Archive for category Other Stuff
Duo Colored Pasta, a Tutorial.
Posted by Cmac in Food, Main Course, Pasta & Grains, Tips & Tricks on August 6, 2010
…..It was my wife and my 4 year wedding anniversary, and as for most special occasions I like to get a little crazy with food production (The Big Birthday Cake). I decided since I have recently mastered my new pasta maker it was time to take it up a notch and make duo colored pasta, and after a lot of googling the only methods I found seemed way to complicated. So I experimented with my own, and the result — Perfect. For the filling in the ravioli I decided to go with a mango, fresh mint, and ricotta combination, as for the measurements it was about a 2:1 ratio 2 Ricotta, and 1 of pureed mango, with a tablespooon of fresh chopped mint, as you will notice the pasta is egg free. Enjoy.
Blog neglect
Posted by Cmac in Other Stuff on June 7, 2010
Well once again I have been neglecting blog posts. Not because I have not been cooking in the kitchen. We had a house guest for a week and with that came a gifted new cook book, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice which I have been devoted to reading from beginning to end while baking as I learn. I have not been coming up with anything original lately worth posting although I just bottled a Belgian spiced wit beer that I will be tasting and writing about in the next couple of weeks. I just decided since my creativity has been at a low it would be a nice time to read and learn to expand my foodie knowledge and expertise. I will be posting pictures and notes on the successful breads I produce using the guidance of my new cookbook, and I will be posting a successful cheese recipe (once I have one). In the meantime I will be reading, baking, and experimenting. Then hopefully I will have my creative spark back and begin posting new original content.
Be back soon,
Cmac
Get the most out of your compost, with Vermiculture!
Posted by Cmac in Other Stuff, Tips & Tricks on May 13, 2010
I have tried building my own worm composter in the past with the results being dead worms and a stinky bin, so this year I decided to buy a system that’s been proven. My recent addition to my going green at home operation is the Worm Factory 360 and 1000 red wigglers from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. I could have just put a bin in the backyard and let nature do its thing but I needed a more rapid production process. Since my current crop land (backyard) is full of packed clay and over leached soil I need to quickly introduce new organic material for next year.
The assembly was super easy, and the worm farm came with really good instructions and a video, even all the materials needed to start the worm bedding. Once the system is fully operating after the first 3-4 months at maximum capacity, with 1000 worms you can expect to get 5-10 pounds of fresh worm trailings per month. Another great feature of the worm factory is the catch basin and spigot on the bottom that will supply you with the liquid leachate that will make for a great liquid compost in your garden.
I will be making follow up posts as the worms progress through the stages, including any tips or tricks I’ve learned in the process.
Cmac
Jiffy lube Gift card giveaway!
Posted by Cmac in Other Stuff on April 26, 2010
After my daughters successful surgery I’m back and will hopefully have some new recipes in the works by the end of this week. In the meantime I have a $35.00 Jiffy Lube gift card to give away to one lucky reader. Normally I take my car to whichever Oil change place is within the vicinity of me and my car when I suddenly realize I’m over due for a change. In this case having a Jiffy Lube gift card in hand I went out of my way about a 1/4 of a mile and went straight to Jiffy Lube. The experience was great taking a total of 15 minutes from the time I got out of my car to the time I got back in and drove away While waiting I had some not so bad complimentary coffee in the clean waiting area and the employees were very courteous. Unlike some of the oil change establishments I’ve been to they were not constantly trying to sell me extra services, basically the tech listed off manufacturer suggested service and gave me the option of doing it now or later.
Goodbye flexitarianism, hello Food Inc.
Posted by Cmac in Food, Other Stuff on April 22, 2010
Image courtesy of FoodIncMovie.com
I have always been Flexitarian, with some long stretches of pure Vegetarianism and even Veganism. When I cook for myself and family I stick strictly vegetarian and try to go more in the vegan direction, but when the food is prepared for me I will eat meat. Until now!
The other night there was nothing good on T.V. so I decided to explore Netflix on my new Wii and stumbled upon the documentary Food Inc. My plan was to just have it on in the background while I worked on a blog post. This was not the case Food Inc. pulled me in, as I watched with my jaw dropped. I have seen many food documentaries that open up the world of mass food production but this one really hits the bulls eye.
