I'm starting to collect risotto recipes. Most people I talk to seem to think that it is diifficult and labour intensive to make risotto. I disagree. I have been known to walk in the door after work, change, and start making risotto. Yes, there is a lot of stirring and chopping and stirring and simmering and stirring but as long as you have someone to cut up the onion and someone to stir while you take a break, the risotto comes together in no time at all. Who can resist the creaminess of a hot bowl of risotto, generously adorned with lots of grated parmesan cheese and a fresh shake of pepper? I know I can't. So, we tried a new recipe. Pumpkin and chestnut risotto. I was a little doubtful at first because I had to use cannned chestnuts and frozen pumpkin, but this risotto was so good that I can't wait to try it again in the fall with fresh pumpkin and real Italian chestnuts.
A good weekend for us always starts with breakfast at Cowboy Coffee. Mr Cowboy had his usual but I tried something totally different as it was more brunch then breakfast by the time we got going. The newest offering in the glass case was a Little Hawaiian Melt made on the thinnest bread I have ever seen. A thick, juicy slice of pineapple on grilled chicken with mozza, romaine lettuce, bacon, and a touch of mayo were a perfect combo.
To burn off all those calories, I paid a visit to my favourite junque store. Found a great quilt top in the flower garden pattern. I now have two found quilt tops that I will work on and donate to a worthwhile cause.
Yes, we ate lunch, a very late lunch. Poutine is always nice on a busy weekend when no one feels like cooking.
This is the first time that I have tried a Rachel Ray recipe - Steak Pizzaiola Burgers. Talk about spicey, this recipe calls for two teaspoons of dried red chillies and despite protests from a certain someone that is what I added to two pounds of ground sirloin. The best part of this burger is the onion, tomato paste, and wine sauce. Once you've cooked the burgers, slather them with lots of this sauce, a couple of slices of mozza, under the broiler until everything is bubbly and serve without a bun on a mixed salad. But for those who can't handle the heat from all those chillies, a bun would be good. All I needed was a glass of red.
A backpack and some good walking shoes and he was off. To travel to the other side of the world, to visit places he had only read about, to savour freedom from school and schedules and the looming responsibility of career and family. A little adventure, a reward for all the hard work. This young man travels to India and as a souvenir to remind him of this fascinating country he decides to purchase a beautiful, handwoven carpet. He continues on his travels happy in the knowledge that when he returns home, the carpet will be waiting for him to transform his bachelor pad into a magical and inviting space.
Our traveller is still travelling occasionally along with his wife. He is retired, the children are successful and gone and after many moves, a condo is now home. If you look around the condo, you will not see the beautiful, handwoven rug. After months of waiting, what he recieved were two bolts of unbleached cotton. One of the bolts was used for curtains and pillows and craft projects. The other bolt was gifted to me.
I do not care for drapes and curtains or anything else covering a window unless absolutely necessary. The bamboo blinds and awning are not enough for our west-facing picture window so I made some curtains. No sewing was involved, I just cut to fit and draped them over the bamboo blinds. The cotton is closely woven and does a great job of keeping out the sun and the heat. I saved hundreds of dollars and am indebited to a rug weaver somewhere in India.
It is already well into tomorrow in Korea for someone who is celebrating a milestone birthday. A regular workday for her. But hopefully when she sees this rainbow it will not feel like a regular day to her but a day of contemplation and celebration.
Spring is here and for me that means one thing; I can hang the laundry to dry outside. Is there any other way? I don't think so. During the winter, I use two old fashioned wood floor racks and a hanging rack which was made for me by Valodya.
Spring also means motorcycles, streetcleaners, pruning, planting peas, lots of birds feeding, washing windows, and my favourite - packing away the flannellette sheets for some frilly Laura Ashley that were bought at a greatly reduced price.
Heading North and I'm bearing gifts even though it is my birthday (yes, I am an April fool). I have baked up my favourite cake - Coconut- recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. It is a very rich cake so I don't think we are going to need cream cheese icing.
And for the little princess I sewed up a litttle tote from Lexie Barnes' book Sew what! Bags. I made the handles a bit too wide but it was very quick to make and I just might have to make a few more in different sizes.
With asparagus in season, I could eat frittatta every night. Even better is roasting the spears for ten minutes in a very hot oven, use your fingers and enjoy.
