One Year In

Wow! I started this blog a year ago already? It's no wonder the time flew by as the year was completely insane. (The pregnancy was hell, btw. I'm glad it's over, though I'm sure I'll go through it again in a couple years.)

I looked back at my first post with the list of to-dos that I'd completely forgotten about. Let's update, yes?

Foodie Fun

• a sweet potato salad recipe that looks delicious: HA! After a massive sweet potato salad craving at 7 weeks, I indulged in one from a local supermarket (which the recipe I'd found greatly resembled) and of course got sick. I haven't been able to look at sweet potato salad since.
  
• a freezer batch of pork and shrimp dumplings: someday... someday... Again, this project was delayed by the limited diet of my pregnancy (No garlic. No onions. No fun!)
  
• turkish delights: Not yet.
  
• char siu bao: Ditto.
  
• homemade bagelfuls*: Nuh-uh.
  
• homemade pop tarts*: No way.
  
• I will conquer homemade stock! Argh!: Progress is being made here. I had to make some of my own since the powdered stuff had spices in it that didn't agree with me. I bombed at Heston Blumenthal's method of ice filtering or whatever he called it and gave up on getting a crystal clear product, satisfying myself with a more "rustic" result. Also, a clean pillowcase filters MILES better than cheesecloth. There's just no going back for me now. I have about 6 cups of beef broth/stock in my freezer right now. Yay!
  

Crafty Goodness

• a Flemish dress: Tough to cut the pattern over the belly.
  
• an Italian renaissance gown: Just didn't get to it.
  
• a long cotton Victoriana type nightgown: Need the right fabric and the perfect pattern. I've searched, but haven't settled on anything yet.
  
• a corset (style undecided): Did I mention I was pregnant?
  
• a hat design I have in mind: No excuses here, but it still didn't happen.
  

Hair: Currently about an inch above my waist: Now at my natural waist or a little past, where it has stalled for at least 6 months, even with all the glories of pregnancy hair.

• I will try dusting once I find that tutorial and my hair-cutting scissors again: I found the scissors! I tried dusting a couple times. Always took off too much. I've also started giving my husband haircuts now and then. Must buy the motorized trimmers. It will make things SO much faster.
  
• Something called SMT at the LHC. Must buy aloe gel: Found aloe gel. Tried it. My hair HATED it. I have, however, started "making" my own toner and moisturizer and my skin is clearer than it's been in years. Maybe I should make a post with the "recipe." (I'm using air quotes because it really is so simple it barely counts as a project.)
  
• A whole bunch of hairstyles: Dutch braids are hard. Crown braids are pretty but harder. I love the whole milkmaid look, but... don't often find the time? I've recently fallen in love with those Goody screwpins and basically live with my hair in a high bun since the little one was born.

Other projects: Um, we bought a house? Started settling in? I've learned how to get out blood and baby poop stains. (Peroxide for blood - it looks really cool if the stain is fresh, too. Cold water, a bit of soap, and elbow grease for most of the poop - then hang it outside and the sun will bleach out the rest. Wash both as usual afterward.)
I made a cute sort of 50's style apron for my sister as a belated Christmas gift. I should post a picture if I get the chance... though it would sort of give away who I am if anyone who knows me came across this blog.
I knit myself a hat with some basic lacework involved as a sort of "mourning cap" when my grandmother died (On my birthday, no less!) Did I post about that hat? If I haven't, I should.
I've pretty much given up on getting my hair to grow out. I calculated my terminal length and it is inadequate, in my opinion, unless I go to fairy tale ends. I don't like the look of fairy tale ends. The new plan is to cut about 5 inches off my hair to get it really healthy and just short enough that I can wear a pony tail without getting an awful headache. Goodbye, long, flowing locks. Hello something a bit shorter that I can experiment with and damage a bit more. It's kind of liberating in a way, to stop chasing now that I know it's impossible for me. Maybe I'll even try a light perm...

Projects in Planning
Clean my DH's old duvet (synthetic and squished) to see if I can get it better (he claims it smells) and turn it into a quilt.
Take fabric scraps and turn them into a braided rag rug. It could look nice by the sink (small) or under the kitchen table (not so small.)
I'd like to map out a small vegetable garden for next summer - or at least a way to get the prickly weeds out of the yard.

I should go. I've got maybe 10 minutes before my five week old starts squalling for MORE FOOD MOMMY!!!!!

Ciao.

