Rainy Sunday Blues

Another rainy day in the 'burg. It's rained everyday for the past 4 days although it's not been steady. Had a wonderful day yard sailing yesterday. Someone had advertised "cake pans" so I got there early and picked up 2- 16" pans, 1- 14", 1- 12", 1- 10", 2 (new) + 1- 6", 3- 4.5" round pans and 1-8x3" square pans for a total of 12 pans for $25. They are all professional Wilton pans used by a women who used to do cakes for a living. Just think, 2 weeks ago all I had were 3- 8" rounds then I got the 4 piece set and the 12" rounds at Michael's with 50% off coupons and gift cards I'd been given. I'd say I have enough that I won't have to use the same pan twice trying to get the cakes done. I'm doing my last non-paid wedding cake in November.

So here we were out yard sailing and I knew there was something else I was looking for and low and behold it just appeared, a large T-Fal deep fryer, $3, which I couldn't pass up. I had made up the mix for zucchini cakes. They're a mock crab cake that are basically vegetarian. They'd be vegan except there's egg in them. In the end I cleaned it up and but didn't use it though I will soon.

I've been experimenting with medieval dough recipes. I found one that was ok, after it baked I poured honey over it and topped it with Cinnamon and sugar. The experiment turned out ok. I also made up a redacted recipe that called for ricotta, rosewater and honey. Having everything other then the ricotta on hand I headed to the store and played with the recipe a bit. LOVE IT! I can't wait to set it out on the dessert table during our October event.

Food of Renaissance Italy

I'm planning a feast with some friends that will take place in Oct. 09. I recieved this awesome book that I ordered from Amazon yesterday entitled "The Original Mediterranean Cuisine", love it!

I've already tried one of the recipes in it. All it called for was Honey, ricotta, and rosewater. I had the rosewater, bought the small container of ricotta on my way to my friend's house and with her honey we tested the recipe. She had some pizzelles that I had brought over a few weeks ago, still in their package and we enjoyed a wonderful little dessert.

I'm not sure if it's something I'll make for the dessert table, but it's an option.

So it's not only Monday that's hectic

Weekends can be just as bad, although the weekend holds more promise, especially the markets. The produce available, abundance of time and so many ideas. Cooking on the weekend takes motivation, and I'm not sure how many people are interested in slaving away in the kitchen during the summer. Personally, I haven't put in the AC units so unless I open windows and turn on fans there's not much air circulating.

It's 8:30 AM on Saturday and I've already wilted down some fresh kale that a friend brought me and have a chicken carcass in a pot to cook down. I plan on making Italian Wedding Soup for dinner and to freeze. It's a good meal on a hot summer day. I know, I know you're thinking "SOUP in the summer that's not cold? What's wrong with Gazpacho?" Nothing is wrong with it, I just choose to use what I have available and one can never go wrong with soup. It's the basis for a love affair with ones stomach. I also have a bunch of basil so I'll make a pesto. Maybe pick up some Pillsbury bread sticks, smear them with a little bit of the pesto and bake them to go with the soup.

I belong to The SCA (http://www.sca.org/) which is a Renaissance group. We're doing a feast for an event in October, and need candied mint leaves. My friend also brought me some chocolate mint so I'll dip and dry that, then bag and freeze. In doing that it will free up time to do other stuff.

Off the market. My shopping list is short today as I went to the store yesterday. Carrots, celery, and ground beef are on the list. Of course there may be a lot of other items available.