home cooking – Page 17 – My Urban Pantry

bang!

May 18, 20102 Comments

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a couple of months ago I started a new job. I have a few small teams that report to me including the staff of the Discovery Center, an interpretive visitors center teaching about the urgent need for Bible translation, the Village Shop, which is a small gift shop with cards, books and gifts that support the work, and an online component for e-commerce. Another remote team for communication and free online curriculum for kids. The remote team is actually here this week for networking and face time. (How’d you like that shameless advertising?!)
Along with the learning curve dinner has become less intense and this week I baked some shrimp out of a box. On the upside, I did throw together some Bang Bang! sauce to dip. We have fried the shrimp before from ‘scratch’ and honestly this was easier to clean up and probably less caloric. I’m taking a few days off next week. I might even cook something.

Bang Bang! sauce
1/2 cup mayo (we use 1/2 fat olive oil mayo)
1/4 thai sweet chilly sauce
a squirt or two of Sriracha to taste

mix well and toss in shrimp or dip!

K – knives

May 14, 20101 Comment

knives – when I brought this up at the office yesterday I realized that knives elicit, like many things, both fear and bliss. Fear that you could cut yourself. I have done just that, and in a sink of soapy water no less. Bliss that the knives could be hardened and honed of 32 layers of Japanese steel that would swish through tomatoes, onions and potatoes with only a whisper of effort.
I read a lot of cookbooks, magazines and food blogs. Without fail a good knife is the top item on both kitchen wish and must have lists. When I sent mine off for sharpening it was a sad time but the joy of the box on the porch was worth it.

slow-roasted pork with red cabbage, jalapenos and mustard

May 9, 20101 Comment

4 hours of slow roasted dry-rubbed pork complemented by acidic red cabbage and doctored up baked beans. good stuff for Sunday supper.

J – jam

May 6, 20102 Comments

a couple of posts ago I mentioned house-made being a watchword for foodies… house-made jams and jellies, pickles and home cured meats. Everyone wants to do it themself and save or just do it for the idea of locally sourced and handmade eating!
I don’t really think ‘saving’ happened to me as I endeavored to make strawberry jam but I did it anyhow. $75 later and I had bought a giant black pot, a bunch of funny cannery tools, a box of jars, lids for the ones I’d ruined, strawberries (which were gross) and more strawberries(which were good). I sent Z out for sugar when I came home from the store without it… Anything else? This doesn’t include the $25 book I bought all about home cannery which is vaguely terrifying with all their talk of bacteria.

Wow. It’s messy! Mashed strawberries on my apron, my arms, my shirt, my counters, my wall, my towels and of course, my stove! Not to mention several pots and pans. I have nine 8 ounce jars to show for it. I’m filling up my own pantry.

I – internet

May 4, 2010Leave a comment

not strictly food of course, but the internet and home computers have played an immense role in the lives of foodies everywhere. Particularly for me. It feeds my wandering eye with recipes and articles. It expands my view and throws excitement into the most everyday travels. A veritable library at my fingertips. I have been able to map places to go, research, plan vacations, dream for the future, express myself and make dinner. These are all why I have chosen to put the internet in the 9th place of alphabetical honor.