Spicy Pickled Carrots

My husband and I used to go to this whole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant (those are are always the best kind aren't they?) in HomeTown back during our dating days.  Inside the restaurant, next to the serve yourself condiments bar, they always had these heaping piles of spicy carrots you could munch on while you waited for your food.  My husband LOVED them. 

While watching Alton Brown (yes, I know I do that a lot) he made a very similar sounding recipe that I knew I needed to try.  The things I do for my husband.  I didn't follow it exactly (surprise, surprise!) but this is what I came up with.

Spicy Pickled Carrots - Adapted from Alton Brown's Firecrackers

1 1/2 pounds mini carrots (you could just peel your own and chop them up, however these are more uniform and will "soak" more evenly)
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 cup sliced onion
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1  1/2 teaspoons chili flakes

Place carrots in a spring-top glass jar that has been rinsed clean. In a saucepan, bring the water, sugar, cider vinegar, onion slices, mustard seeds, salt, and chili flakes to a boil. Boil for 4 minutes.

Slowly pour the hot pickling liquid over the carrots, filling the jar to the top.  Allow the carrots to cool before sealing. Refrigerate for 2 days up to 1 week.  These are certainly spicy even after one day, however my husband liked the more softened texture of the carrots once they had sat about two weeks. 




This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap
Two For Tuesdays Recipe Swap

Menu Plan Monday

Another weekend over already....a dear friend just left and we are looking forward to my parents visit this weekend!  So excited!  We are still trying to get our freezer "cleaned out" for our beef in two weeks, so we are eating up lots of beans and meats in preparation for that. 

Sunday-Salmon leftovers (we were blessed to be given a whole salmon, direct from the waters of Alaska--when I say direct, I mean I had to cut off it's fins....it was almost my undoing.  But in the end, still worth it--the fish was great!)

Monday-Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, horseradish carrots

Tuesday-Southwest chicken with black beans (recipe to come next week)

Wednesday-Hamburgers, baked beans

Thursday-Roasted chicken, potatoes, a mix of frozen veggies from the freezer

Friday-Burritos with beef, black beans, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, and salsa

Saturday-TBD

Having Too Much Fun

My dear friend, A, is on the road once again after driving up to visit me this weekend.  Although we haven't been close friends until just a few years ago, we go way back.  Both our family's circles have always been entwined at some point or another.  She and I went to private school together many, many moons ago.  Like more than twenty years ago--that's alotta moons.  Then, our moms were both the crafty types and they did the bazaar circuit many years ago--you know, when bazaars were très chic.  Then A and I worked at the gift shop together--I came on a few years after her, as she is a few years older and I probably drove her nuts at first.  (I was still in high school and dances and boyfriends and crushes ruled my life--yes, I was that girl and A is so not that way.)  But despite all that, we quickly realized we actually had quite a bit in common.

As I said though, with her being a few years older, she got married much younger than I did and had children way before I was even married, so our lives weren't always on the same path, so to speak.  And let's face it, your friends that you are closest with typically reflect your lifestyle. (When I was in college, all my close friends were in college, etc., etc.)  So until I "caught up" with her (getting married and having kids), we never really became super close.  But we always caught when we could--at all the various functions when we would run into each other at--and we always seemed to pick up where we left off.   Her mom was the one who introduced DH and I.  Yes, her mother is my matchmaker.  

Eighteen months after DH and I were introduced, A's daughter was one of our flower girls.  Little H definitely upped the "awwww" factor about a gazillion percent that day.  So sweet.  Fast forward a few years later and dear A had a beautiful baby shower for me, complete with a big, overstuffed lounge chair for the preggo.

Unfortunately, this is about the most recent picture of us I have...  :(

Fast forward a few years after that and I am so glad we have become so much closer.   She understands my blogging obsession.  (She's the one that introduced me to Reader)  We are both delving into the world of real foods, although neither of us are wheat grinders...not yet anyway.  But I am sure that will come too.   She gets my being frugal, although we both will pony up for Starbucks now and again.  She just gets me. 

