more like a sincere miscalculation.
I’m not back, yet. So, instead of telling more sweet lies or making miscalculations, let’s just say I will be soon-ish. Until then, watch a little Fleetwood Mac.
Nikki♥
Please, Pardon the Interruption.
something disturbed the groove.
I’ll be back to regularly scheduled posting tomorrow. I think. I hope. Maybe even before then.
Nikki♥
Tigress’ Can Jam (March) | Pretty Pickled Pearls
ummm, another low acid veg. i had to do more. i just did.
Well, I did more. And I did less. I thought it was time to do a tinybatch of a recipe I kinda liked to see if I could tweak it a bit. (♥:a bit?) Fine, a lot. I wanted a recipe where I could manipulate the flavors, but leave the math.
Georgeanne Brennan’s The Glass Pantry was the first book on preserving that I bought a year or so ago. Sure, Amazon had it for the right price. It was, also, the first book I was able to get my hands on from the library. You know I need to live with cook/craft books before I buy them, right?
I’ve flipped through all of the preserving and canning books in the arsenal and found that there were a couple of different versions of these pickled pearls. It was Georgeanne’s math that made it easier for me to convert.
I’ve been really into cornichon for a while. It probably is my favorite type of pickle. I, only recently, found out that it’s the tarragon that gets me all excited. So, I just had to see what it would do to those pretty pearls.
Pickled Whole Onions
adapted from Georgeanne Brennan’s The Glass Pantry
1 c pearl onions
1/4 c water
3/4 c white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher/pickling salt
2 garlic cloves
1 sprig of fresh tarragon
2 dried red peppers
6 black peppercorns
The Nikki Bits: I kept the vinegar/water ratio, but I changed the entire flavor profile.
The Making: Simple enough. Wash and sterilize 1 half pint/1 quarter liter Weck jar in the water bath. Uggghhh, peel the onions. (♥: Blanching them makes it easier.) Add onions and spices into the jar. Bring vinegar, salt, and water to a boil. Cover the onions with the liquid, leaving head space. Wipe rim. Place seal and top. Screw closed or add clamps. Using jar lifter, place jars into water bath. Return the water to a boil. Process for 10 minutes.
What’s Next: I’m getting good at waiting. Kinda proud of myself. And, HELLO, getting better at documenting the process. And must order Ashley‘s book. Wow, I’ve got to right everything down.
Okay, I’m off to make a bit of roasted leek & garlic confit. Mmmmm.
Nikki♥
Things We Keep | Come, Lelee Lelee
i don’t really collect things. i just seem to keep the same kinds of things.
I don’t know why I like them. Or why I get goofy and call them Lelees. But, I kinda like elephants. I’m liking them enough to want keep some around.
The first elephants I remember buying are in AllHailsQueenMommy’s living room. It was a family of 4. Mother and children. I bought them from a guy selling his wares at the base of the Eiffel Tower. It was the last night of spring break and they caught my attention. Wooden Lelees carved by hand. I’ll show them to you next time I head home.
This one↑. I think I’m going to want to take with me whenever I move. I had the choice of two apartments in my building. They were right across from each other. The door knocker chose for me.
It’s still early going for me and the elephants. I like the idea of collecting. I just don’t know if I’m cut out for the work of it. Maybe, I’ll just let myself think it’s random when I notice multiples of anything.
Are you a random keeper or do you passionately collect?
Nikki♥
Awww, Thx Wednesday! | The Mall Edition
taking the time to make note of a few things that make the days extra sweet.
All I could think about on the way home was a little cod, couscous, onions and tomatoes. Mmmmm. So good.
Ventured out to The Mall today. Seriously, I’ve been planning to go for ages and always let it go awry. I’m so glad I let today just happen. It filled my Wednesday with surprises!
I saw the sign and just had to have a Cinnabon. Umm, I guess? *shoulder shrug central* So not the big deal I used to think they were. It’s crazy that so many things are kinda blah now. Maybe because I can actually make and bake things that really tickle my taste buds.
Popped over to Target. I couldn’t believe they still had a few pieces from the Liberty of London for Target collection. I stood and stared at the rain boots that were 3 sizes too small for a few minutes. Mmmm, pretty.
Instead of pining, I decide to run through my Hunter wellie color choices. I’m thinking multiple pairs. Thx, Jan + Feb. Tony! Toni! Tone! lied. It never stopped raining in Southern California.
I was doing my best ANTM poses in the dressing room feeling Trés BadAss when this song came on. Things got all movie montage inspired. I went from catalog to couture faster than you can say André Leon Talley.
I’m still on a bit of a pop culture fast cleanse, so I didn’t know what the song was or who was singing it. Oddly, I waited until I got home to try to find out. (♥: It never crossed your mind to use your phone?) Apparently, no.
I think the best part of today’s shopping was what I realized about me. I liked it. A lot. Even when I walked out of a store empty handed or things didn’t fit. It wasn’t that big of a deal.
I bought things I never would have. Hello, striped shirt from H&M. Or broke the “I live in LA. No more black clothes” rule. It didn’t matter. I bought the black dress and black tunic because I fell in LOVE and they look killah on me. Oh, Mojo. I’ve missed you.
