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!
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!
Hatch Chile! I’m a food blogger who recently moved from DC to New Mexico. Imagine my surprise when I discovered there was a whole new world about hatch chiles I didn’t know about. Essentially, hatch chiles are like a cross between a hot pepper and an Italian green pepper. They’re delicious and a staple of every traditional New Mexican fair. They can be very spicy or mild, and it depends on the pepper. The smaller the pepper, the spicier, and if you freeze them, they become spicier with time.
I am OBSESSED with hatch chile powder- green or red. ( green in my favorite, personally). You can dehydrate the chilies and then grind them in a powder!
I also have a recipe here: http://www.southofvanilla.com/blog/2014/9/7/new-meixco-a-food-paradise-but-not-so-primal-friendly
You’ve got to try them!
I just have to say that living here in New Mexico, NOT having fresh green chili or loads of green chili in your freezer is like running out of peanut butter! It just can’t be allowed to happen. If our green chili stash gets low (usually in June), we start rationing!
Thoroughly enjoy your blog and recipes and especially seeing and hearing about the furry kids, Einstein & Duke.
I’m just catching up with your exciting news, Michelle, and I just want to congratulate you and your husband . I’m so happy for you and want to say that little boys are so cute ( I have a son), and I wish you a continued great pregnancy and a very healthy little boy at the end of it.
I just had to tell you that I live in El Paso and yesterday we traveled to Hatch, New Mexico to attend their annual Chili Festival. We had the best time…the chilies are so good!!!
Yay for a boy! For the bread I make in my bread machine I find my electric knife works perfectly! Because you slice faster, the likelihood of getting a straight slices is better. Plus you don’t have to buy another kitchen tool (unless you don’t have one). Love your site and that you’re here in my hometown!
I was just reading the latest Cook’s Illustrated and in the front there’s a section where people send in their best kitchen hack ideas. In this edition there was a better bread slicing suggestion–when you set your bread on the cooling rack to cool, lay it on its side so you will get even lines from the cooling rack indented in it and can then use those as a guide for cutting. No special equipment required :)
No, you are not the only one who has never seen The Simpsons :-)
Congratulations on your baby news!! How exciting! By the way, you aren’t the only one who has never watch The Simpsons. I wasn’t allowed to watch it when I was growing up either and to this day, I have no desire to watch it. I hope you have a great long weekend! :)
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!
Congratulations on one year of Duke and the baby boy! My son and I have really enjoyed your photos of the pups–I’m sure they’ll be wonderful companions to your little boy.
As a New Mexican, I put green chiles in everything. A few everyday uses: in a turkey Swiss sandwich on sourdough bread, either cold or heated up; on pepperoni pizza; in my scrambled eggs; in chile con queso; in guacamole; in corn chowder…this week I even put it in an apple pie! I hope you try some and enjoy it, but be warned–it’s addictive stuff!
All good wishes to you on the other half of your pregnancy – and a boy – what a joy! I adopted two 7 year old girls nine years ago and the time does fly too fast – just like your year with Duke did. During the bad moments you just have to remember, this too shall pass…Oh, I’ve never seen a Simpsons either!
You’re not alone: I’ve never seen a single Simpsons either!
Years ago when I first got a bread machine, someone gifted me a bread knife that had a guide on it to make even slices – it was adjustable so you could make them however thick/thin you liked. I’m sure if you google it, something will come up.
Congratulations on your baby boy!!
You are not alone…I’ve never watched The Simpsons either! Growing up, I wasn’t allowed and now just have no interest. I actually am thankful that my parents wouldn’t let me watch it; however I wasn’t allowed to watch 90210 either and now find myself wanting to buy the whole set of dvd’s and settling in for a marathon weekend ;-)
I wasn’t allowed to watch 90210 at first either, but by the time we were in high school I could. I didn’t watch it much then since I hadn’t gotten into it, but I’ve since watched the entire series from start to finish as an adult and LOVED it! We weren’t allowed to watch Married with Children, either. Glad we weren’t the only kids with TV rules!
I thought I was the only one not allowed to watch The Simpsons!! And yes, I do feel like it’s just too late for me to pick the show up. Same thing with Friends. :(
I picked up 90210 a few years ago – gold!
I highly recommend a Friends marathon! That’s one that I started right from the beginning… it took me from freshman year of high school all the way through to a couple of years post-college. It’s a great one!
Did you see Jimmy Kimmel Wed. night I think? The girls were all on a did a skit with him. Have heard that is has gone viral.
For me, the best two uses of hatch peppers is on a cheeseburger or in/over eggs. I want to go to New Mexico and try every burger there is. Here are a bunch of hatch chili recipes on Pinterest. I know what ingredient we’re going to be cook with this weekend! Yum! http://www.pinterest.com/hatchgreenchile/green-chile-burgers/.
Congrats to all of you! How exciting! I must tell you-you need a bread knife. Not your regular bread knife. Mine is a beauiful wood one and there is a gap between the wood and the SHARP part to use as a guide. I am not describing it very well. It helps! Woodworkers sell them at art shows usually.
Not what you are describing (with the wood), but same idea: http://www.amazon.com/Browne-Foodservice-MWS91R-Right-Hand-Wonder/dp/B001BTO708/ref=pd_tcs_subst_k_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=09FAAG2B7XVFCHGHH1GJ
Baby boys are the best!!! I have two little guys and am so happy they are boys (even though I thought I wanted a girl). Congratulations!!
Congratulations on the news! You’ll be surrounded by boys!
I’ve never been much of a Simpsons fan though I have seen the show. It just doesn’t really appeal to me I guess :)
My aunt (who lives in New Mexico) posted a picture of a big box of chiles that she just got, but I have no idea what she plans to do with them :)
I love freezing cookie dough for quick and easy future cookies. I usually only do it around Christmas. If I start making different cookie types in November then I have a good variety for Christmas without having to back so many back to back batches!
Congrats on the baby boy! I’ve never watched the Simpsons either.
My grandma taught me to always slice a loaf of bread from the side. This way you get the angle straight where it most counts. And you won’t smush the top of the loaf. Using a serrated bread knife, letting the knife do the work, gently saw back and forth as you go down, watching the angle on the bottom of the loaf (which is now exposed too). It works for me every time.
Hatch chilies are not a variety of chile. Hatch is a town in NM in which the chilies are grown. They are known as the chilie capital! They grow all varieties. The variety I’ve seen in stores here that are labeled Hatch Chilies are similar to Anaheims in the heat dept. But remember chilies can vary in heat even the same variety of chilie. If the stem is curved, the chilie is going to be hotter than the one lying next to it with the straight stem. It’s an age thing. I’ve bought poblanos out of the same bin where one was mild as could be and one was very very spicy. That was before I knew the stem trick. Anyway, if they’re from Hatch, they’re the best!
It’s so funny you should say that about the bread slicing. When you posted your whole wheat bread earlier in the week, I literally had the thought, “Wow, she has the most even bread slices ever. How does she do that?!” Congratulations on your baby boy!
Congratulations on your baby boy!! Thank you for sharing the sex. I can’t stand when people SAY that they found out sex but refuse to share. That is just annoying… We have 3 boys and 1 girl. Boys are the sweetest little guys and YES they love their mommies.
I see absolutely zero appeal with The Simpsons so you are not alone!
I have the bread slicing problem, too. My slices always are a little thinner on the bottom, so I very slightly angle the knife towards the rest of the bread. It helps a little. Once while watching Giada De Laurentiis I noticed she had the same problem. That made me feel a little.better.
Bread sliced sideways with a slicer is the same top to bottom.
Congratulations on your baby boy! My tip for slicing bread in even slices? I use an electric knife…..perfect slices everytime and I bake bread every week!
Michelle, Congratulations on having a son! What wonderful news! he is going to be one lucky fella. I predict your house is going to be the gathering place when he gets older. A cool mom and one who know how to make good food, plus you will probably be the chauffeur to hockey practice lol. As far as the Simpsons, do not get it either and you can add Family Guy to the pot. Your mother did you a favor!!!!
CONGRATS on your baby boy!! Half way there, it’s fun stuff now…registering and getting that nursery ready!! I have never gotten into the Simpsons either, you are not alone!!
Congratulations! You will now be the only female in a house full of males! I am happy to hear all is going well at mid-pregnancy.
I have not seen even one episode of the Simpsons. I have seen short snipits and I just don’t get them but I am not a cartoon person and never have been.