That said, we had such good time exchanging stories and ideas and recipes and different blogs we read, that I didn't get out my camera once.  I am such a goof ball.  Although I don't have the pictures to prove it, we had a wonderful time--we even went to pick some more apricots--like 76 pounds of apricots.  I know.  She even stopped at my parent's before her drive up and picked up their canning supplies for me, bless her heart...so we could go pick 76 pounds of apricots....  No, she took home most of them for her mom and dad--because she is a good daughter like that.  But how nice of her to bring those up for me, huh? 

A, I hope we will have a chance to do it again; I had such a great time.

It is such a blessing to have such wonderful friends. 

Cooling Off

It has been hot here.  Even I am wearing shorts.  That doesn't happen very often.  I'm more of a I'd-rather-not-show-off-my-pasty-white-legs-if-I-don't-have-to-and-wear-capri's kind of gal.  So yes, it is hot here. 

On Monday night, DH and I were deciding what to do on his day off as a way to cool off.  We both wanted to do something fun but didn't know what.  They have a water park here locally (like a free park with some water toys kind of park, not a big, pay $20 a person kind of water park) and we tossed that idea around.  But get this, I was totally okay with it and DH was the one creeped out by all the potential children and their germs.  So that didn't fly.  We talked about driving up to the lake that's about an hours drive away, but then we nixed that idea because it has been really, really hot here (have I mentioned that yet?) and we knew we wouldn't stay all day and didn't think the gas drive was worth it for an hour or two's worth of fun.  Plus, keeping Peanut on a schedule is always a good thing, so if we stayed in town, we could keep her on her schedule.  

So I decided to get up early yesterday and find a little pool for Peanut. Went to WalMart and of course they were sold out.  Home Depot doesn't carry pools.  (I was right there, so I thought I'd try just in case...)  Third time's a charm though, and I found the cutest little pool, complete with little butterfly toys. 

DH had it all set up and waiting for Peanut once she was done with her nap.  No fear for this girl~

It was a little cold for her at first, but it took her no time at all to figure out she loved fimming {swimming}. 

Even though we don't get to enjoy my parents house this time of year...I am glad at least that she will be able to wear her collection of suits.  Because they are pretty darn cute. 

She had tons of fun, complete with pruney fingers and toes...and as you can imagine, she wasn't thrilled about being done~

Then tonight, we got an extra treat with this heat.  Thunderstorms and torrential downpours.  I haven't seen rain like this since we moved.  Yes, that much.  And I can't remember, have I mentioned it's hot here?  It was about 95 degrees and pouring outside.  Nothing like the humidity skyrocketing to 200 % to finish of the night off right. 

The Peanut didn't like the thunder too much.  She had a concerned look on her face despite my trying to reassure her, and she kept asking me, "Loud? Loud?"  Luckily though, it quieted down by bedtime, as she is now fast asleep. 

Like I should be right now...

No Way!

We live in the land of milk and honey.  Or so my Dad says.  It's warm and dry here and there are fruit orchards galore around here.  The problem is is that most orchards don't allow you to come pick (because of liability), as was the case with our landlord's brother.  You can still go buy the fruit here at the orchards, but I've found it's not much cheaper than the grocery store, if even at all. 

I decided to look in the paper here in the classifieds just to see if there was some u-pick orchards available.  And there was!  I found an orchard that has organic apricots.  Even better!  So I called to see how much per pound.   You won't believe the price. 

$0.30 per pound.

For organic no less.

There is no way you find that price at the grocery store even for regular old apricots.  Even organic apricots at Azure Standard are somewhere between $2.25-$2.50 a pound depending on how much you purchase.  And they offer decent prices. 

I KNOW.  So I went and got over 12 pounds and it cost me $3.50.  I am going to freeze some, but I can't freeze too many, because I don't know how much room I need to allow for our beef. 

My parents are coming not this weekend, but next, and they are going to bring me some of their canning supplies.  Yes, I am that cheap and they haven't used theirs in years.  I am hoping and praying the apricots are still on so I can go get some more to can.  Although I don't have a lot of freezer space, I do have shelf space. 

Pray there are still some available!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Before our little road trip this weekend, I thought I would make something to munch on....of course, it could have been something healthy like carrot sticks.  But no, not me.  I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.  My husband loves, loves, loves peanut butter and chocolate...more than any other person I know.  See what a good wife I am....or not, depending on how you look at it.   They have been tasty though, and Peanut likes them too.  Go figure!  I used butter rather than shortening lard, so once again I refrigerated the dough before putting them in the oven.  Worked like a charm!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup turbinado sugar (I would use brown otherwise)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used organic-just peanuts, salt, and peanut oil, no fillers)*
1/2 cup butter, room temperature is best
1 egg
1 1/4 cups flour (I used all purpose--wasn't sure how well whole wheat would translate?)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Combine sugar and butter until well mixed...this takes a little longer if using the turbinado sugar.  Add in peanut butter and egg, mix until well combined.  Mix in remaining dry ingredients, including chocolate chips, until dough comes together, stopping to scrape down sides of mixer if necessary.  (I know you are typically supposed to "fold in" the chocolate chips, but meh....this works just as well.)

Using cookie scoop (or your hands), scoop dough into 1 inch balls.  Place on non-greased cookie sheet and refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes prior to baking.  Bake for about 12 minutes, depending on how on your oven and how long you refrigerate. 

Makes about 2 dozen cookies. 

* These cookies were a little crumbly--not fall apart crumbly--but I think it's because I used the organic peanut butter.  Had I used Jif (my favorite not as good for you peanut butter) or something such as that, I think they would have had a better texture.  Just sayin'. 

This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap
Two For Tuesdays Recipe Swap 

You can also come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Kerrygold.

 

Menu Plan Monday

It is going to be hot, hot, hot this week so I am making as much as I can on the trusty old barbeque.  And the slow cooker will be pulled out too. 

Sunday-Leftovers (too hot to be inspired)

Monday-Taco salad with homemade ranch dressing

Tuesday-Turkey Burgers, Macaroni Salad

Wednesday-Mexican Chicken (going to try grilling this?), Black Beans

Thursday-Beef Burgers (I have this abundance of burger buns I need to use from the freezer...getting ready for our beef), baked beans (do you know how hard it is to find a recipe that doesn't use pre-made beans?), green salad with ranch dressing

Friday-Salmon, rice pilaf, steamed veggies

Saturday-Black bean and couscous salad, crusty bread

For other great menu ideas, visit the Organizing Junkie. 

Lots of Stuff

With the Peanut's birthday quickly approaching, I find myself preoccupied with party details.  I have created this list of things to get done and somehow, although I am accomplishing some of those during nap time, the list just keeps getting longer.  I don't know how that happens.  Perhaps it's because I want it to be perfect with all those little details that only me and a handful of others will notice.  The Peanut will have fun regardless....and I need to remind myself of that.

But please check back because there are some pretty cute party ideas I've come across and I can't wait to share them with you all.

Anyhow, that said, I haven't posted in forever.

We have spent many a warm summer evening this week at the park....DH and I have figured out that the key is to go before it cools down too much, because once it does, the mosquitoes like to munch on all three of us.  I don't do well with bug bites.  First, because I don't like anything with more legs than I have, second, I don't like things that bite, and third, I don't like things that sting.  Ladybugs are about the only bug I don't mind.  Everything else grosses me out.  Yes, I am one of those girls. 

The Peanut was a big fan of the quesadillas and grilled salsa I made the other night.  I think she is beginning to think like her mama that...yes, sour cream is in fact, a food group.  Yum!

And last, but not least in this round of updates, we are going in with my sister and brother-in-law and buying a half beef.  Grass fed beef.  With all this spare time I have (I kid, I kid...sort of) I have been reading all these posts on real food from here, here, and here.  Then with our Netflix, we also watched the documentaries Food Inc. and King Corn.  All of these have really opened my eyes to how important it is to understand where our food comes from.  It makes you think twice about what you eat. 

In all my "research" in pricing out organic foods, the least inexpensive way to purchase grass fed beef that is not full of hormones, antibiotics, and antacids is to purchase a side of beef.  Yes, the initial cost is certainly more, but in the long run, it is much, much cheaper than buying grass fed beef from the grocery store.  (At the store, grass fed ground beef runs around $6-$7 a pound and is around $10-$14 a pound for the pricier cuts.  We are getting all the meat for $3.20 a pound.)  And we will get cuts of meat that we don't normally never purchase.  Cuts like steak and prime rib.  Yum. 

So all of that said, we get to pick up our beef in a couple weeks, but the rancher wanted us to come down and tour the ranch.  He insisted upon it, as he was really proud of his operation. He wanted us to be comfortable with our purchase, knowing that the animals are treated and cared for really well.

Can I just say--what a nice man.  He was absolutely right, he runs (from what we city slickers can tell) a great ranch.  He was very forthcoming (and patient) with all our questions and wanted to give us the full tour--like full as in this is where we slaughter our chickens and this is how we slaughter our cattle full tour.

I declined.  DH probably would have liked to see it, but me, notsomuch.  I know what happens and that those big brown eyed bovine aren't always in butcher paper like I like to think....but some details for me just aren't necessary.  And he didn't press it.

And they have this great view....

We got to see the chicken and turkey coups, the pig hog pasture and all the stables where the sheep, horses, and cattle get to huddle when it gets cold.  We saw the hay storage and learned that they get two "cuts" of hay a season.  The first they sell, and the second they store for the animals in the winter.  We learned that a typical cow will birth about 12 calves in her lifetime.  Ohmylanta.  Twelve...really?  So glad I am not a cow.  I chose not to have an epidural with Peanut, but at least I had the option.  They don't get that choice.  And 12 of them...wow.   But I guess they don't know the difference either.  Anyhow, I digress.  We also learned that the variety of chicken determines the color of the egg.  So interesting...I told you we were city slickers. 

I had been communicating with the rancher via email before we went down and had asked him if he would have some pastured eggs available to purchase.  He said he would, but then when he was done with the tour, he gave us a dozen eggs, and he wouldn't let me pay him for them.  He said that that was for us making the trip down.  Now, I'm not blind--he's trying to make me a customer for life.  I get that, but he had me at hello if you know what I mean.  His operation spoke for itself.  He didn't have to give me free eggs to sell me.  But what a kind, kind man.

To say I am excited to pick up our beef, well... that would be an understatement.   So stay tuned for some exciting new beef recipes. 

Works For Me Wednesday-Leftover Tomato Paste

I used to hate recipes that called for one or two tablespoons of tomato paste.  What do I do with the rest of the tomato paste?  Well, I always put it in a container in the fridge with good intentions.   Then months later, I would find it in the back of the fridge with gray little hairs that were not there before.  And out it went.

Watching Rachael Ray, I learned that you can buy squeeze tubes of tomato paste, so you can use just the amount you need without opening a whole can.  Very cool.  But I have searched and searched and I can't find those any where.  Plus, I am sure it costs way more.  Then she shared a tip a while back that I thought was just fabulous.

After using the amount of paste you need, roll up the rest in plastic wrap like you would a roll of cookie dough.  Then, pop it in your freezer.  So down the road when you need just a tablespoon or two, you can simply slice of the amount you need and put the rest back in the freezer. 

Isn't that nifty?  


For other helpful tips, visit Kristen at We Are THAT Family's Works For Me Wednesday.