Friday Things
1. This past Saturday marked the 1 year anniversary of bringing Duke home to live with us. I can’t believe it’s been a year already! He’s currently in the bratty teenager phase of puppyhood, but he’s also one of the sweetest dogs ever. He loves his people :)
2. On Monday, I hit the halfway point of my pregnancy – 20 weeks! I’ve been feeling really well and continuing to grow, grow, grow. We had our anatomy ultrasound last week – the baby is growing right on schedule and so far looks to be perfectly healthy. And yes, we did find out the sex… :)
3. I’m loving The Essential Techniques That Every Home Cook Should Know from Food52. Great resources!
4. So, I have this problem. I feel like the ability to slice an even piece of bread is missing from my DNA. No matter what I do, I always screw it up! I either slice the top normal and then the bottom of the slice is like two inches thick or vice versa – the bottom is virtually see-through. Any tips for slicing bread evenly? I need a guide or something!
5. Last Saturday, I saw a ton of people tweeting about a Simpsons marathon that was on TV. This might be a shocking confession, but I’ve never seen a single episode of the show. When it first came on, my sister and I weren’t allowed to watch it, and then by the time I was old enough for it to not matter, it was never something that really appealed to me. Please tell me I’m not the only one!
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6. I’m not sure if I’ve never noticed them before, but yesterday at the grocery store they had bushels of fresh hatch chiles from New Mexico. I can’t ever remember seeing them around here before, so I’ve never cooked with them. They had fresh ones, and then they had containers of roasted ones that they were roasting on-site right outside. What can I do with these, and how spicy are they?!
7. I love this post: When Productivity Tools Get in the Way of Actual Productivity. No matter how many different types of apps, online calendars or fancy planners I try to use, I always go back to my trusty notebook and pen. For me, nothing beats physically writing things down.
8. Full House back on the air?! My inner 10-year-old could not possibly be more excited!
9. I am slowly getting into the habit of keeping fresh-baked foods in my freezer (I figure this will help when the baby arrives – good to start the habit now!). I started this week with the whole wheat sandwich bread… next up – cookie dough! It’s all about balance, right?! I’m planning to stash away some of these salted peanut butter cup chocolate chip cookies. If you’ve never done it before, just make the dough as you normally would, then place the balls of dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop in the freezer until the dough is completely frozen. Then, throw them in a freezer-safe resealable bag and bake as many as you’d like at a time, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Cookies on demand!
10. TGIF! Have an awesome last (long) weekend of summer!
Bread slicing:
I went looking for what I was thinking of and found this one
http://www.amazon.com/Kai-Bread-Knife-Guide-AC-0059/dp/B003MTIDT6
which I have never seen, or the other ones posted. But cutting the loaf on the side is best (in a normal loaf pan). Here is the type I was thinking of – you can find them in various types
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLejKgkZQY (this shows in bread machine vertical loaf)
I have never tried myself but they have been around for many years.
Yay, a baby boy! Congrats!! <3
Congratulations on baby boy, wonderful news!
I just wanted it send my appreciation and love (that sort of strange internet love, seeing as I’ve never met you but feel as though I know from reading your blog over the years). I’ve always liked baking and cooking but never really dedicated myself to it as much as I would have liked. That was until I found your site. Your recipes are so descriptive and foolproof. I love reading the entries for each, why you love it so much, perhaps a funny quip and all the small little insights you include that help to ensure the best results.
You have helped to turn me into a truly fearless baker AND cook. There is nothing I won’t try now and I actually find myself enjoying more challenging recipes. All your insights have helped me to become more of a critical thinking type of baker, I feel like I know better,now, how to manipulate the ingredients to get the results I want.
Through your site I have uncovered such a deep love and passion for baking. This is huge because I have struggled for many years to find something to be passionate about, to devote all my energies to.
So thank you, many, many times. Keep doing what your doing because it is actually changing lives.
You are not alone. I have never watched a Simpsons episode. Congratulations on your baby boy. I haven’t read here for awhile and just saw the gender announcement.
First of all, congratulations on the baby boy!
I’ve noticed that most of the commends refer to mechanical bread slicers. There are also electrical ones which are much more adjustable. Not as cool as slicing bread with a knive but pretty useful. (Looks like a deli slicer, I guess you could use it for both: http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Adjustable-Compact-Slicer-Fence/dp/B006ZB9GQW/ref=sr_1_12?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1409391216&sr=1-12&keywords=bread+slicer)
Michelle, congratulations!
I have a baby boy who will turn 1 next month. Love him soo much, boys are the best! I grew up having a big sister (aka 2nd mum sometimes..) sometimes thought a big brother would have been nicer, so if there’s going to be a second baby, he/she’ll have that
Congratulations! Baby boys are SUPER!! And I can’t believe how much Duke has grown up — :)
Thanks for the pics and updates!
Congratulations on your little man! The bread slicing thing is like anything else, with time you’ll get it right and can do it in your sleep. Use the guide for a while and then you’ll have it down. My aunt used to make cookies that were a perfect ring. Mine were pathetic and I thought I’d never get there but after years of practice I finally got it. And The Simpson’s? I’ve never seen it either.
Congratulations and welcome to the BOYS club! I have two boys and they are the greatest (even as teenagers!)! You are going to love being the mother of a boy! BTW-they LOVE the Simpsons!
A boy!! Congratulations!! I don’t think I have ever seen a full episode of The Simpsons, bits and pieces here and there. Never interested in it.
I live for Hatch chili season! My favorite way to use them is to make a pimento cheese recipe and add the roasted, peeled, chopped chilis to it – smoky spicy cheesy goodness! Serve with pita chips or what have you.
I also made hatch chili brownies. Same story – add roasted, peeled, chopped to the batter and bake. Even more fun if you don’t warn people in advance (well, not grandma).
Yet another parenting parallel–no Simpsons for me, either (or Married…with Children or any other show where the kids were “smart” with their parents and others). I started watching it here and there after I got into high school because it was the one constant across any guy I dated, no matter how different they were in every other way; they universally loved “The Simpsons”! Go figure. It really is pretty funny but I’ve never watched it regularly. I have probably seen five full episodes if I’m estimating high. I’ve always found it funny, but not funny enough to seek it out for myself.
You are not alone. I have never seen an episode of the Simpson’s
My parents didn’t let me watch the Simpsons either, and like you, I have no desire to now that I am old enough!
Congratulations on the baby boy! I have been following you for over four years now, so I feel like I “know” you and was elated when I read about your pregnancy. I hope the next half goes smoothly! Nothing compares to the joy (and exhaustion!) of motherhood!
Congratulations on your baby boy! So glad all is well with you and with him.
I, too, have never seen an episode of the Simpsons. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve missed anything.
As for the bread-a very simple thing to try is to cool the loaf on its side. The cooling rack will make slight indentations which you can follow as you cut. It’s a simple solution that has helped my daughter, anyhow.
Congrats on having a boy! They are so fun. Loud and rambunctious but fun!
I wasn’t allowed to watch The Simpsons either, or 90210 or Married with Children. My husband loves the Simpsons though and references the show all the time :)
I am also challenged when it comes to slicing bread. I’m going to follow the suggestion of another reader and try and slice from the side. Maybe that will help??
Hi Michelle, Congrats on the baby boy (only girl in the house can be fun) and happy anniversary to you and Duke! My mom taught me the easiest, most simple way to cut homemade bread is to have the loaf turned east to west in front of you and then put it on it’s side. You can see and control how thick you are cutting and the distance is shorter. Also has many others have stated Hatch chiles are fabulous. Roast and chop them and put them in your queso or they are amazing stuffed with chicken and cheese. They are great in eggs or on a burger!
hatch Chilis- yum!! I’m from Dallas, and there are always hatch chilis in the early fall. Our favorite pizza place does a hatch chili pie which consists of roasted shredded chicken, red onion, hatch chilis, and bbq sauce sprinkled with parmesean cheese…yummmmy! There is also a hatch chili fest at a grocery chain called Central Market. My mom always buys this hatch chli cream cheese and it’s gone within a day. I bet you could make a delicious dinner with your cooking expertise and imagination!