Food Inc. takes you along into a deep exploration of the factory farming industry, covering the production, controls, and corporate entities that practically own the rights to our food. The scariest part is that its not just focused on the meat industry, in fact it makes me question my tofu consumption now. The movie is produced by Robert Kenner, and features interviews with Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), and Micheal Pollan (Omnivore’s Dilemma).
I won’t spoil anymore, this is definitely a must see. Happy Earth Day!
For more information on the documentary visit FoodIncMovie.com
High calorie baby food for the struggling toddler
Yes this is not my normal style of recipe but I do have a daughter with severe feeding and weight gain issues and I do spend a lot of time experimenting with foods that both taste good, and are calorie packed for her. So I am now going to share a couple of baby food recipes that work wonders for her and hope they can help some other parents dealing with the same struggles. Anyways I think this will become a regular part of the blog and I will also soon be including recipes for the Ketogenic diet which my daughter be starting on soon. I Hope this helps some other toddlers out their and feel free to post a comment.
Cmac is Back!
Posted by Cmac in Tips & Tricks on April 2, 2010
Ok “I think” things are going to get calmer at the homestead at least for the next while so its time to get back to cooking and blogging. I have recently acquired a new lens for my camera, a beer brewing kit, and new BBQ with side smoker, therefore you can expect more and better photos, some experimentation in the beer brewing process, and a whole lot of BBQ. Below are a few samples of things to come.
Sour dough Ciabatta rolls
Vegan Enchilada’s
Lemon Preserves
Western Pale Ale half mash (currently carbonating in bottles)
And of course Easter dinner.
So keep checking back and I should have my next recipe posted within a week.
Cmac
Almost back on my feet after the big move
Posted by Cmac in Other Stuff on January 19, 2010
Its been quite a while since I’ve made a post since as some of you already know I just made a big move from Up-state New York to the San Francisco Bay Area. We are still in temporary housing but have recently signed a lease for a house which we will be moving into the middle of February. Once we move in and are all settled I will have my kitchen again and the test kitchen will be back in business. In my new house we have a large garage where I will be building a larger tofu press, and cheese press with a mini cheese cave. Also a lot of the recipes will involve year round BBQ since I won’t have a nice gas stove in the new kitchen (I will give up gas for the opportunity to BBQ outside year round). This year I might also dive into wine & beer making since I now have the space to do this. I’m really excited about the new recipes I can come up with this year having my own lemon tree, and with so many fresh produce markets nearby the possibilities are endless. Most likely I will not have any new recipes to post until late february to early march since it will take me a while to get settled in the new place. During this time I might be posting some rambles about my food related experiences here in the Bay Area.
As for the contest, I forgot to post the winner although they did already get there prize. The winner of the Pillsbury prize pack was Cdog who runs http://www.clementschow.wordpress.com.
Finally its a new year, with a new kitchen, and a completely new culinary experience for me so be sure to check back near the end of February and hopefully I will get back to cooking in time 
Cmac.
Asparagus, Pear, Pillsbury Puffs?
Posted by Cmac in Appetizers, Food, Other Stuff on December 16, 2009
This recipe is something that I really left till the last minute, trying to decide how to pair the sweetness of pear with the crisp somewhat bitterness of asparagus. At the last minute (with 1 hour till the guests arrived) I borrowed an idea I had from a past chick pea pear salad I have since mostly forgotten how to make. The mixture of curry, cinnamon, and pear have always impressed my taste buds and shocked the unknowing eaters. This one I especially am having troubles coming up with a name for so please post your ideas and enter for a chance to win the 3 platters and 2 free cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls. Enjoy.
Roasted Red Pepper, and Toasted Pine nut Pillsbury spirals?
Posted by Cmac in Appetizers, Food, Other Stuff on December 15, 2009
These delicious spirals have a soft but toasty feeling, and a taste you can’t forget. The filling is a bit more technical but well worth the work in the end. As I mentioned I am looking for a name for this little snack so just post a comment at the end of this post with your idea for a name and if you’re the lucky pick at the end you can win 3 hors d’oeuvre platters and 2 coupons for free cans of Pillsbury Crescents. Now onto the recipe.
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Other Stuff category.
Make your own sourdough starter
Gluten Free Sourdough Starter
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam