The other day Deb Perelman (aka Smitten Kitchen) posted a recipe for pickled cucumbers. But not summer pickled cucumbers. It looked like more of a side salad, something you would see in an Austrian restaurant alongside the roasted pork, kraut blau, thick crusty bread to mop up the pork drippings, and a stein of beer.
So of course out came the mandolin, and other assorted pickling things. I have never worked with dill seed before. To me it imparts a different flavor than fresh dill or even dried dill weed. Softer somehow if that even makes sense.
I love that the recipe calls to remove part of the peel using a zester or a fork. It's so pretty. Served with the chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, and corn, it was a perfect foil to break up all the richness.
It's still cold here in Kansas. A large cup of coffee to sip while staring out at the snow is lovely. Three pairs of fingerless mitts were blocked yesterday. I don't usually block mitts, but why not?
We continue to watch the birds and fill the feeder.
That's all the news (that's really not worth reporting) I am sharing with you today. Please tell me what you have been up to that's as exciting. Because don't we still want to say Hi even when we have nothing else to say?
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The bird photos are fantastic! Not much news here. Since December I've been lighting candles at breakfast because it's still dark. My relatives in Denmark did that when I visited in December. Stay warm!
Posted by: Mary | 01/19/2024 at 07:50 AM
Hi! We are up to very little here. Dale has had a cold that wouldn’t quit. Lots of reading, chicken soup and tea!
Posted by: Chris Oliveira | 01/19/2024 at 08:56 AM
Mary! I too light candles every morning, there is something comforting about it. I am so happy to hear that you got to Denmark in December to visit relatives. I look forward to catching up with you in person sometime. Carol
Posted by: carol | 01/19/2024 at 10:52 AM
Chris: good to hear from you and I hope that shoulder is doing well. Raising my tea cup to yours. Carol
Posted by: carol | 01/19/2024 at 10:54 AM
The cucumber salad looks similar to "Great Aunt Betty's Cucumber Salad" in my family -- I love the cuke edges on yours! I just texted my Mom the image of your fingerless gloves. (I've been begging. Nicely!) Is there a pattern to suggest? Thanks Carol. xo
Posted by: Michelle | 01/20/2024 at 02:07 PM
A little over a week ago I decided I needed to see the redwood trees and the Pacific ocean and Ev said he was game. I made some tunafish, threw some stuff in a shitcase and we drove to California and did just that. Rain! But no desert girl would ever complain about that. We had a delicious time. Two days ago I looked at him and said, "I miss my pillow and the dogs" so we turned the car east and came home. Arrived a couple of hours ago, unpacked and ordered pizza and that's that!
Posted by: SusanS | 01/23/2024 at 08:29 PM
Michelle here's to all the great Aunt Betty's in the world! May their recipes continue to live and be passed down for all the generations to come.
Susan!!!! I love this story of your spur of the moment trip and the return when you needed your own pillow.
Carol
Posted by: carol | 01/24/2024 at 04:31 PM