March 16 2010 • Posted by corene • 5 Comments
Spring Thaw
I’m quickly coming to the end of our frozen bounty from last year’s harvest. The local berries and green beans, homemade tomato sauce and pureed squash stash is officially eaten as of last week. I stretched my supply out a bit but now that Spring is here I’m ready to do it all again. There was one final vacuum-sealed bag of Dungeness Crab, caught by my father-in-law at the end of last Summer off Orcas Island, Washington. It was the perfect amount to fold into delicately cooked eggs with leftover bacon and sharp cheddar. A total treat and honestly tasted as fresh as the day it was caught. Plus we got to relive late Summer memories during the breakfast conversation. Our daughter was proud of her recollections and making all kinds plans for those unsuspecting Crabs out there this year. Food is such a catalyst for family adventure!
Dungeness Crab and Eggs for 4
5-6 eggs, lightly beaten
Approx 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) Dungeness Crab
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
2-3 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small, non-stick frying pan at low heat
Add eggs and let sit until slightly set
Sprinkle cheese, bacon and add the Crab, evenly distribute (perfect for the kids to do, with supervision of course)
Move egg mixture around gently, flipping less done parts or folding mixture until cooked through to your liking
Salt and Pepper to taste
Serve
Don’t be mortified if your father-in-law or child douses it in ketchup
If you are feeling fancy, microplane a small amount of Meyer lemon rind right on top, just at the end. Delicious.
March 10 2010 • Posted by corene • 5 Comments
Hipster Homesteaders?
An article about the “trend” of home-preserved food on Slate yesterday certainly did stir the jelly pot. Is home canning and preserving just another foodie flight of fancy that will come and go? And who decided this was an in-vogue hobby anyway? I’m sure families living and working on a farm would see things a bit differently. This photograph is the last batch of my husband’s Grandmother’s green tomato relish. She passed away in 1996.
Things like this become trends when people who try knitting or Bikram Yoga or another hot activity that is widely blogged and reported upon decide to get in early on the next big thing. Those who stop will find it tedious, exacting or expensive. Those who stick with it are the ones who enjoy it, who are committed to it and who see the value to themselves and their family. I think it sounds like tons of practical fun. I’m sure there is likely to be a lot of Ball jars in the recycle bin in the near-ish future, which is of less concern than ‘what’s gonna happen to all those backyard chickens?’
A few years ago my good friend and I made our own Bratwurst. I totally admit that I felt very foodie and cool when we acquired the mile long intestine used for casing from the local butcher. But then instead of an afternoon of self-congratulating and styled photos of our sausage – we ended up having a blast and really learning about something new. Then 20 of our closest friends came over for Oktoberfest.
My plan for 2010 has been to finally learn the art of canning. Maybe I read something about the ‘trend’ and my subconscious led me to this decision - but who cares? Making your own anything is very gratifying. It feels good and learning how with my husband and daughter sounds like the very best kind of tradition in the making. We’ll be looking to this 15 year old, beautiful green tomato relish for inspiration. Any backlash towards the industrious food-types out there that causes a stir in the blog world can be duked-out on the interwebs.
So yes, I’ll be hopping on the canning bandwagon – but I also intend to be on the leading edge of the ‘blanch and freeze” movement. Just you wait. I, um, just need to get my technique down. Stay tuned…and I’d love any ideas.
March 9 2010 • Posted by corene • 1 Comments
Comfort Food
Disclaimer: I do not like it when my child is sick. I’d do anything to take those yucky feelings away. But I’ll admit that I do cherish those extra snuggles and naps that are increasingly rare as she gets older. Her food comforts are anything in dumpling form. Pot stickers, ravioli and pierogies are favorites. I went with take-out won ton soup yesterday and it was a hit. Could this be the start of a comforting tradition?
Many of my food memories are of the most un-romantic kind: Diet 7-up and orange juice Popsicles when I was sick. Campbell’s Chicken Noodle and cooked carrots sucked through a straw on a chilly day. Nope - no food memoir with treasured recipes at the end of each chapter and creased photographs from me anytime soon. But give me a Pyrex dish full of stuffed mushrooms swimming in vermouth or a slice of grasshopper pie and I’ll probably start to bawl. These things brought the comfort like no other.
My husband’s mother gave him Saltine crackers with butter, warm 7-up and Jello in a teacup just before it set-up. If he had a fever it was Popsicles broken up in a bowl to eat with a spoon.
I’d love to hear about your childhood comforts and the delicious memories you’re making now. Everyone could use some new “food hug” ideas and I look forward to compiling them!
My little girl is now on the mend and I’m sure those won tons had something to do with it.
February 21 2010 • Posted by corene • 1 Comments
A delicious start
Foodie Patootie has officially launched! Thanks to those following us on Facebook and Twitter already. Please join this community of food lovers and help build a pantry-full of great ideas, recommendations, recipes and more. There is so much to share.
I was lucky enough to find this amazing site today. Anything James Beard Award-winning Seattle chef Tamara Murphy is involved in seems to perfectly exemplify how we should think about food. I’m a huge fan and can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of her beautiful new book due this Spring.
February 18 2010 • Posted by corene • 0 Comments
A Toast
Hello food lovers with kids in your lives! Welcome to Foodie Patootie. Are we sharing recipes? Posting dinner photos? Reviewing kid’s menus and working our way beyond them? Forcing kids to cook Julia Child recipes in under 365 days? Well…yes and no. Foodie Patootie is a community of people who adore food and all the perks that come along with being a self-professed foodie. Just because kids came into the picture doesn’t mean we have to give anything up. Quite the contrary, actually. Helping kids enjoy delicious, different and healthy meals is always a good idea. Plus - I dare you to not smile when you say “Foodie Patootie”. It’s about fun. Food opens doors to education, travel, nutrition, entertainment…the possibilities are endless. There are a lot of exciting things to come including events, merchandise and the chance to network with like-minded folks. Come and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. If you have an event, product or idea you’d like to share with the Foodie Patootie community, feel free to contact me. We happen to be in the Seattle area but want to know what food lovers across the country are up to! With raised glasses and/or sippy cups - let’s toast this shared love of food and the wish to bring that joy to the kids we love, too.
Bon appétit!
Corene
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