Tall Tales from Kansas

exactly 117 times

Each day at work, on the walk from my office to get a cup of coffee, I pass under this.  

I have now walked under it exactly 117 times.    I like to examine it from all angles.

I haven't found a bad perspective yet. 

a gentle reminder from the crocus

You know what this means right?   Time to get outside and clean up my flower beds.   I love the gentle reminder from the crocus.   A sudden pop of color to let us know that spring is just around the corner. 

put the lime in the coconut and then you feel better

This past weekend I tried out a new recipe on some unsuspecting guests who came to dinner.  My sister had sent me this link a couple of months ago and I was just waiting for the right opportunity to make it.  

I rounded up the ingredients, pulled up the recipe, decided to look at a few other recipes to be sure I had the best one, tinkered around with them a little, and came up with a winner.

This is a sweet rice pudding.  Creamy with an undercurrent of lime that is not overpowering.  What really put it over the top for me was the crunch of the toasted coconut combined with the chewy/creamy pudding.   I combined elements from the link above with a recipe from Gourmet and came up with this final version:

Coconut Lime Rice Pudding
1/2 cup Arborio rice
1 - 14 oz can light coconut milk
1  1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
zest from one large lime
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
Toasted coconut for topping

In a heavy saucepan combine all ingredients (except the toasted coconut) and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat when mixture thickens and the rice is cooked the way you like it.  This recipe makes enough for 4 servings.  I let it cool a bit then put it in individual serving dishes.  Can be served warm or cooled.   I toasted about a cup of coconut and everyone put on the amount they wanted. 

We might have ended the night with a rousing rendition of Harry Nilsson's famous Coconut song.  A good time was had by all.   

all the lumps and bumps worked out

My latest class project is in the blocking phase of construction. 

I like blocking.  Smoothing.  Shaping.  All the lumps and bumps worked out.  Getting everything in it's proper place.   

I wonder if I laid myself down on floor someone could block me?

it's got a good beat and you can clean to it

If your weekend requires the use of this:

Do yourself a favor and be sure to involve this as well.  

It's got a good beat and you can definately clean to it. 

with no signs of the passion cooling off

If you are looking for an action packed way to spend your Friday or Saturday night, might I suggest flipping through the latest edition of Cook's Illustrated?

I realize this isn't for everyone.  Only those of us who are curious about the best way to get the stickers off fresh produce, want to read about peeling and deveining shrimp, and have decided to try and make a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread.  

I do enjoy propping up my feet to read about how those chefs have de-constructed, re-vamped, and generally fiddled around with recipes to figure out what works (and what doesn't).   They also introduced me to the coffee maker that has been living with me for the last four years.  My Technivorm Moccamaster and I are still in the honeymoon phase of our relationship, with no sign of the passion cooling off.   For that alone I am forever in their debt. 

the pre-trip modus operendi

The only thing better than going on a vacation is thinking about going on a vacation. 

My pre-trip modus operendi involves getting a couple of travel books with decent pictures and maps.   I like to be able to close my eyes and think about where I am going to be in a country and what I will be surrounded by.   I want to think about what I am going to see when I get there.  

Vikings.   Fjords.   Fata Morganas.   Trolls.   Stave Churches.  Gravat laks.   Aquavit.  

I have some reading to do. 

you find a way to work around minor annoyances

One of the best things about knitting with a group of people is you get ideas for techniques you may want to try.  This is an example of one.  I made it a few years ago.   It's called shadow knitting and it's made with very small needles (size 2 US).

 
While it was a long process I like this sweater because it holds it's shape well and it's warm but not too hot to wear inside all day.    I made the sleeves too long and it's a little bit too short,  but when you spend almost a year making something you find a way to work around minor annoyances. 

There are a number of interesting patterns with great color combinations in this book.    I am going to try one of the vests as soon as I forget how long it takes to complete one row on those little needles. 

Carol's Cherry Amaretto Bread Pudding

I've got a good idea.    It involves these.

And maybe some Amaretto.   Cherry and almond flavors were made for each other. 

Ever since I saw this I have been wanting cherries.    And you may have noticed I have also been on a bread pudding kick.    Cherries + Bread Pudding = Carol's good idea.   

Don't take my word for it though.  Rustle up a batch for yourself.   Then tell me I am not a genius.  

Carol's Cherry Amaretto Bread Pudding 
1 cup dried tart cherries
3 Tbsp Amaretto
Mix cherries with Amaretto, microwave for a minute and let sit to soften.

6 cups cubed challah bread - spread 1/2 of the bread cubes in a buttered 2 quart baking dish.
Layer the cherry/amaretto mixture over the bread cubes.  Then put the other half of the bread cubes on top of that.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup brown sugar .

2 3/4 cups milk
1/4 cup Amaretto
3 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
Mix together and pour over the bread and cherry mixture.  
Bake in a 325 degree oven for 60-70 minutes. 

A word about the challah bread.  This is the first time I have made bread pudding using it.  I will NEVER make bread pudding without it again.  It's truly beyond compare.  Oh, by the way.  The left over challah bread makes perfect toast.  Perfect.  Really. 

Do inanimate objects have a collective consciousness?

Do you believe that inanimate objects (like watches) have a collective consciousness when they reside within close proximity of each other?  

If  you don't, can you please explain how it is possible that not one of these watches is operational today.  Each and every battery dead.   I left them out by the bathroom sink this morning in the hope that someone see's them and takes a hint.