P.S.: About all those sources that say "Breastfeeding should never hurt. Not even a little bit. Not even at the start." They lie! They lie, they lie, they lie! So if you're having trouble and feeling all "Well I must suck as a woman and be without instincts" like I felt thanks to those lovely lovely sources, take solace and hang in there. The first two months or so are, in fact, very difficult and painful. I find it hurts. My friends found it hurts. My aunt (who has breastfed each of her 10 kids) found it painful each and every time for the first couple months. Maybe I should do a post about this before this brief P.S. turns into a stream-of-consciousness rant.
In a nutshell. They lie. It hurts. You're not a failure. It will get better. Don't give up.

Extremely Potent Pumpkin-tini

I would like to mention that I wrote the draft to this entry when I was most certainly NOT pregnant.

I repeat, I was NOT PREGNANT when I made this tasty, tasty drink.

Are we good? Okay...

. . . . .

What's a girl to do when left with half a can of pumpkin puree? Mix it with alcohol, natch!

After browsing online for some inspiration and working with what I had on hand, here's what I came up with.

Serves 1
Step one - in a shaker with ice, put:
2 oz gold rum (though white rum, vodka, or maybe even apple brandy could be nice)
1 oz white creme de cacao
1 heaping kitchen spoon of pumpkin puree (straight pumpkin. You could try the sweetened stuff, but then I'd probably leave out the creme de cacao and spices)
1 small splash of vanilla
a shaking of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger

Pour this into a martini glass.

Step two - in a shotglass, put:
1/2oz evaporated milk (theoretically, milk or cream could work, too)
1/4oz white creme de cacao

Pour this gently over the back of a spoon into the martini. It should settle under the pumpkin layer.

Step three - drizzle a touch of kahlua over the top. Most of it will settle into the very bottom.

Top with a dash of nutmeg (or whatever you please. Cinnamon, crumbled graham crackers, candied pumpkin seeds, etc.)

Voila. Put your car keys some place safe and enjoy.

The Beauty of Bland Food

Hello folks,

Here I am, almost 7 months pregnant and still getting sick at most anything with flavour. Add to that that we're moving in a few days and cooking hasn't exactly been a priority this week but, unfortunately, I still need to eat.

This is where "Blank" comes in. I rigged this little gem up a couple years ago when my cooking skills were minimal and I had to be able to feed myself regularly while I was alone for a couple of weeks. It's pretty healthy, filling, and actually fairly comforting once you find the "final prep" that appeals to you.

BLANK

• In a rice cooker, place 3 cooker-cups of rice. (I use plain old brown rice.)
• Fill to the 3 cup liquid line with water.
• To this, add 1 can of black beans that have been very well rinsed.
• Now add in as many frozen mixed veggies as you like. I usually put maybe 6 or 7 rice cooker cups full. There's no need to pre-thaw, just in straight from the freezer. (I like the classic mix with corn, peas, some string beans, and those little carrot cubes, though I imagine whatever you like would work as well.)
• Give the whole mess a stir, put on the lid, and let your rice cooker cook as normal.

Boring, right? Well it's not intended to be eaten like this. It's a nutritional base with a blank flavour (hence the name.) Once it's done, fluff it a bit and keep it in the fridge. When the time comes to eat, take out as much as you'd like, season it in whatever way sounds good, and supplement with extra veg or protein as you see fit. A bit of fat and a few spices make a huge difference in terms of flavour.
Some of my favourite ways are as follows:

• Fried rice: In a small pan, heat up a bit of veggie oil, then add your serving of Blank and toss to coat. Sprinkle in some Chinese 5 spice powder, dried parsley, and soy sauce. I like to finish it with a drizzle of sesame oil and a good stir in the pan to heat through. Also good with added scrambled egg or toasted almonds.
• Fish-day comfort bowl: You know those cans of smoked herring "fish snacks" you find by the tuna cans at the grocery store? Pick one you like. Dump the whole contents into a small pan or pot and start to heat it up. This one doesn't really need oil as the fat from the fish will give you what you need. Again, add as much Blank as you like, stir and heat through, season to taste. (I like just a bit of parsley these days, but normally I'd be more creative in my seasoning choices.)
  
• Inauthentic Mexi-style: Heat some veggie oil in a pan and add your blank. Toss to coat and be a bit rough with it to smoosh up the rice and beans a bit. Add things like chili powder or some taco seasoning mix. Heat and stir until it reaches the texture you like. Makes a great filling for a sort of rice and bean burrito on the fly. Add cheese if you'd like.
• French-inspired: Take a serving of hot Blank and stir in a little bit of butter and a sprinkle of thyme and maybe parsley. Top with some broken up bits of brie or camembert and let the heat get them all nice and melty. (As always, if you're pregnant, make sure the cheese is pasteurized.)
  

