Friday Things #545
1. Isabelle got her expander this week! She was excited to get it (I think it made her feel like a big kid); she did well getting it placed and hasn’t had too many issues since. It was sore a little bit off and on for the day after, and the first time she ate and drank, it felt very weird for her, but she got used to it pretty quickly.
2. Halloween candy – full size candy bars or minis? I have always loved giving out full size bars, but now that we have kids trick or treating, when given the chance to have something from their stash after Halloween, they’d much rather eat two different smaller items than one large candy bar (and most times they don’t even finish the whole bar). So now I’m leaning towards the mini size (and I also love handing out things like fruit snacks, pretzels, etc)… what do you do?
3. A great nugget from a James Clear newsletter:
“Compete externally and you compare.
Compete internally and you improve.”
4. Let’s talk pre-peeled garlic. The last time I was at the grocery store, I almost grabbed a bag from the refrigerated section but then just grabbed regular instead. It seems like such a nice shortcut, but I wasn’t sure how fresh the garlic might be. Does anyone use it? Tell me about it! Is it worth getting?
5. Good reminders >> 25 Little Ways to Have a Better Relationship With Your Phone
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6. What type of apple pie is your favorite? I’ll go for Dutch apple pie any time I have an option!
7. Great article if mornings are feeling frantic >> 7 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Morning… #1 (wake up earlier) has been a game changer for me. At the beginning of this school year, it seemed we were always rushing to get out the door on time; about a month ago, I started making sure the kids were awake 15 minutes earlier than I had been. It has made a WORLD of difference; there is hardly any rushing now. It’s not that much time, but it made a huge impact.
8. A couple of weeks ago we talked about slow cookers and instant pots; I’d love your slow cooker recommendations! The last time I used my programmable one this summer, it took twice as long as it should have to cook ribs, so I think the heating element is going. I’d like to get a replacement now that we’re heading into cozy food weather; what do you have and love?? I did check America’s Test Kitchen reviews and their highest rated ones are the Hamilton Beach (traditional) and Cuisinart (has searing capabilities). I’ve had my current one for probably close to 10 years, so it’s been a long time since I’ve shopped for one!
9. We’ve started watching the new season of Trigger Point (BritBox) and gosh, it’s so good and suspenseful!
10. TGIF! The sweetest of friends 🩷💙
I love pre-peeled garlic! I get the smaller package from Trader Joe’s (instead of huge Costco bag) and freeze it. Soooo easy and the flavor is great. I am not a fan of the prechopped garlic, however…I find that it has no flavor.
I stopped giving out Halloween candy when we had a cat who thought the open door was an invite to go out. I had to put a sign over our doorbell bc kids no longer respected the no porch light equals no candy rule if grown up with.
Peeled garlic: a bit of a time saver, as is the minced garlic in the jar. Both smell extremely garlicky and I can’t say I’ve noticed much of a difference from using the fresh (except my fingers don’t stink).
Michelle,,love that name. Thats my daughter’s name.too. my question is. You have been talking about getting a new slow cooker. What are your thoughts about a combination slow cooker/ instant pot? The slow cooker I have is more than 25 years old. Its only 4 quarts. I want a 6 quart. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Do you have an air fryer? I was thinking about getting one of those to. I absolutely love your recipes. Holidays are coming up fast. I’m a semi retired baker too. I used to make cheesecakes for restaurants. They are my weakness and my favorite. Happy Baking. TIA
What happened to sweet puppy’s knee? Tore acl? Does it work? Our puppy just did this!!
Hi Niki, Yes, he had a partial ACL tear back in the spring. The vet recommended this custom brace in lieu of surgery; he’ll have to wear it for 9 months, but he’s doing really great with it!
My qvc crockpot, their brand finally died after 16 years. I was going to buy the kind you can sear in etc but some of the reviews were iffy I ended up with the larger basic crockpot that is wonderful basic but does its job also bought 4 quart both from target, they’re running great sales now.
If you use an air fryer can you post some recipes & tips? I finally bought one and there’s definitely a learning curve.
Diplomat season 2 Netflix Oct 31 can’t wait!
Garlic! My favorite seasoning. After over 50 years of preparing food I believe fresh is best but oh how I hate peeling and chopping it! A few years ago I discovered Dorot frozen garlic. It’s easy to use and tastes the most like fresh in a recipe. It comes in a sectioned plastic container with a clove grated very fine in each section. You just pop it out of the plastic. It was the was the one item I hoarded during Covid! In my grocery store it’s with the frozen vegetables, usually on a top shelf. I keep at least 3 containers in my freezer at all times. It tastes the most like fresh without the hassle of peeling and chopping. Dorot also offers chopped ginger.
I second this! So great!
My son bought me the Ninja possible pot. I love it!
Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker
https://www.walmart.com/ip/1902575826
Hi, love your recipes, posts, and updates of your family happenings. So incredibly happy that your son is doing so well!! Regarding the use of purchased pre peeled garlic …. I’ve been buying and using it for over 20 years. I am part of a large Italian family in San Diego. My husband is 1st generation Italian American. I have learned how awesome it is to have ready to go garlic in the fridge. We chop it fairly fine and keep in a container under canola oil in the fridge. Couldn’t live without it.
I just saw an Instagram piece on garlic saying you should always check the roots to make sure they are dark and not bleached white. Apparently, garlic coming from China has been bleached after being grown in dangerous conditions. So if its peeled=how would you know where it was sourced from. They mentioned to check country of origin on packages/bags of garlic as well.
We’ve been passing out mini candy bars for quite a while because we have a lot of trick or treaters. Last year we also gave a packet of wildflower seeds along with the candy, something a little different for a change.
I just purchased a Greenpan crock pot. It sears, steams and slow cooks.
Oh, those doggies. So sweet.
A quick way to peel garlic cloves is to soak them in water. The skins just peel right off. A friend discovered it last summer when we were making dill pickles. Game changer for bulk garlic prep. I’m thinking about buying a bunch of garlic, roasting it whole and then storing it in a jar with oil. Instantly available for garlic bread. Not keen on the minced stuff in jars due to the flavour of the additive.
Love #3.
I hardly use my slow cooker but I’d like to use it more. Maybe this fall/winter.
I have a Cuisinart and love it because you can sear, roast and slow cook. Saves time washing searing pans and splatters! The only negative is sometimes you have to jiggle the pot so it hits the sensor element to start cooking. Other than that, it’s great!!!!
Wow your little girl’s apron is so cute!
To be honest, I try not to keep a lot of candy around. When I get to Halloween I just am not up for it.
My favorite pie is pecan pie.
I highly recommend All-Clad slow cooker. I love that I can sear meat in the insert on the stove and then add other ingredients for the slow cook time. Mine has been going strong for over 10 years now. It is a work horse! And food is never mushy or over over cooked.
Is that Duke with a brace on his leg? Hope everything is alright.
On the advice of America’s Test Kitchen I bought a huge bag of pre-peeled garlic cloves. They said to freeze it in an airtight container. Alas, the flavor suffered; it just tasted blah. 😑 It didn’t take long, either. Maybe a month.
I received my Cuisinart for Christmas and I love it. I like the browning feature. I can brown my beef roast and then add vegetables all in one pan. I also like it when making soup. It can come up to boiling quickly to get started and then I turn it to slow cooking.
Jamie made a great point about the All Clad’s cooking insert. It can go right on your stove’s burner so you can sautée veggies etc. and then put the insert back into the appliance. And I think the lid is supposed to sit on the appliance in that fashion for steam release.
I love my All Clad slow cooker. I bought it over ten years ago when All Clad was still having sales at their factory. Check their online site for sales. This slow cooker is very large and has worked perfectly all this time. Worth the investment.
My original crock pot with removable crock is from 1978! It still works, just looks a bit shabby. Oh, and it’s Harvest Gold.
My new one is Allclad. It has removable inside as well. Loving it but I will say the lid does not fit tightly…..just lays on top.
I’m with you on the garlic pouch, but now I buy a big bag at Sam’s or Costco whenever I need them. Then chop finely in my cuisinart…dump in a bowl, then use a cookie scoop for a dollop on parchment paper…throw that in the freezer. Then later I pull it out after they’ve frozen and remove the dollop and put in a large freezer bag in the freezer. I do double bag them just to help with smells. Anyway, then I always have fresh garlic to pull out and throw in anything I need, it thaws quickly and many times I just throw them in when I’m putting something together. They are the perfect shortcut! We use alot of garlic tho in my cooking. If not, share with a friend!
I have used both but prefer the fresh. The prepealed loses it flavor after a while. I keep the fresh in a container made especially for garlic that I bought many years ago from Bed Bath and Beyond.
I give out full size bars as well as Pringle cups. Kids seem to love getting them, and they are less than full size bars. Parents with little ones appreciate a good full size bar when they “rob” the Halloween candy. LOL
Happy to hear Isabelle is adapting to the expander so well. She looks adorable with her apron. Candy: I like to get the Fun Size (in between regular and Mini). Ours is a popular neighborhood for Trick or Treating and some years w e get well over 100 kids! Once again, I love the James Clear quote. Personally I agree with you – Dutch Apple – it is the best of both worlds- a combo of pie and a crisp together. My husband is a traditionalist- plain pie, so we rotate 😊
Happy Weekend to you and your family!
My shortcut is making great soups when the weather turn cold. I use a pressure cooker from my Ninja for the bones from the roasted chicken from Costco. I buy a chicken for the unbelievable price every time I’m there, making bone stock for soup is easy and fast, 20 min. on high, so much better than boxed.