Thx so much, Wednesday! I hope she’s been as good to you!
Nikki♥
CurseWorthy Cooking | That Mystery Marmalade
i still don’t remember.
Keeping track of my kitchen adventures has always felt like it took the fun out of cooking. Well, now, it really has come back to bite me.
I made a peanut butter and spiced citrus marm sandwich. I got so excited and angry to the point of letting the expletives fly mid-bite. It was ecstasy in my mouth and I still don’t know how to get it back again.
It had such a simple light nuanced flavor. It’s even mellowed in the last few weeks. There’s only a bit of cardamom kick that hints at what else is in there. I remember most of the ingredients, but not the amounts and definitely not the process. I, unintentionally, did some quirky stuff.
I really want that marm back. I’ve said it before, now I mean it. Experiments and escapades must be recorded. I’m a pen to paper kinda gal. I’m deciding between Rhodia and Moleskine to capture the magic.
I’ve got one jar of the mystery marm left. And I’ve got 8 months to figure this out.
Nikki♥
Have You Seen This? | Departures
wow, pls tell me you’ve seen it?
Departures is such a sweet and gentle rumination on life, death and forgiveness. While the trailer plays to the funny/heart-warming bits in the 2009 Academy Award® winner, the deeply moving film weaves a wide range of emotions with deftness and sincerity.
This truly is a film I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
If you haven’t seen it, please do.
Nikki♥
Dorking Out | Jane Mount
i want this. i really do.
(image: janemount.com)
I’m late. I know. I just discovered Jane Mount through 20X200.
Loving. And Dorking Out. The pieces in her Ideal Bookshelf series are simply beautiful and beautifully evocative.
Loving, not just because there seems to be some similarities between Ideal Bookshelf 8: ST and books on my shelf. (♥: Ummm, right.)
I laughed a little the first time I saw Ideal Bookshelf 8: ST. I knew how I had come to have the books that are shared with the print, as well as why I, intentionally, don’t have a few in that are in the piece. The more I looked at it, the more I began to wonder about ST.
I’m fascinated by Mount’s Ideal Bookshelf series. It really is an interesting way to peek into someone’s life. Or assume that you’ve seen something.
Time to start collecting.
Nikki♥
Jane Mount’s Etsy Shop
Jane Mount at 20X200
Have You Seen? | Raising Victor Vargas
omg, pls tell me you’ve seen this.
I think I keep trying with HBO’s How To Whatever in America because Victor Rasuk is in it. I’m not blaming the other kid, but there’s something about Rasuk’s presence and ease on screen that just draws me in. I can’t help it. He does vulnerable, funny, cocky, eager and ambitious so well.
Honestly, Raising Victor Vargas is one of the best coming of age stories on film. It’s so regular, normal LES. It really is the everyday life of kids growing up and growing up on the lower east side. Especially, being kids of color and it having nothing to do with drugs, guns or violence.
I’m about to go watch it again. If you haven’t seen it, please do. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Nikki♥
Market.Watch | 12Mar10 & The Slam Reax
leeks, onions, meyer lemons, blood oranges
Ummm, I still don’t know what I want to do for Tigress’ Can Jam. So, it looks like I’m just going to have to find some more allium options and hit the books. I’ll be fine.
It’s been an odd week. I read Slate’s ‘Canning is Trendy‘ article. I read the The Atlantic’s ‘CSAs: A ripoff?’ article, too. I don’t have a problem saying that I think some of the questions they ask are valid. I think the tone in which both articles are framed is dismissive and patronizing, though. I just think it fosters a discussion where everyone is defensive.
The thing is neither article annoyed me. I just thought they both missed the point. When it comes to CSAs, farmers’ market produce, or dairy products from small farms, I don’t expect the prices to compete with conventional grocery stores. That’s not why I seek them out. That’s not why I come back every week or still shop at the superchains. Does an article bemoaning the price help me define why and where I choose to spend my money? Yep. Non-issue.
The Slate article got under my skin, primarily, because it hurt the feelings of people I’ve come to respect, who felt attacked for practicing the traditions they hold dear. I had less of a problem because I kind of knew who she was talking to and about. It didn’t bother me, personally, because I’ve come to really enjoy doing it. Period. Whatever.
She can condescend, if she chooses. That’s her. I know how it felt to make that first jar of strawberry jam last spring. I know what its been like to be a part of TCJ. I ask myself about salt and sugar intake. I pay attention to what’s local and abundant. I don’t find it tedious. I’m learning a little patience. I’ll be standing with my basket ready when my gardening friends start to harvest the fruits of their labor.
I think what’s starting to rub me the wrong way is this push back on those of us not in rural areas or who haven’t been canning for time. Yes, there are new fresh books with their take on tradition. I’m not rushing out to buy them just because the cover rocks. Yes, there’s more attention on the practice. Yes, I like those cute jars. So what. If I’m canning for the next week or the rest of my life, it shouldn’t have any bearing on what anyone else is doing.
Let’s pass the knowledge amongst ourselves. Share with whomever may be interested. I’m here soaking up your advice and wisdom. Please, share in my excitement.
Nikki♥