Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Book Review - The Penny Pinchers Club
As I wandered through the library looking for anything that caught my eye I came upon a Sarah Strohmeyer book titled, "The Penny Pinchers Club". I often joke about my addiction to the self-help genre and am always looking for a book to carry my imagination to another place now and then. So, having nothing "fiction" on my bed stand (except Tolstoy but we all know that doesn't count as real fiction!) I decided to check out the book.
"TPPC" was entertaining and an easy read while playing to my current obsession with freegan living. The main character is struggling to save money and resorts to penny pinching as her means to accomplish said goal. Dumpster diving only makes the story more interesting.
Ground breaking fiction? No. Enjoyable? Yes.
"TPPC" was entertaining and an easy read while playing to my current obsession with freegan living. The main character is struggling to save money and resorts to penny pinching as her means to accomplish said goal. Dumpster diving only makes the story more interesting.
Ground breaking fiction? No. Enjoyable? Yes.
Tuesday
Woke up. No coffee. Walked viewing God's amazing creation. Cried tears of intimacy as I spoke to Him about my struggles. Stepped in dog poop. Was met by Animal Control at our house after Solomon escaped. Dog got hit on the nose by a very authoritative officer for bad behavior. Humiliated. Willy Wonka found lurking behind my A.V. rack. Costco lady told me I was a liar. Befuddled by my nudist children. It's only 2pm.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Garden Fresh Marinara Sauce
My garden EXPLODED with tomatoes and I have been working frantically to cook up the tomatoes before they shrivel, mold or just lose their appeal. Currently, I am working to freeze enough marinara to carry us over until spring. Here is my recipe.
Recipe: Garden Fresh Marinara -
Makes 2 pints w/ leftover
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion, rough chop
3 garlic cloves, smashed and whole
4 large carrots, rough chop
10 large tomatoes or combination of smaller tomatoes
Salt, pepper, basil, rosemary and/or Italian seasoning
1/4 cup red wine or 2-3 tablespoons of beef broth (for richness)
1 Small Can Tomato Paste
Olive Oil - 2-3 Tablespoons
Heat olive oil in large sauce pan at medium heat. Add onions, garlic and carrots and saute until onions are translucent and garlic and carrots have softened. Add chopped tomatoes and spices (to taste - I like a large bunch of fresh basil and rosemary (roughly chopped) with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat with lid off until tomatoes have broken down. Add red wine and tomato paste. Simmer a bit longer (or all day if you like...) Puree mixture in blender or with immersion blender until desired texture. Allow to cool and store in refrigerator for 3 days or freeze in containers (with 1 inch at top for expansion) for up to 4 months.
Enjoy!
Recipe: Garden Fresh Marinara -
Makes 2 pints w/ leftover
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion, rough chop
3 garlic cloves, smashed and whole
4 large carrots, rough chop
10 large tomatoes or combination of smaller tomatoes
Salt, pepper, basil, rosemary and/or Italian seasoning
1/4 cup red wine or 2-3 tablespoons of beef broth (for richness)
1 Small Can Tomato Paste
Olive Oil - 2-3 Tablespoons
Heat olive oil in large sauce pan at medium heat. Add onions, garlic and carrots and saute until onions are translucent and garlic and carrots have softened. Add chopped tomatoes and spices (to taste - I like a large bunch of fresh basil and rosemary (roughly chopped) with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat with lid off until tomatoes have broken down. Add red wine and tomato paste. Simmer a bit longer (or all day if you like...) Puree mixture in blender or with immersion blender until desired texture. Allow to cool and store in refrigerator for 3 days or freeze in containers (with 1 inch at top for expansion) for up to 4 months.
Enjoy!
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