Except for the Mexi-style one, these are simple and "safe" enough that I can eat them this week without getting sick. If you're worried about the... consequences... of the beans, just take a Beano pill with your first bite. (I'm not saying that Beano is always okay during pregnancy, but my midwife did tell me I was okay to take it. Check with your own care provider if you have any concerns.) Rinsing the canned beans really, really well before adding them in the first place will help as well.

I imagine this would work with other beans , but I'm really not a fan of beans in general and black beans (especially once they're broke/smooshed up) are the ones I find the most inoffensive to eat.

That's it! A meal in a bowl that can be as bland or as flavourful as you like. It's not gourmet by any stretch of the imagination but it can be tasty and unless you drown it in fat, you certainly shouldn't feel guilty for tucking into a big bowl of the stuff.

If you try it, by all means post the seasonings/add-ins that worked for you.

Pregnancy snacks - 1

Yes, I know I've dropped off the face of the earth, but happy news is I'm 5 1/2 months in now and we're in the middle of buying a house.

Anyway, here's a snack idea that sounds odd, but even my husband's curiosity got the best of him and he said it was good so I know it's not just crazy pregnant tastebuds talking here.

Take 1 wedge of plain Vache qui rit (Laughing Cow) cheese. Split and spread on 2 Lifestyle cranberry citrus oat crunch cookies. It's healthier than some sugar fixes and tastes like some sort of fruity cheesecake and it's portion controlled for those "I need sweet" moments.

The sunny side of the plate

So, I'm 9 1/2 weeks pregnant and starting to wonder if the diclectin my doctor gave me isn't a placebo. I've been scrambling to find nibbles that stay down well and finally hit on some goodies that seem to do the task. As I'm sure there are/will be others in a similar situation, scouring the web for ideas as I've been doing, I thought I'd post what's working for me.

-plain oatmeal prepared with water and just a tiny sprinkle of salt.
-unsweetened vanilla flavoured almond milk (I love Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze because they're peanut free.)
-plain brown rice cooked with some corn
-canned corn, straight out of the can (a remnant taste from childhood, maybe?)
-plain scrambled eggs, with or without milk - a relatively bland source of protein
-whole wheat english muffins, though I am trying to move away from wheat/bread to see if things digest more easily.
-plain boiled perogies, just the cheese filled kind you can get at the grocery store, with a touch of sour cream on the side (this is a dish I've *never* enjoyed before though it was made often when I was young. Tonight, it was delicious and about as much flavour as I could handle!)
-sliced apples with some cinnamon on the side (though this sometimes gives me heartburn, but it's so yummy and has so many good things to offer.)

Another upside to these simple meals is just that: they're simple, quick, and easy to prepare. They don't cause much in the way of dishes which is extra appreciated by my DH, who is doing all the cooking and cleaning these days since the slightest smell in the kitchen sends me running to the bathroom. I'd like to add as little trouble as possible.

Honestly, a nutrient IV is getting to sound appealing - just the thought of getting the nutrients I need without facing heartburn or the inability to move for an hour afterwards for fear of throwing up would be so nice. I will, however, take all the misery in the world if only I get to keep this one! In that sense, the nausea and discomfort is reassuring. I'm due to start the second trimester just before Christmas, so hopefully we'll be having a happy holiday.

Good luck to anyone out there in a similar situation. Hang in there!

The Art of Brownies

After my happy success with the honey fudge, I decided to challenge myself by adapting a brownie recipe. I have a little cookbook called Cooking for Two and it has a nice little brownie recipe that only needs an 8x4 loaf pan. Sadly it's too cake-y and not chocolate-y enough for my tastes.

Then a few months back I was watching Chef at Home on the Food Network. The host (Michael Smith for anyone who doesn't know) has a very non-threatening approach to cooking that encourages the home chef to play with the recipes without fear of the kitchen crumbling down around them. It's great. So he starts talking about brownies and how there are different types and what makes them different. I search online hoping the clip is on youtube, but alas, it wasn't. So I look at the brownie recipe on his site, but it makes a huge 8x12 pan full. It's way too much for just the two of us but I make a mental note of how much flour he uses. Then I remember another great site. baking911.com I search on brownies there and get enough information to feel I can make an educated guess or two.

Back into the kitchen and my main recipe. I turn this baby on its head. I double the chocolate and reduce the flour from 1/3c to 1/4c. I tweak the mixing process by beating together the eggs and sugar and then temper them instead of just dumping everything into the chocolate. Finally, I lay down about half the batter and drop blobs of leftover raspberry pie filling on top before finishing with the rest of the brownie batter and then swirl the whole thing through.