What a lovely post full of good news! I am from the Land of Enchantment and am very familiar with the deliciousness of Hatch chilies! They are more on the mild side of heat, but you will always find that one that burns the taste buds. You can roast them at home in the oven too, it makes your house smell so good! There are so many options, but you must try Chile Rellenos. I stuff mine with cheese instead of the traditional minced meat and serve them with rice and beans. You can make a green chilie sauce for some yummy enchiladas too. The New Mexico motto is “red or green?” and you can’t beat the taste of the those green hatch chilies. Congrats on your precious baby and the equally precious Duke!
A Son, WOW! That is so great. Congratulations!
Hatch Chiles, are like Anaheims, but ‘local’ to southern New Mexico. Perhaps volcanic soil is what makes them special. Have only recently ‘hit’ the far afield (from Hatch, NM) markets.
I am a senior citizen and have never watched the Simpson’s. Never saw much comedy in ‘stupid’.
Happy Days, Duke!!
So when do we get a peek at the baby BOY nursery?? Any name choices yet?? So excited for you both!
Thank you! Haha, no nursery yet. We actually haven’t bought a single thing (save for a teddy bear)! We do have a name picked out, but aren’t telling anyone (including family) until the baby is born :)
Congrats on the baby boy!
No Simpsons for me either.
Hatch chiles are great on burgers, eggs, guacamole, pretty much anything. Not too spicy, just enough kick.
I’m thinking about giving away my current bread slicer and going with this little gem: http://www.amazon.com/DB-Tech-Compact-Foldable-Bread-Slicer/dp/B0091UO76S/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-2&keywords=folding+bread+slicing+guide
It’s bamboo, does 3 different thicknesses and is foldable to save space. Yeah!
I agree with the slicing ideas above. Practice is probably the best tip as well as using a sharp knife and slicing on the side–not from the top. It’s really hard to cut bread fresh out of the oven–once it sits it’s easier although, I would argue, slightly less tasty!
Love the chili ideas!
Congrats on your boy; babies are great!
So happy for you! I had two sons in the 70’s and now I have two great daughters in law and four grandchildren, three girls and a boy! Children are truly gifts from God that grow and multiply :-)
I’ve been freezing baked cookies for decades but never thought about freezing cookie dough balls. What a great idea!
Love the doggie pictures. Such sweet faces.
Blessings,
Grammy Carol
Turn the bread loaf on its side. Always makes it easier for me to get even cuts. Same with cheese!
I was going to say the same thing…..for whatever reason when I turn the loaf to the side…..my slices are even. I also use one of those serrated knives that they advertise to cut frozen foods with. It’s a thinner blade than a regular serrated bread knife and I have better control with it.
You’re not alone with the Simpsons! I think I’ve watched one episode in my entire life. I know lots of people think it’s hilarious, but I just don’t get the appeal of it.
Duke is getting so big!
You should Google for a bread knife with attached slicing guide. The guide is sort of a motorcycle side car attachment to the knife and it acts as a gauge to keep the slices of uniform width. My Mom had one when I was growing up. I wish I had kept it. Victorinox makes one, I believe.
Lovely to see your golden boy grow up.
Yeah for a baby boy! Mine are well into teenage years and it has been a full tilt blast from the beginning over 19 years ago!
And Hatch chiles-hurray! I usually char mine on the grill then cook them down into Chile Verde (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chili-verde-recipe0.html) and freeze for later use. Or char, peel and freeze to add to other dishes. Living in Arizona I am sometimes lazy and go to one of the many Hispanic markets and get them already roasted/charred, saves time!
Im glad I am not the only one who can’t slice bread. I love baking bread and call it my “need to knead” but no matter – what I cant slice it to save my life.
Another boy in the house! I had my first baby, a boy, in February, and motherhood has been quite a ride. Very excited for you!