potatoes where first starting to cook and realized it wanted something more so added a half teaspoon each of capers and tomato paste. Stirred. Covered up again.

 

Write the recipe down or blog or something for a bit and voilá! The potatoes are soft enough and its ready to eat.

  

First attempt using 2006 NYTimes recipe.

 

Some variations:

- Started with 1-1/4 c. water, then added as needed to get dough sticky

- Used 1 T salt which was a little too salty. Would go with 1/2 or 3/4 Tb next time

- Used 1/2 t active yeast since I did not have instant and active yeast has been sitting in freezer for years

- First rise was 24 hrs with room temp ~68 during day and ~62 at night

- Second rise on parchment paper which was then dropped directly into Calphalon bowl.

- Only cooked for 1--15 minutes after removing lid

Today’s Date: July 30, 2011

 

This was blackened, Cajun spiced chicken for dinner! Low sodium (which I really need to watch), and a mouth full of flavors. It’s been an ultra-busy day today with a photo shoot and homework.. I promise more write ups when the papers are behind me!

  

After making due with commercial grade white plastic handle cheapy knives for a few months, I finally bought some nicer cutlery as a birthday gift to myself: some Calphalon Katana knives. Picked up a 7" santoku and a 3.5" paring knife over the weekend. 33 layers of Japanese VG-1 steel in a Damascus patterned blade, similar to much more expensive Kershaw Shun blades. We'll see how they hold up to the rigors of the professional kitchen.

7 Best stainless steel cookware reviews : 1. Cuisinart 77-11G Chef's Classic Stainless 11-Piece Cookware Set 2. Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set, 10-Piece 3. Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set 4. T-fal C836SC Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom Cookware Set , 12-Pieces, Silver 5. Heim Concept 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Glass Lid, Silver 6. Rachael Ray Stainless Steel II 10-Piece Cookware Set, Orange 7. Cooks Standard 00391 11-Piece Classic Stainless-Steel Cookware Set. To buy click on the link.http://wp.me/p7Su6M-kJ

My entry for the Kitchen Therapy Braising Week Contest

kitchen.apartmenttherapy.com/food/news/its-braising-week-...

 

Moroccan Braised Beef Recipe

www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/230639

 

I added almonds and basically followed the rest of the recipe as is.

So we stopped into Williams-Sonoma to gaze upon the lovely, unaffordable kitchen goodies and I snuck this shot in a corner of the store. Just set the 10-second timer and put the camera on a shelf and shot this... Later, I saw some great reflection opportunities in the stainless steel gadgets and pointed my camera at them to take a quick shot. A salesclerk came over and said that they didn't permit any photography due to copyright issues in store design. I explained I was just going to shoot my reflection in one of the tools, not even showing the entire object, but he still inisisted. I cooperated and put the camera away, all the while thinking "Ha! I already got one in your store, sucker!!!" ;)

I love my Calphalon Elite Nonstick Frittata Pan

 

AF35D 06-06-21 20 700_9881 f

My visit to the Seattle Premium Outlets today 10/20/2011. First stop was to Calphalon outlet store. The store employee took my picture at my request; I didn’t even have to beg.

Would you like some sauce with your red chili pepper flakes?

 

Year 5 of 365: Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Happiness

 

Fry Pan 12, Fry Pan Calphalon, Non Stick Fry Pan, Skillet, Calphalon, Electric Fry Pan, All Clad Fry Pan, Wholesale, Koriusa.Net

I have had different kinds of cookware over the years. First it was mix and match pieces when we first got married, then I got a set of Visions cookware, which was very nice until they started to crack and chip! After that I started using Calphalon non-stick pans, but the finish started coming off and I read about the possible harmful effects from the non-stick coating. On a whim I purchased a large Lodge cast iron pan at Target and was thrilled with it! I had always heard that caring for cast iron was a pain, but it is actually quite easy. I have now gotten rid of all the non-stick pans in favor of cast iron. Such better cooking, better for us, and the price was a bargain. What's more, they last forever - I have already told Z that the pans are her inheritance! lol

...to propose to Darcy!

 

Video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSlsjSV1Lz4

Which will win in the kettle races? Electric or stovetop? Results and times here.

My flickrstream seems to be turning into all Leo, but he's where I aim the camera these days so there it is. Chicken soup in the open saucepan, matzo balls in the closed pot in the fg. Here's an image I had in mind when I was taking this one: the cover of Tender to the Bone by Ruth Reichl.

Clean up after Big Night

I actually cleaned up after myself this time. (Yes, it is rare.)

 

I was excited to try out my new grill pan, and had some steaks in the freezer - they tasted better than they look.

Kenyan Baked Fish With Spicy Sauce Recipe (Mtuzi Wa Samki)

 

President Barack Obama's diverse background may spark new influences from Hawaii, Kenya and Indonesia on our plates and palates.

The spicy sauce in this dish adds pungent flavors to any firm white fish. If you use cast-iron or anodized cookware such as Calphalon, it can be prepared in one dish. Serve it over rice or couscous.

-- H.M. Cauley, for the Journal-Constitution