Into the oven!

I think I added too much raspberry pie filling and it kept the centre from setting like it needed to. Consequently, the edges were a little bit overcooked and the brownies were a little messy with raspberry generously marbled throughout. They weren't very elegant and maybe not quite the thing to serve at a dinner party, but boy oh boy were they scrummy! I'll try it again (soon, hopefully) without the raspberry for just a plain, tasty fudgy brownie. It's so cool to have a recipe that I really made my own.

Honey Fudge

I made honey fudge on Thursday night. We have this big bottle of runny honey (so much more fun to say than liquid honey) that has gotten all crystallized and is just a pain to use now. I had to find a way to use it up. I also wanted to challenge myself with sugar work. (I've tried making molasses taffy for the past few years and have yet to succeed, but that's another story.) On a camping trip a few weeks back, we stopped at a place that had all kinds of fudge but I couldn't get any (peanut allergy) and my sweet tooth has been twitching ever since. Honey and fudge... could they be combined? Have I mentioned how much I love the internet?

I found this honey fudge recipe and it seemed simple enough. I followed the instructions to the letter - mostly - and made the plain variety. First off, I let it boil for the full 9 minutes. I checked it as I went with a thermometer and with the cold water method, since I want to get the hang of that for future candy fun. It seemed to reach the temperature I'd seen at other sites around the 7 minute mark. I figured I'd trust the recipe over my thermometer since my last attempts were underdone.

Then I started mixing it right away like it said, even though some other recipes I'd looked at said to let it cool to a certain temperature before mixing. Those other recipes, though, were for sucre a la creme which is what I grew up with and which I understand has a different texture - grainier and crumblier. So I'm stirring and stirring and realize I've forgotten the vanilla. In it goes. That's my only deviation from the recipe: the vanilla went it late. It didn't seem to ruin anything.

Still stirring, stirring, stirring, it didn't say how long to go, so I had set the timer for 9 minutes (I know... now) and started noticing the texture change around the three minute mark but kept going just in case. Around 5 or 6 minutes it almost started to firm up in the pot so I plopped it onto the pan and pressed it out. It was kind of crumbly, but oh well. I scored it into squares and left it to cool by the window. (I felt so Holly Homemaker for that. It was great.)

When DH got home a couple hours later, it was cool enough to try. A friend of ours was with him and they each tried it and liked it. We all agreed it was a little harder and crumblier than the typical texture of fudge, but she seemed to prefer it that way. Go figure. I tried it too, and was surprised at how well I liked it. See, I don't particularly like honey. A bit of it in tea is alright, but the flavour on its own doesn't much appeal to me. This fudge definitely tasted of honey but not too much. It was just right.

Later that night I set aside a few squares for us and packed up the rest for him to bring to work. There was maybe three quarters of a pound and a bit. It came back without a crumb left. I think they liked it.

I definitely plan to try this recipe again, though I'll probably stop stirring it after 3 or 4 minutes. Despite my french roots, I like that softer texture.

Mystery Solved?

After a month of sneezes and coughs that gradually got worse and eventually led to a week of being driven out of the kitchen and onto the couch feeling generally miserable we have a suspected culprit. A new seasonal allergy! Yay! ... *grumble* Seems I've been living in this town long enough to have gotten sensitized to this lovely common allergen, though how I wasn't allergic before is what really surprises me. So it's antihistamines and daily neti pots to keep me functioning right now and I've started to inch my way back into the kitchen for more adventures. After all, summer is almost over and I haven't played nearly enough in the kitchen.

I'm typing this on my nice new laptop that my DH ran to a neighbouring town to get me because they were on a great sale and our local store was all out. Have I mentioned that I really love my husband? The same husband who is canning a bushel of tomatoes in the kitchen as I type this? He's awesome. Very awesome. And mine. He's mine. I'll stop now.

On the upside, while feeling generally crummy I didn't have to completely waste my time playing games and rotting my brain on daytime TV. See, I got some family tree software last Christmas and now that I have a nice laptop home for it, I got it all installed and started plugging in what info I had already collected. Obviously I can't discuss that much here, though I can say I found a picture of my great grandparents' grave marker and I unofficially (read: undocumented for now) have a couple lines traced to the 1600s.

I realize I've kind of been all over the board on this post. I'll make some posts over the next few days going into individual stuff that I've been up to. Thanks for reading this far and I'll be back soon!