Finally, I have a batch of your peanut butter chocolate chip cookies in my freezer ready to bake whenever needed. Storing cookie dough in the freezer is a great way to always be just minutes away from fresh baked cookies.
Enjoy your weekend!
A boy….Congratulations!
My husband likes watching the Simpsons, but I simply can’t watch it. I have better things to do with my time. ;)
Here’s the bread slicing guide I’ve been using for many years. It works very well!
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-370-Bread-Slicer-Catcher/dp/B00004UE6T/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409308553&sr=8-1&keywords=bread+slicing+guide+for+homemade+bread
This is exactly what I need! Thanks for sharing the link!
That is the one I use as well. However, I have noticed that if you cut along the lines given the bread tends to be thicker than I would like. So I just use the first section and move the loaf so I am cutting the size of bread that I want. I hope this makes sense. Happy baking.
Congrats on the baby boy. . .he’ll be here before you know it.
As for the Simpsons, my parents didn’t let us watch it either, so I never watched as an adult either. Adult cartoons in general seem like an odd concept to me though, cartoons aren’t supposed to swear or depict violence or adult content, just seems wrong.
Yaaay – it’s Hatch Chile season!! Get ’em now because the season is short! Heat can vary from mild to medium hot, depending on the variety and also what kind of growing season they had (hot days/cool nights is perfect). Use anywhere you would use an Anaheim, but the flavor is better in my opinion. Buy ’em roasted, seed and peel ’em, freeze ’em in portions and you’ll be a happy cook! Or you can roast them yourself (we’ve spent some fun Sunday afternoons, taking turns at the chili roaster, peeling/seeding/packaging while drinking a beer or three!). Remember: do NOT rinse that wonderful roasted flavor down the drain after peeling! Note: the heat increases the longer they are in the freezer. YUM! I know what I’m doing this weekend!
Congrats on the baby boy :) That’s great news.
Plus – you’re not the only one who has never seen a single Simpsons-Episode – me neither. I have no idea what’s so funny about it or worth wasting time on watching it :P
And i’m glad I’n not the only one missing the “How to cut bread right”-Gen ;) My Grandma used to slice it right in front of her chest – I had always been afraid, she’d be chopping her boobs off …
Congratulations :) exciting times!!!
I’ve never watched the simpsons either, tried one episode and couldn’t stand it. I did see the movie on tv but really, couldn’t see what the fuss is about!
Congrats on your SON! :) That is so awesome you know. I had to know when I was pregnant, too. Like at 13 weeks. 4D ultrasound had to happen :) Have a great holiday weekend!
I haven’t seen the Simpsons either. I don’t get the appeal if it. Congrats on your baby boy.
My parents didn’t let me watch Simpsons either! I thought I was the only kid in the world with parents that strict! Yeah for a baby boy!
You’re not alone on The Simpsons matter! My mom didn’t let me watch it either, so I really don’t know a lot about the show. I kind of feel left out, but oh well :) I real thought I was the only one!
Congrats on your baby boy!!!
Hi Michelle,
Hatch chiles are Anaheim chiles grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico, which gives them a special terroir. There are mild and hot varieties available, and they can vary as much as a normal chile level can. They’re usually fairly mild, though… Anaheims are pretty low in drama. I grew up just north of Texas, so New Mexican and Texan foods are some of my favorites.
There are lots of really great things you can do with Hatch chiles! For some great inspiration, Confections of a Foodie Bride has some places for you to start, and I’d look at Homesick Texan as well: http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/category/ingredients/hatch-chiles/ and http://www.homesicktexan.com/ I roast and skin them and freeze them to keep around all year, then I add the roasted chiles to humus (it’s AMAZINGLY good), or make queso dip, fold them into omelets or frittatas, or turn them into chile verde sauce. They’re amazing… I hope you have fun exploring them!
Anahiem are really good I roast them, skin them, then make a green chile with them. It’s just a simple recipe but it’s great with beans and tortillas – or just about anything. I’m sure you’v seen the ristras of the Anaheim peppers when they turn red, I make a red chile from that also. Michelle, the narrower the pepper, the hotter it will be. Make sure you protect your hands when preparing them.
Congratulations on your little man to be! I grew up with 5 sisters, so adopting a boy was a bit of a shock for me, but no one loves his mommy more than a son!
Aww, Duke and Einstein are getting a baby brother! Yay and congrats again to you and your hubby :)