encouraging kitchen-uational ethics, or, a fergin good soup: choose your pun

that makes this sound racier than it is. what i'm trying to say is that, while it's important to plan ahead on menus and shopping in order to get the most for your money, it's also important to keep a magpie's eye open on your shopping trip to see what's new, because what's new might be available for only a short time, and you should cook with it while you can.
most of the stores in town had fresh black eyed peas at the holidays, for example. it's a traditional dish in some american cultures at new years. why not cook something that's supposed to be good luck? this soup was easy, since i just had to thaw a pork and greens soup base that i made and froze the week before, then toss in a few peppers and the fresh peas-- and let simmer for half an hour.

grilled shrimp, green beans with bacon, and spicy pasta

i wrote about the chili and key lime marinade before... this is the shrimp i used it on, and the noodles i then tossed it with... and the green beans with bacon and almonds i served on the side.
actually the beans were about half the plate, but they're that good.

salad that comes with its own container, doesn't need cutting board

easiest salad ever. i bought a container of baby arugula and took out half and saved for the next day. on top of the already washed greens, still in a container-to-go, i ribboned two carrots, and then added leftover brown rice and sliced almonds, cherry tomatoes, and a handful of sesame seeds.
i know the "spring mix" is practically the mascot of the slow food movement, but i don't like it in a salad with anything else but dressing...maybe some cheese and maybe some meat. i like arugula better in a salad like this, where there's already plenty of flavor and color.

check for leeks

nice leeks at super saver recently. if you're serving a protein (meat!)


and vegetable, and neither dish comes out particularly onion-y, there is no better garnish to add to the plate than some leeks sauteed in sesame oil, and perhaps a handful of sesame seeds. i threw these right on top of the pork chops once the leeks softened over medium heat.
the leeks not used at dinner went on sandwiches the next day, adding a nice texture and bite to roast beef, provolone and sourdough.

christmas clearance at cvs

the 'xmas merch' is 90% off at cvs. that means these spiky sponges are 29 cents. available in your choice of green and white or red and white. they had dozens left at the location i visited today.
they're marketed for personal use, but they're practical in the kitchen at twice the price. they come on a wristlet that can hang over the faucet, they dry completely between uses-- and combined with that yellow scouring pad thrown in the foreground for the purposes of illustrating this text, you've got what you need to clean dishes and pans, and stay on this side of sanitary.
i bought three. for a dollar.

use a grill pan to its full capacity

i love my grill pan. even beyond what it can do for great cuts of meat, no longer will i set off my smoke alarm by browning brats or sausages in a skillet, since they're sitting above their shed grease.
but traditional grilling really seemed like a waste of said shed grease, which was great for preparing onions and peppers.
combined with the stove in my apartment-- which is far from level-- the pan ends up collecting fat along one side (so to speak). perfect for browning the toppings.

why would i mess with pastry-making when i can go to le quartier

look at this lovely pastry from the family- owned french bakery in meridian park. it was made with cranberries and dark chocolate chips, people! i served this with coffee for new year's brunch, a simple start to a day with a big dinner coming up.
something to remember for sundays, when it might be tempting to fit two big homemade meals into one day: unless you're trying to fatten everyone up for a potential donner party situation, keep the big meals to one a day. if you still want to enjoy some kitchen fun, prep for other lunches and dinners, or do some menu planning.

key limes regularly stocked at super saver

key limes are about 1.89/# at super saver right now. that means if you want

to buy one to see what they taste like, it would maybe cost you a dime.

key limes are much more tart and intense in flavor than the supermarket standard lime, with strong hints of lemon. you might be more familiar with the flavor in desserts, but key limes glow in savory marinades and dressings. i'm sure they'd sparkle in a cocktail.

this is a very simple marinade for shrimp: one third key lime juice, one third olive oil, one third sesame oil; toss in red pepper flakes at your own discretion.
i marinated shrimp in that, and then grilled the shrimp-- while heating the leftover marinade in a saucepan, and then tossing some cooked noodles in that warm dressing. i served the noodles with the shrimp.

my dream smashed potato recipe comes true now and then

i was at red clover for something else (and while hungry), and fell prey to their produce section. that can cost you, but their selection is maintained well enough to merit a review on every visit. a bag of organic red fingerling potatoes, and a lovely dark green bunch of lacinato kale (aka dino kale), incurred this and several other servings.

first i chopped up four pieces of bacon and began browning the results in a saucepan (which had a heavy lid for later). when the bacon started sputtering, i added one chopped onion and continued over low heat until the onion was translucent. then i added a can of chicken stock and turned up the heat. once the pot began to simmer, i added the fingerling potatoes-- mostly whole, though i halved the larger ones, and all were unpeeled. once the mixture returned to a simmer, i covered and lowered the heat, letting the spuds cook more from steam than boil. i stirred the pot every few minutes until the potatoes were smashable with a fork. after roughing up the potatoes, i added the chopped lacinato kale, and left to simmer uncovered for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. then i moved the pan to a cool burner, still left uncovered, to thicken.
truly dreamy, and practically an entree, especially when made with good potatoes.

when life gives you berries on sale

of all places, sunmart had great- looking baskets of berries on sale 2/$5 last week.

i always want to buy berries-- but then wonder what to do with them. baking with them seems a waste; so does chopping them up for a dessert. might as well use less expensive frozen berries for that.
here's what i will remember for next time:
the color, texture, and size of blackberries make a nice addition to a cheese plate.
whole grains for breakfast, better fresh from the rice cooker, are better yet with brown sugar and blueberries.